JUSTICE JOTTINGS

July 2020


MARIANIST LAY ASSEMBLY    

This Weekend - Still Time to Register
Don't miss the dynamic sessions planned for
the Virtual Assembly tomorrow & Sunday,
July 18-19.
The theme is "Turning Toward Justice." 
Check out the Assembly schedule.
To register click  Virtual Assembly Registration Form

NEW MSJC LEADERSHIP

There have been a number of changes in the volunteer leadership of MSJC. New blood means new life. 
Welcome and thank you all for your willingness to serve the Marianist Family in the cause of social justice. 

Katie Brossart
Katie Brossart
Chair of the Women & Justice
Team. member of the MSJC Steering Committee
Brian Halderman
Co-chair of the LBGT Initiative Team
Tim Kenney
Fr. Tim Kenney SM
Representative to the MSJC Steering Committee from the Marianist Province
WOMEN & JUSTICE 

Feast of Mary of Magdala 
and an Affirmation of Women  
Please join the MSJC Woman & Justice Team for: 
WHAT: a celebration of the Feast of Mary of Magdala,
virtual Happy Hour Prayer Party! 
WHEN: Wednesday July 22; 4:30 - 5:30 pm (EDT)
RSVP:  Send an email to [email protected] . 
      We will send you the Zoom link to join the  party.
MORE:  We'll meet again from 7:00 - 8:00 pm (EDT) for a liturgy hosted by Future Church. More information and registration is available at FutureChurch and on this flyer.
LGBT INITIATIVE 

New Video - Living our Marianist Charism: 
Embracing the LGBTQ+ Community
The LGBT Initiative Team has completed work on their new video and will have the premiere showing as part of the Lay Assembly tomorrow, July 18, at 3:30 pm EDT.  See information above on the Assembly schedule and how to register. 
Here is 
  • some background on the video that includes a link to the video (it will be live following the premiere showing) 
  • information about a Video Resource Guide that will help you and your community/group to prayerfully reflect on and dialogue about the message of the video.
Outreach 2020
Outreach 2020, an LGBT Catholic Ministry Conference scheduled in June at Fordham University, was postponed until next year due to the pandemic. 
Watch the 
Outreach 2020: Catholic Leaders Speak with the LGBTQ Community

YouTube video at right which shows some of the scheduled speakers.  
They offer messages of support and encouragement to their LGBTQ Catholic friends and those who minister with them. 
Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, introduces the video, and Ish Ruiz, co-chair of the LGBT Initiative and religious studies instructor at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, is the first person to speak.

Trans in the Eyes of God - Watch for It 
We will be concluding our special three-part series next week focusing of transgender persons and their relationship to God. Watch for the third installment in your inbox.
RACIAL JUSTICE 

Nicole Trahan FMI
Maureen O'Rourke

It's Official -  MSJC Has a New Issue Team on Racial Justice 
From its inception, MSJC has had a strong commitment to dismantling racism, as reflected in our 2015 statement, Calling the Marianist Family to Renounce the Sin of Racism . But now we have a team of committed volunteers who will take the lead in acting. The team is led by co-chairs Maureen O'Rourke and Sr. Nicole Trahan. 
Watch for updates in future issues of Justice Jottings.       

"Seeing White" Series Starts July 23   Seeing White
There is still time to register for this 8 session discussion series . For an overview of the series, Click here. 
Even if you're not able to take part, consider listening to the podcast . It's very good. 
DEATH PENALTY & RESTORATIVE JUSTICE     

Speak Out Against the Return of Federal Executions 
The federal government is restarting executions for the first time in 17 years. The first executions took place this week and the U.S. Department of Justice has another scheduled in August. Join with the US bishops in petitioning Attorney General Barr to stop Federal executions . 

In addition, visit the Catholic Mobilizing Network's website for more ways you can be involved.

ENVIRONMENT
 
has launched a new website, highlighting its new partnership with the UN Environmental Program (UNEP)  Faith for Earth Initiative
and the Parliament of the World's Religions.  FORE has long been the "go to" website, with resources ranging from overview essays and annotated bibliographies, to statements, engaged projects, and sacred texts of the world's religions. 
Collaborative initiatives with resources for faith communities include: 
  • The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative offers actions to address climate change and dialogues about the role of religion and the environmental dimensions of addressing COVID-19.  
  • The June 25th Faith for Earth Update provides links to these initiatives and recent virtual events including the June dedication of the Vatican's new Living Chapel which unites concepts of Nature, Art, Music and Architecture to inspire people to join together in caring for our world. 
We are all encouraged to engage in ecological restoration through planting trees and other native plants, and to create and support such sacred spaces of serene harmony inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
VOTING YOUR VALUES

Voting Your Values
This monthly series is aimed at helping you become more informed, conscientious, and involved in the November elections.            
  • Environmental Voter Project
    Environmental issues are important ones to consider in choosing the candidates you will support. Unfortunately, studies indicate that many environmentalists don't vote. Join this non-partisan effort to get more people who care about the environment to go to the polls. Click on video at right.
  • Democracy, Values and the 2020 Election:
    A Reflection Guide for Faith Communities       This nonpartisan guide, produced jointly by Faith in Public Life and Interfaith Power & Light, offers timely sections that address the following issues, several of which are ones that MSJC addresses: justice for immigrants, economic dignity, care for creation and climate change, racism and criminal justice reform, democracy and voting rights, health care and the coronavirus pandemic, and global peace building. Reflection questions are included to help spark conversation in your faith communities and to help prime questions addressed to candidates running for office.
COVID-19
 
The Pledge to Protect Others - From Pax Christi USA
Until a vaccine has been developed and testing is accessible and available to all, and because of my desire to protect family and friends and my wish not to cause harm to another's family or friends, I pledge: 
  • To follow the advice of healthcare workers and scientists about what I can do to help limit the suffering due to this virus
  • To protect others by observing stay-at-home orders and, whether specific orders are in place or not, continuing to limit my interactions and practice social distancing
  • To listen to the voices and expertise of those most vulnerable, those whose suffering is exacerbated because of the racism and social inequities that existed before this pandemic, and to value the dignity of all and stand in solidarity with those most at risk
  • To care for and advocate with those working in conditions that jeopardize their safety and those whose livelihoods are threatened because of the economic distress of this time 
  • To support those leaders who honor their responsibility for our communities by seeking ways to bring us together instead of tearing us apart
This pandemic has shown us just how intertwined our lives are, how intricately our own fate is bound to the fate of friends and strangers alike all around the world. Because of my belief in the inherent value of every person and the recognition that, in the end, we are all family to one another, I make this pledge.

Sign the pledge at  this link  
A THOUGHT TO PONDER

Oscar Romero
St. Oscar Romero
A church that does NOT 
 * provoke any crisis,
 * preach a gospel that does not unsettle, 
 * proclaim a word of God that does not get under anyone's skin
 * or a word of God that does not touch the real sin of the
    society in which it is being proclaimed: 
What kind of gospel is that?
            St. Oscar Romero



Questions, comments, or feedback 
for  Justice Jottings  can be sent to  Jim Vogt .