Sisters of Earth

since 1994

a network of women Sharing the Wisdom, Shaping the Dream

About image
Sisters of Earth was founded in 1994 by several Catholic Sisters from the US and Canada who were engaged in exploring the new cosmology and implications for this emerging worldview. Sisters of Earth is an informal network of roughly 250 women who share a deep concern for the ecological and spiritual crises of our times and who wish to support one another in work toward healing the human spirit and restoring Earth’s life support systems.  We are teachers, gardeners, artists, writers, administrators, workshop and retreat presenters, mothers, contemplatives and activists in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. This network of sharing and support is open to all women whose life and work would identify them as Sisters of Earth. We hold a general meeting every two years.

Listen to the Founders of Sisters of Earth speak of earliest impulse to begin this Network.

Read about our last in-person conference in 2018. 
Photos from our 2018 Conference.

Read about the transition in 2020 to online events: Blogspot for the 2020 online series.

Vimeo recordings of our 2022 Conference on request.  Email Maureen:  mawild@telus.net

2024 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE - AUG 22-25  

To become a member of the Sisters of Earth network, please contact Diza at:  soe.register@gmail.com


Biannual Sisters of Earth Conference

Gather, network, and inspire each other as we "Share the Wisdom' and Shape the Dream" together.

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Networking

Sisters of Earth on Facebook

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E-notes Newsletter

Sisters of Earth Members can subscribe to receive emails that go out to the network .

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Membership

Inquire about becoming a member.

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SOE SPEAKERS

Sisters of Earth speakers and presenters on various themes within Thomas Berry, Teilhard, living cosmology, creation mystics, Laudato Si', earth justice, living into the ecozoic, etc.

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Upcoming Events

TitleDateLocation
Teilhard’s Mass on the World meets Thomas’ Cosmic Liturgy30 Apr 2024Online Event
Retreat: Teilhard's Cosmic Images of God09 Jun 2024Villa Maria Education and Retreat Center, Villa Maria, PA, USA
2024 Sisters of Earth Conference22 Aug 2024Online Event
Retreat: Growing in Radiance with Teilhard de Chardin08 Sep 2024Concordia, KS 66901, USA

Past Events

TitleDateLocation
Sisters of Earth in Conversation20 Mar 2024Online Event
The Mysticism of Thomas Berry: Intimacy and Presence in a Sacred Universe21 Feb 2024Online Event
YOur Story in the Context of Earth’s Story10 Jan 2024Online Event
Retreat Weekend: Teilhard’s Cosmic Images10 Nov 2023134 Main Avenue, Nazareth, KY 40048, USA
Mini Retreat - Embracing Struggle: Walking in Hope with Teilhard de Chardin01 Nov 2023Online Event
Retreat Day: Embracing Struggle: Walking in Hope with Teilhard de Chardin16 Sep 20231257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221, USA
Virtual Retreat Series: To Love Our Sacred Earth14 Sep 2023Online Event
Retreat: Images of God in Teilhard and Merton09 Jul 20231525 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104, USA
Retreat: Images of God in Teilhard and Merton19 Jun 202321 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756, USA
2023 SACRED UNIVERSE AWARD LECTURE18 May 20231515 Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park, IL, USA
Songs and Stories with EarthMama05 May 2023Online Event
Retreat: Nature as Model, Mentor and Teacher - a Biomimicry Retreat17 Apr 202317380 Grange Road, Riverview, Michigan 48193, USA
Course: Creating Ecozoic Practices04 Apr 2023Online Event
The gospel of Nature - a Biomimicry Retreat03 Apr 2023Online Event
Angela Manno's Traveling Exhibition and Talks16 Mar 2023Online Event
Encountering Holy Mystery Retreat Weekend10 Mar 2023299 N Highland Ave, Ossining, NY 10562, USA
Presentation: Present Moment, Only Moment09 Mar 2023Online Event
Workshop on The Chartres Labyrinth07 Mar 2023Online Event
Panel: Art as Sacred Activism28 Feb 2023Online Event
Season of Creation Lectio Poetica Online Series15 Sep 2022Online Event
5-Day Program: Images of God in Teilhard and Merton17 Jul 2022Maryknoll, NY, USA
5-Day Retreat: Images of God in Teilhard and Merton27 Jun 202281 Lynn Ave. Hampton Bays, NY 11946
5-day Retreat: Images of God in Teilhard and Merton12 Jun 202284 Walnford Road, Allentown, NJ 08501
2-Hour Online Retreat - The Paschal Mystery in Light of the Cosmic Story26 Mar 2022Online Event
In Person and Online Twilight Lecture: Emerging Spirituality in a Chaotic World24 Mar 2022395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem PA 18017
Online: Spiraling into the Cosmic Christ with Teilhard de Chardin Series: Men Who Knew God, Urging us Forward11 Mar 2022Online Event
Day Retreat Online and In Person: Emerging Spirituality in a Chaotic World06 Mar 202284 Walnford Road, Allentown, NJ 08501, USA
Day Retreat Online - Divine Mystery in the Heart of Creation05 Mar 2022Online Event
5-Day Retreat:09 Feb 2022
Program: Hildegard of Bingen18 Sep 2021Online Event
Living Cosmology reflected in Pope Francis28 Aug 2021Online Event
Retreat - Celebrating Creation: Being Alive in the Glory15 Aug 2021121 Parks Street, Duxbury, MA 02332, USA
Retreat - Drawn to the Road of Fire: Teilhard and Struggle18 Jul 20211525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD, USA
Retreat - Sacred Mystery in the Heart of Creation28 May 202153 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Retreat - Embracing Struggle: Walking in Hope with Teilhard de Chardin09 May 2021610 West Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162, USA
Retreat - Sacred Mystery in the Heart of Creation27 Mar 2021Online Event
RETREAT: Sacred Mystery in the Heart of Creation08 Jan 2021Online Event
Retreat - Divine Mystery in the Heart of the Cosmos18 Aug 201953 Mill St, Westfield, MA 01085, USA
Retreat - Teilhard’s Mysticism: Spiraling into the Cosmic Christ24 Jul 201910845 Rathfon Road, Port Colborne, ON L3K 5V4, Canada
Program - Teilhard and Struggle: Drawn to the Road of Fire14 Jul 201910 Pinesbridge Road, Ossining, NY 10562, USA
Retreat - Gifts of the Universe: Promise and Hope14 Jul 20191237 W Monroe St, Springfield, IL, USA
Retreat - Dancing within the Heart of the Holy One07 Jul 2019Miramar, Duxbury, MA, USA
Retreat - Mystical Perspective of Earth and Cosmic Consciousness19 Jun 2019Stella Niagara Retreats, Stella Niagara, NY
Retreat - Teilhard’s Mysticism: Spiraling into the Cosmic Christ09 Jun 20192067 Evergreen Road, Villa Maria, Pa. 16155
Retreat - Dancing within the Heart of the Holy One08 Jun 2019323 E 5th St, Concordia, KS, USA
Celebration of Thomas Berry31 May 2019420 Hillcrest Road, Greensboro, VT, USA
Retreat - Teilhard and Struggle: Drawn to the Road of Fire19 May 2019Springside Road, Rancocas, NJ
Retreat - Teilhard’s Mysticism: Spiraling into the Cosmic Christ18 Aug 20181 Enders Island, Mystic, CT
Retreat - Our Cosmic Heritage29 Jul 20181001 Davis St, Dubuque, IA, USA
Retreat - Exploring Our Deeper Memory: Evolving Universe, Earth and Spirituality24 Jul 20182664 145th Avenue, Wheatland, IA, USA
Cosmic Symphony of Love Unfolding: a retreat in the Living Cosmology22 Jul 2018Villa Maria, PA, USA
SISTERS OF EARTH 2018 CONFERENCE12 Jul 20185701 Delhi Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Pre-Conference Retreat - Nurturing Christ-Presence with God's Good Earth and Cosmos05 Jul 20185900 Delhi Rd, Cincinnati, OH, USA

2024 SISTERS OF EARTH CONFERENCE

"Everything about us seems to be absorbed into a vast celebratory experience." ~ Thomas Berry. Conference Elements: • commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Sisters of Earth Network • experience the theme Celebration Everywhere! with the entire sacred universe 'as celebration' … and our weekend as a kind of cosmic liturgy! • do this through music, earth-prayer, guided reflection, poetry, creative expression, conversations & networking


  • Date: 08/22/2024 07:00 PM - 08/25/2024 12:00 PM
  • Location Online Event

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Mary Southard, CSJ

Founding Seed-Bearer

In 1991, Co-Founder of Spiritearth, a Center for the Sacred Universe, and Co-Founder of Sisters of Earth. In 1998, Spiritearth later relocated and merged with The Well Spirituality Center in La Grange Park, IL. A student of Earth, a Gardener, a painter and sculptor, Mary continues to explore and share the Universe Story and its implications for humanity, for faith and life and creativity, through making Art and leading programs at The Well.

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Toni Nash, CSJ

Co-Founder

Toni Nash, CSJ - a teacher for over 50 years, a national lecturer, retreat director, and spiritual director. Toni holds a doctorate in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. She co-founded Sisters of Earth in 1994.

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Mary Lou Dolan, CSJ

Co-Founder

Mary Lou Dolan, CSJ, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus and Founding Director, Earth Literacy Master’s Degree Program, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Mary Lou co-founded Sisters of Earth in 1994.

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Gail Worcelo, SGM

Co-Founder

Gail and the Passionist nuns at St. Gabriel's Monastery, Clark's Summit, PA, hosted the very first Sisters of Earth gathering in 1994. Co-Founder of Green Mountain Monastery and Thomas Berry Retreat Sanctuary.

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Bernadette Bostwick

Founding Member since 1994

Assisted Gail Worcelo to host the first Sisters of Earth gathering in 1994. Co-Founder of Green Mountain Monastery and Thomas Berry Retreat Sanctuary.

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Maureen Wild, SC

Founding Member since 1994

Earth-centered ministries since 1993: Genesis Farm, Centre for Earth and Spirit, and Pax Gaia Educational and Retreat Initiatives. M.Ed. in Living Cosmology and Earth Literacy. Sisters of Earth website manager, fiscal manager, and consultant for conference planning.

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Mary Ann Garisto, SC

Founding Member since 1994

In 1996, Mary Ann was forefront in the founding energy for Sisters Hill Farm, a CSA in Dutchess County, NY - a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of New York. Currently Director Emerita of the Farm.

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Pat Monahan, CSJ

Founding Member since 1994

Mentored by Thomas Berry in the Universe Story and its deep inner meaning and orientation for life. Co-Founder of Kids for the Earth in Mount Vernon, NY. Founding member of CSJ EarthMatters of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY

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Paula Gonzalez, SC

Founding Member since 1994 (2016 RIP)

The visionary founder of EarthConnection in Cincinnati, a center for learning and reflection about living lightly on Earth.

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Gabriele Uhlein, OSF

Founding Member since 1994

It is a privilege to have over 25 years of connection with Sisters of Earth! At present, via workshops, group facilitation and on-line creativity experiences, my energy is dedicated to exploring and refining Earth-Eldering practices and presence in evolutionary conversation circles and maturing communities.

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Eleanor Maclellan, RSCJ

Founding Member since 1994

I worked for over 25 years at Drumlin Farm, which is owned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The farm has several educational programs focused on humans as an integral part of nature and the need to work towards a "mutually-enhancing human-Earth relationship." (Thomas Berry)

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Linda Haas

Member since 1996

In 2005, with my late husband, Dave, we moved to beautiful farmland in southern Indiana to restore native habitat, to raise our own organic food, and then to focus on butterfly farming and more regenerative farming, with the intention to plant trees such as Hazelnut, Chestnut and Pecan.

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Rosine Sobczak, OSF

Member since 1996

Sister of St. Francis, Sylvania, OH. Teacher and retired Associate Professor of Biology Emerita Lourdes University; Spiritual Director. Director of former Lourdes Life Lab for nature education; co-founder and President of S.A.V.E., an environmental organization for ecology, spirituality, and sustainability.

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Loretta Peters, FS

Member since 1998

I've worn a few volunteer hats for the Sisters of Earth: Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, and Membership Directory.

Joyce Rouse aka Earth Mama

Member since 1998

The fruits of my efforts are the “Earth Mama” programs that use earth wisdom, music, and laughter to spread the message that the earth is a “Mama” for all of us. These programs are enjoyed by audiences of all ages and interests, twining together spirituality, education and entertainment, in celebration with the earth.

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Lucy Slinger, FSPA

Member since 2000

A Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration is a life-long ecological advocate in her university teaching, retreat leading and environmental issue presentations. I am serving on the LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) Global Concerns Committee and have worked with NCR (National Catholic Reporter) on EarthBeat.

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Gloria Rivera, IHM

Member since 2002

Since 1994: team member of Groundwork for a Just World, focusing on education and action of social issues; Director of Projecto Ayuda, serving seniors; Executive Director of Freedom House, serving asylum seekers; staff for Michigan Coalition for Human Rights and since 2009 full time coordinator for Great Lakes Bioneeers Detroit (GLBD).

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Margaret Swedish

Member since 2006

In 2005, I turned my attention to the unfolding ecological crisis after 23 years with the Religious Task Force on Central America & Mexico in Washington DC. I wrote a book: Living Beyond the ‘End of the World:’ A Spirituality of Hope, 2008, Orbis.

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Dorothy Calvani

Member since 2010

Despite everything, Mother Earth continues to sustain and love us. Awe and gratitude is my aim. My Earth activities take the form of support of local/national environmental advocacy groups, leading an Eco-Spirituality group, member of ROAR, walking and hiking in the Shawangunks, community sponsored agriculture membership, composting, active hope.

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Submitted by Carol Kilby

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Artwork by Julie Henkener

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Artwork by Julie Henkener

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