LiveSimply
Other News
LiveSimply is Launched
at St. George's
Sunday 7th September marked the launch of LiveSimply in St George's. Noreen McGinnity gave the following talk at all Masses:
2025 marks the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si”, a transformative call to ‘care for our common home’. 2025 is also a Jubilee year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope; a year of hope that calls us to reset, renew our faith and commit to building a fairer world where all people may flourish. As we celebrate this special church year we are pleased to announce that St. George’s is beginning its own journey, as a parish family, towards achieving the CAFOD LiveSimply Award. The LiveSimply award is an opportunity for St. George’s to answer the call to care for our common home and stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in need, at home and around the world.
We want to celebrate what we already do, and introduce new initiatives that bring our Gospel values to life. A LiveSimply award needs to involve as many people in the parish as possible. Over the coming months there will be opportunities for all ages and abilities to take part through prayer, practical steps, and community outreach. Each person’s different strengths and interests contribute to making it a success. We hope this initiative will deepen our connection with creation, strengthen our community, and make a meaningful difference both locally and globally.
We launch today in this month of September when Christians around the world come together to celebrate the Season of Creation. As part of the launch we are asking each parishioner to pledge just one action they can achieve to live simply, sustainably with creation, or in solidarity with those in need.
Hopefully you have received a paper leaf on your way into church, if not, they are available at the back of church. We invite each parishioner to record their Live Simply pledge on their leaf. We will then use your ‘pledge leaves’ to generate a ‘pledge tree’ which will be displayed on our Live Simply notice board. Parishioners who are unable to attend church can send their pledges in via the website or the parish office and their leaves will be added to the pledge tree.
As you can see, on our display board, we have started adding pledges to our tree.
We are not expecting extraordinary pledges just simple things, that do make a difference, each one of us can do:
Can you replace a car journey with a cycle ride or walk?
Can you pick up the litter in your street – did you know there are 2 million pieces of rubbish dropped each day in UK’s streets?
Maybe you could pray for those living in poverty at home and abroad.
Or follow CAFOD, Mary’s Meals or WaterAid on social media.
Father Lister’s pledge a few years ago was to replace his antibacterial hand wash bottles with bars of soap. We learnt during COVID that washing our hands with soap and water was sufficient. Why have more plastic containers that end up in landfill?
At the back of church, we have a red post box where suggestions of LiveSimply ideas for the parish, or for us as individuals, can be posted. All ideas are most welcome and encouraged. We will share these ideas with parishioners so we can all make small changes to live more simply.
Keep an eye on our parish website, the weekly newsletter and our Live Simply notice board where all our initiatives will be advertised.
To begin our journey upcoming plans for September and October are:
On 20th September there will be an Archdiocese Walk for Creation. The walk will follow a 3.5-mile circular route beginning and ending at our local shrine church of St Mary’s, Aughton. There will be three prayer stops on the walk, with Saint George’s leading one. The walk will conclude with the celebration of Mass. If you are unable to join the walk why not join us for Mass.
On 3rd October, CAFOD’s Family Fast Day, we will celebrate in church a CAFOD Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope reflection, followed by a simple shared lunch at The Venue.
On 29th October Sister Moira from Irenaeus will deliver the Dementia Friends Presentation. Helping our parish become a dementia friendly parish.
Let’s walk this path together, as a parish family, demonstrating through our actions the power to transform our community.
Bidding Prayers
To mark the special launch Mass Deacon Keith wrote a special set of intercessions for the Mass.
Prayer of the Faithful – 23rd Sunday – ‘CAFOD Live Simply’ launch
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PRESIDER: The Lord is our refuge from one generation to the next. We bring our prayers to him now as we seek to care for Creation and for each other.
READER: Lord, help us to understand the true meaning of material things and the riches of our own earth – and show us how you wish us to use your gifts and to act as wise stewards of your Creation. Lord in your mercy
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In the Book of Genesis, we are described as ‘masters of the Earth’; may nations, businesses, and individuals recognise this as a call to care and cultivate; to manage natural resources rather than exploit; to ensure that the fruits of Mother Earth are respected and enjoyed by all.
Lord in your mercy
Loving God, let us model our approach to recycling on your grace which regards no gift or possession as trivial or ephemeral, but as potential for development. Bless those who work in the recycling industry with ingenuity, inspiration and imagination.
Lord in your mercy
Loving God, where there is waste, let us bring recycling;
Where there is recycling, let us bring re-use;
Where there is re-use, let us bring sustainability;
Where there is sustainability, let us bring justice;
Where there is justice, let us bring LOVE.
Lord in your mercy
St Therese of Avila said: Christ has no body but ours, No hands but ours, No feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look on the world. Loving God help us to live like Jesus, who teaches us to remember the poorest among us, may we always hear the cry of the poor, the sick and the lonely.
Lord in your mercy
In a moment of silence we bring our own concerns to the Lord. (pause) Lord in your mercy
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We ask Our Lady to pray for us as we say, “Hail Mary, full of grace ……”
PRESIDER Heavenly Father, receive and answer our prayers and unite us in mind and heart as we seek to build your Kingdom on Earth. We make this and all our prayers through Christ our Lord.
