Nottingham Diocese goes green

On 23 September the Diocesan Board of Trustees formally approved a far-reaching environmental policy framework for the diocese, its parishes and schools.  What more appropriate legacy for the 2021 Season of Creation!

The policy challenges us to live out Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si in our life as a Church.  It establishes an endeavour to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, and to make our land a home for nature.  It's an ambitious vision, and everyone has a part to play.

Watch out for details of our Pioneer Parishes scheme which will support you and your parish in the journey.  It will be launched along with the policy at our online annual Assembly, A Change of Era, which is advertised below.  Meanwhile here's a summary of what the policy covers.

Gervas Franceschini of St Mary's parish, Derby writes...

Parishioners attending Sunday Mass at St Mary’s, Christ the King and Holy Family in Derby on October 3rd had the opportunity to make a pledge to take better care of creation by living more simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor and to make practical steps to live in harmony with creation.

Inspired by the call of the encyclical Laudato Si' to heed “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si’, 49), it was fitting that the pledge was made on the eve of St Francis of Assisi's feast day.

We hope and expect our leaders to make pledges on our behalf at COP26. We had the chance to commit to making our own changes with this pledge. We have entered a critical decade where our choices and lifestyle changes will affect the destiny of our planet and our human family. The pledge allows us to see that we are not spectators but responsible participants in shaping the world of tomorrow.

The pledge was organised by the Derby-based LiveSimply Group. Their other actions include livinglaudatosi.com, a website and blog helping people along the path of decarbonisation and care of creation. We hope to inspire with a range of ideas and we write regularly about the practical implementation of these ideas and address some common concerns. In addition to accessible articles and more in-depth technical reference information, we've included some case studies and science-based educational resources. We have an area to share activities that worked - and those that didn't - and, as part of the initiative to reduce meat consumption, we are encouraging parishioners to share their favourite meat-free recipes too! We welcome further ideas and feedback and look forward to progressing our ecological journey with you.

Feel free to try the pledge idea in your parish!
 

Anyone can make a difference: 21st Century Changemakers’
is the theme for the 2022 schools’ competition launched by the Columban Missionary Society this week.

Young people 13-18 years are asked to consider: Who in the world today is doing something about inequality, injustice, exclusion and environmental degradation? What can they teach us? How can we draw on our own faith and personal experience to be changemakers?

The theme is based on a quote from young climate campaigner Greta Thunberg who has said, "no one is too small to make a difference". She and many others internationally stand out for their mission to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.

The competition is open for writing and image entries until 11 February 2022 and winners will be announced on 11 March 2022.

• When: Saturday 23 October at 1.00 p.m.
• Where:  Corpus Christi Church, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire DN35 7AF

To demonstrate and share the Good News of God's love for all, the Bishop has set up a pastoral ministry directed at LGBT+ people, their families and friends. It aims to bring our community together from across the Diocese.

Further information on the Mass at Cleethorpes, or support with travel and/or accommodation, can be requested by clicking below. 

Here: Now: Us comes to Nottingham on Saturday 30 October.  After 18 months of social distancing, join fellow Catholics to help the city's parishes grow as confident, outward-looking missionary communities. Here: Now: Us will help you put Catholic Social Teaching into action, grow in confidence and leadership, and reach out to the community. 

Parishioners from across Greater Nottingham are welcome.  The day will stimulate not only imagination about what your parish can do, but also how we can work together across the conurbation.

If you're at St Teresa's Aspley, St Hugh's Bilborough or St Thomas More's Wollaton, you get a special day of your own on 27 November.  It will be at St Thomas More's Parish Social Centre, by invitation of the parishes in the west of Nottingham.  If you're in those parishes you can now book for that as well.

Denise Ead from St Mary's parish, Marple Bridge, remembers an inspirational woman

A Memorial Service has taken place at St Mary’s Church Marple Bridge to remember Maureen Matthews the founder of MESS (Marple, Mellor and Marple Bridge Energy Saving Strategy). Maureen died last year during Lockdown and many of her friends were unable to show their respects at that time.

Maureen was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marple Bridge where in her younger years she ran the Youth Group and in her later years was a Eucharistic Minister. She had also twice been the Chair of ‘Churches Together’ and had held the position of local Chair of ‘Justice and Peace’.
 
Maureen was a great lady. Brave, compassionate, resolute and kind.  She has left a great legacy.

Paul Bodenham adds: Maureen was known well beyond our diocese as the Administrator of the National Justice and Peace Network from 1996 to 2007.  It was a privilege to know her.

A Prayer for the Synod

As we join the synodal path of 2021-2023, this prayer, which opened every session of the Second Vatican Council, invites the Holy Spirit anew, so that we may be a community and a people of grace.

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
Amen