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JUSTICE JOTTINGS
November 2011
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ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
Awakening the Dreamer - Marianists for Justice & Integrity of Creation
Interested in an inspiring and challenging experience for your community or ministry? The Marianist Environmental Education Center and MSJC are partnering to bring the Awakening the Dreamer symposium to Marianist communities and institutions. The program uses engaging videos (below), small group process, and individual reflection to explore:
- the challenges our planet faces
- how the problems arose
- how we can create a better future
Click
here for info. To schedule contact Tara
Poling.
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Now it works. Try again.
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Play the wombat video at right for a sample. |
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Celebration of Mt. St. John Prairie a Great Success
View pictures of the 25th Prairie Anniversary Celebration here. Read remarks by Sr. Laura Leming, Fr. Marty Solma, and Maureen O'Rourke here.
 Tip for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint - Recycle Carbon: Compost Those Leaves
Composting leaves, especially tree leaves, is great for both your compost and your garden. Shred your leaves. This speeds up the decomposition. Mix shredded leaves with a high nitrogen source such as grass clippings.
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DEATH PENALTY
Interfaith Dialogue on the Death Penalty
The MSJC Anti-Death Penalty Issue Team was one of many sponsors, including St. Mary's University, of the Interfaith Dialogue on the Death Penalty held in San Antonio on Oct. 24. Organized by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP), seven religious leaders provided their faith's perspective on the call to abolish the death penalty. The evening concluded with closing remarks and a prayer by Bishop Oscar Cantu of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Click here to see more photos and to watch videos from the program.
Bro. Brian Halderman,
with other San Antonio
team members:
Fr. John Manahan,
Sr. Grace Walle, and
Bro. Jerry Sullivan
(seated)
at the Religious Leaders
Dialogue.
TCADP Honors Brian Halderman, SM
The Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP) also honored Brian Halderman SM, a member of our Anti-Death Penalty Issue Team, with their Appreciation Award. They state, "The TCADP Board presents Bro. Brian Halderman with this award in recognition of his tremendous support for the Religious Leaders Dialogue on the Death Penalty in San Antonio and his overall support for and participation in the Bexar County Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty. The Board also would like to acknowledge Bro. Brian's history of involvement with the abolition movement and his facilitation of the close relationship between TCADP and the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative and Marianist Province of the U.S."
"Cities for Life / Cities Against the Death Penalty"
Nov. 30 is the anniversary of the first abolition of the death penalty by one European state, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, in the year 1786. In 2002 the Community of Sant'Egidio began the World Day of Cities for Life/Cities Against the Death Penalty initiative to commemorate this event and to mobilize the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. Learn more about the event - and the growing number of participants - on the Issue Team's Web site.
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 GLBT INITATIVE
More than a Monologue -
Sexual Diversity and
the Catholic Church
Many Catholics feel that there is need for an honest, open conversation about sexual diversity and the Catholic Church. One important step toward such conversation took place recently through "More Than a Monologue: Sexual Diversity and the Catholic Church." Two Jesuit universities (Fordham University and Fairfield University) and two interdenominational divinity schools (Union Theological Seminary and Yale University Divinity School) hosted a series of four day-long conferences open to the public. Each created distinct opportunities to speak and listen to the varied voices that Catholics have on this issue.
The objective of this series was to raise awareness and generate vigorous debate on sexual diversity issues within the community of faith and beyond to the broader civic world that Catholic people inhabit. More Than a Monologue is an act of faith and hope that there is a sure and full place in the Church for people of diverse sexual orientation and experience." (Videos available online.)
Parish Resource for Gay and Lesbian Ministry
Fr. Jim Schexnayder, a founder of the Catholic Association
for Lesbian and Gay Ministry (CALGM), has published "Setting
the Table: Preparing Catholic Parishes to Welcome Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and Their Families."
For more information, contact Fr.
Jim or www.calgm.org.
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 RACIAL & IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
Marianist Call to Action -
Just & Humane Immigration Reform
Reflections on Immigration - Fr. Ted Ley SM Los Angeles is a largely immigrant city, and we are very aware of the issues and needs. We are also aware of the extreme complexity of this issue, and the ease with which that complexity becomes an excuse for non-involvement. (Read more...)
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GLOBAL ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Vatican Document on Global Financial Reform
Support the Social Protection Floor Initiative The Social Protection Floor Initiative envisions that no one should live below a certain income level and everyone should be able to access at least basic health services, primary education, housing, water, sanitation and other essential services. The Initiative is a joint UN effort coordinated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Click here to sign a petition adding your support to this effort. |
ACTION FOR ADVOCATES
Urge your Senators - Don't Turn Back the Clock on Confronting Global Poverty
The Senate may consider drastic cuts to poverty-focused international assistance that supports vaccinations for children, access to clean water, and basic education for poor and vulnerable people worldwide. Tell your senators to preserve poverty-focused international assistance that saves millions of lives.
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EVENTS
Human Rights Day - Dec. 10
Dec. 10 marks the 63rd anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture offers resources for your community or parish to observe this important day.
National Day of Action Against Guantanamo - Jan. 11 Click here for more information.
March for Life - Jan. 23 
The 39th March for Life on the Mall in Washington, DC will be Jan. 23, 2012. There are a number of related gatherings as well. Click here for more information on the range of events.
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering - Feb. 12-15 This annual event is a great time to "Connect - Learn - Pray - Advocate!" Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions will address current social justice issues. Click here for more information.
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RESOURCES
 Occupy Wall Street - An Update |
 A THOUGHT TO PONDER
A Thanksgiving Prayer
Oh, God, When I have food, help me to remember the hungry. When I have work, help me to remember the jobless. When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless. When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer. And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Samuel F. Pug |
Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice
Jottings can be sent to Jim
Vogt.
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