‘The Letter’ film shown in Collinstown highlights need for conservation

There was a good attendance at the recent showing a film, ‘The Letter – A Message for our Earth’ in Fore and Collinstown parish centre. The film, which was inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si in 2015, has been a huge success and viewed by more than seven million people in its first two weeks of release alone.

It addresses the movement of minds and hearts that is needed to address the damage caused by the human abuse of the earth. It is a rallying call for the whole earth.

‘The Letter’ is a powerful movie that is stunningly made by award winning director Nicholas Brown. It features environmental champions from around the world, who highlight their work to address the planetary crisis. They are the voices of the Indigenous, the young, the poor, and wildlife.

A lively discussion took place after the film, facilitated by Jane Mellett from Trócaire. There were positive suggestions by Jane and the audience about how each of us can help protect the environment. Jane informed the meeting that the film is available free on YouTube for people to view. You can find out more at www.theletterfilm.org.

As the church currently celebrates the Season of Creation, (September 1 to October 4) parishes interested in partaking in positive environmental action can contact Jane Mellett in Trócaire for support.

Some examples of projects taken place in Collinstown Village over the last number of years include, the planting of a Community Orchard by the Collinstown Action Group at various locations around the village as well as a sensory and picnic area.

A Biodiversity Survey of Collinstown Village and surrounding area, funded by Community Foundation Ireland, was carried out by an ecologist in 2023, which is available to view on the Collinstown website, collinstown.ie.

In addition, there has been willow weaving, family biodiversity day workshops and an illustrated map of the village, all previously organised by The Tidy Towns, plus ‘One Small Change’ events by various community groups as well as initiatives contributing to a more circular economy from Collinstown Farmers Market.

The Collinstown Tidy Towns Plan, by Woodrow Sustainable Solutions, includes many suggestions and advice on steps towards sustainability and enhancing the natural environment, available on the Collinstown Village website.