ILDP call to shine your light towards a more peaceful world

The Lasallian month of Peace came to a close on Saturday October 21st after four weeks in which our schools and communities joined Lasallians across the globe in praying for peace.

Given the times we are living in, the theme, ‘Sowing seeds of Peace: Where is your focus?’, was very fitting.

Throughout our District we were encouraged to use the International Lasallian Days of Peace prayer, as communities prayed and schools used the resources and challenges shared by the Office of Mission.

In the closing message to the District, Jo Millea, encouraged us all to shine our light towards a more peaceful world.

Dear Lasallians,

I write to you now as we close the International Lasallian Days of Peace and reflect on the question that framed this past month: Sowing the seeds of peace: where is your focus?

At this present moment, we find our world in a troubled state and, I think, that quite possibly we share a collective lull and sadness as we see events unfolding around the globe.

Fear, uncertainty, violence, loss of control; this is present all around us, and we cannot help but breathe this in, absorbing the hurt and pain that we see.

This is the reality in 2023, it does not matter where we are from in the world, we share many of the same issues and worries that face society at the moment. In order to continue with our own lives and responsibilities it can be easy to give up or to look the other way, to not engage with what we see.

However, as Lasallians, we are called to act. We are called to live deeply within the realities and signs of the times that we are faced with, and to not allow the injustices and threats to peace that we may encounter, become like wallpaper or background noise.

I believe that faith, and our Lasallian community, nurtures the beautiful seed of purpose that is inside of each of us, but it takes time, care and light to grow. If we are serious about growing seeds of peace in our lives, then we cannot let the light that exists within us to dim, no, we need to let this light to shine even more brightly and we need to focus it on to the aspects of society that need it the most.

For the young people entrusted to our care, the ones who bring their chaos and turmoil into our school communities, may we not turn away but shine our light on them so that they may experience peace through the example and love shown to them.

For the news that saddens us and is painful to watch or to hear, may we not ignore this but shine our light in this area and use education as a means to transform future generations.

When faced with injustice or discrimination, may we be filled with the strength necessary to shine our light for all to see and call this out.

Seeds of peace will grow if they are nurtured, fed and provided with the warmth and light that they need. As Lasallians, may our focus go where it is needed most in our lives and have the courage to shine our light brightly so that we build communities that do not allow dark corners of hatred, pain and injustice to take root.

As we close the International Lasallian Days of Peace, we close with an invitation, Sowing seeds of peace: A call to action.

Shine your light towards a more peaceful world.

Jo Millea