Live Simply

“LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Harpenden is a LiveSimply parish.  We were awarded this status in 2019 by CAFOD and the National Justice and Peace Network for demonstrating and promoting how we try to live simply through our daily actions.

Our community has undertaken to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si’ to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”.

Pope Francis says in Laudato Si: The creation accounts ……suggest that human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour and with the earth itself. Laudato Si:66

In accepting the LiveSimply award our parish commits:

• TO LIVE SIMPLY
• TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY WITH CREATION
• TO LIVE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE POOR.

In this way we can help create a world in which human dignity is respected and everyone can reach their full potential. This would be true progress, worth more than economic growth alone.  

Why LiveSimply?  

The key goals:  https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/laudato-si-goals/

Here in Harpenden, in embracing this initiative, we are committing to putting our faith into action in everyday small ways as well as in a wider context.  In doing so, we hope to:

• Nurture our spiritual lives
• Strengthen friendships
• Take practical steps to support our parish
• Help to play our part in significant social and environmental issues
• Make stronger connections with wider community

Ultimately we are helping protect the generous gifts we have been given for future generations of Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners.

ORGANISATION OF LIVESIMPLY

These are the four “interest” areas for living simply in the parish:

Liturgy
Consideration of living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor is reflected within our prayers and liturgies and key feast days such as St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment (4^th October).

Eco/Environment
Campaign for living sustainably.  Creating awareness of the beauty of Creation and of campaigns for living simply and protecting the environment locally and nationally.

Practical/Resources
Undertake practical actions such as collections for the local Foodbank, or Bring n’ share Lunch, Family Fast Day collections, organising speaker events on key LiveSimply issues.  Practical ideas to LiveSimply include:

• Consider the impact of our food choices
• Grow food, plants and trees
• Reduce the use of plastics and recycle
• Reduce energy waste, use renewable energy
• Raise our voices to call for change locally/globally

Justice, Peace and Care for Creation
Campaign for peace in countries across the world.  Initiate or join Campaigns for justice such as Fairtrade or debt relief for low income countries.  Promote the work of the Westminster J&P Commission and the National J& P Network’.  Click here for more information.

Let us act together in putting our faith into action.  To become involved in any of the above, please contact the LiveSimply coordinator:  paul.durden20@gmail.com

Here is our LiveSimply Award Letter.