JUSTICE JOTTINGS May 2022

UPCOMING MSJC EVENTS

MSJC Systemic Racism Follow Up Dialogue Dates: Monday, May 23 or Tuesday, May 31 What: MSJC is hosting two follow up discussions centered around our recent Systemic Racism Training which was facilitated by Crossroads Anti-Racism and Organizing. Both of these times lots will be the same session, but we are offering two different time slots to get as many people there as possible. You can attend this event even if you were not present at the initial training in February. Please join us for this vital conversation where MSJC will determine our organizational next steps in the work of anti-racism.  There are especially a lot of openings for the May 31st session.

Register for One Follow Up Dialogue Date!

Save the Date: MSJC 2022 Giving Day Date: June 8, 2022 What: MSJC is going to have a special one-day Giving Day on June 8th. More details to come, on social media and in your inbox, so please stay tuned and consider giving a gift to our work!

MSJC REFLECTIONS & RESOURCES

ADELE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT Another Name for Everything Podcast Group Reflection By Josh Romo This past Lent, I had the unique opportunity to journey with a virtual community of eleven other men and women through the first season of “Another Name for Every Thing,” a podcast from the Center for Action and Contemplation based on Fr. Richard Rohr’s recent book, “The Universal Christ.” The 15-episode season covered a wide variety of topics, but centered on the six opening themes of “The Universal Christ." These themes are gateways themselves, but my one-line summary that I was left with to ponder and celebrate over Easter was: “Who is Christ? And who am I (are we) because of Christ?” . (Read more here...)

WOMEN & JUSTICE Now is the Time: Our Church has Invited Us to Speak Up! Reflection by Barb Belle The Women and Justice Issue team held a virtual prayer and discussion titled: A Church for Our Daughters on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. While not a large group, the mix of vowed religious and laity allowed for some personal sharing of about our experiences of the Synod process. We creatively and audaciously explored the question: What do you hope the Church will look like in 5-10 years? Every participant was very engaged! Marceta Fleming Reilly of the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC) presented about the report that will be sent to Vatican from the IO-MLC. (Read more here...)

Watch April Synod Event Recording Here!

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE Linked below is an article discussing the struggle that the Biden administration is experiencing in ending hardline immigration policies nationally.

Plan to End Title 42 Meets Challenges

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE Support the Upcoming Fast & Vigil! Invitation by team member John Holden The Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty will continue for its 29th consecutive year outside the U.S. Supreme Court this summer in Washington, DC.  This event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Furman v. Georgia decision, in which the U.S. Supreme Court found the death penalty to be applied in an arbitrary and capricious manner.   MSJC has supported the Fast and Vigil in various ways over the years, including by participation of members of the Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice issue team.  You are encouraged to attend in person; registration is below! The organizers will again hold teach-ins each day, and (as with the last few years) will also broadcast them online for those who are not able to be present in-person.  (No need to register if planning to watch the teach-ins online.)  Information on the schedule of speakers, as well as how you can participate remotely, will be available in June on this website.

Register for the Annual Fast & Vigil in D.C.

INTEGRAL ECOLOGY Listening & Journeying Together - May 22nd-29th! The celebration guide highlights eco-spirituality, lifestyle and advocacy actions we can take, as we unite with global Catholics on the Laudato Si Action Platform and synodal path. Click here to learn more and register for events.  The newly-published Laudato Si’ Movement Prayer Book available in English and Spanish features multicultural prayers from around the world.  Other Resources for Taking Action It’s Time to Take Charge: Citizens Guide to Reducing Energy Waste from Environment America gives great tips to reduce energy waste and become more energy efficient in your home. Human Trafficking and Environmental Refugees from U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking explores climate migration and the rise of human trafficking after climate disasters.  Gardening with Native Plants - Marianist Environmental Education Center features resources including garden plans, attracting pollinators and the annual June plant sale catalog.  Lay Marianist and MSJC/MEEC Integral Ecology Team Member Susan Vogt writes ECO-TIPS with actions are ‘easy’ or ‘challenging’ to care for our common earth home and put Pope Francis’ vision in Laudato si and Fratelli tutti into action. Susan’s website compiles the past eco-tips. To sign up for Monthly Leadership ECO-TIPS click here. To sign up for Weekly individual ECO-TIPS click here.

Join Our Team! Looking for support in your environmental learning, sharing and taking action? The MEEC/MSJC Integral Ecology Team members welcome you to our monthly zoom-meetings. Contact Jennifer for more info: jmelkemarks@gmail.com

COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Seed Grant Application Process -- Supported by the Visitation Marianist State Community Do you have a project that needs additional funds? The Visitation Marianist State Community is a virtual community of vowed lay Marianist that have a long history of serving the Marianist family. We have committed to put our financial resources toward projects which may need assistance to get started or expand into a new area.  We are particularly committed to enabling small communities and fledgling service projects to thrive; to grow, and respond to the genuine needs of the young and the poor and to engage in the struggle for peace and justice.  The four project categories are: Strengthen Marianist Lay Communities and Network Assist in building the Catholic church Impact the faith and involvement of young adults in the church Social justice areas: Economic Justice, Environmental Justice and Human Rights The awards are granted each year to groups or ministries within the United States.  The proposed projects are submitted for consideration via an applications form. Applications are due by the end of August and are evaluated and awarded in November each year. Here are the projects that were awarded in 2021.

Seed Grant Application Form

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Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to us at marianistsocialjustice@gmail.com.