Rev Lorraine Capper sent ECI this report:
Mr. Michael Hall, Principal of Sligo Grammar School and his wife Eunice (both parishioners of St. Salvator’s, Glaslough) made the long trip to Westport to collect the Climate Justice Candle. The candle came to Glaslough being present at the Ecumenical Harvest in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church; then it traveled to Errigal Traugh Harvest followed by St. Salvator’s Harvest in Glaslough and finally it visited at Glennan Presbyterian Church.
Harvest, what a wonderful time to reflect on God’s wonderful masterpiece of creation and for us to realise our God-given mandate to care for it. In caring for all of God’s creation we will care for others not forgetting we have a responsibility to care for ourselves. The candle also went to the local Primary School, Biliis where Rev. Lorraine took an assembly – she reminded the children of their responsibility to reduce. re-use, recycle and renew. She brought in some plastic items that she found on a beach – bottles, straws, plastic cups. She then suggested that rather than using a plastic cup why not use a re-usable cup. Rev. Lorraine also gave some examples of companies who use Fair Trade Products.
The Billis pupils showed Rev. Lorraine their composting bins. Rev. Lorraine also did a number of talks at the local Girls’ Brigade in Glaslough. The candle also attended a special assembly in the Collegiate Grammar School in Monaghan. Rev. Lorraine reminded the students that it is crucial that action is taken NOW — for the millions of climate refugees already suffering as a direct result of climate change, for future generations and for the whole of Creation. She cited melting glaciers in the Arctic is one such effect of climate change. Worsening drought conditions are having a major impact on farmers in South Africa’s Western Cape region. She said that in Glaslough, where she lives taking care of the environment is central to the Tidy Towns ethos. She was delighted to announce that Glaslough had won the Tidiest Village in all of Ireland as well as receiving the overall National Award.
