Have you signed the petition yet St Edmund Campion have!

Fr Liam and parishioners signing the petition.

Thank you so much to St Edmund Campion Church in Maidenhead for signing the net zero petition  at your creation celebration masses last weekend. The petition is asking the Prime Minister to ensure that-

• All government departments urgently bring forward policies to achieve net zero emissions. And go further, faster to achieve net zero emissions honestly, transparently and without caveats by 2045.
•  UK investment overseas and at home is consistent with keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees. This should include stopping all new public support for fossil fuels overseas.
•  The UK shows leadership by connecting the crises of poverty, environmental degradation and climate change and makes concrete commitments to combat them at key international events.

Laura Bigoni our parish volunteer at St Edmund Campion told us…

“This weekend at St Edmund Campion parish in Maidenhead all Masses were focused on the theme of Creation as we promoted CAFOD’s campaign “Our Common Home”. We reflected on Pope Francis’ invitation to make care for people and planet an essential part of the Christian life.

Signing the petition

At the end of Mass we gave a short talk to explain what the campaign was about and to encourage people to sign the petition as they left church. We got an excellent response and collected 243 signatures. A big thanks to all parishioners who supported us!”

Signing the petition

Reflective Creation Celebration Mass at English Martyrs Church Reading

Celebrating creation at English Martyrs with Fr John- Paul

Many thanks to Chris Knollys one of our parish volunteers at English Martyrs Church in Reading for organising a Creation Celebration mass last Thursday 27th June. It was a lovely mass of thanksgiving to God for the beautiful world that he created and it was  celebrated by Fr John -Paul Lyttle. Thank you to all those who came to the mass and signed the petition afterwards.

We pray for the world, our common home: that though God’s grace we may hear its cry of the damage done and be moved to protect it for future generations to enjoy.

Lord in your mercy

(bidding prayer)

If you would like to organise your own creation celebration mass or service then do look at our organizers guide here which has lots of suggestions .We also have posters here for you to advertise the mass and please ask your parishioners to sign the petition on net zero greenhouse gas emissions here.  There are lots of other resources which can be ordered for free from  our shop here including a prayer dice for children.

Please let contact me if you have any questions and do let me know the date of your mass /service and don’t forgot to send me some photos to share on the blog!

Christ the King students cycle round the Island in aid of CAFOD

Students from Christ the King on their cycling challenge!

A HUGE THANK YOU to students from Christ the King College in the Isle of Wight for taking on a Round the Island cycling challenge to raise money for CAFOD . What a fantastic idea and we hope that rest of your challenge goes well!

The schools told us…

Eight students from Christ the King College have taken on a cycling challenge to raise funds for CAFOD.  (The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)

Two members of staff and a willing parent met the group of eight students at 9.30 am at the start of the cycle track in Newport. We are grateful for the group of kind and committed parents, who with equal excitement share the idea of raising money for such a good cause.

Sixth Form students  joined Year 7 students .as they cycled from Newport through Cowes, Thorness Bay, Porchfield to Ford Victoria where they met Mrs M Ward, Head of School, with her children.   All the parents who were supporting their children joined the cycling team for a picnic lunch.  We were impressed with the level of energy the children had for running around and playing football, they were still full of excitement and energy. The whole group worked together, supporting each other as they continued through some very hilly terrain to Freshwater Bay and over the chalk hill in Brooke.

No matter how hilly and hard the climb that they faced, they just kept going. Even in such hot weather, all students, no matter how hot and exhausted they felt, were planning the next day to complete the journey around the Island. Unfortunately, due to the level of exhaustion and heat expected the following day, they decided to complete the rest of the journey on another weekend.   A few students were keen to continue the following day  but after a group decision, it was agreed to recover for a few weeks before getting back in the saddle, with the students demanding to know the next date.

Ready to set off

Mrs M Ward, Head of Year 7 said “I could not be a prouder Head of Year 7.  I feel utterly blessed to be part of such a spiritual and driven group of students who represent the spirit of Christ the King and what our College is all about. I would also like to thank all students participating, I am so proud of them, but also their dedicated parents. Without their help and support this day would not have been possible”.

We would like to say a huge thank you to the Townshend family, Mr Sheath, Mr Gore, the Hedley family and Mr Young for all their help and support, without them this day would not have been possible.

Thank you to all who already contributed towards their fundraising cause. If you would like to make a donation towards the CAFOD fundraising, please use the following link:

https://www.gofundme.com/christ-the-king-colleges-campaign-for-cafod