Earth Hour is the single largest symbolic mass participation event in the world. Born of the hope that people could be mobilized to take action on climate change, Earth Hour now inspires a global community of millions of people in 7001 cities and towns across 178 countries to switch off lights for an hour. The event recognizes our global responsibility for the climate change which is already devastating lives and threatening the future of the planet. The last three years have been the hottest on record. Now in its tenth year, Earth Hour 2017 takes place on SATURDAY MARCH 25TH 8.30-9.30 pm. Our actions today can change our tomorrows. We love and care about our beautiful, fragile planet – “our common home” (LS) and its people especially the poor in the Global South who suffer most from the effects of climate change.
Earth Hour is an opportunity for parishes and other faith groups to celebrate, pray and explore environmental concerns and how our faith calls us to address them. Did you know that your church’s Earth Hour activities can count towards your parish’s application for an ECI Award? As a global campaign, it neatly intersects with Eco-Congregation Ireland’s four award criteria – spiritual, practical, local community and global solidarity. Our current understanding of parish includes the whole bioregion with all that exists, lives and grows.
Many parishes are already taking part around the world in different and creative ways:
a) Arranging for any lights on or in your church to be turned off for an hour
b) Organizing a candlelit holy hour with a climate change theme
c) Planning a torchlight wildlife or stargazing walk to make the most of the hour of darkness
d) Using the special prayer on the ECI website at Mass on Saturday evening25th and/or Sunday 26th
e) If you live in Dublin you are welcome to join Church of the Ascension, Balally, Dundrum, Dublin 16 for their candlelit hour of prayer and reflection, 8.30pm-9.30pm
Eco-Congregation Ireland has produced a special prayer for use during Earth Hour. View it here >> Prayer for use at Earth Hour at Mass-Service.
