JUSTICE JOTTINGS

October 2025

MSJC EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Shape MSJC's Next Strategic Plan

MSJC is in the process of developing our next five-year strategic plan and we want your voice to help shape it. There are two ways for all members of the MSJC community and/or Marianist Family to get involved:

1) Attend Our Upcoming Open Visioning Session on Sunday, November 9 at 5pm ET | 4pm CT | 3pm MT | 2pm PT | 12pm HT. This gathering will include:

• Grounding ourselves in prayer and reflection.
• Hearing a brief update on where we are in the visioning process and how we got here.
• Reviewing our 2025 Visioning Resource Draft and reflecting together on what is most important for MSJC’s next strategic plan and emerging priorities.

2) Can't attend on the 9th? Fill in our Shape MSJC's Strategic Plan Response Form!

Your input will directly influence the strategic vision that guides MSJC’s work in the years ahead. Reach out to us at info@marianistsjc.net if you have any questions or comments!

Last Call: Register Now for Our Women & Justice Fall Retreat

Join us October 31–November 2 at the Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning in Dayton, OH for a spirit-filled weekend of reflection, connection, and renewal.

Women so often carry the weight of multiple injustices. During this retreat, we’ll explore the intersectionality of discrimination and disadvantage—across issues of immigration, sexuality, race, environmental ecology, and more—and reflect together on how we can transform and heal these wounds in our world today.

All are welcome—all genders, all generations, all voices! Overnight and commuter options are available, along with scholarship assistance for anyone in need. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect in faith and solidarity.

OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH

Catholic Church Teaching on Abortion, Death Penalty, and Immigration

October is Respect Life Month. We are fortunate that our Catholic Church has clear teaching on many life issues. These teachings resonate with the themes of Catholic Social Teaching, most especially “Life and Dignity of the Human Person,” and also “Solidarity” and “Option for the Poor and Vulnerable.”

The Catholic Church holds a strong and unequivocal opposition to abortion. The Church teaches that procured abortion is a grave sin. As noted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception” [CCC 2270].

The Church also has very clear teaching on the death penalty. “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” [CCC 2267]. Sadly, this month eight men have been or are scheduled to be executed in the United States; one of them was executed on October 10, which is World Day Against the Death Penalty.

The Church also teaches how we are to treat foreigners who seek to live in our country as immigrants or refugees. “The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him” [CCC 2241]. Yet, each day we hear reports of abuse and mistreatment of our brothers and sisters who migrate for various reasons.

Pope Leo briefly addressed all three of these life issues at the end of last month. He said, "It's important to look at many issues that are related to what is the teaching of the Church.  Someone who says, 'I'm against abortion' but says, 'I'm in favor of the death penalty,' is not really pro-life."  He also said, "Someone who says, 'I'm against abortion, but I'm in favor of the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,' I don't know if that's pro-life.”

Reflection by Mary Beaudoin and John Holden

Members of MSJC’s Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team

MSJC REFLECTIONS, RESOURCES, & CALLS TO ACTION

LGBTQ+ INITIATIVE

From the Pit: Finding Hope Through Grief and Community

Reflection By Team Member Beth Garascia (she/her)

In this powerful reflection, Beth Garascia draws on the stories of Jonah and Jeremiah to explore what it means to feel “in the pit” amid injustice and disappointment — from harmful government actions to the Church’s continued failure to fully affirm LGBTQ+ people. Beth shares her honest struggle with despair and offers a way forward rooted in prayer, grief, and community action. Her words invite us to transform our anger and sorrow into compassionate love and a renewed commitment to justice.

Trans Mutual Aid Group

Reminder: MSJC is co-sponsoring a monthly faith-based support group for trans adults with Fortunate Families.

Meetings are on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 8pm ET | 7pm CT| 6pm MT | 5pm PT.

This is a safe and confidential drop-in group for trans people to pray and assist one another. All are welcome and if you know someone who could benefit from this type of support please pass the invitation along!

RACIAL JUSTICE

Call to Action This Month:Walk in Faith and Solidarity with Immigrants By Team Member Katy Schunter

On October 22nd and November 13th please join us as we make a Catholic Public Witness for Immigrants!

This past June, I helped plan and lead a Prayer Walk for Immigrants in Cleveland with a small team of women from Network Advocates. Our program is being shared as one of the resources for this public witness. The program began at a public park to give introductions and instructions. We then walked together to the front of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral as 'people of faith'. At each stop we read a passage of scripture, did a short song response, and shared intercessions.  We then headed a half mile to Cleveland's Public Square as people 'called to faithful citizenship and love of neighbor'. We continued another quarter mile to the Carl B. Stokes Federal Courthouse as 'constituents to engage in dialogue with legislators, Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted'. This proved to be the most meaningful stop for many of the participants, as immigrants coming and going from the courthouse stopped the watch and thank us for our prayers.  

Even with the heat index topping 100 that day, we had over 75 participants join us for the two hour event. It was really exciting to have the event come together as smoothly as it did - despite not having the outcome we wanted at the time with our senators still moving forward with the budget reconciliation bill. So we continue to pray and to stand with our immigrant neighbors. And I ask you to join us, especially on October 22nd and November 13th. We would love to hear how you participated in your families, communities and parishes!

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

On Catholic Mobilizing Network's Annual Conference on Restorative Justice

Reflection By Team Member David O'Brien

In this reflection, David shares insights from the Catholic Mobilizing Network’s Annual Restorative Justice Conference which took place in September in Atlanta. He reflects on the powerful stories of forgiveness, accountability, and community healing that shaped the gathering — and how they offer hope for transforming our criminal justice system. David’s takeaway is one of deep faith: even amid systemic injustice, the work of mercy and restoration continues to grow.

BEYOND MSJC

In the News

‘Not in the near future’ is not good enough for LGBTQ+ Catholics

In this powerful opinion piece for National Catholic Reporter, MSJC's LGBTQ+ Initiative volunteer Ish Ruiz wrestles with recent comments by Pope Leo XIV that suggest doctrinal change on sexuality is unlikely—at least for now. Ish argues that preaching a welcome without movement perpetuates conditional belonging: “tolerated, but never trusted” in the life of the Church. Through personal reflection and theological insight, he calls for urgency, not indefinite waiting: “The Gospel’s timeline is always now.” Read the full article below:

Register for LGBTQ+ Retreat In Louisiana by October 22

MSJC Volunteer Brad Leger is part of the planning team.