Living Simply in Weoley Castle, Birmingham (23 Jul 2007)

Young people in Our Lady and Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Birmingham, have been leading the parish in living simply since they danced down the aisle to launch the challenge on National Youth Sunday.

The youth group (aged 14-18) have added creativity to a commitment to global justice issues, says group leader Rosemary Fitzgerald. Activities have included showing the livesimply DVD to fellow parishioners and serving them Fairtrade tea and coffee (not a spare chair to be found, it's said).

The Commitment Cross, two pieces of wood nailed together and erected in the Sanctuary, was used as a reminder of the young people's commitment to their livesimply promises. They put their thumb prints on it and charged parishioners to do the same, giving the money to charity.

The parish has subsequently made a number of livesimply promises, kick-started by the youth group, and announced by young people after Mass.