Pic Extras

It’s a big question: how do we heal the planet? Maria Pimblett, media officer for the Union of Catholic Mothers, offers some suggestions. Healing the planet starts in your garage, in your kitchen, and even at your diningroom table. The goal is simple. Carbon dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy. It is released when oil, coal and other fossil fuels are burned for energy – the energy we use to power our homes, cars and smartphones. By using less of it, we can curb our own contribution to climate change while also saving ourselves money. One of the single biggest ways to make an impact on global climate change is to talk to your friends and family and make sure they are making good decisions. For instance, by choosing a utility company that generates at least half of its power from wind or solar energy, and has been certified by Green-e Energy. Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That is because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat and treat your water. So take shorter showers and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Another suggestion is to change all your bulbs to LED lightbulbs, which use 80 per cent less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money too. After plastics have been used, people may dump them into the environment, sometimes purposely. Even if plastics go to a landfill site, some are light enough to blow away in the wind and enter waterways. Plastics can break down into smaller pieces – microplastics – through biodegradation or exposure to the sun, heat or water. These microplastics scatter across the globe, entering the depths of the ocean. Something to bear in mind for those of us considering New Year resolutions.

• Finally, a reminder of our bi-monthly Mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish Church, Parkvale Road, Aintree on 12 January, starting at 7.30pm. I hope to see you all there. In the meantime,

I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

It is with great pleasure that we report on the Golden Jubilee milestone attained by Brother Frank Redmond, who across his 50 years’ membership of the Order has held many offices with distinction –notably those of supreme knight and supreme secretary. The award was presented on behalf of the KSC’s supreme council by Bro Ray Pealing, the provincial grand knight, at the council 9 monthly meeting on Thursday 11 November. In making the presentation, Bro Ray warmly congratulated Bro Frank on his many achievements. Bro Frank in reply expressed his thanks for all the support received over the years and reflected on the many highlights of his membership. Bro Frank is a retired customs and excise officer and also served as a magistrate. In addition to his long and distinguished service to the KSC, he was raised to the rank of knight commander of the Order of St Gregory by Pope Benedict XVI in August 2007 for his service to the Church. Bro Frank celebrated his 90th birthday last year and readers may recall that we reported that, shortly before that celebration, he did a sponsored walk with his daughter Sue which raised nearly £3,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Our photo shows him receiving his award. • It is with much sadness that we report the sudden death of council 9 member George Lwin on Sunday 22 November. We extend our deepest sympathy to his dear wife Sheila and all his family. George’s funeral service was held at Springwood crematorium on Thursday 2 December with a guard of honour provided by his brother knights. Eternal rest, grant to him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Websites: www.ksc.org.uk www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: dpokeane@aol.com