JPIC

JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of creation) is an information and learning centre that supports the family of the Sacred Heart community by ‘being artisans of hope in our blessed and broken world’. As part of the JPIC, we are encouraged  to use our voices for good, to raise true opinions on contemporary issues on what might be worrying us.

As representing only a part of the voice of the youth in Sacred Heart High School, we intend to carve a hopeful pathway for the future, implementing the ethos of justice, peace and integrity of creation in our daily lives. We implement justice by encouraging others to defend for what is right and speak for others around the globe if they don't have a voice. Having a voice and being able to express ourselves is a gift that we often take for granted, not knowing the horrible situations that are happening around the world.

We implement peace through our actions and words, acknowledging that violence is not the right decision and making decisions peacefully lets us live in a better world, a world where everyone has more opportunities and where so many people who could not thrive before, can now. We implement the ethos of the integrity of creation by remembering to respect the earth and reflect on what is given to us and the beauty of mother nature juxtaposing this chaotic modern world. 

We were delighted by the visit of Sister Rachel Guillien in March 2025, when the     representatives of JPIC at SHHS were able to discuss our opinions with her, regarding topics that interest us and how we are trying to strive for a better world. For example, I (Emanuela C), discussed the Israel-Palestine conflict and how it is our duty to learn about Gaza and how we must learn about the suffering and its history before having any true opinions on the conflict.

I am a firm believer of peace and how it lets us live in a better world. Sister Rachel and I discussed my article, ‘We have a duty to learn about Gaza’, and how in our modern day, there are a lot of biased media outlets who don’t give the full story. I believe that by educating ourselves on complex conflicts like the Israel - Palestine conflict, we can make more precise and informed opinions, enabling us to raise awareness and give victims the voice they don’t have. Turn by turn, we have been listening to each other’s ideas and what we stand for.

Micol Fusar- Poli (a rep. of the JPIC in SHHS) discussed how climate change and wars interlink with each other. An increase in the temperature of the earth can lead to a competition of survival of using natural resources which can lead to armed conflicts. This vicious cycle contributes massively to greenhouse emissions. 

What I found inspirational from Sister Rachel was how she said to keep the fire of speaking out within us and to always stand for what we believe and to persevere. We hope to see her in the near future.         

Emanuela C, Year 10