These are some of the ways in which the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas will more fully live Laudato Si’ in 2025. To see the third year action plan click here.
Responding to the Cry of the Earth
The climate sustainability director will:
- Estimate initial annual carbon emissions from utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, and water) and vehicle usage throughout the Institute;
- Work with the solar installation company to implement agreed-upon solar and battery design for the Belmont, NC, solar array project; and
- Work with a contractor to stabilize the shoreline at Mercy by the Sea Spiritual Retreat and Conference Center to prevent future erosion from coastal storms and sea-level rise.
Responding to the Cry of the Poor
The Justice Team will deepen education and advocacy about the harms of extractivism to communities and the environment through:
- Engaging communities beyond the Sisters of Mercy in small groups using our Awakening to a New Consciousness on Extractivism resources;
- Accompanying communities most harmed by extractivism, including through local extractivism immersion experiences; and
- Giving special attention to water injustices experienced by communities on the front lines of extractive industries, in partnership with Mercy Global Action’s water justice initiative.
- The Justice Team will organize immersion experiences at the U.S.-Mexico border to expand the number of sisters, associates, companions and co-workers who are educated about immigration policy and the reality at the border and connections between immigration and environmental and climate justice.
- Mercy Investment Services will expand and deepen the integration of environmental, social and governance investment strategies by:
- Actively allocating capital to address diversity gaps amongst decision-makers and financial access within the Inclusive Opportunities Fund;
- Continuing expanding the emerging managers program supporting firms owned or products managed by people with diverse or underrepresented backgrounds; and
- Deepening Mercy Partnership Fund’s continued dedication to racial and gender equity as well as those that emphasize international opportunities.
Ecological Economics
Mercy Investment Services will:
- Continue to ground our investment actions in seeking prophetic change in climate action and solutions;
- Partner with other investors to engage corporations on water stewardship, greenhouse gas emissions, plastics use, biodiversity and other important issues; and
- Use our position as a faith-based investor to defend the rights of investors to choose investments that care for the Earth.
Sustainable Lifestyles
- The Director of Climate and Sustainability will develop and update flyers to create awareness of and provide practical sustainable lifestyle tips related to meetings and events, office supplies and electronics, health and wellness, emergency management and sustainability on a tight budget.
- The Justice Team and Climate and Sustainability Director will continue the monthly Mercy Tips to Care for Earth.
Ecological Education
- Mercy Education System of the Americas plans to:
- Revamp the environmental science course in its Mercy Learning Online program, specifically the water lesson, to incorporate resources from Mercy Global Action;
- Launch a monthly column in its weekly newsletter highlighting sustainability initiatives across Mercy schools;
- Enhance sustainability efforts at meetings and events by being mindful of supplies ordered and encouraging participants to bring reusable water bottles; and
- Promote active participation in Laudato Si pilgrimages across the schools.
- A Mercy associate in Guyana will socialize her guidebook and set of advocacy tools for communities to understand the risks of the growing oil and gas industry in her country, and that will become a template for similar education elsewhere.
- The Climate and Sustainability Director will visit the sisters and staff to discuss concerns related to climate and sustainability as well as ongoing projects, and also serve as a resource for Mercy ministries and other religious congregations.
- The Justice Team will invite Mercy high school, college and university students to submit short videos on reducing consumption to better care for earth and on the positive impact that women have in the world. The winning videos will be showcased on our website.
- The Justice Team will plan a blog series to highlight the ways in which sisters, associates, companions and co-workers are hearing the cry of Earth and the cry of people who are poor.
Ecological Spirituality
- The Justice Team, along with partner Catholic organizations in the U.S., will promote and provide support to sisters, associates, companions and ministries organizing Laudato Si pilgrimages to celebrate the encyclical’s 10th anniversary.
- The Justice Team will promote Laudato Si Animator trainings to equip sisters, associates and co-workers to shift consciousness of their communities around environmental and climate justice.
Community Participation and Empowerment
- The Justice Team will engage in advocacy and education leading up to COP 30 in Brazil with partners from ecclesial networks (REPAM, REMAM and REGCHAG) and the Churches and Mining Network.
- The Justice Team will lead U.S. advocacy among congregations of women religious and interfaith partners to stem deforestation, address the harms of mining in the energy transition, and support environmental protections and climate policies.
