Pray for President Obama During Lent

 

Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio - one of the states targeted by the Issue Team - has spared the life of a man who was scheduled for execution in early March.  Jeffrey Hill has expressed remorse for killing his own mother while he was in a cocaine-induced rage.  His entire family, including his mother's siblings, let the Ohio Parole Board know that they opposed his execution.  The Parole Board's unanimous recommendation was influential in the Governor's decision. Click here to read more.

 

Global Support Needed for the Israeli Peace Movement 

Click here to read this article by Larry Hufford, chair of the Alternatives to Violence Team.  It outlines what we can do to support Israeli peace activists.  

 

GLBT Initiative Team Meets in Dayton

The GLBT Initiative Team met in Dayton on January 31.  New team member Matt Dunn talked to the group about the work he's done giving presentations on the GLBT issue in diocesan high schools and at UD and shared some great materials with us. The team also evaluated the work we've done presenting "A Place at the Marianist Table" in the past year and set some goals for next year among which are to continue sharing this process with Marianist communities, develop a handbook so others can eventually use the process and outreach to several other Marianist groups.  If you are interested in your group sharing in the process or learning more about our work contact Beth Garascia at bgarascia@sbcglobal.net. 

 

  

 

Standing - Beth Garascia, Fr. Terry Weik, Linda Zappacosta, Nancy Mascotte; Sitting - Bro. Jim Vorndran, Matt Dunn, Hank Mascotte, Dominic Garascia. 

 

Energy Fast - Lenten Reflection Booklet
This resource includes a weekly commentary, prayer and reflection questions to guide the reader through the Lenten Season in prayerful consideration of climate justice.  Included are suggestions for an Energy Fast, Forty Ways in Forty Days to cut personal energy use for the benefit of all creation, and inspiring stories of faith-based environmental initiatives.  Click here to get a copy.   

 

"Think Globally, Act Locally" - Honolulu
Jim Vogt will offer this workshop in Honolulu on Saturday, March 14.  The workshop will help participants better understand the impact of global forces that are at work today.  Our goal is to help participants see more clearly, in light of our Marianist charism, how we can be better world citizens by making more informed choices in our day to day lives.  For more information or to register, contact Bro. Dennis Schmitz - baldschmitz@aol.com.

 

"Beyond Poverty: From Greed to Green, Creating a Sustainable Future for the Planet" - Cleveland
This is the topic that David Korten, author of "Agenda for a New Economy", will cover on Saturday, April 25, 9:00-4:00 at Rivers Edge Retreat Center in Cleveland.  Click here for more information or to register. 

 

Earth Hour - March 28, 2009
On March 28 at 8:30 p.m., local time, World Wildlife Fund is asking people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour -- Earth Hour -- to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate their commitment to finding solutions. Turn out. Take action. Click here to be a part of this event.

 

Thinking Outside the Bomb: Beyond Nuclear Weapons

Click here to view this video that outlines a path toward a world free of nuclear weapons. To get more information about what you can do to move the US in this direction, click here for the Project for Nuclear Awareness.  

 

Marianist Volunteer Program

The Marianist Volunteer Program offers graduating university students the opportunity of spending a year working with projects and institutions serving people who are part of underserved and marginated groups. MVP volunteers live in communities in the Marianist tradition. This might be of special interest in these difficult economic times where jobs are difficult to find and the need for service is multiplied.  Application deadline - April 1.  For more info click here.

 

Praying for Peace Around the World
Written by longtime peace activist Jim McGinnis, this book invites us to pray and act for peace focusing on the situations in 40 countries around the world. Click here for more information, supplementary resources or to order the book.

 

 

 

"Every person, created in the image and likeness of God and therefore radically oriented towards the Creator is constantly in relationship with those possessed of the same dignity.  To promote the good of the individual is thus to serve the common good, which is that point where rights and duties converge and reinforce each other." 

Pope John Paul II, 1999. (emphasis msjc)