Hope for the earth – hope for humanity

Laudato Si’, celebrates its 10th anniversary on 24 May. To mark this birthday, and to reflect on our relationship with the Creator and creation, let us celebrate Laudato Si’ Week well!!  We live in such familiarity with the inspiration of this encyclical by Pope Francis, as a significant backdrop to our ‘care of the earth’ that we can hardly imagine life before its existence.  Grateful for the wisdom and guidance it provides on how to live on this Earth – ‘Our Common Home’.

Laudato Si’ Week (24 to 31 May 2025) unites thousands of people worldwide with a common goal: the protection of Creation. By participating, you become part of a global movement of faith and action. Your voice and actions have a more powerful impact when joined with those of many others.

We can provide Hope for the Earth, hope for Humanity.

The next chapter of Laudato Si’ begins with us

Today we face the reality that we have done unprecedented damage to our planet, and to our brothers and sisters, to the animal kingdom, and to all aspects of biodiversity.

But we still have every reason for hope. Having recognised the damage, we are coming to understand the science, and we have the means to correct the damage done. This responsibility falls to each and every one of us. We cannot leave it to governments and industry to put right. It is vital we play our part, and discover ways in which we may care for our common home, through changes in our daily lives, with every initiative valued and encouraged.

Laudtato Si’ Week is yet another opportunity to invite and encourage everyone to use their varied skills and influence to make a difference. There is a real sense of urgency in responding to this ecological crisis, and to the immediate needs of those suffering as a result.

Let’s ask ourselves how we can promote the most effective actions in our race against time?  How can we encourage a sense of community, and a spirit of sharing to enable parishes to flourish as the hub of the community? How can we educate as a means to encourage the interior conversion needed to make a difference?

What way will you mark this anniversary?

You could:

• Organise an event to celebrate the 10th birthday party of the encyclical.
• Include in the invitation 10 people who haven’t heard the Laudato Si’ message before.
• Join with your neighbours, friends, a parish or a local school beyond your own area, to share new ideas, projects and actions.
• Organise a prayer service – see some special resources available at the link below.
• Host a book club to read Laudato Si’ over 6 sessions for its 6 chapters.
• Host a screening of The Letter film to explore Laudato Si’ in a moving 2-hour event.

See some useful templates and resources to support each of these initiatives here https://laudatosiweek.org/spiritual-resources/

Understanding Laudato Si’ anew

Sometimes we can become so familiar with the content of something, that we need to stop and read it anew again, to allow new ideas to develop and inspire initiatives that make an impact. To read Laudato Si’ again:  See  HERE

Our spirits yearn for the peace of connecting with the Creator.  As we see the effects of the ecological disaster mounting around us, we know that prayer is an essential way to heal our world.

A movement for prayer and contemplation in unity with all creation is growing around the world.  Let us be part of this  providing: ‘Hope for the Earth. Hope for Humanity’.

#LS10 #RaisingHope

See https://presentationsistersne.ie/hear-creations-song/

Also https://presentationsistersne.ie/laudate-deum-in-the-light-of-faith/

And  https://presentationsistersne.ie/an-ecological-conversion/

Also https://presentationsistersne.ie/our-ecological-conversion/

An event for your diary – if you live in the Dublin Area (Ireland)

On Friday, 16 May 2025, parishes and communities across Dublin are warmly invited to a day of reflection, inspiration, and practical support at the upcoming Laudato Si’ conference.  Held in the serene grounds of the Glasnevin Centre, this event is dedicated to caring for our common home.

A twenty-euro attendance fee will give participants access to talks, workshops, and practical guidance designed to help individuals and parishes to walk more gently on the earth.  Rooted in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the event will explore the deep interconnection between people, nature, and faith.

Speakers on the day will include, Sr. Nellie McLaughlin RSM, an environmental activist, author and founding member of Green Sod Land Trust Ireland, Jane Mellett, Church Manager with Trócaire; and Yosef Dvores, Biodiversity Trainer with Wild Works. She will open the day with a keynote on the spiritual and ecological message of Laudato Si’:  “It cannot be emphasised enough how everything is interconnected,” (LS. 138)

Jane Mellett, will reflect on the global impact of the encyclical, highlighting stories of hope and transformation from around the world while Yosef Dvores will share his local experience with rewilding efforts in Dun Laoghaire–Rathdown, working alongside churches to restore biodiversity.

Workshops throughout the day will offer practical tools for parishes, from mapping church grounds for sustainability, to creating pollinator-friendly spaces, to introducing the Laudato Si’ Youth Award within the Dublin Archdiocese.  There will also be moments of spiritual reflection, exploring how hope and faith underpin the call to ecological conversion.

To find out more about this event and to register, visit https://www.margaretaylwardcentre.ie/event/seeds-of-hope/.

See also https://catholicnews.ie/laudato-si-invites-all-to-a-day-of-reflection-inspiration-and-support/