Topic archive
Earth
As Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross, we are called to care for Earth in its pain, to celebrate its beauty, and to create space for its healing. Recognizing our role as one of interdependent partnership with all Creation has been part of Loretto’s mission throughout our history. We reaffirmed our commitment to resist systems and conditions that violate Earth and all species in 2018, calling ourselves to “significantly mitigate our impact on climate change and ecological degradation.” We invite any who are interested to join with us on this journey of ecological conversion. Learn more about our mission to protect Earth.
Mary Swain’s Letter Writing Campaign To Block LG&E’s Natural Gas Pipeline
Last spring Mary Swain received a call for help from an organizer from Cedar Grove in Bullitt County, Ky., north of Nelson and adjoining Jefferson County. The utility company LG&E wants to run a natural gas line through the county,…
Bernheim Forest Is Endangered
“Loved places become our heart’s geography.” — Whitney Wurzel former Bernheim Education Director Many of you know that I have worked at Bernheim Forest for almost 20 years. What you may not know is that Bernheim inspired me as a little…
Denver Loretto Community hosts “Sustainability Afternoon”
On July 13, 2019, the Denver Loretto Community hosted a Sustainability Afternoon. For the first half hour, the inspiration of Thomas Berry, Miriam McGillis, and Brian Swimme infused the gathering through an original development of their themes by Karen Kudebeh…
Mother Nature Creates Her Own Art From Jeanne Dueber’s ‘Protected Community’
As you enter the Loretto Motherhouse grounds, glance to the left of the road and you will see a carved tree trunk titled “Protected Community” sculpted by Jeanne Dueber in 2003. The eight carved figures around the trunk are slowly…
Motherhouse Entices Monarch Butterflies
The food supply for monarch butterflies received a boost at the Motherhouse in May with the planting of 4 acres of milkweed and other plants favored by pollinators. Last fall, Infirmary physician Dr. Lida Oxnard brought a mesh cage with…
Embracing All the Colors of Summer Solstice
21 June 2019 RITUAL PREPARATION: Decorate the ritual meeting place with the Summer Solstice colors of yellow, green and blue. These colors represent a festival of community sharing and planetary awareness as well as the colors of the sun, earth…
Pentecost Reflection
Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019Reflection from the Loretto Earth Network We read in Acts 2: “When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded…
In the ‘Land of Knobs’
If you drive to Bardstown, Ky., on Route 49 from Loretto, you will see a high, cone-shaped hill rising from the surrounding trees near the hamlet of Holy Cross. Everyone calls it Rohan’s Knob. Upon seeing it, you will know…
SMA Students Spend Spring Break at Loretto Motherhouse
By Christine Boss St. Mary’s Academy selected several girls to participate in a trip from Denver to the Loretto Motherhouse over spring break. It was the first time that the AP (Advanced Placement) environmental science students had an opportunity to…
A Reflection on Ask the Beasts
A few years ago a juvenile red-tailed hawk was injured while flying into an electrical line. It died of starvation. I searched and found it under a tree. I stroked its beautiful feathers, and cried. I mourned the loss of…