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Justice
Jottings May 2007 |
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New Justice Jottings' Feature -
Everyday Justice
Each
month Justice Jottings will feature one reflection on "How do I live a
commitment to social justice in my everyday life?" These
reflections will include struggles and possibilities. To read this
month's reflection, check out the Everyday Justice
section below. Do you have a story to share? Email it to apsjustice@hotmail.com.
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New On Our Website
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Carbon Offsets
Demystified
Click here. Standing Women call
all women to stand up to save the world this Mother's Day. To read
their story and to join the Stand click here.
Remember - Our website is interactive. We'd like to
hear from you! Just get a password and you can enter into current
discussions with other MSJC members or start a new discussion. NOTE -
if you are using the AOL browser, you can view the website but may not
be able to enter any of the discussions with that browser.
Visit us at www.msjc.net.....
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| Everyday Justice
May's Reflection comes from Sr. Grace Walle
FMI.
If you are like me you are somewhere on the journey of God's call to
justice. I may not always be consistent in protecting the environment
or challenging the systems that are inherently unjust to the poor. However, my experience has taught me that whatever
I do matters. I am inspired by the reign of God
to act for the truth.
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Anti-Racism
Subcommittee of Anti-Racism Issue Team
Meets Ted Cassidy SM, Paul Marshall SM, Pati Krasensky,
Myles McCabe, and Jim Vogt met Apr. 18-19 in Dayton to discuss future
directions of the team. Some planned follow up actions include
following up with those who signed the Pledge to eliminate Racism and
inviting the Marianist Family to Clarence Williams' workshops on
racism. For more information on the team click here.
A Pastoral Letter on Racial Harmony
Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Orleans offers
his reflections on racial harmony in light of Hurricane Katrina. To
read this letter click here. |
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Death
Penalty
Ohio
Execution Vigil and Reflection
Mary Neibler,
Kathleen DeRouen, Jeff Campbell, Brian DeRouen, and Jim Vogt pictured
at the State Penitentiary in Lucasville, OH during the execution of
James Filiaggi Apr. 24. To read Jeff's reflection of the vigil click here.
Impending
Executions
Be an advocate for
those facing execution in May by clicking the links below.
- May 8: Carey Dean Moore (volunteer),
NE (stayed)
May 9: Philip Workman, TN - ACT NOW!
May 10: Jose Moreno, TX - ACT NOW!
May 16: Charles Smith, TX- ACT NOW!
May 24: Christopher Newton, OH - ACT NOW!
California's Governor
halts work on new death chamber
On April 20 Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger halted construction of a new death chamber at San
Quentin State Prison. California is one of the five states currently
targeted by the Issue Team. Read more by clicking here.
DNA clears 200th person
In April a man who
spent nearly 25 years in prison for a rape he did not commit became the
200th person exonerated by DNA evidence. Collectively, the 200
wrongfully convicted people had served more than 2,400 years in prison.
Read more by clicking here.
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Ecology & Environment 
Why does the
Church care about climate change?
In 2001, the US Bishops issued Global Climate Change: A Plea for
Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good, urging Catholics to engage
an issue critical to the future of God's creation and the one human
family.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops have summarized Catholic thought
on climate change as part of their Climate Change Justice and
Health Initiative. They emphasize that "Caring for the environment
is a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and
universal duty, that of respecting the common good." The summary can be
read here.
What can you do? See the light!
Each month, Justice Jottings will feature a simple step you,
your family or your parish community can take to reduce carbon
emissions that contribute to climate change. This month, we are
featuring the Mount St. John Green Team's resources on compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The Green Team has developed an online
quiz, a PowerPoint presentation, and a buying guide to help you make
the switch. Compact fluorescents use at least 2/3 less energy than
incandescent bulbs and last far longer. Replacing a 60-watt
incandescent bulb with a 15-watt CFL can save $40 and 450 pounds of
power plant emissions over the life of the bulb. CFLs now come in
various shapes, sizes and colors to fit almost any lighting need.
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 Alternatives to
Violence
Last month the Alternatives to Violence Issue
Team invited you to join the People's Peace Initiative. Ten
communities have joined us so far. Get involved today! For more
information click here. |
 Adele
Social Justice Project
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| MSJC Steering Committee
Endorsed Catholic Charities "Campaign
to Reduce Poverty in America"
The MSJC Steering Committee endorsed Catholic
Charities new campaign. We invite you to learn more about poverty,
consider endorsing the campaign in your community, and taking a step to
reducing poverty in your area. To learn more about the campaign click here. To read a report on cutting
poverty in half click here.
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 Act Now! Be an
Advocate for Justice
Help Build Wind Farms!
Wind farms can offset carbon dioxide
pollution. Join Native Energy and their efforts to fight global
warming. To learn more about building wind farms and other Native
Energy projects click here.
Enact Just and Comprehensive
Immigration Reform! Congress is once
again taking up the issue of immigration. New proposals from the White
House have recently been introduced. Write to your Senators today
asking them to enact just and comprehensive Immigration reform. To
send a letter click here. To read MSJC's
Statement on Immigration click here.
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 Events
May 15th -
International Conscientious Objectors Day Use this time to
learn more about or to publicize conscientious objection.
For more information,
action alerts, and an opportunity to participate in a lobby day, visit
the Center on
Conscience & War by clicking here.
A Global Embrace: Mary, Women & Cultural Diversity An evening with
Sr. Laura Leming, FMI - May 22 7:30 - 9 pm in the Marianist Family
Room, Marianist Center, Mount St. John. For more information click here.
National
Restorative Justice Conference
June 24-27 at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX. For more
information click here.
Socially
Responsible Travel
The
Center for Global Education offers travel seminars to meet the people
of Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala and Namibia beginning this May. For
more information click here.
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| Resources - Know any good ones? Share them
with us.
Thought Provoking Articles on the
Middle East Crisis
- "An Ethical Way to End the War in Iraq" by
Rev. Tony Campolo and Rabbi Michael Lerner. Click here
- "End the (Israeli) Occupation Now" by Nobel
Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire. Click here
- "Pax Christi Iran Report" by Pax Christi
President Dave Robinson. Click here.
"You Are What You Grow"
New York Times offers an interesting article
here about the relationship between the farm bill, obesity, and other
public policy issues. To read it click here. |
| A Thought to Ponder
We must have no
illusions. We must not be naive. If we listen to the voice of God, we
make our choice, get out of ourselves, and fight nonviolently for a
better world. We must not expect to find it easy; we shall not walk on
roses, people will not throng to hear us and applaud, and we shall not
always be aware of divine protection. If we are to be pilgrims of
justice and peace, we must expect the desert.
Dom Helder Camara
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