Welcome to the spring 2022 edition of Online Presence. We are happy to share Edmund Rice office news, Brothers’ Communities updates as well as some wonderful items submitted from the Edmund Rice schools in England, EREBB projects and plans as well as hearing from individuals, associated social justice projects and network groups. As a team we have enjoyed being able to return to work face to face in schools and we look forward to the return of some of our key events in the summer term; the Heads’ Retreat, our Charism Awards and Garden Party and our Leadership Formation conference for newly appointed Sixth Form Leadership teams.
Understandably, the network’s response to the invasion of Ukraine features strongly throughout this publication, from an alumni’s amazing journey to offer transport and aid to victims of the heart-felt, creative and immediate responses of our schools who have been both raising funds and advocating for peace.
Read on for insights around the network into times of ‘resilience, recovery and reimagining’ as we emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic, a crisis we will live with and feel repercussions from, both in and out of the classroom for many years to come. Many Lenten reflections and campaigns you will read about have focussed on conflict but as a community we must not lose sight of the environmental emergency that our common home faces. We certainly seem to be lurching from one crisis to another, which can, at times feel overwhelming. This Easter may the risen Christ be hope to all who suffer and let us aspire to create change for the better in our times of vulnerability, contemplating these words from Pope Francis:
“The world is facing ecological, social, and healthcare crises…Nevertheless, let us not forget that crises are also windows of opportunity.”
We hope that this magazine leaves you better informed, gladdened, and hopeful. As we celebrate the risen Christ this Easter, we pray for Ukraine and all victims of war, conflict and injustice as well as a renewed vigour by all humankind in the efforts to protect our common home and live as one with nature.
Ann Nichols, Editor and Network Facilitator for Edmund Rice England
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.