A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Good morning - such glorious weather. It makes one reflect on the unseasonableness of so much of our weather patterns which affect us for sure but have an enormous impact on the poorer countries fo the world.

Yesterday was Earth Day; it was celebrated in our schools and across the world, even by political leaders. Cardinal Turkson issued a statement on behalf of Pope Francis from which I include a couple of paragraphs. I might return to it in the next few days.
The Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will be held soon, has as vision of a world living in harmony with nature, where, by 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.

Four goals are the focus:

1. Increase the area protected so that can be assured the connectivity and the integrity of natural ecosystem supporting healthy and resilient populations of all species and to reduce the number of species that are threatened and maintain genetic diversity ;

2. Value the nature's contribution to people, to maintain and enhance it through conservation and sustainable use supporting global development agenda for the benefit of all people ;

3. Share fairly and equitably the benefits from the utilization of genetic resources; and, finally,

4. Check the means of implementation to achieve all these goals and targets.

Thus, the task assigned to all of us is to reflect and find ways to meet these challenges (LS 217). The Church always raises her prophetic voice to provide a spiritual basis for reflection on the protection of the poor and this includes Earth's biodiversity.

Please pray for the families of Adam and Stephen whose funerals we celebrate today.

St Joseph, comfort of the afflicted, pray for us

Every blessing

Fr John