Caring for Creation - Gold Award - Eco-Aware Parish
Click on image to read presentation
On 4 December 2022, Bonnybrook Parish received the highest award for an eco-aware parish. This was granted by Eco Congregation Ireland and was presented to Sr. Margo and her team by Archbishop Dermot Farrell.
Eco Congregation Ireland (ECI) is a project of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting that encourages churches to adopt an eco-friendly approach to all aspects of church life.
Our path to becoming an eco-aware parish began when Pope Francis’s letter, Laudato Si’, became an issue for discussion at one of our Parish Pastoral Council meetings. It was agreed that care for creation become a specific ministry in the parish. Subsequently, a group of interested people gathered together and so the journey began.
Over the past four years small but significant steps were taken, and at each stage, a report of these activities sent to ECI. As a result, we received our first certificate, Awareness Certificate and then the Endeavour Certificate in March 2020.
Despite lockdown, work continued and on receiving our last application for the final audit, ECI informed us that we are now an eco-aware parish. The visit of the ECI assessors could not take place due to COVID 19 restrictions. However, as soon as circumstances allow, we look forward to welcoming the assessors to our Sunday liturgy. We know that their encouragement will confirm us in our desire to live as an eco-aware community, recalling Pope Francis’s statement:
“Love, overflowing with small gestures of mutual care, is also civic and political, and makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world” (LS 231)
From 21-28 May 2023, we will celebrate Laudato Si’ Week around the world. This is not just another celebration, nor is it intended to be a "memory" of the encyclical's publication. Rather, it’s a celebration of change, a Hope for the Earth and for all Humanity. We will begin on Sunday, May 21st, and conclude on Pentecost Sunday by asking God the Creator to send his Holy Spirit upon all those who work for our common home. We will also find out what the protagonists of "The Letter" are currently doing. But the most important thing is what you are going to do, because this year you are the protagonist.
How? It's very easy. We invite you to watch "The Letter" with your community, family or friends. You could simply meet at someone's house and watch the movie together.
Why? Because "once you know what's happening, you can't look away" and, after watching the film, we trust that God will move you to act. There are many ways to do it. It's up to you. You and your community, we are confident, will do what is necessary.
The climate crisis is a tangible reality in an ever increasing number of countries and affects us all.
Since the publication of Laudato Si in 2015, many things have changed. However, at the same time, we have seen the situation worsen. Today, more than ever, a "radical change in humanity's behavior" is needed, as St. Paul VI warned us over 50 years ago....
Get together with your community, family or friends to watch The Letter. You have all the information you need at https://laudatosiweek.org/.
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7th May 2023
International Dawn Chorus Day
The dawn chorus is one of the most magical experiences in nature: a multitude of birds of many different species all singing together in harmony as morning breaks and light begins to fill the skies. As our natural world’s most impressive and renowned concert, it is almost as though it has been tailor-made for radio.
Click HERE to get more information and register for this programme.
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13th May 2023
World Fair Trade Day
The Fair Trade movement is all about ensuring that workers around the globe are treated fairly with decent wages and working conditions. There are thousands of people currently working in unfavorable conditions and being paid poorly. It shouldn’t matter where someone lives, everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
For more information click HERE.
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13th May 2023
World Migratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
For more information click HERE.
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20th May 2023
World Bee Day
Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
For more information click HERE.
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21st - 28th May 2023
Laudato Si' Week
To inspire and mobilize the Catholic community to care for our common home and achieve climate and ecological justice, in collaboration with all people of good will.
For more information click HERE.
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22nd May 2023
International Day for Biodiversity
22 May, The International Day for Biological Diversity has gained global prominence through the efforts of the United Nations, governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations and concerned individuals. Each has highlighted their innovative solutions to the biodiversity crisis to the forefront of global conversations on sustainable development.
For more information click HERE
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23rd May 2023
World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.
For more information click HERE.
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28th May 2023
World Hunger Day
Hunger is an insidious cycle. It’s often silent, invisible and relentless; passed from generation to generation. Unlike famines which attract emergency aid, millions of people globally are forced to accept a life of hunger; unable to make their dreams a reality.
For more information click HERE.
