Spinners weave wisdom ways - Catholic Church women's communities

National Catholic Reporter, March 16, 2001 by Rich Heffern

In Cincinnati, Paula Gonzalez, a Sister of Charity inspired by the first Earth Day in 1970, began a project known as La Casa del Sol, a 1,500-quare-foot house that stands as a model for recycling and energy efficiency. Using an old chicken coop as a base, the timber-framed house was put up in a few days like an old-fashioned barn raising. Gonzalez and another sister moved in. Their brainchild is EarthConnection, a center for learning and reflection about living lightly on Earth, home for tours, programs, internships and retreats. Gonzalez also raises money by doing what she calls "above-ground mining," inviting people to search attics and garages for useful materials for construction, furnishing new projects and for fund-raising sales. Sr. Paula says her spirituality is grounded in her garden, where, in the growing season, she daily experiences "the miracle that is the universe."

In Roeland Park, Kan., Carol Meyer works out of her home as a massage therapist and spiritual director. She publishes a small newsletter titled Wisdom Ways circulated by mail and Internet to local spiritual seekers. The newsletter is filled with tips on simplifying, finding peace or the consolations of a heart on fire in the midst of a busy urban life. A spare bedroom has become a meditation room featuring a small waterfall, incense burners and up-to-date icons lit by flickering candles. Meyer's business flourishes.

In Vermont, Sr. Gail Worcelo and lay associate Bernadette Bostwick, together with their community of Passionist nuns, are starting an Ecozoic Monastery in the Green mountains. They hope to soon found the first Catholic community of nuns in the world dedicated to healing the Earth.

This is just a tiny sampling of the innovative communities and enterprises taking shape around the country. Like the Beguines in their time; these women foster new devotions honoring the Earth as God's body and offer to others places of sanctuary, retreat and healing. In the midst of confusion, they lead serene lives. They bring both Jesus' gospel and the lost gospel of the Earth to life.

Some holistic women's communities online:

* Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, Kan.: www.ksdom.org

* Wisdom Ways, spirituality center of the Sisters of St. Joseph, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minn.: paradox.stkate.edu/wisdomways

* Genesis Farm, Blairstown, N.J.: www.globaleduc.org/genfarm.htm

* Michaela Farm, Oldenburg, Ind., Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg: http://www.oldenburgfranciscans.org/michaelafarm/MichaelaFarm.html

* Crystal Spring Center for Ecology, Spirituality and Earth Education, Plainville, Mass.: cryspr@naisp.net

* Passionist Sr. Gail Worcelo, Passionist Ecozoic monastery in Vermont: srgail@together.net

Rich Heffern is the former editor of Praying magazine and a staff member of NCR. His e-mail address is rheffern@natcath.org