Transcript Laudato Si

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Sunday 29 November
First Sunday of Advent
Welcome!
“I am going to fulfil the promise I made
…I will make a virtuous branch grow for
David; who shall practise honesty and
integrity in the land.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16
This Advent, as world leaders
meet in Paris to discuss how the
world will tackle climate change,
we will think about the gift of
creation and take hope from
Pope Francis’ letter to the world,
Laudato Si’.
We will pray for our sisters and
brothers living in poverty around
the world, including refugees
and those affected by climate
change, and meet inspiring
people - like Bernie, who decided
to travel to Paris with CAFOD to
demand justice for the poorest.
Bernie
Bernie wants world leaders to
know that young people care
about the planet and its poorest
people.
“I am going to fulfil the promise I made
…I will make a virtuous branch grow for
David; who shall practise honesty and
integrity in the land.”
Jeremiah 33:14-15
God promised David an heir
whose kingdom of peace and
justice would never pass away.
God’s promise to David was
fulfilled when Jesus was born.
Let us pray that world leaders,
and all of us, will be true to our
promises too, so that God’s
kingdom may be fully realised.
Faithfully loving God, this Advent
help us to make good promises, and
help us to keep them. Amen.
We are called to care for
our world faithfully. It is
God’s gift, to be
treasured.
Laudato Si’, 29
Sign our climate change petition to David Cameron.
Thousands are marching in London today – read more!
Monday 30 November
Longing for peace
”Nation will not lift sword
against nation, there will be no
more training for war.”
Isaiah 2:4
This year, we have become more
aware of the millions of people
fleeing violence and poverty in
Syria and other countries.
Hanigal fled Syria when her
husband disappeared. Born with
dislocated hips, she was unable
to cope without his support. Now
she lives in one room in Lebanon
with her baby daughter, Helena:
“There are already 15 in the
house. We make it 17… We sleep
seven in one room. We are all
women, but still it is hard.”
Hanigal
Helena and Hanigal
In today’s reading, the prophet
Isaiah gives hope of a time of
peace. Whatever the news says,
this is not an impossible dream.
Peace-building starts with each
one of us and the way that we
treat the people around us.
”Nation will not lift sword
against nation, there will be no
more training for war.”
Isaiah 2:4
What can I do to make peace
flourish around me today?
Lord, I pray for those fleeing war
and I pray for peace. Help me to
hope in you that peace is possible
and take every opportunity you
give me to help my sisters and
brothers. Amen
The Holy Spirit will give
us the strength that we
need to change…
Laudato Si’, 29
Read about our partners’ work with refugees.
Say a prayer for refugees.
Tuesday 1 December
World AIDS Day
“On him the spirit of the LORD
rests.”
Isaiah 11: 2
World Gifts
Juana lives in Guatemala. Each
day she and her four children
walked miles to collect water
that was not even clean. Thanks
to a World Gift from a CAFOD
supporter, Juana and her
children now have their own
water supply:
“I am very happy that my
children don’t have to walk long
distances to pick up water… God
bless you!”
Juana Pérez Ralios
Juana
Today’s reading reminds us that
the Holy Spirit rested on Jesus
and also rests on us. The Spirit
prompts us to help those living
without access to basic needs,
like clean water, or whose lives
are affected by HIV and AIDS.
“On him the spirit of the LORD
rests.”
Isaiah 11: 2
Where is the Spirit prompting
me to help others today?
Holy Spirit, inspire me with
wisdom to know how to help others
and courage to take action.
Today, World AIDS Day, I pray
especially for people living with
HIV and AIDS. Inspire those who
support them with dedication and
compassion. Amen.
We have to adapt due to
climate change. The
world’s poorest people
are bearing the brunt…
Laudato Si’, 29
Could a group of you buy a World Gift for Christmas?
Watch an animation about our work on HIV and AIDS.
Wednesday 2 December
“I do not want to
send them off hungry.”
Matthew 15:32
Climate bloggers
This year, 25 young people have
been blogging for CAFOD about
climate change and how it
affects people in LEDCs. At their
launch event, they Skyped with
Mowdudur Rahman, from our
partner in Bangladesh, CCEC.
“We were curious about how
crops survive in Bangladeshi
conditions. He told us that due
to the lack of clean water, the
crops struggle to grow, so they
need crops which can thrive in a
mix of clean and sea water.”
Emer and Leah
Emer, Leah and
their fellow bloggers
In low-lying countries like
Bangladesh, as climate change
affects sea levels, fields used to
grow food can become salty.
“I do not want to
send them off hungry.”
Matthew 15:32
Richer countries have a
responsibility to help poorer
countries adapt to climate
change so that they can grow
the food that they need.
Jesus told his disciples to share
out the food they had among
the hungry people. He says the
same to us.
Lord, help us to share the resources
of our world more justly so that
everyone has enough to eat. Amen.
Hunger is spreading and
we are compelled to act,
for the sake of others…
Laudato Si’, 29
See the films our bloggers made at their launch event.
Read some of their blogs.
Thursday 3 December
“Gales blew and hurled
themselves against that house…”
Matthew 7:27
Cut it out
In Lent, we told the story of
Martin whose community in
Myanmar had learned new ways
to protect themselves in
extreme weather. Schools ‘Cut it
out’, raising £265,585 to support
our partners’ work. Thank you!
Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar
when Martin was six:
“We took shelter in the school. I
can remember people crying
out. I felt very scared… The
school swayed with the wind and
I was afraid it would fall down.”
Martin
Jesus used weather imagery in
his stories, as his listeners knew
what a storm felt like. Sudden
storms on the Sea of Galilee
were common.
“Gales blew and hurled
themselves against that house…”
Matthew 7:27
But scientists say that tropical
storms are likely to become
more intense, due to climate
change. And 44% of the people
most vulnerable to climate
change are already living on less
than 77p a day.
Those who have done the least
to cause climate change are the
most affected by it. Is this just?
Lord, help us to do our Father’s will
and seek justice for all. Amen
Extreme weather affects
the poorest communities
more than any others…
Watch a video about Martin.
Remind each other of what you did for Lent this year.
Laudato Si’, 29
Friday 4 December
“Shall not Lebanon become
fertile land and fertile land
turn into a forest?”
Isaiah 29:17
Great Generation
In March, young leaders at the
Flame 2 conference at the SSE
Arena, Wembley used giant
“chatterboxes” to challenge
people to learn more about
climate change.
“The CAFOD young leaders and
gap year volunteers were
outstanding. They were
passionate and informed and got
the message across better than
any old director could! We would
like to thank them for the
important work they do.”
Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD
Ezara, Jos and Clarisse
We know that we should respect
and care for creation so that it
can flourish, yet we often
damage it by our actions. That
is why today’s generation faces
the biggest challenges the world
has ever known - not least,
climate change.
“Shall not Lebanon become
fertile land and fertile land
turn into a forest?”
Isaiah 29:17
We can take hope from Isaiah’s
prophecy, that the land will be
changed for the better, as God
blesses his people.
Lord, thank you for the many
gifts of creation. May this
generation act to protect creation so
that our planet and all its people
can flourish. Amen.
Leaving an inhabitable
planet to future
generations is, first and
foremost, up to us.
Laudato Si’, 160
Download and try our chatterbox challenge!
See our young people’s web pages for more actions.
Saturday 5 December
Refugee children
“When he saw the crowds he felt
sorry for them because they were
harassed and dejected…”
Matthew 9:36
At least 5.6 million children are
in need of aid inside Syria,
according to the United Nations.
More than four million Syrians –
half of them children – have fled
the country since war began.
Roger, 17, will leave Damascus
for Europe within days:
“My father has sold the house to
pay the smugglers, even though
he believes it’s a suicide
mission… I think that staying
here is suicide. A mortar can fall
on our heads at any time.”
Some of the refugees
fleeing their countries
If there were bombs falling near
my home, how would I feel?
What would I do?
Jesus saw the crowds, had
compassion and helped them.
We have the chance to do the
same for refugees fleeing to the
countries that border Syria and
to Europe. Many of the refugees
are children.
Lord, help those who are welcoming
refugees. May we all recognise that
every person asking for help has
individual needs and deserves to be
treated with compassion. Amen
“When he saw the crowds he felt
sorry for them because they were
harassed and dejected…”
Matthew 9:36
…communion with the
rest of nature cannot be
real if our hearts lack
tenderness… Laudato Si’, 91
Find out about helping at your nearest refugee centre.
Can your class buy a Refugee World Gift this term?
Sunday 6 December
Second Sunday of Advent
“…Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill
be laid low.”
Luke 3:5
Thirst for change
With your Lent 2012 donations
doubled by the UK government,
we funded a solar-powered
water pump in Njobola village,
Zimbabwe.
“We used to come from the
fields, get our buckets and fill
them, and up the mountains we
came! Sometimes we would hurt
ourselves, we would fall and
have to go back down and fetch
more… Now I get my bucket and
collect water from here, very
nearby. Life has really changed.”
Martha
Martha
Martha no longer has to walk
the hills and valleys to collect
water three times a day.
For us, the hills and valleys are
probably less literal. Advent is
a good time to re-landscape
our inner lives, in preparation
for Christmas.
“…Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill
be laid low.”
Luke 3:5
What are the hills to be made
low and the valleys that need
to be filled in my life?
Lord, John the Baptist prepared the
way for your coming. Help me to
prepare too. Amen.
We all need to ask
ourselves how we need
to change our lives…
Laudato Si’, 29
Read more about solar power in Zimbabwe.
Make a date to go to Reconciliation this Advent.
Monday 7 December
“They were filled with awe,
saying, ‘We have seen strange
things today.’”
Luke 5:26
Filled with awe
Earlier this year, Bernie Goddard
took part in a family day at
St John Vianney parish in
Blackpool. She ran a stall
promoting CAFOD’s One
Climate, One World campaign.
“It is important to tell people
what really matters to us in our
world. We have to use our voice
to share, to be a microphone.”
Bernie
Bernie
(left)
When people saw Jesus working
a miracle they were filled with
awe… and why not!
But our world is incredible too.
And we are given the awesome
privilege of caring for it.
“They were filled with awe,
saying, ‘We have seen strange
things today.’”
Luke 5:26
Have you taken part in One
Climate, One World? If not, join
the campaign on our website.
Lord Jesus, you did awesome
things during your life on earth.
Help me to believe you can still do
awesome things through my life.
Amen.
All of creation is
incredible. St Francis of
Assisi appreciated this…
Laudato Si’, 29
Find out how campaigns make a difference.
Take part in our One Climate, One World campaign.
Tuesday 8 December
The Immaculate Conception
“Mary, do not be afraid…”
Luke 1:30
Year of Mercy
In our troubled world, Pope
Francis has called for a special
Year of Mercy, starting today:
“…so that we may become a
more effective sign of the
Father’s action in our lives.”
On Election day, Amber Hill
turned 18. As well as voting for
the first time, she helped us to
celebrate the thousands of
people campaigning for action
on climate change.
“Climate change is one of the
issues that matter most to me.”
Amber
Amber and Anna
By wearing a silly costume,
Anna became a walking sign for
the campaign, encouraging
other people to take action.
“Mary, do not be afraid…”
Luke 1:30
Signs are effective when they
‘effect’ a change, or make
something happen.
In today’s Gospel, the ‘yes’ of
Mary – Mother of Mercy – was a
sign of hope, changing the
history of the world.
How will I be an effective sign of
God’s mercy in the coming year?
Lord, help me not to be afraid of
standing out from the crowd.
Amen.
Follow us @CAFOD on Twitter.
Thank someone who has helped you to be brave.
Mary, our mother, is an
example for us to follow
in giving of ourselves…
Laudato Si’, 29
Wednesday 9 December
“Lift up your eyes and look.
Who made these stars…?”
Isaiah 40:26
Speak up!
CAFOD partners in Sri Lanka
work with communities to help
them to know their rights and
to take part in local and
national decision making. After
a workshop using comics, one
workshop member said:
“Our culture is a silent culture
because most people are
oppressed and don’t want to
express their feelings… these
tools help people to share ideas
and express their feelings so
that there really is participation
and also democracy.”
Comic-making enables each
person in the community to
express what matters most to
them and to be part of the
debate about changing things.
“Lift up your eyes and look.
Who made these stars…?”
Isaiah 40:26
Isaiah says that God not only
made the billions of stars but
calls each one by name and “not
one is missing”. We, however, all
too often miss people out.
How can I include and value
each person I meet today?
God our Father, you made and
treasure every planet, every star
and every person. Help me to do the
same. Amen.
Creation can only be
understood as a gift from
the outstretched hand of
the Father of all…
Laudato Si’, 76
Make a comic about an issue that matters to you.
Tell a local radio station about your CAFOD activities.
Thursday 10 December
Farming success
“I will turn the wilderness into a
lake, and dry ground into
waterspring.”
Isaiah 41:18
Climate change is affecting
farmers around the world, often
reducing crop yield. Mpofu farms
in Zimbabwe. With support from
CAFOD, he has become expert in
a farming method known as
conservation agriculture:
“There have been changes in
times of rainfall and in amount
of rain… If there’s not more rain
the maize will not produce
enough fruit. This method works
because it conserves moisture.”
Mpofu Konyia (55)
Mpofu
Mpofu protects the moisture in
the soil with a covering of tree
leaves. The maize that he
produces is now much more
abundant.
“I will turn the wilderness into a
lake, and dry ground into
waterspring.”
Isaiah 41:18
Mpofu’s farm is now used by
government officials as a ’look
and learn’ farm, an example for
other farmers in his area.
How can I be a good example?
Lord, my example could help
influence other people to protect
creation. Help me also to be willing
to learn from others. Amen
One particularly serious
problem is the quality of
water available to the
poor.
Laudato Si’, 29
Read how gap year students visited Mpofu’s area.
Ask for the World Gift of drought resistant crops.
Friday 11 December
“This generation… is like children
shouting to each other…”
Matthew 11:16
Paris lobbying
Bernie is in Paris with CAFOD to
remind world leaders, as they
discuss climate change and ways
forward, to consider the poorest
communities in our world.
“It is important we tell world
leaders we care and they should
too. Going to Paris with CAFOD
is one way that I and other
supporters can make the voices
of people affected by climate
change in our world heard. Be
the microphone!"
Bernie
A scene from our animation
of Laudato Si’ – Pope Francis’
letter to the world
Bernie
Jesus described some members
of his own generation as being
like children sitting in the
marketplace shouting complaints
to each other.
“This generation… is like children
shouting to each other…”
Matthew 11:16
Bernie saw that complaining in
the local ‘marketplace’ was not
going to effect enough change
for the world’s poorest people.
That’s why she travelled to Paris.
How can my generation demand
change to help creation flourish?
Lord, Pope Francis says ‘God’s love
constantly impels us to find new
ways forward’. Impel all of us to
find new ways to care for the planet
and its people. Amen.
...we know that things
can change… Young
people demand change.
Watch our Laudato Si’ animation.
Read blogs from Paris to find out what is being said.
Laudato Si’, 13
Saturday 12 December
Open my eyes
“Elijah has come already and
they did not recognise him…
Matthew 17:12
When their local schools and
university were destroyed, Aya’s
family left Syria so that she and
her sisters could study. They fled
to Lebanon. There, Aya received
training and is now part of the
Caritas Youth Committee,
running activities including first
aid training for refugees.
“My favourite out of all the
things we did was the breakfast
for the elderly… Usually centres
are working with adults or with
children, so no one has been
thinking about old people who
are often lonely and stuck at
home.”
Aya
Aya Al Asar
Aya and her friends were alert
and spotted a need that most
people had not noticed. Then
they did something about it.
“Elijah has come already and
they did not recognise him…
Matthew 17:12
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says
that most people of his time did
not recognise that ‘Elijah’ (John
the Baptist) had been a prophet
living among them.
What is happening around me
that I have not noticed?
God of surprises, help me to see
your presence in unlikely places
and reach out to you. Amen.
The misuse of creation
begins when we see
nothing else but
ourselves.
Laudato Si’, 6
Watch our film about young leaders in the Middle East.
Send a Christmas message to someone who is lonely.
Sunday 13 December
Third Sunday of Advent
“…many other things he said to
announce the Good News to them”
Luke 3:18
Rainforests
Deforestation and pollution from
illegal mining threaten both the
Amazon rainforest and the
future of the Yanomami and
Ye’kuana people. They have
lived in this beautiful
environment for generations.
"I am a Yanomami leader and I
think the forest gives us life. We
value the forest, and for us the
forest is priceless. You cannot
destroy the Amazon. It is the
lungs of the world."
Davi Kopenawa Yanomami
Davi
John the Baptist announced
Good News, yet he was killed.
Davi and his people share wise
words on creation yet suffer
threats, and some have been
killed. If the Amazon is “the
lungs of the world”, by
defending the forest and their
way of life, the Yanomami are
also defending this planet.
CAFOD partners provide the
Yanomami and Ye’kuana people
with equipment to report
threats, vital training about their
legal rights and support in
lobbying their government.
Lord, protect those who defend our
planet. May I do the same. Amen.
“…many other things he said to
announce the Good News to them”
Luke 3:18
May our struggles and
our concern for this
planet never take away
the joy of our hope.
Laudato Si’, 244
Follow us @CAFOD on Instagram.
Listen to Davi speaking in this film (from 2.12-3.40).
Monday 14 December
“I see him, but not in the present,
I behold him, but not close at hand.”
Numbers 24:17
Close-up on Climate
CAFOD is part of the Climate
Coalition. St Mary’s school in
Blackpool took the coalition’s
Close-up on Climate challenge to
make a film to raise awareness
of climate change. The judges
chose their chocolate-themed
film as the most creative and
inspiring in their age category.
“If the temperature increases by
two degrees by 2050, West
Africa will be unsuitable for
cocoa production... where most
cocoa is produced.”
The film-makers said how much
they love chocolate! But also
explained that hotter weather
due to climate change is drying
up the cocoa beans and for many
families in West Africa cocoa is
their only source of income. Like
Balaam in today’s reading, they
are looking to the future.
“I see him, but not in the present,
I behold him, but not close at hand.”
Numbers 24:17
“We need to take care of our
planet more, to make sure that
things like this don’t happen. It’s
not too late to change!”
Lord, give me the gift of wisdom
and help me to consider the future
impact of my actions. Amen.
Christians, in a special
way, are called to care
for creation…
Laudato Si’, 29
Watch the film by St Mary’s ‘Regeneration’ group.
Post a photo that says “Act now on climate!” @CAFOD
Tuesday 15 December
Working the land
“The son answered ‘I will not go’ but
afterwards thought better of it
and went…”
Matthew 21:31
One of our gap year volunteers,
Steph, met Jose when she
visited our partners in Nicaragua
earlier this year. Jose told her,
“Land is life”, and it brought
home to her that, for
Nicaraguans, people and land
are very much connected.
“Many of the people we have
met have been dependent on
the land for their livelihoods…
Whether they have enough food
to eat or sell depends upon the
climate that year.”
Steph
Jose
We have neglected the needs of
the earth, but it is not too late.
The reading today reminds us
that the brother who at first
refused to work, later changed
his mind and went to his father’s
vineyard.
“The son answered ‘I will not go’ but
afterwards thought better of it
and went…”
Matthew 21:31
Advent is a good season to
remember the times we have
not done what we ought to have
done… and to get on with it!
My actions count. What have I
neglected to do?
Lord, I’m sorry that I sometimes
avoid your call. Help me to change
course and to serve others as you
did. Amen.
Many things have to
change course, but it is
we human beings above
all who need to change.
Laudato Si’, 202
Find out what help your local CAFOD centre needs.
Make your own list of ways you can change the world.
Wednesday 16 December
“..who formed the earth and made it,
who set it firm, created it no chaos,
but a place to be lived in”
Isaiah 45:18
Lobby for change
In June, pupils from St Mary’s
school, Newcastle joined us and
thousands of people to lobby
Parliament on climate change.
They met their MP, Catherine
McKinnell, to speak up for the
world’s poorest.
One student said:
“From this trip we have all learnt
the importance of our individual
contribution, and even the
smallest change can help stop
this global issue.”
St Mary’s students
with their MP
God created the world to be
lived in. Now, many parts of the
world are increasingly difficult to
live in, due to the impacts of
climate change.
“..who formed the earth and made it,
who set it firm, created it no chaos,
but a place to be lived in”
Isaiah 45:18
Pope Francis tells us to care for
Earth, as if we were caring for a
neighbour.
How can I be a good neighbour
to the Earth today?
Lord, I pray for everyone who lives
in a place where pollution, extreme
weather, rising sea levels or
melting glaciers is making life
difficult. Help us to repair the chaos
that human actions have caused.
Amen
Earth herself, burdened
and laid waste, is among
the most abandoned and
maltreated of our poor.
See a film about the lobby by St James’ school, Barnet.
Write a letter to your MP. We can help you to do this.
Laudato Si’, 2
Thursday 17 December
“In his days justice shall
flourish…”
Psalm 72:7
A thirst to read
Guti loves reading but with no
clean water at school she used
to take books home to read.
Then CAFOD’s partner repaired
the borehole near the school.
“I can attend school fully
because hygiene and illness are
not now a problem. And I can
stay in the dorms at school
because they are clean. I can
concentrate at school. Often I
study until six in the evening.”
Guti (15)
Guti
Next Lent we will share more
about Guti and her school. She
and her friends are doing great
things.
“In his days justice shall
flourish…”
Psalm 72:7
Many children miss out on an
education because of lack of
access to water. Climate change
threatens to make this problem
even worse. For justice to
flourish, and all children to be
able to go to school, we need to
act on climate change.
Lord, thank you that I can read.
Help us to build a world where
everyone has access to clean water
and every child can go to school.
Amen.
Peace, justice and the
preservation of creation…
cannot be separated.
Laudato Si’, 92
Find out about our World Gift of Reading.
Order World Gifts today for cards before Christmas.
Friday 18 December
International Migrants Day
“…and peace till the moon fails.”
Psalm 72:7
Syria
Conflict rages in many countries
and peace seems far off. Five
years of war in Syria have killed
thousands of people and millions
have fled their homes.
“As President of Caritas Syria, I
have chosen to stay so I can
lead distributions of food and
emergency supplies… But our
work is becoming harder,
because more and more of our
staff are leaving the country...
We, and all Syrians, need peace
above all else.”
Bishop Antoine Audo, Aleppo
Bishop Audo
On International Migrants Day
2005, Pope Benedict said:
“The tendency is to stop at the
question of their arrival while
disregarding the reasons for
which they left their native
lands.” His words still apply
today. Often the reason is war.
“…and peace till the moon fails.”
Psalm 72:7
But we are a people of hope.
Even in the darkness of war, the
actions of CAFOD’s sister agency
Caritas Syria are evidence to
others that God is always
present and loves them deeply.
Lord of peace, we pray for our
sisters and brothers who are caught
up in war. May your peace come.
Amen.
In the heart of this
world, the Lord of life,
who loves us so much, is
always present.
Laudato Si’, 245
Spend two minutes imagining life in Syria.
Say a decade of the rosary for peace.
Saturday 19 December
“It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.”
Psalm 71:5
Hope in God
Schools raised an amazing
£204,243 for our Nepal appeal
after the 7.8 magnitude
earthquake in April. As a result,
our partners provided food,
shelter, emergency supplies and
hope to thousands of people.
Saraswoti, 13, was in the fields
when the earth began to shake:
“My mother started shouting at us
to run, so I ran, I was so afraid.”
Saraswoti’s school was destroyed.
Our partners provided six tent
classrooms until it can be rebuilt.
Saraswoti
We are still supporting people
affected by the earthquake. In
October, as winter approached,
our partners were delivering
‘winter kits’, including blankets,
tarpaulins, foam mats and
grants for clothing and fuel.
“It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.”
Psalm 71:5
Everyone needs hope in order to
keep going. Today’s psalm
reminds us that all our hope
ultimately comes from God. We
are called to share that hope
with others.
What do I hope for?
Lord, I place all my hope in you.
Amen.
All it takes is one good
person to restore hope!
Laudato Si’, 71
Request a CAFOD collection box for your classroom.
To help others, save money by forgoing a treat.
Sunday 20 December
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Called to respond
“Of all women you are the most
blessed, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb.”
Luke 1:42
Tobi completed our young leader
sixth form programme in July
and came back in autumn to
volunteer at CAFOD’s head office
once a week.
“I now have a new perspective
on life. The amount of teamwork
that goes on in one part of the
world to help another in need
fascinates me. It’s amazing to
know that when we put our
heads together we can actually
make a change. I’ve learnt that
love has no barriers.”
Tobi
Tobi
Tobi’s perspective changed a lot
over the last year and she says
that she is now a different
person. But in today’s Gospel we
hear about another young girl,
Mary, whose life was about to
change more than she could
possibly imagine.
“Of all women you are the most
blessed, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb.”
Luke 1:42
Our experiences in life, and our
responses to them, shape the
persons that we become.
Mary, your response to the joys
and sorrows in your life was
always to love. Teach me how to do
the same. Amen.
She treasures the entire
life of Jesus in her heart,
and now understands the
meaning of all things.
Laudato Si’, 241
Read Tobi’s blog about her year with CAFOD.
Contact your local CAFOD centre and offer to help.
Monday 21 December
“...show me your face,
let me hear your voice.”
Song of Songs 2:14
Peru’s glaciers
Last October, Jesy Romero, who
works with our partner CEAS,
travelled to the UK:
“Latin America is one of the
regions most vulnerable to
climate change, yet some people
don’t know about the scarcity of
water in Peru. My country has
70 per cent of the world’s
tropical glaciers and, in the
region where I work, I can see
how they are melting at an
alarming rate.”
Jesy asked people to raise
awareness of climate change but
she also asked for prayer.
Jesy Romero
“Prayer is a very important force
for us in Peru – prayer and
action go hand in hand. When we
were in Newcastle visiting CAFOD
supporters, we met people who
go on pilgrimage regularly and
pray for a particular aspect of
CAFOD’s work. We talked about
them praying for us in Peru. I
think these types of spiritual
actions are really important…”
“...show me your face,
let me hear your voice.”
Song of Songs 2:14
Who is God asking me to pray for
today?
Lord, thank you that you delight
to hear my voice when I talk to you.
Teach me to be generous in my
prayer for others. Amen
Encourage us, we pray,
in our struggle for
justice, love and peace.
Laudato Si’, 246
Read Jesy’s blog.
Make peace this Advent with someone you have hurt.
Tuesday 22 December
“He has pulled down princes from
their thrones and exalted the lowly.”
Luke 1:52
Sustainable energy
In the Ugandan village of
Nakambi, thanks to one of our
partners, villagers have learned
how to build ingenious stoves.
These stoves produce less
smoke, so are much healthier,
but they also use far less wood,
so fewer trees are cut down and
the environment is conserved.
The old cooking method – a pot
balanced over three large stones
- needed 15 logs to cook one
meal; with the new stove only
one log is needed.
Lucy Awilli using
a new stove
Some of the world’s poorest
communities are leading the way
in reducing emissions and using
energy more sustainably. And
Nakambi villagers are making an
income in the process by selling
stoves at the local market.
“He has pulled down princes from
their thrones and exalted the lowly.”
Luke 1:52
In today’s Gospel, Mary praises
God for lifting up the lowly,
turning the world on its head.
How can I live more sustainably
for the sake of the poorest
people in our world?
Lord, inspire me by the example of
those who live simply and walk
lightly on the earth. Amen.
Efforts to promote a
sustainable use of
natural resources are not
a waste of money…
Laudato Si’, 82
Watch actor, Ben Price, visiting Nakambi.
Share your lunch with someone today.
Wednesday 23 December
“I am going to send my messenger
to prepare a way before me.”
Malachi 3:1
Modern messengers
The prophet Malachi was a
messenger for God. He foretold
the coming of another
messenger, John the Baptist.
But how would Malachi and John
have communicated their
messages if they lived today?
Perhaps they would have used
technology, social media or
television broadcasts.
Or would they have stuck with
face-to-face encounters to get
their message across?
A scene from our animation of
Laudato Si’ – Pope Francis’
message to the world
There’s a lot to be said for both
approaches. Social media might
reach more people more quickly,
but it’s hard to match the
quality of a deep conversation.
“I am going to send my messenger
to prepare a way before me.”
Malachi 3:1
Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ calls
us to have real relationships and
avoid information overload.
Then we will be better able to
hear the joys and pains of other
people, and of creation itself.
What message is creation giving
to me?
Creator of all, speak to me in the
wonders you have created.
Amen
For the believer, to
contemplate creation is
to hear a message…
Laudato Si’, 85
Watch a video about how climate change affects you.
Catch up with someone you haven’t spoken to lately.
Thursday 24 December
Christmas Eve
The light of hope
At Harvest, we shared the story
of Isabel from El Salvador. In an
area dominated by poverty and
gang violence, she and her
friends help younger children to
build a brighter future:
“We work with them so that
when they get to our age they’ll
say to themselves, ‘Let’s change
things in our country’.”
Inspired by their example,
thousands of you Brightened Up
for Harvest to support this and
other projects around the world.
“Our God will bring the rising
sun to visit us, to give light to
those who live in darkness...”
Luke 1:78-79
As Zechariah says in today’s
reading, God has visited his
people, to give light to those who
live in darkness and the shadow
of death, and to guide our feet
into the way of peace.
“Our God will bring the rising
sun to visit us, to give light to
those who live in darkness...”
Luke 1:78-79
In the darkness of gang violence,
war or poverty, God’s people look
to us too for hope.
How will I make the world a
brighter place in the year ahead?
Jesus, this Christmas, may your
birth give hope to all who feel as if
they live in darkness. Amen.
Injustice is not invincible.
Laudato Si’, 74
See how some schools Brightened Up this Harvest.
See how some teachers Brightened Up this Harvest!
Friday 25 December
Christmas Day
“The shepherds went back
glorifying and praising God…”
Luke 2:20
The greatest gift
Today we celebrate the greatest
gift of all – Jesus, given to us by
the Father, born to bring good
news to the poor. To people like
eleven-year-old Gharam, who
lives in poverty as a Syrian
refugee in Lebanon:
“If I could have anything, I’d
wish for a change of clothes, a
telephone so I could call my
father to find out how he is and
that I could return to how life
was before. My brother wishes
for a toy car, a pet bird and ‘to
live in peace’.”
Gharam and her
brother, Nafeh
Jesus was born in a borrowed
stable. Too many children are
still born into poverty and many
refugee children are living in
borrowed rooms or in camps.
“The shepherds went back
glorifying and praising God…”
Luke 2:20
Today we thank God for the hope
he gives us, that he will help us
to build a just world where war
and poverty are no more and
where all children can grow up
with a safe place to live.
Like the shepherds - Rejoice!
Jesus, you enter into our poverty
and transform it. Empower me
with hope to live and share your
good news for all. Amen.
Today you are alive in
every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Laudato Si’, 246
Say a grace before Christmas lunch, in thanksgiving.
Save some Christmas money to donate for refugees.
Picture credits
Papal image:
Other images:
Design
Claire Bogue
Maps
d-maps.com
Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk
Caritas Internationalis and
CAFOD