Martin and all of the Eco Congregation Group sent us this update:
Back in January, we issued an “Unwanted Christmas Gifts” appeal, asking parishioners to donate any unwanted or unused Christmas Gifts after Mass. We had a tremendous response, and at the end of January we were visited by Natalia who is a co-ordinator for multiple direct provision centres around County Mayo. With the donations, Natalia was able to help residents of 4 different centres, who were thrilled to receive the gifts.
One Saturday morning in early February, a group of us got together to pot up over 100 native trees. Afterwards, we presented each First Communion and Confirmation candidate in the parish with one of the trees, which they can plant in their garden and watch it grow and mature with them. Because the trees are native, they will be a great benefit to the local birds, bees, and other insects, as well as the obvious benefits they bring to the students and their families.
For Earth Hour this year, on March 25th, we held our Saturday night vigil mass by candlelight. Members of the Eco Congregation Group took part in the liturgy of the Mass, alongside pupils from the local primary school. Symbols were presented at the start of Mass by Georgina, Grace and Joan representing care of the earth, care for the poor, and the Christian call to a simplistic lifestyle. The primary school pupils also prepared paintings and drawings for the Mass on the themes of “The beauty of God’s creation” and “Care of the Earth”, and they also provided the Choir for the evening.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Sr. Catherine Brennan just a few days before the Mass. We remembered Sr. Catherine during the Mass and offered up prayers for her, as she is no doubt praying for all of us.
On April 19th at 8PM, we will be screening the Laudato Si movie, “The Letter”, which tells the story of how we can all come together to care for our common home. We look forward to welcoming our parishioners on the night and discussing with them the collective actions we can take as a parish.
