Become a livesimply award community

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The livesimply award is an opportunity for Catholic communities - parishes, schools, religious orders and chaplaincies - to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si' to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”.

What is the livesimply award?

It is awarded to communities who can show how they have been living:

• simply

• in solidarity with people in poverty

• sustainably with creation.

Some livesimply award communities have encouraged people to walk or cycle to church or school, install solar panels, start recycling schemes, join a climate change campaign, support Fairtrade stalls or donate to a local food bank. The award celebrates what you have already done and inspires you to do more. It helps your community to live, not just more simply, but also more fully.

How can we apply for a livesimply award?

“An important part of our faith is to care for creation and to develop respect for other people in the world. Becoming a livesimply parish helps you go deeper and to take action.”
Paul Kelly, St Joseph's parish, Lancaster diocese

Sign up using the form below to express your interest.
Next, develop a simple plan, using this action plan template, based on current activities and new projects you’d like to undertake, and send it to CAFOD. When we receive your form, we will send you a livesimply award registration certificate to display in your community.
We’ll support you with an email group, resources and the opportunity to share ideas and experience.
When you’re ready, let us know and we’ll come and visit your community, find out what you’ve been doing and help you celebrate and share your achievements.

Check out our step-by-step guide or sign up below to get started.

You need the backing of your parish priest or head teacher, and a small enthusiastic group to encourage people to get started.

Any questions? Contact livesimplyaward@cafod.org.uk

Livesimply sign up form

Title *
First name *
Last name *
Address line 1
City or town
County
Postcode *
Email address *
Name of your community *
Type of organisation *
If you are not applying for a parish or school, please state what kind of organisation
Diocese *
Yes, I’d like to receive campaigns news, action and updates from CAFOD by email
Yes, I’d like join the email group for livesimply communities.

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Livesimply resources

Found 10 results

What is the livesimply award? presentation (5mb, pptx)

Presentation for parishes, schools and groups who are interested in participating in CAFOD's livesimply scheme.
livesimply award short talk (94kb, pdf)

A short talk to help you introduce the livesimply award to your parish or other community group.
Eco-parish guide (8mb, pdf)

A practical guide for Catholic parishes and communities to reduce emissions and take action on climate change. This guide is produced by the Global Catholic Climate Movement, as a response to Laudato Si', and includes examples from all over the world.
100 ideas for the livesimply award (214kb, pdf)

Starting on the livesimply award with your parish, school or community? Check out these 100 ideas for inspiration for living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people in poverty.
Westminster livesimply parishes (2mb, pdf)

Examples and ideas from livesimply award communities in Westminster diocese.
Livesimply action plan form (95kb, docx)

Start your journey to achieving a livesimply award in your parish, school, retreat centre, chaplaincy or other community. Use this simple form to plan how you will work towards the award, and return to CAFOD to get your registration certificate.
Livesimply award guide (4mb, pdf)

Everything you need to know to get your parish, school, chaplaincy or religious community to live more simply, sustainably and in solidarity with people in poverty - and to start your journey towards achieving a livesimply award.
Laudato Si' study guide (4mb, pdf)

A study guide inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'- Care for our common home from CAFOD and SCIAF. Includes witnesses from overseas and UK parishes, ideas for action and prayers.
Laudato Si': Play your part (2mb, pdf)

A guide on how you can respond to the encyclical by taking action on your own or as part of a community.
Living Simply hymn (449kb, pdf)

Hymn for parishes, to celebrate living simply.

Livesimply award communities

Arundel and Brighton Diocese

St Mary of the Angels, Worthing
Holy Angels, Ash

Birmingham Archdiocese

St Mary's, Harborne
St Peter's, Leamington Spa
St. John's, Tamworth
Newman University, Birmingham
Sacred Heart, Rugby
Holy Trinity, Newcastle Under Lyme

Brentwood Diocese

Cathedral Parish of St Mary and St Helen, Brentwood
Our Lady of the Rosary and St Patrick, Walthamstow
Knights of Saint Columba Council 192, Southend-on-Sea

Clifton Diocese

St Stanislaus, Dulverton
St Bonaventure, Bristol
St Francis, Nailsea

East Anglia Diocese

Our Lady’s Parish, Stowmarket
St Laurence, Cambridge
St Henry Morse, Diss
St John the Baptist Cathedral, Norwich

Hexham and Newcastle Diocese

All Saints, Newcastle

Lancaster Diocese

St Josephs Ansdell, Lytham St Anne’s
Our Lady and St Edwards Fulwood, Preston

Leeds Diocese

St Benedict’s, Garforth

Liverpool Diocese

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Southport
St Anne's, Ormskirk

Plymouth Diocese

Christ the King (Holy Family Parish), Kinson (Bournemouth)

Portsmouth Diocese

St. John Bosco, Woodley
St Joseph, Havant
Hampshire Downs, Winchester
Our Lady and St Edmund, Abingdon

Southwark Diocese

Our Lady of Lourdes, Lee
St James the Great, Petts Wood
St Augustine's, Tunbridge Wells

Westminster Diocese

Our Lady Immaculate Hitchin
St John Vianney, West Green, Tottenham
Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Joseph, Ware
Holy Apostles, Pimlico
St Mary Immaculate and St Peter, New Barnet