Franciscans for Earth

Last summer, our Sisters chose as their community stance, Franciscans for Earth, in order to work for systemic change on issues affecting the diminishment of earth and all its resources.  We have committed time and financial resources to work as a congregation and collaboratively with others.

 

Some of the more concrete, day-to-day ways individual Sisters have worked on this initiative are:

 

1.  Sister Mary Anne

Eckstein organized old and outdated computer parts and software in the storeroom at the Tau Center, the congregation's headquarters

in St. Louis.  She then donated the stuff we couldn't use any more to a computer recycling company which uses the parts to build computers for the poor and properly disposes of parts that cannot be recycled.

 

2. Sisters Jovita Chierek and Laura Reynolds from Royalton, Illinois, have been actively recycling everything possible for the past eight years.  The are considering starting a parish recycling project.  Some of the ways they try to live more simply and ecologically by:

-Cleaning out their closets and cupboards and giving away excess and unneeded items

-Using up food items in their cabinets and freezer before purchasing more

-Seriously conserving water

-Combining car trips whenever possible, and using cruise control to save gasoline

-Observing and enjoying the beauties of nature in their rural living setting

-Feeding the birds

-Buying locally grown produce whenever possible

-Lowering their heat thermostat a few degrees, or raising their AC thermostat a few degrees

-Washing their clothes in cold water

-Repairing and reusing household and parish items, rather than purchase new ones

 

3. Sister Thomas Kosiut from Olathe, Kansas, uses canvas bags for shopping or requests grocery paper bags which can be given to Catholic Charities to fill with grocery needs for the needy.  She also unplugs personal electric clock when away for several days and uses battery clocks when away for several days.  She fills a quart bottle with water for drinking – prevents wasting excess running water from the tap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






















If you would like to support the sisters in their efforts to be a Transforming Presence, click here.

Meet Our Sisters

Sr. Mary Anne Eckstein

Treasurer for the Congregation St. Louis, Missouri After a successful banking career in Chicago for a number of years, Sister Mary Anne Eckstein decided to listen to God calling her to a vowed, religious life as a Franciscan Sister. She has been a professed Sister now for ten years. "We often think of our home as a place or a building. Being a Franciscan Sister, I have come to know my home is being with this community and that doesn’t change, no matter where I live or minister," says Sister Mary Anne. "I always find it fascinating how God gives us varied experiences in our lives to prepare us for the next step. Becoming Treasurer for the Franciscan Sisters seemed to utilize both my banking and pastoral ministry background. While it makes perfect sense, I didn’t expect that."