Report from Sylvia Thompson:
Life has been busy despite the lockdown with some exciting actions and plans afoot across the Diocese. Remember that the Diocese of Kerry includes a number of parishes in Co. Cork too.
One such activity was the planting of a native Rowan tree behind the church of St John the Baptist in Tralee at the close of the Season of Creation, on the Feast Day of St Francis. This too marked the setting aside of this area as a biodiversity garden and now the parish Care of Creation group are drawing up plans for plants and more. They have already planted crocus, native bluebell and snowdrops and a few bugles around the base that tree.
That group used zoom to link up and then planed a celebration of St Brigid’s Day again on zoom and are now hosting a reading/study group on ‘The Art of Encounter: Reflections on Fratelli Tutti’ under the wonderful guidance of Dr Suzanne Mulligan of Maynooth (Pontifical University).
Various parishes in the diocese are making plans or are already committed in making their grounds havens for biodiversity including Killorglin, Ballymacelligott and Kenmare and the JPIC committee of the diocese plans to support a network of individuals or small groups who want to pursue this. The Eco-Congregation Ireland webinar provided excellent guidance encouragement and resources at the perfect moment (mile buiochas).
Then of course the was the week long diocesan mission at the end of January held on Zoom with around 4,000 registered. A highlight was Jane Mellett Laudato Sí person for Trócaire who was an evening speaker. Be sure to check it out here. https://www.dioceseofkerry.ie/2021/01/jane-mellett-watch-recording/
Lets get out there and get planting for Spring … Laudato Si’ Praised be …