VeryTopShalom News North America  

An instrument of hope, formation, and action

concerning priority matters of social justice.

In This Issue
Lenten Creation Care Calendar
World Water Day
Earth Hour
Endangered Species Act
Christ in the Voice of the Migrant
Slavery in Seafood
SOAR
International Women's Day
CSW 61
Eliminate Racism
Farmworkers
Nuclear Weapons Treaty
First Use of Nuclear Weapons
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March/2017
         
 
 
In his Lenten message, Pope Francis invites us to open our doors to all those in need, recognizing in them the face of Christ.  To a recent gathering of activists he was more prescriptive, endorsing their efforts to fight for social justice, stand with migrants, and "defend our Sister Mother Earth." He warned them, "Let us not fall into denial. Time is running out - let us act!" 

We pray that your Lenten journey will be a most inspiring one. Thank you for all you do to help make a difference in our world!     
            
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Integrity of Creation              

Lenten Creation Care Calendar        
This Lent we invite you to participate in a "carbon fast" and take steps to reduce your carbon footprint. This Lenten Creation Care Calendar can assist you and your community to be more mindful of the ways that our daily habits impact both "our common home" and those most impacted by our neglect. With daily ideas for prayer and simple actions to reduce our carbon footprint, the calendar is a treasure trove for the season.  We also share S. Gen Cassani's beautiful Lenten reflections on " Cosmic Redemption" and invite you to "Behold the sacred in everything!" Check out the Canadian Give it Up for the Earth! Lenten Campaign and these other Lenten resources.   

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Integrity of Creation              

World Water Day           
Fresh water is the most important resource for humankind, cross-cutting all social, economic and environmental activities. It is a condition for all life on our planet, an enabling or limiting factor for any social and technological development, a possible source of welfare or misery, cooperation or conflict. World Water Day is celebrating water as well as highlighting water related challenges. Today, there are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water. Please take time to learn more and take action.  Learn about Global Partners: Running Waters.

 
 
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Integrity of Creation            

Earth Hour - March 25, 8:30 - 9:30 pm (Local)            
What started as a "lights off" event in Sydney, Australia in 2007 has spread to 178 different countries in a grassroots movement for the environment, empowering millions to change climate change.  We've come a long way to make a difference in our common home but, as climate change accelerates, our responses need to grow, too.  Use your power to change climate change. Learn more, participate!

 
      
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Integrity of Creation              

Is the Endangered Species Act in Trouble?            
The Endangered Species Act is one of the strongest, most effective wildlife protection laws in the world. It was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support more than 40 years ago to provide a legal safety net for wildlife, fish and plant species that are in danger of extinction. But now some members of Congress are pushing to weaken or even gut this vital law. Some legislative proposals put specific imperiled wildlife species on the chopping block, while others attack core provisions of the Act itself. Urge legislators to oppose efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act.  
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Human Life and Dignity               

The Cry of Christ in the Voice of the Migrant    
"In this difficult moment in our history we hear the cry of our migrant brothers and sisters, in whose voices we hear the voice of Christ Himself," explained the Catholic Tex-Mex Border Bishops in their statement The cry of Christ in the voice of the migrant moves us. "Over the years we have seen firsthand the suffering that is brought about by a broken immigration system caused by political structures and economic conditions that result in threats, deportations, impunity, and extreme violence... Regardless of one's migration condition, the intrinsic human dignity that every person possesses must be respected in the person of the migrant...It is essential that governments adopt policies that respect the basic human rights of undocumented migrants."  Resources for reflection, take action.


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Human Life and Dignity               

End Human Trafficking in Seafood Industry
The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) is engaged in an effort to end human trafficking in the seafood industry by encouraging producers to share information about their supply chains on their labels. The U.S. imports 80-90% of its seafood, and tens of thousands of people are exploited at every link in the seafood harvesting and production chain. This exploitation occurs through abusive recruitment practices, as well as slavery at sea and in seafood processing plants.  How can you help CCOAHT? Fill out this short, five-question survey. CCOAHT will use the data from this survey when it reaches out to seafood companies to request that they include a label on their packaged products.   
 
Human Life and Dignity               

Urge Support for Bipartisan Human Trafficking Legislation           
While human trafficking victims are often difficult to identify, a reported 68 percent of trafficking victims end up in a health care setting at some point while being exploited, including in clinics, emergency rooms and doctor's offices.  Despite this, out of more than 5,680 hospitals in the country, only 60 have been identified as having a plan for treating patients who are victims of trafficking and 95 percent of emergency room personnel are not trained to treat trafficking victims. Legislation with bipartisan support has been introduced that would provide health care professionals at all levels training on how to identify and appropriately treat human trafficking victims. Learn more, urge Congress to act.   
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Human Life and Dignity               

International Women's Day - March 8     
International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. This year's focus, "Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality", is about building momentum for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals , especially Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and Goal #4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning. Learn more , prayer service , SSND solidarity reflection , take action .

 
                           
Human Life and Dignity               

UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)          
This year's CSW will focus on women's economic empowerment in the changing world of work" and include a review of the "challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls." The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A delegation of SSNDs and students lead by S. Eileen Reilly will attend the CSW. Go to SSND.org (March 13-24) for updates and video reflections.

Chair of the 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
 
Human Life and Dignity              

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination      
Established in the wake of the Sharpeville Massacre South Africa, March 21, 1960, this day reminds us of the negative consequences of racial discrimination and our obligation to combat it. As former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, "In these tumultuous times, we must stand up for rights and dignity for all, and for diversity and pluralism. We must speak out against anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of hate. An assault on one minority community is an attack on all."  Consider this report, these Canadian resources and these U.S. resources.

Human Life and Dignity               

Farmworker Awareness Week - March 24-31           
Farmers feed the world. There are an estimated 2-3 million men, women and children who work in the fields in the U.S., yet farmworkers remain largely invisible and continue to live and work in often substandard conditions.  They suffer from the highest rate of toxic chemical injuries and have higher incidences of heart stress, parasitic infections and tuberculosis than other wage-earners. Find out more about farmworkers' struggles and how you can help.

Peace and Non-Violence              

Nuclear Weapons        
On March 5, 1970, the International Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) entered into force.  The only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by nuclear-weapon states, the treaty was extended indefinitely in May of 1995.  Did you know that all nine nuclear-armed countries are modernizing their nuclear forces? The U.S, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea together spend over $100 billion annually on their nuclear forces. While the majority of nuclear weapons funding comes from taxpayers in nuclear-armed countries, private sector investors also provide financing that enables the production, maintenance and modernization of nuclear arsenals. Learn more, take action.

 
                 
 
Peace and Non-Violence              

Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act       
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would prohibit the President of the United States from launching a nuclear first strike without a declaration of war by Congress. While the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and other peace groups believe strongly that nuclear weapons should never be used under any circumstances, they believe that this legislation is a move in the right direction to prevent what amounts to a thermonuclear monarchy. Learn more, let your voice be heard.
                                

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, Allyn Horton, 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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