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 As we move through this Lenten season, a time of reparation and renewal, may these words from the Earth Charter and
Laudato Si' affirm our efforts and our hope. "Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life." (207)
Thank you for all you do to make a difference in our world!
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Shalom North America Contacts
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Integrity of Creation
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 World Wildlife Day - 3/3
The animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value (
Laudato Si' #33, 36, 140) and contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development.
World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. This year's theme is 'Big cats: predators under threat'.
Learn more,
ideas for action.
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Integrity of Creation
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 International Day of Forests - 3/21
On this day we celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. This year's theme 'Forests for sustainable cities,' focuses on how forests and trees in urban areas regulate temperature and water flows, provide nutritious foods and shelter, cleanse the air and foster community cohesion and individual well-being.
Learn more/ideas for action.
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Integrity of Creation
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 World Water Day - 3/22
The UN established World Water Day to help draw international attention to water issues every country faces. This year's theme,
Nature-based solutions illuminates the potential that exists to solve many of our global water challenges. Take a moment to read and reflect upon
this fact sheet about solutions to world water shortages.
Learn more/ideas for action.
Prayer/reflection resources.
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Integrity of Creation
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 Earth Hour - 3/24 (8:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Local Time)
Climate change poses a fundamental threat to everything we love. Melting glaciers, rising sea levels and new and more frequent weather extremes will leave no continent untouched with impacts already being felt by many communities and ecosystems worldwide. Around the globe, millions of people, businesses and landmarks set aside this hour every year to switch off their lights and commit to some positive action regarding climate change. What ideas might be enlightened in you in an hour of reflective darkness?
Learn more/ideas for action.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Youth Leaders Discuss SDGs at the United Nations
More than 1000 youth leaders from over 100 countries gathered at the UN to develop creative solutions to shape a better world and help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The global education goal, SDG 4, was a primary focus for many of the discussions during this assembly.
Learn more.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 International Women's Day - 3/8
"On International Women's Day, let us all pledge to do everything we can to overcome entrenched prejudice, support engagement and activism, and promote gender equality and women's empowerment." - UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. Read about progress and challenges in gender equality, watch this video on the value of unpaid word. Consider this powerful reflection resource, and these ideas for action.
The sixty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York from March 12-23, 2018 with a priority focus on empowering rural women and girls. Learn more.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Dreamers at Risk
Congress' failure to pass a permanent solution to protect Dreamers leaves the status of millions in doubt as we approach the March 5 deadline for the expiration of DACA. While the expiration of DACA might be delayed due to a court injunction, the reality is Dreamers are at risk until Congress acts. Urge Congress to act - call (1-855-589-5698) or send an email.
Consider this reflection resource, Journey of a Man of Sorrows, a contemporary Stations of the Cross which invites us to reflect on the journey of an immigrant toward "el Norte."
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Human Life and Dignity
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 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21, recalling on that day, in 1960, when police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. This year's theme is
Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination.
Learn more,
ideas for action.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Harvest Without Violence
The SSND supported National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) has adopted a statement of support for the Harvest Without Violence efforts of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW). While there may be a new awareness of the sexual harassment of women in the entertainment and political arenas, farm worker women have lived under the reality and threat of this violence for decades. NFWM supports CIW's efforts to eliminate violence against women and their ongoing work to expand the Fair Food Program. They also continue to support CIW's boycott of Wendy's, the last major fast food company not to sign on to the Fair Food Program.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Farmworker Awareness Week (3/24 - 3/31)
85% of our fruits and vegetables are handpicked. There are an estimated 2-3 million men, women and children working in the fields in the United States. The people who plant and harvest our fruits and vegetables suffer from the highest rate of toxic chemical injuries and have higher incidences of heat stress, dermatitis, various infections and other illnesses than other wage earners. And pay and working conditions often do not meet even the most basic standards. Learn more, send a note of appreciation to the farmworkers who harvest our food.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Birthday of Cesar Chavez - 3/31
Cesar Chavez was a Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association which later became the United Farm Workers. He focused attention on the plight of migrant farm workers and gained support to have his organization be the first successful farm workers' union in the United States. He used principles of non-violence with strikes and boycotts.
More information on Chavez' life and work.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Call for Action to Prevent Gun Violence (LCWR)
Our prayers go out to the families in Parkland, and to all those around the country, who have lost loved ones to gun violence. We grieve with mothers and fathers whose children are victims of senseless killing made easy by the proliferation of guns and a pervasive culture of violence. We call our elected officials to immediately take up legislation that: requires universal background checks and mandatory waiting periods for all gun purchases; bans civilian ownership of high-capacity weapons and magazines; and makes gun trafficking a federal crime. Read the entire
LCWR statement and the
U.S. Bishops' statement. Consider this
Prayer for Students Against Gun Violence and the
Voices of the Gun Violence Debate reflection resource. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence has a
Myths vs. Fact Sheet on mental illness and guns and some
ideas for action.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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International Women's Day Peace Campaign
In anticipation of International Women's Day (3/8), the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and Pax Christi International are inviting women to
sign this online postcard to Pope Francis thanking him for his leadership in affirming the gospel call to nonviolence and just peace and for his consistent appeal for nuclear disarmament and an end to the arms trade. All messages will be delivered to the Vatican on March 8.
Learn more.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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International Day of Happiness - 3/20
In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which recognized happiness as a "fundamental human goal" and called for "a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples" and not just growing the economy. In 2012 the first ever
UN conference on Happiness took place and the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which decreed that the International Day of Happiness would be observed every year on March 20. It was celebrated for the first time in 2013. What brings you happiness? How can you bring happiness today?
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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, 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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