Today, June 5, is World Environment Day. This special day of awareness encourages citizens of the world to consider their impact on the planet. More than 140 countries recognize the day, which calls for governments, nonprofit agencies, businesses and individuals to do their part to initiate positive change to protect our global environment.

As a Laudato Si’ Congregation, School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province have committed themselves to “live more simply, responsibly and sustainably and to Educate, Advocate and Act in collaboration with others for the dignity of life and the care of all creation.” The SSND Laudato Si’ committee has worked to implement various initiatives, including recycling programs, sharing of plant-based recipes and ongoing education efforts via thoughtful articles and discussions. We have invited sisters to share their creative reflections on World Environment Day and what care of creation looks like to them. Sisters responded with a meaningful collection of essays, poems, photographs and paintings.

After moving from Sancta Maria in Ripa, St. Louis, to The Sarah Community, Bridgeton, Missouri, Sister Louise Bennecke found herself missing the impressive library of her former home. Joined by Sisters Elaine AuBuchon and Lorraine Soukup, the three began an effort to breathe new life into the existing library room available to them at The Sarah Community. Through an extensive organization effort and some creative display work, the space now has the inviting look and feel of a proper library space to support the enthusiastic readers who live there.