What We Can Do to Promote JPIC

Here are some practical steps that can be implemented immediately for the work of justice and peace and the integrity of creation.

In the provinces where we still run schools, let us be proud of our heritage and continue this noble apostolate that is so much appreciated by the Church and the present day society. Constant evaluation based on the Gospel principles should lead to some restructuring and remodeling of the school administration so that those cherished values of justice, peace, and wholeness of creation can be cultivated and inculcated into our students, teachers, parents, and collaborators.

In the area of justice, just wages for our teachers and collaborators should be of high priority. Special consideration should be taken for the needy cases, be they students, teachers or parents. This justice calls for limited number of students in a class so that quality education can be given. Besides, it also demands the admission of qualified teachers with high moral values. Moreover, since all have the right to the richness of this earth, the duty of the rich to share with the less privileged should be emphasized.
In the area of peace, the art of dialog should be taught and practiced at all levels of relationships (students, teachers, parents, Brothers, and collaborators). One should learn that forgiveness and reconciliation and not brutal force can solve conflicts and lead to peace. Ecumenical prayer service can unite minds and hearts. Collaboration with people of other faiths in charitable or social projects can be of great help toward building peace in the world.
In the area of the integrity of creation, bearing in mind the principle of sustainable development, all should be taught the prudential use of the earth's natural resources. To this effect recycling, minimizing air, water, and soil pollution should be instilled in our students and those we are in contact with. Eco-study tour should be organized so that the young learn to appreciate the beauty of nature, plants, animals, and the sustainable ecological structure of this planet.
In the area of "Preferential Option for the Poor", all must be taught to respect each person for what he/ she is and not for what he/ she owns. Creating an awareness of and love for the marginalized in the students can be initiated through some appropriate exposure programs. The experience of a real situation of injustice or conflict or ecological deterioration (the well-known exposure-immersion program) should lead to the analysis of the problem. With the insight from the Scripture, the Church's Social Teachings, and proper charism of the institute, the participants should then be given ample time for personal reflection. This will inevitably lead to concrete actions that will beneficial to oneself and the community at large.

1- Organizing courses in English or Maths or Computer for the nearby poor pupils after the closure of the school day (Jonglapara [NE], Delhi).
2- Set up 'Village school/ Satellite Center' where education is keenly felt and asked for by the poor villagers (Bolchugre Village near Tura). This could be a sister-school project.

There are other possible actions to be implemented in order to usher in the kingdom of justice, peace, and integrity of creation.
Some unused or abandoned pieces of land could be put to good use for the benefit of the poor.
Visit the slums or the poor areas or the related sectors concerning JPIC nearby. God through and in the poor or the exploited (be they persons or nature) will tell us what to do. Unless we see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears, we may not understand the reality and the gravity of the situation. This kind of exposure-immersion process can be conducted with the help of experts for one day or for longer period. In fact it can even take the place of our annual retreat.
Each province/ region/ district should have a few Brothers working full time for JPIC.
Prepare some young Brothers for this type of work.
Sound knowledge on issues of JPIC for all levels of formation. Call in experts in specific areas if we are unable to provide the information ourselves.
Get our associates involved in the various projects for JPIC
Work in collaboration with other religious congregations, people of other faiths, NGO's, various associations in the country, and especially with the diocesan JPIC.
Finally avoid bringing or forcing our form of justice, our way of peace, and our understanding of integrity of creation on the people we are working with. Belittle not the group's potentiality.

As for those engaged in education of the deaf and the blind or the handicapped of any sort, our true fraternal support and deep appreciation go to them. Their selfless dedication to the less fortunate of the society bears telling witness to the Gospel message of genuine brotherly love. Our great admiration also goes to those working in technical schools that aim at giving new life and hope to the poor children/ boys/ girls. Indeed there are endless possibilities if we allow God and Jesus Christ to speak to us through the poor.