WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION

1st September is World Day of Prayer for the care of creation.   It marks the start of the season of creation that runs to October 4th. 

Each year the Pope releases a message,  you can access that on the Bishop Conference of England and Wales website by clicking here.

A prayer for the world day of creation can be found at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/prayer-for-the-care-of-creation/

For background to the Season of creation visit https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/season-of-creation/season-of-creation-background/

CALL OF CREATION

Call of Creation is a teaching document published by the  Bishop Conference of England And Wales Department for Social Justice. 

ARCHDIOCESAN CARE FOR CREATION PLAN

To celebrate Laudato Si Week, the Archdiocese of Liverpool is launching its one-year Care for creation plan for 2024, If you would like to learn more visit https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/archdiocese-launches-care-for-creation-one-year-plan   or for the plan itself click here

BLISTER PACKS

We are unable to accept any more medicine packs.

The LiveSimply Team would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the collection. We have made a significant contribution to recycling as well as raised funds for Marie Curie.

Unfortunately, the processing plant is unable to accept any more so our collection is now ended.

BISHOP JOHN ARNOLD REACTS TO COP28

LAUDATE DEUM

Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation "Laudate Deum" was published on the 4th October to mark the end of the Season of Creation. 

You can read the whole letter at https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231004-laudate-deum.html

Some reflections on the exhortation can be viewed on the Laudate Si Youtube channel  at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdu7tsNYIRxmwyhptnDf99ytfHRe_89Ue

Bishop John Arnold (Lead bishop on the environment) gives his thoughts below

PRAYER CARD - SEASON OF CREATION

Please click on the image above to access a pdf version of the prayer.

IN MEMORIAM

It was one of those unpredictable, early Autumnal days

When dark, lowering clouds made decisions difficult.

Somehow, the twenty-odd,

Suitably clad parishioners and friends

Had resigned themselves to the vagaries of the weather

Or had decided, hopefully,

That the emerging sun and mild weather

Would carry them through the planned meander

Through the unique woods and fields

Of Childwall’s hidden gem.

Once through the heavy, iron gates,

A premature pause,

Followed by a simple, touching eulogy

For one, whose earlier morning funeral

Had presaged the planned events.

How many times, Sue, have you wandered

 Through these gates and such like,

Rejoicing in Nature’s Bounty

And miraculous regeneration!

Rest peacefully now,

Free from pain and worries,

Reunited with loved ones,

And the knowledge that the torch you lit

Will be proudly borne

By those you loved and held dear.

And then we were off,

Musing on words of wisdom about

Trees, mycelium, fungi, insects, birds, mammals,

Survival, long-life, death feeding rebirth;

Not forgetting negotiation of hazardous roots

And muddy terrain!

As we gazed up through the canopy of symbiotic trees,

Some vigorously young, others living fossils

Of what once was a world of privileged grandeur,

What thoughts drifted through our minds!

The sun now shone, appropriately,

On the lilac swathes of Michaelmas daisies.

Gentle breezes blew across the wetlands

And all was right with the world.

So it is with you, Sue.

Eileen Murray © September 2023

LIVESIMPLY MESSAGE 6.8.2023 

We aim to live more simply, sustainably and in solidarity with each other.

“We must protect creation for it is a gift which the Lord has given us, it is God’s present to us; we are the guardians of creation.” (Pope Francis)

Our focus in August is on the Gift of Water.  We are looking for ways to use water responsibly and sustainably and to show solidarity and support for those who do not have a water supply they can rely on. Join us on Tuesday 22 August at 7:15pm in the Fisher-More Hall for an evening celebrating the gift of water and also to raise funds for WaterAid. All welcome! https://www.wateraid.org/

Do you know that soft plastics can now be recycled at nine major UK supermarket chains, including: Aldi, Co-op, Iceland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Common household items that can be recycled include crisp packets, food pouches, fruit and vegetable bags, salad bags, biscuit and cake wrappers. Please make the decision to help fight against plastic pollution, which has such an impact on both land and sea, by always returning as much soft plastic as you can. The collection points are usually inside the stores. If you want to know more about how some local supermarkets deal with soft plastics, please visit:

https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2021/24-06-2021-sainsburys-rolls-out-largest-flexible-plastic-packaging-recycling-system and

https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2021/shoppers-can-now-return-all-their-soft-plastic-packaging-to-recycling-points-at-every-large-tesco-store-in-the-uk

PLANT AND SEED GIVEAWAY: 

To mark the ‘Season of Creation’ there will be a giveaway event after Mass at St Mary's on 9 & 10 September. Bring your spare plants and seeds to share with others or just come along and pick up something interesting for your own garden.  If you can, please start thinking about what you might be able to bring seeds, seedlings or rooted cuttings or just any plants that need a new home. We can pick things up from your house in advance if you need help to get them to church (call Lydia on 07855 663472). 

Many plants will be setting seed now so please begin collecting. Thank you!