JPIC - Marist Fathers Australia

Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation

2025

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Climate and the Indigenous

This week’s JPIC Blog comes from Fr John Guo SM commenting on indigenous peoples and climate crises in the Philippines. 'The only dwelling place, our common home, is damaged, suffering, and crying like the poor.' Go to the Blog: click here

The Value of the Person

In this week's JPIC Blog Fr Tom Ryan SM remembers the 150^th Anniversary of the death of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, and his value of the human person. Go to the Blog: click here [Jun 30]

Mission Workshop

This week's JPIC Blog, on inter-religious dialogue, comes from the group who attended the recent Marist Mission Workshop and who continue to meet online throughout the year for input and on-going formation in this field. Their latest session featured input from Rev Dr Patrick McInerney SSC. Go to the Blog: click here [Jun 23]

Trees of Hope

In this week's JPIC Blog Fr Gil Casio SM reflects from Davao, Philippines, on Balay Pasilungan's 36 years of serving homeless children and youth as the world marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 16]

Marists in a Chaotic World

In this week's JPIC Blog, as we celebrate Pentecost and Mary, Mother of the Church, Fr Jan Hulshof SM recalls the Spirit at work in chaos, always carrying a beautiful creation forward. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 09]

Edmund Rice Centre goes Global

The Edmund Rice Centre has a new name:The Global Centre for Social Justice and Advocacy Leadership.

Announcing the name change Global Centre's director, 'Alopi Latukefu, says, 'Over the past year, we've reimagined our mission-shaped by the voices of our partners and the communities we walk alongside. This journey marks an evolution, not an end as we move forward under a new banner. Our work must evolve and so must we: New name. Same heart. Bigger mission.'

The Marist Fathers' District JPIC Committee has long supported the Edmund Rice Centre and its work and shall continue with the Global Centre. [Jun 06]

Climate and Capitalism

This week's JPIC Blog comes from sustainable insurer, Günther Thallinger. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jun 02]

Marists and the three Francis's

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Filipino Lay Marist with the FMS Brothers, Jose Nacianceno, marking the 10^th Anniversary of Laudato Si, in relation to St Francis, Br François FMS, and Pope Francis. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 26]

One Abrahamic Family

This week’s JPIC Blog comes from Fr Pat McInerney SSC, an important contribution to inter-religious dialogue. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 19]

Laudato Si' Week

Laudato Si' Week this year is being celebrated from May 17-24, an opportunity to highlight the teaching of the Church on caring for our common home and the close relationship between exploitation of the earth and exploitation of people. For helpful materials for use in parish bulletins, Sunday liturgies, etc, click here. Some feature a new campaign from Caritas, 'From Debt to Hope', calling for debt relief in this Jubilee Year. [May 15]

Atlantic Hospitality

This week's JPIC Blog comes from African Marist, Fr Stev Youm SM, on his role with the Vatican initiative of ‘Atlantic Hospitality’ for migrants and displaced persons, a group close to the heart of Pope Leo. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 12]

A Beacon of Hope

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Mrs Anastasia Chewfung, Director of the Marist Project of Our Lady of Compassion Centre, Bambili, Cameroon, a centre which brings hope for disadvantaged children and their families. Go to the Blog: click here. [May 05]

Remembering Pope Francis

This week's JPIC Blog is a tribute to our late Pope Francis from the JPIC commission of the Union of Superiors-General. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 28]

Deep Resurrection

In this week's JPIC Blog Fr Ben McKenna shares the reflections of theologian, Elizabeth Johnson, on the emerging theology of Deep Resurrection in the hope of deepening our appreciation of the depth and breadth of God's commitment and transformation of all that God has created: click here. [Apr 21]

Ocean Economy to 2050

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Jean-Bernard Jolly SM with the OECD Report on the Ocean Economy until 2050. Fr Jean-Bernard's niece was one of the experts who compiled this report. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 14]

Digital Cleanup

This week’s JPIC Blog is about cleaning up digital waste and comes from Fr Ron Nissen SM through a Myanmar university student once a member of the Marist-sponsored Bridge Program. Go to the Blog: click here. [Apr 08]

Web for Marist Family JPIC

At its Apr 03 meeting the Marist Family Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation committee set the timeline to develop a new website. The space will combine a news section with links to ongoing resources already developed by Marist Family groups and related organisations. Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia) has been tasked to move the project forward.

The committee also furthered plans for a September event to reflect on issues of domestic violence. [Apr 04]

Pictured above during their Zoom meeting, top row from left: Br Lawrie McCane FMS, Fr Ron Nissen SM, Sr Grace Ellul SM (chair); middle row: Fr Paul Mahony SM, Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM, Fr Kevin Stewart SM; bottom row: Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia), Fr Jim Carty SM.

War and the Environment

This week's JPIC Blog is from Fr Ben McKenna SM. He reports: 'The Blog is about "War and the Environment", an online course I am doing at the moment to try and understand the imperative of peace-making and protecting our common home.' Go to the Blog: click here. [Photo: Global Citizen] [Mar 31]

Peace with Creation

With so many wars in the world being fought over 'resources' this week's JPIC Blog with the Lenten theme of 'Repent' anticipates 'Peace with Creation'. Go to the Blog: click here [Mar 24]

A Marist welcoming community

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Rene Goddard SM in Paris about the treasured gift of welcoming. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 17]

Ramadan message

From the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue comes its 2025 message for the month of Ramadan, 'Christians and Muslims: what we hope to become together'. To download click here. [Mar 12]

Hope does not disappoint

This week's JPIC Blog comes from Fr Hermes Larry Sabud SM, Ranong, Thailand, reflecting on the recent seminar/workshop of priests, religious and lay leaders led by Bishop Paolo Trairong Muntree, Diocese of Suratthani. The Risen Christ makes us instruments of hope for all people. Go to the Blog: click here. [Mar 10]

Lenten Calendar

The Society of Mary's USA Province offers a Lenten Calendar with an inspiration 'As we journey through this Lent together, we invite you to let Mary be our guide and example of courage and hope.'

The Calendar features a reproduction of Edward B Ostendorf's 'Mary at the Cross' and daily reflections drawn mostly from the Marist JPIC Blog To access the Calendar click here or go to the Marist USA website. [Mar 04]

Volunteer for Popular Relief

This week's JPIC Blog comes from French Marist, Fr Jean-Yves Denizet, in Paris, on his volunteer work in education for migrants and refugees. Go to the Blog: click here [Mar 03]

Myanmar: a Marist retrospective

In this week's JPIC Blog Australian Marist, Fr Jim Carty SM, reflects on Myanmar-Burma, its past and present. Go to the Blog: click here [Feb 24]

Marist Formation at Tutu

This week's JPIC Blog comes from the Marist Training Centre, Tutu, on the island of Taveuni in Fiji. It is a prioritized project for the Oceania Marist Province. Director, Fr Petero Matairatu SM, describes a recent staff formation. Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 17]

Marist Family JPIC meets

The Marist Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee gathered for its first meeting of 2025 on Feb 08 at Hunters Hill.

The committee reviewed its activites during 2024 and received reports from the various branches, before discussing possibilities for 2025. One event is likely to be a Season of Creation celebration in September.

The Committee is pictured below in the meeting room of Maryvale, Hunters Hill, from left Frs Paul Mahony SM and Jim Carty SM, Sr Grace Ellul SM (chair), Andrew Dumas (Marist Laity Australia), Br Lawrence McCane FMS, Sr Margaret Tisch SMSM and Cathy Larkin (Marist Laity Australia). (Not pictured: Frs Ron Nissen and Kevin Stewart SM.) [Feb 10]

Myanmar migrants at Ranong

This week's JPIC Blog comes Fr Arnold Garferio SM and the Marist Mission among Myanmar migrants at Ranong, Thailand. Go to the Blog: click here [Feb 10]

JPIC report for 2024

The annual report of the Marist District of Australia's Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee summarises the activity of the group throughout another year.

The JPICC, established in 2009, notes in its latest report the increasing emphasis given to collaboration with Marist Family branch members.

To download the summary report, click here. For earlier reports, see above. [Feb 04]

Laudato Si' delegation

From the Society of Mary's headquarters in Rome we read: 'This Jubilee Year is also the 10th anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si. Our General Administration is working closely with the international bodies of the Superiors General, both men and women, and with the Laudato Sí' Movement, to promote ways of celebrating in prayer and practice.

'On Jan 30, Fr Ben McKenna from our General Administration was part of a delegation having an audience with Pope Francis.

'During the meeting with the Holy Father they presented a document signed by over a thousand congregations and associations, proposing ways to further live, celebrate and preserve the Mystery of Creation in Christ.'

Fr Ben is pictured below with the Holy Father and members of the delegation. [Feb 04]

Turn Debt into Hope

The theme of this Jubilee Year is 'Hope does not disappoint'. In this week's JPIC Blog Fr Ted Keating SM writes the introduction to the project of Caritas International inviting us to sign the petition for the cancellation of unjust debt.

Go to the Blog: click here. [Feb 03]

Resilience and Sustainability

This week's blog comes from recently ordained Fr Clinton Kube SM on the Laudato Si project the Africa District has in Yaoundé. Go to the Blog: click here [Jan 27]

Australia Day reflection guide

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has called for deep reflection and prayer as the nation marks Australia Day 2025, releasing the Australia Day 2025 Reflection and Discernment Guide to enable Catholics to explore the complexities and significance of the day.

It also wants Australians to reflect on a nation where all feel included, respected, and valued, in a bid to inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation. 'NATSICC acknowledges and respects that many Australians hold a deep connection to this day and the pride they feel in our country,' the guide states. 'For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, however, January 26 is a day of mixed emotions - one that brings sadness, reflection, and a sense of unresolved history.'

The guide is to be used by groups and individuals for prayerful reflection on Australia Day, which this year falls on a Sunday – our Holy Day in which the faithful come together to reflect, give thanks and seek God’s guidance.It includes prayers, scripture passages and questions for reflection. To download click here. [Jan 24]

Peace in One's Heart...

This week’s JPIC Blog comes from Bangladeshi Marist Brother, Rubel Nokrek FMS on his experience of the 2024 Marist Mission Workshop in Ranong, Thailand. Go to the Blog: click here. [Jan 20]

Safeguarding and Ecological Conversion

This week’s JPIC Blog comes from Sr Suporna Rozario SMSM on her experience of Christians working with Muslims and Hindus on the matters of Safeguarding and Ecological Conversion. Go to the Blog: click here [Jan 14]

Appeal for Peace in the Holy Land

This week’s JPIC Blog comes from Fr Jean-Bernard Jolly SM, a member of "Chrétiens de la Méditerranée" who initiated* this Appeal for Peace in the Holy Land. Go to the Blog: click here [Jan 07, 2025]

[* Correction: This appeal comes from the Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah and was offered for signature by leaders of European Churches, Catholic and Protestant, through the Pax Christi International network. Its French version was published in “La Croix Hebdo" of December 24, 2024 under the title: "For Christmas, the unprecedented appeal of 200 European Christians, including 50 bishops, for peace in the Holy Land". It was taken up on its site by “Chrétiens de la Méditerranée”. 08.01.2025]