JUSTICE JOTTINGS June 2022

Volunteer with One of our MSJC Issue Teams!

A majority of MSJC's current issue teams are looking for new members to join their teams! We hope new volunteers will:  Help issue teams develop exciting and engaging programming and resources to move themselves and others to action on justice issues Explore their gifts and become leaders for justice in the Marianist Family and our Church  Be united in prayer and community within MSJC as we deal with the difficult issues of our times If you are interested in learning more about becoming an issue team member, fill out our online interest form below! Here are the current issue teams we have at MSJC: Adele Social Justice Project (Young Adult & Justice Focus) Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Immigrant Justice Integral Ecology LGBTQ+ Initiative Racial Justice Women & Justice

MSJC Issue Team Interest Form

A SPECIAL CALL TO ACTION

Today, our volunteers here at MSJC wanted to speak in the wake of so many recent mass shootings. Although gun violence and mass shootings are not a social justice issue that MSJC directly takes on with an issue team, we recognize our call to challenge the status quo in this moment. We would like to explicitly send our deepest condolences to all of those affected by gun violence, but especially to the victims and families of the recent mass shootings in the USA, including Uvalde and Buffalo. Our prayers are with you. Beyond the power of prayer, we also encourage our members and those connected with MSJC to move into action. Below is a full statement from the US Bishops on gun violence and here is a list of the legislative measures they support: A total ban on assault weapons; Measures that control the sale and use of firearms, such as universal background checks for all gun purchases; Limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines; A federal law to criminalize gun trafficking; Improved access to and increased resources for mental health care and earlier interventions; Regulations and limitations on the purchasing of handguns. Send a message to your representatives using Everytown's action link or search the number to call for your Congressional house representative and Senators.

Backgrounder on Gun Violence: A Mercy and Peacebuilding Approach to Gun Violence

MSJC REFLECTIONS & RESOURCES

LGBTQ+ Initiative Mary's Warmth of Welcome Saves Lives Reflection by Brian Halderman I have been reflecting a lot on the importance of our pastoral outreach and ministry through the LGBTQ+ Initiative over these past several months. As we mark another Pride Month it is a wonderful time to give thanks for this effort and for those that had the vision to establish this team over fifteen years ago. We are about to offer our sixth retreat weekend this coming November and have facilitated countless educational programs along with the development of resources to build a more inclusive Marianist Family, Catholic Church and Society. (Read more here...)

WOMEN & JUSTICE Honoring the Accomplishments of a Social Justice Pioneer By Barb Belle In honor of both Pride month and the celebration of Juneteenth, the Women & Justice Issue team would like to continue to tell stories of those who have been overlooked. Pauli Murray was a legal trailblazer whose ideas influenced RBG’s fight for gender equality and Thurgood Marshall’s civil rights arguments. When you learn more about the life of this incredible person, it might make you wonder why we haven’t heard this story before! (Read more here...)

INTEGRAL ECOLOGY Synod Listening Session Catholic Climate Covenant invites you to participate in the Synod on Synodality. Catholic Climate Covenant will host five virtual “Listening Sessions” to enable you to share how the Holy Spirit is moving within and through us as we work to give living expression to Laudato Si’. Click here to learn more and register.  Season of Creation Plan for you and/or your community to participate in the Season of Creation 2022, an annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action for our common home, from September 1st to October 4th. Begin your planning with these free resources. Laudato Si’ Action Platform: Ecological Education in the Home Check out ten ecological education actions your family can take today here. This and other articles are available on the community page of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform website: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION & RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Pax Christi USA is a section of Pax Christi International, the international Catholic peace and justice movement that seeks to model the peace of Christ in witness to the mandate of the nonviolence of the Cross. Pax Christi USA invites all to join its 2022 National Conference in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The event on August 5-7 will include challenging keynotes and engaging workshops, including one on “Modern-Day Lynching: Catholics Call for Abolition of the Death Penalty.” Go to the conference link to learn more about the event and about in-person and ‘virtual’ registration options.

COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Seed Grant Application Process -- Supported by the Visitation Marianist State Community Do you have a project that needs additional funds? The Visitation Marianist State Community is a virtual community of vowed lay Marianist that have a long history of serving the Marianist family. We have committed to put our financial resources toward projects which may need assistance to get started or expand into a new area.  We are particularly committed to enabling small communities and fledgling service projects to thrive; to grow, and respond to the genuine needs of the young and the poor and to engage in the struggle for peace and justice.  The four project categories are: Strengthen Marianist Lay Communities and Network Assist in building the Catholic church Impact the faith and involvement of young adults in the church Social justice areas: Economic Justice, Environmental Justice and Human Rights The awards are granted each year to groups or ministries within the United States.  The proposed projects are submitted for consideration via an applications form. Applications are due by the end of August and are evaluated and awarded in November each year. Here are the projects that were awarded in 2021.

Seed Grant Application Form

Job Opening at the University of Dayton -- Coordinator of Community Engagement The University of Dayton Campus Ministry seeks to welcome a Coordinator for Community Engagement to our dynamic ministry team.  Uniting faith and action for justice among college students to inspire life-long commitment to the common good through reflective service and justice advocacy is the focus for this role. Drawing from faith-based perspectives on social action, candidates will also promote interfaith cooperation and learning through community engagement opportunities, advise social action organizations, and cultivate partnerships with local organizations to meet real community needs. This is a 10.5 month full-time exempt position with full benefits. See full job description and apply at the link below by June 22nd.

Coordinator of Community Engagement Application

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Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to us at marianistsocialjustice@gmail.com.