justice and peace

The livesimply project is based on God calls us to live simply. We are asked to look hard at our lifestyles, and to choose to livesimply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.  It’s not just about money. It’s a challenge to reflect, celebrate and take action in order to work for justice, and to be happier in ourselves as a result. It’s about seeking what we need rather than grasping for more, sharing not hoarding.

You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor, but you are giving them back what is theirs… The earth belongs to everyone, not to the rich.” St Ambrose

Over several years the Catholic community has been asked to respond to the livesimply challenge by making promises in Justice and Peace and other parish groups, in youth and Confirmation groups, and as tutor groups and whole schools.

This initiative encourages communities everywhere to take action for justice. Any community can get involved, large or small, from the flower-arrangers and altar servers at church to school tutor groups and religious.

Challenges range from ‘Saying Grace’ to ‘Form an Environmental Plan’ to ‘Pray about Homelessness’ to ‘Eating Simply’.

The vision for the livesimply challenge is that by making more explicit the link between faith and action, global social justice will become a mainstream concern for a more diverse range of Catholics. More Catholics will change their attitudes, lifestyles and behavior in response to the challenge and make a clear and lasting commitment to action for social justice.

livesimply encourages people to deepen their faith and discern in prayer what they are called to be and do. People are challenged not only to learn about ‘the Church’s best kept secret’ but then to respond through prayer and liturgy, through campaigning, through local action, and through lifestyle change.

In September 2019 Emeritus Bishop Peter said:

‘I encourage  parishes to think seriously about becoming Live Simply parishes and receiving the award. It can be a means of bringing the parish community closer together to llive simply, sustainably and in solidarity’.

The livesimply award will recognise parishes’ achievements in putting these principles into action. From supporting the SVP, CAFOD and fair-trade to ‘greening’ our church buildings, there are many ways parishes can win an award.
To qualify, your parish must carry out a simple parish self-assessment and demonstrate how it will bring the livesimply principles to life. 

To find out more go to the campaign website – click here.

Watch how St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School supports Live Simply