Sister Jacinta Shailer (Sisters of the Good Samaritan)
Story and photos by Lis Bastian
A 97-year-old nun, Sister Jacinta Shailer, urged attendees at the recent Blue Mountains Interfaith Gathering to create “heroic communities” focused on compassion, justice, and environmental care. The event, held at the Planetary Health Centre, brought together diverse faith traditions to address global anxieties and promote interconnectedness with nature.
Key Points:
The Blue Mountains Interfaith Group held a Gathering on Sunday 30 March with the theme Our Spirituality, Our Land: Hope and Wonder
The Interfaith Group brought together communities with different faith traditions to share a common goal of caring for the environment in these challenging times.
Surrounded by the exhibition of Frogs of the Blue Mountains in the Planetary Health Centre Gallery, those present emphasised the interconnectivity of all life and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
As anxiety grips communities around the world many are asking “what can we do?”
In an inspiring speech at the Blue Mountains Interfaith Gathering at the Planetary Health Centre on Sunday 30 March, 97-year-old Sister Jacinta Shailer of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan answered this question by urging us to create ‘heroic communities.’
She reflected on how science and technology have helped deepen our knowledge of our “complex and magnificent universe” and how this changed our understanding of ‘our home’ can guide us to create the communities of the future:
“As our consciousness deepens and we mature more as human beings, we realise we cannot close our eyes or block our ears to what is going on in our world, but we are invited to join a kind of revolution: one centred on the transformative power of Love. One of the best ways of doing this is by joining, what Brian Swimme calls, heroic communities: ones that foster compassion, justice, care of the needy, creative imagining, ways of life-giving thinking, ways of contemplating the wonders of our world in the small and the large, the weird and the wonderful.
“From such communities, ripples of life, healing and joy, will flow out to our world where it is needed. This will lead to new ways of growing our food, building our homes, making art, deepening our relationships, praying together, strengthening our wisdom traditions, restoring our ecosystems and healing Mother Earth. We will learn to listen to the land and learn from her wisdom. Then we won’t fear the future, we will create it. We will revel in the beauty, grandeur, magnificence and wonder of this universe, and raise our hearts and voices in joyful gratitude, because this universe is our home.”
You can view excerpts of the day and Sister Jacinta’s full presentation here:
Sister Jacinta’s talk was the culmination of a day that brought together communities with differing faith traditions but a common desire to protect this extraordinary planet and universe we call home. All present were united by a faith in the value of compassion, love, kindness, gratitude and joy.
Sister Jacinta summed it up by speaking of “our interdependence and interconnectivity with every creature, every particle of growth, every human, every atom in this universe.”
Dharug man Chris Tobin welcoming everyone with a Smoking Ceremony
This reflected First Nation wisdom traditions which were acknowledged at the start of the day with a smoking ceremony and talk by Dharug man, Chris Tobin. During the day a video interview with Chris on ‘Art and Connection’, produced by the Baha’i community, was shared.
Photos of the Frogs of the Blue Mountains on the gallery walls where the event was held, were also a reminder of our interconnectedness with all life.
You can view a video of these frogs and listen to their calls here:
Andris Heks leading communal singing.
The program included communal singing led by Andris Heks, music by Bronwyn Kirkpatrick on Shakuhachi, and presentations by Lis Bastian from the Planetary Health Centre, Shirley Lewis (The Baglady and Living ASAP: As Sustainably As Possible), Reverend John Connor (Uniting Church), Rowe Morrow (Blue Mountains Quakers), Jessica Yuille (Brahma Kumaris), Bita Heggie (Baha’i Community of the Blue Mountains), Leona Kieran and Virginia Field (Blue Mountains Interfaith Group).
Shirley Lewis from Living ASAP
Shirley Lewis spoke of her work with Living ASAP and her recent video about offering our young people creation rather than extinction stories so we can all have hope and work together to restore the health of our planet.
Rowe Morrow (Blue Mountains Quakers)
Rowe Morrow spoke about how Quakers are dedicated to working for the environment and protecting all life for future generations.
“The produce of the earth is a gift from our gracious creator to the inhabitants, and to impoverish the earth now to support outward greatness appears to be an injury to the succeeding age.”
Jessica Yuille (Brahma Kumaris)
Jessica Yuille led a meditation and spoke of needing to change our minds and become loving, calm and honourable again so that nature and the world can ‘come good again’.
Reverend John Connor
Reverend John Connor, a member of the Uniting Church and the Wellspring Community, which is focused on spirituality and social justice, spoke of the value of living a contemplative lifestyle.
He quoted Richard Simonelli: ‘We live in a time of activity addiction. Ours is not only a non-contemplative time but an anti-contemplative time. As a people we are drowning in material advancement brought on by science and technology, as well as a compulsive need for newness and progress. We lack the balance that contemplation could bring.’
Both he and Simonelli were inspired by Thomas Merton, the contemplative, writer, and peace activist who connected Christianity and Eastern religions in a way that they had never been connected before.
Merton’s love for nature was reflected in his writing. He wrote, for example, of festivals, such as the Festival of the Rain: “What a thing it is to sit absolutely alone in the forest at night, cherished by this wonderful unintelligible, perfectly innocent speech, the most comfortable speech in the world, the talk that rain makes by itself all over the ridges, and the talk of the watercourses, everywhere in the hollows.”
Bita Heggie (Blue Mountains Baha’i Community)
Bita Heggie quoted from Baha’i (Baha’i: bahai.org.au ) writings on the theme of Nature as a Reflection of the Divine:
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world. The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”
“The Lord of all mankind hath fashioned this human realm to be a Garden of Eden, an earthly paradise. If, as it must, it findeth the way to harmony and peace, to love and mutual trust, it will become a true abode of bliss, a place of manifold blessings and unending delights. Therein shall be revealed the excellence of humankind, therein shall the rays of the Sun of Truth shine forth on every hand.” (Baha’u’llah)
Leona Kieran (Blue Mountains Interfaith Group)
Leona Kieran, from the Blue Mountains Interfaith Group, read from “Our Land, Our Mother” by Eugene Stockton:
“We are a people formed from many fragments. There are fragments of the nations which first settled this land and there are fragments of peoples come from all around the globe. Perhaps it is our destiny to make a new world. From the tragedies of history both here and abroad, we can begin again with the ingredients of every human expression to rebuild in this land, a new humankind. But, this time mindful of ancient mistakes, we can hold steadfast to the noblest dreams of our kind.
“Most of us have been torn from our roots, have lost our ancestral dreamings. A new dreaming shared by all lies ahead of us, not behind. Our present can no longer be shaped by the divisive past, but by the uniting future. St Paul’s insights of what is to come may may well be our dream of the future: a new creation, a New Man, a cosmic Christ coming to encompass and re-unite ourselves and the land and all it holds, while in the present the Spirit groans within us and nature in one great act of giving birth. Drawn from many races, we each have seen our sun go down and there is no longer point in lamenting what has gone; rather we are to turn right round and look for the first glimmerings of a new day.”
Blue Mountains Interfaith Group organiser Virginia Field with guests at the Gathering including Cr Brent Hoare.
The Blue Mountains Interfaith Group represents world faiths and spiritual traditions locally.
If you’d like to be kept up to date about further events at the Planetary Health Centre, subscribe to the Planetary Health Newsletter here: bluemountainsplanetaryhealth.com.au/subscribe
Take Action:
Take time out for contemplation, reflection and connection with the rest of the natural world of which we are a part.
Explore ways to join ‘heroic communities’ that foster compassion, justice, care of the needy, creative imagining, and ways of life-giving thinking.
Thank you to everyone that joined us at the Planetary Health Centre on Saturday for the first of our Skill Share Saturdays program!
The Centre was a hive of activity all day, and we heard from @alchemyfarms_permaculture, the @ediblegardentrailbluemountains team and Andy Mann. Also thanks to Sherlie McMillan from Greater Blue Mountains Rotary for teaching the Fashion Upcycling workshop, and Virginia Field for the Tai Chi and Qigong class.
The next event will be held on Saturday 1st August - you can register your place here: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre
🖐Get involved!
Do you have a skill, program or interest that promotes planetary health that you`d be willing to share with members of the local community? We are looking for more workshop and session hosts for our future events.
Join us at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on the first Saturday of every month for Skill Share Saturdays!
Our July program includes: - What to grow in a Blue Mountains climate - Eating for Earth - Tai Chi and Qigong - Fashion upcycling and clothing reuse workshop - How to get involved with the Edible Garden Trail
You are also welcome to bring any surplus seeds or produce for our Crop Swap, or wind down in the Planetary Health Cafe (until 2pm).
If you have a skill that you want to share, or any questions or queries, please contact [email protected]
Visit the website to view the full program of events and register your place.
Join Andy Mann, a 23 year old Lawson local, for their Eating for Earth session 🌏
Eating for Earth is a judgement-free plant-based educational workshop that all types of eaters are encouraged to attend. There will be a presentation about the environmental impact of diets, a discussion section, and best of all, food! The food will be fully plant-based.
Andy wants to help inform our passionate community about how we can better reduce dietary environmental impact.
The session will run from 11AM - 12PM on Saturday 4th July.
Other sessions include: - What to grow in a Blue Mountains Climate - Fashion Upcycling - Tai Chi and Qigong - Bushcare on the Planetary Health site - How to get involved with the Edible Garden Trail
To register your place, visit our website: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre...
We’re excited to announce the second Blue Mountains Food Security Fair, taking place in Katoomba in October 2026.
This annual event will bring together growers, thinkers, makers, and community members to explore one of the most important challenges of our time: how we grow, share, and sustain food in a changing world.
Across the weekend, we’ll be exploring themes including: - Healthy soil and regenerative systems - Food and human health - Plant-based food futures - Home and community food resilience - Water-sensitive and climate-adapted growing - Indigenous food knowledge and systems - School food systems - Australia’s food procurement - Global food security challenges Expect a dynamic program of inspiring speakers, practical workshops, and hands-on experiences designed to leave you informed, empowered, and connected.
Key information Date: Weekend of 10th October 2026 Location: Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre, Katoomba, NSW We’ll be announcing speakers and program details soon.
We are also inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations who would like to contribute to the program, host workshops, run a stall or partner with us.
Do you struggle making the most of your veggie garden all year round?
Join Leni from @alchemyfarms_permaculture on Saturday 4th July for her Permaculture Workshop: Learn how to grow WITH the Upper Blue Mountains seasons, rather than battling against them.
During the two-hour session, you`ll cover crop selection for different seasons, what to grow from seeds vs seedlings, frost and wind protection, and nurturing your soil with a seasonal cycle.
Register for this and other sessions as part of our Skill Share Saturdays program via this link: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre...
From Saturday 4 July, we are opening up the Planetary Health Centre for our monthly Skill Share Saturdays program: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre
Throughout each day, you can expect to find a variety of sessions focused on restoring the health of the planet, in terms of the environment, community and economy.
Sessions at the first event include:
- What to grow in a Blue Mountains climate - Plant-based eating - Tai Chi and Qigong - Fashion Upcycling and clothing reuse workshop
You are also welcome to bring any surplus seeds or produce for our Crop Swap, or wind down in the Planetary Health Cafe (until 2pm).
Visit the website to view the full program of events and register your place: https://events.humanitix.com/skill-share-saturdays-at-the-planetary-health-centre
Registrations essential.
We are also inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations who would like to contribute to the program - please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested!...
🍃Volunteer weekly at the Planetary Health Centre 🍃
From next week, Tuesday 28th April, come and join Leni from @alchemyfarms_permaculture from 10am - 12pm, to help with the management of the Planetary Health veggie gardens, where any surplus produce can be shared!
The gardening session will be followed by a complimentary tea or coffee in the Planetary Health cafe.
📆Day: Every Tuesday 🕙Time: 10AM - 12PM
📍Where: Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia Street Katoomba (follow the pathways at each side of the building, round to the terrace and gardens).
What shall I bring? All you need to bring is water, gardening gloves and a hat.
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting the first year Medical students from @notredamesyd for their Rural and Indigenous Immersion trip across Katoomba and Lithgow. Across two days, 150 students learnt about the link between human health and a healthy environment, the work of the @bluemountainsplanetaryhealth Initiative and the @bluemountainscitycouncil to create climate resilient communities, and got to explore our site using heat mapping tools....
Join Rotarians for Planetary Health on International Women`s Day, from 2.30-4pm Sun 8 March, for the opening of a portrait display to celebrate local women who have made a meaningful impact on protecting animals and nature. The photographs by Sue Lightfoot and others are part of a long-term initiative to build a living, community-driven database of women working to protect animals and the natural world.
The display will be open until 1 April, Thursday to Saturday, 9.30am–3.30pm at the Junction 142 Village markets (church space). As the project develops, community members will be invited to nominate women whose work deserves recognition.
The launch follows the Uniting Church and Plant Inspired`s monthly community luncheon from 12-2pm, which this month features the Older Women`s Network Blue Mountains. For more information contact 0434 691 496 (Teya)
In a world being threatened by war, greed, cruelty and selfishness, the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend will close with a gathering of people who have faith that kindness, generosity, love, creativity and community, and the healing of our land, are a better way forward. We`re thrilled that harpist Dawn Egan will be performing at this inspiring event in the Planetary Health exhibition space. Afternoon tea will be provided. Register to attend here (link in profile under Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Had lunch yet? Head over to the Planetary Health Centre for these delicious offerings from @8thingskatoomba today (Sat 28 Feb): South Indian dosa, Korean bao, NY Cheese burger, Bali nasi, Mullum tofu fries, shoestring fires & red bean mochi!
Don`t miss hearing Andrew Skeoch at 2pm today at the Planetary Health Centre! He`s an acoustic ecologist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature` and uses technology to help identify the different `conversations` happening in the world around us. His presentations are a revelation! Reserve your spot here (link in profile under Planetary Health Wellness Weekend): https://bit.ly/4kUkzfm
Blue Mountains City Council’s Planetary Health Initiative is working in collaboration with all sectors of the community to provide not for profit local news focused on solutions.
In Katoomba, a grassroots litter-picking group tackles rubbish before it reaches our water supply. Their story shows how local environmental action, fueled by community connection, can drive meaningful change for planetary health.
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