JUSTICE JOTTINGS July 2022

MSJC REFLECTIONS & RESOURCES

IMMIGRATION JUSTICE Supporting the Whole Life of Refugees While most of us were no doubt pleased to know that the United States has begun to return to its heritage of welcoming refugees and others seeking safety, most recently from Afghanistan and Ukraine, we likely do not fully appreciate the picture from the point of view of the refugee. Certainly safe harbor is wonderful especially for persons from war torn countries, but one needs more than safety to begin a new life. Please read about the needs and extraordinary backlog for work permits faced by the latest refugee influx and add your name to the petition below.

Immediate Work Permits Petition

WOMEN & JUSTICE Catholic Sr. Simone Campbell Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom Sr. Simone Campbell, of the Sisters of Social Services, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year. Sr. Simone has been a lifelong advocate for economic justice and health care policy. She served 17 years as Director of Network, a Catholic social justice organization focused on lobbying for positive change. Read more about Sr. Simone, and this honor, below.

Article on Sr. Simone

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION & RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Violence, Trauma, Healing and the RJ Way Last week I was on my way to Chicago when the Highland Park shooting happened. The shooter had passed background checks and purchased the gun legally. Unfortunately, mass shootings are not uncommon occurrences. Since the start of the year, there have been 329 mass shootings in the United States (see Gun Violence Archive for data). The majority of those shootings never made it to national news. They happened and most of us were none the wiser. Thus, to say that I felt troubled while in Chicago is putting it mildly. As I thought about the violence that had occurred, faith was front and center. I was also reminded of the potential for restorative practices to help with healing. (Continue reading here...)

INTEGRAL ECOLOGY Catholic Divestment The Vatican’s historic environmental guidelines make clear how Catholics should view divestment — as a moral imperative to help God’s creation. Laudato Si’ Movement can help you and your institution commit to divestment. Get started today by using these free resources. Wholemakers Catholic Climate Covenant introduces Wholemakers, a multi-session curriculum designed for young adults to explore and deepen their understanding of creation care and climate action. Young adults or those working with young adults are invited to bring the Wholemakers Journey to their community by participating in one of the pilot programs this fall. For more information and to apply, use the link below.

Wholemakers Info & Pilot Application

LGBTQ+ INITIATIVE Bills, Bills, Bills: The Danger of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation in 2022 Over the last several months, we’ve seen an alarming trend nationally-no, not just inflation or an increase in Gen Zers wearing *shutter* fashion of the 90’s. No, much more horrifically, there have been hundreds of bills moving through state legislatures across the country focused on rolling back LGBTQ+ rights.   A total of 335 bills have been introduced across the country and 17 bills have been signed into law in 10 different states, according to the Human Rights Campaign. (Continue reading here...)

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

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Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to us at sarah.gray@marianistsjc.net.