Sr Lena Deevy, LSA sent ECI this update:
Ballymun Tidy Towns Recycling Project – the theme of this year’s Season of Creation is Cultivating Hope and this is the dream of Ballymun Tidy Towns Committee. In its many projects it continues to cultivate hope and pride in a better Ballymun through actions, knowing that each of us can do something. One such project is the plastic bottle and aluminum can Recycling Project. It is a pilot project sponsored by Repak Ireland. Special bags are provided by Repak with instructions for collecting and separating cans and plastic bottles. The project would not be possible without the support and management of Robert Murphy, Chairperson of the Ballymun Tidy Towns Committee and owner of SuperValu, who facilitates the collection and transport of the filled bags. From Supervalu the bags go to Sunflower Recycling, and finally to Repak, who pay €5 for each bag.
Among the groups involved in this great project are a team of parishioners from the three churches in Ballymun’s St Pappin’s Parish: Virgin Mary, Holy Spirit, St Joseph’s. With the added financial pressure on the local church due to COVID, this project is an opportunity to assist financially while also highlighting the importance of continuing to learn about recycling, protecting our environment and having pride in our Ballymun home.
This project has sparked a great community spirit, allowing people to connect through a shared purpose, while keeping a safe distance. The parish Administrator, Fr. Declan Blake, has been very moved by the enthusiasm of so many women and men who have become actively involved in this project. To date this group has raised €1,000 for which Fr. Declan and Fr. Ciarán are so grateful.
September is a special month when we reflect on the beauty of our earth and how it sustains us. Although the money we raise is very important, we also value the opportunity this project gives us to celebrate the season of Creation, to care for our local area and to be mindful of Pope Francis’s prayer intention for this month: that we “take care of Creation responsibly”.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Holding firmly the door handle upwards, I turn the key and set out, equipped with protective gloves, litter picker and shopping bags to rescue cans and plastic bottles from landfill, ever mindful of how we must care for our now fragile ‘Common Home’.
This journey, which I undertake a few times daily, leads to surprising encounters and comments. ‘That’s the corporation’s job, chicken. You should be at home in your bed’, or, ‘I admire your community spirit. I will start doing what you are doing’. A whole new conversation ensues on minimizing landfills and recycling plastics and cans.
To date, I haven’t met with any aggression. On the contrary, people show interest, kindness and goodwill. A solid group now keep their cans and bottles and tell me when to call. One evening when returning from Supervalu with my Repak tidy town bags, I found myself unable to resist picking up the odd can and not having my litter picker this became a struggle. A smart vocal young man ran up to me and insisted that I take his litter picker! My explanation that I already had one at home fell on deaf ears. On yet another occasion, a person ran back to his house to retrieve some cans for me. He handed them over as if he were handling a precious treasure not to be discarded! It turned out he knew Lena, the initiator of this activity which is organized as part of the Ballymun Tidy Towns Project. This gentleman was inspired by her passion for the Earth and other issues on Justice and Peace.
I never feel alone in my care for the environment. The birds accompany me day after day, singing out joyously and sweetly. The cooing of the wood pigeon reminds me of other times and other places. I feel uplifted and encouraged by the beauty of their song even in the midst of grim dumping. In fact, this whole experience has led me to feel more deeply what it is like to be part of an Earth Community.
I thank the God of Creation for the wonder and mystery of my encounters with others and our combined efforts to save the planet. I pray with Pope Francis that we recognize how profoundly united we are with the whole of creation and that we must never tire in our work for Justice, Love and Peace.
Pauline Hannon IJS — Member of Ballymun Tidy Towns
Resources: Laudato Si