Dear sisters and members of the Family of the Incarnation,
In this of April, we want to commemorate International Mother Earth Day, celebrated on April 22nd, as declared by the UN General Assembly in 2009. This day recognizes that the Earth and its ecosystems are humanity's common home, and that it is essential to foster a balance between economic, social, and environmental factors. Caring for the environment and promoting sustainability in our communities is key to ensuring the health of the planet.
Cliff slides
The beautiful and large island that is the United Kingdom is well aware that its coastline is exposed to constant erosion. Landslides have always occurred due to the action of the sea, but their magnitude and frequency are increasing, and it is foreseeable that they will become more frequent due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
According to the World Economic Forum, rising sea levels due to the collapse of glaciers are the third greatest threat to the world in the next decade.
What is Wales doing for Mother Earth.
Fly- tipping is a major problem in the country, often involving household items, beds, furniture etc., rubbish on the beaches, and it is a serious criminal offense. There were 42,000 Fly- tipping incidents reported in 2025. Fly-tipping pollutes the land and waterways. To prevent it, cameras have been rolled out in Wales and higher fines considered in fly-tipping to protect Mother Earth.
Wales is known for its uplands and mountainous terrain which contributes to a wetter climate compared to the rest of UK. The country has 1,702 miles of coastline and is home to a wide range of wildlife, but it too faces challenges such as declining biodiversity.
The Welsh Government has implemented several legislative measures to protect the environment, including the well-being of Future generation’s (Wales)Act 2015 which emphasis sustainable development and the need to maintain a biodiverse natural environment. The act aims to ensure that the needs of the present are met without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.
Wales is recognized for its ambitious sustainable goals, including the world’s first refill nation through the Refill Cymru scheme, which increases access to high quality drinking water. The country is also focused on renewable energy and zero waste, positioning itself as a leader in environmental sustainability. Wales is one of the first countries in the world to have sustainability written in its government legislation.
Mother Earth
Calling the Earth Mother is a way of acknowledging the sacred nature of the land that sustains us. The native Americans viewed Mother earth as the source of all life. God called the dry land Earth. Gen1:10
As Ursulines of Jesus, we care for it diligently and give thanks for our garden as a sacred place of encounter with creation. Recently one of our beautiful trees in Stella Maris was cut down as it was diseased. This magnificent tree was two hundred years old and was greatly loved by all our sisters.
“The earth is God’s gift to us.
We receive it as a blessing to share.
We receive it from God
to continue his work of creation upon it
and live upon it poor, happy and free.
But we claim as our own the possessions meant for all,
And hold on to the riches entrusted to us.
So, the cries of the poor, the dispossessed,
rise up to God from the earth.” BOL 24
Mother Earth rises up against all forms of injustice. Interestingly today many people are rising up against injustice too.
Questions for Personal Reflection
How can we continue to keep Mother Earth protected and content?
What is Mother Earth crying out for? What is she saying to me?
Do I have a personal relationship with Mother Earth?
Compose your own litany of gratitude to Mother Earth.
From the United Kingdom, International Commission on Ecology
April 1, 2026