Three nights input and discussion on the care of the earth for all faiths and none.  Come and give your views on the care of the planet and its people as highlighted by Pope Francis in “Laudato Si”.  Discussions take place Tuesday October 27th, Wednesday October 28th & Thursday October 29th in Lámh Chúnta, Bóthar na Naomh at 8.00 p.m. each night.

NIGHT NO. 1 – Tuesday Oct. 27th – “Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis
APPEAL AND RESPONSE
“I urgently appeal for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet.
…although this Encyclical welcomes dialogue with everyone so that together we can seek paths of liberation, I would like from the outset to show how faith convictions can offer Christians, and some other believers as well, ample motivation to care for nature and for the most vulnerable of their brothers and sisters. If the simple fact of being human moves people to care for the environment of which they are a part, Christians in their turn realise their responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith. It is good for humanity and the world at large, when we believers better recognise the ecological commitments which stem from our convictions.”
(Paragraphs 14 & 64)

Q1. Why do you think Pope Francis has decided to heighten peoples’ concern for our
“common home”?
Q2. Would you like to share your convictions about the need to care for the earth ?
Q3. How do you see care for the earth as “an essential part of our faith ?

NIGHT NO. 2 – Wednesday Oct. 28th – “Laudato Si by Pope Francis
OUR CHOICE: DESTROY OR RESPECT
“For human beings …to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air and its life,… is contrary to a way of loving, Moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs, is liberation from fear, greed and compulsion. As Christians, we are called ‘to accept the world as a sacrament of communion, as a way of sharing with God and our neighbours on a global scale. It is our humble conviction that the divine and the human meet in the slightest detail in the seamless garment of God’s creation, in the last speck of dust of our planet.” (Paragraphs 8 & 9)

Q1. Name two areas of concern for you globally and locally.
Q2. What is happening to “our common home”?
Q3. Where do you see change for better or worse in the world around you?

NIGHT NO. 3 – Thursday Oct. 29th – “Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis
NOW THAT WE KNOW – WHAT WILL WE DO?
“Many things have to change course, but, it is we humans above all who need to change. We lack awareness of our common origin, of our mutual belonging, and of a future to be shared with everyone. This basic awareness would enable the development of new convictions, attitudes and forms of life. A great cultural, spiritual and educational challenge stands before us, and it will demand that we set out on the long path of renewal.
The current global situation engenders a feeling of instability and uncertainty, which in turn becomes ‘a seedbed for collective selfishness.’ When people become self-centred and self-enclosed, their greed increases.
Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning. We are able to take an honest look at ourselves, to acknowledge our deep dissatisfaction, and to embark on new paths to authentic freedom. No system can completely suppress our openness to what is good, true and beautiful, or our God-given ability to respond to his grace at work deep in our hearts. I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to forget this dignity which is ours. No-one has the right to take it from us.” (Paragraphs 202, 204 & 205)

Q1. Are you aware of any action in place that will halt the ecological decline and accomplish change?
Q2. What can we do individually and collectively to enrich our world?
Q3. What one issue would you as a concerned Christian demand action on?