Shalom News North America
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An instrument of hope, formation, and action
concerning priority matters of social justice.
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Sustainable Lifestyles
Cry of the Earth
COP 15 - Biodiversity
COP 26 - Climate Change
Teachers
Mental Health
Day of the Girl
Poverty
Voices of Afghanistan
Who is my Neighbor?
Fratelli Tutti
Nonviolence
Civilize It
Restorative Justice
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Dear Friend,
“Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.”
- Fratelli Tutti #8
Thank you for all you do to promote justice, peace, and care for our common home in the SSND spirit of Shalom.
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Shalom North America Contacts
(Click here for a pdf version of this newsletter.)
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Laudato Si' Goal 4 - Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles
The goal Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of sufficiency, and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy. Actions in support of a simpler lifestyle could include reducing waste and recycling, adopting sustainable dietary habits (opting for a more plant-based diet and reducing meat consumption), greater use of public transport, active mobility (walking, cycling), and avoiding single-use items (e.g. plastic, etc.). Consider 10 Ways to Live Simply.
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In striving for simplicity, how is my spiritual life deepened? How can I foster the SSND charism of making one by adopting a simpler lifestyle?
Learn more about the Laudato Si' Goals and the Laudato Si' Action Platform here.
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SSND Zoom on the Cry of the Earth (10/4)
In support of our Congregation’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform Commitment, the SSND family is invited to come together to pray, reflect on, and share ways we can deepen our understanding of our Laudato Si’ Goal #1 – The Cry of the Earth. Join us on Monday, October 4 at 7pm (Eastern) for this virtual “Zoom” gathering which will include slide presentations, personal life stories, spiritual and theological resources, and a chance to meet one another across provinces. What better way to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the conclusion of the Season of Creation? No registration required. Download event flyer for connection information.
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COP 15 - The UN Biodiversity Conference (10/11-15)
At this first of two major UN Conferences on care for our common home, world leaders will address urgent policies needed to transform economic, social, and financial models that are contributing to dramatic biodiversity loss. Many scientists are warning that we are facing the tipping point of biodiversity loss on planet Earth. This dramatic reality is being called “The Sixth Extinction.” The ambassador of biodiversity loss is the monarch butterfly. The population of these iconic beauties has declined 80% in the last 20 years. Biodiversity is critical to the stability of Earth and all of us who participate in her community of life. Learn more about why biodiversity is so important and explore these six ways to protect biodiversity.
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COP 26 - UN Summit on Climate Change
Uniting the whole world to tackle climate change is the purpose for the COP 26 Summit being held in Glasgow, October 31- November 12, 2021. At this conference, countries will announce their latest plans to meet the goals of the Paris agreement to address climate change. The term COP stands for Conference of the Parties who are the signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1994. The meeting in Glasgow will be the 26th meeting of these parties, which is why it is called COP 26. Learn more by exploring this interfaith toolkit for COP 26 engagement.
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Let your voice be heard! Click here to sign the global Catholic Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition urging all leaders participating in the international climate talks to increase their commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure, and redirect subsidies toward responsible renewable energy and farming practices. Those in the U.S. can also sign the Catholic Petition for U.S. Climate Action which urges President Biden and members of Congress to work together to address the sources and threats of climate change.
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World Teachers' Day
World Teachers’ Day celebrates all teachers around the globe. Click here for a prayer resource. Today (10/1) at 2 pm (Eastern), the Board of Directors of Friends in Solidarity invites you to a “Virtual Teachers’ Day Celebration” to salute all teachers, especially the faculty and teachers in training at the Solidarity Teacher Training College in Yambio, South Sudan. Our own Sister Barbara Paleczny will be one of the presenters. Click here to register.
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World Mental Health Day (10/10)
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. Learn more and explore the World Health Organization's 2021 Mental Health Day resources here.
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International Day of the Girl (10/11)
The UN International Day of the Girl holds special significance for SSNDs. It reflects our commitment to education and breaking down the barriers that keep girls and women from reaching their full potential. This year’s theme, “Digital Generation. Our Generation.”, celebrates how far we have come with girls as technology trailblazers (see the stories here) and challenges us to see how far we have yet to go to address the gender divide in technological access. Learn more here. Let’s work to widen the pathways so that every girl everywhere can share their God-given gifts with the world.
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Eradicate Poverty (10/17)
The UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty aims to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries. According to Amnesty International, “Across the world, more than 900 million people suffer chronic hunger and more than a billion live in ‘slums’ or informal settlements that lack basic services. Every minute, a woman dies because of problems related to pregnancy. And more than 100 million children lack access to primary education. None of this is natural or inevitable; it is the result of decisions made by people in power. Choices and policies made by governments, corporations, and international institutions can drive and deepen poverty and that means those who make the choices and policies can be held to account. Click here for a prayer resource.
The SSND partnership with Beyond Borders in Haiti is a tangible example of successful programs that support people who are poor to achieve sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families. Click here to learn more.
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Voices of Afghanistan
With support from the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services, the Princeton University Office of Religious Life has launched “Voices of Afghanistan”, oral history interviews with Afghan refugees who shared their reflections on work with the US military, gender in Afghanistan, religious identities and persecution, conditions of their families in Afghanistan, resettling in the US, employment, education, and much more. Learn more and listen to these compelling testimonies here. The Justice for Immigrants Afghanistan Resource Page can be found here.
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Who is my Neighbor? Washington, Afghanistan and Haiti
The Archdiocese of Washington and the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University invite you to join them for three unique dialogues on the call of Fratelli Tutti to young people in our wounded Church and broken world on October 7, November 4, and December 2. Learn more/register.
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Fratelli Tutti - One Year Anniversary
Released last year on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Fratelli Tutti gives tender challenge to “all people of goodwill” in a world fractured by political and economic ideologies. Instead of seeing the person from another nation, religion or group as “other,” the Pope challenges us to see a neighbor, a brother and sister. Click here to read the entire commentary by Lindsay Weishar. You can find a variety of education and reflection materials on Fratelli Tutti here and here.
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International Day of Nonviolence (10/2)
We are reminded on the International Day of Nonviolence (observed on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday) of the deep call to active love over hate, to act for justice over passivity, to stand in solidarity over complacency. There are many great resources for nonviolence: Catholic Nonviolence Days of Action (more here); #KindnessMatters campaign (more here); Campaign Nonviolence through the work of Pace e Bene (more here). Don’t miss the beautiful art poster series on nonviolence from Campaign Nonviolence and the artist Rosie Davila (found here - it's free to download.) Consider joining the work of Pax Christi USA (here) or prayerfully consider the spiritual journey of the Vow of Nonviolence. Be the change you want to see in the world!
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Civilize It
Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics is a nonpartisan initiative from the USCCB that seeks to assist Catholics to counter polarization and division in Church and society by following the example of the Good Samaritan, who challenges us to “become neighbors to all” (Fratelli Tutti, no. 80). Along with a pledge to charity, clarity, and creativity, additional materials, including an examination of conscience, individual and communal reflection guides, action steps, and more, are available to empower individuals, families, and communities to be bridge-builders across perspectives. Resources to join this effort (in both English and Spanish) can be found at civilizeit.org.
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The SSND 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, Mary Carter Waren, 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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