Maria Theresa Gayondato sent us this report:
The Teresian Association (TA) in Ireland hosted the ECI Climate Justice Candle from 7-21 June 2023 to pray for young people going to the World Youth Day in Lisbon and for the success of the 4th International Conference on Care for Creation that will take place the 31st July, the eve of WYD with the theme Young people’s commitment to Integral Ecology. Lifestyles for a new humanity.*
During the two weeks, a group gathered daily to pray sharing reflections and concrete actions to foster greater commitment in everyday living.
WYD Lisbon 2023
In the fourth and final local preparations for WYD Lisbon, we paused for a moment for a Summer Solstice Service of Light starting with these introductory lines:
Summer solstice is about celebrating our connection to the earth, and our dependence on the sun for our life. It is the time to stay out until the stars come out and enjoy the sounds and scents that accompany twilight.
It is a space where we can reflect on big themes and rise to the challenge of Integral Ecology, Social Friendship and Mercy.
World Refugee Day – June 20, 2023
The candle was brought to Kilmacud Parish on the eve of Refugee Day for a 10 min Prayer Service before the morning mass, particularly for the Climate Refugees around the world. Prayers and reflections highlighted the plight of refugees around the world.
Summer Solstice 2023 Service of Light
We started the Service of Light by giving thanks for summer to celebrate the longest day of the year,
The song video “Web of Life” was played for the three mornings to introduce the Climate Justice Candle Prayer Service in the Parish.
Web of Life lyrics
Beautiful strong, endless connecting
Winding from one to another
Colourful web, changing and growing
Holding us fast in life
We are one with the trees
One with the earth, the sky and the seas
We are branches of God
Rooted deep in life
Sparkling, spinning, dancing free
Weaving our web with grateful heart
Celebrating all that is
Caring for all of life.
(From the Album: Prayers from the Upper Room)
We are blessed with warmer days. Summer Solstice is about light. It is about the strength and power of a complete and abundant sun.
It is about making space for sharing, connecting and communing with God and with other beings in a spirit of kinship and relatedness.
And some words of thanks for Summer:
For the beauty we see around
For the opportunity to be outside
For the increased time to be with family and friends
After the Service, we watched the Laudato Si film “The Letter.” It gave us an insight into the challenges of sustainable lifestyles.
In the week of WYD Lisbon 2023, the Rise Up Encounters will kick off where we will be reflecting on our relationship with creation. Our relationship with other beings and reflecting on God’s great love for days 2 and 3 respectively.
“Rise Up” is inspired by the attitudes of Mary that moved her to go and visit her cousin Elizabeth.
