On January 4 we received a letter from our sister Gabrielle Fogarty, a member of the Carmelite Family in Australia and our NGO Animating Team, a woman committed for years in the cause for the care of the land and socio-environmental justice, coordinator of Lay Carmelites for Climate .
The letter and the images she sent us follow below:
“Dear Sisters and Brothers in Carmel:
I email today, like all Australians, with a heavy heart. For us all, Christmas has had a dark cloud hovering over it and as it continues with occasional glimpses of that apocalyptic red sun shining through the dense smoke haze, we look to the Holy Presence within to draw hope and faith in the devastation happening around us.
Our family of 20 have just returned from what we thought would be our annual holiday down the south coast and it has left an indelible mark on minds of what others are suffering. The intense anxiety became real on New Years Eve as children played and family caught up on news, relaxing outside the cabins with what seemed like a ring side view of smoke billowing in the not too distant village of Lake Conjola, just 10 kms over the tree tops. After power went out, no internet, radio contact only from car radios, the seriousness of the problem intensified. Perhaps we had better have a fire plan! covered shoes, covered arms, drinking water, take shelter on the beach or in the ocean; where can we get reliable news?
What an introduction to 2020! low key, sombre, anxious and checking we had enough food to last for a few days without power; a sleepless night woken by heavy bitter smoke.
New Year’s Day was a graphic introduction to another year. No swimming because power outage was causing leaking sewage, with increasing and constant aerial water bombing coming in low over our rooftops. and news from the radio that 80 homes had been destroyed in the nearest village of Conjola; we realised we needed to get out. My prayers of lament increased each time the sea planes passed over or the big pink ‘Bertha’ dropped its red fire-retardant on the nearest village of Conjola:
“Lord, I am so sorry, we have neglected and are destroying our beautiful planet”.
The heavy news that 80 homes had been destroyed in Conjola as we watched, saw us packing up our bags and preparing to leave; but, the highway was closed because of fire on the one road out; the queue was kilometres long, we waited another anxious, sleepless night.
Our time of crisis ended in safety with several attempts to evacuate with patient waiting in road queues under police escort via the one road out, but the devastation continues today in several States as temperatures soar.
I know our Carmelite hearts are pleading for mercy, and walking with compassion for those who are suffering, so I ask you to join the hum of humanity around the world in prayerful lament for those still suffering and those still at risk.
I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Ps 121)
Lord of Creation, you know the prayers in our hearts and minds as we watch and wait with anxiety and sadness.
Our hearts cry out to you for those who have lost loved ones and those who have lost properties; for those who are injured; for the thousands who are being evacuated
We pray for protection of the unique wild life and environment threatened with destruction
We pray for the courage and commitment for those fighting the treacherous fires;
We pray for those whose livelihood is on the land and for the heartbreak they will endure as thousands of their livestock will have to be buried;
We pray for generosity of Spirit from those who are watching and praying; for leaders of government to give positive practical support
We pray for leaders amongst us who can face the reality and plight of our planet to plan for an environmental future which is both predicted but unknown.
In your mercy, we pray for drenching rain to bring life back to the earth!
In your goodness, be with us in our time of need, we ask these prayers through our Lord Jesus, the Christ who lives and reigns in our hearts.
Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us,
Prophet Elijah, pray for us.
Grabielle, Moderator LCC
