(Photo of Sisters’ water harvesting tank in Marereni, Kenya.)

REFLECT

We call Earth the blue planet for a reason. Water blankets nearly three quarters of its surface; and yet, less than 2% of Earth’s water is fresh and available to drink. This makes every drop all the more precious and worthy of our care and conservation.

SCNs passed a corporate stance on water in 2007 that states, “We, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Family affirm that water is a fundamental, inalienable human right. Earth’s freshwater is limited and essential for a just and sustainable world.”

Today, Sisters throughout our congregation and the people to whom we minister are living with water scarcity. In 2023, Sister Vinaya in Kenya shared, “Kenya has been facing failure in rain fall during the past four years, causing severe drought. In some regions it has not rained a single drop for two years… Thousands of people suffered starvation and thousands of animals died.”

Sister Hilda in Banakal, India told us, “Though we have three wells, the water supply is not sufficient enough to last to the time we close the school in April… The concern for us here is that we will not get water to buy even if we can pay the amount because all the people are facing the same problem.”

Access to fresh water is a justice issue. Conserving water and educating others about the importance of water conservation is a way to live out our General Assembly commitment to work for peace and environmental justice.

ACT

Stand in solidarity with those who have less access to water. Look for those things in your life that are water-intensive and ask yourself how you can save water. If you are already doing your part to conserve water, educate others about how to capture rainwater or advocate against industries that use large amounts of water, such as fracking and data centers.

PRAY

Prayer for Water

Creator, we turn our attention to acknowledge and give thanks for your gift of water. The mighty seas, the calm lakes, the rivers, the streams, and the rain that falls to refresh our sister mother earth.

At the beginning of creation, you sanctified the waters. Your gift is indispensable to all life on earth. It grows our food; it sustains all living things physically. When we are in need of spiritual strength, you instructed us to go down to the water and wash our spirits clean.

Awaken the heart of those who exploit your gift for profit. And forgive those of us who take your gift for granted. Help us to remember the preciousness of your gift and give us the wisdom to use your gift wisely and to share it equitably.

A:Ho (Amen)

Prayer by Virginia Fifield, Mercy Associate. Ms. Fifield is from Akwesausne, a Mohawk reservation that straddles the U.S. and Canada.