Eco-Spirituality Weekend 2016

Written on: August 9, 2016

This year’s theme was:

Responding to Pope Francis’ call for Ecological Conversion

Interested sisters, associates and friends met at St. Gabriel’s Retreat Center, Clarks Summit, PA the weekend of June 24 – 26, 2016 to discern our response to Pope Francis’ call for Ecological Conversion.  The weekend focused on two truly extraordinary ecological events during the past year: the 2015 Paris Conference, COP 21 in December and Pope Francis’ role in strategically promulgating the encyclical, Laudato Si, addressed to all citizens of the planet, six months prior to the Paris Conference.

Through prayer, presentations, group sharing and spending time on the beautiful grounds at St Gabriel’s we asked ourselves how our talents, gifts, and limitations challenge our call to ecological conversion.  Using the enneagram we recognized our light and shadow and used contemplative dialogue to explore ways that we can act and serve in response to the Paris Conference pledges.

Two green mystics accompanied us: Hildegard of Bingen with her many talents and use of dynamic images such as Fiery Spirit, a feather on the Breath of God, Current of Power, Blazing Love; and in more recent times, Teilhard de Chardin with his first circle of mysticism, Presence, God’s presence and incarnation in the Earth and all of creation.  Pope Francis’ insights and prayer were used through the weekend.

After discussion of whether to continue the group meeting and at what location,  decisions were made to continue the group meeting annually and to schedule the meeting for 2017 at St. Gabriel’s retreat center on the weekend of June 16 – 18, 2017.

To view pictures from the weekend Click Here

This entry was posted in Laudato Si' (LSAP) and tagged: Clarks Summit PA, Eco-Spirituality, enneagram, Hildegard of Bingen, non-GMO, Paris Conference, Pope Francis, Teilhard de Chardin