Introducing Lent 2017 ‘Your face, LORD, do I seek’ Our over-arching theme is, ‘Your face, LORD, do I seek’

By looking into the faces of our Pacific neighbours, we are encountering the face of Christ.

We’ll learn about the many ways that our neighbours are struggling with the effects of climate change.

From rising tides in Kiribati and Tonga...

...to extreme weather in Fiji and Vanuatu...

... drought in Papua New Guinea...

... and flooding in Aotearoa New Zealand

Our Lent 2017 schools resources have the title: Just Water

That’s because having access to safe water for drinking, washing and growing food is a justice issue.

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis says, Water supplies used to be relatively constant, but now in many places demand exceeds the sustainable supply, with dramatic consequences in the short and long term... Laudato Si’ #28

In Tonga, ground water is becoming too salty to drink… … so people need to harvest rain water instead.

However, in some Pacific nations, the problem is TOO MUCH WATER!

Rabaere has built a sea wall in Kiribati. In places like Kiribati, people have to protect themselves from the rising sea water. Rabaere has built a sea wall in Kiribati.

Some people have had to relocate to other islands because of rising sea levels. Among those who have relocated are Ursula and her granddaughter from the Carteret Islands in Papua New Guinea.

In Fiji, Cyclone Winston resulted in a sea surge that caused widespread flooding.

This year we have a Lent module for the first and final weeks of Lent, and five country modules.

You might choose to use a lesson from a different country module each week, or just focus on one or two of the modules.

You could also use a country module later in the year for Religious Education or Social Studies.

‘Keep it simple for Lent’ calendar to enhance your lessons. Use the ‘Keep it simple for Lent’ calendar to enhance your lessons. Students can attempt many of the daily challenges.

Use the videos and PowerPoints found at www.caritas.org.nz Stories from our Pacific neighbours are central to all the lessons.

Student voices and artwork are included which is great! Prayers for different levels can be found in the Climate Change Prayer Booklet at www.caritas.org.nz Student voices and artwork are included which is great!

You might choose to join in the Caritas Challenge in order to help raise funds for Kiribati.

To find all of our Lent resources, including Lesson plans Prayers Lent calendar Picture pack posters Koha boxes Worksheets Fact sheets PowerPoints Games Stations of the Cross liturgy Go to www.caritas.org.nz

We hope that you and your students are able to grow in their understanding and solidarity with our Pacific neighbours during Lent 2017.