Central Pacific Province in Action

Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’, an encyclical letter to all Catholics worldwide to take action to protect the earth for generations to come. The encyclical is written “for everyone on the planet.” It urges action for the common good. It reminds us of the great love of the Creator that is infused in all Creation. It asks us to see that “Everything is Connected.” It reminds us that no matter how small a contribution we can make to show love and concern for the Earth and its people, it is important. It pleads with us to consider the generations yet to come. Sister Kathy Schmittgens shares how SSND Central Pacific Province has been responding to that call.

This year, Sister Kathy Schmittgens and Sister Lucille Coughlin wrote a beautiful Lenten reflection that connects Laudato Si’ quotes with readings of the Gospel. Follow along each week with a different reflection! School Sisters of Notre Dame are a Laudato Si’ Congregation. This means we have started on a seven-year commitment to participate in the healing of Earth, and to living in right-relationship with all in our planet’s community of life.

Sister Suzanne Moynihan is passionate about Care of Creation and thus joined the recently formed Laudato Si’ Care of Creation Committee. Her goal is to ensure the Central Pacific Province fulfills the seven-year commitment goals set by the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. When asked to share her passion, she wrote, “Emboldened by Divine Grace, together, we can lessen the harmful effects of global warming. We can create conversations about how climate change has affected us locally and thus inspire each other to act. We can, can’t we?”

Last year, the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were invited to become a Laudato Si’ Congregation. This means SSND agree to embark on a seven-year journey towards living more simply, responsibly and sustainably. As well as to educate, advocate and act in collaboration with others for the dignity of life and the care of all creation. Tim Dewane, director of the Central Pacific Province Shalom-JPIC, explains the seven-year commitment and the seven Laudato Si’ goals SSND will be striving towards.

Season 1 of Called to Action focuses on the area of Care of Creation. Sisters, staff and SSND ministry leaders are featured. The topics range from farming and plastic bags, to why we should care about the Earth. We hope you come away from this season with a passion to implement change in your daily tasks to protect the Earth.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame publish a bi-annual donor newsletter in order to share the mission, spirituality and charism of the sisters and their ministries. In 2022, the issue focused on Care of Creation, SSND's commitment to find new ways to live in harmony with all of creation. 

Care of creation is seen as such an important issue that Pope Francis wrote an encyclical named Laudato Si’. There are many ways the School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province have implemented Care of Creation as a topic of importance, such as the Season of Creation every fall and our Land Ethic Statement. Sister Jeanne Wingenter shares, “Our Land Ethic Statement says to live more simply, responsibly and sustainably with one another and with all of creation.”