JUSTICE JOTTINGS

September 2023

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

We are looking for volunteers for all of our Issue & Project Teams and we are in an active recruitment period! You can volunteer with us from wherever you are (no specific location required). You would be a great fit for MSJC if you:

Are committed to building a more just Catholic Church and world.
Want to broaden your commitment to the Marianist charism.
Hope to expand your professional skills, connections with Marianists across North America, and expertise in social justice.
Have a few hours every month to support the work of justice in the Marianist Family and beyond.

Read the full volunteer role description here and find next steps below:

Contact us at [email protected] to pursue next steps! Let us know which issue or project teams interest you the most and our staff will help you discern how to be involved with MSJC.
Attend the MSJC Virtual Open House event! We will be facilitating two open house time slots on Wednesday, October 18. You can find more details and register these using this link.
Nominate someone! Know someone who might be interested in volunteering with MSJC? Awesome :) fill in this nomination form and we will reach out to them.

We will be holding a short (90-minute) orientation in late October or early November so look for more details on that in the coming months. We hope you will consider joining our community!

MSJC EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Let Justice Flow Anew: Rivers & People Living in Harmony Virtual Event

When: Wednesday, September 27th starting at 8pm ET | 7 PM CT | 6 PM MT | 5 PM PT | 2 PM HT

What: Join with Marianist Family members in the Season of Creation to pray, reflect and learn about the gift of rivers and their life-sustaining generosity, how we have mistreated them and our call to cherish and protect. Through brief presentations, we will explore the ecology, pollution impacts and rights of rivers. We’ll hear stories of immigrants at the Rio-Grande and enter into the suffering at river-borders. We’ll celebrate stories of hope and conservation from University of Dayton Rivers Institute, St. Mary’s University partners in restoring the San Antonio River, and St. Louis School/Chaminade U stream cleanup in Honolulu. We’ll dialogue In break-out rooms about steps we can take as individuals and collectively to cultivate gratitude, loving care and advocacy for rivers and watersheds so that their ecosystem services can be shared with all creatures and generations. All are welcome!

Co-sponsored by: MSJC Immigrant Justice Team and MEEC/MSJC Integral Ecology Team (https://marianistsjc.net). This event is part of MSJC participation in the Marianist Family Encounters Project https://marianistencounters.org

Let Justice Flow Anew Event Registration

Called to be Peacemakers: A Virtual Retreat

When: Saturday, October 7 from 10 AM - 2 PM ET | 9 AM - 1 PM CT | 8 AM - 12 PM MT | 7 - 11 AM PT

About: Join internationally-acclaimed artist Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS; Pax Christi USA National Chair Charlene Howard; and Marianist Sr. Emily Sandoval as they each share images or examples of building peace in the world to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Pope John Paul XIII's encyclical Pacem in Terris. Additional prayer leaders and facilitators include Dr. Neomi De Anda, Executive Director of the International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton, Michelle Sherman of Pax Christi USA, and Tiffany Hunsinger of MSJC. There will be off-camera time for quiet reflection, small group sharing, and a break for lunch. The cost for this virtual retreat is $10. After registering, you will receive the zoom link and materials for this retreat. Scholarships are available- please email [email protected] for scholarship information.

Virtual Retreat Registration

MSJC's 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Join members of the MSJC as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary! During this virtual event, we will reflect on our accomplishments over the past 25 years, pray together, have some fun (trivia and prizes!) and spend a bit of time envisioning our future. Bring your own beverage, and get ready to celebrate with past and present members of MSJC. All are welcome!

What: 25th Anniversary Virtual Celebration

MSJC REFLECTIONS & RESOURCES

LGBTQ+ INITIATIVE

In this Outreach article, Jarek Pachoki gives some common sense and helpful ideas for ministering to LGBTQ students in Catholic schools.

Ministering to LGBTQ+ Students Article

RACIAL JUSTICE

A quick note about Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month!

September 15 to October 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month – also known as Latinx Heritage Month - which honors and celebrates the vibrant histories, languages, traditions, values, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The yearly observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and became a month-long celebration in 1988. September 15, the start of this festive month, also marks the Independence Day of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Then, on September 16, Mexico celebrates its Independence Day, followed by Chile on September 18 and Belize on September 21.

Technically, the term “Hispanic” is used to describe people who speak Spanish or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations in, for example, Spain, Cuba, or Puerto Rico. “Latinx,” by contrast, describes people who come from or are descended from people in Latin America regardless of whether they speak Spanish. (For example, most Brazilians speak Portuguese and would not be considered Hispanic, despite being in South America.) These distinctions have, at times, generated debate. Many people and organizations nonetheless use both words interchangeably. For example, in public polling and research, the Pew Research Center doesn’t distinguish between the terms.

Throughout the course of Hispanic Heritage Month, we challenge you to step out of your routine and celebrate the richness of the Hispanic community in the US. Dish up some delicious flavors, take a virtual tour of the S mithsonian’s exhibit , ¡Presnte!, read, watch or listen to content by Hispanic or Latinx creators, and find out if your city has a Hispanic Heritage Month festival!

WOMEN & JUSTICE

Befriending Phoebe -- A Coworker in the Kingdom of God

Can we think creatively about what has been and what could be? Read this very helpful article below which looks at the issue of women deacons by examining they're history and recent developments.

Global Sisters Report St. Phoebe Article

INTEGRAL ECOLOGY

Celebrating Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI, and her Laudato si Work!

MSJC celebrates Leanne's honorable mention among the first US Laudato si Champions named by Catholic Climate Covena nt this summer.

Sr. Leanne has led Laudato si education and action through directing the Marianist Environmental Education Center, being a co-chair of the Marianist Family Encounters Project and the University of Dayton’s Laudato si Working Group through the Hanley Sustainability Institute.

She has been an inspiring catalyst for MSJC on the Integral Ecology Team, Adele Social Justice Project and the Coordinating team of MSJC’s Steering Committee as we implement the Laudato si Action Platform and Marianist Encounters goals into our planning. Sr. Leanne credits the supportive engagement of MSJC and others throughout the Marianist network as sharing this award. “All of our Marianist work for justice and building community embodies Pope Francis’ vision of Laudato si and Fratelli tutti as we extend our care from our households throughout our planetary home to address these critical needs of our day and time. I look forward to being part of our Marianist Family response to Pope Francis’ Laudato si Part 2 being released on October 4th.”

For the full citation of Leanne’s work and impacts throughout scientific and faith communities scroll down to the Individual category on the last page here. Read the Family-On-Line August 31st story here.

Ecological Conversion: Reflection on Recent Trip to Glacier National Park by Team Member & Lay Marianist Tony Garascia

Beth and I just spent ten days visiting Glacier National Park with four other friends, one of whom is a member of the Blackfeet tribe. The trip was a great experience for both of us, not only because of the fantastic scenery, but

also because we got in touch with the relationship of the land to the Native peoples who have called Glacier National Park their home for longer than the first arrival of white colonists.

We did a lot of hiking in the park, and a lot of processing of the beauty of nature, and of the need for “truth and reconciliation” in coming to grips with how our nation has treated the indigenous people in the United States, as well as how we have neglected our care for the earth. In the ten days that we were in the

park we had encounters with a number of Native Americans, who told stories that spoke of the pain and scars inflicted on the Blackfeet... [Read more here!]

BEYOND MSJC OPPORTUNITIES

In San Antonio or nearby? You're invited to attend a special event at the University of the Incarnate Word to abolish the death penalty!

When: Tuesday, October 10

What: The University of the Incarnate Word, Catholic Mobilizing Network, and other local partners will collaborate to observe "World Day Against the Death Penalty." Three main events are planned for the day. Participants can sign up for any of the following: First, at 11:30, participants will join local organizations and groups who mobilize when an execution is scheduled in Texas by holding a public vigil at San Fernando Cathedral. UIW will provide transportation from the Broadway campus to San Fernando or participants can meet the group downtown. The bus will return to UIW by 3:00 p.m. Second, at 6:15, participants will enjoy an informal buffet meal at the UIW Student Engagement Ballroom. Finally, at 7.p.m., the evening program featuring an educational panel will begin.