News	Sisters of Mercy Adopt Environmental Principles April 5, 2001—The Sisters of Mercy have issued environmental principles to encourage all Sisters of Mercy, Associates, and co-ministers to seek daily to approach their lives and ministries with an awareness of God's gift to be co-creative and inter-related to all Earth life. The release of these principles coincides with the preparation for Earth Day 2001. In New Jersey each Sister and Mercy Associate have received copies of the principles and guidelines. Sister Diane Szubrowski, RSM, President of the New Jersey Regional Community, stated, "We are committed to work together to embrace the challenge of our Direction Statement to live in harmony with all of creation. This requires daily attention to the challenges outlined in the Mercy Environmental Principles. This is a lifetime effort that we embrace with thousands of others committed to the respectful use of our earth." The principles are guidelines for earth-friendly practices that individuals can adopt for use in the workplace as well as at home. They encourage all to: Live simply and resist consumerism. Eliminate products that are only good for one-time use, whenever possible. Begin meetings by asking how what we do here affects people who are poor and all other living things. "Does what we intend to do ignore, inhibit, or foster a mutually enhancing human-earth community?" (Thomas Berry) Conduct a periodic environmental audit in our institutions and homes of those elements that impact the bioregion's air, water, land, and all of nature, and develop a plan with annual self-evaluation steps. Look for environmentally sensitive specifications on goods and services we purchase. Continue converting our vehicle fleets to more environmentally friendly models, whenever possible. Promote the efficient use of energy by investing in energy-efficient heating, cooling, lighting, and water systems. Incorporate sustainable design principles in existing and future buildings and land use. Update practices constantly in light of advances in earth friendly technology and new understandings in health, environmental science, eco-theology, and spirituality. Review annually the environmental criteria for our corporate investments and continue to operate in a manner that protects EARTH. "We desire to be a significant presence in a hurting world in this new millennium," said Sister Diane. She added, "Through our action plans we have committed ourselves to a radical renewal of our spirituality and our service to the people of God." The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas is an international community of Sisters vowed to serve people sho suffer from poverty, sickness, and ignorance, with a special concern for women and children. Founded in Ireland in 1831 by Venerable Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy address human needs in innovative and traditional ways through collaborative efforts in education, health care, housing, pastoral, and social services. The Institute includes 25 regional communities with 5,500 members and 2,000 Mercy Associates who serve in North, South, and Central America, the Caribbean, Guam, and the Philippines. The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas sponsor or co-sponsor seven major national healthcare systems, 20 colleges and universities, 20 elementary and preschools, 39 secondary schools, and hundreds of affordable housing developments. They also serve in programs ranging from hospices for persons with HIV/AIDS, to adult literacy centers, and resettlement programs for refugees. Since 1873 the Sisters of Mercy have worked in many cities and towns throughout the State of New Jersey. The regional community numbers 293 Sisters and 103 Mercy Associates serving in schools, parishes, social service agencies, and other ministries. They joined 24 other regional communities of Mercy on July 20, 1991, to found the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.