Embracing a Shared Responsibility for Creation

St. Francis of Assisi called for mutual respect and kinship in our relation with the natural world. Students in First Year Seminar class taught by Fr Ken Paulli, O.F.M., Ed.D., have immersed themselves in this concept while preparing for their careers as college students.

In addition to developing skills in informed reasoning and effective communication, Fr. Ken's "Leaving Home" section of FYS also reflected throughout the academic year on the concerns and values of St. Francis and St. Clare. Their exploration of issues such as heritage, diversity, and social justice culminated in an April 7 and 9 field trip to the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center in Albany.

Incorporating specific texts such as the creation story from the Bible's book of Genesis and from St. Francis' Canticle of the Creatures, the students learned about the companionate relationship we need to have with the Earth.

"We must do everything we can to make sure creation not only survives but thrives," said Fr. Ken. "Having 'dominion over all creation' does not mean we can do whatever we want with our planet. We need to change that assumption."

He said that the Franciscan intellectual tradition is very explicit and intentional about how to live in the world, but it is also inspiring.

"The Franciscan and Catholic values are embedded in Siena's First Year Seminar courses, and we learn why they are still so important after eight centuries," Fr. Ken explained. "The students are charged with a sense of joy and responsibility to go out in the world to make it a more just and humane place."

Incoming Siena freshmen have a choice of themes for the FYS; Andrew Sommo '29 and Emma Rodriguez '29 were drawn to the "Leaving Home" section because, quite simply, it was precisely what they were doing when their began their Siena journey.

On the Radix trip the class heard from source on the front lines of climate justice about topics they had been covering on campus: green energy, urban heat islands, food deserts, clean eating and, as St. Francis taught, that all living things are interrelated.

Sommo shared, "I liked how the class worked together different aspects of a Siena education, such as its Franciscan educational values with learning to write thoughtful and cohesive essays. We learned together that everyone is created equal in the image of God, and to have respect for all of God's creations."

Sommo and Rodriguez agreed that the FYS class thoughtfully connected the Franciscan concept of environmental justice with real world issues such as overreliance on fossil fuels, and the importance of the positive feedback loop of planting, harvesting and replanting. Leaving home, however, and making the transition to a new kind of life was always top of mind as the overriding theme of the class.

"Leaving home was the one of the things I was most worried about when I first came to Siena," said Rodriguez. "I wanted to focus on gaining independence and personal growth."

She knew that all incoming freshmen were nervous to some degree, "but we all came together and created a community. If you put yourself out there and out in the effort, you will see good things come back to you."

Several students from the Shaker High School-Siena University Transitions program also took part in the seminar and Radix trip.

"The relationship between the Shaker-Siena program and Fr. Ken has positively impacted our students and Siena's students for many years," said Heather Hanrahan, who teaches the program with Kris Royce. "This experience has helped our students grow socially and emotionally. They feel connected to and respected by Fr. Ken and the students in his classes, which promotes their confidence."

Arjun Cherikuri said he learned that Radix is like "a farm in the city" that helps local residents get healthy food.

"I liked exploring at Radix and seeing the greenhouse and goldfish," he said. "I was really excited about the trip and I held a chicken. I learned about composting and saw what it looks like. I really like seeing Fr. Ken and going to his class. He makes me feel happy."

Devon Evans added that he likes to fist bump his classmates when he comes to campus.

"I like to work in groups with the Siena students. They make me feel comfortable when they talk to me," he said.