JUSTICE JOTTINGS

June 2011   

   

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Racial & Immigrant Justice

Immigration - Reform Not Raids 

Marianist Call to Action for

Just & Humane Immigration Reform

Have you made your commitment yet? It's a Marianist priority for 2011. Click to see the pledges already made and how you can be involved.

 

Border Immersion -Rio Grande Valley 

Nine Marianist Family members spent three days on the US/Mexico border recently to learn about the realities of immigration - up close and personal. Read two reflections on the experience and view a short YouTube video about the trip.

Border Immersion group

Border Immersion participants meet with young volunteers at the ARISE Center in Brownsville, Texas

Death Penalty

 

Starvin for Justice 6Starvin' for Justice - Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty

This 18th annual event will take place on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington DC from June 29-July 2.

Team member, Lauren Olson, will join others from across the U.S. and Canada for public education and outreach about abolishing the death penalty. For more information, visit

www.abolition.org/fastandvigil or email Lauren if you would like to join her for some of the Fast and Vigil.  

 

   

Ohio Governor Kasich Grants Clemency for First Time 

Hawkins, Shawn

Shawn Hawkins

On June 8 Governor John Kasich of Ohio - one of the states targeted by the Issue Team - granted clemency to Shawn Hawkins, commuting his death sentence to life without parole. It was the first time Kasich granted clemency since becoming governor in January. Read more about his decision here and here, and on the Issue Team's page.

 

 

Now I Walk on Death Row"Now I Walk On Death Row"
What changes a high-powered corporate lawyer - and supporter of the death penalty - into an advocate for those on death row and an opponent of capital punishment? Dale Recinella tells his story in a new book, "Now I Walk on Death Row." "The book is not so much about the death penalty than it is about seeking the answer to the question: Did Jesus mean what he said?" Recinella told Catholic News Service. Read more about his story on the Issue Team's page.  

 

 

Mexico - USA flags 

Take Action - Stop Illegal Execution of a Mexican in Texas

Humberto Leal García, a Mexican national, is scheduled to be put to death in Texas on July 7. He was denied his consular rights after his arrest. If allowed to proceed, his execution would violate international law and a binding order from the International Court of Justice.  Click here to send an email to Texas officials.

 

 

 

Team Members Attend Training

Bros. Jerry Sullivan and Brian Halderman and Fr. John Manahan attended a Death Penalty Activist Training sponsored by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty focused on training volunteers for a county wide initiative in Bexar County (San Antonio). They were joined by about 35 other activists. They will focus on planning an interfaith dialogue on the death penalty in October and doing public education through tabling at community events.

 

Money Matters- Economic Justice at Home 

 

Mind the GapMind the Gap

Did you know that the wealthiest 1% of our population in the US own more than 90% of the rest of us combined? If you are concerned about the growing wealth disparity, join the Mind the Gap campaign from NETWORK to educate our entire nation about our huge and widening wealth gap, where it came from, and its impact on all of us.

 

Fighting Poverty with Faith 

Fighting Poverty w FaithFighting Poverty with Faith is a national, interfaith movement working to overcome poverty in the United States. We encourage you to consider holding an event in your community during the week of Oct. 27 - Nov 6. Click here for more information.

 

 

Road to Shared ProsperityRoad to Shared Prosperity  

View this moving collection of personal stories about programs that help people achieve the American Dream. At a time when human-needs programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and numerous others are facing the threat of extreme budget cuts, it is critical to see how such programs make a difference in the lives of real families and local communities.

 

Catholic Social Teaching and Taxes
Read this brief overview on the connection between Catholic Social Teaching and taxes.  

 

$ signMSJC Supports Fairness in Taxation Act 

The MSJC Steering Committee formally endorsed the Fairness in Taxation Act (H.R. 112), a bill introduced in the House of Representatives that would enact additional tax rates for the wealthy as a way to build a stronger middle class and preserve important programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

 

Environment & Ecology

  

Carbon footprint

Tip for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - Plant a Tree

Planting a tree in your backyard or neighborhood can provide shade, a playground, fruit, and a sense of community, as well as acting as a carbon "sink," which means that it absorbs carbon. Just one tree can absorb thirteen pounds of CO2 per year!

 

GLBT Initiative

GLBT Resource Toolbox for Educators and Youth Leaders
In response in the past year of reports about countless GLBT youth who have been affected by bullying in schools around the country, the GLBT Team is developing a Toolbox for Educators, Youth Ministers, Retreat Leaders and More. The team reflected that, "Sexuality is a difficult subject for many people to discuss, particularly when working with youth. From our own readings, research, and personal experiences we have compiled suggestions and resources that we feel would be appropriate tools to help facilitate discussions and offer support for GLBT youth, particularly in our schools." We hope that this resource will give school staff and youth leaders an opportunity to address the effects of bullying that has been reported on.

A Place at the Marianist Table - June 25
table settingLinda Zappacosta, Fr. Terry Weik, and Laura Collins will be presenting "A Place at the Marianist Table" (APATMT) on Saturday, June 25th at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Parish in Sykesville, Maryland. We are looking forward to encouraging and experiencing another rich exchange with another community of Marianists who are opening the door for dialogue. If you or your community are interested in experiencing APATMT, please contact Beth Garascia. We are excited about the growing opportunities to share this program.

 

GranitoResources  

 

                      Granito   

Belated Fight for Justice in Guatemala
Granito, a hair-raising documentary film about genocide in Guatemala, will open this year's Human Rights Watch Film Festival on June 17. Granito has been nearly 30 years in the making. Read more...     

 

 

WoodsA Thought to Ponder

 

 

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt.