Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

What is Laudato Si' and what does it say?

Laudato Si’ is an encyclical written by Pope Francis, it was published on the 18 June 2015. Encyclicals are open letters written by the pope.

Laudato Si’ discusses the damage being inflicted on the Earth by humans and calls on ‘every person living on this planet’ to make urgent changes to our lifestyles and how we consume energy in order to protect the planet.

It deals with many environmental issues including:

pollution

climate change

water

loss of biodiversity

decline in the quality of human life.

In his letter Pope Francis implores us to work together to create a better world for future generations and asks us to make the necessary changes in our lives in order to take care of, respect and value our ‘common home’.

 Here are a few key points from "Laudato si" that are important for our children:

1. God's Creation: "Laudato si" reminds children that God created everything around us—the beautiful forests, the oceans, the animals, and even us. It teaches children to appreciate the amazing gift of creation and see the beauty in nature.

2. Our Responsibility: The encyclical explains that we have a responsibility to take care of the Earth because it is our home. Children are encouraged to think about how their actions can either help or harm the environment, and to choose actions that are kind to nature.

3. Protecting Animals and Plants: "Laudato si" teaches children to show love and respect to all living creatures, including animals and plants. It talks about the importance of not hurting or exploiting them, but instead protecting them and their habitats.

4. Using Resources Wisely: Children are encouraged to be mindful of how they use resources like water, electricity, and materials. The encyclical suggests simple actions like turning off lights when not needed, recycling, and not wasting food.

5. Caring for Others: "Laudato si" reminds children that taking care of the Earth also means caring for people. It encourages them to show kindness and compassion to others, especially those who are less fortunate or affected by environmental problems.

"Laudato si for children" aims to inspire our children to be good stewards of the Earth, to be aware of the impact of their actions, and to make choices that help protect the environment. By understanding and following the teachings of "Laudato si," our children can play an important role in creating a better and more sustainable world for themselves and future generations.

At St Edward's we have enjoyed being active Stewards of Creation to ensure that we live our Catholic Mission.

What is the LiveSimply award?

The LiveSimply award is earned by communities and schools who can show how they have been living:

• Simply
• Sustainably with creation
• In solidarity with people in poverty

The award celebrates what you have already done and inspires you to do more. It helps your community to live, not just more simply, but also more fully.

What have we done?

Alongside a number of other initiatives, we have:

• Begun to recycle within all classes
• Donated food at Harvest
• Developed a garden and poly tunnel 
• Achieved the Eco Schools Award
• Supported CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk appeal