Eco Spirituality: One Mercy Response

Papatuanuku Ki Taurangi (Earth Promise) was developed by the Sisters of Mercy in Aotearoa New Zealand as a community working for a just and sustainable Earth with women, children and families in local areas.The Sisters moved into the community house in February 2001 and from that time developed the Community Garden and planted trees on the property.

The garden is a place for teaching and learning as well as providing food. It is based on permaculture and organic principles, and is designed as a place of beauty. Hospitality is core and whoever comes is welcome.

In 3 half hour interview sessions recorded by Beate Matthies, Manager, Mercy Spirituality Centre Auckland, Sisters Teresa Anderson, Bridget Crisp & Rosemary Revell
-share the vision and mission of the Centre;
-reflect on the Centre within the wider context of Mercy;
and look at the Centre in the light of Catholic social teaching.

Episode 1.

Sr Rosemary Revell is a Sister of Mercy and is involved in a Garden Project in Ellerslie which is called Papatuanuku ki Taurangi Earth Promise Centre. Together with Sr Teresa Anderson and Sr Bridget Crisp she encourages and supports the development of family gardens. Sr Rosemary is especially involved in organic and sustainable practices to care for the soil. At Earth Promise Centre she is the “Compost Queen” who knows all about how to get the right compost for nutritious soil. In 2012 Sr Rosemary was awarded the title NZ Gardener of the Year. Sr Rosemary talks about her childhood and how she always had a passion for gardening, and how she came from being a trained nurse to being a teacher, carer and gardener in a garden where she works with and for disadvantaged people. The garden work educates and feeds needy families in East Auckland.

Episode 2. 

Sr Teresa is the Centre Co-ordinator. Sr Teresa talks about the origins of this garden project and its positive impact on the people involved. Together with Sr Rosemary Revell and Sr Bridget Crisp she encourages and supports the development of family gardens.

Episode 3.

Together with Sr Rosemary Revell and Sr Teresa Anderson Sr Bridget encourages and supports the development of family gardens. Sr Bridget teaches families how to use the garden produce and how to prepare healthy food. Sr Bridget explains how this education in sustainable living practices is a way to honour the integrity of all life.

Messages to: Sisters Teresa Anderson, Bridget Crisp & Rosemary Revell c/- Bridget Crisp rsm

Editor: We thank Beate Matthies, Manager, Mercy Spirituality Centre Auckland for her generosity in making these files available to the Mercy world.