Franciscan Earth Care Initiative

04/29/2026

Volunteers needed! Join us for Garden Day at Mount Saint Francis on May 9! Whether you're a novice or an expert gardener, your expertise is invaluable in cultivating new gardens and nurturing existing ones. Click here to sign-up: https://ow.ly/i5me50YEX1u

04/08/2026

Earth Day is just around the corner! Join us in celebrating the Franciscan tradition of honoring nature, the environment, and our planet with a tree giveaway. On April 19, we will be giving away three varieties of seedlings outside the Mount Saint Francis Chapel beginning at 11 am.

10/07/2025

There are so many exciting programs hosted by the Franciscan Arts Initiative coming this fall!

Coming up:
• October 26: Earth Care Sunday featuring music by Dick Sisto, Aaron Boaz and a presentation by friar Cristofer Fernández, OFM Conv.
• Watercolor and Pastel Classes with John Florence & Gary Jennings
• Paint & Sip Evenings inspired by American Impressionism
• Plein Air Day, Bluegrass Jams, Raku Ceramics, and more!

Click here to view and for more information about all events & classes:
https://conta.cc/4gPw8SR

Want to stay in the loop about future exhibits, workshops, and events?
Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates and inspiration: https://tinyurl.com/5n8nzthw

06/26/2025

🌱 Girl Scout Troop #1415: Making a Lasting Impact at Mount Saint Francis! 🌱

We’re proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of the Silver Award Girlies, Girl Scout Troop #1415, who have brought their ‘Keep the Mount Litter‑Free’ project to life! 🌳 This initiative is a beautiful extension of their earlier “Break It Down” project launched on Earth Day 2024, and it shines a light on their deep commitment to caring for God’s creation.

This new phase focused on building an educational kiosk at Mount Saint Francis — a space where visitors can learn about the Leave No Trace principles. The girls worked closely with Friar Vince Petersen, OFM Conv., Director of the Franciscan Earth Care Initiative, to design and build the kiosk. Ground was broken on May 17, 2025, and in just one day, these talented Girl Scouts poured the concrete foundation, built the frame, mixed the mortar, and set the stonework in place. The project was completed on June 23, 2025, and after submitting their final report, the girls earned the Silver Award, the highest honor a Cadette can achieve, on June 25, 2025! 👏

Through this endeavor, the girls gained hands‑on experience with carpentry, masonry, teamwork, and the power of turning a small idea into an impactful project for the greater good. 🌍

We’re deeply grateful for the parents and local businesses whose vital support and generosity made this project a reality. Together, they’ve advanced the mission of the “Keep the Mount Litter‑Free” initiative — reminding us all how a commitment to service can help protect and preserve this sacred space for generations to come. 💚

12/11/2023

Thanks to the generosity of the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County, the Province of Our Lady of Consolation recently received a fall grant award of $15,000 to support the purchase and construction of a new ADA-compliant outdoor restroom near art studios, gallery, and hiking trails at Mount St. Francis, Indiana.

05/10/2023

Want to give back to the Mount? Love gardening? The Mount St. Francis Garden Club will meet this Saturday, May 13th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. The group will focus on spring planting throughout the campus. Bring appropriate gloves, clothing, hand tools, and water bottle and meet with Fr. Vince Petersen in front of the Pump House Studio (building with mural). Any questions? Contact [email protected]. Thanks in advance for helping to keep Mount St. Francis beautiful!

04/23/2023

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Earth Day at Mount St. Francis! Thanks to our great volunteers, exhibitors - Lion's Club of New Albany, Randy Romans Solar and Electric, Tommy Maciejewski and Heather Benjamin Beekeepers, Fr. Vince Petersen, and Evolve KY.

03/21/2023

During the seasons of Advent-Christmas or Lent-Easter, our Minister Provincial and sometimes our Minister General, will write a letter to the friars to ponder the grace of the upcoming liturgical season from a particular perspective. For Lent 2023, friar Martin Day, the Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, has written an exhortation to the friars in which he asks them to reflect more deeply on the call to Franciscan poverty, especially in light of Pope Francis’ encyclicals, Laudate Si’ and Fratelli Tutti. We hope that by sharing friar Martin’s exhortation to the friars, our friends and supporters may gain insight into how the friars act on their vow of poverty in light of their current locales and ministries. We ask that our readers pray for our friars as they grapple with the call to “ecological conversion” that has to form and inform any consideration of what constitutes “poverty in the Franciscan tradition.”

To read Fr. Martin's Exhortation to the friars visit:

Editor’s Note: During the seasons of Advent-Christmas or Lent-Easter, our Minister Provincial and sometimes our Minister General, will write a letter to the friars to ponder the grace of the upcoming liturgical season from a particular perspective. For Lent 2023, friar Martin Day, the Minister Pro...