Written by Dear Friend of Andante,
We hope you have enjoyed the summer.
We are now well into September and the period set aside to celebrate and reflect upon the season of creation. This year in the countryside we are seeing a superabundance of acorns and nuts which happens when oak and beech trees are stressed and they synchronise with each other to create mast years which will give them a greater chance of survival.
“Peace with creation” is the theme drawn from Isaiah, where the prophet begins with a desolate creation, wounded by human injustice. Pope Leo writes that “now is the time to follow words with deeds…By working with love and perseverance we can sow many seeds of justice and thus contribute to the growth of peace and the renewal of hope.”
Following on from our study days and the words of Sister Irene, “women cannot move alone, they must move together”, we are launching an Andante news digest, Actu-elle, where we can connect with each other and across organisations. Please do contribute to this.
Plans are also well advanced for our 20th anniversary study days, 25-28 September 2026, which will be held in Walsingham, which is a beautiful medieval pilgrimage site, known as England’s Nazareth. We hope this will be a chance to reconnect with many of our founding women and past speakers.
Please do consider joining the Raising Hope Conference for the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si, which takes place 1-3 October 2025. https://raisinghope.earth/conference/
The Conference will be led by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in a global celebration of hope for our common home. This extraordinary gathering will highlight the transformative power of Laudato Si’, celebrate its impact, address the urgent challenges ahead, and inspire faith communities to lead the way in caring for creation.
We wish you a happy Autumn,
With love and prayers,
Weronika Felcis and Sophie Rudge
Co presidents Andante