To be created is to be related: a global connection in celebration of our common home
Presentation Sisters celebrated Earth Day on the 22nd April by zooming around the world and experiencing cultural dance, song, poetry and creativity on the theme of
Dancing with Earth…
Earth we are
Organised by the Sisters at the Garden of Oneness in Zambia – and led by Sr Lynette via zoom, we honoured Mother Earth and Nano, woman of Light. The programme was opened by the children in the Garden of Oneness welcoming us.
We were reminded that in the beginning was light – light within ALL Life and that we are beginnings of light – movingly expressed in dance by Sr Mahnoor in Pakistan against the stunning scenery of the Swat Valley. Srs Mary and Esther from Ireland reminded us in song - that the Spirit of God, which flows in the clear running water, in the trees and in the finger of morning, brings us to birth and fills our lives. Creation continues to groan and grow.
Srs Lillypushpam, Sukirtha and other Sisters in India, through their expressive movements touched our hearts as we watched them express the beauty and wonder of Mother Earth as well as her agony and the agony of all people. This led Sr Miriam in Newfoundland to proclaim in song - All Our Relations - and we need to open the ears and eyes of our minds and hearts to each other and to Mother Earth.
Sr Saima in Pakistan helped us to hear again through song the echo of the call to follow Nano our inspiration, our light, our courage. Through dance, Sr Bernadette in Ireland helped us to reach deep within us to the mystical spirit of earth and of Nano and of ourselves – a theme continued from Africa by Sr Yvonne – where our ancestors, human and non-human began. Sr Mary in Latin America reminded us of the importance of telling stories and we heard the story of Pacha Mamma and the energy of Nano. All was brought together by Sr Mary in England inviting us, through our movement, to tread gently on our earth , breathe deeply of the air, lie gently in the water, touch the fire and bring it to our hearts.
Sr Terry, co-ordinator of the Garden of Oneness, who is currently in India, summing it all up by the phrase - To be created is to be related.
Amen, Alleluia and Thank you – for an experience of what it means to be earth.
(Photos from the “Garden of Oneness” and Pictures by Mary Southard csj.)