JUSTICE JOTTINGS
January 2022
|
|
|
|
REFLECTIONS
AS I RETIRE
by Jim Vogt
Today marks the end of my employment with MSJC. I’ve been director for over 18 years. It’s been one of the best jobs a person could have. A big part of my satisfaction stems from working with people who care deeply about the social justice issues we’ve tackled. I will definitely miss connecting on a regular basis with them.
As I leave, I have a few hopes for MSJC that I’d like to share. (Read more...)
|
BEING PRO-LIFE
Some Reflections & Questions
This article, co-authored by Mary Beaudoin and Jim Vogt, uses the 49th anniversary on Jan. 22 of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, to share their reflections, but perhaps more, their questions about what we have to do as Catholics to move forward in dealing with the issue of abortion. To read the article click here.
|
|
RACIAL JUSTICE
Introduction to Systemic Racism Workshop
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 11 from 5-8:30pm ET and
---------Saturday, Feb. 12 from 11am-2:30pm
WHY: As a Marianist Family, we want to be more inclusive, equitable, and accountable. This workshop is one crucial step in that direction. Our ongoing hope is to identify barriers, provide tools to overcome these barriers and develop leadership for the effort.
It will create space for members of the Marianist Family to journey with a facilitator around the history of systemic racism and provide critical reflection on the impact of racism on and in the Marianist Family.
TO REGISTER: More information about the workshop, along with a registration form, is available here. Registration is limited to 30 participants.
Promoting Racial Justice – We Need Your Input
The MSJC Racial Justice Team is in the midst of goal setting and visioning for the future. One of our questions is what does the Marianist Family need from us? What can we offer the Marianist Family - brothers, priests, sisters and Lay Marianists – as well as those who work in Marianist ministries and institutions?
As part of that process we designed a very short survey (3 - 5 minutes). Please take a moment to offer us your thoughts by clicking on this survey.
Contact team co-chair, Sr. Nicole Trahan (ntrahan@gmail.com) if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Also, please share the link to the survey with others.
|
|
DEATH PENALTY & RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
The Circle Process – A Restorative Experience
- Are you interested in learning more about restorative justice practices?
- Are you hoping to develop a Marianist lens on social justice issues?
If so, please join MSJC's Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team for a restorative circle process experience
WHEN: Saturday, February 19, 6:30-8:30pm ET
WHERE: University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio (St. Joseph Hall, Rm. 413)
During this experience, participants will learn about
- a restorative practice called circles,
- experience the circle process through the guidance of MSJC's trained circle keepers,
- explore questions about the connection between our Marianist identity and justice.
Space is limited so please register for this event and get a taste of the transformative power of alternative justice processes!
Death Penalty Updates:
-
Learn the latest in the ongoing effort to reform death penalty laws in Florida (https://www.fadp.org/), especially Senate Bill 770, which would protect people with serious mental illness from the death penalty.
-
“Right Too Soon” Study shows that one in seven prisoners put to death in the U.S. had legal issues that make their executions unconstitutional.
|
|
ENVIRONMENT
Nurturing an Ecological Spirituality:
A Marianist Virtual Retreat
WHEN: Saturday, February 5th, 12:30 to 3:30p ET
Join the Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) staff and members of the MEEC/MSJC Integral Ecology Team to reflect and share on the Laudato Si Action Platform goal of ecological spirituality.
Lay Marianists Jennifer Melke-Marks, Matt Naveau, Jarrod Kinkley and Tony Garascia will join Bro. Gary Marcinowski SM in sharing stories, images, prayers, and other ways to encounter the divine in nature. All are welcome! REGISTER: For more information and to register Click here.
To also explore new monthly Nature & Spirit Walks and other MEEC programs Click here.
|
|
Catholic Climate Covenant Programs:
-
ECO-SPRITUALITRY SERIES: Join this youth led series to explore the spiritual foundations of work for Climate Justice.
------WHEN: January 31, 7:30-8:30p ET
MEEC/MSJC Integral Ecology Team
To join the team’s monthly zoom calls or to network with other Marianist entities pledging Laudato si Action Platform commitment, contact Jennifer Melke-Marks (jennifer.melke@yahoo.com).
|
|
IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
Reflections on Ministry with Refugees
Jean and Tony Fitzgerald, lay Marianists in Cleveland, Ohio, share their story of mentoring and supporting two refugee families.
----On a very hot summer evening, we received a
----phone call at 10:00 pm. In an African English
----dialect. A father said to me, “My children are
----crying and sweating and cannot sleep.” Being recently invited to mentor a
----refugee family from Uganda, Jean and I took the call. Victor and Raziki and
----their two children lived in a two-bedroom second-floor apartment with no
|
|
ADELE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
A Lenten Opportunity – “Another Name for Everything”
“Another Name for Everything” is a podcast series featuring Fr. Richard Rohr. Join members of MSJC’S Adele Social Justice Project in discussing several of the podcasts from this series as we explore the connections between action and contemplation.
WHEN: 8 Thursdays: Feb. 24 – Apr. 14 from 5-6p PT / 7-8p CT / 8-9p ET
WHERE: Via Zoom
INFO & REGISTRATION: Click here. Register soon as space is limited.
|
|
LGBTQ+ INITIATIVE
"Belonging Creates and Undoes Us"
In this On Being podcast, Krista Tippett interviews Pádraig Ó Tuama, a gay Catholic poet and theologian. From 2014 to 2019 he was the leader of the Corrymeela Community, Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organization. Pádraig shares his thoughts about conflict resolution, what home is, and the power of language.
Toward the end of the interview he shares a story of being in a gathering of people in Uganda where one of the men says he has a question for all the homosexuals in the room and wants to know how often he's offended them. Someone replies, 'One, two, three, four...I've given up after the first hour.' As a result, the man's view is transformed.
Pádraig shares that he also wants to be able to ask people to tell him what it’s like to hear the way he talks because he needs to be changed as well. The podcast is well worth listening to.
|
|
MARIANIST PULSE
Applications Open
Marianist PULSE is accepting applications for our 2022-23 year of service. Young adults interested in
- learning about solidarity,
- living in intentional community
- offering professional non-profit service experience, partnered with spiritual and professional development as servant leaders through the Marianist Charism
are strongly encouraged to apply!
Upcoming positions include service in areas of literacy, health equity, food access, social-emotional learning and more. Click here for more information. We are confident the needs of our communities will continue to grow in the midst of the pandemic. Please invite young adults you know to share their time and talent!
Photo shows PULSE alumni Topher de la Rosa tending the soil at Mission of Mary Cooperative during his PULSE year.
|
|
COMMUNITY MEETING KITS
Check Them Out
Looking for a good resource on a social justice topic for one of your Marianist community meetings? The North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS) has a number of Community Meeting Kits available. To take a look at all the available kits click here.
You might find something that would be helpful – and challenging.
|
|
|
|
Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
|
|
|
|
Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
