Sisters of the Holy Cross
Laudato Si' Action Plan 2022-23
Sister M. Veronique (Wiedower), CSC, President
The Sisters of the Holy Cross are excited to add the work of our hands, hearts and voices to the Laudato Si' Action Platform in concert with people around our world. Although caring for creation and pursuing justice are not new to us, it is both inspiring and empowering to work in a unified way with a global community of goodwill.
One piece of our commitment to the platform is to have a written plan to inspire and guide our sustainability and justice efforts. As women of Holy Cross, we will continue to immerse ourselves in communities to understand the needs of the place and people, and to meet them if possible. This was the vision of our founder, Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau. Our Laudato Si' plan helps us actualize our mission even more broadly, opening us up to an ever-widening landscape of partnerships and possibilities.
As the Laudato Si' Action Platform strongly reminds us, now is the time for a “new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet … All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents” (LS 14). Read our 2023 action plan and reflect on how you are called to journey with us or others to shape a future of hope for the cosmos.
Our Time is Now!
Sister M. Veronique (Wiedower), CSC
President
Download the Sisters of the Holy Cross Laudato Si' Action Plan 2022-23
A Prayer for the Healing of All Creation
Loving God, open our hearts that we might recognize the beauty and intrinsic value of all creation. Instill in us a great and powerful hope that, though there is much work to be done, there is still time enough to do it. Give us the courage and the wisdom to approach our fellow beings with care and concern for all, to change corrupt systems, to heal old wounds, and to realize our potential as persons of God, that we might act boldly and compassionately, recognizing that our time is now. Amen.
Animating Laudato Si'
Our 2022-23 Laudato Si' Action Plan includes country-specific goals as well as Congregation-wide objectives, which emerged from sustainability assessments of each of our sister communities. The Congregation Justice Committee (CJC), comprised of one or more sisters from each of the eight countries where we serve, and Katie Yohe, Laudato Si' coordinator for mission advancement, orchestrated the assessment process and compiled results.
Each CJC member then created a Laudato Si' Work Plan—highlighting the impacts of the climate crisis, how sisters have responded, and potential additional initiatives—for her respective country and presented it at our Laudato Si' Summit. After incorporating feedback, the resulting initiatives were then utilized by the General Administration to outline eight congregational commitments.
Click on a button below to read the country summaries and learn more about the exciting initiatives we are starting and/or expanding.
Congregational Commitments
To inspire and direct our congregational Laudato Si' efforts, the General Council of the Sisters of the Holy Cross determined eight areas of focus for 2022-23. These imperatives took shape from the country work plans developed by our sisters, who minister at the ground level across the globe. Below, learn how Laudato Si' is already evidenced in the Congregation’s operations, financial administration and justice work, and discover our priorities for the coming year.
Current Initiatives
Socially Responsible Investing: Advocating for stockholder resolutions on fair pay, racial equity, eradication of child labor and development of human rights policies.
Advocacy: Lobbying lawmakers to support legislation that supports social justice causes: protection of human rights, climate investments, support for people displaced by conflict, etc.
Hiring Leadership: New Laudato Si' coordinator for mission advancement to help facilitate these efforts throughout the globe.
Focusing Efforts: Fundraising efforts and ministry funding requirements adapted to emphasize support and promotion of Laudato Si' goals.
Proposed Initiatives for 2022–23
Response to the Cry of the Poor
Identify challenges caused by failing social systems and who is likely to be most vulnerable
We will continue to discern and respond to the needs of vulnerable groups, including migrating people and those living with poverty.
Annually define what is “enough” for the Congregation and, where possible, donate to projects that create equitable social systems
The Congregation will continue supporting projects and socially responsible investment practices that uphold social justice.
Conduct energy audits
To reduce our carbon footprint and steward our resources wisely, we will conduct energy audits of the offices and homes of the Congregation.
Offer culturally appropriate forms of education on ecology and sustainability
In our quest for the care
of creation, we will continue educating
minds and hearts.
Support good jobs with livable wages and benefits
In our mission of creating communities of justice and love, we will work to provide wages and compensation that provide
staff a dignified living.
Co-host a season of creation event with another community
In our collaboration with others, we can experience our union with one another and all creation.
Reduce purchases of new consumer goods
As mindful consumers, we will continue monitoring purchases and reducing waste.
Create institutional structures to manage Laudato Si’ initiatives
We will continue relying on our Laudato Si’ coordinator and country animators to lead and direct us in our widening efforts for sustainable living and the creation of just societies.
Join Us Today
We invite you to enter into your own commitment as an individual, a family or a community, and to join us in this mission. First, sign up to receive emails from us to stay informed and participate in our process. Use the resources on this page to learn more about the pope’s call to the world and how you can join in. Then commit to prayer and meditation, as we assess the many issues our world faces and discern how we can be part of solutions to propel us toward sustainability.
We are excited to walk with you on this path to help heal the planet and its people. Simply sign up below to get started. Together, we can journey toward a better future.
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