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Justice Jottings
August 2005
An Email Update from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative (MSJC)
Congratulations to the Marianist Volunteer Program & Dan Richter, MVP Director,
for a successful MVP Orientation & new volunteer Commissioning this last week in Dayton!
Our prayers go to MVP staff & volunteers for a blessed year of faith-filled community & justice! For more info. on the Marianist Vol. Program, or to download the MVP brochure or application, visit: http://marianist.com/ministries.php?pid=71
New on our website!!
The Adele Social Justice Project is planning a social justice immersion
weekend for young adults - Oct. 7-9, 2005, in CIncinnati, OH.
Click here for more info.
E-mail ASJP Coordinator Laura Libertore at asjplibertore@yahoo.com to recommend potential participants (please provide their names, contact information & attributes).
Sweatshop Watch… Watch the Dateline program “Human Costs Behind Bargain Shopping”. Click here for more info.
Jim (MSJC Director) & Susan Vogt in Korea for peace & justice consulting and workshops. Click here to read about their work & the movement “People Creating a Circle of Peace with Justice” (PCCPJ).
(NOTE: During Jim’s Korea trip, Fr. Ted Cassidy, chair of MSJC, will also be available concerning MSJC-related matters by phone –
609-884-3829– or email – tcassidy@capemaymarianists.org )
Visit us at: www.msjc.net
Remember - Our website is interactive. We'd like to hear from you! Just get a password and you can enter into current discussions with other MSJC members or start a new discussion. Once you've got a password, click here to check out the interesting comments on the relationship between justice and charity. NOTE - if you are using the AOL browser, you can view the website but may not be able to enter any of the discussions with that browser.
Scroll down to read over the following items:
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Marianist NGO Update from the UN
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Issue Team Updates – Read about MSJC summer Interns at work against the death penalty in Texas and protecting worker rights in Bangladesh!
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Be an Advocate for Justice - “Every Day, 30,000 Children Die a Preventable Death Due to Extreme Poverty”… and Speak up via Catholic Relief Services on Niger Hunger Crisis & Doing More for Darfur!
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Resources - Hiroshima & Nagasaki Solidarity Resources; Article – “Lessons from a Journey across the Arab World”
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Events – U.N. International Day of Peace, Social Justice Immersion Weekend, National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty
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A Thought to Ponder (from Catholic chaplain for the 509th Composite Group, the WWII atomic bomb crew)
Marianist NGO Update from the UN – “Millennium Development Goals +5”
by Bro. Steve O’Neill, SM – Marianist NGO Delegate to the United Nations
On September 14-16, the United Nations Headquarters in New York will host a high-level gathering of many heads of state to review progress on the commitments made five years ago at the Millennium Summit.
All 191 countries of the UN General Assembly, committed to achieving these 8 Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Develop a global partnership for development
Each of these goals also have measurable outcome targets. For example, under Goal 1 the target is to reduce by half the number of people living on less than a dollar a day. For more details visit the UN website for the MDGs, www.un.org/millenniumgoals . At that site you can link to the report of the Millennium Project (www.unmillenniumproject.org) committee, chaired by Professor Jeffery Sachs of Columbia University, who were given the task of evaluating progress on the MDGs by the Secretary-General.
In March 2005 the Secretary-General published his preparatory document for the September Summit called, “In Larger Freedom.” In that document he focuses on 4 main areas:
1. Freedom from Want – Development and the MDGs
2. Freedom from Fear- Peace and Security
3. Freedom to Live in Dignity – Human Rights
4. Strengthening the United Nations
In June the President of the General Assembly held special hearings for NGOs (non-governmental organizations), civil society, and the private sector to voice their concerns about the September Summit to those member state delegates in attendance. You can view the summary document of those meetings at the Marianist NGO website (www.marianistngo.org) . Also, on the same page you can download the working document of the General Assembly for the September Summit.
Last week, President Bush appointed John Bolton as the US Ambassador to the UN while Congress was in recess. Mr. Bolton stated at the press conference for the appointment that he was ready to promote the President’s and Ms. Rice’s agenda at the UN. Fortunately, the checks and balances of our government allows the peoples voice to be heard through our elected Congressional representatives. Senator Lugar (R.) of Indiana has sponsored a bill (S. 1315) called The International Cooperation to Meet the Millennium Development Goals Act of 2005. If you want to help put pressure on Mr. Bolton and President Bush to live up to the United States’ commitments towards achieving the MDGs send a letter to your Senators asking for their support of the Lugar bill. You can go the Faithful America website to send their prepared letter.
Issue Teams Update - see the website for more details
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Anti-Racism
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“What Marianists Can Do about Racism”: Click here to review the user-friendly list of suggestions for individuals, communities and organizations to work towards overcoming racism together.
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“Marianist Prayer for Ending Racism”: Click here to print out this Marianist Family prayer to grow together more closely in unity and as sisters & brothers in Christ.
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Ecology & Environment
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Local Food from Local Growers: A reminder from last month’s Justice Jottings, the Environment & Ecology team has made it easy for you to find out what is in season in your area by locating a farm market or u-pick stand, learning more about the globalization of our food supply and the benefits of buying local. This Summer, support the grower near you - click here.
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“Global Banquet: The Politics of Food” by Maryknoll Productions is an engaging examination of the policies & problems associated with control of our food supply by international food producers. This video is available for lending to Marianist family members and is appropriate for local communities, Family of Mary groups & high schools. Comes with a study guide. For information on borrowing the video, contact Tara Poling .
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MSJC Intern Helps Lead Texas “Journey of Hope… From Violence to Healing” against Texas DP: Jim Young has been hired as a student intern working on the statewide “Journey of Hope” with the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP) in Austin, Texas. In the two months of his internship, Jim has coordinated event planning and communication among the several areas of Texas where the “Journey” will travel. He has also assisted the Austin Chapter of TCADP in their Journey planning.
Jim comes from Pasadena, Texas, a Houston suburb and graduated in 2003 from Rice University in Houston with a B.A. in Political Science. In fall 2005, he’ll begin his third and final year at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. On October 23, 2005, he will marry the love of his life, Melanie Brooke Pannell, of San Marcos, Texas.
Jim adds that it has been a wonderful experience working for the TCADP on the “Journey of Hope”. He looks forward to the Journey’s success and to making a change in the political and moral culture of Texas.
Thanks, Jim Young, for being part of the MSJC & Marianist Family Mission in Texas!
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Texas & Ohio Schedule Multiple Executions in Coming Days & Weeks: Visit the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty at www.ncadp.org to ACT NOW & speak out against these & other state-sanctioned executions.
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National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty (Oct. 21-23, 2005): Amnesty International invites faith communities, interfaith groups, and human rights activists in the U.S. to speak out & build awareness on the death penalty during the weekend of Oct. 21-23. Click here for more info. on the MSJC events page.
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Sweatshop Labor
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MSJC Intern & U.D. Students in Bangladesh on Wal-Mart Factory Tours: On July 31, two UD students (Emily Nohner & Ben Schnier) went to Bangladesh, joined by Joe Jacobson (a graduate student from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio) who is already in Bangladesh as a summer MSJC intern helping Fr. Bill Christensen. Wal-Mart has sent two executives to escort these students on factory tours & audits in Dhaka & Chitagong, Bangladesh. The interns will also meet with the President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufactures Association (the association representing owner-interests). We do not know what will come from this trip but we have hope – and with your prayers, we expect significant movement to improve not only working conditions but also the economic conditions the workers endure daily to produce the clothes we wear. Click here for the full Issue Team update.
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War and Peace
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"Let’s Do More for Darfur” via Catholic Relief Services: Visit CRS’ on-line Advocacy Center to lift your voice in solidarity with Darfur, Sudan’s genocide victims. Click here to go to CRS’ Grassroots Action Center & stand in solidarity with Darfur.
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Issue Team Lobbying in DC: 4 college students joined chair Laola Hironaka FMI and team member Floyd Contreras to do lobbying in Washington DC. Among others, they had meetings with Senators Akaka (HA) and Clinton (NY). At the end of the trip when discussing their experiences, the group realized that their positive efforts resonated well with Marianist ideals. Click here to get the details about their experience.
Be an Advocate for Justice
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Catholic Relief Services’ Grassroots Action Center – Niger Hunger Crisis; Let’s Do More for Darfur: Visit CRS’ on-line Advocacy Center to lift your voice in solidarity with Niger’s hunger crisis victims and Darfur, Sudan’s genocide victims. Click here to go to CRS’ Grassroots Action Center (and sign-up for CRS’ Legislative e-mail Network!).
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Sojourners “30,000 Campaign”: “Every Day, 30,000 Children Die a Preventable Death Due to Extreme Poverty”… Join Sojourners “30,000 Campaign” and stand with more than 30,000 people to declare to President Bush their intention to fast and pray during the World Summit Sept. 14-16, 2005. Click here to send a letter to the White House.
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Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty – NEW campaign: A new initiative by U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) focusing on trade, aid & debt. U.S. Catholics are invited to join this campaign to advocate for U.S. policies that foster economic & social development for people living in poverty throughout the world. Visit www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty for background info., prayer materials & to take action on global poverty.
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Justice for Immigrants” – Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform: A new initiative by U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and USCCB’s Migration & Refugee Services providing tools & information for diocesan/community organizing, education & advocacy efforts. Lists Catholic teachings on immigration & proposals for reforming U.S. immigration laws & policies affecting both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. To get involved, visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org.
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Resources - know any good ones? Share them with us
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Hiroshima & Nagasaki Solidarity Resources (belated posting): For the commemoration of the Hiroshima & Nagasaki atomic bombings, Pax Christi USA offers a tremendous set of “Days of Remembrance” prayers, poems, reflections from “hibakusha” (survivors of the atomic bombings), & peace education resources – click here to access on-line. Sojourners has also posted a Special Issue of SojoMail on “Hiroshima, Nagasaki & Nuclear Realism” Click here for the Sojourners resources.
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Recent Terrorism in London… a Peaceful & Prayerful Response: Pax Christi USA has issued a statement on responding to recent terrorism with peace, justice & non-violent activism. Their statement & prayers for peace are available at: www.paxchristiusa.org/news_events_more.asp?id=118 .
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“Lessons from a Journey across the Arab World”: Article on difference in culture & perception between Americans and the Arab world. By Rami Khouri, American-born Christian Jordanian journalist, now editor of The Daily Star, an English language newspaper in Beirut, Lebanon. Click here for the full article.
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Marianist Sharing Fund grants: Funding criteria and applications for 2005-2006 Marianist Sharing Fund grants now available at www.marianist.net/grants. More info. available from Myles McCabe at mmccabe@sm-usa.org. Deadline - Nov. 10.
Events
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U.N. International Day of Peace (Sept. 21, 2005) - The United Nations sponsors this annual day to promote global peace-building & cooperation. Links to related Day of Peace Prayer Vigils, resources/music for children’s activities and related events are available on-line at: www.un.org/events/peaceday/2004/usefulinks.html . Help promote a culture of peace – plan your own Peace Day events!
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The Adele Social Justice Project (Oct. 7-9, 2005) - The Adele Social Justice Project is offering this weekend immersion on for young adults (ages 20-40) that will for participants to deepen their commitment to social justice & Catholic Social Teaching by emphasizing the spirit of Adele de Trenquelleon, founder of the Marianist Sisters, in addition to the general Marianist Charism. For more information, click here.
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National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty (Oct. 21-23, 2005) - Amnesty International invites faith communities, interfaith groups, and human rights activists in the U.S. to speak out & build awareness on the death penalty during the weekend of Oct. 21-23. Click here for more info.
A Thought to Ponder
“To fail to speak to the utter moral corruption of the mass destruction of civilians was to fail as a Christian and as a priest. Hiroshima and Nagasaki happened in and to a world and a Christian church that had asked for it - that had prepared the moral consciousness of humanity to do and to justify the unthinkable."
- Father George Zabelka, Catholic chaplain
for the 509th Composite Group, the atomic bomb crew.
(Source: Bruderhof.com ) |