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Justice Jottings June 2008 |
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The Jerusalem Prayer for Sunday
June 8th
The heads of the churches in Jerusalem invite Christians around the world to pray for peace, for understanding and respect, for dedication to peace among political leaders, for liberation from anxiety, and for refugees.
Click here to join in this prayer
on June 8th and throughout June 2008.
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New on our Website
Reflect on immigrant issues: Hot Button Issue #3
Click here.
Social Justice ...on the Light Side: BUBBLEWRAP
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| Everyday Justice - Personal stories of those living out social justice day by day
South Jersey Hope and Daily Justice
Fr. Ted Cassidy SM
Here at Cape May Point at the very tip of New Jersey while I was looking out the chapel window, glancing at the sky and ocean, and preparing for the Sunday Eucharist for our Families with Young Children Retreat, a young couple with four children all under the age of seven were doing their family activity of deciding what kind of action they would take as a result of the retreat. They had to color a ship and then write down their decision. One of the children kept pestering to color and the parents kept saying that enough coloring was done and they had to decide what they wanted to do as a result of the retreat. That same night I watched an edition of Democracy Now! with historical experts going at each other over various interpretations of the Israel-Palestine conflict. I could not help but find some humor and also some similarity in these two incidents. Both had conflict and passion. . . . To read more, click here. | |
Anti-Racism 
Hot Button Issue #3
Assertion: Undocumented immigrants take jobs away from U.S. workers and drive down wages.
Response: Click here to learn what's really happening. |
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Missouri Contact Needed The Death Penalty Team is looking for someone in the St. Louis area to join the team. Missouri is one of our five target states.
If you are a young adult, a teacher, someone connected to the Marianist world, someone with interest in working with other committed lay and religious, we need you! We meet yearly and conference by telephone. Connect with dynamic people who share an interest in education and action to abolish the death penalty. Contact Sr. Grace Walle at gwalle@stmarytx.edu for more information. Alive Magazine, spring issue, features an article on the Death Penalty Team. To read it click here.
The 15th Annual Fast & Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty Will be held at the U.S. Supreme Court, June 29-July 2. The fast is sponsored by MSJC. Click here for more information. If you cannot attend click here for some solidarity action suggestions.
New Findings Regarding Racial Disparities
Over the years it has been well documented that defendants who kill whites are more likely to get the death penalty than defendants who kill blacks. Adam Liptak, writing in the New York Times (April 29, 2008), discusses some recent research which challenges the "conventional wisdom by suggesting that the race of the defendant and victim are both (emphasis added) pivotal." Click here to read more. Another Prosecutor Speaks Out Against the Death Penalty
From the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty website: The ACLU of Northern California has unveiled a new YouTube video - click here - taken from California's ongoing death penalty study commission hearings. The video tells the story of Aundre Herron, a former prosecutor who lost her older brother to murder in 1994. At first Herron wanted revenge; now she speaks out against the death penalty. |
Alternatives to Violence 
The Alternatives to Violence Issue Team will focus on two topics: one local and one global. The local issue will be alternatives to violence in our daily lives. In other words, what are practical guidelines for enabling us to have a more non-violent, peaceful home, neighborhood, and community?
The second issue will be the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The challenge for us is to find ways that we can inform our family, friends, parish, and community about ways in which we can participate in direct action campaigns. The problems connected with the Israeli settlements on the West Bank loom large in this issue. For information on settlements, click here. This is a good issue to use to educate friends and parishioners on an obstacle to peace and on which to write letters to your US Representative and Senators.
Visit the Alternatives to Violence Issue Team link on the MSJC website (click here) for links to organizations working in these areas.
Practice nonviolence ... Everyday! Click here to find 64 Ways to Practice Non-Violence. During the month of June, try to focus daily on the first five ways: Courage, Smiling, Appreciation, Caring Believing.
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Adele Social Justice Project
Time is running out to register for the San Antonio ASJP weekend! This amazing gathering of young adults will have the opportunity to share their experiences and participate in service projects unique to the San Antonio area. Some of the activities may include working in a community garden, painting murals, landscaping, youth activities, and learning about the history and challenges of the American Indian and Mexican-American communities in San Antonio. Space is limited. Send in your registration form today! Click here to access the form.
Can't make the June weekend? You can still be a part of the ASJP experience. Contact us for information on resources, other Young Adult communities supporting the mission and even bringing an immersion weekend to your area! Contact Laura Libertore at asjplibertore@yahoo.com for more information. |
GLBT Initiative
Beth Garascia and Matt Dunn presented "A Place at the Marianist Table" to the Anawim Marianist Lay Community in Cincinnati in May. The program considers the struggles of gay/lesbian Catholics and how Marianist groups can be more welcoming and inclusive. Pictured with Beth are Anawim members Glenn Miller (l.) and Bro. Giancarlo Bonutti. If your lay or religious community is interested in experiencing the program or would like more information, contact Beth at BGarascia@sdcglobal.net.
Click here to to read about "Eight Things You Can Do as a GLBT Ally." |
 Think Globally, Act Locally
The Marianist Center of Philadelphia was the location for a "Think Globally, Act Locally" workshop facilitated by MSJC director Jim Vogt on May 10. Participants reflected on how they could be more responsible and effective global citizens within the framework of the Earth Charter.
As part of the program, participants joined the worldwide "Fair Trade Coffee Break" at 3:00 (see photo) to show their solidarity with efforts to promote Fair Trade coffee. |
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Events
You can get updated information about the Convention for the Common Good by clicking here.
* Find out more about the convention
* Register to be a delegate at the convention
* Start making your travel plans
If you want to attend but need financial help, MSJC will have some funds available for scholarships. Contact Jim Vogt - jimvogt2@yahoo.com for more information by June 6.
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. |
"Analyzing the Food Crisis" is now available from Education for Justice. Click here for more information. The radio program "Marketplace" on American Public Media - click here - looks at how we got to this point of scarcity and how the world is coping with the prospect of not enough food.
Peace and Justice in Our Schools
The SM Province of France organized a formation session in March for leaders of school ministries and their staff members of the Reseau Marianiste (Marianist Network) that focused on the theme: "How to approach education for justice, peace and the integrity of creation among the children and youth in our institutions?" Click here to read the article in Via Latina, the newsletter of the SM General Administration.
"Half in Ten -- from Poverty to Prosperity" is a new national effort to reduce poverty in the United States by 50 percent within 10 years. For more information, click here.
Stressed out by all your work and worrying about social justice issues. Go to "Social Justice ... on the Light Side" and click on BUBBLEWRAP. See how fast you can go in the manic mode. It's a great stress reliever!
Seventy-nine religious organizations are formally opposing the Energy Department plans for a new nuclear bomb plant. To read their statement, click here. To read about other issues addressed by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, click here.
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Action for Advocates
The Senate is set to vote on landmark global warming legislation, the Climate Security Act, in early June. Click here to send an email message to your Senators. |
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A Thought to Ponder
A Route of Evanescence With a revolving Wheel -- A Resonance of Emerald -- A Rush of Cochineal -- And every Blossom on the Bush Adjusts its tumbled Head -- The mail from Tunis, probably, An easy Morning's Ride --
Emily Dickinsen
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? | |
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