March 2020 |
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CORONAVIRUS
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LET US PRAY
- May we who are inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
- May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
- May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between their health or making their rent.
- May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when schools close remember those who have no options.
- May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no safe place to go.
- May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
- May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country and world, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.
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CHANGEMAKERS
Changemakers Workshop in Philadelphia, scheduled for April 4, is cancelled.
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ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES
DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
As we hunker down in our homes, this is a great time to take advantage of online opportunities that we might otherwise not have time for. Here are a couple to consider.
Women Deacons - A Conversation with Phyllis Zagano
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Phyllis Zagano |
Phyllis Zagano,
an internationally recognized expert on the history of the women's diaconate in the Catholic Church and a member of the Papal Commission on Women Deacons, is hosting a Zoom conversation on women deacons.
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 25 at 7:30pm, EDT
Game Changer Intensive - 
An 8 Session Online Educational Program
At this tumultuous time in human history, it has become increasingly clear that political, economic and social systems across the globe are set up to benefit the few at the cost of the many. What's needed is for a critical mass of citizens to step up, individually and collectively. The
Game Changer Intensive
is a powerful training program that catalyzes both the inner and outer resources needed to engage in effective action in the world.
Over an 8 week period, participants from throughout the world delve into a wealth of resources - videos, readings, and activities - delivered through an online platform that allows you to explore the course content on your own schedule and interact with others in lively online discussions.
WHEN: Starts March 31
DEADLINE to REGISTER: this Sunday, March 22
Pandemic and the Common Good.
This article by Kelly Johnson, theology professor at the University of Dayton, can help put a perspective on Covid-19, plus give you something to do - Read!
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DEATH PENALTY & RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
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Sr. Grace Walle, FMI |
Holy Week 2020 - A Time for Just Mercy
You may have heard of the new movie Just Mercy... The movie/book is a thought-provoking true story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his history-making battle for justice.
After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation.
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JUST MERCY Trailer
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One of his first cases is Walter McMillian, who in 1987 was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence. While the movie portrays a gritty reality of prison life, the Florida bishops have indicated that this movie also puts a human face on the crisis facing America's prison population and the reform that is needed. The Diocese of Pensacola -Tallahassee credits Stevenson for inspiring them to open the Joseph House, a ministry for ex-offenders seeking to help reintegrate them into society.
As I reflected on the title, Just Mercy, and background of the movie, I thought it provided a theme for our Anti-Death Penalty Restorative Justice Issue Team's annual Holy Week letter. (Read more...)
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LGBT INITIATIVE
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IMMIGRANT JUSTICE 
Act Now to Protect the Dreamers
Right now, approximately 700,000 DACA recipients are anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). A decision on the future of DACA could come any time between now and June. To tell the Senate to protect Dreamers before this decision,
click here
.
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WOMEN & JUSTICE 
International Women's Day - March 8
On March 8, the Women & Justice Team, along with members of the Anawim Marianist Lay Community, joined
with other Catholic activists in front of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati to witness for women's full equality in the Catholic Church.
The crowd gathered outside this church to symbolize the place where the hierarchy has left women for hundreds of years.
 Many people present were dressed
in white in keeping with the spirits of the suffragists.
Many carried signs calling for "Women's Equality Now", "We Are the Change", and "Impatience is a Virtue!"
After reading Matthew 5:14-16 and lighting candles, participants recited together
"
The Dangerous Women Creed
".
When the closing song (
We Are Called
) ended, a rainbow appeared over the Cathedral - even though there had been no rain!.
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ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY 
MEEC Resources
The entire material universe speaks of God's love and boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.
(Pope Francis, Laudato Si #84)
During this time of greater physical isolation, encountering God's caress in nature can be a special gift for us this Lent and springtime. The
Marianist Environmental Education Center recommends these resources for use in your own backyard or local park:
 Coronavirus, Earth Day, Laudato Si C
onnections
The global solidarity and sacrifices we are experiencing in addressing the coronavirus are also needed to continue to address global climate change.
April 22 marks the 50th Anniversary of EarthDay, and May 18 - 24th has been declared Laudato Si Week, celebrating its 5th anniversary. The theme for EarthDay 2020 is Climate Action.
Check out the many resources and actions you can get involved with to address climate change:
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EVENTS
Poor People's Campaign Comes to Dayton
The Poor People's Campaign:
A National Call for Moral Revival is doing a 25-state
We Must Do More national tour. This tour will lead up to the Mass Poor People's Assembly & Moral March on Washington. Thousands of poor people and moral agents will gather at the nation's capitol on June 20 to demand the implementation of their Moral Agenda and call all people of conscience to engage in deeply moral civic engagement and voting that cares about the poor, the sick,
immigrants, workers, the environment, people with disabilities, first nations, the LGBTQIA+ community, and peace over war. Dayton is hosting a stop on this tour.
WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 5:30pm-8:30pm
WHERE: 380 S Broadway St.
NOTE:
Check the website closer to the date to see if this event is cancelled.
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 MSJC NEWS
MSJC is Seeking a New Chair
The MSJC Steering Committee is soliciting nominations for a new chair starting in 2021. Bro. Frank O'Donnell, the current chair, will be stepping down at that time. If you know someone who might be a strong candidate, or if you are interested in being considered yourself, please complete our nomination form.
Deadline for submitting a nomination is March 31.
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A THOUGHT TO PONDER
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| Cesar Chavez |
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History will judge societies and governments and their institutions not by how big they are or how well they serve the rich and powerful but how effectively they respond to the needs of the poor and the helpless.
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Questions, comments, or feedback for
Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt
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