This Sunday’s reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he speaks directly to you and me, to our parish, on our journey of ecological conversion. He says:

⁶ The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

When we wonder how we can generate change in the world, change someone’s attitude, or moral, political and economic situations, most of us feel helpless. But the saints long ago have given us the answer: namely, first we must change ourselves and then everything around us changes. Changing myself, helps me see God’s will in specific life circumstances.

  In every situation we are able to act in some way, following our “heart”. While we can do “only” what is possible for us, God boosts our action. So don’t worry about the overwhelming things beyond us. Let’s focus on what we can do in concrete instances. Always there is something we can do. Our smallest action can be magnified by God. So let’s try to take care of our smallest actions, for from any goodness, greater goodness inevitably follows.                                                                                         

From: https://calendar.dyvensvit.org/#20211024&vita  

We’ve begun a community action to benefit the planet by committing to a weekly meatless day. We can expand this ethical action by becoming more conscious of the packaging of the food we buy. As the climate crisis intensifies, the use of plastics has risen—exponentially damaging our oceans and soil. Please examine this fact sheet to be aware of the dire need to reduce plastic use in our daily life: https://www.arocha.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/microplastics_factsheet.pdf

Once we acknowledge the problem with plastics, we can take concrete steps to go plastic free. 

Here are some simple tips for going plastic free

• Carry reusable shopping bags and use them instead of store plastic bags.
• Avoid food packaged in single-use plastic.
• Carry reusable utensils and drinking straws.
• Do not buy or consume soft drinks, juices and other beverages in plastic bottles.
• Carry your own containers for takeaway food and leftovers.
• Carry a stainless steel travel mug or water bottle at all times for coffee and other drinks while away from home.
• Choose lotions and lip balms in plastic-free containers.
• Do not buy or use bottled water