Adrian Dominican Sisters Plan
Series of Events
in Celebration of Earth Season
February 26, 2007 – Adrian, Michigan – The
Adrian Dominican Sisters, Siena Heights University and St. Joseph
Academy will be celebrating Earth Season during March and April
with a series of events, including a play, book signing, workshop
and major speaker, that will culminate with Earth Day on April
22. To mark the beginning of Earth Season, the Ark of Hope will
be on display March 12-20 in St. Catherine Chapel on the Adrian
Dominican Sisters campus. Viewing hours will be 1:30-4 p.m. daily.
The Ark of Hope is a 49" x 32" x 32" wooden chest that houses
the Earth Charter document, an international peoples treaty for
building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the
21st century. Designed and painted by Vermont artist Sally Linder,
the Ark of Hope was crafted from a single plank of sycamore maple
from a sustainable forest in Germany. The five painted panels
that form the sides and top of the Ark represent the flora and
fauna of the world as seen through the images of the world’s
traditional artists. The Ark has traveled the world, including
a stop at the United Nations in 2002, and serves as a catalyst
for creating Temenos Books, handcrafted books that contain images
and words for global healing, peace and gratitude.
On March 21 at 1:30 p.m., there will be a procession in which
the Ark of Hope will be moved from St. Catherine Chapel to Rueckert
Auditorium at Siena Heights University, where it will be on display
during the play “A Sense of Wonder.” The dates and
times of this performance and other Earth Season activities are
as follows:
March 22-23, 7-8 p.m. (followed
by discussion), Rueckert Auditorium, Siena Heights University – “A
Sense of Wonder,” a one-woman play based on the life
of naturalist Rachel Carson. Written and performed by Kaiulani
Lee, “A Sense of Wonder” is the story of one woman’s
love for the natural world and her fight to defend it. Lee
has starred in over a dozen plays on and off-Broadway and has
guest-starred on numerous television shows including “Law & Order.” Limited
seating is available. Ticket prices range from $5 (students)
to $50 (supporters). To purchase tickets, contact Margaret
Weber at 517-266-3521 or
mweber@adriandominicans.org.
April 10, 4 p.m., Dominican Hall, Siena Heights
University– A book signing of Robert J. Hejna’s Circle
of Stones, which details the experiences of Native American
teens and the prejudices they often experience. Hejna is a
Michigan author who has been a student of Native American philosophy
and culture for the past 17 years. Books will be available
for purchase. For more information, contact Linda Easley at
leasley@sienaheights.org.
April 14, 8 a.m. to noon, Regina Dining Room,
Adrian Dominican Sisters Campus – “Reading
and Writing the Land Ethic,” a workshop led by Lisa Eddy
that includes indoor and outdoor activities focusing on Aldo
Leopold’s “Land Ethic” from A Sand County
Almanac. Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher,
educator, writer and outdoor enthusiast, and is considered
by many to be the father of wildlife management. Leopold’s “Land
Ethic” set the stage for the modern conservation movement
and is based on the idea that a community should include non-human
elements such as soils, water, plants and animals. The workshop
is limited to 20 participants. To register, contact Christopher
Matthias at 517-266-3535 or cmatthias@adriandominicans.org.
April 22 (Earth Day), 1-2:30 p.m., St. Catherine
Chapel, Adrian Dominican Sisters – Sister Eileen
Gannon, OP, a Sparkhill Dominican who is a representative to
the United Nations, will speak on the significance of the Earth
Charter. The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental
principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global
society in the 21st century. Sister Mary Kay Homan, OP, will
provide a brief summary of the Adrian Dominican Congregation’s
endorsement of the Earth Charter in September 2003, while Sister
Peg Albert, OP, President of Siena Heights University, and
Deborah Keller, Principal of St. Joseph Academy, will publicly
endorse their institutions’ support of the Earth Charter.
In addition, hands-on, Earth-centered activities will take
place at St. Joseph Academy and Siena Heights University beginning
at 2 p.m. Local vendors will set up booths where they will
have items available for purchase.
All are welcome to attend these events.
For more information on the Ark of Hope and Earth Season activities,
contact Renee
Richie, OP, at 517-266-3538.