JUSTICE JOTTINGS
July 2021
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WELCOME TO 2 NEW ISSUE TEAM MEMBERS
Two people have joined our issue teams recently. Here are the stories of how and why they decided to get involved. Michael Watts joined the Death Penalty Abolition/Restorative Justice Team and Perico Perez (from Argentina–our first international issue team member) joined the LGBT Initiative Team.
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Michael Watts story:
I am currently a licensed clinical social worker and spent the majority of the past five to six years working in jails and prisons with people accused of crimes, from simple misdemeanors to some of the most heinous crimes imaginable.
One thing I realized early on was that, despite the alleged crime, these were still people worthy of dignity and respect. It was through my conversations with inmates that I was drawn back to God and found myself applying to seminary and converting to Catholicism.
After beginning seminary, I struck up a conversation with one of my professors about his past work in mitigation on capital defense cases. The work sounded extremely interesting, and I wanted to know more. My professor introduced me to a woman who was currently working with one of the capital defender agencies here in Atlanta, GA and, after our first few conversations, I was hooked.
I started searching for all of the information that I could find about capital defense and the death penalty.
Not long thereafter, I happened upon the Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Issue Team. So, I took a chance and sent an email asking to join the team and was ecstatic when I received a response. I can’t say enough about how fortunate I feel to have met the people in this group and I look forward to working with them towards abolishing the death penalty!
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Perico Perez’ reflections, “My Creation and My Destiny”
My name is José Luis Pérez, but I’m internationally known as “Perico” - a nice nickname I received many years ago when I was a sophomore at the “Colegio Marianista de Buenos Aires.” I’ve considered myself a fully lay Marianist since then.
In these many years, I’ve been a Marianist missionary in the north of my country, I accompanied Marianist youth groups and 2 young MLCs (many years ago!), I volunteered with the Marianist volunteer program in Dayton, OH in the mid/late 90s, I ran the Marianist International Volunteers program (VIM) for almost 10 years, I coordinated more than 10 UD study-abroad programs in Buenos Aires, and since 2001 I’ve been a translator for many SM and MLC international meetings, from Rome to Paris, Bordeaux, Nairobi, Lima and Seoul!
One new ministry I assumed last year is participation on the Marianist LGBT Initiative Team. I heard about this prophetic movement in Lima, where I travelled as a translator for an MLC International Assembly. It was a true blessing for my “outing” process, which was taking place precisely in those months. The idea of an existing LGBT Team in the Marianist Family, with its obvious recognition and acceptance, was the sole reason why I decided back then to STAY in my Marianist Family, and not to leave, because of who I am. (Read more…)
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ADELE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
Do You Know a Young Adult with a Call to Serve?
Do you know a young adult with a passion for justice within the Marianist tradition? The Adele Social Justice Project is currently seeking nominations for their Core Team, and we need your help!
If you know someone under the age of 40 who you think would be a good candidate for the ASJP Core Team, please fill out this anonymous online form. We will contact the person you nominate and see if they are interested. You are also free to nominate yourself if you are a young adult interested in serving on ASJP! Contact Sarah Gray at sarah.marianist@gmail.com or Sr. Gabby Bibeau at bibeaugk@gmail.com with questions.
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IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
ACT NOW - Urge Congress to Create a Pathway to Citizenship this Summer
- millions of essential workers and their families,
- Dreamers,
- TPS holders
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DEATH PENALTY &
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Floridians Take Note - Working to Abolish the Death Penalty in Florida
For a number of years, the Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice (DP-RJ) team has collaborated with other state abolition groups, such as Ohioans To Stop Executions (OTSE) and the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP), in order to increase our reach and effectiveness.
In June, two members of the DP-RJ team met with leaders of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) to discuss how we could collaborate. FADP is a Florida-based, state-wide organization of individuals and groups working together to end the death penalty in Florida. (Read more…)
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WOMEN & JUSTICE
Reminder:
Seeking Justice & Inclusion for Women in the Church
WHEN: – Thursday, July 22, 7:30 pm (EDT)
You and members of your community are invited to join the Women and Justice Team on the feast of Mary of Magdalene for a prayerful dialogue exploring how both men and women might respond to this issue. RSVP to msjc.women@gmail.com to get the Zoom link.
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ENVIRONMENT
Laudato Si' and the US Catholic Church
Just announced: We’re All Part of God’s Plan(et) is a national Laudato Si’ awareness and engagement campaign for US Catholics to care for creation and participate in the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
In addition:
Plan now to also join the global Christian family using the resources for Season of Creation (Sept 1st - Oct 4th). The 2021 theme - A Home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God, invites our prayer and actions before the 2 major global meetings:
- the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November, and
- the UN Biodiversity Conference in October.
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LGBT INITIATIVE
Trans 101 Workshop – Still Time to Register
This 90-minute workshop will explore questions you may have concerning the inclusion of our transgender family, friends and community members.
It will be offered twice - Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm EDT and Sunday, August 8 at 7:00pm EDT.
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Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.
G.D. Anderson
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Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt
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