VeryTopShalom News North America  

An instrument of hope, formation, and action

concerning priority matters of social justice.

In This Issue
COP 24
EPA Rule Changes
Migration Global Compact
National Migration Week
Racism Resources
Trafficking Prevention Month
Trafficking Legislation
Poverty Awareness
Religious Freedom
March for Life
Day of Peace Message
MLK Day
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January/2019
         
 
"The Incarnation does not provide us with a ladder by which to escape from the ambiguities of this life and scale the heights of heaven.  Rather it enables us to burrow deep into the heart of the planet Earth and find it shimmering with divinity." - Avery Dulles, S.J. 
 
Thank you for accompanying us on this journey.     
  
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Integrity of Creation              

COP 24 Outcomes      
Last month's COP 24 global climate summit gathered around 23,000 delegates to work out clearer mechanisms for implementing the Paris Agreement once it enters into force in 2020. The "rulebook" finalized during the last day of the summit provides common guidelines for climate action by signatories. It covers issues like setting and revision of climate goals, emissions tracking, and climate finance, among others. However, several issues remain, such as rules for carbon markets and trading, which have been deferred until next year. Some critics contend that the text was not forceful enough in demanding more urgent and ambitious action. Learn more.   
   
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Integrity of Creation              

EPA Rule Changes Could be Toxic      
On December 28, the Trump Administration proposed new rules designed to make it easier for coal-fired power plants to release more mercury and other pollutants (linked to developmental disorders and respiratory illnesses) into the atmosphere. The long-term impact of the proposal would be significant: It would weaken the ability of the E.P.A. to impose new regulations in the future by adjusting the way the agency measures the benefits of curbing pollutants, giving less weight to potential health gains. In announcing the proposed rule, the Environmental Protection Agency said that the cost of cutting mercury from power plants "dwarfs" the monetary benefits. Learn more.  

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Human Life and Dignity             

UN Global Compact for Migration Approved    
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is an intergovernmental agreement prepared under the auspices of the United Nations that covers "all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner." The non-binding compact provides some guidelines on how states can respond well to migration, both by addressing the reasons why people are migrating, and providing avenues on how migration can be safer and regulated. On December 10, 2018, the document was approved by 164 nations despite fierce opposition from the United States. Learn more. Relatedly, on December 17 the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a non-binding compact that provides more robust support for countries where most of the world's more than 25 million refugees live. Only the U.S. and Hungary voted in opposition. SSND Solidarity Reflection
 
What is the Global Compact for migration? 
What is the Global Compact for migration?


Human Life and Dignity               

National Migration Week      
Building Communities of Welcome is the theme for National Migration Week 2019, emphasizing our responsibility as Catholics to engage and welcome newcomers on their arrival, and help to ease their transition into a new life in the United States. Welcoming communities do not emerge by chance but are established through the hard work and conviction of people on the ground through direct service, shared experience and faith, advocacy, and institution building. Our Church invites us to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, children, and victims of human trafficking. Toolkit of resources.  
 
Fr. James Martin: What do we get wrong about migration?
Fr. James Martin: What do we get wrong about migration?
   


 
Human Life and Dignity               

Letter Against Racism - Resources for Reflection       
The USCCB Office of Education and Outreach is excited to present educational resources for grades K-12, higher education, and parish based resources including a bulletin insert, prayers of the faithful, scripture reflections, and a series of backgrounders. These resources give ample opportunity for communities to come together and heed the call of the pastoral letter, find conversion in our hearts and communities, and educate ourselves and our children about God's love for each of us which demands dignity for each person, regardless of their race, identity, or gender. Full text of the pastoral letter. 
 
Human Life and Dignity               

Human Trafficking Prevention Month       
In 2011, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation designating each January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The anniversary of this proclamation, celebrated on January 11, became known as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. While slavery was officially abolished in the U.S. by the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution in December 1865, it continues to exist in a variety of forms today. The U.S. is a source, transit, and destination country for modern slave labor and the sexual exploitation of women, men, and children. Learn more, prayer resource.

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Human Life and Dignity              

Trafficking Legislation     
Before concluding their session, Congress passed the new Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act. The legislation preserves and expands essential services and protections for survivors of trafficking. It includes training and education so employees of the travel and hospitality industries can better recognize children and adults who may be trafficked; provides for reintegration programs for the victims of trafficking; and creates a new grant program to help bring anti-trafficking educational outreach to America's schools. Learn more
 
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Human Life and Dignity              

Poverty Awareness Month (January) 
During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor! In addition to this daily calendar, longer daily reflections are also available. Share this liturgical aid with parish leaders to incorporate Poverty Awareness Month into the liturgy. All of these resources are also en Español. You can sign up to have the daily reflections emailed to you during Poverty Awareness Month. Did you know PovertyUSA has a curriculum for talking to kids and young adults about poverty? Check out the ready-made handouts, lessons, reflections, and exercises (en Español) to help introduce the root causes of poverty, how it impacts real people every day, and how we are called to work for an end to poverty together.  
 
Human Life and Dignity              

National Religious Freedom Day (1/16)   
Part of the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of a religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The Constitution and laws guarantee Americans the right not just to believe as they see fit, but to freely exercise their religion. Religious diversity strengthens our communities and promotes tolerance, respect, understanding, and equality. Faith breathes life and hope into our world. We must diligently guard, preserve, and cherish this unalienable right. 
     
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Human Life and Dignity               

March for Life (1/18)   
The annual March for Life in Washington, DC is promoted as the world's largest pro-life event. While the overall vision of the organizing groups is "a world where the beauty and dignity of every human life are valued and protected," the focus of the march is most often limited to opposing legalized abortion - pro-birth. While that is important, it is only one aspect of pro-life which should also include prenatal counseling, affordable child care, affordable health care, early childhood education, even elder care in a world where every human life is valued and protected, from womb to tomb. 

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Peace and Non-Violence              

Pope Francis' World Day of Peace Message   
Good politics is at the service of peace. Pope Francis begins his World Day of Peace message with this title and the quote from Luke's gospel, "Peace be to this house!" He then presents the challenge of good politics, political vices, participation of the young and trust in others, and finally a no to war and to the strategy of fear. Pope Francis says the challenge of peace "entails a conversion of heart and soul; it is both interior and communal; and it has three inseparable aspects - peace with oneself, peace with others, and peace with all creation." Reflection resource, full Peace Day message
              
Peace and Non-Violence              

Martin Luther King Jr. Day    
On January 21, we will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States. Dr. King's example of non-violent protest and the peaceful pursuit of justice reminds us all that justice is not simply the existence of equal rights - it is a matter of the heart, and of encountering others with dignity. As Coretta Scott King has shared, "The Holiday provides a unique opportunity to teach young people to fight evil, not people, to get in the habit of asking themselves, 'what is the most loving way I can resolve this conflict?'" May we all learn to expose and counter injustice with love, for that is the only way to peace. Prayer service.  
 

The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times. 

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

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