Family Day at BLI celebrated God’s grace, manifested through the gift of creation and family. It was also a thanksgiving event for the institution to reflect on how far it has come over the past five years in educating communities, and for us an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to walking with BLI to mentor Laudato Si Clubs and together promote Integral Ecology, an important role we continue to play together and BLI has played for the past five years in mobilizing communities in agro forestry activities for ecological transformation.
Mobilizing Community for Integral Ecology
With the theme of the day being “Mobilizing Community for Integral Ecology,” the event was blessed with various visitors and dignitaries, including organizations, students, parents, and religious leaders who were present to witness BLI commissioning caretakers and being given tools of powerment, such as hoes and trees, to go into the world and spread the gospel of Integral Ecology through agro-community outreaches that promote sustainable agriculture and living, with a united vision of transforming communities.
A Reflection on Integral Ecology
In a Mass led by His Lordship Rt.Rev.Lawrence Mukasa, the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, he thanked BLI for its commitment to promoting Integral Ecology but also listening to the “Cry of the poor and the Cry of the Earth”. From the readings of the day about Mary,Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus, who showed love for His friend Lazarus by raising him from the dead after Martha and Mary cried to Him and comforted them.
Homily Highlights: Love for Mother Earth
In his homily, the Bishop said,
“We should fill our hearts with the same love for Mother Earth to maintain Ecological Dignity for the good of the entire system of biodiversity. He referred to the Lazarus Forest, which was restored by the Bethany Land Institute for the good of the community”.
The Restoration of Lazarus Forest
The Lazarus Forest is now a habitat for various wild animals that were lost when the forest was destroyed; after its restoration, it has become a jungle again, even attracting tourists and community people to watch various animal and bird species.
Strengthening Youth Involvement in Ecological Recovery
Together with the LYI programs manager, Ms Immaculate, we spoke with Fr. Emmanuel Katongole and Ruth about enhancing the role of young people in ecological recovery activities and thanked BLI for welcoming us in to work with them to engage young people in Luweero by forming Laudato Si Clubs that are now actively transforming and providing young people with enthusiasm to learn about Laudato Si Goals and the integration of Laudato Si in their schools.
A Call for Unity and Action
As the Laudato Youth Initiative, we promote Laudato Si and call for greater unity and action. As the Laudato Youth Initiative, we shall remain committed to our theme of “Uniting Young People for Climate Action” and forming stewards of the future through Laudato Si Clubs in Luweero and beyond, promoting both climate action and ecological spirituality. We hope to partner with BLI in this cause and will enhance youth involvement in ecological restoration.
Sharing Experiences from the Laudato Si Green Festival
We recently had a good experience with BLI Staff and students joining us for the Laudato Si Green Festival in Jinja, where they especially engaged with young people from different schools in sharing and using creative ways to share the message of mindset change for ecological restoration and agroforestry models being done by the institute in Luwero that we encourage fellow Ugandans to embrace.
Sarah
for Laudato Youth Initiative
