The joy of living simply (18 Apr 2008)

Young adults from the Newcastle Universities' Chaplaincy joined 40 other livesimply activists on a weekend away at the Minsteracres Retreat Centre. The weekend's theme was the 'Joy of Living Simply'. We heard from 7 who came back changed and ready for action!

"The main messages of the weekend were the need to make more people aware of what living simply really is and how the meaning of the message will be unique for each person," explained Peter Rosinski.  "It is not about living in poverty but joyfully living simply."

The grounds of the centre had a big impact on the weekend - Edmund Snape was impressed by the gardener, Frank Neary, who grows lots of food for the centre, including the ingredients for a delicious pie enjoyed by all.

Perspectives from overseas

The weekend had a wide selection of speakers, including talks on life in Ethiopia and The Sudan. 

"Such talks helped to live in greater solidarity with our brothers and sisters in countries such as these," Peter Rosinski said.

Fr John Sherrington and Fr Bill Rooke brought stories of living in poor communities. Mamour Turuk, a support worker for the Failed Asylum Seekers Project based in Benwell, also spoke. Mamour, who comes from Sudan, is studying for his PhD in English at Newcastle University. He was Chair of the Upper Nile Peace Committee from 2002 to 2006.

Rebecca O'Brien was struck by his talk and that "Christians there noticeably maintain their faith at the centre of their lives". She was also struck by Father Andrew Downie, who was just back from Ethiopia.

"We will make a difference"

Rachel Tavernor said that "although the message was simple, it evoked in-depth conversations about how the Catholic Church needs to put our fantastic church teachings into practice, to live simply is only part of the message; we must also live sustainably but most important of all we must live in solidarity with the poor."

Shenique Albury agreed: "We are challenged to find ways of living that not only foster our welfare but also the welfare of others, whether they be our next door neighbour, or a child labourer in another part of the world.  The choice to deliberately live simply is in stark contrast to just simply living for me, the moment or whatever."

So what will the young adults be up to and what did they all take home?

"Overall, the weekend gave me the energy to live more simply in my life," said Peter Rosinski.

"The weekend inspired me to get up off my bum and do something!  I will be buying more fairtrade products, but I also think it is important to buy items that are made closer to home when possible," said Shenique Albury.

"I've realised that there are definitely things that I consume which aren't really necessary and I could do without. I've already started recycling more and being more proactive in my livesimply journey", said Anita Morais.

Kate Travaglini summed up the take-home message: "People say that myself as an individual can not make a difference; that my effort is like a drop in an ocean. However by working together as God's people and persisting, we will make a difference. I will spread the messages of the weekend, so that more people will become aware."