Reconnecting with nature

“A space, a place and an embrace.”

This is the term Sister Mary Ann Srnka, School Sister of Notre Dame (SSND), uses to describe the SUNSEED Eco-Education Center at 110 Notre Dame St., Mount Calvary.

Srnka is the director of SUNSEED, a new ministry of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, which opened to the public in 2007, but had been offering programs for the School Sisters of Notre Dame for two years prior.

The Center is located on the grounds of the Mount Carmel Convent – nestled on top of a glacial drumlin with 36 acres of fields, prairie, organic vegetable and flower gardens and an oak savannah (flat grassland). SUNSEED offers workshops, classes, presentations, study groups, reflection days and hands-on experiences for groups of children and adults – offering opportunities to learn about earth, nature, organic gardening and living respectfully and sustainably on the land.

SUNSEED also offers guests the opportunity to walk along a bluebird trail, observe the lush, organic gardens on the property, walk to the center of a grassy labyrinth for some soul searching or participate in creating nature crafts.

The Center is committed to transformative change through holistic education, empowering humans to live on earth in a mutually enhancing way. Its mission statement is “As School Sisters of Notre Dame, rooted in contemplation, we believe the world can be changed through the transformation of persons.”

“The indoor ‘space’ we offer in our Mount Carmel Convent is a renovated laundry which is now a demonstration kitchen and presentation area,” Srnka explained. “The ‘place’ is the 36-acre property. The ‘embrace’ refers to the whole of our universe. We are all one and are made of stardust.”

SUNSEED’s brochure points out that it has always been essential to the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s mission to respond to the signs of the times.

“In this era of environmental crises, it is our hope to provide a space to reconnect with earth and encourage choices that bring about transformative change,” is SUNSEED Eco-Education Center’s mission.

The acts of the 22nd General Chapter of the School Sisters of Notre Dame states, “We are convinced anew that education is our response to the cries of creation, the concrete expression of our solidarity with all. ” Srnka and Sister Mary Beck SSND, SUNSEED’s gardening and husbandry coordinator, also offer presentations off campus, to students and groups, such as garden clubs, upon request.

For example, they provide a children’s program – “Garden Plot to Kitchen Pot” – at area schools, which have outdoor garden facilities. Sister Suzanne Moynihan, former SUNSEED education coordinator, developed the program.

After preparing composted soil with red wigglers, children plant seeds in the classroom, then later transplant seedlings outdoors, water and weed them.

When the veggies have grown, the kids harvest them, and then prepare a side salad, a pizza or chili for their school lunches. In addition to enjoying a nutritious lunch, they experience the taste of organic vegetables and fruits. They also learn the importance of caring for the planet in order to grow the foods their bodies need.

Child-grown gardens offer opportunities for learners to discover the joy of planting, raising and harvesting fresh food. These gardens are effective learning tools for integrating all subjects, including science, language arts, environmental studies, nutrition and health.

Another program for children is “A Kid’s Day on the Farm.” Children explore the gardens and help harvest part of their lunch, with the vegetables and fruits that are in season.

The kids are also introduced to honeybee pollinators and red wiggler composters and learn about their roles in the food web that keeps one healthy. Children visit the chickens, and gather some eggs.

The day concludes with a walk through the prairie, peek at the bluebird houses, reflection time and marshmallow roast, then a treat of s’mores around a campfire.

Other topics presented at SUNSEED Eco-Education Center – open year-round – include, among others: food preservation, organic cuisine, canning, bread baking, earth spirituality, sustainability, square-foot gardening and nutrition.

Then too, Srnka recently trained to become a facilitator for a symposium known as “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream.” She plans to offer this four-hour symposium at SUNSEED Eco-Education Center and off-campus, upon request, in the near future.

The focus of the four-hour symposium Srnka will facilitate is to impart the importance of all of us doing our part to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on the planet as our guiding principle. She will suggest to participants that they ask themselves the following question daily:

“Do my thoughts, conversations and actions lead to a sustainable human presence – one that is just for the whole earth community and that cultivates a deep spiritual satisfaction for me and everybody else?”

“I am presenting this symposium to further our mission of a more sustainable lifestyle,” Srnka pointed out. She stressed the importance to look at the world from a different perspective, in view of the failing economy, melting glaciers and disappearing polar bears.

“We perceive; we ponder; we proclaim. As our power of perception changes, we come to new meanings,” she said.

Twenty-six retired nuns reside at Mount Carmel Convent. Those who are able participate in the gardening, with two men hired to maintain the grounds.

Through this new SUNDSEED ministry, Srnka and Beck are reaping more than the robust vegetables they grow in their organic gardens.

“I enjoy seeing people falling in love with nature once more,” Srnka said.

Beck agreed, adding, “I love gardening – nurturing plants from seed to maturity, but especially love harvesting and passing on this love through teaching.”

“In this era of environmental crisis, it is our hope to provide a space to reconnect with earth and to encourage choices that bring about transformative change,” Srnka said.

Note: For a calendar of upcoming events at SUNSEED Eco-Education Center, visit: www.sustainfdlcounty.org To contact Sister Mary Ann Srnka, phone 920-753-2131. Her e-mail address is msrnka@ssnd-milw.org.