Live Simply in Solidarity with the Poor and Sustainably with Creation
St. Joseph’s Parish Campaign 2021 -2022
This year we have seen many events caused by Climate Change, including devastating Floods, Fires, Storms and Unprecedented high temperatures. It is very clear that we are facing a Crisis that affects each and every one of us, a crisis that is damaging our world, our common home, God’s creation.
This crisis is pushing millions of people around the world into poverty and deepening inequality. The poorest and most vulnerable people in the world are the ones who are being hardest hit by climate change. Harvests are failing. Cities are flooding and land is being washed away by rising sea levels. Entire communities are finding it harder and harder to survive in the place they call home and having to leave their land
It is important that we as a parish respond to Pope Francis’ request in his encyclical Laudato Si to hear the Cry of the Poor and the Cry of the Earth. Pope Francis is challenging us to look hard at our lifestyle and to choose to Live Simply in Solidarity with the Poor and Sustainably with Creation
Pope Francis points out that we are facing many issues for example
• Climate Change,
• Pollution
• Loss of Biodiversity
• A Spiritual Crisis
And he says that we should respond to them all – a big Challenge!!
In addition he says that we should
• Inform ourselves about the issues
• Join others to campaign about the issues
so we have plenty of work to do!!
There are too many issues to respond to all at once and so the Reflection group are inviting us to take a year to try to make changes to our lifestyle that will help reduce our impact on the planet, help us to live in harmony with Nature, and to help poor and vulnerable people affected by Climate Change
Each month we will introduce a different theme and invite the parish to contribute their ideas on simple ways to change our lifestyle either by putting them on the suggestion board in church, on the what’s app group or on a page on the Parish Website Then at the end of the month we will invite feedback on what went well and what didn’t work.
In this month of October we are starting by :-
Making opportunities to appreciate nature,
• A parish walk Sun Oct 17 after mass to Anston Stones where we will make time to appreciate nature in all her glory.
• Visit to Sheffield Botanic Gardens On Tues 26 Oct, meet at St. Joseph’s Car Park 11.30am. Guided tour of the Autumn Leaves by Friends of the Botanic Gardens
• Woodland Area Clearance at School Wed 6th Oct, 10am to 2pm.The school are inviting us to join them to help clear the Woodland area in order to develop an outdoor classroom for the school and the Parish to enjoy. Tools are provided. Phone School to register 01909 550120
If you can’t join any of those then you could, take a walk in nature yourself, visit Clumber Park to see the Autumn Colours or simply sit in your own garden with a cup of tea and soak in the beauty of nature
Encouraging you to inform yourselves about the issues
There will be some information leaflets available later in October on :-
• Pope Francis’ Challenge to Live Simply and Hear the Cry of the Poor and the Cry of the Earth
• Climate Change
• What the COP26 conference is about.
The COP26 conference on climate change is happening in November. World leaders are meeting in Glasgow to discuss measures to limit Global Rise in temperature to 1.5%.
We are encouraging everyone to seek information, there will be plenty of news items and documentaries this month in advance of the COP26 conference next month.
We are also urging you to Campaign.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by signing petitions on the internet, CAFOD has some petitions to sign and there are petitions for Protecting the Environment and preserving access to open spaces. Links will be posted on the Parish Website and on the What’s App groups.
If you know of any others please post them on the What’s App group or send them to Emma Slack emma@slack68.plus.com so that they can be posted on the Parish Website
And Finally!!
Today we have the opportunity to respond to the Cry of the Poor by donating to the CAFOD Climate Crisis Appeal, the funds will go to communities affected by the worse impacts of the Climate Crisis. I know that you will give as generously as you always do