| |
|
|
|
Justice Jottings February 2009 |
|
|
|
|
New on our Website
We've added a new category, titled
Consistent Life Ethic, on the Links page of our website to include organizations who are working to protect life on several fronts. Click here to view the page. |
|
|
| Racial and Immigrant Justice
Organize a Prayer Vigil in Your Area or in Your Church
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform, announced a national effort to organize prayer vigils coinciding with the first recess of this session of Congress, February 13-22, when members will be home in their districts. Click here for instructions on how to plan a vigil.
Join a Conference Call about the Prayer Vigils
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is hosting a call on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 4:00 pm EST to give a current update of what is happening in Congress and to share ideas for how to plan a prayer vigil. The number to call is 866-200-5786 -- Conference ID: 6814444.
Immigration Hot Button Issue #11
Assertion; Immigrants do not integrate into American society and they do not learn English. They are taking away our culture.
| |
|
Death Penalty
Special Meeting in San Antonio
Meet Joan Cheever, author of Back From the Dead, and David Atwood, author of Detour to Death Row, on Saturday, February 28 for a discussion and book signing sponsored by the Anti-Death Penalty Team in San Antonio TX. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
Ohio Death Sentences Reach Historic Low in 2008
Ohio, one of the states targeted by the Issue Team, sentenced three people
to death in 2008. This is the lowest number since capital punishment was reinstated and mirrors a national trend. The number of people charged with a capital crime is also lower than it has been in the past. To read more click here.
Maryland Governor Will Sponsor Abolition Bill
Martin O'Malley, the governor of Maryland, one of the states targeted by the Issue Team, said he will do "everything in my power" to get his state to repeal capital punishment. He has long opposed the death penalty because of fears of a wrongful execution and concern that the process wastes resources that could be better spent preventing violent crime. To read more click here.
|
| Adele Social Justice Project
ASJP Service Day in Cleveland
Join ASJP at the St. Aloysius food distribution to help pack bags provided to those in need in Glenville, and then stay for lunch afterwards where we'll get to know one another and have an opportunity to learn a bit about the Adele Social Justice Project and the upcoming weekend retreat in June. We'll meet in the rectory at 9:00 am. Please RSVP to Amy at amydematteo@yahoo.com or 216-548-6126. For more information on the service day click here and visit the ASJP website for the June immersion weekend.
Support your Favorite Cause on Facebook
Can't make it to Cleveland? Show your support for ASJP on Facebook by leaving encouragement and suggestions for the team on the message board or donate to support the mission. Interested in using Facebook to support your favorite cause? Check out this great resource of tips.
|
GLBT Initiative 
From Coretta Scott King
"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of gay and lesbian people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr. said: 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people." |
|
MSJC Steering Committee
Kneeling, left to right: Ted Gorczyca, Myles McCabe, Ted Cassidy, Bob Donovan, Mike Gillespie, Errol Christian, and Jim Vogt. Standing: Ann Rene McConn, Bill Farrell, Leanne Jablonski, Al Prenergast, Cynthia Sias, Brenda Fitzgerald, Larry Hufford, Jessica Merugu, Julia Nagasako, Grace Walle, and Tara Poling.
Steering Committee Annual Meeting
We came from 10 states - from New Jersey to Hawaii - arriving at the Marianist Family Retreat Center on a cold, windy afternoon. Our goal: to review the work completed in 2008, to plan for 2009. Our inspiration: communal prayer and discernment. To read more, click here.
Steering Committee member Bro. Bob Donovan featured in Cincinnati Enquirer
Bob Donovan, a Marianist Brother from Cincinnati and a member of the MSJC Steering Committee for the past six years, was featured in a recent Cincinnati Enquirer article that focused on his work with the homeless. Click here to read the article.
|
| Resources
J/P Alert 
J/P Alert is the monthly online newsletter of the Justice and Peace Office of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the umbrella organization for most men's religious orders in the USA. It offers succinct information and analysis on various social justice issues. To review back issues, click here. If you want to receive the newsletter, contact Fr. T. Michael McNulty at mmcnulty@cmsm.org. |
| Action for Advocates
Act Now! Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Click here to send a quick email to your representative and senators urging them to support comprehensive immigration reform in the new U.S. Congress.
Click here to read the MSJC statement on Immigration Reform.
Help Eliminate Nuclear Weapons - Sign the Declaration
Global Zero is an international network of world leaders and ordinary citizens that is developing a step by step policy plan for the phased elimination of nuclear weapons. To join in their work, click here and sign the Global Zero Declaration. |
 A Thought to Ponder
". . . We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. . . ."
President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address Jan. 20, 2009 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|