On Friday, 16 May, parishes and communities across Dublin are warmly invited to a day of reflection, inspiration, and practical support at the upcoming Laudato Si’ conference. Held in the serene grounds of the Glasnevin Centre grounds, this event is dedicated to caring for our common home.
A twenty-euro attendance fee will give participants access to talks, workshops, and practical guidance designed to help individuals and parishes to walk more gently on the earth. Rooted in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the event will explore the deep interconnection between people, nature, and faith.
Speakers on the day will include, Sister Nellie McLaughlin RSM, an environmental activist, author and founding member of Green Sod Land Trust Ireland, Jane Mellett, Church Manager with Trócaire; and Yosef Dvores, Biodiversity Trainer with Wild Works.
Sister McLaughlin, who will open the day with a keynote on the spiritual and ecological message of Laudato Si’ remarked, “It cannot be emphasised enough how everything is interconnected,” (LS. 138)
Ms Mellett, will reflect on the global impact of the encyclical, highlighting stories of hope and transformation from around the world while Mr Dvores will share his local experience with rewilding efforts in Dun Laoghaire–Rathdown, working alongside churches to restore biodiversity.
Workshops throughout the day will offer practical tools for parishes, from mapping church grounds for sustainability, to creating pollinator-friendly spaces, to introducing the Laudato Si’ Youth Award within the Dublin Archdiocese. There will also be moments of spiritual reflection, exploring how hope and faith underpin the call to ecological conversion.
Following on earlier Laudato Si’ conferences in Mallow and Dublin, this smaller-scale event is both a refresher for seasoned participants and an accessible starting point for new communities. As the encyclical reminds us, “Soil, water, mountains, everything is, as it were, a caress of God” (LS 84).
If the weather permits, attendees will be invited to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Glasnevin Centre – a fitting backdrop for a day centred on creation. Many who have attended past gatherings have gone on to spark new initiatives in their parishes. Sometimes, “all it takes is one good person to restore hope” (LS 71).
To find out more about this event and to register, visit https://www.margaretaylwardcentre.ie/event/seeds-of-hope/.
ENDS