Posted on by Petra Klompenhouwer-Meijer
  On Saturday 11 November 2023 about 20 people, including some young people, gathered to watch ‘The Letter.’  This movie tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si with Pope Francis. Laudato Si and the recently published Laudate Deum give an insight in Catholic Social Teaching in relation to climate change. At the end of the movie, and after some much needed reflection time and a cuppa, we spent time thinking about what actions we can take as a parish to look after our common home. Here are the actions we agreed upon:
    • Create a way for people to offer car shares to and from church. Either via a Whatsapp group or by adding your name to a list in the porch of church. Please let us know if you are willing and able to coordinate this.
    • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle WhatsApp group. Members of this Whatsapp group will need to organise their own exchange. Please let us know if you are willing and able to monitor this Whatsapp group.
    • Find out more about charities people who belong to Sacred Heart run.
      • During this coming Advent: reinstate the support for Rustenburg. The project work sister Maire has a long-standing connection with.
      • During Lent 2024 focus on charities that members of our community run and recommend those for Almsgiving during Lent.
      • Support parishioners doing sponsored events for charities that support us looking after our common home.
Personal actions that were discussed and people can take:
    • Ensuring you use your vote well in elections
    • Plant for bees and other pollinators in your garden or on your balcony
    • Sponsor a child’s education. There are several charities that allow you to do this:
      • CAFOD does not allow a child’s sponsorship but does work in many places around the globe
      • Locally you can support Caritas Hallam who work with children in various capacities
      • Compassion UK is a religious organisation where you can sponsor a child and change a life.
    • Write to your local MP. You can find out who your local MP is here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
If you would have liked to attend, but were unable to: You can watch the Letter at home, with your family or with your parish friends. It is an emotional movie, so be prepared to be affected. We do not recommend you watch this alone. Children can watch the movie as well. You can find the film here: https://www.theletterfilm.org/watch/ . After watching you are recommended first to have a break and then allow some discussion time. You can use the following questions:
    • How did the film make you feel? What is your key takeaway message from the film?
    • The film encourages us to take action. Why is this important?
    • What actions will you take as a community, family group, group of friends, individual to protect our common home?
If you want to share your actions: You can pin these on one of the notice boards in church. We will create a space for this.