Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity at San Xavier Mission Convent, Tucson, Arizona, celebrate Laudato Si Week initiated by Pope Francis.

The 2nd reading for the 6th Sunday of Easter from 1 Peter 3:15-18 says, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” New life is such a sign of hope in our world today! Our pastor Fr. Bill Minkle, ofm assisted our new associate paster Fr. Paul Wilkin, SDS in constructing a raised garden for us as a wonderful surprise gift! The hope of new life came to us from Fr Paul’s creativity and generosity! The seeds planted are budding into the promise of home-grown lettuce, radishes, spinach, kale, tomatoes, basil and two surprise unknown plants!

As we celebrate this week of Laudato Si, it is with the hope of respecting and honoring the earth by growing our own vegetables , conserving water and hanging laundry outside! Sister Mary Ann concluded her high school junior’s Social Justice course studying the Encyclical! One of the many comments from the students was in gratitude for the opportunity to read and study Laudato Si, something that would never happen in a public school.