Echoes of Season of Creation

From St. Bede's Community, Shimla, India

As one Community, we the Sisters of St. Bede’s- Chelsea came together for a Prayer service in our Garden to feel oneness with the Nature. We began our prayer by lighting the lamp as a sign of invoking God’s presence in our midst. In order to manifest how each of us would care for our common home, we came up with different symbols as a sign of commitment to nurture the Nature. Following are the symbols brought forth by each Sister:

Sr. Magdalene - Plastic: By minimum use of plastic, we could protect our Nature from harmful hazards which affect the life on the planet.

Sr. Aloysius Kadam – Flowers: Flowers are one of the most beautiful creations and expressions of God and it represents fulness of joy and peace. Flowers are also used as a form of offering to God. Like the flowers, we too continue offering ourselves to God and His people so that we may spread His fragrance of goodness, love and forgiveness.

Sr. Marina – Paper: By minimum use of paper, we could save our plants and trees which are the source of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide.

Sr. Lily – Vegetables from our Garden: By growing vegetables in our garden, we will promote more organic farming which is free from pesticides and chemicals. This will have a good effect on our overall health and will protect our bodies from poisonous substances.

Sr. Shyma – Light: The absence of darkness is light. Light promotes growth and creates energy. Light also symbolises the presence of God. So as a Religious Sister of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, we pledge to become beacons of light (God) and care for our Mother Earth through our life’s witness.

Sr. Geeta Mary - Water: Water replenishes life and is the source of every living creature. We pledged to save water for our future generations and make use of this natural resource with a sense of responsibility.

Sr. Ivy Mary – Wet and Dry Waste: By segregating the garbage into dry and wet waste, we will help in the process of recycling objects and things which will add to saving our resources for the future generations.

Sr. Binita Surin – Plants: A Plant is a source of food and life to every creature on the earth. We pledged to grow more saplings so that we will create more of green forests to save the Earth from pollution and global warming.

We thanked the Lord for this great gift of creation and concluded our prayer service with a thanksgiving hymn.