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Justice Jottings May 2008 |
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The newest of the Things Marianist series - How Do Marianists 'Do' Social
Justice? is now available from the North American Center for Marianist Studies
(NACMS). Written by MSJC Director Jim Vogt, this six page pamphlet describes a Marianist approach to social justice. Jim outlines some characteristics of
social justice with a Marianist perspective, drawing from the experience and resources of the Adele Social Justice Project. The pamphlet is ideal for individuals as a short introduction to Marianist social justice, as a discussion resource for Marianist communities or groups, as a background piece for people new to the Marianist Family, and for students in Marianist schools and/or their parents. The cost is 35 cents each, 30 cents each for 2-25 copies, and greater discounts for larger quantities. Order from NACMS: online at www.nacms.org or by phone at 937-429-2521. You can view an image of the entire front cover if you click here. The image can be enlarged. | |
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New on our Website
Read about the Supreme Court's decision on lethal injection. Click here .
Reflect on immigrant issues: Hot Button #2
Connect with the Marianist tradition: Action on behalf of immigrants Click here.
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| Everyday Justice - Personal stories of those living out social justice day by day
Hiroshima Peace Park
May's letter comes to us from Sr. Mary Evelyn Jegen, SNDdeN.
When I was teaching in the history department at University of Dayton, 1967-1971, I was also counseling aspiring conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War. Unknown to them, these young men were the agents of my seven year struggle to come to terms with my own position on war.
On August 8, 1974, at the end of an eight day private retreat, I committed myself to active nonviolence as a way of life. To concretize this commitment, I joined the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, an organization committed to active nonviolence, founded in 1914. Later that year I joined Pax Christi, an international Catholic peace movement, founded in 1945, that was just then becoming organized in the United States.
What did these actions mean, since obviously I was not going to be a conscientious objector in the conventional sense? To read more, click here. | |
 Anti-Racism
The Place of USA Marianists in Calling our Government to Its Responsibility for Immigrants
The USA Catholic Bishops Conference is engaged in a nation-wide effort to bring a balance and a centering in justice for a solution to our treatment of immigrants. They are asking that Catholic people understand the nature of the present situation and become advocates for a just solution to the crisis .
Ted Cassidy, SM attended the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, DC, Feb. 24-27, 2008 with about 700 diocesan social ministry officials, members of religious orders and other organizations to share on the important social justice questions confronting our nation. At the immigration sessions a policy and process of action for Catholic involvement in the immigration crisis was clearly proposed. The highlights of this policy are the following: click here.
Hot Button Issues in the Immigration Debate -- #2
Assertion: Undocumented immigrants are a net drain on the U.S. economy because they use valuable resources and take public welfare.
Update on Immigration Focus of Anti-Racism Team. The April 2 team conference call clarified its focus on immigration as follows: to help people make informed decisions about immigration policy through education and awareness efforts.
Racist Patterns in the USA: A long way to go. Bill Moyers interviewed Senator Fred Harris, one of the authors of the Kerner Report (1968) produced by the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. Senator Harris describes how we still have a long way to go to change racist patterns in the USA. Click here to read more. |
 Death Penalty
Intern Appointed
The Death Penalty Team awarded an
internship to Elizabeth Kaigh, a student at St. Mary's U.
Law School, to work on anti-death penalty efforts with the Texas Defender Service. A Marianist Sharing Fund grant provided the funds.
Sr. Grace Walle FMI, Death Penalty Team Chair, with intern Elizabeth Kaigh.
Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injection Protocol
On April 16 the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a 7-2 ruling upholding the constitutionality of the lethal injection protocol used by the federal government and nearly all of the 36 states which still have the death penalty. As a result of the decision analysts expect execution dates to be set quickly, at least in some states such as Texas. However, many observers are also expecting a wave of new litigation, partly because of the nature of the decision: the 7 votes in favor of the judgment were assembled from 6 different opinions, some of which raised additional questions. To read more please click here and click here. Number of Exonerations Reaches 128
The Death Penalty Information Center maintains a list of all those exonerated from Death Row since 1973. The average length of time between being sentenced to death and exoneration?? 9.6 years!! To see the list please click here.
From the Journey of Hope Blog The spring issue of Alive magazine features an article on the Death Peanalty Team. Toi read it, click here.
Missouri Contact Needed
The Death Penalty Team is looking for someone in Missouri to join the team since that state is one of our five target states. Interested or know someone else who might be? Contact Sr. Grace Walle at gwalle@stmarytx.edu for more information. |
The Marianist Environmental Education Center(MEEC) is featured in a University of Dayton news release.
Leanne Jablonski, Marianist sister and scientist, blends science and faith to bring global climate change to the local level. MEEC also aids people to find ways to help the environment in their daily lives.
"What change really means is reorienting our whole lives. Look at how we're living and think about it critically. We need to respond in a sustainable way," Sr. Leanne states.
On June 21, MEEC will offer its annual native plant gardening workshop and on June 28, hold its annual plant sale, with 70 native species that can be reintroduced into a backyard micro-environment. Native plants are hardy, they use less water, and they are wildlife friendly.
"With climate change predicted to disproportionately impact low-income and vulnerable people, it is a justice issue that we each do our part," Leanne says. To read the entire UD article, click here. When you open the link, go to News - Home. |
Adele Social Justice Project
Applications are now being accepted for the next Adele Social Justice Project immersion weekend, June 13-15 in San Antonio. To access the application form, click here.
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. |
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MSJC Steering Committee
New MSJC Goals The Steering Committee recently finalized the 4 new long range goals they drafted at their annual meeting in January. To read the goals and the MSJC Vision Statement, click here.
Steering Committee Endorses Pax Christi Statement. The Steering Committee endorsed a Pax Christi statement that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the U.S. bishop's peace pastoral and challenges the Bush Administration's efforts to upgrade and expand U.S. nuclear weapons capabilities. It will be published in the May 2nd issue of The National Catholic Reporter and selected diocesan newspapers, and delivered to members of the U.S. Congress and the United States Conference of Catholic bishops. Click here to read the statement. |
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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.
Social Action Summer Institute - July 20-25
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.
Immersion Trips
The Marianist Office of Peace and Justice is sponsoring 2 more immersion trips. If you are interested in participating contact Myles McCabe or Ruth Hinde or 314-533-1207. For more information please click here.
- Border Awareness Experience -- June 11-16, 2008
- Israel Immersion - May 31-June 10, 2008
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Hate Groups Operate Against Immigrants An editorial by Mark Potok, editor of the Intelligence Report, published by the Southern Poverty Law Center, entitled "Hope Amidst the Hate," can be found if you click here.
Racist Patterns in the USA: A long way to go. Bill Moyers interviewed Senator Fred Harris, one of the authors of the Kerner Report (1968) produced by the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. Senator Harris describes how we still have a long way to go to change racist patterns in the USA. Click here to read more.
10 Earth-Friendly Ways to Care for the Earth. From Education for Justice click here for easy things you can do to be a better steward. |
| Alternatives to Violence
Interested in promoting peacemaking and alternatives to violence? The team has been re-forming and is looking for a few additional members. They will focus on two issues: the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how to promote nonviolence and peacemaking in our everyday lives. Contact Larry Hufford at lhufford@stmarytx.edu. |
Action for Advocates
Jubilee Act Passes! Thanks to all of you who responded to our April Action Alert to support passage in the House of Representatives of the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation. It passed by a vote of 285-132. The legislation calls the US Treasury Department to negotiate a multilateral agreement for debt cancellation for up to 24 additional poor countries that need cancellation to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Watch for more information on what you can do when the Senate considers the bill. |
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A Thought to Ponder
"It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist.... Love alone can unite living beings so as to complete and fulfill them...for it alone joins them by what is deepest in themselves. All we need is to imagine our ability to love developing until it embraces the totality of men and the earth....Love, in fact, is the agent of universal synthesis.... Someday, after mastering the winds, the waves, the tides and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love, and then, for a second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire....."
"The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of one's self to others."
Excerpts from writings of The Ascension
Teilhard de Chardin Salvador Dali
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