This year we were kindly hosted by St Joseph’s College for our joint secondary schools training day. We took our theme, The Big Questions from the work we have been doing with ‘radical geographer’ Paul Turner, CEO of the Ministry of Eco Education. The BIG QUESTIONS focus on the areas of energy, land use, transport, society, water, nature, waste. Helped by Paul and a headteacher who has implanted sustainability in her own school, Ms Erika Eisele from Dalmain Primary School in London, we explored how schools can really embed true sustainable change in terms of their builds, structures, syllabus and ethos. We ended with Headteachers taking an Earth Pledge for Edmund Rice schools to firm up their plan and commitment to our planet and the education of its communities about the cry of the Earth.
O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.