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JUSTICE JOTTINGS
December 2011
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Adele Social Justice Project
ASJP Core Team Meets
The Adele Social Justice Project had its yearly core team meeting in Dayton in November. The Saturday night social and young adult brainstorming & networking at the Marianist Sisters' house was a highlight of the gathering. The team worked at developing additional outreach programs for young adults. As a result, ASJP will be offering a day of reflection and reenergizing, drawing on the vision of Adele and the Marianist call to social justice. The first one is tentatively planned for Dayton in the spring. For more information, contact Michela Buccini.
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Cynthia Kaderli, Sr. Leanne Jablonski, Michela Buccini, Jim Vogt, Rob Brodrick and Lisa McCracken
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GLBT INITATIVE GLBT Initiative Team Meets
The GLBT Initiative Team met in December in Dayton. The team will be continuing to offer their program, A Place at the Marianist Table, which helps Marianist communities and ministries be more sensitive and open to gay and lesbian persons. In addition they will be working on spirituality resources related to the GLBT experience and working further on the elimination of bullying stemming from sexual orientation.
 | | (Front) Dominic Garascia, Laura Collins, Jim Vogt, Beth Garascia; (2nd row) Nancy Mascotte, Brad Leger, Hank Mascotte, Fr. Terry Weik; (back) Matt Dunn, Bro. Dick Olsen, Linda Zappacosta. |
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 RESOURCES
Millionaires Message to Congress:
"Tax Me"
 More Good News - Killing is Down See the recent e-news from Consistent Life showing the many ways that killing is down. This interactive curriculum from the US bishops' conference introduces participants to the epidemic of poverty in the US and to the steps they can take to work with the poor in eliminating the root causes of poverty today. It includes six lessons with handouts, warm-up exercises and reflection activities that reinforce student learning and inspire a faith response.
Catholic Social Teaching on Poverty -
Option for the Poor, and the Common Good This primer on poverty explains why Catholic teaching calls us to develop public policies that protect those in poverty. 
Occupy Wall Street
An Update
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JUSTICE REFLECTIONS
 Advent Comfort: Healing Balm by Terry Weik SM "Comfort, give comfort O my People!" These opening lines from Advent's Second Sunday touched my heart unexpectedly & brought a little healing. My heart is bruised & battered of late, and hearing these needed words proclaimed was like a balm better than Chap-Stick smoothed on to dried, withered lips that become soothed and full again.
Is it all right to be angry? - I mean, really, really angry? - the kind of anger that comes from the fallout resulting when supposedly trustworthy spiritual leaders behave like ravenous wolves while wearing the humble clothing of sheep? (Read more...)
 Keeping the Big Picture in Front of Us: Planet Earth by Jim Facette, SM
I want to see the big picture. For me, this is about the devastation we humans have visited upon the Earth, the destruction of our unique, our only, our sacred home planet. It is incredible how we have undercut and subverted the very planetary systems (geological, hydrological, weather, etc.) on which we and the rest of the sacred earth community are totally dependent. (Read More...) |
 MSJC STEERING COMMITTEE
2011 MSJC Annual Report Now Available
Like an overview of the past year's work of MSJC? Visit the MSJC website to see our annual report. MSJC Steering Committee Meets Jan. 13-15 The Steering Committee will be holding its annual meeting in New Orleans with chair Brenda Fitzpatrick serving as host. We will be determining direction and priorities for MSJC for the next several years. If you have any questions or suggestions to share with the committee, send them to the director, Jim Vogt. |
ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
 Tip for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - Preparing for a Low Carbon Christmas
Save money, save paper, and save trees, by avoiding the use of wrapping paper. Consider wrapping your gifts in cloth, colorful dishtowels, magazine pages, or newspaper.
Ten Ways to Reduce Food Waste during the Holidays
Click here for some simple suggestions.
Ten Ways to Green Your Holidays
Click here for even more tips to help you plan ahead to reduce waste and green your gift giving.
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GLOBAL ECONOMIC JUSTICE
 Tell Apple, Inc. - Stop Buying Minerals that Fuel Rape & Murder in the Congo
Sign this petition to Apple CEO, Tim Cook, asking that Apple lead the way in phasing out the use of conflict-minerals from the Congo. Support this effort by a native of the Congo to end the rape, violence, and devastation being fueled by the trade in minerals found in Apple's products.
The Social Protection Floor Initiative The Social Protection Floor Initiative (SPFI) envisions that no one should live below a certain income level and everyone should be able to access at least basic health services, primary education, housing, water, sanitation and other essential services. The Initiative is a joint UN effort coordinated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). There's still time to add your support by signing the SPFI petition. Click here to sign. |
 RACIAL & IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
Marianist Call to Action -
Just & Humane Immigration Reform
Immigration reform has been a priority for Marianists during 2011. The year is almost over but the need to act and pray for Immigration reform is not. If you haven't already made your commitment, now is the time. Click to see the pledges already made and how you can be involved. The Pledge is now available in Spanish also.
Hispanic/Latino Bishops' Letter to Immigrants
The 33 Hispanic/Latino bishops wrote a special letter of hope, encouragement, and support to immigrants on Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is available in English and in Spanish.
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DEATH PENALTY
Ohio Task Force Asks:
"When Should Prosecutors Pursue Capital Punishment?"
"It didn't take long for an Ohio death penalty task force to disagree on something. The issue: How county prosecutors make the important decision when to pursue the ultimate punishment." Thus began a Nov. 3 account in the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch regarding the first meeting of the Ohio Supreme Court Joint Task Force on the Death Penalty. Read more about the task force here and on the Issue Team's page. Oregon Governor Declares Moratorium on Executions "Gov. John Kitzhaber has done the right thing in following his conscience," declared the Catholic Sentinel (Oregon) in an editorial. "Haunted by acquiescence in two executions during the 1990s, the governor would not sign off on another and has called instead for a moratorium on the death penalty and statewide discussion on the practice." Read more about his decision here and on the Issue Team's page. |
 EVENTS
National Migration Week - Jan. 8-14, 2012
The US bishops' conference website offers a - prayer card
- informative booklet, and
- poster
all aimed at calling Catholics to create a space of welcome and acceptance to the migrant who is far away from home and in a vulnerable situation. |
 A THOUGHT TO PONDER
Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.
Rick Riordan
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Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt.
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