CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales

Live Simply

Wish you could live more simply? Tired of a world of consumerism and hype? Then join the livesimply project and get ready for change

Economic growth that tramples on the rights of the poor is not progress. The accumulation of riches at the expense of people and the environment is not true wealth.

We can choose to live in a way that puts us back in touch with what really matter, and create a world where human dignity is respected and people in developing countries have the chance to live their lives to the full.

God calls us to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people who are poor.


Resources to order Rss Feed

Click on the resource name for details of how to order or call 020 7095 5680

Call of Creation toolkit
A stimulating group discussion/workshop tool for exploring green issues in a faith context. Photocards, liturgy and essential Church teaching. Live simply and sustainably. Cost: £3

Resources to download Rss Feed
Zambia [Caroline Irby]

Liturgy: livesimply Creation Walk (131.00 kB)

This Creation Walk offers the opportunity to hear and reflect on Scripture and Catholic social teaching and to pray together for change, so that the earth and all humanity can flourish. Contains options for use both outside and indoors. Download and adapt for your group

[Reuters/ Daniel Aguilar courtesy of www.alertnet.org]

PowerPoint: Call of Creation (2.03 MB)

A five-minute presentation based on the Call of Creation Toolkit, looking at environmental issues from a faith perspective

Left to right, Hosanna and Etidot, Helen and Papa, Glory and Blessed, who attended classes at the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Nigeria [Jon Spaull]

PowerPoint: "It's a wonderful world" (1.39 MB)

Inspiring words and images on creation and faith, based on the Call of Creation. Try it with some background music: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Genet, Abeba, Aron and Alem care for tree seedlings at this nursery before they are planted in the open fields and mountains of Ethiopia [Freweini Gebre Mariam/Ethiopialives.net]

Call of Creation: Words of inspiration (23.18 kB)

A selection of brief readings on caring for creation, for use with groups. Use as a supplement to your Call of Creation toolkit

Holy Island

Prayers (25.88 kB)

Inviting us to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with those who live in poverty

Landscape near Shinyanga, Tanzania [Sean Sprague]

Reflection: Words of wisdom (24.46 kB)

Reflections on livesimply for Lent by Fr Jim O'Keefe

Liturgy: summer loaves and fishes picnic (3.30 MB)

This pack will help you organise a livesimply summer picnic with your parish and wider community. You’ll find practical tips, a short liturgy for the event, suggestions for Mass on or near the day, and ideas for children

Reflection: Populorum Progressio and livesimply (119.68 kB)

Six weekly reflections, readings, prayers and actions taking different themes from Populorum Progressio, the document that inspired livesimply

Reflection for groups (205.02 kB)

Prayers, discussion questions and readings for groups taking part in livesimply

take action
Pound for Pound

Give

For every £1 given to our Give it up! appeal this Lent, including Lent Fast Day, the government will donate another £1 – doubling your donation and changing even more lives

Let waters flow and wash away injustice

Pray

884 million people do not have access to clean, safe water. Pray with us this Lent that waters may flow and injustice may be washed away.

Act

Help us turn the tide on water poverty. Join our Thirst for change campaign and ensure world leaders hear our call: taps and toilets for all.

Published on 05/06/2008, last updated on 26/02/2009
sign-up for e-reflections

Sign up for our weekly Lenten email reflections - on a Scripture passage and a short prayer

more reflections and prayers to download
Your Kingdom Come

Want to see a better world, but not sure how to make a difference? Want to put your faith into action, but life feels too busy?

Watch Your Kingdom Come

Catholic social teaching online

Find out more about Catholic social teaching's main themes and how they can be translated into practical action.

Visit Catholic social teaching online