In September 2022 a group of St. Vincent’s parishioners came together to consider how we might use Cafod’s Live Simply Award to help us live our faith as a parish community. We would need to form a plan based on three themes: Living Simply, Sustainably and in Solidarity with poorer communities. This task seemed a bit daunting at first, but Cafod provides a template and helpful pointers, and it turned out that the very process was a truly interesting and encouraging exercise. We could see several things the parish was doing already that fitted the themes: supporting charities like St. Wilfrid’s and Cafod; using fair-trade coffee and tea for drinks after Sunday morning Mass; gardening with care for creation; regularly suggesting appropriate bidding prayers. Between building on these and the blessings of further inspiration, our problem if anything became putting a limit on our ideas.
By November 2022 we had our plan, which Father Walsh signed and Cafod accepted.
It has to be admitted that one or two of our ideas proved difficult to follow through. Yet as is often the case, the very obstacles we encountered were instructive. They produced unexpected rewards and provided a great exercise in waiting patiently on the Holy Spirit for her true and good fruits. After 18 months or so, we felt ready to ask Cafod for an assessment, and in May 2024 were thrilled to find our parish had successfully earned the Live Simply Award.
Bishop Ralph concelebrated a special Sunday Mass for us in September, as the Season of Creation was drawing to a close. He blessed our lovely award plaque, made in Cambodia by skilled artisans and carrying its own story of faith.
It provides joyful sustenance on our parish Pilgrimage of Hope.
Columba Timmins
