Good
Shepherd Sisters in the
Earth Hour organized by WWF held on Saturday, March 27 from
1961 and was then known as World Wildlife Fund. The organization grew over the 70s
and into the 80s, WWF began to expand its work to conserve the environment as a
whole (reflecting the interdependence of all living things), rather than
focusing on selected species in isolation. So, although we continued to use our
well-known initials, during the 80s our legal name became "WWF-World Wide
Fund For Nature."
Earth Hour 2010 was a
global call to action to every individual, every business and every community
throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get
involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and
landmarks from
all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration
and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.
Earth Hour started in
2007 in
lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year
later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than
50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as
the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in
San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope
for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.
In March 2009, hundreds
of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88
countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet,
making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
At the Good Shepherd Convent
in Quezon City, communities from the Provincialate, Euphrasian Community, St.
Bridget School, Bahay Ugnayan, Good Shepherd Community gathered for an hour of
Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament united with all creatures in praising
God and in praying for the earth. No electric bulbs were turned on during the
hour but lit candles made in the Novitiate encircled the Blessed Sacrament. The candles were recycled from used candles in the chapel.
In
sat for one hour in silence with just the candle at the center. After the first
half hour they walked for some moments, as in zen, then stopped and continued the next
half hour in silence.
In Heart of Mary Villa,
in Malabon, Sr. Susan Montano RGS said, sisters started the Earth Hour by praying
the rosary and proceeded with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Sr. Celeste Engutan CGS,
said the contemplatives in Tagaytay as in many Good Shepherd Communities in the
the time to
p.m.
nations observing the 2010 Earth Hour.
In Virac,
Catanduanes, Sr. Goretti Bool CGS, said the contemplative community with Sr.
Mercy Ang, RGS, an apostolic sister who is exploring possibilities for mission in the
diocese, spent the Earth Hour in Adoration.
Sr. Diane
Cabasagan RGS said in Davao City, the community has weekly Earth Hour but last
Saturday there was Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.
In Isabela, Sr. Teresita
Cordova RGS said, the community were in silence in respect for the earth, and in
replenishing body, mind and spirit.
Last year, the Women,
Justice and Integrity of Creation (WJPIC) Office led by Sr. Maureen Catabian
RGS encouraged communities to observe
Earth Hour every Saturday evening. In keeping with the global call to care for
the earth and as an active response to the issue of climate change, sisters switch
off lights, unplug electronic gadgets and devices and gather in silence.