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JUSTICE JOTTINGS
September 2024
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MSJC EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES | |
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MSJC Networking Opportunities Survey
MSJC is always looking for ways to expand our field of influence. We know that there are many organizations whose goals and work mesh well with those of MSJC, and we seek to find ways to partner with these organizations for mutual benefit. One of MSJC's current organizational goals is to have our staff or other representatives attended at least 3 networking opportunities each year. Reaching this goal will help MSJC to:
- Introduce our work to new audiences
- Create pathways for collaboration with diverse partners
- Identify potential volunteers and new donors
You're invited to help by completing the short survey below. THANK YOU!
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Marianist Encounters Conference
What: An opportunity for the Marianist Family to deepen its commitment to Laudato Si' and the Global Compact on Education through prayer, presentations, workshops, and experiential learning. All are welcome!
Where & When: Mount St. John Property in Dayton, OH from Thursday, October 3 (evening) to Sunday, October 6 (afternoon). There is a registration option to start Friday evening as well.
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Pray with MSJC's Adele Social Justice Project (ASJP)
What: Join members of ASJP for an hour of creative prayer and reflection about family and community dynamics in the time of the election.
When: Tuesday, October 15th starting at 8:30pm ET | 7:30pm CT | 6:30pm MT | 5:30pm PT | 2:30pm HT
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MSJC REFLECTIONS & RESOURCES | |
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If you're like us, you've been hearing a lot lately about immigrants in political discussion and ads that seem to be around every corner. Join MSJC's Immigrant Justice Team, as we explore the current immigration situation in the U.S. and learn more about what the Catholic Church teaches about this important justice topic, by signing up for our project Election 2024: A Video Series. By signing up, you'll receive an e-newsletter every other Tuesday from now until the November election. Each week, we'll dive deeper into the facts surrounding immigrants and immigration. Here are links to the first 3 videos:
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Season of Creation (Sept 1 - Oct 4)
This Year's Theme: To Hope and Act with Creation
As part of the Season of Creation, MSJC is encouraging all Marianist individuals and organizations endorse the this Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is a concrete plan to halt all new fossil fuel projects across the world. Read the faith letter, which MSJC is pursuing endorsing, here.
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Marianist Meatless Mondays
Below are 4 new meatless recipes to try in the next month including a cauliflower rice skillet, chili, pecan-topped veggie pasta, and vegan goetta! You can still sign up to participate in Meatless Mondays here.
We are collecting recipes! Have an amazing vegetarian or vegan recipe you love? Please send it to us at info@marianistsjc.net. Our hope is to collect all these recipes into a resource at the end of the year :) More updates and programming around this project coming soon.
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The Journey to Be Authentic - Reflection by Team Member Bro. David Betz, SM
Greetings! Since this is the first time I am sharing some reflections for the LGBTQ+ Initiative, let me introduce myself and share my personal story. My name is Bro. David K. Betz, SM, and a member of the LGBTQ+ Initiative. I happen to be the Marianist religious representative on the Initiative. Since the beginning of the Initiative there has been someone from the Society of Mary as a member. I have been a Marianist Brother since August 9, 1986 when I made First Vows but I entered the novitiate in August 1984. And what a journey it has been for me over these past 40 years...
...Finding one’s authentic self is a lifelong journey. This journey consists of finding the gifts one has in relationship with oneself, with others and and with God. It is necessary to be attentive to one’s personal reflections or what is your heart saying, to the reflections that are given to you from others, and to what God is saying in your everyday life and prayer. The journey also involves learning to be comfortable with what one discovers about oneself. Over the years I have learned that my giftedness has been demonstrated through my extroversion, being present to and with others, listening, being joyful and hopeful, tenacity, perseverance, compassion, empathy, creativity, singing, facilitation of small groups, generosity, hospitable, and faith. Hopefully the men and women with whom I am in relationship recognize these gifts which contribute to my being. And I know that God sees them because God is the author of life and the provider of these gifts...
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Calling the Marianist Family to Renounce the Sin of Racism
At this point in our history and society, it is integral that faith communities take a firm and visible stance against systemic racism. We invite the Marianist Family to affirm their commitment to eradicate racism wherever it still festers. To support this commitment, we invite you to integrate the updated Calling the Marianist Family to Renounce the Sin of Racism document into your life.
This resource was originally released in 2018 as a statement document. We have updated the document in 2024 to include a toolkit, inclusive of a Call to Action and numerous actionable next steps for your family, neighborhoods, communities, classrooms, lunchrooms and the boardroom.
As you integrate this commitment into all corners of your life, know the Marianist Family accompanies you in a steadfast commitment to becoming antiracist. For more information, to ask questions or let us know how you're integrating this document, or to join the efforts of our Racial Justice Team, please contact us here!
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DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE (DP-RJ) | |
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The DP-RJ Team reminds all Marianists of the Catholic Church’s teaching on the death penalty. Please watch Pope Francis’s two-minute prayer video for the abolition of the death penalty.
Also, note revision of no. 2267 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
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2267. Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.
Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.
Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.
There is a need in the U.S. for passage of the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act (H.R.4633 / S2299), and also for the president to take executive action. To learn more and to take action, go to:
In a span of just seven days this month (starting Sept 20), five different states are scheduled to execute five people. Among those five individuals, several have histories of extreme trauma and abuse, and diagnoses of severe mental illness. One is a Black man who was sentenced by an all-white jury. Two men have a strong claim of innocence. And one man scheduled to be executed has previously survived a failed execution attempt at the hands of the state.
Especially as we approach October 10, World Day Against the Death Penalty, let us prayerfully move toward being a nation that breaks cycles of violence, rather than perpetuating them.
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BEYOND MSJC OPPORTUNITIES | |
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The image of Mary and Elizabeth greeting each other at the Visitation, shows us how to create a sacred space to spend intentional time with the other, and honor our gifts, as we behold the work of God in each of us.
As women in the Marianist Family have journeyed with each other in many varied opportunities over the years. This gathering enables us to reflect on the Magnificat and pray for continued ways to respond more justly in our world. Join us in San Antonio this October for the Marianist Women's Summit! Read more details here and register at the link below.
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Interfaith Weekend Retreat for LGBTQ+ Persons, Their Families, and Allies - November 1-3, 2024
The theme of this retreat is “Companions on the Journey” and it will be held in the beautiful, restful setting of the Feliciana Retreat and Conference Center located in Norwood, Louisiana. Presenters include Fr. Buddy Noel, Sr. Rochelle Perrier, MSC, and MSJC's LGBTQ+ Initiative Team Member Bradley Leger, Ph.D. Check-in will begin at 4 PM on November 1 followed by 6 PM dinner and the first session at 7 PM. The retreat will continue through the weekend with departure after lunch on November 3. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and out of the high school setting to attend. Join us in this weekend of community-building in a beautiful, restful safe space as we walk with each other in our respective sacred paths to authenticity and wholeness.
Email Brad Leger at brad@balconsulting.org to receive information about registering for this retreat! Deadline to register is October 16.
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