Laudato Si’ is a call from Pope Francis to care for our common home (2015 encyclical) based on the words of St Francis to praise Jesus through caring for our created world, and to stand as a living sign opposed to a ‘throwaway culture’.

The Laudato Si’ Garden Project is located in the garden of the Presbytery at Welsh Martyrs Church in Aberystwyth and is run by a small group of volunteers to grow food to donate to outreach projects run by St Michael’s Church & St Paul’s Church Café which provide meals to those in need in the Aberystwyth area. The aim of the project is to promote the sustainable use of our natural resources to the parish & the local community.

This year (after Advent) Caritas Cardiff-Menevia awarded some of the Crib and Lenten Offerings to the project. This is what the Laudato Si’ Project Team had to say about the donation:

The team are grateful to Caritas for awarding them the Crib and Lenten offerings last year which have enabled them to continue work on the pond project so as to encourage further biodiversity into the garden as well as to install another polytunnel, and to make a start on the edible forest garden.

Next year the team plan to create a rockery and prayer space around Our Lady’s statue in the garden, and to begin monitoring and recording the wildlife seen in the garden so as to encourage further biodiversity. It is also worth noting that the project also provides opportunities for parishioners to volunteer their time & learn new skills. The hope is that as the garden grows & develops, they can establish a peaceful place near the church for parishioners to come closer to the natural environment.

The work that The Laudato Si’ Garden Project are involved in is truly inspiring. Perhaps it might make you think of setting up something similar in your own parish. If so, why not send them an email.

Find out more/Get Involved

Laudato Si’ Garden Project (Website)

Laudato Si’ Garden Project (Facebook Group)

Laudato Si’ Garden Project (Instagram)

Caritas Cardiff-Menevia