Advent Hope, Peace, Joy and Love Secondary School Resource

Transcription

1 Advent 2017 Hope, Peace, Joy and Love Secondary School Resource

2 Advent 2017 Hope, Peace, Joy and Love Secondary School Resource Introduction This resource invites participants to journey through the four weeks of Advent, reflecting on the Gospel and sharing in the stories of our sisters and brothers around the world. There are resources available on our webpage for use in Primary Schools, Youth Groups and Parishes at: Structure of the resource Each week of Advent has been organised into the following components: Advent wreath: lighting of candles and prayer Gospel reading Gospel reflection Caritas Australia story Story reflection Faith in action Suggested song Closing Prayer About Caritas Australia About Advent Advent marks the beginning of the Church s new year and is a season of waiting and preparation. In fact, this season of Advent focuses on Christ s threefold coming past, present and future. We await and prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. We hope and give thanks for Christ s presence within us and in the Word and sacraments. We look to the future, waiting for Christ to come again. In the coming four weeks we prepare with mounting expectation for the coming of Christ in a spirit of waiting, conversion and hope. Caritas Australia is the international humanitarian relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Through effective relationships with the Church, local partners and communities in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and Australia, Caritas Australia helps to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. Our programs, advocacy and education initiatives promote the dignity of every person, regardless of religious, political or cultural beliefs. We envisage a world in which children, women and men most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice are architects of their own sustainable development. CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATION caritas.org.au/schools

3 Advent Wreath The word advent means coming. Lighting the candles on the wreath symbolises the coming of light (Jesus) into the world. The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) peace, the third (rose) joy, and the fourth (violet) love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ. This Advent we will learn, act and pray for a more just and fair world a world full of hope, peace, joy, and love. Making the Advent wreath a daily custom The Advent wreath helps us keep our thoughts focused on the coming of Christ at Christmas, so we should integrate it into our daily activities. If you don t have an Advent wreath you can make your own, instructions can be found at: Everyone gathers around the wreath and someone lights the candle(s). Leader prays the Advent wreath prayer for the week. Global Gifts We are One Human Family Send a message to those you love, and give to those in need. When you choose a Global Gift this year, you are bringing a moment of joy and helping create a lifetime of change for some of the world s most vulnerable people. This year help bring the gift of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love to our one human family around the world. Each Global Gift will go towards supporting our most important work; from responding to emergency situations with food and water to supporting education programs and training farmers with new sustainable livelihood techniques. Share a message of compassion this Christmas - simply select one of our beautiful global gift cards. When you send a Global Gift card to your friends or family, you also share a gift with the $100 $50 $10 $25 Order your card online at: or call us on All scriptural texts taken from lwww.liturgyhelp.com.au The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. The English translation of the Psalm Responses, the Alleluia and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATION caritas.org.au/schools

4 Hope The First Week of Advent Welcome Leader: Explain the structure for each session as outlined in the Introduction (p.2). Introduce Caritas Australia as the aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia. Explain that through sharing the stories of the people with whom Caritas Australia works, we can acknowledge that we are all part of one global family. You could use our What is Caritas? PowerPoint presentation for more information or watch this 4 min video from Caritas Internationalis. What is Advent? Introduce the season of Advent by watching this video Advent in two minutes. Advent Wreath [If you don t have an Advent wreath you can make your own. Download the How to make an Advent wreath resource] If you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting one violet candle: the candle of hope. Suggested prayer: God of hope, as we light this first candle on our Advent wreath may we be filled with Your everlasting hope. May Your spirit guide us as we continue to work toward a world free from poverty where everyone can enjoy life and live it to the full. Amen Gospel Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is saying to them. 4

5 Mark 13:33-37 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark. Jesus said to his disciples: Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake! Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided reflection questions below. Guided Reflection Questions Today s Gospel tells us to be prepared, to be alert and awake for the coming of the Lord. What is Jesus asking of the disciples when he tells them to stay awake? What can you do in your life to help ensure you are awake and ready for God? Jesus says if he comes unexpectedly he must not find you asleep. What do you think are the characteristics of someone who is asleep and someone who is waiting? Advent is a time of waiting, a time of awakening as we get ready and prepare in hope. What can we learn from this today? Our world is one of instant communication and gratification. A world where waiting is becoming less common when we text an order in advance to prevent waiting at the coffee shop, queue virtually for rides at theme parks or movies and where you can even pay someone to wait for us. What advice may Jesus have for our modern world? How can we show others that we are people who are awake and ready? This Advent, how can we prepare as people of faith and hope?

6 A story of Hope: Tawonga, Malawi Eight year old Tawonga, lives in a remote village in Malawi. She is the youngest of six children and due to circumstances at birth, walks with a withered leg. The impact of this is severe as Tawonga is unable to sustain herself walking long distances and cannot make the journey to school by foot. Tawonga was lucky enough to secure a second hand wheelchair which was donated to her. This wheelchair has helped to change Tawonga s life as she is now able to attend school. Every day her siblings push her three kilometres to school and three kilometres home. The failure of the annual rains and crops mean that since August last year, Tawonga s family have had to cut back from two meals to just one a day. Four days earlier this year they went without any food at all. Hunger-related illnesses, including weakness and fevers, have resulted in Tawonga and her siblings regularly missing school. Tawonga s family s dire situation is repeated across Malawi, with 6.7 of the country s 18 million people currently in need of food aid.this crisis may be the worst food crisis globally since the Ethiopian famine of % of Africans depend on agriculture as a source of income, and the drought, in addition to the rigorous demands of constant farming, have rendered land untenable. This major crisis has been driven by large scale droughts, compounded by climate change, inflation and ongoing conflict in some countries. Millions are now without water and sustainable livelihoods like Tawonga and her family. Though South Sudan has been officially declared famine free by the United Nations (as of June 21), the situation facing the country and the other parts of East Africa, is critical. Urgent assistance is needed now to respond in South Sudan, and neighbouring countries experiencing severe drought and food insecurity, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia and Sudan. The global Caritas network is providing emergency assistance to the people who are the most affected. Local and international Caritas partner agencies are on the ground providing: clean water food items such as beans, sugar, salt, oil and maize flour sanitation supplies and other emergency supplies Food security and livelihoods programs

7 Reflection Solidarity recognises that we are all part of one human family. We have a responsibility to help each person achieve their full potential. It was reported in June that two thirds of Australians are unaware or know very little about the 23 million people facing starvation in East Africa and Yemen, according to polling data. This is almost the population of Australia. What is your response to this in light of Tawonga s story? How can we help people to be awake to what is happening in the world and to our responsibility to help our sisters and brothers suffering in the world? Discuss the following quote: Solidarity "is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all" Saint John Paul II - Sollicitudo rei socialis Faith in Action Leader: Determine what actions you would like to get involved in as a group or as individuals. Some ideas: Organise a Solidarity Lunch to raise money and awareness of the East Africa Food Crisis. Make a conscious effort to preserve food and not be wasteful. Any money saved could be used towards a Global Gift, supporting communities like Tawonga s to have enough food to eat, all year round. 3 December: is the International Day for People with Disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities like Tawonga. Suggested song/video clip Lanterns, Birds of Tokyo Closing Prayer Leader or volunteer from the group: We pray, God, we ask for You to guide us as people of hope this Advent. We pray for our sisters and brothers in the world who are hungry in East Africa. May they gain strength from the knowledge that... Help us to share the hope of this season with everyone we meet. We ask this prayer in Your name. Amen

8 A story of Peace The Second Week of Advent Welcome Welcome the participants and ask them to reflect upon the first week of Advent. Advent Wreath If you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting the first two violet candles: the candle of hope and the candle of peace. Suggested prayer: God of peace, as we light this second candle on our Advent wreath may we be filled with Your everlasting peace. May Your spirit guide us as people of peace and light this Advent. Grant us forgiveness for the times our thoughts, actions and words were filled with conflict and negativity. God as we prepare for the coming of Your Son as peacemakers, allow us to see Your face in all we meet. Amen Gospel Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is saying to them. Mark 1:1-8 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark. Make straight the paths of the Lord. The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way. 8

9 A Name voice cries in the of wilderness: resource Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey. In the course of his preaching he said, Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided reflection questions below. Guided Reflection Questions How can we continue to prepare a way for God? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern. - Mother Teresa. What is your response to this statement? In what ways can you love and serve others? John was baptising people in the river Jordan as they confessed their sins. Pope Francis says; Let there be light in the soul, in the heart; let there be forgiveness to others; let there be no hostilities, which are dark. Christmas is a great opportunity to cleanse the soul. How can you apply this message in your life? (Pope Francis, Lighting the Gubbio Christmas Tree 2014) Are there any areas of your life, your actions, thoughts or words where you may need forgiveness? How can you ensure you are living your life? What do you believe may be the significance of the first line of Mark s Gospel: The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the Bible the wilderness was a place where God often spoke to the heart of people, when they were at their lowest. Why may people have been open to hearing God speak to them in this context?

10 Name of resource A story of Peace: Sarah, Iraq now living in Australia In northern and central Iraq, more than 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes. A result of religious extremists targeting people of minority faiths such as Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims; families have fled without their possessions or basic necessities to survive. Sarah and her family are among the 1.2 million people who have fled Iraq, they now reside in Australia. Much like Mary, Joseph and Jesus, they knew their country was no longer safe for them. Sarah and her family were forced to leave their home in Iraq due to fighting and war and lived in a refugee camp in Jordan for almost two years. Caritas Australia and their partners help refugee families like Sarah s with food, water, shelter, sanitation and hygiene, and non-food items like blankets. In Sarah s own words: My story started in Iraq, in a little village called Qaraqosh where I was born in Life was peaceful. However, in 2014, everything changed. On 6 August 2014, we heard bombs exploding nearby. We had no choice, if we wanted to survive then we must run. My family ran into Erbil, the only safe city in Iraq. From there we travelled to Jordan. People from an organisation called Caritas Jordan welcomed us when we arrived in Jordan. They helped us get some food and clothes and a place to live. We had to live with ten other families at the same place but I thank God that we were safe. The Caritas people were very kind, trying to make us forget the pain of leaving our families and friends in Iraq. There were some teachers from Caritas coming to help the children to learn English. A year and seven months later, our visa was ready to go to Australia. Today, I feel so lucky because I m living with my family peacefully, free to practice my faith. My dream is to go to university and become an author. The life I have now would not have been possible without the wonderful people of Caritas. They are real justice heroes and I will never forget them. This is not the end of my story, it s just the beginning. Pope Francis launched Caritas Internationalis Share the Journey campaign in September. He reminded us Christ urges us to welcome our brothers and sisters with our arms truly open, ready for a sincere embrace, a loving and enveloping embrace. Pope Francis is lighting up the path for us, illuminating our journey to creating his culture of encounter, a culture of welcome. He reinforces the great responsibility of standing in solidarity with migrants and refugees around the world, calling upon us to act as people of welcome, protection, promotion and integration.

11 Reflection When Sarah arrived in Australia she was unable to read and write in English. Have you ever experienced a time of vulnerability in a foreign country unable to speak, read, write or understand the local language? How did you feel? What can you learn from Sarah s story? In his 2016 Christmas Message Pope Francis appealed for Peace not merely the word, but a real and concrete peace. What do you think he meant by a real and concrete peace? What barriers do you see to this? How can we achieve peace like this in our personal lives? What actions can we take to help achieve this at a local, national and global scale? Migrants are our brothers and sisters in search of a better life, far away from poverty, hunger, exploitation and the unjust distribution of the planet s resources which are meant to be equitably shared by all. Pope Francis. Discuss your reaction to this statement. Faith in Action Find ideas and more information about the Share the Journey campaign by visiting: Some ideas: Show solidarity by participating in a Refugee Pilgrimage or Refugee Simulation. Show solidarity for refugees and migrants around the world by taking a photo making the reach out gesture and share it on social media with #sharejourney. Find more out about the myths and realities of migration: 10 December: Human Rights Day Sadly there are many people around the world whose human rights are being abused. What organisations are working to protect their rights? Suggested song/video clip Oh Canada, Missy Higgins The illustrations included in this film clip were drawn by refugee and displaced children supported through their recovery in part by a Caritas program. Closing Prayer Leader or volunteer from the group: We pray, God, we ask for You to guide us as peacemakers this Advent season. May we show Your peace to one another in our words, thoughts and actions. May we show welcome to our refugee and migrant sisters and brothers, to our country, community and schools. As Pope Francis asks us to Share the Journey, may we stand in solidarity with people having to flee their homes in fear. We ask that as you watch over families like Sarah s they feel the peace and solidarity of all of Your people. We ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.

12 A story of Joy The Third Week of Advent Welcome Welcome the participants and ask them to reflect upon the second week of Advent, did they seek forgiveness? Were there any times where they were able to Share the Journey? Advent Wreath If you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting the first two violet candles and the rose candle: the candle of hope, the candle of peace and the candle of joy. Suggested prayer: God of peace, as we light this third candle on our Advent wreath may we be filled with Your everlasting joy. May Your spirit guide us this Advent, as we strive to find the joy in the highs and lows of our days. God, you are the source of joy in the world, let us be a reflection of Your joy to all we see and meet. We ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen Gospel Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is saying to them. John 1: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. There stands among you, unknown to you, the one who is coming after me. A man came, sent by God. His name was John. 12

13 He Name came as a witness, of resource as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He was not the light, only a witness to speak for the light. This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, I am not the Christ. Well then, they asked, are you Elijah? I am not, he said. Are you the Prophet? He answered, No. So they said to him, Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself? So John said, I am, as Isiah prophesised: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord. Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet? John replied, I baptise with water; but there stands among you unknown to you the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap. This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising. Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided reflection questions below. Guided Reflection Questions: In this gospel reading Jesus is described as the light. Why? What image does this create for you? What was the role of the Prophets like John the Baptist? How are we called to be modern day prophets? What is God wanting of us as witnesses to the light? How can we show others that we are witnesses? As witnesses are we fulfilling the Gospel messages? What do you think it means to make a straight way for the Lord? Are your behaviours, thoughts and actions making a straight way for the Lord? Do we need to make any changes? What joy can you see in this story? How can you share the joy of advent with those around you?

14 Name of resource A story of Joy: Tjanpi Desert Weavers Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, Yakunytjatjara (NPY) Women s Council. For over 20 years this program has been providing culturally appropriate employment opportunities to women from remote First Australian communities. The name Tjanpi is inspired by the wild-harvested desert grass these ladies weave with other materials to produce their fibre art. Starting in the mid-90s, Tjanpi has been embraced by women across central Australia. The enterprise is Aboriginal governed and directed with over 400 active weavers from 28 communities across NPY Lands (350,000 square kilometres across NT, SA and WA). Their contemporary artworks, which celebrate their land, stories and culture are popular in galleries across Australia and around the world. It is good to keep our culture going. Our grandmothers can see that we are working. They can see what work we do. We are all here, working and living and making money for our children. Dorothy Richards, Mantamaru WA Tjanpi artists with their works at a bush camp, Irrunytju WA Photo by Jo Foster Tjanpi Desert Weavers Tjanpi Desert Weavers make baskets, beads and fibre art celebrating their land stories and culture. They are sold locally and nationally, and displayed in art galleries around the country. This project is benefits the community as it supports leadership and skills development, builds confidence and selfesteem as well as inspiring creativity. The weaving is undertaken by women of all ages and ability levels. We realised we were working with a very ancient story and tradition, but making new things out of it. Nyurpaya Kaika-Burton, Amata SA With Caritas Australia s support, the Tjanpi Desert Weavers program assists more than 400 weavers from 28 communities. Caritas Australia is driven by an Integral Human Development approach to community development work. Integral Human Development is grounded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and promotes the dignity of the human person, equality between every person and the common good of all people in the community. This means exploring and valuing outcomes including the social, cultural and spiritual elements that make our projects meaningful for participants. We love doing Tjanpi. We get a little bit of money. Making baskets and dogs and sculptures makes us feel good and happy. It s lovely being together in a group, where we can tell stories. We go out bush. We like going out bush, we like making things and going hunting. We re reminded of Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) when we re on country. Group interview with Dorcas Bennett, Anna Porter, Eunice Porter, Polly Jackson, Judith Chambers and Nancy Jackson, Warakurna WA

15 Reflection Integral Human Development is grounded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and promotes the dignity of the human person, equality between every person and the common good of all people in the community. What are your thoughts towards this approach to aid and development? What evidence of Integral Human Development can you see from the Tjanpi Desert Weavers story? How is this story one of joy? Why do you think it is important that organisations like Caritas Australia assist people to become architects of their own development? How is the Tjanpi Desert Weavers a quality example of this approach? What Catholic Social Teaching Principles can you see in this program? Faith in Action Support local artists and farmers where possible when buying gifts this Christmas and beyond. Share the story of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers with others. 20 December: International Human Solidarity Day - a day where we can celebrate the unity in our diversity. Every single person is sacred and has something to offer the community as evidenced by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, who are working together and achieving wonderful things. How can we stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world to ensure we all reach our full potential? Think of two ways you can bring joy to someone this week. Suggested song/video clip I will Wait, Mumford and Sons. Closing Prayer Leader or volunteer from the group: We pray, Dear Lord, as we wait in joyful expectation this advent we ask for Your help to be people of joy. May we celebrate the successes of our sisters and brothers around the world and stand tall with them in solidarity. We ask that we remember to see the joy of Your spirit in our friends and family even when the world seems dark. May Your love and joy shine through us to all we meet. We ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.

16 A story of Love The Fourth Week of Advent Welcome Welcome the participants and ask them to reflect upon the third week of Advent. Advent Wreath If you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting the first two violet candles, the rose candle and the final violet candle: the candle of hope, the candle of peace, the candle of joy and the candle of love Suggested prayer: God of love, as we light this fourth candle on our Advent wreath, fill us with Your everlasting love. We ask for guidance Lord, in the times when we fail to show love to our sisters and brothers around the world through either ignorance or by choice. May Your Spirit bless us and be with us as we strive to be people of love. We ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen Gospel Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is saying to them. Luke 1:26-38 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke. You will conceive and bear a son. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you. She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him 16

17 Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end. Mary said to the angel, But how can this come about, since I am a virgin? The Holy Spirit will come upon you the angel answered and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God. I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary let what you have said be done to me. And the angel left her. Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided reflection questions below. Guided Reflection Questions After hearing this gospel, what do you think God asks of us in our lives? When Mary was told of God s plan for her, how do you think she felt? When have you been nervous and unsure if you can fulfil what is asked of you? When have you done something uplifting for another without expecting anything in return? How was this fulfilling God s plan? How is Mary a model of discipleship? Mary responds yes to the angel, showing that she is willing to be part of God s will. How do we live our yes to God? When have you shown strength of character and faith? A story of Love: Rusi, Fiji and Vinsen, Indonesia Rusiate, known as Rusi, is the Headman of the community of Nukui in Fiji. It is a beautiful, wild place which sits on the edge of the Rewa Delta, a vast sprawling area of waterways that empties out into the sea just north of Fiji s capital, Suva. Rusi is worried about the sea. Over the last 30 years, he has seen the ocean creep closer to his community. More and more sea water is eating away at

18 their beach. The homes and gardens closest to the ocean are being flooded. Nukui s soils are turning salty so that people can t grow their own fruit and vegetables. Over 10 years ago, Rusi had already started building a sea wall to keep back the hungry tide; he has been extending this along the beach ever since. As the storms and cyclones in the Pacific intensify, the tide is marching steadily closer. The last few cyclone seasons have seen the waves washing over the top of the sea wall and into the community. Nukui is being inundated with more and more sea water, eating away at the beach. Caritas Australia and their partner Pacific Community Network have been helping the people of Nukui extend the sea wall Rusi started as well as teaching about preparing for emergencies like cyclones. Like Rusi, Vinsen s community in West Timor, Indonesia are also living with the consequences of a changing climate. Until six years ago, Vinsen s farm had always experienced predictable weather, but since then the weather has become increasingly erratic and difficult to forecast, causing havoc for his crops. Farmers in Vinsen s community experienced poor soil fertility and significant erosion. They tried to combat the problem by frequently moving fields. With this kind of farming Vinsen had no food security for his family, which made him anxious about providing for the future. In 2010 and 2011 things took a dramatic turn for the worse, when Vinsen s village was hit by heavy rains and strong winds, which destroyed crops and killed livestock. Incomes plummeted and famine spread throughout the area. Fortunately, Vinsen s family did not experience famine, but recognising their vulnerability, he enrolled in the Sustainable Agriculture Program. In Vinsen s village the farmers learnt to terrace their land. Upland terracing and planting stabilises hillsides and provides additional security from landslides. It also helps to prevent erosion, increase soil fertility and harness valuable rainfall. This single change has made a huge impact on both the efficiency and the sustainability of the community s farming. Since taking part, Vinsen s income has increased by 25% and his family are living without fear of food insecurity. From his garden, Vinsen has produced many different kinds of plants, and has a sustainable, secure food source for life. As a result his family is happy, healthy and far less vulnerable to future climate variations. Through the program, Vinsen also acquired the business skills to establish a savings and loan group so he can grow his income and become more independent.

19 Reflection Where does the Bible call for structures to protect the poor and the vulnerable? How do you discern where your service is needed most? Vinsen and Rui are people of action, how can you be a person of action in your own life? How can you be a person who stands in solidarity and takes action with those whose voices are not heard? How can your actions encourage others to be people of service and advocacy? What Catholic Social Teaching principles are evident in these programs? Faith in Action Pope Francis in Laudato Si asks us to react against a culture of discard and waste, and to embrace the culture of encounter. He suggests we can make small changes that can restore our self esteem and plant seeds in others to bring forth change. Some examples Pope Francis mentioned: Reduce water consumption. Educate others in environmental responsibility. Cook what can be reasonably consumed. Separate rubbish and recycle. Take part in Caritas Hearts 4 Climate and make your own personal pledge for climate justice. Access resources on the Our Common Home campaign page for more information, including a climate justice action kit exploring Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si and climate frontline stories. Suggested song/video clip The Shadows, Sandel. Closing Prayer Leader or volunteer from the group: We pray, Dear God, we ask for You to guide us as people of love this Advent season. We are all members of one global family, unite us together in solidarity around the globe. We pray our neighbours feel our unity, our support and our compassion as we join their journey, navigating the challenges a changing climate has placed on their doorstep. Guide us and inspire us, as we work to fulfil our mission, showing Your love and compassion in our thoughts, actions and deeds. We ask this prayer in Jesus name. Amen.