ECOLOGY
(Article 2)
by Rosa Curry 

Everything comes from God alone.
Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.  Romans 11:36. 

Our “Ecology” prayer team continues to ask God for wisdom for all who dwell upon this beautiful earth.  We thank Him for many answers to our prayer as we become more aware of the need to protect and respect His creation.  While reading about an agency that provides treatment and that cares for injured and orphaned wildlife, the following statement caught my eye: “We don’t inherit the planet from our ancestors.  We borrow it from our children.” 

God in His mercy created us and gave us this beautiful world in which to live.  We must co-exist with many other living creatures.  Although many animals fall victim to natural causes, disease, storms, and natural predation, most harm to animals is caused by human inter-actions such as vehicle collisions, environmental toxic poisoning, and injuries caused by fishing line and bottle containers.  Habitat loss due to rapid building development is another cause of orphaned and injured animals.  We must seek out programs that heighten environmental awareness and promote education on the needs of natural and human environments.

 Our prayers for a cleaner and safer environment are being answered in small ways.  A growing and popular beauty products company has developed a “soil to bottle” traceability system.  They follow and document the lifeline of their essential oils – beginning with the farms that organically grow the basic ingredients of their products.  The company also states, “Economically and culturally, the collaboration has fostered hope, giving local families a chance to come together as a community.”  By creating new jobs, they are able to build new homes for the workers, a daycare, a school, and an HIV clinic.

 Be aware of the products you use.  Check their websites.  If you see something questionable, visit watchdog sites such as organicconsumers.org, centerforfoodsafety.org, or iatp.org (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy).

 Our parish has also enrolled in the Michigan Interfaith Power and Light program, which is aimed at conserving energy resources.

If you are interested in joining the “Ecology” prayer team, call #734-676-4417 to register.

 (Rosa Curry is a leader of the Spirit of Love Prayer Group at Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Community in Woodhaven, Michigan, and is a member of the DCCR Assembly, representing the South Region.)