Tag Archives: Care of the Earth

The 1st of September is upon us heralding a change of season leading us into the meteorological Autumn.  We know from our experience of the changing seasons that Nature and the Earth never ceases to bestow its gifts. However, the Season of Creation (SOC) is our opportunity to ‘recognise the good gift’ of creation and to sustain and develop our ...

There have been negative predictions about the future of ‘life on Earth’ from scientists, economists, and climate scientists and many of todays’ informed activists (both young and old) as far back as one can remember. Maybe our lack of any real  impactful action (personally, socially and politically) capable of creating any long term reversal has in part been due to ...

“For love of my brethren and friends, I say: Peace upon you!” (Ps 122:8). The first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945, on Hiroshima, virtually levelling the city. A second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.  About 140,000 died in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki. Half the deaths in each city occurred on the day of the ...

Mount St. Anne’s Retreat and Conference Centre (Killenard, Portarlington, Co. Laois) is located in the heart of the Irish midlands. The very special surroundings and the closeness to nature contribute to the renewal that can be experienced through these Autumn Opportunities on offer through the Centre. All courses will run from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm (GMT). Mount St. Anne’s ...

In the old Europe we inherited from the Bronze Age, this great feast of the Solstice was celebrated with multitudinous small fires lit throughout the countryside. Fire and the great living sun two great aspects of the flame to be honoured. The Summer Solstice on June 21st traditionally marks the start of the astronomical summer which ends with the autumn ...

For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.  COP26 in 2021 will be the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. ...

The publication of the encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home” by Pope Francis, on 24th May 2015 was truly a landmark moment –  a vital reference document of theological and spiritual impact, a rich meditation, and  a practical signpost on collaboration, as well as a call to each of us individually, and together, to acknowledge our ...

May 1st is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.  The Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (8 December 2020) was written  by Pope Francis, for this year dedicated to St Joseph (from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021).  The Letter provides a direct inroad into the heart of this man Joseph, spouse of Mary, who was a beloved, tender, ...

It’s been a whole year since Pope Francis wrote that he dreams of a church that fights for the rights of the poor and Indigenous peoples, a church that safeguards the ecosystems on which those people — and all of us — depend, and a church that takes on the face of the places where it is rooted.  That is the ...

The WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE – February 2nd, 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul declaring the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple as World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. On this day in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5.30 pm (Rome Time)  there will a  service of celebration of  Consecrated Life.  In ...