On Friday 24th November, 200 participants representing 100 parishes in the Archdiocese of Dublin met all day for a Laudato Si Conference.

It was a fascinating day, there were 4 keynote speakers; Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, Dr. Lorna Gold, CEO of FaithInvest, Professor John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor and Climate scientist from Maynooth University and Sr. Nellie McLaughlin, author, environmental educator and activist.

Bill Hayden from Rathfarnham Parish was at the Conference. He said afterwards that three words summed up the day for him: anger, inspiration and determination he also said “the concepts espoused in Laudato Si are a fundamental part of our Christianity, to look after our Common Home”.

There was great energy and positivity in the room, ideas and resources were shared and despite all the climate challenges we face, there was an overriding feeling of hope at the end of the day. Greta Thunberg’s quote: ….”I know it really may seem impossible and hopeless sometimes – it always does – so you just have to keep going because if you try hard enough and long enough you will make a difference” resonated strongly.