WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?
This workshop-based day is aimed at everyone in the Diocese of Leeds (or surrounding dioceses)
WHY SHOULD YOU COME?
2025 has been designated by Pope Francis as a Jubilee Year – a time of renewal across the whole church. The theme is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
How can you help do that in your parish?
Where do we find Hope in today’s world with so many conflicts inflicting terrible human costs, an uncertain world order and huge numbers of people across the world affected by famine and displacement?
This day will explore how the LiveSimply award scheme could be a way of bringing that Hope to your parish.
The award asks parishes to draw up a plan of action that enables them to
- Live in solidarity with those experiencing poverty
The scheme is very flexible. Each parish or school draws up their own plan of work based on the resources (both people, groups and buildings/land) that are available. It also means that there are opportunities to involve everyone in a parish whatever their interests or age. It can provide a really fruitful way for disparate groups, and individuals, to come together and work towards a common goal.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THIS EVENT?
In the morning there will be a brief talk giving a context for the scheme from Christine Allen, the Director of CAFOD.
This will be followed by 3 half hour workshops that will explore how this scheme is based on our Catholic faith, what living simply and sustainably means, and exploring how individuals and parishes can show solidarity with those experiencing poverty both in our local area and across the world.
In the afternoon there will be several more workshops available and participants will be able to choose to attend 3. These workshops will be very practically focussed (e.g.what activities will encourage younger people and children to participate). There are 5 parishes in the Leeds Diocese who have already obtained the award and people from these parishes will be in the workshops to share their experiences, and to help others understand how it can fundamentally renew parish life.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
This event is free to attend but there will be a voluntary collection taken during the day to help offset some of the expense of putting this event on.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD AND DRINK?
Tea coffee and water will be freely available throughout the day.
We are asking everyone who comes along to bring some food that can form part of a shared lunch (nothing that requires cooking or heating up). Of course, we completely understand that some people will not be able to participate in this way because of dietary restrictions.
WHO HAS ORGANISED THIS DAY?
This day has been organised by SPARK Social Justice and the Leeds Diocesan J&P Commission in partnership with existing LiveSimply parishes in the Diocese of Leeds, CAFOD and with the endorsement of the SVP and Caritas Leeds.
