Justice & Peace Shall Kiss

A Blessed Lent

2011-03-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

Rend your hearts,

not your garments,

and return

to the LORD

your God.
Joel 2:13

The Transfiguration & Hiroshima -- Pray for an end to nuclear arms

2010-08-06T00:01:00.013-07:00

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration -- and the date our world was forever transfigured by the horror of the bombing of Hiroshima.

Thought for the day:

“What can be said, too, about those governments which count on nuclear arms as a means of ensuring the security of their countries? Along with countless persons of good will, one can state that this point of view is not only baneful but also completely fallacious.

In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims.

The truth of peace requires that all —whether those governments which openly or secretly possess nuclear arms, or those planning to acquire them— agree to change their course by clear and firm decisions, and strive for a progressive and concerted nuclear disarmament.

The resources which would be saved could then be employed in projects of development capable of benefiting all their people, especially the poor.”

- Pope Benedict XVI, 2009 World Day of Peace Message, no. 13

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A Land Richly Blessed . . . Immigrant Justice Prayer

2010-07-05T22:24:00.002-07:00

As we reflect on "America the Beautiful" during these early days of July, this prayer from the U.S. Catholic Bishops speaks volumes:

A Prayer For Immigrant Justice

Blessed are You, Lord God,
King of all creation.
Through Your goodness, we live in this land
that You have so richly blessed.

Help us always to recognize our
Blessings come from You
and remind us to share them
with others, especially those who come
to us today from other lands.

Help us to be generous, just, and welcoming,
as You have been and are generous to us.

+ Amen +

Prayer from the USCCB Justice for Immigrants website
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Wed Mar 24th Prayer Service Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Oscar Romero's Assassination

2010-03-22T00:52:00.014-07:00

"If You Kill Me,
I Will Rise Again in My People!"

March 24th is the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. He was a fearless voice for the voiceless in El Salvador and remains today an example for each of us. A prayer service commemorating his life will be held at Most Holy Trinity Parish on Wednesday night.

Icon by
Br. Robert Lentz, OFM

God’s Challenge to the People

The Violence of Love

Recommitting Ourselves to the God of the Exodus

and

to the Example of Monseñor Oscar Romero

on the

30th Anniversary of his Assassination

with a special reflection by
Rev. John Fife
of Southside Presbyterian Church

Bishop Kicanas speaks on the Death Penalty

2010-03-10T08:12:00.012-07:00

TODAY: A Talk on Capital Punishment & the Consistent Ethic of Life

On Wednesday, March 10, after the 6:30 pm Peace & Justice Mass at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Bishop Gerald Kicanas will speak on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ position regarding Capital Punishment.

The talk will be held in the church and will begin at 7:00 pm, after the Mass.

For more than 25 years the Catholic bishops have called for an end to the death penalty in our land. “Respect for all human life and opposition to the violence in our society are at the root of our long-standing position against the death penalty. We see the death penalty as perpetuating a cycle of violence and promoting a sense of vengeance in our culture. We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing.”

(Quoted from A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty.)

All are welcome! Please join us to learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and why there is a need to end the death penalty.

Date: Wednesday, March 10th
Time: 7:00 pm, after the 6:30 pm Peace & Justice Mass
Place: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish Church, 1800 S. Kolb
west side of Kolb Rd, 5 blocks south of 22nd St. MAP

To learn more about The Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty visit: usccb.org/deathpenalty

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TODAY: International Day to Abolish the Death Penalty

2010-03-01T00:46:00.006-07:00

Monday, March 1 is the International Day to Abolish the Death Penalty. The Coalition of Arizonans to Abolish the Death Penalty (CAADP) will hold banners and placards, at a busy intersection, at Speedway and Euclid in Tucson, from 5pm til 5:45pm, to let commuters know that the death penalty is opposed.

This will be followed, at First Christian Church [on that same corner] by a potluck where advocates can meet informally, and then, at 6:45 pm, a follow-up meeting will be held.

Please let Claudia Ellquist, Executive Director of CAADP know, at 520.622.3339 if you will be able to attend, or to send a representative from your organization.

For more info on CAADP, see: http://www.azabolitionist.org/

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28th Annual Tucson Peace Fair

2010-02-26T16:22:00.003-07:00

28th Annual Tucson Peace Fair & Music Festival!!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

11:00am – 5:00pm

At the REID PARK BANDSHELL
(northeast corner of Country Club & 22nd St.)

Arizona's largest gathering of peace, social justice and environmental groups.
Live Music for the Whole Family! Children's Activities! Food! Awesome Raffle!

Free to Attend!

Presented by the Tucson Peace Center

For general information about the fair, please call 624-4973. Peace and justice organizations wishing to participate can email stelnik@webtv.net (mention Peace Fair in the subject line) or call 235-0694.

National Migration Week

2010-01-08T15:18:00.008-07:00

"Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice" is the theme of the 2010 National Migration Week currently in progress.

Find information and resources at the USCCB's
National Migration Week website.

Other key sites to visit that are closely related to our regional migrant and border issues are:

Justice for Immigrants

The Kino Border Initiative

The Blessed Nuno Society
(with projects for border orphans in Agua Prieta, Mexico)

Humane Borders

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World Day of Peace & Feast of Mary, Mother of God

2010-01-01T22:02:00.018-07:00

Mary of the Cosmos
by Bernadette Bostwick sgm

January 1, 2010

"IF YOU WANT TO CULTIVATE PEACE,
PROTECT CREATION"

Excerpts from

Pope Benedict XVI's World Day of Peace message:

Is it not true that what we call “nature” in a cosmic sense
has its origin in “a plan of love and truth”?

The goods of creation belong to humanity as a whole.
Yet the current pace of environmental exploitation is seriously
endangering the supply of certain natural resources not only for the
present generation, but above all for generations yet to come.

A greater sense of intergenerational solidarity is
urgently needed. . . . The ecological crisis shows the
urgency of a solidarity which embraces time and space.

If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation.
The quest for peace by people of good will surely would
become easier if all acknowledge the indivisible relationship
between God, human beings and the whole of creation.

May this be clear to world leaders and to those at every level
who are concerned for the future of humanity:
the protection of creation and peacemaking
are profoundly linked!

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Wonder-Counselor, Prince of Peace

2009-12-24T22:46:00.006-07:00

Of His fullness we have all received,
grace following upon grace.

Christmas Peace

AMEN

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Diocesan Health Care Reform Forum is tonight!

2009-09-21T09:46:00.003-07:00

DATE: Monday September 21, 2009
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Most Holy Trinity Parish 1300 N. Greasewood Road

Read more in this recent (Sep 17) article in the Arizona Daily Star:

Tucson diocese to host a forum on health reform

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Health Care Reform Forum: Monday Sept 21

2009-09-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Monday September 21, 2009
7:00 p.m.

Health Care Reform
A Moral Imperative *
*USCCB 1993 resolution on health care

a forum with:

Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas DD
Diocese of Tucson
&
Marguerite “Peg” Harmon, M.S., C.E.O.
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona INC.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Most Holy Trinity Parish
1300 N. Greasewood Road
(NE Corner of Greasewood Road and Speedway Blvd)
in Guadalupe Hall

For more information call 730-5396

Sunday Sept 20: A Care for Creation Gathering

2009-09-05T18:53:00.003-07:00

Announcing a new blog:
HOLY GROUND, COMMON GROUND
A Care for Creation Resource for Tucson area Catholics

All are welcome to our gathering on:

HOLY GROUND, COMMON GROUND:
CARE FOR CREATION &
THE CATHOLIC TRADITION

Date: Sunday Sept 20
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Place: Our Mother of Sorrows
in the Parish Activity Center Auditorium (Bldg #7)
Address: 1800 S. Kolb Rd, Tucson AZ

We will open with a meditation and scripture, followed by a talk on how the themes of stewardship of the Earth and Care for Creation are woven through Scripture and Catholic tradition. The key themes of the U.S. Bishops' statements on Renewing the Earth and Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good will be shared, along with the environmental messages from our Popes. Also included will be a basic overview of the relevant science as linked to our call for a faith-based response to environmental issues. There will be time for discussion and sharing and a variety of resources for learning more will be available.

The Holy Ground, Common Ground Core Resource Team will be the presenters.

Visit: HOLY GROUND, COMMON GROUND

Transfigure Us in Peace!

2009-08-06T08:57:00.009-07:00

Santa Maria de la Paz

The patronness of the Santa Maria de La Paz Catholic Church in Santa Fe, NM. The bulto is by artist Feliz Lopez and portrays Mary as a young woman, her face and manner serene, holding a dove and offering the olive branch of peace.

Today on the Feast of the Transfiguration, we mourn over the global transformation that took place in 1945 when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan and on Nagasaki three days later.

From our U.S. Bishops -- to reflect on and pray about:

"We oppose the continued readiness of the United States to use nuclear weapons, especially against non-nuclear threats, and the potential development of new weapons for this purpose. . . Our nation should lead in the challenging task of envisioning a future rooted in peace, with new global structures of mediation and conflictresolution, and with a world order that has moved beyond nuclear weapons."

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Statement on New Nuclear Treaty and U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy, 2002

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Poverty 24/6 "Give Poverty a Day Off"

2009-07-30T00:44:00.006-07:00

POVERTY 24/6 is a Trust under the auspices of the Diocese of Tucson whose ministry provides clothing, food, water and other basic human necessities to improve the quality of life for those living in the most impoverished conditions in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

The Mission of Poverty 24/6 is "to foster pastoral and educational outreach to migrants who have been deported from the United States of America, and to address the social and humanitarian needs of such individuals as well as the social and humanitarian needs of other needy persons throughout the state of Sonora, Mexico."

Learn all about this outstanding program by watching the video Miracles in Mexico: The Story of Poverty 24/6 online at the "What's New" link of the Poverty 24/6 website: http://www.poverty24-6.org/

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More on Health-Care Reform -- a social justice guide

2009-07-29T12:00:00.010-07:00

From Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good:

"The issue of health care transcends political labels of "left" and "right." Something more is at stake: the dignity of the human person. Providing access to quality and affordable health care is a moral imperative. As people of faith, we are called to ensure that the value of human life is placed above profit and that our elected officials are creating policies that benefit the common good, not just a select few. Though Congress is preparing to recess, we need to continue to advocate for health care reform that benefits ALL people, including immigrants and their children."

PICO, a national network of faith-based community organizations and Sojourners -- in collaboration with the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good -- have put together a Guide to the Health-Care Reform Debate. [pdf]

The guide is designed to educate and spark discussion and thought about how to live out God’s call for justice in our world. This guide includes biblical background, a status update on the state of U.S. health care, a look at past attempts at health-care reform, a helpful guide for understanding all the terms, options, and key choices in the current debate, a look at the role of the faith community and what values can shape our healthcare decisions, plus a list of what you and your community can do to promote health-care reform that makes coverage more affordable to families and serves the common good.

Click here to download the guide [pdf] It provides valuable information about the health care reform debate from a faith-based perspective and can help us all to learn how to speak out on behalf of justice.

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good reminds us:

As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Justice too long delayed is justice denied." With almost 50 million Americans-including 9 million children-lacking health care coverage, we can't afford to wait for just health care reform any longer.

For more information, visit the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good HEALTH CARE page:

http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/health-care

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Take Action on Health Care!

2009-07-28T22:11:00.005-07:00

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging us to get informed and involved in the ongoing health care debate and make our views known -- especially with respect to Health Care Reform that Respects Life and Human Dignity.

Read the entire ACTION ALERT at this link:

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-07-27-alert-health-care.pdf

On July 17, Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, sent a letter to Congress saying, “The USCCB looks forward to working with you to reform health care successfully in a manner that offers accessible, affordable and quality health care that protects and respects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.” Abortion must not be included as part of a national health care benefit. “No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.” Bishop Murphy argued that any legislation should reflect longstanding policies “on abortion funding, dates and conscience protections because they represent sound morality, wise policy and political reality.”

The full text of Bishop Murphy’s letter can be found online at:
www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/2009-07-17-murphy-letter-congress.pdf

TAKE ACTION and contact our senators and representatives with your views on Health Care NOW!

Grijalva.house.gov
Giffords.house.gov
Kyl.senate.gov
Mccain.senate.gov

For more information, please contact Kathy Saile, Director of Domestic Social Development, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, at ksaile@usccb.org

Today is Mandela Day!

2009-07-18T00:12:00.004-07:00

With an amazing legacy of pursuing justice and promoting reconciliation, Nelson Mandela continues to work tirelessly to promote peace and human dignity.

Today -- in honor of Nelson Mandela's birthday, we celebrate each indiviudal's ability to make an imprint.

Read about the day at this link: mandeladay.com

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Legislative Updates from "The Voice of the Poor" & The Arizona Catholic Conference

2009-06-15T00:45:00.009-07:00

It's a critical time right now for the poor in Arizona as the State Budget hangs in the balance. . .

St. Vincent De Paul Society in Arizona has a legislative/advocacy arm. It is called ‘The Voice of the Poor’(VOP) and is based in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Learn about it at:

http://www.stvincentdepaul.net/VoiceofthePoor.htm

The Mission Statement of Voice of the Poor (Diocesan Council of Phoenix):

Believing in the dignity of every person, Voice of the Poor supports Catholic social teaching. Under the direction of the Diocesan Council, we will advocate for justice on behalf of those in need, while educating St. Vincent de Paul members about economic and social issues impacting the poor.

You can find weekly VOP ARIZONA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES and ACTION ALERTS at this link:

http://www.stvincentdepaul.net/VOP_WklyLegislativeUpdates.htm

The Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) is the public policy agency for the Diocese of Gallup, the Diocese of Phoenix, and the Diocese of Tucson.

You can find ACC ACTION ALERTS at this link:

http://www.diocesephoenix.org/acc/index.html

Get updated on the issues and make your voice heard for the poor!!

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Casa San Juan: "Welcoming the Stranger Among Us"

2009-06-14T23:59:00.007-07:00

The Casa San Juan Center in Tucson serves families living in poverty, homeless families, and immigrant families. Hundreds of families each month request help with immediate needs, such as help with food, clothing, medical, or shelter. Families also receive help with advocacy, education or immigration related assistance. Immigration issues have become a primary local, state and national focus.

The specific goal of the Center is to provide immediate help and work toward justice to advance the quality of life for all, including immigrant children and adults.

The Casa San Juan Center was established in 2002 by the Diocese of Tucson at the request of Bishop Manuel Moreno, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanis, Pastor Raul P. Trevizo, and lay members of the community at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church,Tucson, Arizona.

The Center is located in one of the poorest areas of Tucson, in the south side of the city where there is a large concentration of
homeless adults and poor families, many whom are immigrants.

To learn more about Casa San Juan and how you can get involved and help, see the Center's website: casasanjuan.org

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TONIGHT May 6th - An Evening with Jack Jezreel of JustFaith

2009-05-05T20:41:00.006-07:00

"The Call to Transform Our Hearts and the World"

You may have heard about JustFaith, come tonight to learn more!

Jack Jezreel, popular national speaker and justice educator, holds a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame, spent six years in a Catholic Worker Community, and has been involved with parish-based justice ministry for 25 years. He is the author of JustFaith and serves as Executive Director of JustFaith Ministries. He received the prestigious Harry Fagan Award in 2006 for his contribution to the achievement of the Catholic vision of social justice. He is married and has three daughters. Jack has been in Tucson for our JustFaith introduction. We have grown in JustFaith and welcome Jack back!

We are called to be compassionate as our God is compassionate (Luke 6:36), but what does the compassion of Christ look like in the modern world? How do I become a more compassionate person? Are you interested in embarking on a spiritual journey into compassion? The vision of the Gospels and Catholic social teaching speaks to life-giving choices on behalf of a world that struggles to survive.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore some new possibilities for your life, your parish, your heart!

Comments aboutJustFaith from Tucson participants:

* Our JustFaith grads have become a solid foundation for social ministry by meeting and praying and learning together and bydrawing others into their various ministries. – Most Holy Trinity pastor

* I am now living a more simple life – giving more, buying less, and trying to get more connected with my brothers and sisters. JustFaith is a life-changing experience. – Our Mother of Sorrows parishioner

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

WHERE: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, 1800 South Kolb Rd., Tucson, AZ

For all JustFaith Grads and present students:
Dinner with Jack in the OMOS Parish Activity Center (PAC)– 5:30 p.m.
More info: Jean Fedigan: jfedigan@cox.net or leave message for Jean: 520-747-1321

For all JustFaith Grads, Students and ALL NEW to JustFaith:

An evening with Jack in the Parish Hall with Closing Prayer at 9 p.m.
More info: Janet Towner: janett@diocesetucson.org or leave message: 520-838-2544

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World Fair Trade Day: This Saturday May 9th, 2009

2009-05-05T20:11:00.001-07:00

Catholic Relief Services to Mark World Fair Trade Day

Catholics are invited to Take a ‘Fair Trade Break’ and Break World Record!

In celebration of World Fair Trade Day on May 9, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a national sponsor of the day, invites Catholics throughout the U.S. to join workplaces, churches, schools, businesses and neighbors and hold a Fair Trade Break to surpass last year's World's Largest Fair Trade ‘Break’ record.

With a goal of 55,000 total participants on and around Saturday, May 9, CRS is rallying Catholics and Fair Trade enthusiasts to hold events like Fair Trade coffee breaks, food tastings, talks, music concerts and fashion shows to promote an ethical alternative to conventional shopping that ensures that producers get a fair price for their products.

“During today’s tough economic times, it is more important than ever to have our shopping habits reflect our values,” says Jacqueline DeCarlo, CRS’ Senior Program Advisor for Fair Trade. “The poor suffer the most during economic downturns, and ‘solidarity shopping’ can directly impact the lives of farming families and craft associations – often led by women.”

Hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. and in over 80 countries will promote Fair Trade by holding a Fair Trade Break and campaign for trade justice together with farmers and artisans in developing countries. In the U.S., World Fair Trade Day is coordinated by the Fair Trade Resource Network and highlights the benefits of Fair Trade and the support needed on a grassroots level.

The recent entry of mainstream companies into the Fair Trade marketplace demonstrates that consumer demand for socially responsible and sustainable products influences corporate decisions. Yet, it is vital to continue to support Fair Trade companies and organizations that are fully committed to small-scale producers and believe in long-term partnerships based on dialogue, transparency and respect.

CRS’ Fair Trade program has grown from two retail partners in 2004 to 16 today, including coffee, chocolate and handcraft retailers. All of these companies help Catholic schools, parishes, and households shop responsibly for the benefit of disadvantaged producers. To find CRS partners dedicated to Fair Trade, visit http://crsfairtrade.org/.

“U.S. Catholics can feel gratified that they are helping to build a market that has been growing at double-digit rates in recent years,” DeCarlo says. “World Fair Trade Day is becoming a rallying point for these groups to spread the word about Fair Trade to the larger community.”

To join the movement and mark World Fair Trade Day, Catholics can:

¨ Hold a Fair Trade coffee break at their parish or schools
¨ Join the CRS Fair Trade Network
¨ Buy Fair Trade items or give a Fair Trade gift for Mother’s Day
¨ Host a Fair Trade fair
¨ Become a CRS Fair Trade fan on Facebook

To find a World Fair Trade Day event near you, visit http://www.fairtraderesource.org/link-up/events-calendar/.

Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.

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St. Joseph the Worker & The Catholic Worker

2009-05-01T09:57:00.005-07:00

Today is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker and is also the 76th anniversary of the founding of The Catholic Worker Movement in 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin.

Here's a thoughtful reflection on St. Joseph the Worker .

(from the American Catholic.org Saint of the Day website)

To learn more about The Catholic Worker Movement see: http://www.catholicworker.org/

Today would be a great day to support our local Tucson Catholic Worker House, Casa Maria, in a special way! http://www.casamariatucson.org/

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Rejoice heavenly powers!

2009-04-12T17:12:00.006-07:00

The power of this holy night
dispels all evil,
washes guilt away,
restores lost innocence,
bring mourners joy;
it casts out hatred,
brings us peace,
and
humbles earthly
pride.

from the Exsultet

Good Friday: He endured our sufferings

2009-04-10T12:57:00.003-07:00

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured,
while we thought of him as stricken,
as one smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins;
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.

Isaiah 53:4-6

2009-04-05T23:39:00.014-07:00

photograph by Jill Johnson
read some of Sr. Jose's reflections on her life's path
in an exceprt from A Woman's Path by Jo Giese

Sister Jose Hobday, OSF
+

Born to Eternal Life

April 5, 2009

"Travel lightly -- God will replenish it all!"
(A quote from Sister Jose during a sharing on simple living with our JustFaith group)

for a beautiful photographic image of Sr. Jose see:

John Zeuli's Photograph

For more, including some of Sr. Jose's quotations see:
Spirituality & Practice - Resources for Spiritual Journeys

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A Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday Reflection

2009-04-05T22:11:00.007-07:00

Icon by
Tatiana Grant
Iconographer

Why is the crowd in the Palm Sunday story so excited? Jesus has no military, economic, or political power.

Why is there a sense of excitement as we begin to enter the Holy Week experience? Shouldn’t we be ready to give up? [After all Jesus is about to be killed.]

Shouldn’t we be discouraged by the human situation today – by war, violence of all sorts, selfishness, failure, injustice, discrimination, poverty, etc.?

Do we really want to or need to remember the pain and the sorrow that we see in the passion of Christ?

There was an excitement in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus and there is an excitement as we process with palms. Why?

Is it a sense of excitement because God is among us and part of our human situation?

Is it a sense that God is with us in the midst of all the suffering and injustice?

Is it a sense that God is present in the midst of our deepest longings and dreams?

Is it a sense that God is present in the midst of our deepest struggle for what is right?

Is it a sense that God is here in the midst of the great story of liberation and freedom?

Is it a sense that God is calling us to work for liberation and justice?

Is it a sense that apparent defeat is not the final word?

By Fr. John Bucki, S.J.. from the Center of Concern's excellent Education for Justice site:

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A Talk with Betita Martinez on Women and Activism

2009-03-25T22:43:00.001-07:00

Thursday March 26, 2009 - 6-8pm
Pima Downtown Campus - Amethyst Community Room

Talk with Betita Martinez on Women and Activism.
Rally and sign making for Cesar chavez Marcha

Hosted by
Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan - MEXA and Tierra Y Libertad Organiozation - TYLO host Betita Martinez author of De Colores Means all of us, 500 years of Chicana History and founder of the Multiracial Justice Insitute

Come by and listen to Betita and make make a sign for the March
Nopal Books Fundraising Project will be vending.

Elizabeth “Betita” Martinez has been an author, social justice activist and organizer for over 50 years. She has published six books and countless articles on social justice movements in the Americas. Best known is her acclaimed bilingual volume 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures—1991, which became the basis for a video she co-directed. Her books include;
Letters from Mississippi: Reports from Civil Rights Volunteer—1964
The Youngest Revoluton: A Personal Report on Cuba.—1969
Viva la Raza!: The struggle of the Mexican American People—1974
De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century—1998
500 Years of Chicana Women’s History—2008

----------------------

2009-03-24T18:32:00.003-07:00

From Cynthia Brooke of Interfaith Worker Justice, passed along by Joanne Welter:

Tune in to ABC's Good Morning America tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) to see Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) Executive Director Kim Bobo interviewed about the national crisis of wage theft that she unmasks in her recent book Wage Theft in America: Why Millions of Working Americans Are Not Getting Paid-And What We Can Do About It.

The segment will air during the program's first hour, sometime between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. (across the country).

Tomorrow the Government Accounting Office (GAO) will reveal the findings of an undercover investigation into the Labor Department's ability to enforce and investigate violations of our nation's minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws. Those findings will be the subject of a House Education and Labor Committee hearing tomorrow morning.Kim delivered testimony at a July hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee on the failure to protect workers from wage theft. You can watch that testimony here or read it here.

If you can't catch tomorrow's show live, you can find the segment on the ABC News investigative page following the broadcast.

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message along to friends and colleagues! And if you don't yet have a copy of Kim's book, you can purchase one here.

Wage theft can be stopped, but we need partners like you to make that happen. Support our nation's workers and donate to Interfaith Worker Justice. Together, we can put millions of workers and their families on a more just path.

---------------------------------

NOTE: See also this New York Times article posted 3-24-09: Labor Enforcement Agency Is Failing Workers, Report Says

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Celebration of Life -- Prayer Service for Archbishop Oscar Romero

2009-03-24T02:29:00.005-07:00

WHEN:

Tuesday March 24, 2009

7:30-9:00 pm

WHERE:

Most Holy Trinity Church

1300 N. Greasewood

If you have artifacts commemorating the life of Archbishop Romero, please bring them for an altar display.

Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero

2009-03-24T02:20:00.008-07:00

Icon by Br. Robert Lentz, OFM

Today we remember Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador who was shot to death by a gunman while he was celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980.

A quote from Archbishop Romero:

Christ founded the church so that he himself could go on being present in the history of humanity precisely through the group of Christians who make up his church. The church is the flesh in which Christ makes present down the ages his own life and his personal mission . . .

Learn more about Oscar Romero at the Claretian's Salt of the Earth website, which has a webpage for the Remembrance of Archbishop Oscar Romero.

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Care for Creation: Attend the Organic Garden Festival

2009-03-07T18:04:00.008-07:00

Organic Garden Festival & Plant Sale

DATE: Sunday March 8,2009

TIME: 10:30 to 3:30

LOCATION: St. Mark's Presbyterian Church Grounds
3809 E 3rd Street
Tucson

-- Visit and dine in the Organic Community Gardens

-- Great lunches plus a Bake Sale
-- Free Organic Gardening Information
-- Organic Gardening Supplies for Sale
-- Earth Friendly Vendors
-- Children's Games & Activities

Admission is Free - Food, activites, and organic gardening solutions start at $1.00

All proceeds benefit Tucson Organic Gardeners, a non-profit organization

For more details, see the Festival Flyer [pdf]

Learn more about: Tucson Organic Gardeners

http://www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org/

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Pope Benedict: Create justice in our hearts!

2009-03-06T10:01:00.006-07:00

“Justice cannot be created in the world solely through good economic models, however necessary those are.

Justice is created only where there are just people.

There cannot be just people without a humble, daily work of conversion of hearts, or creating justice in hearts.”

-- Pope Benedict XVI

A quote from Pope Benedict extracted from John L. Allen Jr.'s latest "All Things Catholic" piece in the National Catholic Reporter online at:

http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/benedict-perfects-qa-format

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World Day of Social Justice

2009-02-20T00:04:00.000-07:00

On February 20, 2009 The World Day of Social Justice is being observed for the first time following its unanimous adoption by the 192 member States of the United Nations during their November 2007 General Assembly.

You are invited to share pray a special Social Justice Prayer for this day. It was developed by members of the USG/UISG Secretariat Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in Rome and is developed using the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Following is a slightly modified portion of the multi-part prayer (see link for the entire prayer).

A PSALM TO WIDEN OUR TENTS

Our world is too small.
Our lives are too small. Our vision is too restricted.
May the people of various countries, various cultures,
tribes and families find room in our world and our lives.

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

Our attitudes are too parochial, our assumptions too simplistic,
our behaviour too predictable.
May special people, may the differently-abled,
may minorities of any kind - of race, class, or gender
– find room in our world and our hearts,

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

Our boundaries are too limited, our preferences too conditioned,
our habits too ingrained.
May the aging and the very young, may subcultural groups of every kind,
may special interests groups find room in our world and our prayer.

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

Our God is too small, Our rites too rigid,
Our ways are too exclusive.

May people of various religions and rites, whose name for God and claim to God are different from our own, find room in our world and our love.

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

God of all cultures, God of all people,
help us not to label anyone inferior or second-class.
Help us overcome our attitudes of superiority and oppression.
May we broaden our vision and widen our tents
so that plurality and diversity determine who we are:
people called and committed to a world united
injustice and peace, now and forever.

Amen.

Adapted by jfb/jos3.viii.94 from M.T. Winter.
WomanWisdom Crossword Publications. 1991: p. 105.

Source: http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_prayer

Link provided by Joanne Welter

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Workshop on Human Trafficking in Southern Arizonna - Feb 28th

2009-02-15T16:19:00.006-07:00

Submitted by Joanne Welter
Workshop will be held at Most Holy Trinity Parish, Tucson:

Human Trafficking in Southern Arizona

Please join us to learn more about human trafficking and how it affects the communities of southern Arizona.

The following training is free and is open to the parishioners to learn more about human trafficking and to help identify potential victims of human trafficking in every day work.

What: Workshop on human trafficking.

When: Saturday February 28 from 9-12.

Presenter: Katie Resendiz from the Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking (ALERT) will present a 3-hour workshop covering the following topics:

Topics: Human Trafficking 101, Skill Training, And Faith Based Actions.

Where: Most Holy Trinity Parish, 1300 N. Greasewood Rd.

Coffee and refreshments will be provided.
Just Goods will have Fair Trade items available for sale.
Registration is free.

If you are interested please email Jackie White at Jackie1965@cox.net by Wednesday February 25, 2009.
For any questions, please contact Jackie White at 520-207-1642 or jackie1965@cox.net

-----------------------------------
More about The Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking:

In February 2003, the US Department of Justice / Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) awarded a grant for the creation of the Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking (ALERT). ALERT is a coalition representing partnerships with law enforcement, faith-based communities, non-profit organizations, social service agencies, attorneys and concerned citizens. Through education, outreach and a variety of programs and services, ALERT strives to end the suffering and dehumanization of victims of human trafficking. ALERT helps victims of trafficking by providing: food and shelter; medical care; mental health counseling; immigration assistance; legal assistance; language interpretation; case management; and other culturally appropriate services. ALERT had offices in Phoenix and Tucson but can serve clients statewide.

SOURCE: http://www.traffickingaz.org/

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Sr. Dorothy "Dot" Stang -- Memorial

2009-02-12T23:12:00.009-07:00

We are only here on the land
for a few decades.
Use every day to bring joy
and not greed

to our tired land so full of anguish.

- Sr. Dorothy Stang

“The death of the Forest is the end of our Life.”
Icon painted by Father Bill McNichols, S.J.

Sister Dorothy Stang was murdered in the Amazon Forest on February 12, of 2005 -- a modern day martyr for the poor and the environment.

Sister Dorothy defended “the human rights of the poor, landless and indigenous populations of the Anapu region of Brazil for nearly 40 years, despite numerous death threats. She worked with farmers to help rebuild their livelihoods, cultivate their land and defend their rights from loggers and ranchers, becoming a symbol of the fight to preserve the rainforest before being killed in 2005.” [Citation as she was posthumously awarded the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights, December 2008.]

Sr. Dorothy, Peacemaker with the Earth, rest in peace.

Learn more about Sister Dorothy:
http://www.sndohio.org/dotstang.htm

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Learn about the U.S. Department of Peace Campaign

2009-02-08T22:23:00.005-07:00

Why a U.S. Department of Peace?

"A Department of Peace will provide the institutional framework within which to research, analyze and create nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict. With this capability, the President and Congress will have immediate access to the expertise that is so deeply needed in our post-9/11 world; we make the study, creation and use of nonviolent solutions to conflicts a national priority; and we expand our ability to address the root causes of violence. Peace then becomes a tangible goal as opposed to a lofty ideal."

[Source: The Peace Alliance FAQ]

Kucinich Reintroduces Department of Peace Bill with 62 Cosponsors

Washington,D.C. (February 4, 2009) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) yesterday reintroduced legislation that would authorize a Cabinet-level Department of Peace.

It is well known that in times of economic difficulty violence increases. When relationships are strained by economic hardship, domestic violence, violent robbery and abuse of children and animals all increase. When the world is facing possibly the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, now is not the time to ignore social issues and interpersonal relationships, now is the time to make special attention to make sure that our relations and health do not suffer along with your pocket books, stated Kucinich.

The Cabinet-level Department authorized in the legislation embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels. The Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world.

Peace is a foundational principle of this Congress and of this country. This bill gives it a chance to have an animating power in our civic life by addressing the issues of domestic violence, spousal abuse, child abuse, violence in the schools and racial violence, added Kucinich.

The bill number is HR808.

(see an earlier version of the bill HERE)

To learn more, visit: The Peace Alliance website

and find out about the upcoming :
National Department of Peace Conference:
Peace Within Reach: People and Politics Partnering for our Common Security

March 20-23, 2009 in Washington D.C.
http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/605/147/

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More on The Kino Border Initiative -- videos & a news story

2009-01-31T21:50:00.011-07:00

More news on THE KINO BORDER INITIATIVE:

CLICK HERE to watch four videos from the Jan 18th press conference in Nogales that annouced the official start of the Kino Border Initaitive.

Following is a link to a moving news story about the work of the KBI, and those whose lives are touched by it. The article was recently published in The Catholic Sun - Phoenix Diocese:

Jesuits seek deeper understanding of immigration in bi-national border project by J.D. Long-Garcia

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Pima County’s Annual Street Count of Homeless Persons

2009-01-28T00:04:00.007-07:00

The Annual Street Count of Homeless Persons

Early this morning a group of volunteers was out counting those who had spent the night out -- without shelter -- in Tucson. This annual count is sponsored by the Tucson Planning Council for the Homeless (TPCH) and is part of a national homeless counting event. (The volunteers who were out this morning first went through a training program to prepare for the count.)

The goal of the count is to help us better understand our homeless neighbors -- and better meet their needs.

Here's an earlier report on Homelessness in Pima County 2006-2008 (PDF)

Looking for more ways to get involved in helping the homeless?
See the TPCH website

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School of the Americas (SOA) Watch: Human Rights Activists Sentenced

2009-01-26T21:53:00.004-07:00

From the SOA Watch website: http://www.soaw.org/

"Today, on January 26, six human rights advocates appeared in a federal courthouse in Georgia. The "SOA 6," ranging in age from 21 to 68, were found "guilty" of carrying the protest against the School of the Americas (SOA/WHINSEC) onto the Fort Benning military base. The six were among the thousands who gathered on November 22 and 23, 2008 outside the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia to demand a change in U.S. policy towards Latin America and the closure of the SOA/WHINSEC."

To learn more, see:

What is the SOA?

About SOA Watch

Take Action to Close the SOA/ WHINSEC

Bringing it all to prayer:

SOA Prayer Service

(Designed by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth of Bardstown)

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Obama and abortion -- any hope?

2009-01-24T14:50:00.008-07:00

As was widely expected by those on both sides of the abortion debate, on January 23rd President Obama rescinded The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (known as the "Mexico City Policy") which prohibits nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that receive Federal funds from using those funds "to pay for the performance of abortions as a method of family planning, or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions."

In response, the USCCB issued a statement by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities:
President Obama's Reversal of Mexico City Policy 'Very Disappointing,' Says Pro-Life Committee Chair

For those of us longing for a widespread awakening to a Consistent Ethic of Life approach that cherishes life "from womb to tomb" -- is there any hope?

To probe deeper, read what President Obama stated after he signed the order:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/statement-released-after-the-president-rescinds/

Here is a Catholic New Service story about the issue, expressing some varying perspectives:
Obama signs order reversing Mexico City policy

And two New York Times articles with additional views:
Obama Reverses Rules on U.S. Abortion Aid
Family Planning and the Path to Progress

And on his blog, Jim Wallis, of Sojournors (a long-time social justice advocate from a faith-based perspective) offers some thoughts with a glimmer of hope:

I am encouraged that President Obama’s first action on abortion was to release a statement supporting a common ground approach to reducing abortion, even as he also reiterated his policy of supporting legal choice. Even more significant was his decision not to issue an executive order rescinding the “Mexico City policy” on the day of the anniversary of the Roe decision and the annual March for Life. For the past two decades, this particular rule has become a back-and-forth of instituting and repealing as administrations have changed—almost as a partisan tit-for-tat.

In breaking the symbolic cycle, President Obama showed respect for both sides in the historically polarized abortion debate, and called for both a new conversation and a new common ground. I hope that this important gesture signals the beginning of a new approach and a new path toward finding some real solutions to decrease the number of abortions in this country and around the world.

Read Jim Wallis full blog post here:
President Obama’s Call for Common Ground on Abortion Reduction

As always . . . let us bring this issue to prayer:

A PRAYER FOR LIFE SOURCE

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life..."
-Deuteronomy 30:19

We believe in you, Holy Spirit, Giver of Life.

We lay before you the prayers of those who are deprived of life;
the unborn, who never saw the love in a mother's eyes;
the aged and infirmed, who became another's "burden";
the suicides, who lost all hope;
the criminals, who invited scorn and revenge;
the victims of war, poverty, and other crimes of violence, who were unprepared for death.

We worship and glorify you, Holy Spirit, Divine Wisdom.

We lay before you the prayers of those who struggle with questions of life and death:
women unprepared for motherhood;
healthcare professionals;
child and adult caregivers;
the chemically and emotionally dependent;
justice, legal, and military personnel;
all abused or underprivileged seekers of acceptance.

Holy Spirit, Speaker of Truth, we lay before you our hearts of flesh that we may both heed and be your prophets of holy and revered life:

to defend with your passion and zeal those who have never tasted life and those whose lives seem to drag on interminably;
to uplift the lives of the hopeless and of the despised with your
compassion and love;
to bless the good in every person and curse the bad in every evil.

Living Spirit of God, all of life comes from you and has meaning and purpose. May all the peoples of the world unite in solidarity and unconditionally choose life.

Amen

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ACTION ALERT: Children's Health Bill (SCHIP)

2009-01-23T15:39:00.008-07:00

USCCB ACTION ALERT:

Urge Support and Improvements to Children’s Health Bill (SCHIP)

TAKE ACTION NOW! (Bill may be considered on Monday Jan 26)

Call your senators about the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and urge them to support:

· increased funding to reduce the number of uninsured children by nearly half, maintaining and expanding coverage, reducing enrollment barriers, and expanding outreach, and respecting the roles of families;

· provisions in the legislation allowing states to interpret the word “child” to include the period from conception to birth;

· coverage for legal immigrant children and legal immigrant pregnant women.

-----------------------

NOTE: Urge your senator to support improvement and expansion of SCHIP, provisions covering children from conception to birth, and coverage for legal immigrant children and legal immigrant pregnant women.

Several Senators will be particularly important on the provisions covering legal immigrants, including Sen John McCain.

An amendment is expected that would eliminate current provisions that limit access to SCHIP for legal pregnant immigrant women and legal immigrant children during their first five years in this country even if they meet all the other requirements for the program and have no other source for health care coverage. Please urge the Senators to support this amendment eliminating the 5-year rule for legal immigrant children and pregnant women.

-------------------------

WHY IS THIS ACTION IMPORTANT NOW?

More than 9 million children in our country are uninsured. Through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), states receive federal funds to provide health insurance for millions of low-income children throughout the United States. Today the U.S. House of Representatives is voting on an expansion of SCHIP. The Senate vote will take place in the next few days. This is an important opportunity to promote several key improvements to the program—coverage of currently uninsured children, coverage of children before birth, and coverage of legal immigrant children and legal immigrant pregnant women.

WHAT DOES THIS ISSUE HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?

Catholic teaching tells us that everyone has “the right to live” as well as “the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services” (Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, #11).

Catholic teaching affirms the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the inherent dignity of every human being. We insist that access to adequate health care is a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. A just society protects and promotes fundamental human rights and dignity, with special attention to the basic needs of children and the vulnerable, including the need for safe and affordable health care for all.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Contact your Senators now to urge support and improvements to SCHIP. Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 or find your Senators’ contact information at http://www.congress.org/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kathy Saile, Director, Domestic Social Development, USCCB, ksaile@usccb.org, (202) 541-3134

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Day of Repentence and Prayer for Life

2009-01-23T11:00:00.001-07:00

"Pray that every child in the womb will be loved and cherished"

January 22nd was the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion:

"Today, we perform acts of penance both in reparation for crimes against human dignity caused by abortion and in intercession to God to grant wisdom to our nation and civil leaders, that they might know and protect life from conception to natural death."

Given the events of this week, it is an important time to pray and act in support of the first principle of Catholic Social Teaching:

The Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that People are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. SOURCE

Visit the USCCB's People of Life site to learn, reflect, pray, and act in support of a Consistent Ethic of Life.

Some additional links for reflection:

January 2009 Roe v. Wade Commemorative Events

Current Abortion Statistics

The Catholic Church is a Pro-Life Church

"4 Out of 5 Adults Surveyed... Would Limit Abortion"

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Inauguration Day: A Prayer

2009-01-20T00:00:00.010-07:00

A prayer written by Jane Deren
from the Education for Justice site:

"The swearing in of a new president is a momentous occasion in a nation's history and an appropriate time for prayer. Use this prayer to pray for the newly elected president, Barack Obama, for the needs of the country and for all those who hold public office and serve the common good. "

Prayer for the Inauguration

The common good calls us together on this day.
As winter’s dark hours reveal a new horizon of hope,
We gather to renew a shared purpose
And embark on a new beginning.

We are challenged to move beyond the differences and divisions
Of the past year, the past decades, even the past centuries.

It is time for a new beginning, a time to move into a new future.
Help us all, Lord, to glimpse the grace that marks this day.
Help us to touch the hope that springs from a deep source.

We ask Your blessings on our new president
and the new administration.
May they work with integrity, discernment and a united purpose.

You call us today to renew our vision of a hopeful future.
We ask Your blessings on us all, that we may summon the will
To live as a nation united, with consideration for every citizen,
Concern for the global community and care for God’s Creation.

Guide us as we move forward grounded in care
for the common good
Like a river moving from its source
to green a parched and brittle land.
We ask this of You, Source of All Being,
Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

-Jane Deren
http://www.educationforjustice.org/

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2009-01-19T00:00:00.003-07:00

Words of wisdom from
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
that are timeless,
yet fresh with new meaning
on the eve of this Inauguration Day:

Now let me suggest first that
if we are to have peace on earth,
our loyalties must become ecumenical
rather than sectional.

Our loyalties must transcend
our race,
our tribe,
our class,
and our nation;
and this means
we must develop a world perspective.

No individual can live alone;
no nation can live alone,
and as long as we try,
the more we are going to have war in this world.

Now the judgment of God is upon us,
and we must either learn
to live together as brothers and sisters
or we are all going to perish together as fools.

-from Dr. King's Christmas Sermon on Peace 1967

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Support an End to Torture

2009-01-16T15:56:00.005-07:00

An ACTION ALERT [pdf] from the USCCB:

TAKE ACTION NOW!

The inauguration is around the corner. Send emails to the Transition Team http://change.gov/page/s/ofthepeople” encouraging President-elect Obama to issue an executive order ending torture soon after taking office.

WHY IS THIS ACTION IMPORTANT NOW?

On January 14, John Carr, USCCB’s Executive Director for Justice, Peace and Human Development, participated in a press conference urging the incoming administration to set a new tone and act to end torture. That same afternoon, USCCB joined with other faith groups in a meeting with members of President-elect Obama’s Transition Team. They presented a letter signed by 34 religious leaders, including Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, Chairman of USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, and discussed the need for quick action by the president-elect to issue an executive order ending torture as a way to restore America’s moral credibility in the world.

The Transition Team was very receptive and cited President-elect Obama’s statement last week that “under my administration, the United States does not torture, we will abide by the Geneva Conventions.” Action now would affirm this position, reinforce the message sent at the January 14 press conference and meeting, and encourage Mr. Obama to act quickly.

WHAT DOES THIS ISSUE HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?

The Church teaches that torture is morally wrong and can never be justified. Pope Benedict XVI said that “the prohibition against torture ‘cannot be contravened under any circumstance.’” The U.S. bishops in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship [pdf] labeled torture as “intrinsically evil.” The attached remarks by John Carr [pdf] lay out the arguments against torture in further detail.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Write emails calling for President-elect Obama to issue an executive order banning torture as soon as possible. Go the http://change.gov/page/s/ofthepeople, fill out your contact information, and write “torture” in the “another issue” box. When the “Your ideas” box comes up, write something like “As a Catholic, I call on the President to act quickly to end torture by issuing an executive order based on the Declaration of Principles endorsed by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.” You may also contact your members of Congress through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or http://www.congress.org/ to have them endorse this Declaration of Principles [pdf].

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Virginia Farris, Foreign Policy Advisor, International Justice and Peace, USCCB, vfarris@usccb.org, (202) 541-3182.

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Take action: Save Darfur Campaign & the USCCB

2009-01-16T15:45:00.006-07:00

The USCCB is collaborating with the Save Darfur Campaign to urge President-elect Barack Obama give priority to ending the violence in Darfur when he takes office. As you may know about 300,000 people have died, 2 million are displaced from their homes, and hundreds of thousands go hungry every day. As Catholics we must work to protect human life and promote human dignity whenever they are threatened.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged "unstinting resolve" to promote peace and security for Darfur and all of Sudan. Catholics around the U.S. can urge the President to end the tragedy in Darfur by completing electronic messages, which will be delivered on inauguration day, January 20, 2009.

USCCB is working with Save Darfur and other organizations to collect one million electronic postcards urging the president to follow through on this promise. Sign the electronic postcard now to ensure that Darfur is a day one priority for the president.

Background about the situation in Darfur can be accessed at: www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/callafrica/sudan.shtml.

SOURCE: Steve Hilbert, Policy Advisor, Africa and Global Development, Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Praying with Refugees at KBI website

2009-01-13T13:36:00.005-07:00

More from the Kino Border Initiative (KBI):

To watch a very moving video about the Kino Border Initiative produced by the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, visit: http://www.jrsusa.org/kino (Scroll down to the middle of the page to find it.)

There are also excellent prayer resources at the KBI website.
See PRAYING WITH RFUGEES
http://www.jrsusa.org/praying/praying.php

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More on the Kino Border initiative

2009-01-13T12:37:00.004-07:00

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA press release
Washington, D.C., January 12, 2009

Kino Border Initiative to launch bi-national ministry in Nogales on the Arizona-Sonora border

NOGALES, Ariz.--The Kino Border Initiative (KBI) will be inaugurated on the U.S.-Mexico border on Jan. 18 to serve the communities of Nogales, Ariz., and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and the people who pass through this historic corridor of trade and culture. The new ministry is being launched as a bi-national partnership of Jesuit and Catholic organizations and laypersons on both sides of the border.

Three years in development, the KBI is “the culmination of a process of listening, dialog, and discernment regarding how the resources of our Province might best be put to use to serve and foster solidarity with those most directly affected by immigration and enforcement policies along the border,” said John P. McGarry, S.J., Provincial of the California Province of the Society of Jesus.

“We are blessed in this endeavor by our collaborative partnerships with the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) and the Jesuit Migration Service of the Mexican Province,” said Fr. McGarry. “Together with our partners in the Diocese of Tucson and in the Archdiocese of Hermosillo, and the religious women of the Missionaries of the Eucharist, the KBI will provide education, social assistance, research, and advocacy where they are sorely needed,” he added.

“What we’ll be trying to do is to help people find a safe place to talk about the issues of migration,” said Fr. Ken Gavin, S.J., Director of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. “We’ll be going into parishes, talking at masses and after masses, talking with groups of adults and groups of students, trying to see how our own faith, our own sense of being brothers and sisters in the Lord, can somehow influence who we are as men and women who live on one side of the border or the other,” Gavin said.

Two Jesuits of the California Province have been assigned to this ministry. Sean Carroll, S.J., will serve as Executive Director, and Peter Neeley, S.J., will be Associate for Education and Formation. They are joined by Martin McIntosh, S.J., of the Mexican Province, who will be Associate for Socio-Pastoral Outreach, and Donald Bahlinger, S.J., of the New Orleans Province, who will serve as Chaplain.

Working closely with priests of the Dioceses of Tucson and Hermosillo, as well as the Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist, this team will offer basic outreach to migrants who are deported from the U.S. on a daily basis. The KBI will also collaborate with local priests on both sides of the border to make parish-based presentations and offer workshops on migration policy and the Catholic social tradition. The KBI will welcome delegations of students and visiting scholars from high schools, universities, and parishes seeking opportunities to engage the complex realities of the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration policies.

In Nogales, Sonora, the KBI will be responsible for staffing the Aid Center for Deported Migrants (CAMDEP), a diocesan-sponsored care center where migrants deported from the U.S. can receive a meal and counsel, and the Nazareth House for Deported Women, a short-term shelter for unaccompanied women who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. The Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist will administer these facilities located near the Mariposa port of deportation.

The initiative is named for Eusebio Francisco Kino, S.J., a Jesuit missionary known as the “Padre on Horseback,” who rode across southern Arizona and northern Sonora from 1687 until his death in 1711, serving native tribes and founding more than 20 missions. This year, nearly three centuries after Padre Kino’s passing, the California Province is celebrating its Centennial (1909-2009), marking a century since it became a separate province of the Society of Jesus with a mission geared toward the needs of people living in western America.

To view a new video and a slide show about the KBI produced by the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, visit: http://www.jrsusa.org/kino

On Jan. 18, a Mass of Inauguration for the KBI will be offered at Sacred Heart Church in Nogales, Ariz.

Mass of Inauguration on January 18, 2009:
Mass at Noon, Press Conference at 1:30 p.m.
Reception to follow at Sacred Heart Church
272 N. Rodriguez St., Nogales, Ariz., 85621

For more information on the Kino Border Initiative, contact Fr. Sean Carroll, S.J., at 520-287-2370 or e-mail kino@calprov.org.

For background information and current details on KBI inauguration activities, contact Mark Potter, Provincial Assistant for Social Ministries of the California Province of the Society of Jesus at 323-780-9503.

For more information on the California Province of the Society of Jesus, visit:
http://www.jesuitscalifornia.org/

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic non-governmental organization whose mission is to serve, accompany, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.JRS works in 57 countries worldwide. It employs more than 1,400 staff including lay, Jesuits, and other religious to meet the educational, health, social and other needs of more than 500,000 refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS services are made available to refugees and displaced persons regardless of their race, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs.

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2009 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering - Feb 22-25 in DC

2009-01-11T18:13:00.004-07:00

From the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering Web site:

On behalf of the eighteen Catholic national co-sponsoring organizations, we invite you to join us in Washington, DC as we host what promises to be an exciting four-day conference.

Our theme, Christ Our Hope: Healing a Broken World, echoes the message of Pope Benedict’s pastoral visit to our nation. This annual gathering brings together over 700 leaders of Catholic social ministry from across the United States.

The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering brings together diverse individuals to discuss common issues and concerns. We will discuss global and domestic issues of life, justice and peace that challenge our world, including the food crisis, healthcare and economic stability.

The annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is one of the most important gatherings for Catholics who are engaged in the social mission work of the Church.

To learn more about this year's program, speakers, and activities, visit THIS LINK.

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A Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

2009-01-09T00:00:00.002-07:00

Broken-hearted wall

Two peoples, one land,
Three faiths, one root,
One earth, one mother,
One sky, one beginning, one future, one destiny,
One broken heart,
One God.
We pray to You:
Grant us a vision of unity.
May we see the many in the one and the one in the many.
May you, Life of All the Worlds, Source of All Amazing Differences
Help us to see clearly.
Guide us gently and firmly toward each other,
Toward peace.

Amen.

Prayer by Rabbi Sheila Weinberg
Jewish Community of Amherst, Amherst, MA

The above is one of several Prayers and Petitions for Peace in the Middle East and Holy Land that can be found at Catholic Relief Services' Prayer and Discussion Resources webpage.

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Action Alert for Peace in the Middle East: Support a Cease Fire

2009-01-08T23:21:00.003-07:00

An Action Alert from Catholic Relief Services & the USCCB :

Call Congress:
Urge Statements in Support of Cease-Fire

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Call your Members of Congress today to urge their support for U.S. efforts to achieve an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

WHY IS THIS ACTION IMPORTANT NOW?

Members of Congress are being urged to issue one-sided statements with no mention of the urgent need for a comprehensive cease-fire that will end the human suffering on both sides. Legislation making a similar point is expected in both the House and the Senate.

It is important that your Representative and Senators hear from you now on the need for U.S. diplomatic leadership to help achieve an immediate cease-fire that ends the violence, addresses the humanitarian situation and leads to concrete steps toward a two-state peace agreement.

Several Members have made constructive statements, but many more have not. They need to hear from Catholics that expressing sympathy for only one side of the conflict is not compassionate or smart policy. What is needed now is strong U.S. leadership that pulls Israelis and Palestinians back from the brink and puts them on a path toward an agreement that creates a viable Palestinian state and enhance Israel's security.

TALKING POINTS:

As an American Catholic, I deplore the tragic loss of life of civilians caught in the escalating violence in Gaza and southern Israel and care deeply about the welfare of both Israelis and Palestinians who are suffering and living in fear.

I ask that if and when the Senator/Representative makes a statement about the current crisis, he/she expresses support for strong U.S. diplomatic leadership, together with international partners, to achieve an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire that:

-- ends the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas;
-- addresses the humanitarian situation - including an opening of the border crossings that provides relief for the people of Gaza and meets Israel's security needs; and
-- leads to concrete steps toward a two-state peace agreement - the best hope for long-term stability and security for Israel and the Palestinians.

WHAT DOES PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH?

The U.S. Bishops wrote in their 1983 pastoral letter, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response, “Peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by our Lord Jesus.”
Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has called on the international community to help Israelis and Palestinians discard the “dead end” of violence and pursue instead “the path of dialogue and negotiations.” Immediate, visible and decisive U.S. leadership is urgently needed.

In a December 30 letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, USCCB, wrote: “At a time when the attention of Christians is drawn naturally to the birthplace of the Prince of Peace, it is tragic that innocent civilians are once again the victims of armed conflict and a humanitarian crisis. A ceasefire and humanitarian relief are indispensable initial steps on the road to a two-state solution—a secure Israel living in peace with a viable Palestinian state―with justice and peace for both peoples.”

WHAT IS CRS DOING TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND?

The continued insecurity of the environment makes the coordination of aid distribution incredibly difficult. CRS is working with local partners in Gaza including the Missionaries of Charity to prioritize needs and areas of intervention. On Saturday, January 3, before the airstrikes intensified, CRS coordinated delivery of a limited supply of bottled water, cooking gas, diapers and food to partners in Gaza.

To learn more visit:

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/mideast.shtml
and http://crs.org/Jerusalem/.

For more information contact:

Dr. Stephen Colecchi, Director
International Justice and Peace, USCCB
scolecchi@usccb.org, (202) 541-3196

Tina Rodousakis,
Grassroots Advocacy Manager, CRS
trodousa@crs.org; (410) 951-7462

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This is National Migration Week: Jan 4-10

2009-01-07T00:01:00.004-07:00

"Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice"

is the theme of this year's
NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK
going on now from January 4-10.

According to the USCCB's Migration & Refugee Services website: "the observance began over 25 years ago by the bishops to be a moment for Catholics to take stock of the wide diversity of the Church and the ministries serving them. "

This week would also be a good time to visit Justice for Immigrants , which is the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. The website is rich with resources -- check it out if you haven't been there in awhile: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/

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The Kino Border Initiative to be Inaugurated on January 18th

2009-01-06T01:04:00.013-07:00

Announcing:

The Kino Border Initiative:

A New Ministry of
“Solidarity With the Least
and With All”
at the U.S./Mexico Border
in Ambos Nogales

A Mass of Inauguration for the Initiative
will be celebrated

at Sacred Heart Church
in Nogales, AZ

on Sunday January 18th

The Kino Border Initiative is a collaboration between:

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hermosillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson
The Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist
The California Province of the Society of Jesus
The Mexico Province of the Society of Jesus
Jesuit Migration Service, Mexico
Jesuit Refugee Service, USA

Learn more about The Kino Border Initiative at the following links:

Jesuit Refugee Service /USA

Multimedia piece on the Initiative

Article on The Kino Border Initiative by Mark Potter

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Action Alert on Peace in the Middle East

2009-01-05T11:58:00.005-07:00

An Action Alert from the USCCB's Office of International Justice and Peace & Cahtolic Relief Services:

SUPPORT PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND THIS NEW YEAR: SIGN AN ECUMENICAL LETTER TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA BEFORE JANUARY 16!

TAKE ACTION NOW! Thanks to the incredible efforts of Catholics around the country, our Church has provided more than 2,300 signatures to date to an ecumenical letter signed by Most Reverend Howard Hubbard, Bishop of Albany and Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Ken Hackett, President of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) that urges President-elect Barack Obama “to make achievement of Israeli-Palestinian peace an immediate priority” during his first year in office. But there’s still time to act in support of peace.

Visit http://www.cmep.org/letter now to add your signature before January 16.

WHY IS THIS ACTION IMPORTANT NOW? As we start the New Year, we renew our hopes for the day when our sisters and brothers can live in peace in the Holy Land. As the conflict in Gaza reminds us, violence cannot bring peace; what is needed are negotiations. With the incoming Obama Administration, there is a renewed opportunity for the United States to help achieve a just and lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During his campaign, President-elect Obama promised to work for peace between Israel and the Palestinians from the beginning of his Administration. Given the global financial crisis and the many challenges facing Americans today, the President-elect will be balancing many competing priorities when he is sworn in on January 20, 2009. It is therefore critical that he hear from us now in large numbers that Holy Land peace cannot be delayed and that we fully urge his leadership in resolving this long-standing conflict.

WHAT DOES THE LETTER ASK PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA TO DO? The letter we are asking you to sign was circulated by the Churches for Middle East Peace, an ecumenical coalition of churches and faith-based organizations. The letter urges President-elect Obama to provide immediate diplomatic leadership toward the clear goal of a final status agreement establishing a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. The opportunity for achieving a two-state solution is supported by majorities of Israelis and Palestinians as the best way to end this tragic conflict. However, the prospects for this solution are narrowing and must be seized soon.

The deadline for signatures is January 16, 2009. A version of this letter signed by national Christian leaders was sent to the Obama transition team on December 1, 2008. The final letter signed by leaders and individual church members, such as us, will be delivered to President Obama upon his inauguration. Sign the letter now.

WHAT DOES PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH? Our Catholic faith teaches us to be peacemakers. The U.S. Bishops wrote in their 1983 pastoral letter, The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response, “Peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by our Lord Jesus.”

Pope Benedict XVI reiterated the Catholic Church’s commitment to peace in the Holy Land when he stated that “it is necessary to explore every possible diplomatic avenue and to remain attentive to even the faintest sign of dialogue or desire for reconciliation if long-standing conflicts are to be resolved. When all the people of the Holy Land live in peace and harmony, in two independent sovereign states side by side, the benefit for world peace will be inestimable […]” (May 12, 2008)

WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOING TO PROMOTE PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND? In 2005, the USCCB launched the Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land to promote understanding and support for a just resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. CRS has worked in the Holy Land for nearly 50 years, supporting peace with justice for all people, while responding to the humanitarian and sustainable development needs of Palestinians. To learn more visit: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/mideast.shtml and http://crs.org/Jerusalem/.

For more information contact:

Dr. Stephen Colecchi, Director
International Justice and Peace
USCCB
scolecchi@usccb.org, (202) 541-3196

Tina Rodousakis, Grassroots Advocacy Manager
CRS
trodousa@crs.org; (410) 951-7462

Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 World Day of Peace Message

2009-01-01T01:36:00.001-07:00

"FIGHTING POVERTY TO BUILD PEACE"

An excerpt:

One of the most important ways of building peace is through a form of globalization directed towards the interests of the whole human family. In order to govern globalization, however, there needs to be a strong sense of global solidarity between rich and poor countries, as well as within individual countries, including affluent ones.

Read Pope Benedict's entire message HERE and see the following link's call to action by our U.S. Bishops:

Bishops Urge Catholics to Act on Pope's World Day of Peace Message

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2008-12-24T14:27:00.009-07:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The people who walked
in darkness
have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwelt
in the land of gloom
a LIGHT has shone.

ISAIAH 9:1-2

A Blessed Christmas
to all
and Peace
in the
New Year!

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Justice & Peace Have Kissed

2008-11-05T12:06:00.003-07:00

November 4th, 2008

In gratitude and hope for a future of greater Justice & Peace in this country and throughout the world!

P.S. This blog has been on temporary hiatus due to overwhelming work demands this semester. It will reactivate (hopefully) with the new Liturgical Year. Thank you for your patience.

Katie

Labor Day 2008

2008-09-01T01:16:00.004-07:00

An American Catholic Tradition, [pdf] the U.S. bishops’ 2008 Labor Day statement calls for “renewed vigor as we seek to build together a society that cares for its own, reaches out to the poor and vulnerable, and offers true hope to all.” Read more HERE

Some additional thoughts for Labor Day reflection:

The shopping mall, the school, the kitchen table, the courtroom, the factory, and the office can be altars of sorts . . . places where the mundane labors of life may be offered up, blessed, and transformed into things of beauty and holiness.

from Sprituality@Work by G. F.Pierce

Awareness that humanity's work is a participationin God's activity ought to permeateeven the most ordinary everyday activities.

On Human Labor Pope John Paul II

Through work we not only transform the world, we are transformed ourselves.

On Human Labor Pope John Paul II

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Don't Miss it -- John Carr Faithful Citizenship talk is tonight!

2008-08-23T09:47:00.002-07:00

"Dangers and Directions for the Catholic Voter"

WHAT: A special and very timely talk by John Carr, Secretary of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Developmentof the U.S. Conference of Catholic BishopsSaturday.

WHEN: TONIGHT August 23, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Francis Cabrini Parish Hall, 3201 E. Presidio Rd., Tucson

John will outline the mission of the Catholic Church in political life and the message of the U.S. Bishops’ statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship." [pdf] He will examine the political and ecclesial context for Faithful Citizenship as well as the assets the Catholic community brings to public life. He will suggest some dangers and directions for Catholics who take seriously the challenges of Faithful Citizenship in this election year. John’s talk is sponsored by the Diocese of Tucson and is open without charge to the public.

For more about the speaker, John Carr, see: http://www.diocesetucson.org/Carr.html For more on Faithful Citizenship, see: http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/

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August 6th: Hiroshima Day of Remembrance

2008-08-06T01:00:00.001-07:00

Today on the Feast of the Transfiguration, we mourn over the global transformation that took place in 1945 when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.

For prayer and reflection, here is a powerful litany, written by Susan Adams, a missionary in Japan for 13 years, courtesy of the United Church of Christ:

Remember and Transform: A Responsive Prayer on Hiroshima Day (pdf)

. . . . and from our U.S. Bishops, more to reflect on and pray about:

We oppose the continued readiness of the United States to use nuclear weapons, especially against non-nuclear threats, and the potential development of new weapons for this purpose. . . Our nation should lead in the challenging task of envisioning a future rooted in peace, with new global structures of mediation and conflictresolution, and with a world order that has moved beyond nuclear weapons.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Statement on New Nuclear Treaty and U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy, 2002

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Save the Date - Aug 23rd - Faithful Citizenship talk

2008-07-17T16:25:00.004-07:00

"Dangers and Directions for the Catholic Voter"

WHAT: A special and very timely talk by John Carr, Secretary of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Developmentof the U.S. Conference of Catholic BishopsSaturday.

WHEN: August 23, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Francis Cabrini Parish Hall, 3201 E. Presidio Rd., Tucson

John will outline the mission of the Catholic Church in political life and the message of the U.S. Bishops’ statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship." [pdf]

He will examine the political and ecclesial context for Faithful Citizenship as well as the assets the Catholic community brings to public life. He will suggest some dangers and directions for Catholics who take seriously the challenges of Faithful Citizenship in this election year.

John’s talk is sponsored by the Diocese of Tucson and is open without charge to the public.

For more about the speaker, John Carr, see: http://www.diocesetucson.org/Carr.html

For more on Faithful Citizenship, see: http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/

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The Catholic Worker Movement Re-Affirms Its Opposition to War

2008-07-17T16:02:00.004-07:00

THE CATHOLIC WORKER MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO OPPOSE WAR -- STATEMENT URGES U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS TO ACT

At the conclusion of the 75th Anniversary Gathering of the Catholic Worker movement, held in Worcester, Massachusetts from July 9 - 12, 2008, Catholic Workers from across the United States and from Germany issued a statement responding to unending war, ecological destruction and economic collapse; callingthe leadership of the church to speak out now; and urging their church and nation to join them in personal, political and spiritual actions. Over 500 Catholic Workers attended the gathering, the largest in these times, hosted by Ss. Francis & Therese Catholic Worker and the Mustard Seed Catholic Worker communities.

The Catholic Worker was founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression, as a Gospel-based response to the needs of those times. The Catholic Worker vision lives on in over 200 communities worldwide. The statement urges the leadership of the church, "now and without evasion, to break its silence and to wield the authority provided by the nonviolent gospel of Jesus Christ, by calling the entire nation to repent for the war crimes we have committed in the so-called War on Terror."

Read the 75th Anniversary Statement “We call on our church and nation to join us in repenting our affronts to God” at:

http://www.pieandcoffee.org/2008/07/14/catholic-workers-75th-anniversary-statement/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Felice Cohen-Joppa for information and links
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Our Lady Queen of Peace - Pray for Us

2008-07-09T08:57:00.002-07:00

Our Lady
Queen of Peace

From Wikipedia:

Our Lady of Peace or Queen of Peace is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. She is represented in art holding a dove and an olive branch, symbols of peace. Her official memorial feast is celebrated on January 24 each year in Hawaii and some churches in the United States. Elsewhere, the memorial feast is celebrated on July 9.

Pax Christi Prayer Vigil Monday July 7th

2008-07-06T18:11:00.006-07:00

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God." Mt 5:9

Come and join Pax Christi Tucson for a PRAYER VIGIL for peace in Iraq on Monday July 7th.

(We hold a prayer vigil on the first Mondy of every month).

Where: DeAnza Park (Speedway and Stone)

When: 7:00 pm. It lasts about 25 minutes.

Anybody is welcome to join us!

To learn more about Pax Christi, see the Pax Christi USA statement of purpose.

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An Evening of Hope and Healing – in recognition of torture victims worldwide

2008-07-01T23:49:00.007-07:00

An Evening of Hope and Healing: UN Day in Observance of Torture Victims
will be held tonight, Wednesday July 2nd, 2008.

The evening is held in recognition of survivors of torture worldwide and the June 26th UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Youth poetry and art, speakers addressing legal, psychological, policy, and personal aspects of torture, advocacy actions and a candle light procession and vigil comprise this non-partisan and secular event held at Southside Presbyterian Church Location: 317 W. 23rd street, from 7:00
PM – 10:00 PM.

Citizens’ actions on specific torture cases prepared byAmnesty International will be available for concerned citizens, as well a Candle Light Procession and Vigil to the local public shrine, El Tiradito, at Main Street and Cushing Street in downtown Tucson.

The event is free and open to the public.

Co-sponsoring Organizations are: Amnesty International Tucson, the Center for Prevention and Resolution of Violence, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest -Asylum Program, Owl and Panther Project, Torture on Trial, Tucson Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association of Southern Arizona.

The full event schedule and organization’s electronic links specifically relating to the event or survivors of torture testimony and advocacy are listed below.

-------------------------------

Full Schedule for July 2nd, 2008 Event:

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Poetry readings by youth of the Owl and Panther group precede speakers.
Speakers:

Rachel Wilson, JD, PhD, Lead Attorney for Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest's Asylum Program – Legal Challenges in Protecting Torture Survivors.
Lucy Wilson, Clinical Psychologist, CPRV – Hope and Healing
Dr. Roberto Cintli Rodriguez – A Policy Perspective on Torture
Leonardo Maturan – Life In Prison

Following the speakers, the audience is invited to:

8:00 - 8:45 pm

-- Chalk drawings artistically developed by youth of the Owl and Panther group on public view in the adjacent patio.

-- Enjoy light refreshments and non-alcoholic drinks.

-- Review and act on specific cases presented by Amnesty International in Tucson of persons currently imprisoned who are at risk for torture. Participants may send post cards requesting international and national legal procedures be followed and that no violations of the rights of detainees be allowed by responsible authorities. Letters from federal representatives who were asked to present their views on torture will be available for viewing.

8:45 - 9:10 pm

Assemble for procession of Candle Light Vigil toward El Tiradito Shrine on Main Street at Cushing Street.

-------------------------------

Organizational Links Related to Survivors of Torture

Amnesty International – Worldwide Torture Cases
Owl and Panther Project – http://www.owlandpanther.org/
United Nations Association of Southern Arizona - http://www.untucson.org/
United Nations background on torture:
Asylum Program of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Torture on Trial – http://www.tortureontrial.org/

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Patroness of Haiti

2008-06-27T18:20:00.015-07:00

Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Pray for us & the People of Haiti!

Today on the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we remember the people of Haiti in our prayers, outreach and generosity.

Learn more about Haiti by visiting the website of The Haiti Project sponsored by Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson: http://www.omoshaiti.org/

Following is the story of how Our Lady or Perpetual Help became the beloved Patroness of the Haitian people, as told by Joan Martin, Haiti Minister from Our Mother of Sorrows Parish (OMOS). Joan lives and ministers in the Diocese of Port-de-Paix, Haiti. See MAP for location.

"On Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, all of Haiti celebrated a special Mass as a thank you and a re-consecration of the country to Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours--Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Fr. Nicolas explained the history at the Mass for the sisters that morning. In about 1861, a disease called veret began to spread in Haiti. I am not sure of the name in English, but Fr. Nico said it was like leprosy--bumps, then holes in the skin, and very contagious. There was no treatment; the doctors and hospitals could do nothing. People began to die by the hundreds, then by the thousands. Every household was affected by the epidemic. There were so many deaths that funerals could not be held. Every town had a mass grave for the victims. ( For those of you who have visited PdPaix, the mass grave was where the airport runway is now.). The estimate was that about 200,000 people died.

In 1882, in desperation, one of the bishops in Port-au-Prince took a picture of Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours up the mountain, blessed the country in all directions and asked for help.

The epidemic began to recede, and eventually stopped. The country celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving, and Haiti was consecrated to Notre Dame. The year 2007, marked the 125th Anniversary of the consecration. So the bishops decided to re-consecrate the country, to say thank you, and to ask for help with the current crises in the country. At noon, all the churches were supposed to ring their bells in celebration."

This is one of many entries from Notes, Photos, & Reflections from Joan, which can be found online at the OMOS Haiti Project Website. Here you can find more of her stories and photos about day-to-day life in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Joan's notes are informative, touching and often heart-rending.

Today would be a fitting date to spend some time in prayer and soldiarity with the people of Haiti and those who minister to them!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

World Refugee Day 2008

2008-06-20T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today we remember refugees throughout the world:

From the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) website:

World Refugee Day 2008

"On June 20, we celebrate World Refugee Day. This year, events around the world will focus on the fundamental need for protection. For some, this means economic security; for others, protection is freedom from violence and persecution. On World Refugee Day, we will turn our attention to the millions of refugees who live without material, social and legal protection."

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Juneteenth

2008-06-19T00:05:00.003-07:00

From the Juneteenth Worldwide
Celebration website:
http://www.juneteenth.com/

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society. © 1996 JUNETEENTH.com

As we reflect on the origins and meaning of Juneteenth, may we be called to prayer for an end to racism and slavery of all kinds throughout the world.

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Bus Fares are frozen

2008-06-18T15:04:00.005-07:00

Advocacy works! Thanks everyone for your advocacy for the poor and the environment!!

See:

Rally to protest Sun Tran fare hikes on Tuesday (Tucson Citizen 6-14-08)

120 protest proposed bus fare increase (Tucson Citizen 6-17-08)

Council turnaround freezes bus fares (Arizona Daily Star 6-18-08)

Council kicks bus fare increase to the curb (Tucson Citizen 6-18-08)

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Tuesday June 17: An Opportunity to Advocate for the Poor & the Environment!

2008-06-13T10:00:00.003-07:00

An invitation from
Brian Flagg of Casa Maria:

You are invited to:

A BIG BUS RIDER PARTY !!!
To stop increased Bus Fares for SunTran.

When: Tuesday, June 17 @ 5:15 pm
Where: Tucson City Hall 255 W. Alameda map

HOT DOGS & LEMONADE

INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES
by Tucson's most famous environmentalist
CAROLYN CAMPBELL,

PANCHO • Don Francisco • MEDINA
Minister of Culture at Casa Maria
& Others

MUSICA: Francisco and Alicia Robles

And your LOUD, STRONG VOICES ! ! ! !

--------------------------------
At 6 pm we will attend the City Council Public Hearing.
After the hearing the Council will vote on raising the fares.

----------------------------------
Come and tell the 6 Democracts and 1 Republican on the Council
TO NOT BALANCE THEIR BUDGET
ON THE BACKS OF THE POOR !

Come and tell them that with today's gas prices,
NOW is the TIME to SAVE the PLANET
by coaxing people out of their cars
and on to the bus!

Contact these Council Members NOW to express your views:
Nina Trasoff 791-4601
Shirley Scott 791-3199

Sponsored by Casa Maria

For more information, call Brian at 624-0312

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June 12, 2008: World Day Against Child Labour

2008-06-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

June 12, 2008 is the World Day against Child Labour

This year the day will be marked around the world with activities to raise awareness that education is the right response to child labour: education for all children at least to the minimum age of employment; education policies that address child labour by provision of properly resourced quality education and skills training; and education to promote awareness on the need to tackle child labour.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that some 165 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour. Many of these children work long hours, often in dangerous conditions. Child labour is closely associated with poverty. Many poor families are unable to afford school fees or other school costs. The family may depend on the contribution that a working child makes to the household’s income, and place more importance on that than on education. And when a family has to make a choice between sending either a boy or girl to school, it is often the girl who loses out.

Learn more about the World Day against Child Labour HERE

Action Alert on Nuclear Non-Proliferation

2008-06-11T21:50:00.001-07:00

From the US Bishops' (USCCB) Department of Justice, Peace & Human Development:

ACTION ON NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION

Urge your Representative in Congress (check http://www.house.gov/ for contact information) to cosponsor the Global Security Priorities Resolution (H.RES. 1045) which links long-term savings from reducing our nuclear arsenal to increased support for nuclear non-proliferation efforts and child survival programs, and to call for a nuclear non-proliferation hearing.

CURRENT SITUATION

The Global Security Priorities Resolution (H.RES. 1045), introduced by Congressmen Dan Lungren (R-CA) and James McGovern (D-MA) on March 13, 2008, recognizes the threat of nuclear prolifera-tion and the danger of nuclear weapons materials falling into terrorists’ hands. It calls for cuts in the U.S. nuclear arsenal and directs a portion of the savings into securing nuclear materials. Recognizing that poverty and social and economic injustices can breed resentment and violence, it directs another part of the resulting savings towards child survival, hunger, and universal education. USCCB and inter-religious partners worked with both congressmen to craft this resolution.

BACKGROUND

The Cold War ended over 15 years ago yet the U.S. and Russia still maintain over 10,000 nuclear warheads. Maintaining thousands of strategic nuclear weapons is expensive and breeds mistrust among non-nuclear nations and encourages them to join the nuclear club. Funds for nuclear weapons could be better spent to secure nuclear materials from terrorists and to encourage development, improve the lives of the poor, and invest in our children’s futures. Reductions by U.S. and Russia to 1,000 deployed nuclear weapons each and a total nuclear inventory of 3,000 by 2015 could save as much as $13 billion annually. Savings would be used to dismantle and secure nuclear weapons and nuclear materials, including weapons of mass destruction in former Soviet Union states. Other uses include $5 billion over five years to enhance child survival in the poorest countries by supporting international organizations and boosting community-based health and nutrition services. Additional funding would go toward school feeding and related programs to eliminate hunger and malnutrition.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

The Church clearly opposes nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons because they are indiscriminate in inflicting harm on vast numbers of civilian as well as military combatants. Pope Benedict XVI said in his 2008 World Day of Peace message, "At a time when the process of nuclear non-proliferation is at a stand-still, I feel bound to entreat those in authority to resume with greater determination negotiations for a progressive and mutually agreed dismantling of existing nuclear weapons." The Church supports replacing nuclear deterrence policies with disarmament measures based on dialogue and verifiable multilateral agreements to reduce and ultimately ban nuclear arms. This legislation reflects the bishops’ longstanding support for dismantling nuclear weapons systems and for reducing global poverty.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Virginia Farris, USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace, 202-541-3182, vfarris@usccb.org, http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/nuclear.shtml.

6/9/08

Pray for Those with Chemical Addictions - Venerable Matthew Talbot

2008-06-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

From the website: The Matt Talbot Story - Hope for Addiciton

http://www.matt-talbot.com/

His Story

Matt Talbot (1856 - 1925) was born in the poverty of Dublin's inner city. He began drinking at twelve years of age and became a chronic alcoholic. It was the drug culture of the 19th century. Matt was an addict. After sixteen years he decided to 'kick the habit'. A priest helped him, giving him a rehabilitation programme, which providentially incorporated the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. That was fifty years before AA was founded. After a horrendous struggle, he found sobriety through prayer and self-sacrifice. His Higher Power was the Christian God. He remained sober for forty years until his death. His life story has been an inspiration for alcoholics and addicts throughout the world. He is a candidate for canonisation in the Catholic Church.

His Life

With the help of his priest friend, Matt modelled his life on that of the monks, who lived in Ireland in the 6th and 7th centuries. It was a tough programme of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. To his neighbours and his work mates in the timber yards, he was a cheerful, happy friend. He gave away most of his wages every week to the poor at home and abroad. "Matt had no time for money", his sister remarked. He was keenly aware of his fellow workers struggle for social justice. A loyal member of Ireland's Transport and General Workers Union, a Union leader, Stephen McGonagle, described him as "a beacon of light to Irish workers". After a life of heroic perseverance, he died suddenly on the way to Mass on 7th June 1925.

World Environment Day 2008

2008-06-05T00:01:00.003-07:00

From the World Environment Day website:

"World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action."

"The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. . . . The event will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption."

Click HERE for the website's Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit and see also 80 Ways to Celebrate World Environment Day

The website also encourages us to do the following:

"On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence."

. . . and as part of our call to Peace, Justice, and Catholic Social Teaching, let us also add PRAYER to our observation of World Environment Day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
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A Memorial Day video reflection

2008-05-26T09:03:00.006-07:00

There is a thoughtful music video on Arlington National Cemetery, along with some "reflections on the shifting meaning of security on a shrinking, finite planet" posted at the Dot Earth blog on the New York Times online today.

See: Sacrifice, Security, and the Road Toward 9 Billion (New York Times 26 May 2008) by science reporter Andrew C. Revkin

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Memorial Day -- Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them . . .

2008-05-26T00:05:00.000-07:00

A Memorial Day Prayer from the Education for Justice website of The Center of Concern :

On This Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day
Grant peace to the souls of all those soldiers who died in war.
We remember the tears and grief of their families,
The pain of mothers, wives, husbands and children
Who lost precious loved ones.

To build a meaningful memorial to them,
We ask God to give us all the will
To work for peace around the world
So no more sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, nor mothers
Are slaughtered by the guns and bombs of war.

We ask Mary, who held the lifeless body of her son
And was pierced by the sorrow of his suffering and death,
To grant us the compassion and wisdom to affirm life
And honor the dead through forgiveness and peace making.

May God have mercy on the souls of the departed.
Grant them peace, O Lord.
May we have mercy on the living.
Grant us peace, O Lord.
In Your name we pray.

+Amen

---------------------

Take action for PEACE & join Pax Christi Tucson
at their May meeting tonight at 7:00 pn
at Most Holy Trinity Parish
1300 N Greasewood Rd (just north of Speedway) MAP

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Feast of Corpus Christi -- Pray for an end to hunger

2008-05-24T11:32:00.008-07:00

A prayer for reflection from
the Center of Concern's Education for Justice website:

Prayer for the End of Hunger

Sharing the loaves and fishes,
You gave us an image of solidarity with the hungry, O Lord.

Sharing yourself in the Bread and Wine,
You called all to the table, O Lord.

Give me the hunger to be a part of the feeding
And the healing of this world.

Nourish me with your Grace,
So I may work with joy to serve your children.

Open my eyes and my heart
To recognize those in poverty
And increase my awareness
Of the structures and systems
That need to be changed
So we may all break bread together.

In your name we pray for the end of hunger.

+ Amen

Bread for the World -- needed now more than ever!

2008-05-20T18:48:00.007-07:00

Bread for the World was founded in 1974 on this date, May 20th.

Go to: http://www.bread.org/

With world hunger at the forefront of global news, and the controversial U.S. Farm Bill recently passed by Congress -- the work that this advocacy organization does is needed now more than ever.

What is Bread for the World? From their mission statement:

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.

Curious about Bread for the World's stand on the Farm Bill?
Read the organization's recent press release:

Bread for the World Calls 2008 Farm Bill “Half a Loaf”

Feeling overwhlemed and in despair over the Global Hunger Crisis?
Find inspiriation and a call to action here:

Recipe for Hope: Responding to the Global Hunger Crisis

Additional resources about the causes of the global hunger crisis and suggestions for taking action abound at the Bread for the World website: http://www.bread.org/

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Pax Christi Tucson -- prayer vigil on 1st Monday, meetings on 4th Monday, every month

2008-05-19T04:00:00.005-07:00

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God."
Mt 5:9

Come and join Pax Christi Tucson for a PRAYER VIGIL for peace in Iraq on the first Monday of every month.

Where: DeAnza Park (Speedway and Stone)
When: 7:00 pm. It lasts about 25 minutes.

Anybody is welcome to join us! June 2nd is our next Prayer Vigil.

You are also invited to join us at our monthly meetings:

Pax Christi Tucson -- a local Pax Christi Community -- meets in Tucson on the 4th Monday of every month.

Where: Most Holy Trinity parish at 1300 N Greasewood Rd (just north of Speedway) MAP
When: 7:00 - 8:30 pm. May 26 (evening of Memorial Day) is our next meeting.

A Pax Christi community is a group that participates in the Pax Christi Catholic Peace Movement by meeting on a regular basis to pray, study and act for peace with justice.

To learn more about Pax Christi, see the Pax Christi USA statement of purpose.

Information sbmitted by Fr. Bill Remmel, Most Holy Trinity Parish
Contact him for more details: bill@mhtparish.org

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Trinity Sunday

2008-05-18T00:05:00.018-07:00

The Holy Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev

God we praise you:

Father all-powerful,
Christ Lord and Savior,

Spirit of Love.
You reveal yourself in the depths of our being,

drawing us to share in your life and your love.

One God, three Persons,

be near to the people formed in your image,

close to the world your love brings to life.

We ask this, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

one God, true and living, for ever and ever.

Amen +

--------------------------------------

Alternative Opening Prayer, Trinity Sunday

Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial - Sunday May 18

2008-05-17T12:20:00.001-07:00

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
Sunday May 18th

GLOBALLY: The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is among the world’s oldest movements by civil society for HIV/AIDS remembrance, awareness and community action. Started in 1983, the historic Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by some 1,200 volunteer Candlelight Coordinators in 119 countries who host vigils for their communities.

LOCALLY: "Never Give Up, Never Forget" is the theme for the 25th annual worldwide event presented locally by the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and other groups. Individuals will share music, song, dance and reflections.

When: Memorial starts at 6 p.m. Sunday. The candle lighting will begin around 7:30 p.m. (dusk).

Where: Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd.

As we confront HIV/AIDS, we participate in the healing mission of Jesus. Read about the continuing challenges this epidemic presents to the world, and learn about the Catholic Church’s response to those affected by the disease in this Catholic Update article titled: AIDS and the Consistent Ethic of Life by Kenneth R. Overberg, S.J.

Feeling called to do more? Learn more about how you can get involved locally in "a compassionate interfaith response to HIV/AIDS" by visiting TIHAN -- The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network at http://www.tihan.org/

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The Catholic Communication Campaign

2008-05-16T00:05:00.005-07:00

Did you know you can find a video or audio "Daily Reflection of the Scriptures" online at CCC-TV? It's just one of many ways in which the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) seeks to spread the good news of the Gospel.

The CCC has also put together a variety of educational resources at the USCCB's Faithful Citizenship website to assist Catholics in forming our consciences as faithful citizens during this political season.

This weekend in the U.S. we are asked to donate to the USCCB's Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Here's what the CCC does (quoted from "Who We Are" on the CCC website):

In 1979, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) established the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) to respond to the domestic communications needs of the Catholic Church in the United States. Through the CCC, the US Bishops fund media programming, projects, and resources that promote Gospel values and foster the pastoral teachings of the Catholic Church.

The work of the CCC, including the funds set aside for these grants, is made possible by the generous donations of Catholic parishioners from all across the country to the CCC’s annual appeal. Proceeds from this collection are divided equally between each diocese and the CCC’s national office in Washington, DC.

Dioceses use their 50% share of the CCC Collection to support local communications efforts such as televised Masses and diocesan newspapers. And, on the national level, CCC funds support the development and production of a wide range of media programming.

For more than 25 years, the CCC has been serving dioceses and parishioners by spreading faith-filled messages locally and nationally on radio, television, in print and on the Internet.

Learn more about the CCC and some of its recent activities at the Catholic Communication Campaign website.

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Pray for World Peace: Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

2008-05-13T00:25:00.005-07:00

Icon of Our Lady of Fatima
from Our Lady of Fatima Byzantime Catholic Church
San Francisco, CA

Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima

Immaculate Heart!

Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths towards the future!

From famine and war, deliver us.

From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.

From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.

From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.

From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.

From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.

From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.

From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.

From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us, deliver us.

Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies.

Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit to conquer all sin:
individual sin and the ‘sin of the world', sin in all its manifestations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayer from Pope John Paul II, excerpted from Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: The Message of Fatima (2006) by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI)

Read more about the role of Mary and popular devotional practices such as those surrounding the private revelations of Our Lady of Fatima, in the USCCB's 2003 statement on Popular Devotional Practices: Basic Questions and Answers.

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Pentecost Sunday

2008-05-11T17:49:00.015-07:00

The Holy Spirit: The Lord, the Giver of Life,
The Paraclete and Sender of Prophets
-- icon by Fr. William McNichols

A Peace and Justice Prayer from the Center of Concern's wonderful resource site: Education for Justice

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Wind of God, continue to blow.

Sail over the barriers that we build

to divide ourselves from each other.

Pick up your seeds of freedom and truth
wherever they flourish,

carry them across frontiers

to be planted in other soil,

to begin fresh growth and new forms.

Blow from the South

to the ears of Northern peoples.

Blow away the blinders

which keep our eyes focused only on the past,

repeating its violence,

deepening its divisions,

and adding to its despair.
Reveal the new future

you have in mind for us.

Fire of God, continue to burn,

smolder in the hearts of people

where oppression keeps them in chains,

where unemployment and poverty

devalue their humanity,

and where hunger weakens the spirit.

Burn in them, like Moses' bush,

and do not let them be destroyed.

Tongue of God, continue to speak Shalom.
Speak peace where nations meet,

justice where ideas clash,

mercy where power reigns,

healing where minds and bodies hurt,

and love where churches seek your unity,

and wherever else Babel drowns out the sound of Pentecost.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day -- Saturday May 10th

2008-05-09T10:01:00.010-07:00

World Fair Trade Day 2008

Have you been enjoying Just Coffee /Cafe' Justo? How about Divine Chocolate?

Saturday May 10th is WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY -- a day to celebrate the global movment that supports these and other fair trade products promoted in our Diocese and by Catholic Relief Services.

Things to do for World Fair Trade Day:

-- Read about this year's theme "FAIR TRADE + Ecology" at the World Fair Trade Day website.

-- Visit the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Fair Trade Blog

-- Learn more about Just Coffee/Cafe' Justo -- our "local" border area Fair Trade+ enterprise which got started in 2002 when small-scale coffee farmers in Chiapas bought a coffee roaster in Agua Prieta with a loan from Frontera de Cristo, a bi-national border ministry of the Presbyterian Church. Learn how Cafe' Justo creates one positive solution to the migration issue. Meet the people (growers and directors) behind the coffee in Salvador Urbina, Chiapas and Agua Prieta, Sonora.

-- Read a Fair Trade Overview and learn how to identify and find Fair Trade Certified products at the Fair Trade Certified website.

-- Browse A Greater Gift (on online catalogue promoted by CRS) to find hundreds of fair trade gifts and products (including Divine Chocolate!).

-- Reflect on how supporting FAIR TRADE is one way of promoting the Catholic Social Teaching principles of : The Dignity of Work & the Rights of Workers, Solidarity, and Care for God's Creation.

-- Pray for, support, and join with -- all those engaged in transforming our world by promoting justice and peace through FAIR TRADE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Action needed: May 8th meeting of the Casa Maria Coalition!

2008-05-07T09:42:00.006-07:00

Background: In January a blog message was posted about the Casa Maria Housing Coalition and in March a message went out about a rally to SOS Save Ochoa School . The following post gives an update on the school issue and announces a meeting to address the next issues faced by the Casa Maria Housing Coalition:

In case you haven’t heard the news… THE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN SPARED! Thanks to Brian and the Casa Maria Coalition (including many Just Faith participants), the TUSD Board has voted to keep the schools open! This is great news for the families of Casa Maria, but the struggle goes on…

On May 22 the City Council will meet again to continue discussions on the Rio Nuevo project, moving the Greyhound bus station to Marana (where homeless and low income families will have NO ACCESS) and police/immigration issues.

Please join us at Casa Maria (Maryada’s house) this Thursday, May 8, at 5 pm, to discuss these issues and ways to support our Casa families. Your presence is important and COUNTS! as we have seen this past week!

On behalf of Brian and all those at Casa Maria, Thank you for your support and willingness to stand as a voice for those who aren’t able to speak.

YOU CAN AND DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!! See you Thursday!

sent in by Barbara Padilla

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celebrating 75 Years of "The Catholic Worker"

2008-05-01T00:05:00.003-07:00

Catholic Worker
artwork by Ade Bethune

Quoted from The Catholic Worker website:
http://www.catholicworker.org/

"On May 1, 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression, The Catholic Worker newspaper made its debut with a first issue of twenty-five hundred copies. Dorothy Day and a few others hawked the paper in Union Square for a penny a copy (still the price) to passersby. "

"The Catholic Worker Movement is grounded in a firm belief in the God-given dignity of every human person. "

"Today over 185 Catholic Worker communities remain committed to nonviolence, voluntary poverty, prayer, and hospitality for the homeless, exiled, hungry, and foresaken. Catholic Workers continue to protest injustice, war, racism, and violence of all forms. "

See also this article from Catholic News Service:

"Catholic Worker Movement marks 75th anniversary without fanfare," by Dennis Sadowski at:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802398.htm

And keep Casa Maria -- our own Tucson Catholic Worker Community -- in your prayers today!
http://www.casamariatucson.org/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

St. Joseph the Worker

2008-05-01T00:04:00.006-07:00

Artwork
by Ade Bethune

May 1 -- Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

Today's feast day calls us to reflect on the value of work and advocate for the rights of workers. Read about the origins of this feast day at AmericanCatholic.org's Saint of the Day website.

Today we also remember the unemployed, all those seeking jobs, and -- in a special way -- all those who have died in the desert in a desperate attempt to find work in the U.S.

From the Center of Concern's Education for Justice website:

Prayer to St. Joseph, Patron of Workers

St. Joseph, Patron of Workers,
Help us to respect the dignity of all workers.
Help us to learn about and to care about
Workers who do not have fair wages, just benefits, safe working environments.
Help us to raise our voices for justice for workers.
Help us to ask our government and our representatives
To develop policies that create jobs with dignity.

You taught your son
The value of work and the joy of work well done.
Teach us these lessons.
Guide us in our own work
And in the work of justice we are all called to participate in.
Renew our strength and commitment
Each day as we face the work ahead
As we labor for the common good of all.

+ Amen.

Feast of St. Peregrine

2008-05-01T00:03:00.003-07:00

May 1 is the feast day of Saint Peregrine Laziosi, patron of those with cancer, AIDs and other serious illnesses -- A good day to pray for the sick and advocate for a better health care system -- especially for the poor and uninsured.

Find out what our US Bishops have been advocating with respect to health care for the needy and justice for the uninsured by reading the various statements and pastoral letters posted at the USCCB's Health Issues webpage (part of the website of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development --formerly Social Development and World Peace -- of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.)

In Arizona, we can advocate for better health services and promote heath care reform by joining PAFCO -- The Protecting Arizona's Families Coalition.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Catholic Home Missions Sunday

2008-04-26T20:09:00.010-07:00

This weekend we are asked to contribute to
the Catholic Home Missions Appeal.

From the USCCB Catholic Home Missions Website:

What Are the Home Missions?

"Home Missions” is the name for dioceses and parishes in America, in its territories and former territories, which cannot provide basic pastoral services to Catholics without outside help. By “basic pastoral services” we mean Mass and sacraments; religious education; ministry training for priests, deacons, religious sisters and lay people; and subsidizing poor parishes.

For many decades, the Church in the United States has sent missionaries overseas to serve the people of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The Home Missions are dioceses and parishes here in America that need the same kind of support.

Where Are the Home Missions?

Surprisingly, the Catholic Church is poorly established in many parts of our country, especially Appalachia, the South, the Southwest along the Mexican border, the Rocky Mountain States, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and remote island chains like the Marshalls and the Carolines in the Pacific. Generally speaking, the home missions are everywhere Catholics are few and the Church is fragile.

Click HERE for an interactive map of home missions in the U.S.

This LINK describes the home mission needs right here in the Diocese of Tucson -- and includes a photo gallery.

Find out more about the USCCB's Catholic Home Missions effort at:

http://www.usccb.org/hm/

Included on the website are links to maps, videos, a scrapbook, newsletters, and the program's annual report.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2008-04-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

A stirring message from the "Voice of the Poor" arm of the Phoenix St. Vincent de Paul Society: (forwarded by Joanne Welter)

Thoughts on Christian Social Responsibility
by Ron Mayer, Phoenix St. Vincent de Paul Society

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul serves the poor and the afflicted of our community, and is directly impacted by the controversy involving illegal immigration.

The Society has taken a public position that regardless of what views we hold concerning the nature of the problem and the possible solution of the problem, we all have one item in common. We are Christians. Undocumented persons are still human beings who are made in the image and likeness of God. In the eyes of God, they are no different than you and me. As a consequence, they deserve to be treated as human beings.

We cringe at aspects of the history of our country in dealing with immigrants. From the treatment of the Irish fleeing the famine of Ireland wherein they were treated as devious papal serpents undermining the foundations of America to the Chinese workers who built our railroads and upon completion were shunned and marginalized from their community. The tragedy is that it is happening again. There is a hysteria pervading our society wherein it is open season to mistreat and abuse undocumented persons. The stories extend from undocumented persons refusing to report crimes committed on them or those that they witness because their reward for being a good citizen is to be arrested for deportation to Sheriff’s deputies being stationed at parishes that are predominantly Hispanic on Good Friday intimidating persons to stay away for fear of their immigration status being questioned.

St. Vincent de Paul is asking for two items. First, that any discussion involving immigration contain and convey the attitude that these people are human beings and deserve to be treated with human dignity. And secondly, that you contact your elected representatives in Congress and at the state level and request that any legislative solution not violate basic human rights.

When Jesus Christ said, “Feed my sheep and take care of my children”, he did not make an exception for persons who do not have their immigration status in order. If we as Christians do not stand up and voice alarm at the current treatment of undocumented persons, who will?

To learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society's Voice of the Poor advocacy group see: http://www.voiceofthepoor.org/ & http://www.capwiz.com/svdpusa/home/

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2008-04-24T22:23:00.003-07:00

Joanne Welter of the Diocesan Catholic Social Mission Office sends us the following information:

Social Justice Certificate Program

An online social justice certificate program, through the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, offers five five-week courses over the space of one year.

Course offerings include: advanced Catholic social teaching, scripture and justice, history of Catholic social action, the parish and social action, poverty in America.

An internship, consisting of four hours weekly over a four-month period with a diocesan social action office, parish or community organization, is a required part of the certificate program.

For more information see http://www.nplc.org/roundtable.htm or contact Jeff Korgen at jkorgen@nplc.org 212-431-7825.

Feast of St. George - Pray for Interfaith Relations

2008-04-23T08:59:00.005-07:00

This icon of St. George comes from:
Icons-Interfaith, a blog dedicated to Christian Icons,
but likewise to Icons from other traditions:
http://icons-interfaith.blogspot.com/

St. George is venerated by those of many different faiths:

"There is a tradition in the Holy Land of Christians and Muslim going to an Eastern Orthodox shrine for St. George at Beith Jala, Jews also attending the site in the belief that the prophet Elijah was buried there."
Source: Wikipedia

In a world torn apart by violence, misunderstandings, and suspicions -- too often promulgated in the name of religion -- perhaps the banner of this interfaith saint can lead us toward the elusive goal of peace and reconciliation among the world's religions.

For more on St. George, see The Catholic Encyclopedia

Earth Day - We are All Called to Care for All Creation

2008-04-22T07:55:00.009-07:00

Some websites to visit today from the USCCB's Environmental Justice Program:

About the Environmental Justice Program

Faithful Stewards of God's Creation:A Catholic Resource for Environmental Justice and Climate Change

Why does the Church Care about Climate Change?

New Mexico Catholic Bishops' Statement on the Environment - Partnership for the Future

And to bring it all to prayer . . . a beautiful and timeless reflection for today!

St. Francis's Canticle of the Sun

O most High, almighty, good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing!
Praised be my Lord God with all creatures;
and especially our brother the sun,
which brings us the day, and the light;
fair is he, and shining with a very great splendor:
O Lord, he signifies you to us!

Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon,

and for the stars,
which God has set clear and lovely in heaven.

Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind,
and for air and cloud, calms and all weather,
by which you uphold in life all creatures.

Praised be my Lord for our sister water,
which is very serviceable to us,
and humble, and precious, and clean.

Praised be my Lord for brother fire,
through which you give us light in the darkness:
and he is bright, and pleasant, and very mighty, and strong.

Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth,
which sustains us and keeps us,
and yields divers fruits, and flowers of many colors, and grass.

Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for God's love's sake,
and who endure weakness and tribulation;
blessed are they who peaceably shall endure,
for you, O most High, shall give them a crown!

Praised be my Lord for our sister,
the death of the body, from which no one escapes.
Woe to him who dies in mortal sin!
Blessed are they who are found walking by your most holy will,
for the second death shall have no power to do them harm.

Praise you, and bless you the Lord,
and give thanks to God, and serve God with great humility.

(St. Francis, 1182-1226)

Feast of St. Benedict Joseph Labre - Pray for the Homeless

2008-04-16T12:20:00.005-07:00

Read about St. Benedict Joseph Labre, the beggar saint, at AmericanCatholic.org's Saint of the Day. Today 's feast truly calls us to pray for -- and advocate for -- the homeless, the hungry, and the marginalized.

Another thing to do today: visit the Casa Maria website to find out about how our local Catholic Worker House reaches out and advocates for the homeless and hungry.
http://www.casamariatucson.org/

Then . . . why not visit Casa Maria itself and lend a helping hand in honor of St. Benedict . . . .and the dignity of all our brothers and sisters living on the margins.

"The Line in the Sand" to be performed here TONIGHT!

2008-04-13T12:47:00.006-07:00

Some of you may have seen the moving performance of the drama "The Line in the Sand" by Fr. Joe Rodrigues and members of Most Holy Trinity Parish at the Southwest Liturgy Conference in January.

"The Line in the Sand" will be presented again TONIGHT (April 13th) at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, 1800 S. Kolb @ 7:30 pm. A free will offering will be taken.

From the Catholic Relief Services webpage about this drama project:

The Line in the Sand uses the power of theater to tell the personal stories of people affected by U.S./Mexico border migration. Through an hour-long collection of monologues and photos, audiences are exposed to a variety of points of view on this complex and critical issue. The Line in the Sand is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, and hopes to advance the cause of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops-supported "Justice for Immigrants" campaign. Working with CRS' Mexico office, the group conducted interviews with migrants, ranchers, Mexican and U.S. government officials, diocesan staff, and others. The Line in the Sand dramatically shares the stories of those they met.

For Southern Arizonans, the script is especially moving because it addresses issues unfolding at our own doorstep. One of the characters in the script is based on interviews with Our Mother of Sorrows' parishioner Barbara Padilla.

If you see this post in time to get to the performance tonight, don't miss this opportunity!

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World Day of Prayer for Vocations

2008-04-13T00:06:00.005-07:00

April 13th is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. How is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart about where you are being called?

From the Message of the Holy Father for the 45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations:

. . . Jesus chose some disciples as his nearest collaborators in the messianic ministry. For example, on the occasion of the multiplication of loaves, when he said to the Apostles: “You give them something to eat” (Mt 14, 16), he encouraged them to take on the needs of the crowds to whom he wanted to offer food so that they would not remain hungry, but also to reveal the food “which endures to eternal life” (Jn 6, 27). He was moved to compassion for the people, because while he went about the cities and the villages, he met the crowds, harassed and helpless, “like sheep without a shepherd” (cfr Mt 9, 36). From this look of love, flowed the invitation to his disciples: “Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9, 38), and he sent the Twelve first “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” with precise instructions. If we stop to meditate on this page of the Gospel of Matthew, which is usually called the “missionary discourse”, we note all those aspects which characterize the missionary activity of a Christian community that wants to remain faithful to the example and teaching of Jesus. . . .

At the beginning, as well as later on, what “impels” the Apostles (c.f. 2 Cor 5, 14) is always “the love of Christ”. As faithful servants of the Church, docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, innumerable missionaries, throughout the centuries, have followed in the footsteps of the first disciples. The Second Vatican Council notes: “Although every disciple of Christ, as far in him lies, has the duty of spreading the faith, Christ the Lord always calls whomever he will from among the number of his disciples, to be with him and to be sent by him to preach to the nations (c.f. Mk 3, 13-15)” (Decree Ad gentes, 23) . . . .

. . . .Let us thank God for all those priests who have suffered even to the sacrifice of their lives in order to serve Christ ... Theirs is a moving witness that can inspire many young people to follow Christ and to expend their lives for others, and thus to discover true life” (Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum caritatis, 26). . . .

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This week Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting the U.S. -- pray for the success of his visit!
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A Prayer for Vocations
from the USCCB's Vocations & Priestly Formation webpage

Lord, through Baptism, you invite me to share the gift of my life in service to others. Be with me as I choose each day to show your presence in our world. Give me the courage and generosity to respond to your love, to your call. I pray especially for those who serve you as priests, brothers, sisters and deacons. Keep them close to you. Open the minds and hearts of many other men and women to be witnesses to your gospel. + Amen

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April 7th is World Health Day

2008-04-07T00:05:00.003-07:00

World Health Day, on 7 April, marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year.

In 2008, World Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change.

The WHO website reminds us that "the health impacts of climate change will hit the poor hardest":

The physical effects of climate change will vary in different geographical locations. The human health impacts from climate change are further modified by such conditions as level of development, poverty and education, public health infrastructure, land use practices and political structure. Initially, developing countries will be hit the hardest. Countries with high levels of poverty and malnutrition, weak health infrastructures and/or political unrest will be the least able to cope.

This theme of the vulnerability of the poor to the effects of climate change is echoed in the USCCB's statement on: Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good. As Earth Day approaches, why not read (or re-read) and reflect on this important document from our U.S. Bishops?

See also this earlier post.

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Take Action: Bipartisan Global AIDS Bill

2008-04-06T23:53:00.005-07:00

Following is some hopeful news for World Health Day -- plus a "call to action" to move an important Global AIDS bill forward.

From Catholic Relief Services Take Action website in the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty:

House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Global AIDS Bill -- Senate to Consider the AIDS Bill Next

UPDATE: Thanks to your efforts and those of many advocates around the country, the House this week passed H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, the bill that reauthorizes the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) highlighted the major contributions of faith-based organizations in efforts to address the pandemic and specifically mentioned Catholic Relief Services' 250 programs in 52 countries as an example. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) praise the bipartisan consensus that led to significant improvements in the bill that passed.

TAKE ACTION NOW! Check here to find out if your Representative supported the Global AIDS bill, H.R. 5501, which reauthorizes the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEFPAR). Please let those who supported the bill know that you appreciate the spirit of bipartisan consensus that led to significant improvements in the bill. Visit the CRS Action Center to send a message now.

WHY IS PEPFAR IMPORTANT? Because of PEPFAR, CRS has saved more than 100,000 lives through antiretroviral treatment and provides HIV care and support services for another 250,000 HIV positive people. Men and women who were on the brink of death are now leading normal lives, caring for their children and contributing to their communities because they are on antiretroviral therapy. More than 60,000 orphaned children are being cared for, going to school and embracing a bright future. Nearly 350,000 youth have been educated about risky behaviors and how abstinence-until-marriage and mutual fidelity within marriage is the most effective way to prevent HIV infections. Visit the CRS website for more information about PEPFAR.

WHAT DOES PEPFAR HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH? Our faith tradition as Catholics requires us to care for “the least of these” and to uphold the life and dignity of all people. People affected by HIV or suffering from AIDS need and deserve our love and care just as Jesus called on us to care for those who are “hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison.” Catholic social teaching instructs us to live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world. Pope John Paul II reminded us that we must commit ourselves to this common good: “That is to say the good of all and each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”

WHAT IS THE CHURCH’S POSITION ON PEPFAR? USCCB and CRS praise the bipartisan consensus that led to significant improvements in the bill that the House passed. The House strengthened HIV and AIDS programs by authorizing $50 billion in funding over five years, increasing nutrition resources needed for effective treatment, improving the health care capacity of host governments, and expanding HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention.

WHERE DOES PEPFAR STAND NOW? Next the Senate will consider its own PEPFAR reauthorization bill, S. 2731, passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March. USCCB and CRS will continue to seek improvements to the Senate bill and to monitor any attempts to weaken it and will alert you for appropriate action.

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