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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.

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

Paid-for materials

Call 020 7095 5680 to order by credit card.

Or send a cheque payable to "CAFOD" to: CAFOD Resources, 2 Romero Close, Stockwell Road, LONDON. SW9 9TY (please include full name & address details)
P&P: Add 20% on orders up to £30, 10% on orders from £30 to £75, free for orders over £75

Free materials

Call 0207 095 5572 or email resources@cafod.org.uk

Please always state the title exactly as it appears online, and allow 14 days for delivery
(note: we do not supply orders to overseas addresses)

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

PowerPoint: Call of Creation (2.67 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" (2.04 MB)

Inspiring words and images on creation and faith, based on the Call of Creation (5 mins). Try it with 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 (96.50 kB)

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

Prayers (76.50 kB)

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

Prayer for children (23.50 kB)

Written by the First Communion class at St Peter's Community, Hinkley

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

Reflection: Thoughts on livesimply (58.50 kB)

"We know we are beginning to live simply when we glimpse that we are content with less..." by Jim O'Keefe

Schools liturgy: Caring for creation (182.28 kB)

Set up different prayer stations that will encourage people to think about how we can all share in the responsibility of caring for God’s world. Here are some suggestions, based on the seven days of creation found in Genesis 1:1–2:4. You can use some or all of these ideas – or come up with your own creative ways to think about going green with CAFOD! (Secondary school)

Refugees gather at a makeshift camp near Kibati, 12 km north of the provincial capital of Goma, October 29, 2008 [REUTERS/Stringer, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

Give to the £1 million Congo Crisis Appeal

Make a donation to help those affected by renewed fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - please support our charity work there. A gift from you really will make a difference to thousands of people

Shine a light in the darkness

Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

World Gifts 2008: Gifts that make a world of difference

Buy a World Gift

Browse our new range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one – something for you to give to friends or a relative, while the real gift changes the life of someone living in poverty

Published on 05/06/2008, last updated on 08/09/2008

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New livesimply anthology launches - order now

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New book of articles, reflections and prayers which invite us to examine our lifestyles and transform ourselves and the world. Practical tips for living in a simpler way, and suggestions for using material creatively in liturgies and group discussions

Catholics around the UK have been making promises to live simply

The secret of happiness

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For thousands of years, spiritual leaders - including Christ himself - have spoken of the limitations of materialism and warned that the path to happiness and fulfilment lies elsewhere. Now there is even economic research to back up this view

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