Administrators, staff and students reflect on ways to give back to nature through a more sustainable environment.
Participants take a short walk in the “Gaup” (ancestral domain) to engage with the community. Forest, gardens, water system are maintained by the youth. Photo by Whitney Nagasan
By Glenda Factura
Coordinator, XU Green Campus Agenda
Xavier University organized an inter-university ecological reflection to recall and reflect on the generosity of the environment and to help translate our gratitude into concrete actions and interventions that will help sustain our environment.
Fr Pedro Walpole SJ, coordinator for Reconciliation with Creation in Asia Pacific, handled the workshop held on October 27-29 at Bendum, Malaybalay, Bukidnon and attended by the offices of the Vice President for Research and Social Outreach, Mission and Ministry, and the Administration.
Fr Pedro Walpole discusses the different varieties of bamboo and their importance to water resource management.
During the process, the participants were asked to share their individual refection on re-establishing relationship with nature. The workshop focused on the ‘Laudato Si’ document stressing on “inner peace [as] closely related to care for ecology and for the common good because, lived out authentically, it is reflected in a balanced lifestyle together with a capacity for wonder which takes us to a deeper understanding of life” (par.225).
According to Fr Walpole, “Reconciliation with creation speaks about strengthening our commitment and sense of service.” It is also a call “to not be afraid, be grateful, go deeper, persevere, and do action,” he said. “For once we discover gratitude in grace, we are slowly moved to solidarity when we dig deeper and feel in our hearts that we need to persevere for the needed action.”
Participants re/plant bamboo along the river for constant water flow and along the foot of the mountain to allow the forest to regenerate.
This approach can be done through transformative education that engages the community to work together. As we are part of the problem, we are also part of the solution. We need to be engaged positively and be grateful in accepting our mission to go forth with hope.
Fr Walpole also emphasized Wenger-Trayner’s Community of Practice, which is defined as groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
The three-day activity concluded with a reflection on commitment, action planning, and presentation of the proposed Office of Sustainability as concrete step in moving forward for the XU community.
Third row top, L-R: Fr Pedro Walpole SJ (facilitator and coordinator for Reconciliation with Creation in Asia Pacific), Jessan Garcia (Atenista Ako Movement), Mart Amores (Student Activities and Leadership Development), Glenda Factura (Green Campus Agenda), Gertrude Garcia (McKeogh Marine Center); Second row, L-R: Julieto Obial (Physical Plant – Grade School), Irene Grace Guitarte (Vice President for Mission and Ministry), Joreen Guitarte (Atenista Ako Movement), Edison Sasoy (Vice President for Administration), Nestor Banuag (Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office), Danikka Fabella (Campus Ministry), Joel Francisco (Physical Plant), Gina Itchon (Sustainable Sanitation Center), Judith Pitt (College of Agriculture); First row, L-R: Omar Tan (Campus Ministry), Whitney Nagasan (Mission and Ministry)