Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur continue to live and work in the Amazon rainforest among the materially poor.
This site tells the Sisters' stories and the stories of others who have been inspired by Sr. Dorothy Stang's life, faith and courage.
Her murder was not the end...
Sr. Dorothy Stang
1931 - 2005
A Million Trees Project Launches
Sr. Dorothy Still Inspires . . .
- Learn about the "Angel of the Amazon" opera by composer Evan Mack.
- We wanted to share with you a story recently published in St. Anthony Messenger featuring two Sisters of Notre Dame who knew and worked with Dorothy: "Maria Tecla di Silva Gaia is evidence of the continuation of the song of Sister Dorothy Stang. Tecla is a Brazilian who entered Sister Dorothy’s order, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 10 years ago. She is a joyful, earthy presence, with a laugh as light as sunshine on the forest floor." read more
- Spanish speakers: the Christian Life Community in Madrid, Spain, produced this beautiful and informative PDF about Sr. Dorothy using a variety of web sources.
- A video remembrance of Sr. Dorothy from UK film producer Sam Clements who met Dorothy in 2003.
- A grassroots group in Belem, Brazil, called the Dorothy Committe writes this blog sharing trial news, editorials and events in the Amazon.Though it's written in Portugese, there is a translation feature (look midway down the righ-hand column).
- Artist Sr. Margaret Hoffman recently completed a series of nine paintings depicting the beauty of the Amazon rainforest with words by Sr. Dorothy Stang. To purchase a set of prints, please print this order form and mail with your check.
News from Brazil . . .
Donations are needed to help develop the educational materials and for transportation costs for the teams to travel to the schools. Send checks payable to the Sisters of Notre Dame to, please note "Trees" in the check memo field:
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Congregational Mission Office
MILLION TREE PROJECT
30 Jeffrey's Neck Road
Ipswich, MA 01938 USA
Much as Sr. Dorothy's life and murder touched the lives of many and continues to give strength to those continuing the fight, the recent murders of Amazon land activists Zé Cláudio Rebeiro da Silva and Maria do Espirito Santo have touched many hearts. Their story, and the story of the land struggles in the Amazon, are very ably documented in a video by VICE called "Toxic:Amazon". Producer Bernardo Loyola says, "Ultimately the problem boils down to the incredible disparity in the distribution of wealth, the distribution of land ownership and outright greed."
Amazon land activists, Maria
and Zé Cláudio
murdered May 24, 2011, in Brazil.
A Video Worth Watching
Seven years after Dorothy Stang’s murder, the people of Anapu gathered at Dorothy’s grave as part of a day-long commemoration of her life and work. The day included a Eucharistic Celebration, a media presentation of the journey the people have made since 2005, plenty of food and fellowship and, of course, tree planting. Young and old took part.
February 12, 2012 ...
A time to plant...
Helping reforest the Amazon, A Million Trees formally launched on February 12th. This project is funded by the people of Anapu with help from interested benefactors around the world. In 2011 much planning, mobilization and planting occured. Plans for 2012 include:
- Plant more trees! (approx. 300,000 were planted in 2011).
- Begin construction of nurseries in at least five central communities (with thanks to money received from Missio Austria). These nurseries will develop seedlings of native tropical trees and make them available to the neighboring communities.
- Develop and implement a school program (grades 1 – 8) that includes hands-on planting experiences in the schools.
The Million Trees Project is seeding the future of the forest and also hope for a life with dignity, sharing and abundance among the people.
A time to remember...
