Category: Environment

Season of Creation 2026 Celebration Guide Now Available

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The season of Creation (1 September – 4 October) 2026 Celebration Guide is now available. The document explores the meaning of this year’s theme, Living Water—a guide to connecting faith with action and responding to the call of our Common Home.

The theme comes from the vision of the prophet Ezekiel (47:1–12): a river flowing from the temple of God, which grows without stopping and brings life where everything seems barren.

Water heals, restores, and makes creation flourish. But it also challenges us: to recognize ecological damage, to embrace our interconnectedness, and to immerse ourselves in the responsibility of caring for and restoring our Common Home.

May this Season of Creation be a path for the healing of the Earth and human well-being to flourish together.

  • Download the Guide here
  • Additional resources can be found here

 

Ya está disponible la Guía para la celebración del Tiempo de la Creación (del 1 de septiembre al 4 de octubre) de 2026. El documento profundiza en el significado del tema de este año, «Agua viva»: una guía para vincular la fe con la acción y responder a la llamada de nuestra Casa Común.

El tema proviene de la visión del profeta Ezequiel (47, 1-12): un río que brota del templo de Dios, que crece sin cesar y lleva vida donde todo parece árido.

El agua sana, restaura y hace florecer la creación. Pero también nos plantea un reto: reconocer el daño ecológico, aceptar nuestra interconexión y asumir la responsabilidad de cuidar y restaurar nuestra Casa Común.

Que este Tiempo de la Creación sea un camino para que la sanación de la Tierra y el bienestar humano florezcan juntos.

  • Descarga la guía aquí
  • Puedes encontrar recursos adicionales aquí

 

World Environment Day – June 5

Posted on by Diane Smyth

World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5 since 1973, has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach.

#WorldEnvironmentDay 2026 focuses on climate change—on the urgent signals the Earth is sending – rising seas, raging wildfires, heatwaves, melting glaciers – and the signals we choose to send back.

We said 1.5°C was the limit. We are crossing it.

UNEP’s global campaign calls on all of us to step in #NowForClimate, and steer a world already in motion.

El Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente, que se celebra anualmente el 5 de junio desde 1973, se ha convertido en la mayor plataforma mundial de divulgación medioambiental.

El #DíaMundialDelMedioAmbiente 2026 se centra en el cambio climático—en las señales urgentes que nos envía la Tierra (el aumento del nivel del mar, los incendios forestales devastadores, las olas de calor, el deshielo de los glaciares)— y en las señales que decidimos enviarle a nuestra vez.

Dijimos que 1,5 °C era el límite. Lo estamos superando.

La campaña mundial del PNUMA nos exhorta a todos a actuar #AhoraPorElClima y a enderezar el rumbo de un mundo que ya está en movimiento.

 

World Bee Day – 20 May 2026

Posted on by Diane Smyth

World Bee Day 2026 is celebrated on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, focusing on raising awareness about the vital role of bees and pollinators in ecosystem health, food security, and biodiversity.

The 2026 theme is: “Bee together for people and the planet. A partnership that sustains us all“

World Bee Day was designated by the United Nations in 2018 and celebrated annually on May 20. Its purpose is to draw attention to the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. The month of May was chosen for World Bee Day because in the northern hemisphere the need for pollination is greatest at that time, while in the southern hemisphere it is a time for harvesting honey and other bee products.

The NL Beekeeping Association encourages a NO MOW MAY campaign, asking residents of the province not to mow their lawns for the whole month of May. This will help to provide essential food for bees and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

El Día Mundial de las Abejas de 2026 se celebra el miércoles 20 de mayo de 2026, con el objetivo de concienciar sobre el papel fundamental que desempeñan las abejas y los polinizadores en la salud de los ecosistemas, la seguridad alimentaria y la biodiversidad.

El lema de 2026 es: «Unidos por las personas y el planeta. Una alianza que nos sustenta a todos»

El Día Mundial de las Abejas fue designado por las Naciones Unidas en 2018 y se celebra anualmente el 20 de mayo. Su objetivo es llamar la atención sobre el papel esencial que desempeñan las abejas y otros polinizadores para mantener la salud de las personas y del planeta. Se eligió el mes de mayo para el Día Mundial de las Abejas porque en el hemisferio norte la necesidad de polinización es mayor en esa época, mientras que en el hemisferio sur es el momento de la recolección de miel y otros productos apícolas.

La Asociación de Apicultores de Terranova y Labrador promueve la campaña «NO MOW MAY» (No segues en mayo), en la que se pide a los residentes de la provincia que no seguen el césped durante todo el mes de mayo. Esto ayudará a proporcionar alimento esencial a las abejas y un hábitat para los polinizadores y otros animales silvestres.

 

 

 

 

Earth Day – April 22, 2026

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The theme for Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet”which serves as a rallying cry to unite for renewable energy, aiming to triple clean energy by 2030.

This theme emphasizes individual and community action, highlighting that environmental progress is driven by daily efforts to reclaim our voice, rights, and future.

  • Download our prayer reflection here
  • Post your prayer in our sacred space here
  • Watch the video to learn more

El lema del Día de la Tierra 2026 es «Nuestro poder, nuestro planeta», que sirve como llamamiento a la unión en favor de las energías renovables, con el objetivo de triplicar la energía limpia para 2030.

Este lema hace hincapié en la acción individual y comunitaria, y destaca que el progreso medioambiental se basa en los esfuerzos diarios por recuperar nuestra voz, nuestros derechos y nuestro futuro.

  • Descarga aquí nuestra reflexión de oración
  • Publica aquí tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado

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

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.