Minute of our August Meeting

1. We met together where Sr. Pat offered her reflection which didn't all come through and so she will re-present this reflection at our Sept Meeting.

2. Brian Offered a PowerPoint that showed some of the work of the other Unit (not in our Focus Group) namely North India and Victoria.

3. Brian also offered some explanation of the Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP) and what it means to engage.

   1. Subsequent to this there was a discussion on the ability to engage with the LSAP. - At a recent CCtJ meeting with Sr. Anne Mc Dermott of the CLT we were told that it would be enough to engage with the LSAP without necessarily signing up to it but by following the steps. It is accepted that others are farther ahead in their LSAP preparations.

   2. Brian O' T signed up to the LSAP as an individual to be sure that all links and emailed resources could be harvested for all.

4. Sr Dorothy announced that as she has been elected to her leadership team that she will no longer be a part of this group but that in time another Sisters will come in her place. She has been thanked for all her significant contributions to our group and to the IPA.

5. Sr. Flora (South India) apologised for being unable to attend this meeting.

6. Sr. Pat's group are signing up to the LSAP and so won't be duplicating their work elsewhere.

7. Several of the Sisters in the group are in preparation for the work of the upcoming Season of Creation .

8. In North India, there is a new initiative to ask that each month for the next 9 months each community would prepare a Laudato Si reflection that would take into account the SDGs. The entire community will then use this prepared reflection. An important part of this reflection is the ability to undertake do-able actions. Libania has agreed to share this resource with us.

9. Ruth offered that as part of her Diocesan JPIC group that they have looked at the LSAP but are constrained to take on too much given the ongoing lockdown status.

10. Sr. Eileen Kearney (Latin America) explained that they are a group of 7 Sisters in 3 Latin American Countries and have been in lockdown for 18 months but also echoed the sentiment that religious orders including the Presentations have been involved in the work of Laudato Si for over 40 years. Laudato Si just made this work mainstream by giving voice to the care of the earth being undertaken by Religious and Indigenous alike. Sr. Eileen also commented that many more are being consciously involved but the challenge is to stay involved.

11. We also discussed briefly:

    1. IPCC document

    2. COP26

    3. Pacific Islanders attending COP26.

    4. COVID vd COP26.

12. The meeting ended with thanks to all.

13. Brian agreed to contact those Justice Contacts who have as yet alerted us to the work in their units on Care for Our Common Home.

14. Next Meeting Sept 23rd. Sr. Pat to share her reflections.

North India

Advance the care/ rights of the earth:

“We continue to share in the dram of Nano to walk lightly on earth”. C.G-2018

Ø Creating awareness on care of the earth, environment and climate change in all our ministries.

Ø Practicing waste management in community and ministry.

Ø Doing organic backyard gardening and use of organic fertilizer/ manure.

Ø Practicing water and energy conservation.

Ø Avoiding use of plastic materials where possible.

Ø Encouraging the use of herbal/ alternative medicines in support of our programs.

Ø Encouraging people to plant more trees, plants and flowers.

Ø Distributing plants/seedlings for people.

Ø Taking part in seminars, celebrations on care of the earth and Laudato Si at Chiang Mai diocese.

Ø Using prayers and reflections from Laudato si “on care for our common home” for our reflection/ prayers.