VeryTopShalom News North America  

An instrument of hope, formation, and action

concerning priority matters of social justice.

In This Issue
Laudato Si
Climate Change
Endangered Species
Border and Immigration
Fair Trade
Mothers' Day
Day of Families
Cultural Diversity
Remembering the Holocaust
Peace Conference
Military Spending
Arms Trade Treaty
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May/2019
         
 
May we have the moral courage to speak up. May we have the passion to show up. May we have the empathy to keep up. May we have the humility to look up...for, "as leaders of justice, like the stars, you will shine forevermore."  
- S. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, Pax Christi USA       
  
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Integrity of Creation              

Laudato Si' Calls Us       
On May 24 we commemorate the fourth anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si', which challenged us to become aflame with zeal to care for our common home. For SSND, the messaging of Laudato Si' reminds us of a quote from You Are Sent, "As the desire of Jesus that all be one becomes more fully our own, our striving for unity embraces all humanity and the whole of creation." We invite you to spend some time this month reflecting on Laudato Si'. May it inspire you and all of us to action, so that ours will "be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life." (207)
 
 
 
  
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Integrity of Creation              

Take Action to Address Climate Change        
Pope Francis published Laudato Si' in advance of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference. In it, he drew special attention to the importance of international negotiations and global climate action for the common good. He wrote, "Reducing greenhouse gases requires honesty, courage and responsibility, above all on the part of those countries which are most powerful and pollute the most." The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering H.R. 9 the Climate Action Now Act. If passed, H.R. 9 would acknowledge the U.S. commitment under the international Paris Climate Agreement to reduce carbon pollution and require the President to develop and submit to Congress a plan on how to achieve this goal. Learn more, let your voice be heard
 
  
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Integrity of Creation           

Endangered Species Day (5/17)     
Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions they can take to help protect them. Resources for education, reflection, prayer and action can be found in this Faith Community Engagement Toolkit from Creation Justice Ministries. Resources for the classroom including (science and art lesson plans) can be found here.

Meet Some of the World's Most Endangered Animals
Meet Some of the World's Most Endangered Animals

Human Life and Dignity               

Bishop Testifies about Border and Immigration Matters    
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso testified before Congress on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration on Tuesday. His testimony included a number of recommendations such as: addressing smuggling and trafficking networks, using regional approaches to address root causes of migration, improving border processing policies, supporting alternatives to detention programming for families and ensuring efficient due process for those seeking asylum. Read full testimony here. Let your voice be heard - urge administration to welcome asylum seekers



 
Human Life and Dignity              

World Fair Trade (WFT) Day (5/11)        
WFT Day is an inclusive worldwide festival of events celebrating Fair Trade as a tangible contribution to sustainable development, especially the economic empowerment of small producers, gender equality in workplaces and responsible production practices. Learn more about Fair Trade, the 10 principles that Fair Trade Organizations must follow, and where you can purchase Fair Trade Products
 
Fair Trade empowers women
Fair Trade empowers women
 
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Human Life and Dignity               

Mothers' Day (5/12)     
On Mothers' Day, we celebrate the life-giving courage of women through the ages, honoring especially our blessed mother, Mary, who assists us in being Christ to all our brothers and sisters: "The reality of the Incarnation finds a sort of extension in the mystery of the Church-the Body of Christ. And one cannot think of the reality of the Incarnation without referring to Mary, the Mother of the Incarnate Word" (Redemptoris Mater, 5). Click to read about the relationship of Indigenous women and water - "For Indigenous people in Canada ... women especially are recognized as having a special role and connection with water as they are life-givers." Click to read inspiring interviews with three Syrian mothers who resettled in Canada while pregnant


 
Human Life and Dignity              

International Day of Families (5/15)     
The theme for this year's International Day of Families is " Families and Climate Action: Focus on SDG13." We pray for all families as they work to develop a culture of care for the earth and all life - those who struggle to live with restraint in our consumeristic society, and those who are most viscerally affected by climate change and environmental degradation. "Another task for the family is to form persons in love and also to practice love in all its relationships, so that it does not live closed in on itself, but remains open to the community, moved by a sense of justice and concern for others, as well as by a consciousness of its responsibility towards the whole of society" (Synod of Bishops' Message to Christian Families [1980], 12). 
 
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Human Life and Dignity               

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (5/21)  
Three-quarters of the world's major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development. The equitable exchange and dialogue among cultures and peoples, based on mutual understanding and respect and the equal dignity of all is essential for reconciliation among peoples and peace among nations. Learn more about what cultural diversity is and why it matters. Prayer resource. Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer observed by Muslims around the world begins on Sunday, May 5 - learn more.    


 
Peace and Non-Violence              

Remembering the Holocaust - A Call to Conscience Today      
April 28-May 5 has been designated Holocaust Remembrance Week. We invite you to take time to reflect on this brief video which calls us not only to remember, but also to act to stop prejudice and genocide today. For resources to teach about the Holocaust click here. Prayer resources can be found here
 
Lessons from Auschwitz: The power of our words - Benjamin Zander
Lessons from Auschwitz: The power of our words - Benjamin Zander
 
Peace and Non-Violence              

Path of Nonviolence: Towards a Culture of Peace     
On April 4-5, the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative hosted a workshop titled "Path of Nonviolence: Towards a Culture of Peace." Participants (including Ann Scholz, SSND) examined root causes of violence, hope for peace and reconciliation, and paths to conversion to nonviolence. The event continues the work of a 2016 conference in Rome on "Nonviolence and Just Peace." Their reflections will be shared with the Holy Father, with the hope for a possible encyclical that will address these issues and challenges. Learn more.  
 
  
              
Peace and Non-Violence              

Global Days of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS)      
Did you know that some experts believe that a 10% reduction per year and per country of the resources invested in the arms and defense sectors, if redirected, could enable the achievement of the main elements of all the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals? The aim of GDAMS (4/15-5/9) is to convince governments to invest less money on the military and more on health care, education, employment and addressing climate change. Learn more, take action.  
 
 
 
Peace and Non-Violence              

U.S. Pulls Out of Arms Treaty     
President Trump effectively "unsigned" an international arms sales agreement last Friday, moving to withdraw the U.S. from the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The agreement sets global standards for regulating transfers of conventional arms, from rifles to tanks and airplanes. It also requires nations to ensure the weapons they export do not end up being used for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or terrorist acts. The treaty, known as the ATT, has been in effect since late 2014. The U.S. signed on to the agreement but never ratified the treaty. Read more
 
U.S. to leave international Arms Trade Treaty 
U.S. to leave International Arms Trade Treaty
 
 
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The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times. 

Shalom LogoShalom News North America is an e-publication of the Shalom North America Contacts (SNAC) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame - Arlene Flaherty, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Kathleen Bonnette, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at tdewane@ssndcp.org.

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