Faith, Justice and Formation

Learning from the Global Edmund Rice Network

I was fortunate to participate in the EREA Global Leadership Immersion last holidays, travelling to Kenya and Ireland. Kenya to experience the various Edmund Rice Ministries that exist today because of the Christian Brothers and their network seeing where the greatest need is – looking out the window just as Edmund did. After eight days there, we headed to Ireland to walk in the footsteps of Edmund, around Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Callan and Westcourt.

It is difficult to express everything in this context, but here are just a few observations, highlights and learnings from my experience.

On Day One in Nairobi we encountered the powerhouse ‘Oasis of Hope’ of the Ruben Centre, next to the Mukuru informal settlement (slum). It showed me all that is good in humanity. It is filled with people who have nothing, but give everything, people who work to make themselves better through education and people who want to give back to a place that gave them so much. They offer so many services in this place from a medical centre to a birthing hospital, and from a radio station to the largest Edmund Rice school in the world with 3,900 students from Kindergarten to Year 9. The joy of learning and living, outshone the conditions of life in the slum; a place the rest of humanity should be ashamed of (and that I sadly witnessed). Despite the hardships you could not take the smile off my face – I was truly filled with hope!!

Spending the day in the Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi, a school for students with disabilities, was nothing short of inspiring. The staff there not only provide dignity for all students and show them great love, but they saw the need and expanded their support to families, offering crochet workshops for the mothers and skills classes for the siblings of the students. Family members from the Kibera informal settlement volunteered in the kitchen, and Edmund Rice Camps operated out of there. Education is key, in whatever form. I now proudly wear two bracelets made for me by young people with disabilities and their teachers; a way for them to survive when they need to leave school, with the prospects of work being very slim.

All of the places I visited, including those above, showcased to me a grassroots commitment to global sustainability. Their gardens are incredible, in small spaces and with very little quality soil. They are creating lots out of nothing, and I was in awe. We have so many resources but often lack the passion. The young people of Kenya can see the need for more global food security and the need to care for the Earth, for the sake of the future for all.

The motto of the Christian Brothers has always been Presence, Compassion and Liberation. This screamed at me each day I was in Kenya and reminded me of the lessons we can all learn. It was clear that through the presence of good people who showed compassion to those they worked with that liberation was achieved, whether that be the gaining of skills to get a job, getting an education and giving back to that community or making a decision to not settle for poor behaviour. My heart was filled with the capacity for human beings to be life-giving to others, despite the atrocities of many. Our only hope is that all of the young men who leave St Patrick’s College use their blessings and talents for good rather than evil; that they want to help the world rather than take from it. We can all learn a lot from the people I encountered in Nairobi - joyful, selfless and passionate.

We know the African teaching of Ubuntu (I am because we are) showing that we are a global family and that we cannot fully exist if our neighbour is in peril. We are not truly free if others suffer or are oppressed. But this journey demonstrated to me another term, Sawubana (I see you). We gathered often as people sharing in the Edmund Rice Charism and in our gatherings, we acknowledged the humanity, dignity and work of all. The people of Kenya were truly seen by us as the Australian visitors. All of us, respected as equals, and working for the same goals. It was indeed powerful.

After spending time in Kenya witnessing and being inspired by the Edmund Rice ministries there, I found myself looking out my hotel window onto the dock of Waterford where Edmund made his fortune and saw the path to his now long-lasting legacy. I visited the window he looked out of when a female companion told him he should care for the poor young boys of Waterford rather than go into monastic life in France. I saw the home he was born in and the streets of his youth that shaped his deep faith and desire to care for the other. I also saw this legacy lived out in various institutions around Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny.

It was clear that Edmund changed lives and the Christian Brothers and their schools and ministries are still doing that today. I had the good fortune to spend time at Mt Sion, Edmund’s first school, where he set up a bakery and tailor to provide the students with not only an education but sustenance and dignity. The school to this day is still a school for ‘poor’ boys, living the mission of Edmund very clearly. In a school of 450 students there are 44 different languages being spoken and all respect each other’s desire to learn.

We’ve heard it a lot, but everywhere I went I was reminded that those with good fortune must work for the other. This is what Edmund did. Nano Nagle, one of the women who influenced Edmund Rice, also used her wealth to educate and feed the poor girls in Cork and surrounding area. She said, “The best works meet with the greatest crosses.” No doubt both experienced this constantly. Sometimes we forget this; often giving up or not starting because it is too difficult, and we don’t always see beyond ourselves.  Connected to this, in Westcourt, where Edmund was born, there is a Chapel and museum, at which this quote from Edmund struck me -  ‘I come to set you free’. From what? From poverty, from powerlessness, from discrimination and hardship. It is freedom from all that ties us down; this is the foundation of our Touchstone, Liberating Education, all taking me full circle to ‘presence, compassion and liberation’.

One thing a member of our group shared in a debrief one night was that our drop in the bucket counts – so many people give up thinking one person can and do make a difference. We know from history that is not true. Many individuals have started something that makes a difference. But if that is not us, each of us can contribute a drop in the bucket to fill it up. Imagine if 1500 drops were put in the bucket from our students, then add another 3,000 from parents and even more from our extended families and communities. Together we can fill many buckets – making a big difference. It just takes all of us working together for the liberation or others.

I am still reflecting on my experience and have so much to share. This is just a taster! Ultimately, what stands out for me – we are all the same, education is the key to liberation and thus needs to be appreciated more at home, and that being present and showing compassion can change lives, creating a better world for all. 

My heart is full of gratitude for this opportunity.

To pick up on so much of this, the new EREA Charter and the Identity of St Patrick’s College, we will be offering a Parent Retreat in 2026. Approximately 24 – 30 hours; time with yourself and with others; time away from the ordinary; time to deepen your spiritual side. Look out for more details at the start of the year.

Gillian Daley

Director of Identity