Missionary Sisters of I C. org

Eco-Spirituality Workshop

The International Formation Team sponsored its second on going  congregational formation program in October 2009.  The Eco-Spirituality Workshop held in Dobra, Namibia  hosted our Sisters from the various provinces who took part in this holistic course including prayer, lectures,movie presentations and hands-on work. The content included concepts such as permaculture and bio-regionalism. Principles of inter-dependence, inter-connectedness and inter-relatedness were integral to the ideas presented by SMIC Sisters Miriam Devlin and Nancy Earle and by Mr. and Mrs. Yelton

Permaculture is an approach to design human settlements and perennial agricultural systems to mimic the relationship found in natural ecologies so that a self-sufficient human settlement is achieved.

Bio-regionalism  is a political, cultural and environmental system that is defined through physical and environmental features.  This system stresses a cultural phenomenon and emphasizes local populations.

Over the eight day heavy yet rich activities, all participants have acquired a lot of knowledge of water, earth and air.  Equipped with such knowledge, individuals were encouraged and guided to create things like a cosmic pipe, solar cooker and even an herbal garden.  The evening before the workshop ended, all participants held their lighted handmade lantern and processed to the herbal garden to complete the dedication of the garden to Sr. Lucia Bekeur.


     
continue to read...