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“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Harpenden is a LiveSimply parish. We were awarded this status in 2019 by CAFOD and the National Justice and Peace Network for demonstrating and promoting how we try to live simply through our daily actions.
Our community has undertaken to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si’ to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”.
In accepting the LiveSimply award our parish commits:
- To live simply
- To live sustainably with creation
- To live in solidarity with the poor.
In this way we can help create a world in which human dignity is respected and everyone can reach their full potential. This would be true progress, worth more than economic growth alone.
Why LiveSimply?
Here in Harpenden, in embracing this initiative, we are committing to putting our faith into action in everyday small ways as well as in a wider context. In doing so, we hope to:
- Nurture our spiritual lives
- Strengthen friendships
- Take practical steps to support our parish
- Help to play our part in significant social and environmental issues
- Make stronger connections with wider community
Living Simply in 2021
How do we continue to LiveSimply in 2021?
2020 has starkly highlighted the need for a new definition of progress rooted in “integral ecology”, recognising that “everything is connected” and hearing both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Pope Francis tells us that to care for our common home, a common plan is needed. Love and care for creation are an essential dimension of our faith. So, how do we care for our common home?
CAFOD has initiated a campaign in response to Pope Francis’s call for a new way of thinking about the world, and to take an active part in renewing our troubled societies by embracing the universal values of solidarity and fraternity.
CAFOD reminds us that our post-Covid pandemic world will still face challenges such as the “pandemic of hunger, the pandemic of poverty and the pandemic of runaway climate change”
Here are some actions we can take:
Reclaim-our-common-home: As we host G7 and COP26 this year, here we see why 2021 must be a year of transformation for us all and how the UK can play a vital role.
- G7 Summit – 11-13 June 2021
G7 leaders will be meeting to discuss world health, climate change and the environment and international development. Our community can add our voices to call for support for the poorest nations by asking for post-virus aid and also for cancellation of debt payments to help recovery:
- COP26 – The United Nations Climate Change Conference takes place in November 2021 in Glasgow.
Let us sign a petiton to the Prime Minister at COP26 to counter global warming.
ORGANISATION OF LIVESIMPLY
These are the four “Interest” areas for living simply in the parish:
Liturgy
Consideration of living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor is reflected within our prayers and liturgies and key feast days such as St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment (4th October).
Eco/Environment
Campaign for living sustainably. Creating awareness of the beauty of Creation and of campaigns for living simply and protecting the environment locally and nationally. St Albans Sustainability Festival takes place from 23 May – 06 June 2021.
Practical/Resources
Undertake practical actions such as collections for the local Foodbank, or Bring n’ share Lunch, Family Fast Day collections, organising speaker events on key LiveSimply issues. Click here for some practical ideas to LiveSimply:
Justice, Peace and Care for Creation
Initiate or join Campaigns for justice such as Fairtrade or debt relief for low income countries. Promote the work of the Westminster J&P Commission and the National J& P Network’.
Please join us in putting our faith into action. To become involved in any of the above, please contact the LiveSimply cordinator: graham-ryan@sky.com