Watching the news is very tough at the moment. In this time of manufactured chaos, it’s so easy to think that individuals or communities have no power to change things. But instead of giving in to despair or apathy, we can find consolation in all the work that is happening, often by volunteers, to make communities more inclusive, healthier, and more resilient.
The JCFJ attended a conference earlier this year about how parishes can restore biodiversity on their grounds. It was an uplifting day and attendees went away with plenty of ideas for actions they could take in their own communities. Since then we have had the opportunity to observe how one parish Care of the Earth team in Dublin 11 have been working hard not only to protect and enhance biodiversity, but also to build and strengthen community connections.
St Pappin’s Parish Ballymun was established in December 2018 with the amalgamation of the three parishes of Virgin Mary, Holy Spirit, and St Joseph’s, and its pastoral centre beside St Joseph’s church was opened the following year.
I first visited the pastoral centre in September 2024, when the Ballymun Biodiversity Action Group hosted a meeting of the Dublin Urban Biodiversity Network there. Representatives of biodiversity and Tidy Towns groups from all over Dublin were warmly welcomed in the centre to share news and ideas and to see the site where the action group were planning a range of projects to enhance biodiversity. The spacious meeting room and large, bright dining room made the centre an ideal venue for people to chat, learn, and have lunch together.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit St Pappin’s a few times since then, thanks to my work with Pocket Forests. After a long time planning and fundraising by the Ballymun Biodiversity Action Group, the Care of the Earth team, and the support of Fr John Dunphy, the piece of land between the pastoral centre and St Joseph’s Church is now home to a 100m2 pocket forest (Dublin’s largest so far) and an Irish heritage orchard. The centre of the pocket forest contains three large benches, meaning it can be used as a gathering space or as an outdoor classroom. A pond is going to be installed soon too, which will add even further to the biodiversity in the area.
On every visit to the parish, whether we were preparing soil, helping to install the benches, or planting the trees, we were joined by many willing helpers and treated to a hearty lunch, which was very welcome after a couple of hours of physical work. And as much as we enjoyed the cups of tea, sandwiches and delicious home bakes, the true joy of the lunch break was the chance to meet and chat with people who volunteer their time and energy to helping their community.
What stood out in all these conversations was the diversity of people and groups in the area who love their community and are dedicated to making it better. A glance at the list of actions taken during the annual ‘Better Ballymun’ day of action shows the range of projects and initiatives happening in the area. And the day we planted the 300 trees in the pocket forest illustrated this perfectly. As well as volunteers from the Ballymun Biodiversity Action Group and the St Pappin’s Care of the Earth team, students from St Joseph’s primary school and Trinity Comprehensive School, team members from the Rediscovery Centre, Global Action Plan, and volunteers from other local groups also took part.
And the community links reach further than Dublin 11. The bespoke benches in the centre of the pocket forest were made by the talented final-year students of the BSc in Sustainable Timber Technology in TU Dublin, using wood from trees that had to be taken down during the construction of the new children’s hospital.
The Care of the Earth team has been operating for several years, working together with other groups in the community. For example the parishioners joined forces with the local Tidy Towns group to run a recycling project during the Season of Creation 2020. The project sparked a great community spirit at a challenging time, allowing people to connect through a shared purpose while keeping a safe distance.
More recently, the parish has installed solar panels, and it also encourages its young parishioners to take part in the Laudato Si’ award which connects young people with parish communities and the wider Diocesan family to work together to create an environment of care and protection in parishes.
Playing a small part in the work of the St Pappin’s parish and the wider Ballymun Community has brought me solace and hope at this very difficult time for our common home. In the face of chaos, destruction and conflict, loving our community is one thing we can do to maintain belonging, purpose, and hope.
The theme of belonging will be explored at the JCFJ annual lecture next week, when Revd Dr Hannah Malcom will discuss how the creative practice of naming is essential to fostering good local belonging, both for individuals and for the church. The lecture takes place in Gardiner St Church at 7pm on Tuesday 8 April and you can book a spot here.
To finish, here are some reassuring words from Sr Pauline Hannon, who gave our team such a warm welcome to the parish centre on each visit. She reflected on her experiences of litter picking in the community: ‘I never feel alone in my care for the environment. The birds accompany me day after day, singing out joyously and sweetly. The cooing of the wood pigeon reminds me of other times and other places. I feel uplifted and encouraged by the beauty of their song even in the midst of grim dumping. In fact, this whole experience has led me to feel more deeply what it is like to be part of an Earth Community.’
Thanks to the Ballymun Biodiversity Action Group and the St Pappin’s Care of the Earth team for the help with writing this article, and in particular to Caroline Conroy and Sr Pauline Hannon.
