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f e a t u r e
CREATION

Irish Sisters Through the Stewardship of Animals

See the Divine Our faith calls us to care for and protect God’s creation, and

in Bees as caretakers of the earth, stewardship of animals is important.

By showing compassion and empathy to animals, we show who

to be the best version of humans we can be.
BEEKEEPERS ARE BLESSED TO SEE we are. Caring for an animal teaches us how to care. It helps us
THE WORK OF GOD AS THEY CARE Our Bon Secours family reflects on what caring for animals
FOR THE LITTLE INSECTS ESSENTIAL means to them:
TO OUR FOOD SUPPLY AND CARING FOR s Sr. Elaine Davia has kept a fish tank
B Sr. Anna Mae Crane with her cat, Timmy.
for many years.
THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET.
ees play a role in every aspect of our ecosystem,
s
significantly contributing to the complex
biodiversity and health of our interconnected
world. “We have a tremendous reverence for
bees and what they do for mother earth,” says
Sr. Margaret Mary Hanafin. She and Sr. Michelle Sheehan
began keeping bees in 2015 in response to Pope Francis’ pollen home.” She describes how beekeeping helps
Laudato Si’ call to safeguard creation for future generations. focus her, “You must be very mindful when taking care
They care for two robust and thriving hives in their backyard of bees. You become totally absorbed in them and are
garden in Cork, Ireland. living in the present moment. It becomes a meditation.”

An average hive has between 20,000 and 80,000 bees living Both sisters are retired from the health care ministry.
together in a colony. Sr. Michelle says, “There is great harmony Beekeeping has introduced them to a community
in a hive.” She shares how each bee has a job that is vital to of people passionate about caring for the earth.
the well-being of its community, “Bees live a life of mutual It has also given them an avenue to communicate ‘‘ While fish are not warm and cuddly, they are pretty to watch.
exchange and benefit. They remind us how very important it caring for creation to their neighbors and local They are meditative and calming, and they teach me about
is to have harmony in the world.” She loves working with bees community whose gardens are benefiting from community living. If I put a new fish in an established tank,
and is fascinated by their pattern of life: “We humans can learn the blessings of the sisters’ bees. all the fish are affected. In community, one person moving
in or out impacts everyone and calls for adjustments to
a lot from bees and how they care and look out for each other.” maintain a joyful and cohesive community. Fish of the same species

Sr. Margaret gives an example, “If bees do not come home, ‘‘ WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR often swim together in schools. Occasionally, fish of different species will swim together,
it may be that they have too much pollen to fly; they send THIS VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY and they always seem more playful and energetic. This is true in community as well.
out signals, and bees from their hive will come take the pollen TO CARE FOR CREATION.” Often our differences make our lives together more challenging but also livelier and more vibrant.”
off of their legs so they can fly, and together they bring the — SR. MARGARET MARY HANAFIN — SR. ELAINE DAVIA

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