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We must Keep on Keeping Going

The Season of Creation-September 1st to October 4th has ended for this year. However, the theme ‘to hope and to act’ Rom 8:23-25, invites us to continue our search for ways to ensure that the pleas of Laudato Si’, ‘.. the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor ..,’ are heard anew in our parishes. The dark evenings and shorter days over the next few months, could give us time to gather with eco-friendly groups and failing their existence a few friends in our locality to plan a celebration for the 10th anniversary of the launch of Laudato Si’ in May 2025.

Pope Francis wrote: ‘…in the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come…’1 Hope is the central message for the coming jubilee year. Gathering in small groups strengthens the hope within the heart of each person. It also maximises the hope and energy within the group and its capacity to act. The result of our coming together with others may seem small, however, to quote the anthropologist, Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” 2

“Hope does not disappoint,’3 Pope Francis tells us, because it offers the certainty of God’s love. (Rom 5:5) – to love God is to love what God loves. Working towards an eco-friendly parish may take several years- not easy to accept in our fast-paced, result based world! Knowing that our beautiful earth is loved by God will help us contemplate the beauty of the world in which we live and give us a sense of awe which can move us to do what we can to care for God’s creation.

The challenges relating to climate change and loss of biodiversity are enormous. Despite constant reminders, it is difficult for many in our local communities to comprehend the urgency of acting to restrain the climate and ecological crises. Many parishioners who are willing to act, often do not know where to start or what their actions might look like. A possible starting point could be to identify what good things are already happening and recognising the person or group who is responsible. Success, no matter how small can build on success.

Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI)4 an ecumenical group offers vast supportive resources to begin the journey towards an eco-friendly community. A starting point might be to download and complete ‘An environmental check-up’ or audit. It will help to identify your parishes’ current environmental good practice and future priorities. This is not a test! -just pointers to help the group to get started. Then sign up to join ECI – there is no fee, you will be glad to learn! The benefits of doing so are myriad. To progress along the journey to become an Eco-friendly parish a user-friendly guide is provided, and examples of good practice can be found on the website and in a newsletter that is published monthly.

Parishes vary – from rural to urban and with socio-economic differences too. Hence, there can no best-fit plan that will work across all parishes. One of the many strengths of ECI is that variety of parish make up and background is recognised. Each one can progress at its own pace with this dictum in mind: ‘Do what you can, where you are, with what you have!’ 5

Following the initiative suggested in March 2023 by the Irish bishops many parishes are planning to leave 30% or more of the Church grounds vacant for nature by 2030 6. Others have joined local Church groups and environmental associations like the ‘tidy towns’ to garner as much support as possible in their efforts to make care of creation a priority in their locality.

No matter what shape the eco-journey takes in our parishes -we must ensure that ‘we keep on -keeping going’ as our athletes did this summer at the Paris Olympics. The light of hope for the care of creation needs be kept alive. The cries of those in poverty and our earth are ongoing and relentless. The good news is that each of us can with small actions make a difference: ‘All it takes is one good person to restore hope,’ (Laudato Si’. 71)

Anna Byrne DC -Catholic Representative on ECI Board

[1] Spes Non Confundit, Pope Francis 09.05.2024
[2] Margaret Mead 15.11.2016  https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1071 (15.08.2024)
[3] Spes Non Confundit  (3)
[4] Eco-Congregation Ireland is an inter-denominational project operating under the auspices of the Church in Society Forum – a standing committee of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting. www.ecocongregatonireland.com
[5] Theodore Roosevelt Although this quote is widely attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, he credits it, in his Autobiography, Chapter IX, to Squire Bill Widener of Widener’s Valley, Virginia
[6] www.catholicbishops.ie/laudato-si/returning-to-nature/

 

Visit of Misean Cara to Thigio

This week a group from Misean Cara paid a visit to Thigio.

Clare Matthias writes:
We had a wonderful visit with the Thigio team today. They were most gracious hosts and gave us a very thorough and informative tour of the project. What an incredibly inspiring team. It’s clear what an incredible difference they are making to so many lives in the community.

The students of the Kisima School gave us a heartwarming goodbye and some lovely gifts just before we departed. I don’t think any of us will soon forget their sincere kindness.

Our travelling party include: John Moffet CEO Misean Cara, Clare Matthias Misean Cara, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Reverend Uel Marrs, Global Mission Secretary (Presbyterian Church of Ireland) Jenny Smyth, Mission Director CMS Ireland,Sr. Josephine McCarthy (Presentation Sisters), Vice-Chair of the Misean Cara Board of Directors, Paul Gauchi Misean Cara Mentor East Africa.
Sr Anita, Sr Lawrencilla, and Sr Rosie, Daughters of Charity are also in the photograph.

Insights on Climate Fatigue and Activism

Click the following link to read the article for detail or watch the video below.

Insights on Climate Fatigue and Activism | Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (olaireland.ie)

Insights on Climate Fatigue and Activism

Daughters of Charity

Where we are

We are women who have responded to the Call of Christ to live out our baptismal commitment by reaching out in His name to the people at the margins of our society. With the help and collaboration of many others we contribute to the provision of Child and Family Services, Pre-Schools, Education, Specialised Services for Young People, Services for People with Intellectual Disability, Health Care Services, Services for Older People, Services in Parishes, Family Resource Centres, Services for People who are Homeless, Vincentian Partnership Programmes, Mission Outreaches, Marian Services, Services to the wider Community and Provincial Administration.


MINISTRIES

The Daughters of Charity have provided services to persons with intellectual disability in Ireland for over a century. Today these services are based in Dublin, Limerick and Tipperary and include community-based residential services...

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MISSIONS

The Daughters of Charity are present in 21 African Countries. The Irish Sisters have worked in Nigeria and Ethiopia since the early 1960’s and now the young Nigerian Sisters have branched out to Ghana and Burkina Faso giving us contacts in all these mission areas...

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  • “When you leave prayer and Holy Mass to serve those in need, you are losing nothing, because serving those in need is going to God and you should see God in them.”

    St Vincent
  • “Say little, do much”

    St Vincent
  • “Good works are often spoiled by moving too quickly.”

    St Vincent
  • “If we want to please our good God, we must not look so much to what we want to do, but to what He wants us to do.”

    St Louise
  • “Do not believe that things will always be as they are now.”

    St Louise
  • “You are well aware that changes are always difficult, and that it takes time to learn new ways of serving skilfully and well.”

    St Louise
  • “If God is the centre of your life, no words will be needed. Your mere presence will touch their hearts.”

    St Vincent
  • “God makes use of the humblest instruments for the extraordinary operation of His grace.”

    St Vincent
  • “Charity is not charity if not accompanied by justice.”

    St Vincent
  • “The least esteemed by men are perhaps the best loved by God.”

    St Louise
  • “The greater the work the more important it is to establish it on a solid foundation. Thus it will not only be more perfect, it will also be more lasting.”

    St Louise
  • “Speak to God with great simplicity and familiarity, God only wants our hearts.”

    St Louise

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Stay tuned for our weekly advent reflections from members across the Vincentian Family. #famvin #VincentianFamily #advent ... See MoreSee Less
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Join Us for the Triduum in Honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous MedalExperience three evenings of prayer, reflection, and community as St. Peter’s Church, Phibsboro, celebrates the Triduum in Honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. This is a special opportunity to deepen your faith, present your intentions, seek healing, and give thanks for the many blessings in your life.Event Details:Location: St. Peter’s Church, PhibsboroTime: 7 PM each eveningThemes for Each Evening:Monday, November 25th: Petition – What is your deepest desire at this time in your life?Reflect on your heart’s most profound intentions and offer them up in prayer. This is an evening to connect with Mary, seeking her intercession for your needs and aspirations.Tuesday, November 26th: Healing – Anointing of the SickJoin us for a special service focused on healing. This evening will include the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, offering comfort and hope to those in need of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing.Wednesday, November 27th: Thanksgiving – Thanking Mary for graces receivedCelebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal with gratitude in your heart. This evening is dedicated to giving thanks for Mary’s loving intercession and the graces we have received through her.Why Attend? The Triduum is a time for renewal, prayer, and connection with God through the intercession of Our Lady. Whether you come seeking guidance, healing, or simply to give thanks, this three-day event offers a space for spiritual growth and community fellowship.All are welcome to participate, whether you are a long-time parishioner or visiting for the first time. Invite your friends and family to join in this uplifting and meaningful experience. Let us come together as a community to pray, reflect, and celebrate Mary’s presence in our lives.We look forward to seeing you at St. Peter’s Church, Phibsboro, as we honour Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Daughters of Charity
Members of the Vincentian Family Ireland meet Fr. Tomas Mavric Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and executive President of the Worldwide Vincentian Family at the 2nd Convocation of the International Vincentian Family in Rome. The theme for the Convocation was ‘Keep the fires burning’. We entered into many moments of dialogue, listening, and sharing to each other and asking the Holy Spirit to move within and among us to discover and discern what must we do as Vincentians in our world today? With Vincentian family members from across the globe, we explored how we can further collaborate and share our experiences, to the betterment of those we serve. SVP - Society of St. Vincent de Paul IrelandDaughters of CharityVincentian Lay Missionaries IrelandHoly Faith Sisters, Faith House, Tallaghtfamvin ... See MoreSee Less
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