Laudato Si Week at Home

Saturday 16th May 2020

This week we celebrate the five year anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si’. The theme for this celebration is ‘Everything is Connected’.

More now than ever we can see this. Our global community is sharing the experience of this pandemic, and few corners of the world remain untouched by it. We’re living through a history-shaping time. Laudato Si’ teaches us how to build a better world – together.

People everywhere are crying out for hope, and our faith is urgently needed to light the way. For Laudato Si’ Week, 16-24 May, Catholics are uniting in solidarity for a more just and sustainable future.

Stand united with our brothers and sisters in faith as we grow through the crisis of this moment to build a better tomorrow.

We have been forced to give our planet a moment to pause. Let us use this week to reflect on a new normal – How that will look for our common home and all of creation?

Laudato Si’ Week helps us reshape the world that will arise after the pandemic has passed. The present crisis is an opportunity to start anew, and to make sure that the world that arises after this crisis has passed is sustainable and just.

Laudato Si’ tells us that “everything is connected” and tragically, this health catastrophe has much in common with the ecological catastrophe.

Both are global emergencies that will affect many people, both directly and indirectly.
Both are experienced most deeply by the poor and vulnerable, and both expose the deep injustices in our societies.
Both will be solved only through a united effort that calls on the best of the values we share.

How can we recognise Laudato Si’ Week at Home?

Reduce

While we have been forced to reduce activities like travel, we might be finding that our use of electricity, our consumption and the amount of waste we are producing is increasing. Let’s be conscious of this as we move through the coming weeks and months.

Reuse

Through the tragedy and uncertainty of this pandemic, we have also seen the best of society, with neighbours sharing and communities standing in solidarity with the NHS. Instead of throwing something away, think could I share my belongings, tools, books or clothes with others in my community where it is safe to do so?

Recycle

Recycling is a symptom of a problem, so while it’s important to do, we must make every effort to reduce our need to recycle. Each local authority differs in what they will and won’t accept for recycling, so it is good to understand where your LA stands. Get to know what you can and can’t recycle and make a special effort to ensure you minimise the things you can’t, and recycle the things you can.

Rewild

We’re lucky in our diocese to not be too far from green and nature at any one time. Rewilding is about being able to reconnect with nature, about wildlife returning and habitats expanding. Rewilding our local area and restoring nature can help to decarbonise the UK.

You can compost your waste or spot local wildlife from the comfort of your garden, contributing to national nature studies.

Reclaim

We have so far focused on four different Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and rewild. The final R is to reclaim. To reclaim our future, to stand up for our planet and to protect our children and grandchildren by making a change and rooting all of our efforts in prayer.

Reclaim your Voice – You could write to your MP or sign a petition. As well as this, start a conversation with a friend or neighbour about how together, we can tackle climate change. Find somewhere nice to sit and
appreciate the things that are around us. Maybe you could spend your daily exercise walking, getting back in touch with nature and the beauty surrounding us.

Reclaim time for Prayer – As Catholics, Pope Francis and scriptures tell us we have a moral obligation to care for creation. Our actions should all be rooted in prayer, to offer us a hopeful and empowering outlook which can inspire others to follow our lead. Why not pray the diocesan ‘prayer for our common home‘?

Resources

These resources, produced by the diocese, from Lent may be useful to use. When reading them, please take into account government guidance regarding the current coronavirus situation.

Resources for Parishes

Envirolent Posters for Parishes – Five posters on a weekly theme: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rewild, Reclaim
A Prayer for our Common Home poster – A PDF featuring the Prayer for Our Common Home
A Prayer for our Common Home Word Document – A word document featuring the Prayer for Our Common Home for you to use in your own resources
Prayer for Our Common Home Prayer card

Resources for Schools

Envirolent Posters for Schools – Five posters on a weekly theme: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rewild, Reclaim, adapted for use in schools
A Prayer for our Common Home poster – A PDF featuring the Prayer for Our Common Home
Laudato Si Prayer Word Document – A word document featuring the Prayer for Our Common Home for you to use in your own resources

Find out more about Laudato Si Week 2020.