An estimated 12,000 people (including 4 from our Parish) took to the streets around Westminster to lobby their MP’s to call for further, faster action on climate change and environmental protection. With at least 220 MP’s coming out to meet their constituents we know our voices have been heard. Perhaps most inspiring were the pupils from primary and secondary schools. Travelling from all over the country to talk to their MP’;s and have their say on climate change, they’re aware we all need to make changes to make a better world.
Category Archives: Laudato si’
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. With Fairtrade you have the power to change the world every day. With simple shopping choices you can get farmers a better deal. That means they can make their own decisions and lead the dignified life everyone deserves. There are leaflets and petition cards available in the porch at each of our churches.
Global Healing
GLOBAL HEALING Thank you to all who came to the Global Healing event at Sabden on Wednesday 13th and made it such an enjoyable and successful evening. Special thanks to too to those who prepared the six cultural dishes. With four different faiths represented the discussion was lively and stimulating. There will be two more events in Clitheroe to complete the series, dates to be arranged. For those who weren’t able to attend in Clitheroe or Sabden you can see the film and download the resources at http://www.ourcommonhome.co.uk
Global Healing
GLOBAL HEALING A big thank you to all who came to the well-attended Laudato Si film and meeting on Wednesday. In keeping with the Live Simply campaign we didn’t use any plastic plates or cutlery and everybody seemed to engage with an important aspect of our faith whilst enjoying themselves in good company. See photo and full report on the parish website.
Global Healing (An evening of film and food) – Live Simply
GLOBAL HEALING – Wednesday December 5th at 7.30pm in the Assembly Hall, Lowergate, Clitheroe, an evening of film and cultural food. Admission free by ticket only, available after Masses or from Anthony Brown 01200 422811. Bishop John was very pleased to hear that our plans in the Parish include Global Healing and has asked for any feedback we can give on how our Live Simply group is developing in relation to Hope in the Future.
So far 8 people have volunteered to provide a meal.
22nd Sunday in Ordinary time – 2nd September 2018
LAUDATO SI AND THE ST MARY’S (SABDEN) PROJECT
St Francis of Assisi shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace. This one sentence from Laudato Si’ sums up the interconnectedness of everything Catholic, and everything our Parish is trying to do under the banners of Hope in the Future and the CAFOD Live Simply Award.
As a key part of our CAFOD Live Simply Award we are planning a major environmental project building on the enormous amount of work already undertaken, over many years, by a few stalwart souls at St Mary’s church, Sabden. Our plan is to make the place not only somewhere to glorify God but an exemplar also of how we can live simply, sustainably with creation, and in solidarity with the poor. This is the essence of everything Pope Francis is saying to us.
Few parishioners away from Sabden will be aware of just how much effort has gone into Sabden already. Removing the AstroTurf and covering the hardcore below it necessitated shovelling 40 tons of topsoil and 10 tons of bark but in addition paths were laid, beds of wild flowers planted, weeds killed, hedges trimmed hedges and a rockery built. Most recently we have seen a stone circle at the front of the church with pots and plants. The first priority now is to remake the bed in front of the church before two weddings in September. However, there is much more to be done and then regular maintenance.
An element in our Live Simply Award Plan is: Encourage parishioners to become involved with the work behind St Mary’s and at the cemetery, with a particular emphasis on the practical and educational aspects of preserving the environment. On August 13 we met to discuss how we might take this forward and full details of that meeting can be found on the Parish website under Groups/Laudato Si at http://www.olotv.org.uk/parish-groups/laudato-si
Please consider playing a part in what we hope will become a community and social venture for young and old. We aim to encourage participation not only via the Parish but also the schools. We hope that a lot of people doing a little, rather than a few doing a lot, will not only make the task less onerous but also a pleasant way to spend a Saturday. The first date is Saturday, 8th September.
Laudato Si Group
Laudato Si’ – BoB boxes
We had a great day at Sabden Summer Fair when ten people bought or sponsored a BOB Box for £10 each. These boxes can accommodate a bird or a bat to nest or roost, and will be sited strategically as part of our Live Simply Award environmental activities. To learn more about BOB boxes and everything else we are doing, look at our Laudato Si’ group webpage http://www.olotv.org.uk/parishgroups/laudato. If you want to buy or sponsor a box please contact Anthony Brown 01200 422811
Laudato Si’ – Live Simply
Our Parish application for the CAFOD Live Simply Award is now registered. See the registration certificate on the notice board in the porch. Keep up with activities and offerings via our webpage on the Parish website.
First Sunday of Lent – 18 February 2018
LIVE SIMPLY SO THAT OTHERS MAY SIMPLY LIVE
Our newly launched Laudato Si group (formed to promote Pope Francis’ concern for the poor and for the earth (our common home) has decided to challenge the parish to earn CAFOD’s Live Simply Award. This will encourage us to care for the planet and work for a fair sharing of the planet’s resources among all people. It will also link in with the many activities already taking place in the parish: the Hope in the Future programme, the work of the SVP, the Food Bank, the refugee support initiatives, work on behalf of the unborn, the threats to introduce euthanasia and the support of victims of human trafficking to mention only some.
CAFOD’s focus for Lent this year is on children suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Next week Lent Family Fast Day, will concentrate on helping families, particularly in Zimbabwe, ensure that their children grow up healthily and enjoy their childhoods. Every pound raised during Lent will be matched by the UK Government!
As a CAFOD trustee, Bishop John has travelled to places where he has seen the people who live from what they find on piles of rubbish. Speaking on Laudato Si last September, he asked that we See, Judge and Act. We must SEE what is happening in the world, JUDGE where it is wrong and then ACT. In 2012 the UK wasted 7 million tons of food whilst 1.2 billion people worldwide went to bed hungry. We must ACT by changing our attitude to the food we buy and the way we spend our money. It is estimated that 30% of the food on our plate goes into the bin.
World hunger will only be eradicated if we take action both at home and overseas.
This Sunday CAFOD distributes Family Fast Day envelopes. This year we ask that you keep your envelope throughout Lent and each time you resist a treat or otherwise abstain or sacrifice put the money you save in the envelope and then return the envelope on Easter Sunday.
This Lent, try to live simply so that others may simply live — and also help save the planet!.
Laudato Si and CAFOD groups