Submitted by Carol Kilby
Read MoreSisters of Earth
since 1994
a network of women Sharing the Wisdom, Shaping the Dream
About
Sisters of Earth was founded in 1994 by several Catholic Sisters from the US and Canada who were engaged in exploring the new cosmology and implications for this emerging worldview. Sisters of Earth is an informal network of roughly 250 women who share a deep concern for the ecological and spiritual crises of our times and who wish to support one another in work toward healing the human spirit and restoring Earth’s life support systems. We are teachers, gardeners, artists, writers, administrators, workshop and retreat presenters, mothers, contemplatives and activists in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. This network of sharing and support is open to all women whose life and work would identify them as Sisters of Earth. We hold a general meeting every two years.
Listen to the Founders of Sisters of Earth speak of earliest impulse to begin this Network.
Read about our last in-person conference in 2018.
Photos from our 2018 Conference.
Read about the transition in 2020 to online events: Blogspot for the 2020 online series.
Vimeo recordings of our 2022 Conference on request. Email Maureen: mawild@telus.net
2024 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE - AUG 22-25
To become a member of the Sisters of Earth network, please contact Diza at: soe.register@gmail.com
Listen to the Founders of Sisters of Earth speak of earliest impulse to begin this Network.
Read about our last in-person conference in 2018.
Photos from our 2018 Conference.
Read about the transition in 2020 to online events: Blogspot for the 2020 online series.
Vimeo recordings of our 2022 Conference on request. Email Maureen: mawild@telus.net
2024 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE - AUG 22-25
To become a member of the Sisters of Earth network, please contact Diza at: soe.register@gmail.com
SERVICES
Biannual Sisters of Earth Conference
Gather, network, and inspire each other as we "Share the Wisdom' and Shape the Dream" together.
Learn MoreE-notes Newsletter
Sisters of Earth Members can subscribe to receive emails that go out to the network .
Learn MoreSOE SPEAKERS
Sisters of Earth speakers and presenters on various themes within Thomas Berry, Teilhard, living cosmology, creation mystics, Laudato Si', earth justice, living into the ecozoic, etc.
Learn MoreContact
Events
Past Events
Children of the Universe
a project co-sponsored by the Sisters of Earth network and the Thomas Berry Foundation
Some Members
Mary Southard, CSJ
Founding Seed-Bearer
In 1991, Co-Founder of Spiritearth, a Center for the Sacred Universe, and Co-Founder of Sisters of Earth. In 1998, Spiritearth later relocated and merged with The Well Spirituality Center in La Grange Park, IL. A student of Earth, a Gardener, a painter and sculptor, Mary continues to explore and share the Universe Story and its implications for humanity, for faith and life and creativity, through making Art and leading programs at The Well.
Toni Nash, CSJ
Co-Founder
Toni Nash, CSJ - a teacher for over 50 years, a national lecturer, retreat director, and spiritual director. Toni holds a doctorate in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. She co-founded Sisters of Earth in 1994.
Mary Lou Dolan, CSJ
Co-Founder
Mary Lou Dolan, CSJ, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus and Founding Director, Earth Literacy Master’s Degree Program, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Mary Lou co-founded Sisters of Earth in 1994.
Gail Worcelo, SGM
Co-Founder
Gail and the Passionist nuns at St. Gabriel's Monastery, Clark's Summit, PA, hosted the very first Sisters of Earth gathering in 1994. Co-Founder of Green Mountain Monastery and Thomas Berry Retreat Sanctuary.
Bernadette Bostwick
Founding Member since 1994
Assisted Gail Worcelo to host the first Sisters of Earth gathering in 1994. Co-Founder of Green Mountain Monastery and Thomas Berry Retreat Sanctuary.
Maureen Wild, SC
Founding Member since 1994
Earth-centered ministries since 1993: Genesis Farm, Centre for Earth and Spirit, and Pax Gaia Educational and Retreat Initiatives. M.Ed. in Living Cosmology and Earth Literacy. Sisters of Earth website manager, fiscal manager, and consultant for conference planning.
Mary Ann Garisto, SC
Founding Member since 1994
In 1996, Mary Ann was forefront in the founding energy for Sisters Hill Farm, a CSA in Dutchess County, NY - a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of New York. Currently Director Emerita of the Farm.
Pat Monahan, CSJ
Founding Member since 1994
Mentored by Thomas Berry in the Universe Story and its deep inner meaning and orientation for life. Co-Founder of Kids for the Earth in Mount Vernon, NY. Founding member of CSJ EarthMatters of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Paula Gonzalez, SC
Founding Member since 1994 (2016 RIP)
The visionary founder of EarthConnection in Cincinnati, a center for learning and reflection about living lightly on Earth.
Gabriele Uhlein, OSF
Founding Member since 1994
It is a privilege to have over 25 years of connection with Sisters of Earth! At present, via workshops, group facilitation and on-line creativity experiences, my energy is dedicated to exploring and refining Earth-Eldering practices and presence in evolutionary conversation circles and maturing communities.
Eleanor Maclellan, RSCJ
Founding Member since 1994
I worked for over 25 years at Drumlin Farm, which is owned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The farm has several educational programs focused on humans as an integral part of nature and the need to work towards a "mutually-enhancing human-Earth relationship." (Thomas Berry)
Linda Haas
Member since 1996
In 2005, with my late husband, Dave, we moved to beautiful farmland in southern Indiana to restore native habitat, to raise our own organic food, and then to focus on butterfly farming and more regenerative farming, with the intention to plant trees such as Hazelnut, Chestnut and Pecan.
Rosine Sobczak, OSF
Member since 1996
Sister of St. Francis, Sylvania, OH. Teacher and retired Associate Professor of Biology Emerita Lourdes University; Spiritual Director. Director of former Lourdes Life Lab for nature education; co-founder and President of S.A.V.E., an environmental organization for ecology, spirituality, and sustainability.
Loretta Peters, FS
Member since 1998
I've worn a few volunteer hats for the Sisters of Earth: Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, and Membership Directory.
Joyce Rouse aka Earth Mama
Member since 1998
The fruits of my efforts are the “Earth Mama” programs that use earth wisdom, music, and laughter to spread the message that the earth is a “Mama” for all of us. These programs are enjoyed by audiences of all ages and interests, twining together spirituality, education and entertainment, in celebration with the earth.
Lucy Slinger, FSPA
Member since 2000
A Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration is a life-long ecological advocate in her university teaching, retreat leading and environmental issue presentations. I am serving on the LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) Global Concerns Committee and have worked with NCR (National Catholic Reporter) on EarthBeat.
Gloria Rivera, IHM
Member since 2002
Since 1994: team member of Groundwork for a Just World, focusing on education and action of social issues; Director of Projecto Ayuda, serving seniors; Executive Director of Freedom House, serving asylum seekers; staff for Michigan Coalition for Human Rights and since 2009 full time coordinator for Great Lakes Bioneeers Detroit (GLBD).
Margaret Swedish
Member since 2006
In 2005, I turned my attention to the unfolding ecological crisis after 23 years with the Religious Task Force on Central America & Mexico in Washington DC. I wrote a book: Living Beyond the ‘End of the World:’ A Spirituality of Hope, 2008, Orbis.
Dorothy Calvani
Member since 2010
Despite everything, Mother Earth continues to sustain and love us. Awe and gratitude is my aim. My Earth activities take the form of support of local/national environmental advocacy groups, leading an Eco-Spirituality group, member of ROAR, walking and hiking in the Shawangunks, community sponsored agriculture membership, composting, active hope.