The Ecological Conversion Group is offering two weekends of talks and discussions via Zoom, and practical activities, on living the message of Laudato Si’ in and through the parish. These are open to any parishioner.
- The first weekend will take place from 3 to 6 September, with Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Bishop Paul Swarbrick delivering a prayer and reflection at the opening and close of the weekend.
- The second will take place from 15 to 18 October with Bishop Alan Williams and Bishop Mark O’Toole.
Laudato si’ (Praise Be to You) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle “on care for our common home”. In it, the Pope critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.”
What will happen? A long weekend of talks and discussions on zoom, and practical activities, on living the message of Laudato Si’ in and through your parish.
Who is it for? Any interested parishioner (including clergy!) is most welcome to join us. The weekend is aimed especially at people with parish responsibilities or who are part of or want to start a relevant parish group.
Times sessions will be on Friday evening, Saturday morning, late afternoon and evening, Sunday late afternoon and evening night and Monday evening (leaving people free during the day on Monday).
Speakers include:
- Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Bishop Paul Swarbrick, who will begin and end the September weekend with prayer and reflection. Members of the Dioceses of Westminster and Lancaster are especially encouraged to attend this weekend.
- Bishop Alan Williams and Bishop Mark O’Toole, who will begin and end the October weekend with prayer and reflection. Members of the Dioceses of Brentwood and Plymouth are especially encouraged to attend this weekend.
- Trish Sandbach, who worked in Oxfam Education for many years and led to St Benedict’s, Garforth, in the Leeds diocese, to winning a LiveSimply award. She is also an assessor for the LiveSimply award.
- John Paul de Quay, a founder member of the Ecological Conversion Group and The Journey to 2030 (see https://journeyto2030.org/).
- Sr Margaret Atkins, an Augustinian Canoness at Boarbank Hall in Cumbria, a teacher of philosophy and theology, with a lifelong interest in the natural world, and author of Catholics and Our Common Home: Caring for the Planet in a Time of Crisis (CTS).
There will also be panel discussions with experts, for sharing advice on practical projects.
There will be no fee for the weekend but voluntary donations gratefully accepted.
For more details and to apply, email Sr Margaret Atkins at margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk.