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Justice Jottings July
2008 |
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More
Election/Voter Resources
In addition to the US bishops' Faithful
Citizenship website listed previously in Justice Jottings,
other organizations are offering valuable resources for the
elections in November.
- The Maryknoll Office on Global Affairs has published "US Elections: Loving Our Neighbor in a Shrinking World," that reflects particularly on the implications of the elections on the developing world. Click here.
- Catholic Charities USA -- Click here to read a statement that calls on presidential candidates to make poverty a priority in their campaigns.
- NETWORK -- offers several workshops on the elections. Click here to read the workshop descriptions.
- Network of Spiritual Progressives has a voter guide titled, "Vote to Change the Culture in America--Replace a Culture of Materialism and Selfishness with a Culture of Love and Generosity." Click here.
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New
on our Website
Reflect on immigrant issues: Hot Button Issue #4
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Learn more about the Immigrant Action Network. Click here.
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Summer Sunflower | | |
IMPENDING EXECUTION
Aug 21: Jeff Wood, TX - ACT NOW!
News from Ohio - One of the Team's Targeted States
A county judge in northeastern Ohio has ordered the state to change its execution procedure. The immediate practical effect of the ruling is unclear. There are currently no executions set in Ohio; besides, the state has until July 10, 2008 to file an appeal. This uncertainty may add momentum to a Study Bill currently gathering co-sponsors in the Ohio Legislature.
The bill, expected to be introduced in the fall, would specifically NOT impose a moratorium on executions but would ask a panel to study all the issues surrounding Ohio's use of the death penalty.
In light of these developments the timing seems auspicious for Ohioans to Stop Executions to add staff.
The non-profit advocacy and education group learned in June that it is being awarded two grants from philanthropic foundations sufficient to hire Area Organizers in Central and Northern Ohio.
Learn more at www.otse.org or contact Kevin Werner by phone at 614-560-0654 or e-mail at OTSE.org@gmail.com. Deadline for applying for the new positions is July 7, 2008.
Click here to read more about all of these stories.
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Alternatives to Violence 
Practice Nonviolence . . . Everyday!
Click here to find 64 Ways to Practice Nonviolence. During the month of July, try to focus daily on the second five ways: Simplicity, Education, Healing, Dreaming, Faith. Click here to read more.
Witness Against Torture.
Richard Sroczynski, lay Marianist involved with Witness Against Torture, a campaign to shut down Guantanamo, reports on the recent Supreme Court victory in the fight against torture. The court ruled that the Guantanamo prisoners are entitled to habeas corpus and that their cases will now be handled in Federal Court. Click here to read the NY Times account of the decision. |
Anti-Racism 
Hot Button Issue #4
Assertion: My great-grandparents (and grandparents) came legally; why can't these new immigrants? Response: They may have come legally at the time, but there might not have been laws governing immigration at the time. To read more, Click here.
Immigrant Justice Action Network Want to have a voice in the debate over immigration reform? Click here to join the Immigrant Justice Action Network. |
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Ecology & Environment
Socially Responsible Eating! Check out Bon Appetit's website ( click here) and see how to calculate the carbon footprint of your meals.
Or click here to visit the Small Planet Institute's webpage, "Take a Bite out of Climate Change" and find 10 things you can do to reduce the impact of your meals on the planet.
Did you know we also have a "water footprint" - the amount of water used not only for our daily needs, but in the processing of items we eat (like meat), wear (cotton) and write on (paper)? Click here to learn more about your water footprint and how you can reduce it. |
| Adele
Social Justice Project
The Adele Social Justice Project (ASJP) weekend in San Antonio, held on June 13-15, 2008, effectively merged the Marianist Charism, Social Justice, and discussion around the realities of Young Adult life in the 21st century. A blending of prayer, service, "understanding San Antonio justice issues," laughter and Marianist hospitality contributed to the success of this weekend.
Stay tuned for more in the August Justice Jottings.
The San Antonio group after a wonderful dinner cooked by Fr. Richard Wosman, SM.
Steve Hemphill, Cynthia Sias, Nadeem Omar, and Tran Nguyen helping dig at the Time Dollar Community Garden in west San Antonio.
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| Steering
Committee
Goals Update In considering implementation steps
for the revised MSJC goals - click
here to read them - the Steering Committee identified
a couple of key objectives:
- Engage people in discussion/reflection about the Consistent
Life Ethic. This may be a way to connect with those
not currently involved in MSJC.
- Reach out to those not already committed to social justice.
New Member
Ted Gorczyca will be joining the Steering Committee
as the representative from the Anti-Racism Issue Team,
replacing Fr. Ted Cassidy. Ted continues on the
Steering Committee as one of the representatives of the
SM.
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Events
Social Action Summer Institute - July 20-25, 2008 The National Institute for Catholic Social Justice Ministries is sponsoring their annual summer institute in Atlanta GA. The theme is "Becoming More Authentic and Effective Disciples in the Public Arena." Click here for more information. |
Resources
All Creatures Great and Small The
Humane Society is launching a campaign called "All Creatures
Great and Small" focused on raising awareness about our
responsibilities to all animals, including those raised
for food. They are making a particular appeal to individuals
and religious communities to take an online pledge to make
more humane food choices by using only eggs from cage-free
hens. Click
here to learn more and take the pledge.
You: the finest resource! We're
asking you to write a brief letter or report sharing how
you live out a commitment to social justice in your life.
We are not so much interested in detail about a particular
social justice issue as much as we are looking for suggestions
from you on how to keep a social justice commitment alive
in the midst of the many pulls and distractions of life.
You may want to address these questions:
- What are you doing in your day to day life to nurture
your commitment to social justice?
- What barriers do you face and how well have you been
able to overcome them?
- How do you carve out time to act on your social justice
commitment?
- Where and how do you find support for living out
your social justice commitment? How do you avoid
becoming isolated?
Send your letter or report to msjc523@yahoo.com.
If you include your picture, we will use it. We
hope to hear from all 600+ of
you! Thank you for sharing the Goodness of God through
your social justice efforts!
Marianist Social Justice Online Course
Two online courses - Marianist Social Justice and Marianist
Education - begin July 13. For more information, click
here. Registration deadline - July 9.
Marianist International Volunteers Newsletter Click
here to read the 12th edition.
Learn about volunteers from Spain, Haiti, and France, serving
in Congo RDC, Congo-Brazzaville, and Kenya, as well as other
current MIV updates.
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Actions for Advocates
Farm Bill Summary Wonder what's in the long-debated and recently passed "Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008", what we called the Farm Bill? It won a congressional override of President Bush's veto. Click here to read a summary that details the good news and not so good news included in this legislation.
Act Now! - Save Lives and Move the AIDS Bill Forward Reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is stalled in the Senate. It provides integrated prevention, treatment, counseling and care programs to fight the HIV pandemic, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. It saves lives! Click here for more information and to contact your senators.
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A Thought to Ponder
We hold these truths to be self-
evident, that all people* are created
equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain
read more.)
1776 | |
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