Integral Ecology Projects Inspire
December 9, 2024
Closing ritual at Clonturkle Sanctuary, Yetholme NSW. L-R Back row: Sisters Eveline Crotty and Margie Abbott, Liesje Barratt, Chadley Peerman, Grant Power, Therese Welsh, Angela Wilczek, Catherine Holmes, Emily Webster, Lucy Eaton, Jen Callanan L-R Front: Sally Neaves, Antonina Fieni, Sayra Samudio
The Mercy Integral Ecology Emerging Leaders Fellowship recently came to a close for 2024 with inspiring personal projects being presented.
To date, there have been 32 emerging leaders through this program over the past three years. They have engaged with a range of components of learning and experiences over 12 months to better enable their communities to respond to challenges now and in the future.
Inspired by Laudato Si’, Laudate Deum and ancient Indigenous wisdom, the program is intended to empower and equip leaders for a future which presents many unknown challenges in light of the climate crisis and other related existential threats.
The program involves three immersion experiences, monthly reading and reflection, mentoring, volunteer work with a local community group and a community-based personal project to be shared by the end of the year in a public presentation.
The recordings of the presentations for 2024 can be viewed below. Each of these is an inspiring good news story of empowered individuals overcoming obstacles to collaborate to make a real difference in local communities.
We congratulate all members of the 2024 Mercy Integral Ecology Emerging Leaders Fellowship and thanks our partner sponsors, the Sisters of Charity and Jesuit Province Care for our Common Home committee.
Participants and project titles for 2024
Liesje Barratt (Glenbrook, NSW) – Growing our sense of place: Building community, connection, care and curiosity
Emily Webster (Ballina, NSW) – Connecting place, culture and heritage: Engaging the next generation in the Northern Rivers
Angela Wilczec (Yeppoon, QLD) – Greening our Sacred Space: Raising awareness and connecting communities through Laudato Si’
Antonina Fieni (Sydney) – Tiny Forests: A nature-based solution for urban resilience and biodiversity
Therese Welsh (Eugowra, NSW)- Creating Connections with Community: Slowing the Flow in Eugowra, Wiradjuri Country (where the sand washes down from the hills)
Chadley Peerman (Surf Coast, Vic) – Nature as a companion on a road less travelled: reconnecting to nature internally and externally
Amanda Jones (Ayr, QLD) – Inspiring Change: A Laudato Si’ Approach for Schools in our Diocese
Catherine Holmes (Melbourne) – Being with Creation: Planning and Facilitating an Ecospirituality Staff Formation Day
Lucy Eaton (Melbourne) – Integration, Connection and Community – Sowing the Seeds of an Integral Ecology
Sayra Samudio (Mulwala, NSW) – The Weeds in My Yard: Uncovering Nature’s Little Treasures
Grant Power (Brisbane) – Wandering in Beauty: A New Mercy Eco-Spirituality Retreat.