VeryTopShalom News North America  

An instrument of hope, formation, and action

concerning priority matters of social justice.

In This Issue
World Environment Day
World Ocean Day
Global Climate Change
Celebrating Laudato Si'
Child Labor
World Refugee Day
National Aboriginal Day
Education of Girls
Budget is Profoundly Troubling
Torture Awareness Month
Catholic Pledge to End Death Penalty
Banning Nuclear Weapons
Feast of Corpus Christi
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June/2017
         
 
Throughout the month of June, we invite you to join us in reflecting on our relationship with all of creation. Loving God, "teach us new and unsuspected ways of living so that current and future generations can walk humbly in beauty, love all compassionately and live justly in solidarity with all creation."

Please note - our next newsletter will be delivered on July 12. 
             
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Integrity of Creation              

World Environment Day - June 5  
'Connecting People to Nature' is the theme of this year's World Environment Day, one of the days celebrated by School Sisters of Notre Dame throughout the congregation. We are encouraged to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty, to understand more deeply how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. The preamble to the Earth Charter reminds us that "the spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life, and humility regarding the human place in nature." May we continue to grow in that right relationship. Resources for reflection and action.   

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Integrity of Creation              

World Ocean Day - June 8           
The oceans cover about two-thirds of the surface of the Earth and are the very foundations of life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. This year's theme is "Our oceans, our future." Learn more. Watch and learn about plastic pollution and the impact on our oceans.

 
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Integrity of Creation            

Global Climate Change          
On June 15 we mark the 16th anniversary of the U.S. Catholic Bishops' statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good. That plea becomes more urgent every year as Pope Francis reminds us in Laudato Si'(25) that "climate change...represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day." The bishops continue to call us and our government to recognize the seriousness of the global warming threat and to develop effective policies that will diminish the possible consequences of global climate change. We all must continue to heed the plea for dialogue, prudence and the common good. Learn more, take action.
       
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Integrity of Creation              

Celebrating Laudato Si' - June 18     
During the past two years, we have been reading and reflecting on the challenges and inspirations presented by Pope Francis in Laudato Si'. It has had far reaching universal interest among scientists, business groups, economists, ambassadors to the UN, and a variety of religious leaders. Francis reminds us that all people are in this together as a community. All of humanity needs to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach. It must integrate questions of justice in debates on environment so as to hear both the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. The document highlights symbolism from the Hebrew Scriptures to show us everything is interconnected and that genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from community, justice and faithfulness to others. ". . . the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise." Further reflections.

 
 
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Human Life and Dignity               

World Day Against Child Labor -     June 12         
Over 1.5 billion people live in countries that are affected by conflict, violence and fragility. Some 200 million people are affected by disasters every year. A third of them are children. A significant proportion of the 168 million children engaged in child labor live in areas affected by conflict and disaster. As the world strives to achieve the elimination of child labor by 2025, on this World Day Against Child Labor, let's join forces to end child labor in areas affected by conflict and disaster. Learn more, resource, prayer.          
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Human Life and Dignity               

World Refugee Day - June 20      
Today millions of refugees embark on dangerous journeys in order to find security and freedom. They have lost their homes and dear ones because of violence or war. The day was established by the General Assembly of United Nations for the refugees to honor them for their courage of facing lots of problems after losing homes due to conflict or violence and their contributions to their communities. World refugee day also provides an opportunity for us to recognize our responsibility to help refugees rebuild their lives. Please read and reflect on this poignant and powerful poem, watch this video, sign this UNHCR petition. For those in the U.S. urge Congress to act.

 
 
                            
Human Life and Dignity               

National Aboriginal Day - June 21 (JPIC Canada)            
There are three Aboriginal groups in Canada - the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This day gives people of all walks of life the opportunity to celebrate and share knowledge about the Aboriginal peoples' values, customs, languages, and culture. Festivals and celebrations of traditional dancing and music are held throughout the month. Learn more.
         
Human Life and Dignity              

Make Education of Girls a Global Priority (ONE Campaign)     
The leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies are meeting soon in Hamburg, Germany. On the agenda: the 130 million girls not in school. It's a huge opportunity to agree to ambitious policies that would help get every girl into school. And there's a risk that if they do nothing, girls will get left further behind. Urge the G20 leaders to take action.
 
Human Life and Dignity               

Proposed Budget is Profoundly Troubling        
Catholic media have noted that President Trump's proposed budget, although applauded for their pro-life measures, was largely met with concern from Catholic aid groups, particularly for cuts to poverty programs and international aid. "Rather than balancing the budget on the backs of those who are poor while shoring up military spending, our budgetary policies should reflect compassion for those most fragile and, at the same time, should allocate funds to protect safety and the common good," said Sister Donna Markham, O.P., president and CEO of Catholic Charities. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement that called the budget plan "profoundly troubling." The plan would significantly increase military spending and cut programs which help low-and moderate-income families afford the basics by an estimated $2.5 trillion over the next decade and would include cuts to international aid and $191 billion in cuts to food stamp funding. Learn more, take action.

Peace and Non-Violence              

Torture Awareness Month 
On June 26, 1987, the nations of the world took a major step against the immoral and abhorrent practice of torture. On that day, the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT for short) entered into force and the United Nations later declared June 26 as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Fact sheet, reflection on Catholic Social Teaching and torture, prayer service. More resources for reflection and action.
                    
Peace and Non-Violence              

National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty 
The Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) has launched the National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty. They are inviting individuals and groups to act on Pope Francis' call to educate, advocate and pray for the end of the death penalty. "All Christians and people of good will are called on to work not only for the abolition of the death penalty, but also to improve prison conditions so that they respect the human dignity of people who have been deprived of their freedom," Pope Francis Learn more/take action.

                   

Peace and Non-Violence              

Draft Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons  
A United Nations-backed panel has publicly released a draft treaty banning the possession and use of all nuclear weapons. The draft treaty is the culmination of a sustained campaign, supported by more than 130 non-nuclear states frustrated with the sclerotic pace of disarmament, to prohibit nuclear weapons and persuade nuclear-armed states to disarm. Nine countries are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons: the US, UK, Russia, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel. None has supported the draft plan. Learn more. There will be a women's march and rally in New York City and around the world in support of these negotiations taking place at the UN for a treaty banning nuclear weapons. Learn more/join in.


                    
Peace and Non-Violence              

Feast of Corpus Christi - June 18 
This day celebrates the traditional belief in the reality of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Rather than trying to understand or explain transubstantiation, one could also look on this feast day as a yearly reminder to all who believe to be the body and blood of Jesus in the world today, to be one who reaches out to the marginalized, one who preaches the good news, one who challenges the public policies and practices of the day that deny the human rights of individuals and classes of people, one who is a voice for the voiceless. May this feast day remind us of what it means to be Christian.
 

The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times. 

Shalom LogoShalom News North America is an e-publication of the Shalom North America Contacts (SNAC) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame - Arlene Flaherty, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at tdewane@ssndcp.org.

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