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Justice Jottings October 2009 |
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Check Out on our Website
Social Justice Programs - For Your Marianist Community or Group. Click here to view the page.
We've added a new category, titled
Consistent Life Ethic, on the Links page of our website to include organizations who are working to protect life on several fronts. Click here to view the page. |
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| Death Penalty
Ohio and Texas - In the Spotlight
Events in Ohio and Texas, two of the states targeted by the Issue Team, have been making headlines recently. On September 15 in Ohio, the execution of Romell Broom had to be called off after the technicians tried for two hours - and failed - to keep an IV line open for delivery of the necessary drugs. This marks the third time since 2006 that Ohio has had trouble executing an inmate. And in Texas, a meeting of the Texas Forensic Science Commission was recently cancelled. What elevated this cancellation from sidebar to headline status was the reason for the cancellation and its timing: Days before the meeting Governor Perry replaced the Commission Chairman, and the new Chairman immediately cancelled the meeting, spawning speculation about the Governor's motives. To read more about these events, and the reactions to them, click here. |
| Racial and Immigrant Justice
A Journey of Hope
"I want to encourage you and your communities to continue to welcome the immigrants who join your ranks today, to share their joys and hopes, to support them in their sorrows and trials, and to help them flourish in their new home." Pope Benedict XVI Click here to read more about A Journey of Hope. The journey summarizes efforts made for immigration reform from 2008 through the
upcoming Advent 2009 post card campaign we are being asked to support. | |
| Everyday Justice
The Transforming Power of Education, by Jacqui Griswold
Shortly before leaving for the International Meeting of Lay Marianists in Nairobi Africa, I
finished reading the book "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. This book illustrates the power of education to bring change in rural Pakistan and the dedication of the author to his cause. I saw the principles of this book in action when our Lay delegate group was taken to visit one of the Marianist ministries in Nairobi.
Our Lady of Nazareth School serves children ages 5-14 years who live in the Mukuru slum. It provides a good education for the children who don't have much hope for a better life other than through education. The school was such an inspiration to me. It provides a safe, clean, beautifully decorated place with food for body and soul.
In the United States we take our educational system and the many options we have so much for granted. This trip helped me realize that providing the means for education is still a great need and makes me proud that the Marianists are there for those children.
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| Global Economic Justice
Outsourcing and Destruction of the U.S. Garment Industry
Today, 95 percent of all garments sold in the U.S. are made offshore, mostly in sweatshops in China , Vietnam , and Bangladesh . Once the race to the bottom in the global sweatshop economy is unleashed, and corporations are free to pit workers against each other, there is no way to go but down. All manufacturing jobs all across the U.S. are under siege. Click here to read more about a new HBO documentary on this issue. |
| Adele Social Justice Project
ASJP Planning Meeting in Dayton OH Nov 13-15 - Join Us!
The ASJP core team will be meeting in Dayton OH to plan the upcoming year. Email them at adelesjp@gmail.com to send your feedback or if you are in Dayton that weekend join us Saturday Nov 14, 7:30 pm at the Marianist Sisters Community House, 30 Sawmill Rd. For more info and to RSVP: email Amy Elliott or phone her at 216-548-6126. |
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GLBT Initiative
Remembering Matthew Shepard 
October 12th marks the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death at 21 years. He was a student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and murdered near Laramie because he was gay. The FBI and DOJ have reported 113,000 hate crimes since 1991 motivated by racial, religious, sexual orientation, ethnic and disability bias. In 2007 the Matthew Shepard Act was introduced into the US legislative process. It would expand existing federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's sexual orientation. The bill is moving forward and if presented to President Obama, he will sign it into law. Not only will this law curb crimes motivated by sexual orientation prejudice but it will also move our country forward in building a more just society. |
| Ecology and Environment
Green Tips
The Mount Saint John Green Team in Dayton offers several tips for using water wisely. Read Green Tips.
A Powerful Plea from the President of an Island Nation
Climate change is impacting poorer countries today. As world leaders gathered in New York recently, delegates heard a stirring plea from Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives. He noted that his country is regularly invited to testify on how climate change impacts this island nation. Participants gather, ring their hands and pledge to do more. And then the conference ends, people go home, and good intentions are buried in busy lives. He says this cycle must end. Click here to read his impassioned address.
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MSJC Steering Committee
Think Globally, Act Locally - Next Steps
A small group met in Dayton on Sept. 19 to develop future plans for the Think Globally, Act Locally program. They explored ways to integrate the resources of the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream program. The goal of the program is to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on Planet Earth. Marguerite Chandler, Awakening the Dreamer facilitator, participated in the meeting. To view a short video about this program, click here.
Left to right - Marguerite Chandler, Myles McCabe, Erin Iturriaga, Brenda Fitzpatrick, Ann Hirt, and Tara Poling.
Want to help us build and expand the Think Globally, Act Locally workshops?
We need to recruit and train volunteer facilitators to use the Awakening the Dreamer resources. If you are able to financially support volunteers to attend a training program, make an online donation of any amount. We deeply appreciate your support. 
A Seamless Garment Dialogue - March 5-7, 2010 in Baltimore
MSJC is planning a "Seamless Garment Dialogue" weekend with the goal of promoting dialogue among pro-life and social justice activists in order to foster better understanding and greater collaboration. Featured resource person will be Fr. John Langan SJ, the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Professor of Social Thought at Georgetown U. and an expert on Christian ethics. For more information and a registration form, click here.
Growing Violence in Guatemala
Bro. Bill Farrell, Steering Committee member who lives in Guatemala City, sends a heart rending report of increasing violence against children in his city. Click here to read the story.
A New Baby! Steering Committee member Jessica Merugu and her husband, Srinivas, welcomed their first child into the world on Sept. 14. It's a boy - Kai. Congratulations! |
| Events
High School Teachers - A Social Justice Opportunity
Education for Justice, in conjunction with NCEA and Catholic Relief Services, is offering a one hour interactive cross-curricular webinar for high school teachers to learn about Catholic Social Teaching and its integration into school curriculum. It will be Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 4:00 pm (EST). For more information or to register, click here. |
| Resources
Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?
Alternatives for Simple Living announces its 2009 edition of Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? This booklet contains thought provoking articles, helpful resources and practical suggestions for making Advent and Christmas more meaningful and less materialistic. To order click here. |
| Action for Advocates
Support Women Religious
Last January, the Vatican launched an "apostolic visitation" of institutes of women religious in the US to examine the "quality of life" of communities of women religious and look into ways in which women religious "contribute to the welfare of the church and society." Now is the time to stand in support and express our gratitude for these women who have given so much to the Church.
You are invited to write letters in support of women religious which will be posted at www.thankyousister.com, sharing personal stories about how women religious have impacted your "quality of life," expressing messages of gratitude and/or conveying general messages of support. They will be forwarded to the Vatican. Click here for more information.
Bhopal - End 25 Years of Injustice 
The people of Bhopal, India, where thousands died 25 years ago as a result of toxic gas that leaked from a Union Carbide plant, are still seeking full justice, adequate cleanup and disclosure about the tragedy and how and why it happened. Click here and join Amnesty International's effort on behalf of the people of Bhopal. |
| A Thought to Ponder
"Lord,when did we see you hungry .... and feed you.... I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least of mine, you did for me." Matthew 12: 37-40. Click here to ponder a short award-winning video about food, taste, and hunger. | |
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