JUSTICE JOTTINGS
May 2021
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Going Well, But Have You Contributed?
Our special fundraising campaign – Forging a Future for Justice – has already raised over $43,000 toward our goal of $60,000. Thanks to all who have contributed. If you have not yet contributed, click here to make an easy online donation (or make a pledge and send in a check).
Special thanks to several communities who have made generous contributions.
- Philadelphia SM Community
- Chambers St. SM Community in Dayton
- Visitation Marianist State Community)
Has your Marianist community considered a community gift?
We’re close to our goal. Help get us over the top by making your contribution today.
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Juneteenth 2021 – An Evening of Prayer,
Songs and Dialogue on Overcoming Racism
WHAT: Join us for our second annual observance by the Marianist Family of Juneteenth, the day African Americans celebrate their freedom from slavery.
WHEN: Thursday, June 17, 7:00-8:30 (CDT)
WHERE: Zoom Conference
WHY: This is a time for all of us to recommit to do our part toward ending racism. Come be inspired, be challenged, be supported in this important cause.
INFO: To see the flyer and register, click here. Spread the word!
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LGBT Retreat
WHAT: LGBT Initiative annual retreat Bread for the Journey: Made* Blessed* Broken* Shared. Our presenter will be Dr. Craig Ford, a moral theologian at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. This retreat is for LGBTQ+ persons, their families, and allies.
WHEN: July 30 to August 1
Note that the early bird registration discount ends June 1
WHERE: Daylesford Abbey Spirituality Center in Paoli, PA. There are also spots to attend the retreat virtually if you cannot be there in person!
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Facilitating Peacemaking Circles
WHY: At all levels of our society - families, neighborhoods, faith communities - we benefit from practices that help us to listen more deeply to each other.
An example of such a practice is the 'circle process' used to facilitate restorative justice. Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) is offering an opportunity to learn more about the circle process through a "Restorative Circle Intensive".
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WHEN: Saturday, June 12, 11:00-5:30 (ET).
WHERE: Zoom Conference
INFO: The CMN webpage has information about this online workshop, which is "ideal for Catholic ministry leaders who wish to build a deeper understanding of restorative justice practices in their diocese, networks, ministries, and communities." See video at right.
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LGBTQ Prayer Service for Pride Month
WHAT: New Ways Ministry is hosting Catholic LGBTQ Pride with an interactive prayer service. The theme will be “From the Smallest of Seeds…” referring to the gospel for the day – Mark’s account of the parable of the mustard seed.
WHEN: Sunday, June 13, 3:00-4:00 pm (EDT).
WHERE: Zoom Conference
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DEATH PENALTY / RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Encounter, Accompany, Listen, Learn
Bob Stoughton, longtime member of the Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team, reflects about what each of us must do in response to the George Floyd murder and Derek Chauvin conviction.
,,,,,“...a year ago, in the days following George Floyd’s killing,
,,,,,,Pope Francis, Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference ,,,,,of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and seven bishop chairmen of committees ,,,,,within the USCCB all.issued statements and public prayers. In a short ,,,,,video the Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) reflected that the #1
,,,,,takeaway from.these pronouncements is that we must “encounter,
,,,,,accompany, listen to, and learn from” those who “historically have
,,,,,been disenfranchised.”
,,,,,Might these steps – encountering, accompanying, listening, learning – be ,,,,,useful for someone discerning what he or she can do? More to the point, ,,,,,might they be useful in efforts to understand and implement what the CMN ,,,,,calls “true justice?” My answer to both questions is a qualified “Yes.”
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WOMEN & JUSTICE
The Way of the Cross with the Women of the World
The Women and Justice Team asks you to ponder The Way of the Cross with the Women of the World by Carol Pisani. (Available in booklet form here.)
Although we have completed the Lenten season, we ask you to ponder the privilege of walking along on Jesus’ journey as he carried his cross to Calvary. This prayer is designed to walk mindfully in solidarity with women…through moments of prayer, contemplation, and reflection…to see with new eyes the worldwide suffering today.
Cynthia Bourgeault invites us to consider the meaning of the passion from a wisdom perspective, not as a spectator watching what Jesus did, but understanding what each of us is called to do: “From a wisdom point of view, what can we say about the passion? The key lies in…reading Jesus’s life as a sacrament: a sacred mystery whose real purpose is not to arouse empathy but to create empowerment.”
Introductory Guide on the Women’s Diaconate
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LGBT INITIATIVE
Trans 101 Workshop – Is Your Community Interested?
The Trans Advocacy Committee invites Marianist communities to participate in our new Trans 101 Workshop that explores questions concerning the inclusion of our trans family and community members. Many of us wonder about some of these issues:
- Are there more than two genders?
- Is gender fixed or fluid?
- What is gender identity?
- What does it mean when your gender identity doesn’t match the sex listed on your birth certificate?
- Is trans identity at odds with our faith?
We hope that Marianist communities – lay and religious - will participate in this workshop, which is led by a well-informed teacher. The workshop is 1½ hours long via Zoom. Schedule a workshop for your community now by emailing us at msjclgbt@gmail.com.
Please put Trans 101 in the subject line and suggest several dates and times.
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ENVIRONMENT
Creation Care Prayer Network
The Creation Care Prayer Network is made up of Catholics from all over the world who, like you, pray for the healing of our common home.
Join the network and connect with other environmentally concerned Catholics.
It's free - sign up here!
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SEED GRANTS
Do You Have a Project that Needs Additional Funds?
The Marianist Visitation State Community is a community of vowed lay Marianists who have a long history of serving the Marianist Family. As an expression of our commitment to "do whatever he tells you" in support of Mary's mission to respond to the needs of the world, we have put some of the resources with which we have been blessed at the service of others through Seed Grants.
In previous years, we have provided financial assistance for an intergenerational retreat on social justice, Changemakers program speakers and a challenge grant for the Marianist Lay Community of North America (MLC-NA). The application process is now open for 2021. We want to enable small communities and fledgling service projects to thrive and respond to the needs of the young and the poor, and to engage in the struggle for peace and justice.
Applications are due by Tuesday August 31, 2021 and will be evaluated by a subcommittee from the community. Grant recipients will be notified by the end of October. Grants of $1000 - $5000 will be awarded by year end.
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Alone in the dark, I feel like I am falling.
Falling to some place I cannot see. But I can feel it.
Suddenly, the falling stops.
And the darkness is interrupted by a brilliant light.
In the middle of that light is the most beautiful lady I have ever seen
And I know that it is Mary.
I was pondering what it is like to lose a loved one.
And I think it is like falling into an endless pit.
And the anger. Oh, the anger!
I mean, how could God let this happen?
But don't worry. You will fall right into His outstretched hand.
Janet Hoben
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Wondering what to do with a government relief check? If you don't need it for necessities, consider donating it to MSJC.
Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt
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