Nicole’s e-Pistle

April 23, 2025

Greetings, Friends!

As I am sure you are already aware, on Sunday we celebrated Easter, on Monday, Pope Francis joined the Church Triumphant, and yesterday was Earth Day. This week is off to quite a start! In reading through Pope Francis’ Easter message, this section strikes at the heart of the Easter Season: “Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge. Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.”

I will not belabor the dozens of places in the world where war and violence continue to promise death and destruction, nor will I remind you of the many ways in which we as humans find to divide ourselves from one another. Instead, I thought I would share some bits and pieces of how human beings from all over the globe came together to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2025. It is true that evil has not left our world, as Pope Francis lamented, but thanks be to God, there is much good being done in the name of humanity and creation.

[Europe]… In London, UK, school children were invited to create visual arts with this year’s world-wide Earth Day theme “Our Power, Our Planet” in which they learn from the past to inform the future. In Paris, France, Parisians were invited to participate in a city-wide Digital Detox, deleting their old or outdated digital files, apps, and pictures, essentially decluttering their digital footprints. Then, in the afternoon, people were invited to spend the remainder of the day enjoying the outdoors with their neighbors and communities.

[Africa]… In Minna, Nigeria, people were invited to a demonstration of the benefits of the rice husk Briquette over charcoal and firewood in collaboration with the Niger State Ministry of Women Affairs. This was an attempt to work toward cleaner energy and heating for homes and villages. In Nairobi, Kenya people celebrated this year’s theme “Our Power, Our Plant: Voices of All Ages, Generations for One Green Future” by bringing together people of all age groups from the elderly to youth and teenagers: “United by Purpose, Divided by Age, Connected by Earth.” They included intergenerational dialogue, collaboration, learning and a reflection on academic-community collaboration for a green planet, and included activities such as tree planting and cleanup.

[Asia]… In Hyderabad, Telangana, India, which is called the Hollywood of the East, people held screenings of films related to Earth Day and led group discussion with experts and students. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, they held a Climate Fresk conference, which is a science-based, interactive workshop designed to educate participants on the complex and interconnected nature of climate change—and to inspire action. Used in 168 countries, it has become the world’s most viral climate education workshop, delivering high-quality learning on the climate crisis. Since its inception, over 2 million people have taken part, including more than 3,000 participants in Malaysia since the chapter launched in 2023.

[Australia]… In Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia, a group hosted an Earth day Cruise to world heritage Kgari island on board a whale watching boat to educate guests on Earth day and the positive impacts we can have on the planet. In nearby Aukland, New Zealand, the Mt Roskill Library hosted a mix of sustainability-focused activities for the whole family: a bike fix station, where people could get expert tips and a free safety check. Plus, there were e-bike trials, a conservation talk on how to protect local wildlife, and seed sowing with native plants.

[North America]… In Fort St. James, British Columbia, community members were invited to create upcycled art using recycled materials, which would be displayed in a local gallery space. In Saltillo, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico, a local resident offered a painting class to members of the community, with all needed supplies included, in the comfort of his own basement.

[Central/South America]… In Quito, Ecuador, local students learned about significant strides in renewable energy on behalf of The Galapagos Islands, renowned for their unparalleled biodiversity and as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Students presented the initiatives of the ‘enchanted Islands’ with regards to “Zero Fossil Fuel Initiative,” which aims to replace conventional with renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biofuels, establishing the islands as a model for sustainable living. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, students and teachers participated in “green” activities throughout the day, such as conserving water and light, recycling and separating trash, and watering plants with reused water.

I hope this serves as an example of people coming together in a cause that unites us worldwide. I know I feel personally connected to others on days such as World Communion Day, the International Day of Prayer and Earth Day. It reminds me that there is goodness still in humanity, and that each of us, no matter how small, can impact our world when we love God, love each other, and love this beautiful creation God has given us.

Happy Easter to you all!… Love wins!