On 4th October 2023, The Season of Creation closed and Pope Francis published a new Encyclical Letter, Laudate Deum. This letter has been called a follow up to Laudato Si’.
In this letter Pope Francis states:
“Eight years have passed since I published the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, when I wanted to share with all of you, my brothers and sisters of our suffering planet, my heartfelt concerns about the care of our common home. Yet, with the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”
Key messages:
- An urgent call to tackle the climate crisis, recognising that time is running out. And irreversible damage has already been done.
- Climate crisis is real and cannot be denied. It is caused by human activity.
- We need political change on a national and international level.
- We are called to continue to transform society through our individual, family and community actions, but also to call on those in power to take urgent action.
On November 7th Mr Ashburn met with the Eco- School council to create a plan of action that would address the key messages from Pope Francis’ published Encyclical Letter, Laudate Deum. The Eco-School council have agreed on the following 5 action points:
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Action 1 |
Raise awareness that time is running out and action must be taken urgently
The eco-school councillors will work to raise the profile of climate change through leading assemblies, workshops and sharing resources from agencies such as CAFOD
The eco-councillors have agreed that St Ursula’s need to join the Eco-Schools programme again. An initiative that empowers young people to take action on climate change in their school, local community and beyond.
Pope Francis asks us not us not to shy away from the reality that we are facing but to “accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and help to make it more beautiful
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Action 2: |
Contacting politicians who have the power to make change
The eco-school councillors recognise that there are people in important positions who could help us take action and there are some who could be doing more to help. The eco-school councillors will look locally, nationally and globally.
The Eco- School councillors have agreed to contact local MPs to share the Pope’s message and will encouraging the school community to sign CAFOD’s petition to urge the PM not to backtrack on climate action:
Sing the petition: CLICK HERE
Pope Francis reminded us that we all have a role to play in creating processes of transformation and continuing to care for our common home, while also putting pressure on those with the power to make changes.
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Action 3:
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To use prayer to inspire our community to take action
Prayer is central to our Catholic life and form an integral part of the school day. Through prayer we can give thanks for God's gift of creation, all people and creatures, to lament the climate crisis that we are facing, and to renew your commitment to care for the earth and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
Cafod prayer resources: CLICK HERE
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Action 4: |
Supporting those affected by climate change
Eco-councillors have agreed to support communities that have been significantly affected by Climate change. Climate change is not just having an impact on nature but also the people that live within it. Drastic changes in climate have impacted access to water, food and shelter for many people in the world.
Donate here: CLICK HERE
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Action 5: |
Engaging parents and carers to make a change
Eco-school councillors feel that parents need to support the school more in talking action against climate change. Councillors have agreed to run events to engage parents so changes take place home as well as school. In addition to events, the school will provide more information to parents so they have a better understanding
Videos to use for parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=087P_7HgxsQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSadLAJQuwc
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