Category: Environment

World Water Day- March 22

Posted on by Diane Smyth

World Water Day 2026 takes place on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The theme for this year is: “Water and Gender” under the campaign slogan “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows”.

World Water Day is an annual UN observance, established in 1992. It highlights the importance of fresh, clean water as a basic human right. It promotes sustainable management of freshwater resources and also helps raise awareness of 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.

The 2026 theme highlights the disproportionate burden that water scarcity and inadequate sanitation place on women and girls.

  • Gender Disparity: In 8 out of 10 households without on-site water, women and girls are responsible for water collection.
  • Empowerment: The campaign calls for “gender-responsive” water solutions that center women’s leadership and voices in water governance.
  • Human Rights: Safe drinking water and sanitation are emphasized as fundamental human rights.

 

El Día Mundial del Agua 2026 se celebra el domingo 22 de marzo de 2026. El tema de este año es: «El agua y el género», bajo el lema de la campaña «Donde fluye el agua, crece la igualdad».

El Día Mundial del Agua es una celebración anual de las Naciones Unidas, establecida en 1992. Destaca la importancia del agua dulce y limpia como derecho humano básico. Promueve la gestión sostenible de los recursos de agua dulce y también ayuda a crear conciencia sobre los 2.200 millones de personas que viven sin acceso a agua potable.

El tema de 2026 destaca la carga desproporcionada que la escasez de agua y el saneamiento inadecuado suponen para las mujeres y las niñas.

  • Desigualdad de género: En 8 de cada 10 hogares sin agua corriente, las mujeres y las niñas son las encargadas de recoger el agua.
  • Empoderamiento: La campaña aboga por soluciones hídricas «sensibles al género» que centren el liderazgo y las voces de las mujeres en la gobernanza del agua.
  • Derechos humanos: Se hace hincapié en que el agua potable y el saneamiento son derechos humanos fundamentales.

Add Your Voice: Current Campaigns & Calls to Action

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology (ORCIE) of which the Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland is a member, is supporting Give it up for the Earth!,  Citizens for Public Justice’s national faith-in-action campaign that raises awareness about the climate crisis and mobilizes people across Canada to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions while calling on federal leaders to strengthen Canada’s climate commitments.

This year’s open letter asks political leaders to close coal-related loopholes and uphold meaningful climate action. Many of you are already familiar with the campaign, and we’d love to help bump the numbers—so we invite you to sign the letter as individuals to add your voice to this growing call.

Read and consider signing  the letter: Canadian Political Leaders, Will You Give it Up for the Earth?

Pope: God Will Ask Us if We Have Cared for Our Common Home

Posted on by Diane Smyth
Pope Leo addressed participants in an international conference on climate justice and reflects on Pope Francis’ landmark ecological encyclical Laudato Si, noting that when the time comes, God will ask us if we cared for our common home.

By Francesca Merlo. Source: Vatican News

On Wednesday afternoon, marking the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Leo XIV addressed participants in the
Raising Hope Conference, organised by the Laudato Si’ Movement.

In his address, the Pope expressed gratitude for the legacy of Pope Francis’ encyclical, noting how its message has inspired schools, dioceses, academic programmes, and international dialogue.

“Its impact,” he said, “has extended to summits, interreligious initiatives, economic and business circles, as well as theological and bioethical studies.” Above all, he noted that the phrase “care for our common home” has become a standard phrase, used in academic work and public discourse across peoples and continents.

A conversion of heart

While recalling the achievements of the past decade, Pope Leo emphasised that the challenges identified in Laudato Si’ are “even more relevant today than they were ten years ago.” These challenges, he said, are not only political and social, but also spiritual, calling for what Pope Francis described as a “conversion of heart.”

The Pope explained that the heart “is where the deepest searching takes place, where one’s ultimate identity is found, and where decisions are forged. It is only by returning to the heart that a true ecological conversion can take place.” This transformation, he continued, means shifting “from collecting data to caring; from environmental discourse to lifestyles inspired by faith and love of God.”

All are one

Quoting Pope Francis’ description of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Holy Father reminded participants that ecological concern, justice for the poor, social commitment, and inner peace are inseparable.

Looking ahead to upcoming global summits, including COP30 and the UN’s 2026 Water Conference, the Pope urged leaders to heed the cries of “the Earth and the poor, families, indigenous peoples, involuntary migrants and believers throughout the world.”

What will be our answer?

Concluding his address, Pope Leo asked the question: “God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that He created, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters. What will be our answer?”

Watch highlights from the Raising Hope Conference (1:18)

Watch Pope Leo’s Address at the opening of the Raising Hope Conference, held at Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo (1:30:04)

Pope Leo speaks at 52:00.

Thumbnail from highlights video

Pope Leo’s September Prayer Intention “For Our Relationship with all of Creation”. Intención de oración Papa Leon “Por nuestra relación con toda la creación”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This month, Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray “for our relationship with all of creation.” Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, he invites us to experience our interdependence with all creatures loved by God and worthy of respect and love.

This prayer intention for September comes during the Season of Creation. This is a special time when Christians of various denominations join in prayer and action for the care of the earth. We are also celebrating two important anniversaries: the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation, and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’.

  • Post your prayer in our sacred space here
  • Join us for our weekly reflections during this season, downloadable here

Este mes, el papa León XIV nos invita a rezar «por nuestra relación con toda la creación». Inspirado por san Francisco de Asís, nos invita a experimentar nuestra interdependencia con todas las criaturas amadas por Dios y dignas de respeto y amor.

Esta intención de oración para septiembre llega durante el Tiempo de la Creación. Se trata de un momento especial en el que cristianos de diversas confesiones se unen en oración y acción por el cuidado de la tierra. También celebramos dos importantes aniversarios: el 800 aniversario del Cántico de la Creación de San Francisco de Asís y el 10 aniversario de la encíclica Laudato Si’ del papa Francisco.

  • Publica tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí
  • Únete a nuestras reflexiones semanales durante esta temporada, que puedes descargar aquí

Season of Creation 2025

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This year’s celebration of the Season of Creation begins on Monday, September 1 and ends on Saturday, October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This special season calls upon the ecumenical community around the world to a global response of prayer and action to protect and care for our common home.

In this Jubilee year of Hope, it is fitting that the season’s theme is Peace with Creation, the hope of all who work to bring God’s dream of justice and peace to reality. The symbol is the Garden of Peace, inspired by Isaiah 32:14-18 where the prophet portrays a desolate creation, devoid of peace due to injustice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. Isaiah’s hope and ours is that Creation will find peace when justice is restored.

Beginning on Monday, 1 September a reflection/prayer for each week will be posted on this page.
We invite you to join us in prayer during this season.

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La celebración de la Temporada de la Creación de este año comienza el lunes 1 de septiembre y termina el sábado 4 de octubre, fiesta de San Francisco de Asís. Esta temporada especial convoca a la comunidad ecuménica de todo el mundo a una respuesta global de oración y acción para proteger y cuidar nuestra casa común.

En este año jubilar de la esperanza, es apropiado que el tema de la temporada sea «Paz con la Creación», la esperanza de todos los que trabajan para hacer realidad el sueño de Dios de justicia y paz. El símbolo es el Jardín de la Paz, inspirado en Isaías 32:14-18, donde el profeta describe una creación desolada, desprovista de paz debido a la injusticia y a la ruptura de la relación entre Dios y la humanidad. La esperanza de Isaías y la nuestra es que la Creación encuentre la paz cuando se restaure la justicia.

A partir del lunes 1 de septiembre, se publicará en esta página una reflexión/oración para cada semana.
Les invitamos a unirse a nosotros en la oración durante esta temporada.

Advocates Say Even Knowing Your Neighbour is a Step Forward for Climate Action

Posted on by Diane Smyth

In a recent panel discussion on CBC’s The Signal, climate advocates reacted to the latest climate news, such as this summer’s devastating wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country. Sister Mary Tee was a participant in this panel.

‘ “Facts and science knowledge don’t often get to people’s hearts, says Mary Tee, former director of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice.

“There has to be a moral, spiritual way into this because we have to have a change in consciousness, and I don’t think rules and regulations will bring that about,” she said.

“It has to be tapping to our very hearts and our feelings … we’re not just individuals, you know, we’re responsible not just for ourselves, but for our community.”‘

  • Read the complete article here
  • Watch the video of the panel discussion (54:58)

En un reciente debate en el programa The Signal de la CBC, los defensores del clima reaccionaron a las últimas noticias sobre el clima, como los devastadores incendios forestales de este verano en Terranova y Labrador y en todo el país. La hermana Mary Tee participó en este debate.

«Los hechos y los conocimientos científicos no suelen llegar al corazón de la gente», afirma Mary Tee, antigua directora del Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice.

«Tiene que haber una vía moral y espiritual para abordar esto, porque tenemos que cambiar nuestra conciencia, y no creo que las normas y regulaciones lo consigan», afirmó.

«Tiene que llegar a nuestros corazones y a nuestros sentimientos… No somos solo individuos, sino que somos responsables no solo de nosotros mismos, sino también de nuestra comunidad».

World Nature Conservation Day – July 28

Posted on by Diane Smyth

World Nature Conservation Day, celebrated  annually on July 28, reminds us that the foundation for a healthy society is a healthy environment. This observance is intended to increase awareness about the urgent need for preserving our planet’s natural resources. With the world’s population exploding year by year, these resources are being used up at a rapid pace.

This day is a reminder to us of our need to conserve water, energy, arable soil and the many natural resources that we now benefit from so that all the peoples of the world today and in future generations can enjoy a healthy planet and a healthy life.

El Día Mundial de la Conservación de la Naturaleza, que se celebra cada año el 28 de julio, nos recuerda que la base de una sociedad sana es un medio ambiente sano. Esta celebración tiene como objetivo aumentar la conciencia sobre la urgente necesidad de preservar los recursos naturales de nuestro planeta. Con la población mundial creciendo exponencialmente año tras año, estos recursos se están agotando a un ritmo vertiginoso.

Este día nos recuerda la necesidad de conservar el agua, la energía, el suelo cultivable y los numerosos recursos naturales de los que ahora disfrutamos, para que todos los pueblos del mundo, tanto los actuales como las generaciones futuras, puedan disfrutar de un planeta sano y una vida saludable

 

10th Anniversary Laudato Si’ Film

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This short film (25:14) has been produced to mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. It features a synopsis of the main themes of Laudato Si’,  as well as three parish based climate friendly projects to motivate change at the parish level.

The Sisters of Mercy have supported this project and are most grateful to Kevin Moynihan and his creative and committed colleagues in documenting this very important issue and enhancing Pope Francis exhortation to the whole world.  We congratulate Kevin, his team and his collaborators.

Este cortometraje (25:14) se ha producido con motivo del 10º aniversario de Laudato Si’. Presenta una sinopsis de los principales temas de Laudato Si’, así como tres proyectos parroquiales respetuosos con el clima para motivar el cambio a nivel parroquial.

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia han apoyado este proyecto y están muy agradecidas a Kevin Moynihan y a sus creativos y comprometidos colegas por documentar este tema tan importante y realzar la exhortación del Papa Francisco al mundo entero. Felicitamos a Kevin, a su equipo y a sus colaboradores.

Plastic Free July 2025

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Plastic free July is a global movement inviting people around the world to be part of the solution to the critical problem of plastic pollution.

This year’s campaign slogan is “Small steps, big difference”. Every action we take to reducing plastic waste, big or small,is part of the solution to ending plastic pollution.

In March 2022 the UN Environment Assembly agreed to establish a global treaty to end plastic pollution and to insure a cleaner and more sustainable future for Earth and all Earth’s inhabitants. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference Nice 2025 – UNOC3 concluded on 13 June 2025 with the adoption of the “Nice Ocean Action Plan“, which includes a political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments from various stakeholders to accelerate action on Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Life Below Water”.   

While plastic was once hailed as a miracle product, we now know the damage plastic pollution does to ecosystems, the climate, human health and the economy.

All of us are being encouraged this month —and hopefully for good — to become part of the solution to beating plastic pollution, rather than a contributor to the problem.

Julio sin plástico es un movimiento mundial que invita a personas de todo el mundo a formar parte de la solución al grave problema de la contaminación por plásticos.

El lema de la campaña de este año es “Pequeños pasos, grandes diferencias”. Cada acción que emprendemos para reducir los residuos plásticos, grande o pequeña, forma parte de la solución para acabar con la contaminación por plásticos.

En marzo de 2022, la Asamblea de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente acordó establecer un tratado mundial para acabar con la contaminación por plásticos y asegurar un futuro más limpio y sostenible para la Tierra y todos sus habitantes.

Aunque el plástico fue aclamado en su día como un producto milagroso, ahora sabemos el daño que la contaminación por plástico causa a los ecosistemas, el clima, la salud humana y la economía.

Este mes se nos anima a todos -y esperemos que para siempre- a formar parte de la solución para vencer la contaminación por plásticos, en lugar de contribuir al problema.

World Ocean Day – June 8

Posted on by Diane Smyth

World Ocean Day, celebrated globally since 1992, provides an opportunity to honor, help protect and conserve our oceans and plan for their sustainable management.

The theme for Ocean Day 2025 is: Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains us. Oceans cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface and are essential to human lives and livelihoods.

This day is a reminder to all of us of our need to understand the impact of human actions on the oceans of the world and of our collective duty to use their resources wisely and help in whatever way we can to protect them.

Sir David Attenborough has a new film on Oceans.  View a trailer (2:28) for this important documentary:

El Día Mundial de los Océanos, que se celebra en todo el mundo desde 1992, brinda la oportunidad de honrar, ayudar a proteger y conservar nuestros océanos y planificar su gestión sostenible.

El tema del Día de los Océanos 2025 es Maravilla: Sostener lo que nos sostiene. Los océanos cubren más del 70% de la superficie de la Tierra y son esenciales para la vida y los medios de subsistencia humanos.

Este día es un recordatorio para todos nosotros de nuestra necesidad de comprender el impacto de las acciones humanas en los océanos del mundo y de nuestro deber colectivo de utilizar sus recursos con prudencia y ayudar en todo lo que podamos a protegerlos.