English
SAFCAM Communique #70 - English
25-09-2021
SAFCAM Communique #70 25/09/2021 En français ci-dessous
Dear Subscribers
It’s now only 3 months to Christmas! ¾ of 2021 has gone already. My own 3-year appointment ends on the 30 September, although I will be here for another two months almost, before returning to AFM, my province of origin. It has been a privileged time, ministering here with Camiel.
Today is also my mother’s 89th birthday! Thank God she is in excellent health, independent and very active still.
The past week has seen the media focus on the UN assembly. A lot of talk, aspirations for a better world, resolutions on climate change, justice for migrants, and calls for peace as usual. But the tragic situations in so many parts of the world do not get solved with wonderful speeches. The mountains of words do tend to hide the misery experienced by millions of people, in Ethiopia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Syria,… at macro levels, but also at the micro level, in broken families, lonely, abused, unemployed, sick and dis-abled individuals… As religious we are so fortunate to be generally protected from many of the vicissitudes of life, and relatively assured of a comfortable home, ‘food and financial security’, a balanced daily timetable, pleasant company among our confreres,… Yet we too often complain and feel sorry for ourselves! The privileges we benefit from, call us to be all the more attentive to the distress of the millions of victims of poverty, violence, and unjust oppressions. In our prayer and in our efforts at offering the disadvantaged opportunities through education, and hope through evangelization, may we make some difference to a better world for all.
For more inspiration see the recent postings on the website:
- There is a list of YouTubers and ‘influencers’ which, if you have time and easy economical internet connection, are worth exploring:
- A reflection on how Christianity offers a culture of life as an antidote to the culture of death
- Some useful aids for young people preparing for the sacrament of reconciliation
- some challenges to advocates of transgender ideologies
- a reminder that the journey towards the next synod of Bishops begins in October
- the 6th SAFCAM Newsletter reporting on the months March-September 2021
- There is an additional article from ACI in downloadable pdf format added to the posting about Fr Cyril Odia’s film on The Oratory
- A very sincere and affirming letter from parents to their son preparing for Confirmation
- …among many other postings. There are over 750 items available on the website!
Another Typical Crazy Headline this week –
“Elon Musk and Grimes split up after three years together but 'remain on great terms'”
Evidence that the modern world is completely confused about love and relationships.
The article continues – “Musk, 50 and Grimes, 33, were reported to be dating in May 2018. They had their first child, called XÆA-Xii Musk (sic), in May 2020 and Musk said they will still be co-parenting.” And Elon is said to have been in intimate relationships with 4 other women previously, 2 of these in actual marriage status, and he has 5 children besides the latest called by the absurd name X Æ A-Xii ! One of the richest men in the world should have more sense! What sort of role model can he ever be for young people?
Education at a Glance 2021 (Thanks to Fr Silvio Roggia who informed us of this useful educational catalogue)
Education at a Glance is the authoritative source for information on the state of education around the world. It provides data on the structure, finances and performance of education systems across OECD countries and a number of partner economies. There are more than 100 charts and tables in this publication – as well as links to much more available on the educational database – provide key information on the output of educational institutions; the impact of learning across countries; access, participation and progression in education; the financial resources invested in education; and teachers, the learning environment and the organisation of schools.
The 2021 edition includes a focus on equity, investigating how progress through education and the associated learning and labour market outcomes are impacted by dimensions such as gender, socio-economic status, country of birth and regional location. A specific chapter is dedicated to Target 4.5 of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on equity in education, providing an assessment of where OECD and partner countries stand in providing equal access to quality education at all levels. Two new indicators on the mechanisms and formulas used to allocate public funding to schools and on teacher attrition rate complement this year's edition. (BTW – OECD = Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
A tune for the next WYD
https://youtu.be/5fxzoGBxAq8 - Remote preparations for WYD2023 (approx. 650 days to go) – a song by a Honduran group for their national youth day, with a challenge to get up and dance on the theme – Young man, get up and walk (Luke 7:14) in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Who will respond with an even better one to dance to for Africa? If Jerusalema was anything to go by, our region could contribute something viral for the WYD.
Motivated by hope for the remainder of this year, in union of prayer, God bless. Camiel and François
