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Miami Shores, Florida – Barry University’s ongoing commitment to develop leaders who are prepared to uphold the vision and legacy of the Adrian Dominican Sisters has been strengthened by campus programming that highlights the Adrian Dominican 2016 General Chapter Enactments.

One of the Enactments focuses on environmental sustainability. It reads: “Recognizing the violence against Earth community that places our common home in dire jeopardy and intensifies the suffering of people on the margins, future generations and all creation, we will sacrifice to mitigate significantly our impact on climate change and ecological degradation.”

To address this enactment, campus programming this year includes several zero-waste events and a Switch-It-Off Campaign in the residence halls to promote student awareness about energy conservation.

The 2016 Founders’ Week Distinguished Lecture explored the concept of Integral Ecology with Dr. Christiana Peppard, PhD, Assistant Professor of Theology, Science and Ethics in the Department of Theology at Fordham University. At the distinguished lecture, Dr. Peppard led participants in a conversation about Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ letter on the environment, and its implications in both global and local senses.

In consideration of what “integral ecology” looks like in practice, Dr. Peppard explored Pope Francis’ call to care for “our common home” and what this means for sustainability and daily life within and beyond the Barry community. These events and many others have served to expand awareness about environmental stewardship and how it relates to Barry’s Mission and Core Commitment to recognize the sacredness of Earth.

The Barry community has also focused on the following Enactment: “Rooted in the joy of the Gospel, we will embrace and nurture our rich diversity, commit ourselves to deepening our relationships with one another, invite others to vowed and Associate Life, and expand collaboration for the sake of the Mission.”

Four faculty members were welcomed into Adrian Dominican Associate Life. Associates make a formal, non-vowed commitment to partner with the Adrian Dominican Sisters in living out their mission and vision. 

In partnership with the Sisters and the Director of Associate Life, Mary Lach, a six-session series to educate and form participants in the Adrian Dominican mission and vision was offered at Barry. Faculty and staff were invited to attend those sessions that held particular interest for them or all six sessions in preparation for applying for Associate Life.  

The formation sessions will be offered again this spring as part of Barry’s Leading the Legacy program. Each session will include a presentation by Adrian Dominican Sisters, discussion, and lunch.

All of the programs described above have been partially funded through the generosity of the Adrian Dominican Sponsorship Commission.

Feature photo (above): Elementary school students paint inspiring words on rocks during the Founders’ Week Arbor Day celebration. 

 

Barry promotes the concept of Zero Waste at an event during Founders’ Week.

LEFT: Mary Lach, Director of Associate Life, welcomes new Associates at the Founders’ Week Luncheon. RIGHT: Sisters Evelyn Piche, OP, Mary Fran Fleischaker, OP, and Mary Tindel, OP, lead the Dominican Blessing at the Founders’ Week Associate Life Luncheon.