The DHS Family of England and Ireland
“Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’”
The Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Saturday 4th October 2025,
Olney
On 4th October 2025, a blustery but dry day, Sisters and Associates met in the Church Hall of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Lawrence, Olney. The trees were beginning to display their autumn colours and leaves blew everywhere, setting the scene for our celebration of Laudato Si’. A reading of our Superior General’s letter was followed by an opening reflection from our Provincial, Sr Anne Morris (Fig 1). After singing the first two verses of our hymn All creatures of our God and King, we saw a brief presentation of a thriving vegetable patch set up some years ago on a strip of wasteland behind the Presbytery of Christ the King Church in Bedford by Suzy, a parishioner who helped a group of schoolchildren to grow vegetables. The photos (Figs 2 to 6) bear witness to their success and this small plot still produces a variety of vegetables which are sold to parishioners. During the time of ‘Covid’ the children had helped to grow vegetables at their own homes.
We then looked, in wonder, at a kaleidoscopic presentation of 40 exquisite paintings done by talented Bedford Associate, Judy Buchanan, who walked daily in her neighbourhood for CAFOD during Lent and Eastertide in 2023. She painted what caught her eye on her walks and each painting was accompanied by a verse from a Psalm for reflection. The photos of a selection of her paintings with accompanying verses are shown (Figs 7-17). Each gives a window into contemplation of the wonder of God’s creation, whether it be fauna, flora, fowl – or an architectural feature or street scene that caught her eye!
After a rendition of the second two verses of our hymn the day concluded with Afternoon Tea during which a splendid Laudato Si’ 10th Anniversary Cake was cut and enjoyed by all (Figs 18, 19).
“All reality is interconnected within itself and with its Maker. Truly God is to be found in everything.” Laudato Si’
Dublin
The three sisters from Lucan Community joined our four sisters at Drumcondra as Storm Amy was waving us “goodbye”, leaving us a carpet of magnificent autumn foliage, calling us to give praise to God (Figs 20). We enjoyed a celebratory meal, of which some of the food was harvested from the community garden. Time was spent conversing together, Anthonia Ayeni (our Nigerian sister) gave us an update on the development of our mission in Nigeria and how the sisters there were celebrating Laudato SI’. It was clear to see that all is connected. We are part of God’s creation story. A longer time was given to prayer and reflection on quotes from Laudato SI’ and psalm 148, in which the choir of God’s creatures sings His praise; together we gave great attention to the farm project initiated in one of our parishes. We began our prayer by singing two verses of “All creatures of our God and King” and ended by singing the final two verses of that same hymn. All speaking clearly to us to hear afresh: The Cry of The Earth and The Cry of The Poor. This celebration made us more aware that all of us have an individual responsibility to accept the challenges facing us to take greater care of our Common Home for the benefit of all and for future generations. Let us remain Pilgrims of Hope, keeping the flame of Hope burning. Words of gratitude were given to St Francis of Assisi for his inspirational life and to the late Pope Francis for his gift of the Laudato Si’ encyclical. “The entire universe, all of creation speaks of God’s boundless affection for us, everything is a caress of God” (Laudato Si’ 84).
By Dympna CONNOLLY, DHS – October 14, 2025
List of images from DHS family
Fig 1: Sr Anne introducing the celebration, Olney 4th October 2025 — Fig 2: Bedford Farm project – bare ground — Fig 3: Bedford Farm project – crops in polytunnel — Fig 4: Bedford Farm project – children with thriving crops — Fig 5: Bedford Farm project – harvesting time — Fig 6: Bedford Farm project – selling at the market — Fig 7: Walk 13th March – Ps 27:1 – cyclamen — Fig 8: Walk 14th March – Ps 79:9 – lake in winter — Fig 9: Walk 17th March – Ps 117 – willow tree on walk in park — Fig 10: Walk 29th March – Ps 30:4 – blackbird in bare tree — Fig 11: Walk 4th April – Ps 126:4-5 – geese — Fig 12: Walk 9th April – Ps 18:1-2 – electricity pylon — Fig 13: Walk 10th April – Ps 17:6-7 – bicycle, person resting — Fig 14: Walk 11th April – Ps 22:19 – birdbath — Fig 15: Walk 13th April – Ps 71:1-2 – black cat — Fig 16: Walk 16th April – Ps 31:16-17 – butterfly — Fig 17: Walk 17th April – Ps 104:1-2 – steps up to bridge — Fig 18: Associates at celebration in Olney — Fig 19: Olney Laudato Si’ celebration cake — Fig 20: Dublin sisters