May 27. Reflect, share, act and pray.   Ecological education can take place in a variety of settings: at school, in families, in the media, in catechesis and elsewhere. Good education plants seeds when we are young, and these continue to bear fruit throughout life. (LS 213)   How often do we say, “Energy, through fossil fuel or renewable sources, is the government’s problem, or Eskom’s, or the big banks to supply the money?  Have we considered the possibility of renewable energy at a local level?   Read Veronica’s story and discuss.   

CAFOD POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL AND FAMILIES.    See www.cafod.org.uk/education

VERONICA’S STORY about renewable energy in Kenya.   Veronica lives at home with her family in Kenya. Veronica’s father didn’t have the opportunity to go to school when he was young, so he wants her to succeed.  In the evening, Veronica helps her mother prepare a meal before studying for her exams. She wants to become a politician. Veronica’s hopes of finishing school were starting to become a distant dream.  Now she has hope because of the power of the sun.  Solar panels were fitted to her school, bringing light to her classroom. Now she can go to evening classes.  Veronica also now has a solar lamp at home. Through local, renewable energy, Veronica has the power to study and build a bright future for herself. Veronica says:  Now that we have the solar panels at school, I’ll be able to do the extra school work I need to. It’s important to have this time, as I have big exams coming up. School empowers me to achieve my plans for the future.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:   Jesus said, “you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take away your joy from you.  John 16: 23.    Pope Francis:  We have the freedom to direct technology and put it at the service of a progress which is healthier, more human more social, more integral than the total technocratic paradigm. LS112  We have a sort of superdevelopment of a wasteful and consumerist kind which forms an unacceptable contrast with the ongoing situations of dehumanizing deprivation.    We are too slow in developing economic institutions and social initiatives which can give the poor regular access to basic resources. LS 109.   Pray the daily Laudato Si’ prayer.