IHM EarthCare New Year Update

A new year invites us to look at Earth, our Common Home, with fresh eyes. One of the ways to do this is through the practice of gazing, which is a mindful and contemplative way to be in the world. Gazing helps us to attend to the holy that surrounds us in art, nature, and other people. Joyce Rupp notes that, “When we change our way of looking into gazing, we gaze with soft eyes and non-judgment and move to a place of respect and awe.”

Sara Melick, our friend, EarthCARE committee member, and Marywood University professor and instructor in environmental science, invited her students in Ecology to reflect on the time they had spent volunteering or attending class at the IHM Center’s land plan. A sampling of their responses indicates the effect that time spent in gazing had on them:

Upon searching for wildlife, I found a tiny snail (which was adorable), and a multitude of insects. It fills me with joy to find an area where multiple organisms can live together peacefully and unbothered.

We observed local flora and fauna as well as taking a hands-on approach with the composting process and how it is implemented back into the environment. The IHM Center is truly an ecological comeback story.

My time at the IHM Center has been deeply rewarding, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature and understand the importance of land restoration…These experiences have not only enriched my education but also inspired me to think more critically about my role in environmental stewardship.

Learning outside in the welcoming atmosphere where so many organisms reside has made learning about ecosystems and other things related to ecology so much easier because I am able to see first-hand.

I greatly enjoyed my time at the IHM Center. It is a beautiful facility and an asset to have as part of our Marywood community. Thank you for the opportunity!

The IHM Center was quite peaceful and perfect for bird watching. How the residents recycle and have housing for local bees shows me that sustainable practices are being done.

While spending some class time at the IHM Center, I witnessed the hard work that has been done and its beauty. Attending class here has taught me some valuable knowledge that I can carry with me in my endeavors in life.

Our thanks to Sara Melick and her students for modeling for us how to gaze at our IHM Land Plan with soft eyes and deep gratitude.