The senior students of St Joseph's School, Otahuhu, Auckland created art for the May issue of Tui Motu magazine in which they expressed their insights about the United Nations' global goal of just, peaceful and inclusive societies with strong institutions around the world (Goal 16). The girls' reflections on this goal are particularly appropriate for our Pentecost issue.

We thank the girls for their magnificent work. We also thank their Principal, Ms Elizabeth Horgan, and their art teacher, Ms Anne Kulik, for the guidance and encouragement they have given in this project. While many of the girls' works are published in the May 2018 issue of Tui Motu magazine, we did not have space for them all. Happily all the works we received are featured below.

Anne Kulik wrote: 

"I worked with our Year 6, 7, 8 student on their artwork around Sustainable Goal 16. The students identified strongly with the need to have such a goal and with the vision for peace and justice in our world.
"Having explored and discussed ideas around the goal, I asked the girls to respond with a short prayer — and thought you might be interested in seeing some of the thing that lies behind the artwork."

Prayers

Spirit of God

May we come together as family to weave a cloak of peace and justice in our communities. A cloak that encircles each and everyone of us. May we learn to open doors of generosity and welcome everyone. Amen.

Anna Falaniko, Aged 12, Year 8 

Dear Lord
Let us make the changes in the world, now, instead of later.
Let us be peacemakers in the world, now, instead of later.
Let us accept our different skin tones, religions and genders, now, instead of later.
Let us forgive and forget the wrong others have done to us, now, instead of later.
Let us weave bonds of love between one another, now, instead of later.
Let us fill the air with love instead of hatred and judgement, now, instead of later.
Let us reconcile with one another and start anew, now, instead of later.
Let us embrace in unity and peace, now, instead of later, Amen

Miracle Iuvale, Aged 11, Year 8.

God of Justice
May you open up hearts trapped in a blanket of injustice and fear. Bestow them with your healing strength so that we can become advocates for the oppressed so that they can have the freedom to speak. May the radiance of your just commands lead us into pathways of peace. Amen 

Anitimoni Aholeilei, Aged 12, Year 8

For other prayers see below.