No Mow May
You might notice that, as well as our rewilding area, our lawns are looking a little 'unkempt' at the moment... that's because we are taking part in "No Mow May"!
So look out for, and enjoy, some pretty flowers amongst the long grass this month whilst we do our bit to help out the planet's pollinators.
"As part of Plantlife's annual No Mow May campaign, research has found that simple changes in mowing can result in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. In fact, their study discovered over 200 species were found flowering on lawns including rarities such as meadow saxifrage, knotted clover and eyebright.
To help wildlife thrive, the conservation charity is asking households to keep two lengths of grass, as well as leave some patches completely uncut. While most lawns should be given a monthly cut to boost short sword plants, there should also ideally be an area set aside for longer grass to thrive."
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK
Laudato Si’ Week is being celebrated during 22nd – 29th May. It reminds us of our duty towards and celebration of creation. To learn more and to get involved, check out the links.
The Laudato Si’ Encyclical, which was published in 2015, is a letter to the world from Pope Francis. in it he calls for dialogue and action concerning the care of what he calls “our common home”,
and he urges all of us to take our duty to the natural environment, to animals and to poor people seriously.
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2015/06/overview-of-encyclical-laudato-si.html
The Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM)
was formed as a result of the Encyclical. Under the umbrella of the Encyclical, it aims to activate the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to tackle the climate and environmental crises. To educate about and enable participation in this undertaking, LSM initiated an online Course.
https://laudatosimovement.org/
The Laudato Si’ Animators Course was first opened in July 2020 to a world-wide audience of potential activists. The Course teaches how the Laudato Si’ (LS) Encyclical fits into Catholic Social Teaching, describes the causes and consequences of climate change and encourages a personal ecological conversion. Participants are encouraged to be environmentally active in their parishes and in the wider community.
https://laudatosianimators.org/?utm_source=laudato&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign&utm_content=What%20is%20the%20Laudato%20Si%27%20Animators%20program%3F%20Join%20now
Laudato Si’ Animators are people who completed the Course and then got together for mutual support,
discussions, ideas and actions. We have a Network of around 90 Animators and green activists, covering the 22 Dioceses of England and Wales. Our aim? Simply to spread the message of the Encyclical throughout the Catholic Church, in an effort to educate about the environmental
crisis and to inspire action which will help to combat the dire situation.
https://www.facebook.com/LSIUK
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform has been established by the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in response to the Encyclical. It is designed to run for 7 years, encompasses 7 Sectors and has 7 general goals. We will all fit into one or another of the Sectors. The 7 Goals are designed to guide our actions. Under each general goal heading, actions are suggested for us to consider which will reduce our environmental footprint.
https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/
Thanks Deacon Vincent for your reflections for the Sixth Sunday in Easter Year C
1st Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 15: 1-2, 22-29.This is a very short summary of a much longer story of the question of Circumcision in the Early Christian Community, a very difficult and potentially destructive disagreement between various elements of the fledgling Church. The question plainly speaking was that members from Judea had arrived at Antioch and insisted that to be a Christian, one had to be Circumcised. Paul and Barnabas entered into a hot dispute with them and eventually it was agreed to consult with the Church at Jerusalem for a ruling. Luke edits the conflict so as not to give too strong an impression of a major dispute, various opinions are expressed, and it is obvious compromise was being sought to prevent a major split.
Paul and Barnabas are sent with Barsabbas and Silas, leading men in the community to smooth things over. They bring with them an authoritative letter, stating that the community is to “refrain from food offered to idols, and blood, also animals strangled and sexual vice. Avoid these and you will do what is right.” It appears to have quelled the turmoil, but one suspects that the deep-seated opinions did not disappear overnight.
There is a lesson for today’s church in that apostles and elders need to validate decisions taken by missionaries in the field, to avoid splits and divisions. Unity is an important sign to the world of being at one with the Lord.
Psalm 66: 2-3, 5-6, 8.
This is a beautiful little song thanking God for a good harvest. It is always good for us to constantly praise God for his kindness and generosity.
2nd Reading form the book of the Apocalypse (Revelations) 21: 10-14, 22-23.
What a beautiful vision of the New Jerusalem. We shouldn’t worry too much about details but just bask in the splendour of it all. One thing to notice though is about the Temple and the assumption of the equality between God and the Lamb. This is the concluding vision, so the end is coming for the Roman Empire and those who live by it. God is the supreme ruler of the world, and his rule is a rule of love, light and beauty.
The Holy Gospel according to John 14: 23-29.
This is a restating of the centrality of LOVE in the new community and the disciples must love each other, and as a result will be loved by the Father. The Paraclete is John’s contribution to Christian theology, and translates like a one acting for the defence, or an advocate for us. His first function is to assure us that we are not alone and to teach us and remind us of all that Jesus had said and done. Jesus is anxious to assure us of our interrelationship continuing via the Paraclete, The Father and Jesus act and comfort us through this great Spirit, it sets us on fire with a burning love which overcomes all obstacles, and brings a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that enables us to be bearers of the Good News to all those whom we meet. We are truly a blessed people, so let us take courage and show the world what real and pure love really is, and the joy of being at one with the Lord.
May the Joy and Peace of God be with us All, now and forever. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Deacon Vincent
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