Inspirational Communities
So, where do we find inspirational communities, bringing Jubilee joy?
Hannah Lonergan (centre bench) with Columban colleagues
What my vocation means to me
Hannah Lonergan was a Faith in Action with the Columbans in Britain for a year before starting university in Autumn 2024. She supported Columban work of Inter-Religious Dialogue and Migrant Ministry. She worked at St. Chad's Sanctuary in Birmingham and the local charity Brushstrokes and helped out in various initiatives supporting asylum seekers and refugees in the city. Read more on Hannah's experience: https://columbans.co.uk/mission/14021/what-my-vocation-means-to-me/
Josh Egan is a full-time student from Co Tipperary who took part in the Columbans' Invitation to Mission programme and travelled to Chile to learn about Columban mission there. Read about Josh's experience: https://columbans.ie/joshs-invitation-to-mission/
Eco Parishes
Our Lady of Fatima Church in London's White City received CAFOD'S LiveSimply Award at a Sunday Mass in the parish on 16 April 2023. The award is given to Catholic parishes and schools in England and Wales which commit to live more simply and sustainably and to act in solidarity with the world's poor.
Many activities in the parish community earned the award. The space around the church, once fairly bare, was transformed into a beautiful green oasis which is prized in a built-up area. The garden has been developed to increase biodiversity and parishioners help with the gardening. A water feature and composting bin have been installed. Benches made from recycled plastic are available for parishioners to sit in the garden, where one side has a Grotto and on the other a statue of St Francis with birds.
It is a Fairtrade Parish and Fairtrade products are displayed in the repository. While the parish maintains support for communities in the global south, such as fundraising and awareness raising for CAFOD, the LiveSimply journey has led it to a commitment to the local community in White City. Weekly vegetarian meals are provided for the wider community, with 70-80 people of all faiths attending regularly.
White City Parish garden with Hilda McCaffterty, Colette Joyce and Fr Richard Nesbitt
Balally Parish in Dublin is an active and committed member of Three Rock Churches' Environment group, an ecumenical initiative of six churches committed to making the link between environment and faith and promote positive action to combat climate change. The parish received an Eco-award from Eco-Congregation-Ireland, an ecumenical group made up of Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians and Quakers. The Award recognises the environmental achievements of churches and their witness through projects/initiatives in spiritual, practical and community focused areas.
LiveSimply display in a Catholic school
LiveSimply Schools
More than 100 schools in England and Wales have achieved the LiveSimply Award. Championed by CAFOD, the award recognises schools and parishes that pledge to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world's poorest communities.
A short video about one school's LiveSimply journey at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=994525325001767
Information on LiveSimply at: https://cafod.org.uk/campaign/livesimply-award/livesimply-award-for-schools
Laudato Si Movement
The Laudato Si' Movement is a global network of 900-plus Catholic organisations working to elevate ecological spirituality and action on climate change throughout the Church. It is inspired by the Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si' and his more recent apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum.
'No Faith in Fossil Fuels' vigil at Westminster
'No Faith in Fossil Fuels' Vigil at Westminster
A Columban team participated in the Lent 2024 10-day, 240-hour vigil at Westminster. Launched on Ash Wednesday, 'No Faith In Fossil Fuels' urged "bold climate action" by the Government, including banning new UK-based fossil fuel projects, reparation payments for damage caused by climate change in the Global South, and investment in green policies. The lead organiser was Christian Climate Action (CCA) and other agencies involved included CAFOD, Christian Aid, Green Christian, and A Rocha.
Part of a national Justice and Peace movement
In July 2024, the Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team attended the annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales. Just Politics' was the focus. Politicians, community organisers, religious, clergy, students and charity workers were among nearly 200 people who came together from around the UK for an intense weekend of listening and sharing.
Keynote speeches from different Christian denominations brought their perspective and inspiration on social justice. Fr Chis Hughes, a priest from the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, spoke with great passion of his experience of working with Citizens Tyne and Wear for justice in local communities. Issues they have worked in include a Living Wages, fair bus fares for young people, and tidying up parks.
Columbans at the July 2024 National Justice and Peace Network conference
A panel of young people on the Saturday evening shared their hopes and fears for the present and the future. Some key themes to emerge was the anxiety among young people about the environment and a desire to hear a clearer link between faith and action in parishes and schools. One suggestion was that dioceses could consider a social action day in a diocese for schools when young people could meet all the various charities and organisations active in the diocese.
Home Office vigil for migrants
A monthly vigil for migrants
A prayer vigil is held every month outside the Home Office in London as a monthly remembrance of migrants who have lost their lives fleeing war, persecution and famine. The one-hour vigil remembers and prays for all who died on their perilous journeys. It is organised by the London Catholic Worker, the Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission and the London Churches Refugee Fund. The August 2024 vigil on 19 August focused on refugees seeking a safe haven.
"Refuse to be enemies"
The Tent of Nations farm is near Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and is owned by the Nassar family, who are Palestinian Christians. It welcomes visitors from around the world who want to learn about the political conflicts that affect the Palestinian people. Many are volunteers who stay for weeks at a time, sometimes months, learning about agricultural sustainability and peaceful resolution of tensions with local Israeli settlers.
A stone at the Tent of Nations: 'We refuse to be enemies'
The family has developed programmes that bring young people from local areas (such as the refugee camps in Bethlehem), together with international groups, to learn about respect and maintenance of the countryside. Their pioneering projects aim to prepare young people for a better future and teach them about cultural heritage and citizenship. Tent of Nations also seeks to build bridges of understanding and reconciliation.
The Tent of Nations website states: "We want to develop a positive approach to conflict management. In the face of great injustice, we know that we should not hate, despair or flee. We refuse to be enemies and we try to transform our pain and frustration into positive actions that will help us to create a better future."
