CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
A message from the Bishop’s Conference in Wales
Dear Young People,
Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Disciples.
Feeling afraid and uncertain, the Disciples locked themselves away: Jesus had been their friend helping them and now He was no longer with them. Whilst praying, the Holy Spirit descended on the Disciples and they became Apostles. An Apostle is someone sent out to share the message of Jesus with everyone and that is what the Apostles did – they went out spreading the Good News to everyone. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must have the courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We must stand up for what is right in our own community and in the global community.
Many of you will remember the letter Pope Francis wrote called Laudato si’ asking all of us in the whole world to take care of our common home.
Pope Francis says that climate change affects us all, but it is the poorest communities who will suffer the most.
We all have a responsibility to take care of our common home, and you can make that change through your choices as an individual in your home, school, parish and local community. Recycling materials correctly, reducing food waste, not wasting water, switching the lights off and thinking about the way you travel to school.
Young people are passionate about making these important changes. Not only are you probably already doing them, but through your actions you are also educating others around you!
Two important events are happening in our country this year. In June, the G7 will take place in Cornwall. World leaders from the seven most powerful countries in the world will meet to discuss global issues, such as climate change and recovery from the global pandemic. Their talks will affect all our brothers and sisters in our global family.
In November, COP26, a meeting of world leaders and governments organised by the United Nations, will be taking place in Glasgow. Important decisions will be made about how countries can help tackle the climate crisis.
Our government is hosting this meeting: they represent us. We have the power to make a difference by speaking up and making sure that our voices are heard. Like the Disciples at Pentecost, we need to become Apostles, spreading the Good News of Jesus and building a better future and fairer world for all.
What can I do?
If you haven’t already done so, watch the CAFOD assembly: ‘Eyes of the World’. Take part in the campaign by making pictures of eyes to show the eyes of the world are watching, and so are we! Write to the government telling them to think about the world’s poorest people as they make their decisions! https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-teaching-resources/Eyes-of-the-world
Let Us Pray:
We pray for a world where everyone has the chance to live life to the full.