Greetings All ! REL ED colleagues may wish to follow up on this in school, although many are now finishing the term with in-school examinations and assessments. The attached resource could be useful in the September Term when we look at Creation.

ICN reported on this special week today :

Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore and Episcopal Coordinator of Laudato Si’ for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, issued the following statement today for the start of Laudato Si’ Week 2026: “Starting today – and for this week – the universal Catholic Church celebrates the 11th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the groundbreaking and bestselling encyclical of Pope Francis on ‘Care for our Common Home’ as reflect on the legacy that it has given our Church, and the world.

Hope in Laudato Si’ is not passive optimism but an active, faith-filled commitment to ecological conversion and action, affirming that ‘much can be done’ to repair our common home. We see how this hope is lived out in action in Ireland when we consider the new resource Havens for Nature issued by Ireland’s Heritage Council, in collaboration with the Laudato Si’ Working Group, for faith communities all over the island of Ireland. The Irish Bishops’ Conference have sent a copy to every parish in the country, and bishops encourage parishes to engage with returning 30% of church grounds to nature. This practical care for biodiversity is a response to the invitation of Laudato Si’ to hear the cry of the earth and also to hear creation’s song. Laudato Si’ urges transitioning from a sense of apathy or resignation to concrete, local actions to create a sustainable future

Bishop Hayes concluded: “I welcome the news of 30 April, from the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Mr Darragh O’Brien, that Ireland will co-host the ‘Second Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels’ in 2027 (see Minister O’Brien’s announcement below). This priority complements Pope Francis’ providential statement that, ‘Technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels needs to be progressively replaced without delay'” (Laudato Si’,165).

To see activities from Trócaire for Laudato Si’ Week, visit: www.trocaire.org/news/laudato-si-week-2026/
For resources for parishes for Laudato Si’ Week 2026, visit: www.laudatosiweek.org

Laudato Si’ Week, 17th -24th May 2026

From Hope to Action

“Hope would have us recognise that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems.” Laudato Si’ 61

Bishop Martin Hayes welcomes parishes to join in marking Laudato Si’ Week 2026, you can read his statement here – link to come

Trócaire invite you to join us for two webinars this year to mark Laudato Si’ Week.

Tuesday 19th  May, 1-2pm: From Hope to Action 

Hope is not passive, it is lived and shared through daily decisions, community life, faith and concrete acts of care. Join us for a nourishing webinar on Active Hope where we will hear from Jane Mellett (Trócaire) and Juanita Majury (Join the Dots Together) on what moves us to hope and action. To register please go to: https://trocaire-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/xy-Uh3rISDau40mR6Ihiqg

Thursday 21st  May 1-2pm: Seeds of Hope: Webinar on Seeds, Community Gardens and Agro-ecology 

Michael O’Brien works in Trócaire’s policy unit specialising in farming, agro-ecology and engaging with our partners in areas where the climate crisis is a daily challenge. We will be joined by our Zimbabwe partners who will share on their work, on the importance and value of seeds, and what locally-led solutions mean to them. Declan Crowley (Trócaire volunteer) will share on how Laudato Si’ inspired St. James’ Parish,  Killorglin to create a biodiversity garden and what this means for the local community. To register for this webinar please go to: https://trocaire-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/cOaVRosCT-q75hvbiI5b2A

Monday 18 May 1-1.30pm Ecological Spirituality

Join us for an online lunchtime meditation with Anna Keegan who will lead us in a nourishing ‘Prayer of the Seven Directions’. This prayer is inspired by Sr Jose Hobday, a Seneca woman and Franciscan Sister who was inspired by her love of nature and desire for simple prayer.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://trocaire-org.zoom.us/j/82356554743

Meeting ID: 823 5655 4743
Passcode: 542810

Assembly for Laudato Si’ Week 2026 – resource for schools

Deirbhile Craven, Trócaire’s Church Youth Officer, has created a school assembly resource for teachers and chaplains to use, with side notes too. You can download the School Assembly “From Hope to Action” here.

Fridays for Future Climate Strike – Dáil Éireann Friday 22 May 1-2pm

All are welcome to join the weekly climate justice strike outside Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2, where placards will be available, and you can add your voice to those calling for our politicians to be ambitious for climate targets and fossil-fuel transition.

Laudato Si’ was Pope Francis’ letter on “Care for our Common Home”, where he invited people of goodwill to listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Laudato Si’ Week gives us a chance to re-read this invitation, to consider our response and what one action we could do to care for our planet and all life on it.