BVMs Respond to the Cry of Our Common Earth Home

Motivated by the directional statements, on Jan. 1, 2022, the BVM Leadership Team pledged a seven-year commitment to a global movement towards building a better world characterized by sustainability, in the spirit of integral ecology by developing a Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP). The platform is in response to Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home.

LSAP Goals and Action Plans
The seven LSAP goals, grounded in the concept of integral ecology, include: response to the cry of the Earth; response to the cry of the poor; ecological economics; adoption of simple lifestyles; ecological education; ecological spirituality; and emphasis on community involvement and participatory action.

BVMs have designed a plan relating to the seven goals that reflects their specific charism and aspirations. An action committee, Care for our Common Earth Home (C4EC), has also been formed to organize events, create content, offer prayer, and serve as a resource for BVMs, associates, and others.

Goal Assessment and Future Plans
Every year, BVMs will conduct a self-assessment, create a plan of action, and develop SMART goals with an evaluation. Goals may be enhanced or changed each year. LSAP opened on Nov. 4, 2021, and is a seven-year commitment.

Currently, the C4EC has been reviewing the goals and gathering information of BVM evidence that exist for each goal. Evidence such as community assemblies, corporate stances, advocacy, ethical investments, grants, committee work, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Presbyterian Homes & Services partnership, community engagement, and retreats are a few examples of the full experiences that we can build on. The next major step will be a reflection with the BVM Congregational Assembly in 2022 and the selection of a Plan of Action for the coming year.

About the author: Marguerite Murphy, BVM lives in Montrose, Calif., and serves as Chairperson for Leadership Implementing Vision Energetically (LIVE) committee and serves on the BVM Grant and Care for Our Common Earth committees.

Join the Movement:
We invite you to join in responding to the cry of our common home to work toward sustainability and integral ecology. To learn more, visit the Care for Our Common Earth Home webpage at: bvmsisters.org/care-for-our-common-earth-home.

Questions?
Contact the Care for Our Common Earth Home Committee:
BVMs Bette Gambonini, Rose Mary, Meyer, Marguerite Murphy, and BVM Associate Katie Anders at: careforearth@bvmsisters.org.

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SUMMER 2022: Freed by Love: Acting for Justice

In this issue of Salt, we share how the BVMs continue to fight for causes at the Heart of BVM, such as access to affordable healthcare, protecting whistleblowers, leaving behind a healthy planet, and fighting for justice with the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM).

If you would like to receive Salt, contact the Office of Development for a complimentary subscription at development@bvmsisters.org or 563-585-2864.