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encouraging an understanding and awareness of God
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Mission
"...
we live and move and have our being in God."
Directional Statement of the
Sisters of St. Joseph, Baden, PA
There
is a rhythm, a language that emanates from Earth. This rhythm
calls to us, educates and invites us to come to understand
and know this great Universe and ourselves. Earth Tones
is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden that
uses the avenues of camping, environmental education and
creative projects to support, and encourage understanding
and awareness of God and nature.
Sister Lyn Shares Ministry on Radio.
Eco-Education Series
The Eco-Education Series offers opportunities for individuals and groups to gather and discuss topics related to ecology and the environment and the many relationships connected to Earth, soil, energy, humans, spirituality and politics. For information about upcoming programs, please contact Sister Lyn at (724) 869-2151 ext. 6285, or e-mail lynszym@stjoseph-baden.org
Eco-Education Winter–Spring 2009 Programs and Registration Form
Eco-Education Summer–Fall 2009 Programs and Registration Form
Monthly Volunteer Work Days
One of the ways the Sisters of St. Joseph reverence and
respect the grounds that have been entrusted to their care
is by inviting volunteers to assist the sisters in various
outdoor maintenance activities ranging from gardening to
chopping wood. These monthly work days allow the volunteer
to provide valuable service to the Congregation for 1 hour
or for the entire Saturday. Families, singles and couples
find a sense of community and enjoyment in being with one
another throughout the day. The days begin at 10 a.m. and
conclude at 4 p.m. — gentle rain & shine. Dates
for 2009: March 28, April 18, May 30, June 13, July 25, August 22, September 19, October 17, November 14.
Newsletter
Faith-Field
10-08 (pdf)
Faith-Field
02-08 (pdf)
Faith-Field
08-07 (pdf)
Faith-Field
10-06 (pdf)
Faith-Field
02-06 (pdf)
This
is an Adobe Acrobat document. If your computer does not
have
Acrobat Reader installed, it can be downloaded from:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
Projects
and Programs
Associated With Earth Tones Ministry:
Earth
Day
Sisters and volunteers participate in ecological and environmental
presentations in the morning and work together outdoors
in the afternoon to accomplish various tasks on the Motherhouse
grounds.
Building
Sustainable Communities (BSC) Project
This project focuses on the Pittsburgh / Beaver region and
connects women’s religious congregations and local
small farmers through institutional food purchasing. The
BSC Project includes the following components:
Institutional
food buying,
School
garden projects, and
Creative
use of Motherhouse properties.
The BSC Project works to keep more food dollars in
the local economy, provide healthy and nutritious food for
area congregations, strengthen the inter-community relationships
in the Pittsburgh / Beaver regions and educate young people
about the role of food in their community and in their health.
Camping
Retreats
Since 1999, week-long and weekend camping retreats have
been offered during the summer months in Allegheny National
Forest, a few hours north of Pittsburgh. The retreat director
secures the campsites while campers supply their own tents
and food for the weekend. Retreatants share morning and
evening prayer around the campfire and are free to take
in the sights, sounds, and trails of the surrounding forest
during the day.
Twin Trinity Garden (Congregational Garden)
A congregational garden is being created this spring to
provide for a number of possibilities for the congregation.
First, to provide healthy foods to our Motherhouse dining
room; second, as a way to partner young people with the
congregation through volunteer efforts, internships and
programming; and third, to produce some value-added products
that could be sold in local markets. Monthly work day volunteers
and retreat guests are welcome to offer their time and talents
to maintaining the garden area.
Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is an ancient Christian spiritual
tool that has been rediscovered in our time. It is a metaphor
for our spiritual journey. An outdoor labyrinth was constructed
on the Motherhouse grounds in the spring of 2000 by six
Sisters of St. Joseph. The labyrinth is available to be
used as a means for prayer and reflection or simply as an
invitation to connect with creation and nature. Maintenance
and upkeep of the site is accomplished via a weekly schedule
composed of sisters and volunteers.
Tree
Trail Guide
In 2001, a Tree Trail Guide was compiled by three sisters
that provided 2 guided trails on the Motherhouse grounds
and identified some of the 54 different species of trees
that one might find on the 96 acres of land entrusted to
our care. The Red Trail is entirely handicapped accessible
while the Blue Trail invites participants off of the 'Stations
of the Cross' walkway along the creek bed and through the
cemetery while pointing out various trees that adorn the
trail. Annual checks of the tree markers and tags are done
to assure the Tree Trail guide can be followed with ease.
Apiary
In May of 2005, 2 beehives were started in the upper fields
of the Motherhouse grounds. A third beehive will be added
in April of 2006. Beehives were a part of the working farm
that the sisters operated in the early days of the Congregation.
The hives provide honey for the sisters’ table and
for sale in the Book Nook as well as providing the invaluable
service of pollination for the many plants, fruit trees
and vegetables located within a 1 mile range of the congregation’s
apiary.
For
information or to volunteer for service projects contact
Sr. Lyn Szymkiewicz, csj at 724-869-2151 ext. 6285 or
lynszym@stjoseph-baden.org
EARTH
TONES MINISTRY
2114 Sarah Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203-2032
Phone: 724-869-2151 ext. 6285
Fax: 724-869-3336
E-mail: lynszym@stjoseph-baden.org
