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October/2016 |
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While our commemoration of the Feast of St. Francis may signal the completion of the
Season of Creation, it in no way brings an end to our commitment to live more simply, responsibly, and sustainably with all creation. May you find the resources in this newsletter helpful in your continuing quest to live out this call.
"Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concerns for this planet never take away the joy of our hope."
Laudato Si'
(244)
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Shalom North America Contacts
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Click here
for our printer-friendly (pdf) version of the newsletter.
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Integrity of Creation
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 Paris Agreement
Last Friday the European Union's environment ministers
approved the ratification of the landmark Paris climate change pact. Last December more than 190 countries voted to adopt the Paris Agreement, the most ambitious climate change agreement in history. In order for the agreement to take effect and enter into force, at least 55 countries representing at least 55 percent of global emissions need to formally join the Agreement. It is now estimated that this will likely happen sometime in November.
Urge Congress to take action to protect people impacted by climate change.
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Integrity of Creation
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 Heart of the Action
This year's Development and Peace campaign invites Canadians to continue to mobilize in solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable in the Global South by signing a postcard addressed to the Prime Minister that asks how Canada expects to meet its commitment to invest $2.65 billion between now and 2020 in support of people in the Global South who are severely impacted by climate change. It calls on the Canadian government to take into consideration the vital role of small family farmers in the Global South in cooling the planet and fighting against world hunger.
Learn more/take action.
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Integrity of Creation
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 Dakota Access Pipeline Protests
A small group of Native Americans established a prayer camp last spring near the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball Rivers. Their goal was to stop construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. They prayed that their community -- and the water source it depends on -- would not be sacrificed for the sake of another dirty fossil fuel pipeline. The protest is being led by the Standing Rock Sioux, who have now been joined by more than 300 other tribes.
Learn more,
take action.
As we approach
Indigenous Peoples' Day (Oct 10), we invite you to
read this article, a reflection on how this Native American stand reflects a larger fight for land and life by the world's indigenous peoples.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Education and the SDGs
The recently released Global Education Monitoring Report by UNESCO, shows the vast potential for education to propel progress toward fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, if current trends continue, the world would not achieve universal primary education until 2042 and universal upper secondary education until 2084. This means the world would be half a century late for the 2030 SDGs deadline of universal primary and secondary education. Learn more.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 SDG #8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
Roughly half the world's population still lives on the equivalent of about $2 (U.S.) per day. The promotion of sustained and inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment - with decent work for all - is the focus of SDG #8. Targets relate to youth employment, addressing forced labor and human trafficking, protecting labor rights, and promoting sustainable development practices.
Learn more. Consider these
reflections on
Laudato Si' and the
vocation of work.
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Human Life and Dignity
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UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants
On September 19, the UN General Assembly hosted a high level summit on the large-scale movement of refugees and migrants in an effort to bring "countries together behind a more humane and coordinated approach." The goal of this first-ever meeting was to create a blueprint for an international response to the crisis. The following day, President Obama hosted a Leaders' Summit on Refugees, with Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, Jordan, Mexico and Sweden.
Learn more. Read
Cardinal Parolin's summit address and the USCCB's
Migration Chairman's statement. Urge Congress
to support Syrian refugees.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 International Day of the Girl Child - October 11
The world's 1.1 billion girls are part of a large and vibrant global generation poised to take on the future. Yet girls face discrimination and violence every day across the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. This year's theme
Girls' Progress = Goals' Progress, recognizes the pivotal role girls' development plays in us achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learn more,
prayer.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Fair Trade Month in the U.S.
Let us take time this month to reflect on where our products come from and who makes them. Let's put the spotlight on challenges like child labor in cocoa and slavery in seafood. Fair Trade offers small-scale farmers and workers a fairer pay so they can better provide for their families, send their children to school, and avoid the intergenerational cycles of poverty that push children into situations of exploitation and trafficking. Since its launch in 2002 the Fair Trade Mark has become the most widely recognized social and development label in the world. Purchasing Fair Trade certified products offers consumers a simple way to help reduce poverty, protect children, and prevent trafficking. For a list of Fair Trade products,
click here.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 World Food Day - October 16
One of the biggest issues related to climate change is food security. The world's poorest, many of whom are farmers, fishers, and pastoralists, are being hit hardest by higher temperatures and an increasing frequency in weather-related disasters. Growing food in a sustainable way means adopting practices that produce more with less in the same area of land and use natural resources wisely.
Learn more,
prayer resource,
reflection resource. Vote to end hunger -
take the pledge.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - October 17
This day presents us with an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that people living in poverty are the first ones to fight against poverty.
Resources for reflection and prayer.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 International Day of Nonviolence - October 2
In the midst of conflict and the growing tide of violence in our world today, leaders of the peace movement call us to engage in prayer, dialogue and actively peaceful behaviors.
This prayer service, reminds us that the language of the Gospels is one of love. Jesus chose to express this love through nonviolence, giving all of humanity an example of how to live a Christian life.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Pray for Peace in Syria on October 4
As war rages on in Syria, shattering lives, destroying childhoods, and denying people of their dignity, we must continue to give hope to the people of Syria through our love, prayers, and solidarity. Development and Peace is inviting Catholics and all people of good faith to pray for peace in Syria on the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th. Use these
prayer resources to organize a vigil or to have your own personal moment of spiritual reflection.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Syria: Peace is Possible
The crisis in Syria requires a global response and Caritas Internationalis is mobilizing its members around the world to campaign for peace. As part of this
Syria: Peace is Possible campaign, another day of prayer for peace will be held on October 31 involving all of the Caritas community around the world and Pope Francis. Watch
this video to experience the realities of war being lived by our sisters and brothers in Syria and to inspire our prayers.
Sign this petition to call on Canada to act for peace in Syria.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Celebrating Diversity
October offers an opportunity to recognize and honor the culture and faith tradition of Islam and Judaism. October 1-2 is the
Islamic New Year. October 2 is
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. And October 11-12 is
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Consider how we might continue to learn more about the similarities to and differences from our own celebrations.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Jesus' Way of Nonviolence Webinar
The second in the series of four webinars from the
Catholic Nonviolence Initiative is scheduled for October 11 at 9 am (ET). Speakers will explore how recent experiences of nonviolence help illuminate our understanding of Jesus' way of engaging conflict. The one-hour webinar will include an introduction by moderator Ken Butigan, senior lecturer in the Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies Program at DePaul University in Chicago, as well as brief presentations by Fr. Jamal Khader, Rector of the Latin Patriarchate Seminary in Jerusalem; Sr. Anne McCarthy, OSB, Retreat director and and justice activist; Dr. Terry Rynne, Professor of Peace Studies and founder of the Center for Peacemaking at Marquette University. There will also be time for questions and comments from participants.
Register here.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Nonviolence and Disarmament
Disarmament Week is celebrated every year from October 24-30. It was founded by the UN in 1978 to create awareness about the dangers of the arms race, the need for reducing weapons and how it affects the environment. The goal is to control, reduce, and eventually abolish weapons of mass destruction. The
Vatican has also spoken out on this issue.
Resources for prayer and reflection.
Take action.
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The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times.
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 Shalom News North America is an e-publication of the Shalom North America Contacts (SNAC) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame - Arlene Flaherty, Allyn Horton, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at
tdewane@ssndcp.org.
Please only print this e-publication if necessary.
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