Catholic parishes across England and Wales are trying to live more simply, sustainably and solidarity with people in poverty. Hear from the people making a difference and get inspired to transform your parish into a LiveSimply parish.

Put your faith into action and stand in solidarity with the poor. That means having less and being more.

How to become a Live Simply Parish: [ Ссылка ]


Take action for Hungry for change, calling on Prime Minister David Cameron for a fairer food system: [ Ссылка ]

This is one element in the Hungry for change animation. View the full animation here: [ Ссылка ]

18 months after the start of the LiveSimply parish scheme, four parishes from three different dioceses can celebrate receiving an award: St John Bosco in Reading, St Stanislaus in Dulverton, Devon, St Bonaventure's in Bristol and St Joseph's in Lytham St Annes.

Maria Elena Arana from CAFOD's campaigns team said "Becoming a LiveSimply parish is a long term venture. We are delighted that these four very different churches have shown that they are united by a determination to make a difference. We know that many more are following in their footsteps.

"This new film shows that any parish, however big or small, can benefit from living more simply -- in ways they may never have expected. It's an opportunity to inspire your congregation and neighbourhood with a message of hope and transformation, and to engage practically with big issues like global poverty. We hope this short film will encourage many other parishes to take up the challenge."

St John Bosco in Reading, as the first parish to receive the LiveSimply award, is featured in the new video. As is St Joseph's and St Bede's in Newcastle, which has recently registered to join the scheme.

Organiser at St Joseph's and St Bede's, Audrey Marshall says: "LiveSimply has given us a shared goal. Everybody in the parish is full of ideas about things that we'll do. It costs nothing, and it's good fun. I can see the idea spreading throughout our Diocese and through the whole country. I know we are not the first, but we are among the early ones, and I think we have a long way to go."

To apply for the award, parishes have to take on three major actions under the headings of living simply, living sustainably and living in solidarity with people in poverty, as well as at least six additional activities. These could be anything from installing solar panels or an energy-efficient boiler to supporting Fairtrade, from campaigning with CAFOD to organising a community clean-up or local litter-pick.

Paul Kelly from St Joseph's explained the impact the scheme has had on him: "It's reaffirmed parts of my faith. An important part of my faith is to care for creation, and celebrate that, and to develop respect for other peoples in the rest of the world. Becoming a LiveSimply parish helps you go deeper, and to take action."

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CAFOD works in communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America, helping people to tackle the poverty and injustice they face. We work wherever the need is greatest, with people of all faiths and none.

To learn more about CAFOD, click here: [ Ссылка ]

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