World Day of Peace connected to teaching justice
posted on: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by: renaebauer
by Sr. Sally Ann
Brickner
Happy New Year!
In the Church, we begin the new year with the Feast of Mary
Mother of God, also known as the World Day of Prayer for Peace.
Each year Pope Benedict delivers a message for this day. This year
his message focuses on "Educating young people in justice and
peace." Youth are often filled with enthusiasm and idealism, and so
can offer new hope to the world, says our Holy Father. But in order
for this to happen, they need to have a sound education in justice
and peace.
Our Holy Father's message reminded me of the vision of Fr.
Edward Daems and our founding Sisters. Within days of arriving in
Green Bay, Sister Pius was teaching youth their catechism in
preparation for receiving the Sacraments. Thus, our Community's
earliest commission was the education of youth in the three "Rs"
and also in peace and justice.
For over 130 years our Sisters have provided youth with a sound
education. Many Sisters did so directly through their ministry as
teachers or administrators in elementary or high schools or in
religious education programs. Other Sisters served indirectly
through their work as homemakers.
Our Sisters saw their educational ministry as a partnership with
parents who are the primary educators of their children. Hence,
offering faith formation for parents is another way to promote the
education of youth. A good example is the "Early Morning Catechism"
that Holy Spirit Parish in Darboy and Kimberly now provides via the
World Wide Web. Congratulations to you, Sister Elise, and to your
faith formation staff who offer this weekly lesson in faith! You
are helping parents understand and fulfill their responsibility as
primary educators.
In his message for the World Day of Peace, our Holy Father
states that "Peace for all is the fruit of justice for all, and no
one can shirk this essential task of promoting justice, according
to one's particular areas of competence and responsibility." As we
begin the New Year, we might do well to reflect on the ways we
contribute to the sound education of youth, helping them learn to
uphold human dignity, pursue peace, and promote Gospel justice.