Our Christian responsibility for the planet begins with appreciation of the goodness of all of
God’s creation: “God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good”
(Gen 1:31)
In December 2023, the diocesan curia offices at St Boniface house received the CAFOD LiveSimply award, which was a recognition of the efforts of all those based at and visiting St Boniface House to care for God’s creation and to live simply, live sustainably and live in solidarity with our global family. Canon John Deeny (Chair of Caritas Diocese of Plymouth and Chair of the Diocesan Environment Committee) and Canon Paul Cummins (Diocesan Administrator) announced the award at a celebration event in December.
The LiveSimply award is an opportunity for Catholic communities – parishes, schools, religious orders and chaplaincies – to answer the call for us to care for our common home and stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world. The bishops of England and Wales have encouraged all parishes and schools to work towards the award as a way of “protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”.
The team at St Boniface House undertook a range of activities over 18 months to work towards the award including:
- organising simple, shared lunches;
- celebrating Laudato Si week and holding a Season of Creation Mass;
- caring for others through foodbank collections, toilet twinning and other initiatives;
- giving witness to what it means to LiveSimply by reducing food waste and redistributing unused food;
- taking practical measures like auditing office supplies and purchasing more environmentally-friendly and fair trade products; looking at ways to reduce emissions, including through low-energy lighting; recycling and composting.
Most important was that everyone joined in and got involved.
We are planning to continue our LiveSimply journey – there is always more we can do to care for our common home – and we would encourage others to take their first steps. We are grateful for the continued support and ideas from CAFOD.
Resources
Diocese of Plymouth Environment Resources
If your parish wants to know more about our Diocesan Environment policy or becoming a LiveSimply parish please contact either caritas@prcdtr.org.uk or CAFOD
LiveSimply is part of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, which supports communities to journey towards full sustainability in the holistic spirit of integral ecology.