Africa climate change report reveals heat rising North and South, Sahel getting wetter
26 October 2020 Africa needs to prepare better for climate change by responding to a wide range of potential risks, a multi-agency report led by the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday, the first in a series of continent-by-continent assessments. “In recent months we have seen … Lire la suite →
The tree planting project in Nouakchott (Mauritania)
July 11 was the launch of tree planting by the Islamic-Christian group (ICG), in collaboration with the Association ‘Children of the Sun’ in the suburbs of Arafat. Sr.Celina, who is the initiator of the « One tree per family » project, is also the head of the Islamic-Christian group.
On the first day of the tree planting, Sr Celina with Victorine, Fr Victor the chaplain of the group, Sr.Marie Jesus, Daughter of Charity, four other members and a young Christian man joined the ‘Children of the Sun’ group to participate in the work of land preparation. . Lire la suite →
Gumo (Ghana) planting trees
The MSOLA community of Gumo received a large donation of small trees and plants from an individual. We had the joy of sharing them with our parish. Lire la suite →
Gumo (Ghana) Flood in our Parish
The village of Naawuni in the North of Ghana was affected by heavy flooding which destroyed many houses, leaving people in anguish and sadness. Lire la suite →
Season of creation 2020 in Nouakchott MSOLA community
In community, we marked the season of creation with a day of recollection in line with the Global Catholic Climate Movement, GCCM, on September 12-13 and a week of prayer with creation. Lire la suite →
Gardening and planting trees in Nouakchott community
We take advantage of this time of lockdown to garden and to learn from each other.
We have planted banana and cassava trees to hide our neighbours’ overflowing pits.
Following the Pope’s invitation we marked Laudato Si week with prayer and with a change in how we see things.
We are also forming ourselves by better preparing the Eucharistic celebrations and prayer. We continue to help the parish in the preparation and distribution of food parcels to the needy.
Thanks to the help of the diocese given to all religious communities and parishes in Mauritania, we have distributed food parcels to 30 families.
We keep in touch with our acquaintances by telephone and prayer.
The Nouakchott SMNDA community in Mauritania.
Raising awareness about use of plastics in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
In January 2019, Sr Hélène Kavula, in collaboration with two other nurses colleagues, sensitized the women who sell water and food in plastic bags and then throw the bags into the courtyard of the Toécé health center, so that they gather the plastics and maintain de courtyard clean.
Planting Trees in Nouakchott, Our Way of Caring for the Earth
Motivated by the experiences of gardening and the tree nursery with the children of the ‘Neighborhood House’, we decided to plant trees with the people. The Islamo-Christian group (GIC) wanted to sponsor an activity with the Mauritanians. Yahya, a young … Lire la suite →
The JPIC commitments of the sisters of Montpellier community
We want to share with you the JPIC-activities in which the members of the community of Montpelier Court are involved on a regular basis. Marion Carabott is a volunteer at Bakhita House, which is a refuge for trafficked women. She … Lire la suite →
Small Steps for Ecology by MSOLA in Canada and the U.S.
The sisters of Canada and the U.S. all worked on the encyclical « Laudato si ». In response to the Pope’s call, they made various commitments for the care of creation which they share with us. In Beauport, last September, four sisters … Lire la suite →
Raising Awareness About the Environment
The pre-postulants of Gumo community participated in a seminar, together with the young members of several congregations from the 5 dioceses of northern Ghana. We participated in three workshops: self-knowledge and knowledge of others, leadership, and environment. During the last … Lire la suite →
The march for Climate Change at the COP25 in Madrid
The International March for Climate on December 6 with the presence of Greta Thunberg gathered more than 500,000 people to ask the governments gathered at the COP25 in Madrid to take strong measures to fight against global warming.
In the walk there were many young people, families with children and strollers, and people of all ages. At the end of the march Greta Thunberg spoke: « Hello Madrid…! We are here because world leaders are in Madrid to negotiate our future. The whole world is with you. You are the hope! Read more.
Our contribution to tree planting
After seeing the short film of the environmental activists Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot on the need to protect, restore and use nature to tackle the climate crisis https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=23&v=Q0xUXo2zEY&feature=emb_logo) and having read a very impressive article in the ‘Tablet’ about how some countries e.g. Ethiopia, India and the Sahel belt in Africa, have a great drive to plant trees, I brought the subject of the care of creation to our community meeting. Read more.
MSOLA participate in parallel events at the COP25 in Madrid
During COP25 in Madrid (December 2-15, 2019) the Catholic Climate Movement organized, on December 5-6 at CEU San Pablo in Madrid, some round table discussions and conferences on the effects of climate change and its consequences for the planet, especially for the most disadvantaged continents. Amparo Cuesta attended these meetings.
Some other sisters participated at the March for Climate Change that gathered more than half a million persons. Read more.
Participation in events for the protection of Mother Earth
The months of October and November were intense with activities. In October we participated in the march for the protection of our mother Earth. I was also responsible for preparing our JPIC meeting in Montreal. After the meeting, I left for the Forum on Water, organized by the activists of the GREEN CHURCH, at Cap de la Madeleine in Quebec. Read more.
What to do in the current climate emergency situation?
During the ECA Assembly in Uganda last December, I animated a session on Climate change: What to do in the current emergency situation?
As people we have two essential material dependencies: on the natural environment to maintain life and on human beings who take care of us when we need it. As our life depends on both of them, we are interdependent. The fantasy of individuality has had a terrible effect on nature: the over-exploitation of the Earth destroys the environment. Burning fossil fuels (coal, petrol, gas…) produces greenhouse gases (GHG) … Read more.
Postulants grow in awareness about care for creation
Five aspirants took part in the Ouagadougou vocational camp from August 31 to September 6, 2019. The day of September 1st was dedicated to raising awareness among the postulants about caring for nature and the Season of Creation. They « remembered » their experiences with creation and prayed with nature.
Caritas and myself (Hélène), were very touched by the awareness which the aspirants expressed during their sharing. Each of them stressed that she neglects nature. Some have realized that not only do they not take care of the Earth but they even contribute to its destruction by throwing plastics everywhere, while the Earth continues to provide good things for us. Read more.
Klettengerg Community in Germany
We are aware that even in old age we can contribute much to justice and peace in the world, even if in a different way than before, when we still had apostolic activities.
Now we have more time to pray for peace and justice. We also believe that if we live, speak and act justly in our small environment and create peace, this has an impact on the world. Peace and justice begin in our own hearts. Only when we are at peace with ourselves can we cultivate attitudes such as benevolence, respect and mindfulness, and avoid unnecessary criticism. Read more.
Commitment to the climate by Paris Bon Secours Community
Concerning the subject CREATION, God’s gift, our group of five sisters met on Saturday, September 29th to pray over the document sent by Begoña for World Creation Day.
In our situation in the EPHAD Residence of Ste Monique, we cannot do much except pray and sign petitions so that our planet is not destroyed !
Personally I am fond of gardening, but I can only grow potted plants, around 50 of them, in the corridor on my floor. I sometimes have scruples about the water drawn for watering them, and I try to reason with myself, thinking about private pools and the waste caused by taps left open and showers that flow freely. Read more.
Season of Creation (1st Sept. to 4th October)
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home.
As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common role as stewards of God’s creation. We see that our well being is interwoven with its well being. We rejoice in this opportunity to care for our common home and the sisters and brothers who share it. This year, the theme for the season is biodiversity, God’s web of life. We invite you to consider the unique value of each creature in God’s wondrously complex web of life.
Clic to download a Guide with proposals for Prayer and Action to do with your community
2019-Season of Creation Theme-Guide Prayer-Action-Eng
Visit the website seasonofcreation.org to register your event.
Laudato Si’ Generation in Africa
Young People committed for the care of our common home meets in Nairobi
on the forth anniversary of the Encyclyclical Letter Laudato Si’ and celebrating its fifth anniversary, at the Conference « Laudato Si’ Generation: young people caring for our common home », from 15-16 July, 2019.
Approximately 270 people participated in the gathering, coming from about fifty countries – mainly from Africa. The event had a special focus on the African continent, although there were also speakers from other continents. Many of them were young people (many of them members of CYNESA) often involved in the management of ecological projects (farms, forestation, energy saving and use of solar energy, …) in their respective dioceses or congregations. Read more.
Pope Francis calls for ‘radical energy transition’ to stem global warming
To Pope Francis carbon pricing is “essential” to stem global warming – his clearest statement yet in support of penalising polluters – and appealed to climate change deniers to listen to science.
In an address to energy executives at the end of a two-day meeting, he also called for “open, transparent, science-based and standardised” reporting of climate risk and a “radical energy transition” away from carbon to save the planet.
Carbon pricing, via taxes or emissions trading schemes, is used by many governments to make energy consumers pay for the costs of using the fossil fuels that contribute to global warming, and to spur investment in low-carbon technology. Read more.
The Oran Library is getting into ecology
At the last meeting of the library Reading Club, we chose the theme of ecology and the safeguard of creation. We were inspired by Pierre Rabhi (of Algerian origin), one of the greatest « human consciences » in the world on these … Lire la suite →
Children plant trees in Nouakchott (Mauritania)
One day in February we welcomed 54 children of the Cœurs vaillants-Ames vaillantes (CVAV) movement, to plant aloe vera and moringa trees. This activity was the follow-up to last year’s meeting, during which we raised awareness among this group of … Lire la suite →
« Tree week » in Kadutu (Bukavu – D.R. Congo)
The staff and children of the kindergarten in Kadutu marked « women’s month » by celebrating « tree week» from 4th to 8th March. Throughout the week the children and teachers planted 90 trees in our garden. This was our contribution to care … Lire la suite →
Bishops sign document calling for action against climate change
Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi , President,
SECAM, Archbishop of Lubango
signing the statement on Climate Change.
Five presidents of continental bishops’ conferences and leaders of the Catholic Church organizations on October 26, 2018, called on government leaders to take ambitious and immediate action to tackle and overcome the devastating effects of the climate crisis.
In the context of a recent UN IPCC report on the urgent need to develop policies that limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, Church leaders call politicians to work towards an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement for the people and the planet. They ask for the next United Nations climate change conference (COP24, Katowice, Poland, December 2018) to prove a milestone in the path set out in 2015 in Paris. Read more.
From 7 Octobre to the 2nd December 2018 is a time to live part of our response to the recent IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C, which provided alarming scientific evidence for the climate damage that should be expected if the world continues on its current trajectory. Lire plus.
Season of Creation 2018 (from 1st September to 4th October)
During this time Christians around the world unite to pray and care for creation. You are called to lead your community and your friends in celebration and in action “walking together,”.
Imagine different ways of living together this journey toward better care of our common home. Read more…
On September 8, Rise for Climate and Justice
On September 8, 2018, a week before the Global Climate Action Summit that will take place in San Francisco from 12 to 14 September 2018, thousands of people in cities and communities around the world will organize and participate in events to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the climate movement by taking local and bold action on climate change to engage states and regions, cities, businesses and investors to lead the charge on pushing down global emissions by 2020, setting the stage to reach net zero emissions by midcentury.
Save our common House and the future of life on Earth
Pope Francis has called for urgent collective action to repair our common home, and has given his blessing to the « citizen pressure groups » that are organizing for the World Summit on Climate Action to be held in September. “I thank you for coming and HEARTILY LISTEN to the increasingly much stronger desperate cry of the Earth and of the Poor… for coming to respond to the urgent call to ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION called for by the Encyclical, and take concrete steps inspired on the fact that ALL ARE INTERCONNECTED which is the heart of INTEGRAL ECOLOGY.” This shouldn’t be just another meeting but an instance of open heartedly, listening together to the cry of God from the creation and respond with concrete actions towards ecological conversion. Read more.
Campaign Sowing Hope for the Planet – Everything is interconnected
Pope Francis urged us to heed the call for an ecological conversion “to become painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering and to discover what each of us can do about it.” (LS #19)
For this reason, the UISG (Union of International Sisters Board have decided to promote the UISG Campaign, Sowing Hope for the Planet. You are invited to become involved in Sowing Hope for the Planet (2018-2019). You and the members of your community are encouraged to reflect more deeply on Laudato Si and to consider ways to make Pope Francis’ message a reality, both personally and within your communities. We will put regularly information on this website on various ways in which you can actively participate.
Documents regarding the campaign »Sowing Hope for the Planet« . You can read and download the brochure. And the presentation of the campaign Hope for the Planet. Everything is interconnected.
Pope Francis calls on us to sign theLaudato Si’ Pledge
Following the 2nd Anniversary of his historic environmental encyclical, Pope Francis endorsed the « Laudato Si’ Pledge campaign ». This is a personnal commitment that can also become a community Pledge, to put Laudato si in action, so as to get thouroughly committed to caring for the planet and for all creation. This means a real converstion, to change our lifestyle and undertaking even simple actions to take actively care of our planet and of all creation.
The website Living the Change . Faithful choices for a flourishing world,invites us to share a personal commitment in at least one of three high-impact areas: transportation, energy use, and diet.
Personal Choices to reduce your contribution to Climate Change:
The 3 priorities of sustainable living
Eco-friendly TRANSPORTATION
Reducing ENERGY use
Plant-based DIET
What: Transitioning from a meat- and dairy-based diet to a plant-based diet, as well as reducing food waste. Read more.
The 1st September the Catholic Church celebrates the Day of Prayer for Creation. But the whole month of September till the 4th of October, feast of st Francis of Assisi, it is the Season of Creation, a time to take care of creation in a special way. We offer some reflections and prayers for each week of the Season of Creation. Read more…
Climate change: an invitation to set off on the road
Climate change is one of the great challenges in the world of today. The situation calls for a social and economic transformation, radical modes of life, economic and democratic structures, systems of production and consumption, as well as for a better distribution of wealth. How to answer as human beings and as MSOLA ? Read more.
Climate Change factsheet
A simple presentation to understand the phenomenon, its impact in Africa, the continent that has contributed the least to this change, but that is already suffering its consequences; good and false solutions proposed and AEFJN’s commitment. Download the Factsheet.
Réseau Justice, Paix, Intégrité de la Création, Rencontre et Dialogue des SMNDA 