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.
Roots, Land and Sky
Loretto Community has deepened, expanded and sought to rise in our exploration of our interwoven destiny with the rest of Earth, and our understanding of what it means to be Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross. On…
Loretto Treasures Sacredness of Earth
“I Am the Way,” Loretto Constitutions, #12, says, “We dedicate ourselves to Jesus Christ in his unique person, and to the new creation for which he died and rose.” The book of Genesis 2:2 tells us, “Thus the heavens and…
Racism, Migration and Climate Crises: Three Great Challenges of Our Time
“I Am the Way,” the Loretto Constitutions, #66, calls us to do this: “The spirit of the poor proclaimed by the Beatitudes demands more than our generosity and detachment. It does demand these, but it further demands a sharing in…
Loretto Motherhouse Farm Promotes Sustainability, Care for Earth
The Loretto Land Ethic affirms that “those responsible for land at any particular time should regard it as a sacred trust, received with gratitude, tended with care for its integrity and long-term sustainability.” In keeping with the Loretto Land Ethic,…
Loretto Carbon Offset Fund Honors Anthony Mary
On my first visit to the Loretto Motherhouse, I discovered tree identification tags on several of the massive, ancestral trees scattered throughout the Motherhouse campus. Soon, someone put a pamphlet in my hands, “Visitor’s Guide to Loretto Motherhouse Trees.” Maidenhair,…
Loretto Community Seeks Balance With Earth by Lowering Carbon Emissions
Climate change is amplifying all forms of injustice: hunger, racism, refugees, poverty, inequality, deadly viruses, war, etc. Reversing these injustices calls for radical systemic and personal changes. Loretto has long understood that our mission to work for justice and act…
Loretto Earth Network Offers New Community Announcement Series
By Julie Kerber In January 2020, the Loretto Earth Network Coordinating Committee (LENCC) gathered for a face-to-face meeting to reflect, brainstorm and plan its goals for the upcoming year. One of the questions LENCC asked itself: Is LEN (Loretto Earth…
Loretto Values an Attentive Relationship with Earth
Standing in solidarity with Earth is more than a ministry or special project. It is a way of being, a mindset that recognizes our human dependence on the larger whole. Plants, animals, air, water, humans, soil – we are all…
The Story of the Land
This is the story of the land that was to become a new Loretto. In 1785 Basil Hayden led 20 families from St. Mary’s County in Maryland to their land grant in central Kentucky. The grant was located at the…
Earth Day 2020: Standing in Solidarity with Earth in the Midst of the Unknown
April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a day set aside to celebrate Earth, care for Earth, and attempt to reverse some of the harm we have caused her. The Earth Day Network began sending out emails with…
Earth Day 2020: Reflections from the Farm
Earth Day is approaching. And it’s a big one. It’s the fiftieth time we’ve set aside this day to celebrate Earth, to mark the debt we owe the planet and to atone for our sins against her, to rally to…
Motherhouse Farm guided by Loretto’s desire to live in responsible relationship with the land and with all life
We seek to live humbly on land made good by its Creator. We accept the privilege to live in responsible relationship with the land and with all of life. We commit ourselves to being shaped by the beauty and harmony…