Environment
LAUDATO SI
“Be praised …” In 2015, Pope Francis chose these words from St Francis to write his Letter about the global economy. Yes, he tackled this complex question by writing on the Care of Creation - our Common Home. The capitalist world economy, he said, was geared towards mere commercial profit instead of the enrichment of all at the level of their personal, spiritual and social wealth. This is an enormously influential document, well beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church. And we Sisters of the Holy Cross in England have been inspired by it also: to use the earth’s resources wisely, to re-use where possible, to compost in our gardens and grow vegetables and fruits, to recycle, and to travel as lightly as we can upon the earth. In our investments we have opposed the excessive use of fossil fuels and supported Charities working in that field, and we opt for green energy where we can.
SUSTAINABILITY/ AND CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
Composting!
BEEKEEPING
I started beekeeping in 1976 by accident. Our parish priest was taking us out for the day to Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire. He said, ‘They keep bees, why don’t you?’ I though, ‘Why not!’ One of the monks gave me a couple of old beekeeping books. The school where I taught had on an old beehive made out of old crates - the hive had no bees and was full of wax moth. A past pupil made another hive for me. Another friend knew a beekeeper who gave me a swarm.
Later I joined the Northampton Beekeeping Society. The lessons were great fun, and soo, too, was my beekeeping! We did our Intermediate exam.
The Beekeeper!
In 1991 I moved to Chalfont St Peter, and took my five hives. I took all the beekeeping module exams and passed them. For several years I taught the beginner’s classes. I have been the President and Chairperson of the Chalfonts Beekeeping Society, and am now an honary member! Last year my bees did well - I extracted and jarred the honey, which was 164lbs (74.4kg)! It is a very interesting hobby - another miracle of creation -with the healthy product (honey) which others can enjoy.
The Hives
Sr Mary Christa
