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Justice Jottings August 2007 |
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Ask Your Senators to Support Children's Health
The United States Congress is currently debating legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a key legislative component of the MSJC endorsed "Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America." Both the House and the Senate are still moving legislation THIS WEEK! SCHIP provides high quality, vital health coverage to 6 million children whose families would otherwise be unable to afford insurance, but more than 9 million children in America go without health insurance. It's time that all our nation's children got the health coverage they need.
ACTION NEEDED: Call your Senators TODAY! Toll-free number: 800-828-0498
Senate Message: "I'm a constituent of Senator _____. Please tell him/her to vote YES on the Finance Committee SCHIP Bill (S. 1893) and NO on all amendments that restrict children's eligibility for health coverage."
For more information, click here. | |
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New On Our Website |
Kids Say the Darnedest Things! Click here for what kids have to say about church.
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. 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.
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| Everyday Justice
August's Reflection comes from Alison Radelet.
"Recently I have found myself reflecting on what is justice more than what can I do to bring about justice. What if I have been working for the wrong thing all these years? What if I put all of my energy into a project, a plan, or a life that I think is aligned with the Gospel and find out I have been reading it wrong all along?"
To read the entire reflection click here. |
 Alternatives to Violence
A People's Peace Initiative
We invite you and your community to participate in the People's Peace Initiative. Get involved today! For more information click here.
A CATHOLIC PETITION TO END THE WAR
As our nation's leaders decide what course to take, you can make a difference by joining the growing chorus of voices calling for an immediate and responsible end to the war in Iraq . After Catholics for an End to the War in Iraq reach their goal, they will hand deliver this petition to our elected leaders in Washington. Will you join in signing this petition? Click here.
Catholic Members of Congress Ask U.S. Catholic Bishops to Help Congress End the War in Iraq
To read this statement click here. | |
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Death Penalty
Impending Executions
Be an advocate for those facing execution in August by clicking the links below.
August 15: Kenneth Parr,TX - ACT NOW!
August 21: Frank Welch,OK - ACT NOW!
August 22: Johnny Conner,TX - ACT NOW!
August 23: Luther William,TX - ACT NOW!
After Flawed Executions, States Resort to Secrecy
"In the wake of several botched executions around the nation, often performed by poorly trained workers, you might think that we would want to know more, not less, about the government employees charged with delivering death on behalf of the state," wrote Adam Liptak in the New York Times (7/30/07). Instead, read what steps states are taking to block this information by clicking here.
Studies find Death Penalty Bias
Minnesota is one of 12 states without the death penalty. A writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder recently took an in-depth look at why we as a nation continue to condone a form of punishment consistently applied so disproportionately by race and class and asks "Is it time for a national moratorium?" Read more by clicking here. |
Ecology & Environment 
Field to Fork
This month, consider an easy way to cut your carbon footprint - eat local food. When produce is in season, it is more efficient to consume what is grown locally; less fuel is consumed, and fewer tons of carbon are released. Buying local also gives farmers in your community a much-needed boost and helps build up the local economy. The Ecology & Environment Issue Team has compiled a collection of resources to help you go local - click here. Learn what foods are in season right now where you live and then find a farmers market near you. |
Sweatshop Labor Issue Team Meeting
A meeting has tentatively been scheduled Dayton in late Sept. Are you interested in getting involved with the important work of this team? Contact Jim Vogt.
Win Agreement An unprecedented agreement was reached that will transform the Fribo factory in Guatemala from an abusive sweatshop into a far better-than-average factory, hopefully on the way to becoming a model operation-if the U.S. companies keep their production in Fribo. MSJC has endorsed the FRIBO agreement. Find out more by clicking here. |
 Adele Social Justice Project
ASJP Batlimore/Washington, DC Young Adult Community Meeting
In Dayton Sept. 8-9 the Core Team will meet to discuss future ASJP weekend immersion sites for the coming year and to continue to vision for the ASJP future. To learn more about the Adele Social Justice Project click here. |
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Act Now! Be an Advocate for Justice
Iraqi Peace Conference
Urge your Senators and Representative to make peace a reality through an Iraqi Peace Conference. You can use our sample message and e-mail them by clicking here.
KEEPING UP WITH THE U.S. FARM BILL
The House of Representatives recently approved a five-year Farm Bill ($286 billion) on a 231-191 vote. The good news is that it contains significant new investments and improvements in efforts to help hungry people here and abroad. The bad news is that there was no significant progress toward targeting agricultural assistance to those family farmers who need it most rather than large, powerful enterprises that need it least. The subsidies and priorities which shortchange family farmers and rural communities are not fundamentally changed and those subsidies that hurt poor farmers in poor countries remain in place. When the Senate considers this legislation, Catholic advocacy groups will work to hold on to the gains in the House bill and also to bring about real reform that supports those farmers and rural communities who need the most help, instead of those who have the most power in Washington. Thanks for your efforts on this important legislation. Stay tuned as MSJC continues to follow the Farm Bill in the Senate. |
International Day of Prayer for Peace - Sept. 21
This day offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. For prayers and other resources for this day of prayer click here. Hiroshima and Nagasaki Anniversaries - Aug. 6 & 9
Faithful Security offers a link to vigil sites around the country and to prayer and worship resources to help us remember these important dates. Click here.
60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference: 5-7 Sept. 2007, United Nations Headquarters, New York
This year's theme for the conference is "Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All." Marianists International would like to invite anyone in the Marianists Family who is interested in this important issue to join us in attending this year's conference. We can house 4 or 5 folks in Rockaway for no additional expense. You would only have to cover travel and food costs. It would also be an opportunity to learn more about the work of the Marianist NGO. Please contact Bro. Steve O'Neil if you are interested as soon as possible.
Interfaith Fast To End The War In Iraq - October 8
The theme is "From Conquest To Community, From Violence To Reverence." For more information click here. |
| Resources- Know any good ones? Share them with us.
Parish Resource
- Spotlight On Torture: Show Film "Ghosts Of Abu Ghraib" In Your Parish - Oct. 21-28 In a nation-wide project called "Spotlight on Torture," the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) has arranged for DVD copies of "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" to be available FREE to 500 parishes, on a first come, first served basis. Within that week, parishes can choose the date and time they wish to schedule a screening and discussion. To learn more and to sign up your congregation click here.
ACT NOW ON GLOBAL WARMING - TOP U.S. COMPANIES
The chief executives of the 160 largest United States companies released a policy statement calling for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. Although the statement does not endorse mandatory measures to reduce emissions, environmental groups hope that statement is indicative of a growing awareness on the part of business leaders of the importance of global climate change. Read more by clicking here.
United Nations and Darfur
An updated fact sheet on Darfur is now available. Click here |
| A Thought to Ponder
It may be that when we no longer know what to do
We have come to our real work,
And that when we no longer know which way to go
We have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.
Wendell Berry | |
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