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f e a t u r e

Caring for Creation Rainey Taylor with her The life of every living s Vocation Director, USA,
12-and-a-half-year-old
thing is in His hands
rescue dog, Chloe.
Sr. Fran Gorsuch (l) and
and the breath of
Congregation Leader
s
every human being.
‘‘ I honestly cannot remember a time in my life that I did not — JOB 12:10 with their 12-year-old
Sr. Rose Marie Jasinski (r)
rescue cat, Polly.
have a dog as part of my world. All of my sweet puppies
have enhanced my life bringing me through all the ups and
downs with their own unique personalities. These included
the silly ones, the sad ones, the crazy ones, the lonely lost
ones. I have had all kinds, many rescued and arriving with
their own baggage, and I believe with all my heart that ‘‘ Creation belongs to God. He loves the whole world,
they are a special gift from God. They give us a true glimpse not just humans. Caring for the planet and everything
of unconditional love given so freely. I rescued Chloe 12 years in it is beneficial for all people. Becoming a responsible
ago when she was approximately 13 months old. She is now steward of God’s creation is a work in progress. It is
on the last part of her journey, and is funny looking, silly, important that we advocate for environmental justice
loves everyone and is the sweetest dog ever.” with others and remember our physical actions, even
small ones, do make a difference. My family started our
— RAINEY TAYLOR, Sales Manager,
Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center chicken coop in early 2020. The chickens are wonderful
pets; they are curious, funny and, most of all, delighted
when we visit them. They are great for recycling
Sr. Mary Shimo with her cat, Sandy. s
leftovers. No food goes to waste in our home, and
Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center Director of Operations in return, we get wonderful organic eggs.”
Kevin Cassidy regularly feeds the many species of birds that — HAMID ESFANDIARI, Building Engineer,
visit the Marriottsville campus. Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center
s
Hamid Esfandiari with his chickens.
s
‘‘ I learned at an early age to respect and care for God’s

creatures. Dogs, in particular, have always been
special to me. They have given me a taste of God’s
faithfulness and unconditional love. We are so fortunate
at Marriottsville to care for, enjoy and share this
‘‘ My first 12 years of early education were with the creatures. In prayerfully observing them, I have come
holy land inhabited by so many of God’s wonderful

to see that by just being what God created them to be,
Franciscan Sisters in Aston, Pennsylvania. Having
they give glory to God. They don’t have to work at it.
a strong Franciscan spirituality, I love creation
and animals. I see the love of God and God’s
got in touch with who God created us to be.”
beauty in them.” We do. But maybe it would not be so hard if we truly
— SR. MARY SHIMO, Archivist,
Sisters of Bon Secours, USA — SR. BERNADETTE CLAPS s Sr. Bernadette Claps with Tia,
a therapy dog visiting Marian Hall.

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