by Marg Siberry Each year the Justice and Peace Commission facilitates two away-days to provide an opportunity to reflect more deeply on one of our key priorities. On Saturday October 19th we wanted to focus on Climate Change as an urgent priority. Our hope on these days is to develop the theology underpinning the issue […]
Climate Change
05 Oct – ‘Let us Dream’ workshop at LTU
On 2nd October SPARK held a sustainability event at Leeds Trinity University in partnership with the new Director of Sustainability and the Director of Catholic Mission.A key message from Katie Clegg, Director of Sustainability at the university, was that sustainability will only be achieved if it involves everyone at the university – not just staff […]
16 Sep – Celebrating Creation Fair
The parish of St. Benedict’s in Garforth was one of the first 20 parishes in the country to receive a LiveSimply award in 2016. However, the award does not mark the end of working to live simply, live sustainably and live in solidarity with the world’s poor. One of their major actions was the creation […]
10 Sep – Autumn environment meetings via Zoom from NDEG
In case you are wondering, NDEG = The Northern Dioceses’ Environment Group and is made up from people concerned about our climate crisis who live in parishes across the North of England.They are organizing 3 Zoom meetings during this Autumn that may well be of interest to many in the Leeds Diocese.The first one on […]
03 Sep – The Evolution of Love
Sometimes it can be quite depressing when you realise how few people have actually heard of Laudato Si. The fact that it is rarely heard about from the pulpit is also distressing. Yet, the background to taking action on our Climate crisis is a wonderfully positive ‘creation theology’.The title of this piece is the title […]
10 Jul – WANTED: Laudato Si Animator for the Leeds Diocese
WHAT IS IT?An ‘Animator’ (Advocate) is someone ‘dedicated to spreading the teachings of Pope Francis’s Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ – Care for Our Common Home’. There are a growing number of Animators globally – hence in every UK diocese including our own Diocese of Leeds.The current animator for our diocese is David Jackson, of St Walburga’s […]
29 Jun -Gingko Trees from Hiroshima-new saplings
We reported recently on the arrival of gingko tree seeds at the Laudato SI centre in Salford so they could develop them into saplings to act as signs of hope in relation to our Climate Emergency and to enable more discussions about the Church’s teaching about nuclear weapons.The centre has now had a further delivery […]
18 Jun – Laudato Si Community Encounter in Leeds
By David Jackson (LSI Animator and contact person for the Diocese of Leeds) As we approach the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical LAUDAT SI – Care for our Common Home (2015) – ten Laudato Si Animators (Advocates) mainly representing the Northern Dioceses met at Hinsley Hall on Friday 14th June for a day of […]
09 Jun – ‘Seeds of Hope’ for Leeds Diocese delivered to the Laudato Si centre
Dr Emma Gardner holding the packet of Gingko Tree seeds from Hiroshima.On Thursday 6th of June 15 Gingko tree seeds were delivered to Dr Emma Gardner, Head of Environment for Salford Diocese. However, these are not just any old seeds. They originate from a tree that was in the blast zone […]
15 Apr – FAITH IN FOOD
By Joe Burns, Commission MemberThis is the title of an event that has beenorganised by the Northern Dioceses’Environment Group (NDEG). The NDEG firstmet in 2017 to bring together people whoare concerned about the environment andwho are also active in their own dioceses. Itwas inspired by Pope Francis’s Laudato Siencyclical and created an opportunity tobring together […]
25 Mar – Living Laudato Si in the Leeds Diocese
As an encouragement to parishes across the Diocese of Leeds we have produced a compilation of our newsletter articles about Climate Change since the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’. It turns out there are quite a lot! It includes a Foreword by Bishop Marcus and runs to 52 pages. We hope that as […]
25 Jan – LiveSimply Parishes across Leeds Meet up
By Trish Sandbach, Commission memberOn Jan 20th about 25 Parishioners from 4 Parishes (Our Lady of Kirkstall, St John Fisher & St Thomas More, St John Vianney, and St Benedict’s) gathered at St Benedict’s, Garforth. All the parishes either have the Live Simply Award, some for many years, or have started on the journey towards […]
09 Oct – Season of Creation Events at Mary, Mother of God parish, Bradford
“Let Justice and Peace Flow” was the chosen theme for the Season of Creation 2023; from the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1st to October 4th, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This year’s theme was drawn from the cry of the prophet Amos: “But let justice roll […]
reflecting on Climate Change
A couple of weeks after the last J&P Day of Reflection (about care of Creation), I enjoyed a short break on the Norfolk Broads in a vintage sailing cruiser. I enjoyed living with the basic amenities for a few days. There was a little storage in a cabin that was approximately 6×8 feet. Cabinets in […]
15 Aug – Laudato Si in Action: Good Shepherd church community visit Salford’s Laudato Si centre
By Sean Morris, Good Shepherd Church Community, Mytholmroyd & Commission memberThe Church, like so many parts of society, is acutely aware of the damage humans have made to our planet, and the real risks climate change has for all of us. It is important to encourage the Leeds Diocese to follow in the footsteps of […]
01 Aug – Reflections from the 2023 NJPN Conference
By Chuks Nwachukwu, sponsored to attend by SPARK Social Justice The 45th Annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network was held on 21 – 23 July 2023 at the Hayes conference centre in Swanwick, Alfreton Derby. With the Theme ‘Sustainability? Survival or Shutdown’. It was a very great weekend filled with interesting and […]