Introduction to JPIC International

Welcome to this introduction to our international Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation section of the website. Last year an international JPIC service was initiated. Its purpose is to communicate about the activity of JPIC in the Society of the Sacred Heart and to network between provinces. We acknowledge the passion of all those who are involved in any way in this important dimension of our lives. The spirit of our commitment to JPIC is expressed in these words from the 2008 Chapter document:

“… whatever may be our apostolic engagement, in our relationships and involvement, the advancement of JPIC unites and orients us as a Society and energises us towards the future.”

Many sisters in our provinces are involved in JPIC in diverse ways. To illustrate a microcosm of our JPIC activity I would like to introduce the JPIC Advisory Group and the activities that they are involved in. The Advisory Group are the four RSCJ from different parts of the world who with Anne Corry, the Coordinator, are helping to shape the aims of the International JPIC service that was initiated nearly six months ago. There are several reasons for starting our JPIC page this way. First, it throws a light onto the countless ways in which JPIC is expressed in the Society. Second, in seeing how JPIC is approached in these examples we also see a reflection of our charism. Third, the Advisory Group represents hundreds of our sisters and friends who have been striving to advance the work of JPIC for a long time. Last, these individuals on the advisory group contribute from all this experience to the planning for the international JPIC service which is currently underway.

Daphne Sequeira (IND):

As well as serving on the Provincial Council and as Director for Professed of Temporary Vows in her province of India, Daphne is the Directress of the Centre for Women’s Development in Torpa. An insight into the work of this Centre is more forcefully understood in a paper that Daphne presented recently in Rome called ‘Dare to Educate a Girl-Child’. It was presented on International Women’s Day at the Vatican in March. Daphne was one of nine women speakers from different countries. The link to this important paper on empowerment of women through education is attached here.

Joy Luz (PHI):

From the Philippines, Joy recently ended her ministry as lecturer and research mentor of doctoral students pursuing their PhD in Educational Leadership and Management. However, she continues to be invited as resource person, consultant, or facilitator by religious/missionary congregations. This month she began her service as Webweaver of our Society website. Joy’s new role is vital in the communication of JPIC to the international Society.

Solome Najjuka (UGK):

Solome Najjuka is a member of the Provincial Council in Uganda-Kenya and is a university lecturer in Kampala. Solome identifies a critical issue: “From our side of the world (we are concerned with) the issue of Genetically Modified Food. In our country as in most African countries, there is a lack of awareness of the issue pertaining to GMOs and especially Genetically Modified Food. In my university, one of our lecturers had just spearheaded a drive to bring a level of awareness to our people and to help each one reflect on this disturbing issue.” Solome has also been involved in research related to land issues, mainly connected to evictions of the poor to build development projects and industries.

Rosario (Charo) Sanchez (PER):

Charo lives in Layo in the Andes and is a member of the Provincial Council in Peru. She says: "For five years I've been living in the Layo community. I love this place because it allows me to share life with men and women, children and young people who all struggle with hope and vigour to achieve greater justice and dignity in their lives. I work in education with primary school children, teaching religious studies, and with young people and adults in a programme of Alternative Basic Education, where, together with a group of local teachers, we search for ways to enable these young people and adults to have greater opportunities for socio-economic development. Another activity which commits me to the cause of the poor, the defence of the environment and the struggle to change the trafficking of people in this part of the country, is the work we are doing in the Vicariate of Solidarity of Sicuani, with a team of lawyers, psychologists and social educators. All these activities help me to continue the search for how to live with congruence the charism of Madeleine Sophie in the spirituality of the Pierced Heart of Christ through justice, peace and the integrity of creation."

Anne Corry (ANZ):

I am currently in Peru where I have been learning Spanish and experiencing the life and vision of our sisters in this province. Those of you who have ever been on the journey of language learning will fully understand the vulnerability of this experience. On the other hand, I have received great kindness from these sisters in Peru and I hope in turn, that I will be as supportive to others who are in the same situation. It is the experience of migrants and refugees and those who do not have the security of their home and all that is familiar especially their own language. It has been a profound learning for me. I have visited many communities in Lima as well as Andahuaylillas and Layo. I am inspired by so much here in Peru but three things in particular make me feel very reflective. One is the commitment to those who are poor, an apostolic activity which is strongly based on relationships and friendship. Another observation is the growth of a new generation of RSCJ in Peru and the care that goes into this growth. The third is the widespread concern about water in Peru. I saw it in various ways from the college students who passionately promoted the International Day of Water on March 22nd, to the national concern about contamination of rivers from unregulated mining activity. It is no surprise to me that water was a central focus of symbolic and liturgical worship in the ancient civilisation of the Incas of Peru.

With this glimpse into JPIC in the Society, we see the inevitable weaving of spirituality, education and justice. It reflects who we are as the family of the Sacred Heart. We hope to share more of this creative energy for JPIC in the Society today. The recent impetus for this international sharing begun with the work of the JPIC Commissions (2009-2012) and was so clearly expressed in the ESPERANZA REPORT of 2012. A wider consultative group from the Society will offer reflection and critique of the international JPIC planning process over the next few weeks. We hope that the cycle of reflection and action will be a source of great encouragement to all of us. After all, our charism calls out to us:

“… from our contemplation of the Pierced Heart of Jesus in the wounded heart of humanity …

(we) commit ourselves with greater passion and compassion to justice, peace and integrity of creation.”

(Chapter 2008)

Anne Corry rscj
International JPIC Coordinator

April 24, 2014

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