Faith, Justice and Formation
Ask the Earth and It Will Teach You
As a national organisation of schools and learning centres, Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) makes various statements in support of how we live the Edmund Rice Charism in the world today. One of the biggest justice issues, especially for young people at present, is the state of creation. Climate change is a real issue that brings concerns for the future – the future of our youth and our descendants. Approximately six years ago, Pope Francis published Laudato si’, his encyclical on stewardship and its relationship to every other aspect of life. In the last month, the Australian Catholic Bishops have released their Social Justice Statement for 2021-22, Cry of the Earth Cry of the Poor, which is a phrase coming from Laudato si’. Along with many other clear statements from scientists and our Church, EREA has launched its Climate Change Response Statement titled Ask the Earth and it will teach you, coming from the Book of Job.
This statement has been in the planning for more than 18 months, with an Interim Statement released last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After consultation with staff, students and various groups across the country, this latest statement was released two weeks ago. Thanks to our College staff and students who contributed their thoughts along the way and helped with the promotional material. You can view the document and supporting videos here -EREA Climate Crisis Statement 2021 – Edmund Rice Education Australia - and you can access it via the College and EREA websites for future reference.
Our young people have made their voices heard and all of us must listen. What future are we leaving them and living in? There is much for us to learn, but making a difference is not difficult. It is better for lots of people to do things imperfectly than for a few to do things perfectly. Take an extra step today to reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference for our beautiful Earth – help it breath and flourish, and in turn, it will help the rest of humanity, especially the poor and marginalised. Let us all learn and work together for a better future for all.
Gillian Daley
Director of Identity
Afghanistan: Time to Pray for our Brothers and Sisters
We bring to mind the current situation in Afghanistan and the struggles of the Afghan people. Recently, the Taliban have seized control of Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul. Thousands of people are risking their lives in an attempt to flee the country before the Taliban reinstate their control and impose laws and sanctions that could harm those with Western ties.
In a time where our fellow brothers and sisters need help, the very least we can do is pray for them. We ask that God has mercy on those who are suffering because of the devastation at hand. May God protect those in need and deliver all who are being harmed by the Taliban. God’s salvation shall come forth and help all who need it. In this time of struggle, we put those in Afghanistan in the forefront of our minds and our hearts as we pray.
Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
Let all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you.
Let those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!
St Mary – Pray for us
Saint Patrick – Pray for us
Blessed Edmond Rice – Pray for us
Live Jesus in Our Hearts – Forever
Anthony Karnaout
Faith in Action Team Member
Assurance of God’s Protection (Psalm 91)
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence;
4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
This passage is about God’s protection and the shelter He provides us. The shelter being referred to is not a literal roof, but a sense of comfort and security. In these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, people could use this passage as a reminder that God is always there for us and as we can trust Him. As written in the first parts of Psalms 91 “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
You are not the only one receiving this protection from God, but this also extends to those who you love. Like it says in verses 14-15, “14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them”. We must continue to hold our faith during this difficult time and have comfort in the protection from our Lord.
Daniel Ayoub
Faith in Action Team Member