Care for the Earth
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.”
– Job 12:7-10
On November 14, 2021, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Generalate signed a commitment to join thousands of Catholic Institutions across the globe in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. This multi-year commitment put the Pope’s 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for our Common Home” into actions that can help avert global warming.
We, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, an international apostolic congregation, reverence the dignity of each person and of all creation. We commit ourselves to work for the protection of human rights and for the preservation of nature, affirming that action on behalf of peace and justice is fundamental to the mission of the church (Constitutions Art. 6)
We publicly commit to join the worldwide Catholic community in responding to Pope Francis’ appeal to participate in a seven-year journey toward sustainability and integral ecology by developing a Laudato Si’ Action Platform. This is a deepening and a renewal of our recent General Chapter (2019) Statement:
The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill move beyond frontiers to witness charity and justice to our wounded world.
We advocate for and serve with those who live in poverty.
We model interculturality and reconciliation.
We restore and protect the earth.
This commitment is made in faith, hope, and love, recognizing that the Charity of Christ urges us, knowing that we are participating in God’s work of transformation, “for we know that things can change” (LS 13).
Tree Planting Commitment
Trees are a wonderful gift to our world, offering shade, oxygen, and habitats for birds and insects while also aiding in carbon sequestration and rainfall attraction. Each tree plays a crucial role in sustaining the environment and supporting various species. Recognizing the importance of trees, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill have long honored the land’s potential and beauty, as demonstrated by the London planetrees planted by Sister Maria Francesca Urnauer in 1924. Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si, which calls for the care of our common home, the Sisters have taken steps to further this mission.
On November 7, 2022, as part of their Laudato Si’ Action Plan, the Sisters planted 100 trees on their property. This effort, led by Michelle Greco and supported by expert advice from Penn State Extension and Friendship Farms Nursery, marked a significant commitment to restoring the land to its primal forest beginnings. The event was commemorated with a blessing and celebration on November 19, aligning with a conference at the congregation. This tree-planting initiative completed on October 31, 2025 with a total of 400 trees planted.
Recycling Commitment
- Plastic Bags. The Sisters of Charity plastic bag recycling program began in March 2022. The TREX company works with schools and non-profit organizations that collect plastic bags for recycling into heavy-duty garden and lawn furniture. A garden bench is offered to the group for every 500 lbs. of plastic bags collected (in 2024 the amount was changed to 1000 lbs. per year). Two benches are in place at our Peace Garden and four have been placed at out newly constructed Healing Circle resting site.
- Related Outreach. Through conversation about plastic bag recycling with local school groups, two Catholic schools, Sacred Heart Elementary School in Pittsburgh and Aquinas Academy in Greensburg, have successfully collected the needed plastic bags and have each received a garden bench for their school grounds. The awareness of recycling plastic bags for young children will be a lasting experience.
- Soda Cans. An average of 20 lbs. of soda cans from Caritas Christi and employees has brought over $200.00 from the local recycling company for garden expenses over the past two years.