Laudato Si group

We were amazed by the many application forms handed in for those children who wanted to be part of the Laudato Si group.  I am looking forward to using their ideas to ensure this group looks after 'Our Common Home' and keeps our school beautiful.  Their first job is to tidy up our gardening area after the summer and then we are going to work with the local council in their biodiversity bid.  Maybe we could finally start a great wild meadow area in our field. 

Last year we gave the children the opportunity to apply to be part of our new Laudato Si group.  This group would raise awareness of environmental issues and think about how they can make 'Our Common Home' a better place for us all. We appoint a new team each year during the 'Season of Creation' in September. 

Last year the group planted wildflower seeds in our playground beds to attract more wildlife and insects, helped tidy up our garden area on our field, separated our recycling and made new signs and set up a 'vintage' uniform shop (2nd hand uniform shop). 

A prayer for our earth

This prayer by Pope Francis appeared at the end of his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si'. It is for all who believe in God who is the all-powerful Creator.

All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.

A prayer for our earth was published in Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. It is for all who believe in God who is the all-powerful Creator.