August 18, 2023
An August Walk It was a beautiful sunny day. I walked out the front door of Marywood. Looking up at the bright blue sky, I heard a choir of cheerful sparrows greeting me. Beautiful flowers were growing along the sidewalk. When the sidewalk ended, I stepped on the tar road Walking along under the shade […]
July 7, 2023
Love that Splashes The ocean waves splash against a rock And the stiff rock remains lifeless. You have splashed me with Your Love. I don’t want to be like the lifeless rock. I want to be changed like the spreading sand That is moved with the waves. I want to be like the sand, God. […]
May 31, 2023
Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids (DSGR) love God’s creation and celebrate, steward, and protect it. We work hard to assure that the Marywood campus – a greenspace in the City of Grand Rapids – continues to provide habitats for wildlife, supports biodiversity, and supports opportunities for ecological spirituality. “Today, May 31, 2023, 21 trees were […]
May 23, 2023
“I am passionate about sharing transformative study and reflection opportunities with people who are interested in and concerned about the health of our planet and people,” says Sr. Mary Catherine. “Today, during Laudato Si’ Celebration Week, I’m introducing a new video series about the seven closely related goals of the Laudato Si Action Platform.” Seven […]
May 19, 2023
Affinity Feathers, fur, hooves and spurs, paws, petals, ponds and fins We are all in… Beautiful dance Sway in the breeze Chirp in the trees When we are in sync the way we were meant to be Together connected Since the days of creation When God Said it was good! Entrusted to care For Water, […]
April 24, 2023
Bear Heart’s Prayer of Praise, Lamentation, and Hope Majestic Forest, Peace, Tranquility and Beauty Diversity and Oneness; We all belong We call this Mountain our Land, our Home We praise and thank you, Creator God. Timber, Timber, Timber, they shout Profit, Profit, Profit, all is free Greed, Greed, Greed, take all, no one is responsible […]
April 17, 2023
Cold sunshine Be patient, trust Winds whip chilling arms Where, O where is Spring. Snowdrops White against white Life bursting through crusty covers Yearning for sun’s comfort Primrose Explode; Crimson, yellow, violet Brilliant amidst the melting snow. O Spring! ~ Sister Paula Mierle SJ Creation Canticles: Reflections on the Natural World Pope Francis […]
April 14, 2023
Wisdom of the Ages Owl in the tree This is what I see. Scared bird – going extinct. Nocturnal prey, I say. Feathers for silent flight Able to see in the night. Hooked beak feeding her young A song of hoots to be sung What if I look in the tree And no owls do […]
April 11, 2023
Dear Moon, I know you are there every night. Starting in the East and ending in the West. You light up my bedroom and are accompanied by stars. full of beauty and blessings. I stand in my huge window and converse with you, God. I’ve never had such a beautiful gift before. Just for me […]
April 3, 2023
Introducing the Creation Canticles Pope Francis began the encyclical, “Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home” describing the human relationship with the earth through images from the hymn “Canticle of the Creatures” by St. Francis of Assisi. In this hymn, St. Francis invites all his brother and sister creatures—whether minerals, plants or animals—to praise […]