In a week when Turkey has launched military operations in north-eastern Syria we can only guess the thoughts and fears of refugees near the border in Turkey. Meanwhile in London members of the Refugee ReSETTLEment Group attended a ceremony in which Settle was shortlisted for an award at an event to celebrate Community Sponsorship across Britain. Begun in this parish as part of LiveSimply there are now over 35 volunteers from across the whole community encouraging and supporting one family to build a new life here. One drop in an ocean made of many drops, but perhaps a lifesaving one? St Mary & St Michael living in solidarity with the poor. Pray and work for all people jeopardised by human conflict that they find sanctuary and welcome.

Paul Kelly

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‘The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’

An introduction to Pope Francis’s encyclical, 

Laudato Sí’

In a recent riveting talk Peter Hampson explained how Laudato Si’ draws on Catholic teaching and theology to understand the crises in ecology, society and finance. Pope Francis raises some big challenges for us as nations, as churches, and as individuals. We will ask for the talk to be repeated in Spring – really not to be missed, especially as the encyclical is the basis for the LiveSimply award.

Peter focussed on the Pope’s words about climate change and pollution, water, biodiversity, the quality of life, social breakdown and global inequality. Many issues must be addressed by politicians but we each play our own part. From the pledges after our launch week-end 14 parishioners will only buy things they need and avoid special offers that lead to waste, 15 plan meals carefully to only buy the food we need, and 13 parishioners have promised to not ‘shop until you drop’. So much for Black Friday!