Hearing the Cry, responding with hope Dr Emma Gardner, Head of Environment
Link to PowerPoint with information about Laudato Si Centre in Salford.
2024_sdeg.pptx
Link to PowerPoint with information about Laudato Si Centre in Salford.
2024_sdeg.pptx
Archbishop Bernard's call to celebrate the Season of Creation
Archbishop Bernard has released a video ahead of the Season of Creation to encourage you to take up the opportunity which the Holy Father has given us to celebrate the Season.
He says: “As you may know this is something growing year by year as we become more and more aware of our calling as Christians to have a care for the whole of the Created world…
“Pope Francis is asking us to think about how we care for the whole of Creation as an expression of our own Christian Faith and is referring us to St Paul’s letter to the Romans, which speaks about the whole of Creation groaning, but also looking for the freedom which Christ brings us as children of God…
“Hope and Act with Creation is the theme for this year, and I hope you’ll be able to pray that we and others will value all that we have in creation as a way of praising god and also caring for those who are most in need.”
You can find the full celebration guide as well as other prayers and resources on the Diocesan website.
Season of Creation
Archbishop Bernard has released a video ahead of the Season of Creation to encourage you to take up the opportunity which the Holy Father has given us to celebrate the Season.
He says: “As you may know this is something growing year by year as we become more and more aware of our calling as Christians to have a care for the whole of the Created world…
“Pope Francis is asking us to think about how we care for the whole of Creation as an expression of our own Christian Faith and is referring us to St Paul’s letter to the Romans, which speaks about the whole of Creation groaning, but also looking for the freedom which Christ brings us as children of God…
“Hope and Act with Creation is the theme for this year, and I hope you’ll be able to pray that we and others will value all that we have in creation as a way of praising god and also caring for those who are most in need.”
You can find the full celebration guide as well as other prayers and resources on the Diocesan website.
Season of Creation
Season of Creation 2023
This year's Season of Creation is fast approaching (1st September - 4th October) and will be here before you know it! The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
This year's theme is "Let Justice and Peace Flow" - as announced by Pope Francis earlier this year - highlighting the links between war, injustice, and environmental degradation.
There are loads of fantastic information and resources on the Season of Creation website.
This year's Season of Creation is fast approaching (1st September - 4th October) and will be here before you know it! The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
This year's theme is "Let Justice and Peace Flow" - as announced by Pope Francis earlier this year - highlighting the links between war, injustice, and environmental degradation.
There are loads of fantastic information and resources on the Season of Creation website.
Laudato Si’ Animators UK at The Big One
25th April 2023
People from many groups and movements gathered at the Houses of Parliament for ‘The Big One’ four-day rally, from the 21st to the 24th of April 2023, to demand Government action to tackle the environmental crises.
Over 100 groups took part, including Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM).
We are demanding that the Government faces the reality of the climate crisis. We need to bring an end to the fossil fuel era, an end to pollution and an end to loss of biodiversity.
Laudato Si’ Animators UK Network members met on each of the four days and joined in with other Christian and Faith organisations for prayers.
We were very pleased that Magda Noszczyk, the LSM European Coordinator, and Joseph D'Halluin, LSM divestment, were with us.
The Animators are people, mainly Catholics, who have been trained by the Vatican-backed Laudato Si’ Movement, to inform and inspire others to engage in dialogue and action on the current environmental crises.
Each of the four days had been designated to reflect concerns.
Friday 21st was Unite to Survive - Westminster is filled with flags, banners and people.
Saturday 22nd was Earth Day – a celebration and a family-friendly march for biodiversity.
Sunday 23rd was Running Out of Time (The Big One coexisted with the London Marathon!).
And Monday 24th was Choose Your Future - Parliament returns, the demand was delivered.
Animators who were unable to attend prayed for the success of the Rally.
Laudato Si’ Movement Website:
https://laudatosimovement.org/?fbclid=IwAR0O0tcQLFbBeRsp-j4SXN6RBEasbLOXZrlZ22PAnns_qmbPVcBeaKukf2A
Contact for Animators UK:
[email protected]
Laudato Si' Movement prayerbook:
https://mail.laudatosimovement.org/landing/prayerbook
REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY FROM ONE ANIMATOR
How did it feel at 76 to be going on my first real demo and march? A bit daunting, but the two days I spent were fantastic and fun! We started at St John’s Waterloo with a service of praise and lament and then we walked to the Shell building where Magda who leads the European Laudato Si’ animators and had travelled from Poland read the prayer of Pope Francis from Laudato Si’. Led on by the Salvation Army band we reached Parliament Square to find 1000s more protestors. The second day I settled at the Faith hub (I had walked 6.2 km with my stick the day before at the rally!) and Fr Joe Ryan celebrated Mass. This was very special. Fr Joe said he had waited 52 years for this day and he produced a copy of Laudato Si’. The Gospel was about the road to Emmaus and it was noticeable how the congregation grew during the Mass. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet 20 animators from around the country whom we had known on zoom for two years, and in fact I met lots of Catholic and Anglican friends as well. The variety of protestors was just staggering and all was well organised and stewarded. It was good to see families taking a full part. The reason I am so committed to this cause is that I want a better world for my 3 grandsons. We must all do what we can!
John Woodhouse, Contact for Laudato Si’ Animators UK
25th April 2023
People from many groups and movements gathered at the Houses of Parliament for ‘The Big One’ four-day rally, from the 21st to the 24th of April 2023, to demand Government action to tackle the environmental crises.
Over 100 groups took part, including Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM).
We are demanding that the Government faces the reality of the climate crisis. We need to bring an end to the fossil fuel era, an end to pollution and an end to loss of biodiversity.
Laudato Si’ Animators UK Network members met on each of the four days and joined in with other Christian and Faith organisations for prayers.
We were very pleased that Magda Noszczyk, the LSM European Coordinator, and Joseph D'Halluin, LSM divestment, were with us.
The Animators are people, mainly Catholics, who have been trained by the Vatican-backed Laudato Si’ Movement, to inform and inspire others to engage in dialogue and action on the current environmental crises.
Each of the four days had been designated to reflect concerns.
Friday 21st was Unite to Survive - Westminster is filled with flags, banners and people.
Saturday 22nd was Earth Day – a celebration and a family-friendly march for biodiversity.
Sunday 23rd was Running Out of Time (The Big One coexisted with the London Marathon!).
And Monday 24th was Choose Your Future - Parliament returns, the demand was delivered.
Animators who were unable to attend prayed for the success of the Rally.
Laudato Si’ Movement Website:
https://laudatosimovement.org/?fbclid=IwAR0O0tcQLFbBeRsp-j4SXN6RBEasbLOXZrlZ22PAnns_qmbPVcBeaKukf2A
Contact for Animators UK:
[email protected]
Laudato Si' Movement prayerbook:
https://mail.laudatosimovement.org/landing/prayerbook
REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY FROM ONE ANIMATOR
How did it feel at 76 to be going on my first real demo and march? A bit daunting, but the two days I spent were fantastic and fun! We started at St John’s Waterloo with a service of praise and lament and then we walked to the Shell building where Magda who leads the European Laudato Si’ animators and had travelled from Poland read the prayer of Pope Francis from Laudato Si’. Led on by the Salvation Army band we reached Parliament Square to find 1000s more protestors. The second day I settled at the Faith hub (I had walked 6.2 km with my stick the day before at the rally!) and Fr Joe Ryan celebrated Mass. This was very special. Fr Joe said he had waited 52 years for this day and he produced a copy of Laudato Si’. The Gospel was about the road to Emmaus and it was noticeable how the congregation grew during the Mass. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet 20 animators from around the country whom we had known on zoom for two years, and in fact I met lots of Catholic and Anglican friends as well. The variety of protestors was just staggering and all was well organised and stewarded. It was good to see families taking a full part. The reason I am so committed to this cause is that I want a better world for my 3 grandsons. We must all do what we can!
John Woodhouse, Contact for Laudato Si’ Animators UK
We are very happy to announce that today we are launching the 2023 Season of Creation. We would like to invite you, once again, to join with your community in this ecumenical Season of Creation that begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1st and culminates on October 4th, celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
We begin the "Preparation" of the Season of Creation in March to reach out to local leaders and call our communities to actively participate by raising awareness on the theme, and on how to respond to the cry of creation wherever the Lord calls us in our respective contexts. This stage of "Preparation" is key to creating bonds and relationships as the People of God caring for our common home.
This year the theme that will guide our path is "Let justice and peace flow", guided by the prophet Amos who cries out, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (5: 24). We want to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and biodiversity loss.
"A mighty river" is the symbol chosen to go with this theme, representing biodiversity at risk. The urgency grows and we must make visible peace with Earth and on Earth, at the same time that justice calls us to repentance and a change of attitude and actions. When we join the river of justice and peace together with others, it creates hope instead of despair.
https://seasonofcreation.org/
We begin the "Preparation" of the Season of Creation in March to reach out to local leaders and call our communities to actively participate by raising awareness on the theme, and on how to respond to the cry of creation wherever the Lord calls us in our respective contexts. This stage of "Preparation" is key to creating bonds and relationships as the People of God caring for our common home.
This year the theme that will guide our path is "Let justice and peace flow", guided by the prophet Amos who cries out, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (5: 24). We want to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and biodiversity loss.
"A mighty river" is the symbol chosen to go with this theme, representing biodiversity at risk. The urgency grows and we must make visible peace with Earth and on Earth, at the same time that justice calls us to repentance and a change of attitude and actions. When we join the river of justice and peace together with others, it creates hope instead of despair.
https://seasonofcreation.org/
2023 Season of Creation theme, "Let Justice and Peace Flow," which helps us to tune in to the cry of creation on the loss of biodiversity, being called to a change of attitude and actions.
This joint UN Climate Change - UNSSC online course offers a holistic and integrated approach to climate change and demonstrates the interlinkages and interdependencies between sustainable development and climate change to make informed policy choices towards carbon-neutral and climate-resilient sustainable development.
Dear wonderful people from Laudato Si Movement,
Trainings in January:
Last evening, Joseph, our divestment officer, joined us to promote the training and other actions related to divestment. We will have a training on the 10th of January on Advocacy & Divestment activities at LSM 5 PM GMT / 6PM CET. Here's the link to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkf-6hqTIjHN3x9jc_mGRDb6-U81Utcv7y
I warmly invite you to join us then, because very soon after we will have a global day of action that we initially planned for Ash Wednesday (February 22) - I will provide more information in January at our monthly meeting.
Another meeting that will be very helpful in order to organize your local communities is Community Building & Organizing - 4 PM GMT / 5 PM CET on the 26th of January. Link to register is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqf--vqDIsEtS41V0z0e_Z_mxoPBBJh19R
Laudato Si' Advent retreat:
If you haven't checked this yet, it is high time to join LSM on Hozana platform a global prayer community online space. Each week we shared another piece to reflect and pray on. Please, browse our resources and prayers and join us there in these last days before Christmas! https://hozana.org/en/community/11261-advent-with-pope-francis-and-laudato-si
Monthly meetings in 2023:
I have already created a Zoom link to all meetings in 2023 and they will always be on the second Wednesday of the month (if there are any holidays, I will move the meeting with a notification). You can register here for 2023 meetings: bit.ly/LSAinEuropeMonthlyCalls2023
Brainstorming for LSM activities in Europe in 2023:
In November I shared with you one link to Google Form and I asked you to fill out - it is needed in the whole planning process for 2023. As I received a few, I would like to repeat my question once again as it is extremely crucial to get feedback from individuals all around the world to see what is important, meaningful in LSM, what would you like to change and which activities are the most popular and you would like to continue organizing them.
Action item: Please, please, please, fill it out until the end of 2022 - it will help us to plan our activities better! It is short, it has only 8 questions and 4 of them are with choice options and it is here: https://forms.gle/Kk5MPot5pbeLYHCF7Magdalena Noszczyk 22 Dec 2022, 13:52 (12 days ago)
to bcc: me
Our Common Home
Pope Francis doesn't hold back:
'The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.'
This is God's creation, given to be our home.
What are we doing to look after it?
A Prayer for our Earth By Pope Francis*
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
* Pope Francis published this prayer in his Laudato Si’ encyclical, and is meant for sharing with all who believe in a God who is the all-powerful Creator.
'The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.'
This is God's creation, given to be our home.
What are we doing to look after it?
A Prayer for our Earth By Pope Francis*
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
* Pope Francis published this prayer in his Laudato Si’ encyclical, and is meant for sharing with all who believe in a God who is the all-powerful Creator.
Laudato Si’ Week is being celebrated during 22nd – 29th May. It reminds us of our duty towards and celebration of creation. To learn more and to get involved, check out the links.
The Laudato Si’ Encyclical, which was published in 2015, is a letter to the world from Pope Francis. in it he calls for dialogue and action concerning the care of what he calls “our common home”, and he urges all of us to take our duty to the natural environment, to animals and to poor people seriously.
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2015/06/overview-of-encyclical-laudato-si.html
The Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) was formed as a result of the Encyclical. Under the umbrella of the Encyclical, it aims to activate the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to tackle the climate and environmental crises. To educate about and enable participation in this undertaking, LSM initiated an online Course.
https://laudatosimovement.org/
The Laudato Si’ Animators Course was first opened in July 2020 to a world-wide audience of potential activists. The Course teaches how the Laudato Si’ (LS) Encyclical fits into Catholic Social Teaching, describes the causes and consequences of climate change and encourages a personal ecological conversion. Participants are encouraged to be environmentally active in their parishes and in the wider community.
https://laudatosianimators.org/?utm_source=laudato&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign&utm_content=What%20is%20the%20Laudato%20Si%27%20Animators%20program%3F%20Join%20now
Laudato Si’ Animators are people who completed the Course and then got together for mutual support, discussions, ideas and actions. We have a Network of around 90 Animators and green activists, covering the 22 Dioceses of England and Wales. Our aim? Simply to spread the message of the Encyclical throughout the Catholic Church, in an effort to educate about the environmental crisis and to inspire action which will help to combat the dire situation.
https://www.facebook.com/LSIUK
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform has been established by the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in response to the Encyclical. It is designed to run for 7 years, encompasses 7 Sectors and has 7 general goals. We will all fit into one or another of the Sectors. The 7 Goals are designed to guide our actions. Under each general goal heading, actions are suggested for us to consider which will reduce our environmental footprint.
https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/
The Laudato Si’ Encyclical, which was published in 2015, is a letter to the world from Pope Francis. in it he calls for dialogue and action concerning the care of what he calls “our common home”, and he urges all of us to take our duty to the natural environment, to animals and to poor people seriously.
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2015/06/overview-of-encyclical-laudato-si.html
The Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) was formed as a result of the Encyclical. Under the umbrella of the Encyclical, it aims to activate the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to tackle the climate and environmental crises. To educate about and enable participation in this undertaking, LSM initiated an online Course.
https://laudatosimovement.org/
The Laudato Si’ Animators Course was first opened in July 2020 to a world-wide audience of potential activists. The Course teaches how the Laudato Si’ (LS) Encyclical fits into Catholic Social Teaching, describes the causes and consequences of climate change and encourages a personal ecological conversion. Participants are encouraged to be environmentally active in their parishes and in the wider community.
https://laudatosianimators.org/?utm_source=laudato&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign&utm_content=What%20is%20the%20Laudato%20Si%27%20Animators%20program%3F%20Join%20now
Laudato Si’ Animators are people who completed the Course and then got together for mutual support, discussions, ideas and actions. We have a Network of around 90 Animators and green activists, covering the 22 Dioceses of England and Wales. Our aim? Simply to spread the message of the Encyclical throughout the Catholic Church, in an effort to educate about the environmental crisis and to inspire action which will help to combat the dire situation.
https://www.facebook.com/LSIUK
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform has been established by the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in response to the Encyclical. It is designed to run for 7 years, encompasses 7 Sectors and has 7 general goals. We will all fit into one or another of the Sectors. The 7 Goals are designed to guide our actions. Under each general goal heading, actions are suggested for us to consider which will reduce our environmental footprint.
https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/
What does our faith say? Laudato Si and Catholic Social Teaching Bishop of Bombay Allwyn
A commitment to Ecological Conversion Amy Achieverra
A commitment to Ecological Conversion Amy Achieverra
The Great Big Green Week is back! From 24 September to 2 October, people across the UK will come together again to celebrate community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Get involved by hosting a local Green Week or event in your area. By stepping up for the planet with your friends, family and neighbours you can show our Government and local decision makers that we want them to deliver on their promises to protect the planet for now and future generations.
HOST AN EVENT OR LOCAL GREEN WEEK
From beach cleans and bike days to nature trails and repair workshops, there is a way for everyone to get involved and take positive local action in your community. We have a whole host of resources to help you every step of the way.
Do you have an event or activity planned already? Let us and others know about your event by uploading it to the new and improved events section of our website!
Get involved by hosting a local Green Week or event in your area. By stepping up for the planet with your friends, family and neighbours you can show our Government and local decision makers that we want them to deliver on their promises to protect the planet for now and future generations.
HOST AN EVENT OR LOCAL GREEN WEEK
From beach cleans and bike days to nature trails and repair workshops, there is a way for everyone to get involved and take positive local action in your community. We have a whole host of resources to help you every step of the way.
Do you have an event or activity planned already? Let us and others know about your event by uploading it to the new and improved events section of our website!
"Understanding Laudato Si," with Fr. Daniel P. Horan, OFM even though these recording on YouTube are 5 years old they can be a useful way of helping us understand Laudato Si.
Episode 01: "Models of Creation" https://youtu.be/TzyYPJLhZjc
Episode 02: "Situating Laudato Si" https://youtu.be/xXJTzM2VbSc
Episode 03: "What is Happening to our Common Home?" https://youtu.be/ZmHQMaBbsXw
Episode 04: "Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor" https://youtu.be/8LloARnNUPE
Episode 05: "Back to the 'Beginning'" https://youtu.be/UVT9enSMMrU
Episode 06: "A Universal Communion" https://youtu.be/H50S8P3JSzk
Episode 07: "The 'Technocratic Paradigm'" https://youtu.be/k_jM16npWhM
Episode 08: "Human Responsibility" https://youtu.be/wFLaTShJNMM
Episode 09: "Integral Ecology'" https://youtu.be/uok8odEsOhE
Episode 10: "Inter generational Solidarity" https://youtu.be/VmZcCjorWnk
Episode 11: "Dialogue in Moving Forward" https://youtu.be/UuZSeDuLDYg
Episode 12: "Politics, Economy, and Science" https://youtu.be/ahzzh_a63o8
Episode 13: "Things Must Change" https://youtu.be/fj-a5qVj3nY
Episode 14: "Conclusion: In Union with all Creation" https://youtu.be/oAAgQr6hpbI
Another YouTube video that you may like to look at is:
Connecting Voices, Connecting Laudato Si’: Action 2021 https://youtu.be/cZPcQ3HRYao
Why Care for the Environment? (Laudato Si Explained) https://youtu.be/DNU8fn_ap_U
Praise be to you my Lord
Episode 01: "Models of Creation" https://youtu.be/TzyYPJLhZjc
Episode 02: "Situating Laudato Si" https://youtu.be/xXJTzM2VbSc
Episode 03: "What is Happening to our Common Home?" https://youtu.be/ZmHQMaBbsXw
Episode 04: "Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor" https://youtu.be/8LloARnNUPE
Episode 05: "Back to the 'Beginning'" https://youtu.be/UVT9enSMMrU
Episode 06: "A Universal Communion" https://youtu.be/H50S8P3JSzk
Episode 07: "The 'Technocratic Paradigm'" https://youtu.be/k_jM16npWhM
Episode 08: "Human Responsibility" https://youtu.be/wFLaTShJNMM
Episode 09: "Integral Ecology'" https://youtu.be/uok8odEsOhE
Episode 10: "Inter generational Solidarity" https://youtu.be/VmZcCjorWnk
Episode 11: "Dialogue in Moving Forward" https://youtu.be/UuZSeDuLDYg
Episode 12: "Politics, Economy, and Science" https://youtu.be/ahzzh_a63o8
Episode 13: "Things Must Change" https://youtu.be/fj-a5qVj3nY
Episode 14: "Conclusion: In Union with all Creation" https://youtu.be/oAAgQr6hpbI
Another YouTube video that you may like to look at is:
Connecting Voices, Connecting Laudato Si’: Action 2021 https://youtu.be/cZPcQ3HRYao
Why Care for the Environment? (Laudato Si Explained) https://youtu.be/DNU8fn_ap_U
Praise be to you my Lord
Addressing plastic waste:
letters received from retailers
letters received from retailers
Thank you to the Inner Wheel Club of Coventry for these letters
The Birmingham Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is funded by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and is a member of the Caritas - Archdiocese of Birmingham Network