JUSTICE JOTTINGS
November 2020
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Thanks to those who donated to MSJC this past year.
Abel, Patricia
Andrews, Mike & Mary
Bede, Louis
Berns, Bill & Joanne
Bishop, Chris &
__Suzanne
Blasi, Anthony
Bohmer Stewart,
__Christine
Bollman, Jason &
__Kerryanne
Bonutti SM, Giancarlo
Buescher, Bob &
__Charlette
Burke, Jack
Cade, Eugene
Cape May Marianists
Cardilino, Nick
Cassidy SM, Ted
Cavanaugh, Marge
Chambers St. Com.
Cimprich, John &
__Vickie
Davidson, Ashley
De Monaco, Frank
Donovan SM, Bob
Ernst, Patrick
Ford, Jim
Forlani SM, Victor
Frost, Veronica
Fucci, Anthony
Garascia, Tony & Beth
Geisel, Marie
Giardino SM, Tom
Gonzales, Jenee
Governers Island Com.
Green, Mallory
Griswold, Jacqui
Hacker, Kevin
Halderman, Brian
Hanley, Julie
Hernandez, Jesse
Hirt, Bill & Ann
Holden, John & Mary
__Beaudoin
Holland, Peter
Honeywell, Wally &
__Winnie
Hutson, Lisa
Iiames, William
Irwin, Marjean
Krissek, Eric & Melanie
Lachmann, Phil
Lebedda, John
Leger, Brad
Lisjak, George &
__Margy
Majka, Theo
Manahan SM, John
Marianist League-Pgh.
Martens, Frank
McGough-Csarny,
__Janet
McKloskey, Judy
Miller, Glenn & Gail
Naveau, Matt &
__Meghann
O'Brien, Kay & Harry
Olson, Lauren
Olson, James &
__Bernadette
Ordower, Connie
Orlowicz, Pam & Chuck
Petratis, Ann
Place, Janet
Ranciglio, Kristine
Reavey, Brian
Reilly, Marceta
Reyes, Rudy
Solow, Adam
Spring SM, Tom
St. Louis School
Stone, Kay & Harry
Stone, Simon & Sarah
Stoughton, Bob
Trimboli, Teresa
Ullrich, Dick
Vanderhoof, Mary
Vehorn, Chuck
Visitation State Com.
Vogt, Jim & Susan
Wagner, Terry
Wasno, Mike
White, Kenneth
Zappacosta, Linda
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WHY WE SUPPORT
MSJC
In our 'busy years' with 4 young children we've paused on most of our direct involvement with causes and issues.
Chris & Tina Nieport with 3 of their
4 sons - Avery, Isaac, and Thane
Instead we have temporarily turned inward as we do our best to cultivate kind, fair-minded, generous little hearts. With eyes on Mary, we know that justice is dawning like the morning star.
That's what sets MSJC apart from so many other justice organizations: a sure hope in God's pleasure at accomplishing good by collaborating with human beings, just like the Spirit did with Mary.
In these troubled times, it's easy to sink into despair or fear, but there is an underlying tone of hope in the MSJC newsletter and events. It helps us keep our chin up. We continue to support MSJC financially year after year, knowing that soon our little ones will be old enough to more clearly understand and participate in these good works as a family.
Join the Nieport’s -
Help Keep MSJC Working. Donate Today
We invite you to make a contribution today to help sustain MSJC’s commitment to justice. Our Fall 2020 fundraising appeal kicks off soon. We are inspired by the many donors who contributed last year with generous gifts. See the list in the left column. Thank you!
Our faith calls us to educate and advocate for solutions to some of the most pressing social issues of our time. Your support makes it possible for all of us to
- Work more effectively for immigrant justice
- Root out the vestiges of racism in our Marianist Family and our society
- Promote ways to welcome our LGBT brothers and sisters to the table
- Advocate for justice for women in our church and world
- Engage people in environmental concerns and sustainable solutions
- Advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and the adoption of restorative justice practices
- Strengthen our vibrant national network of young adult lay Marianists.
OR you can mail a check to our office: MSJC, 523 E. Southern Ave., Covington, KY 41015.
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ALTERNATIVE GIFT GIVING
In this time of holiday giving, consider gifts that advance social justice and care for the earth.
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Fair Trade Resources: Compiled by University of Dayton’s Fair Trade Coalition and students in the Human Rights Center:
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DEATH PENALTY
"The Death Penalty is Inadmissible”
– Pope Francis (in Fratelli Tutti)
Now that Pope Francis has closed the door on Catholic support for the death penalty, how do we respond as the Federal government has recently reinstituted executions? MSJC is co-sponsoring an online discussion of this question with Bishop John Stowe, Bishop President of Pax Christi USA, Kristin Houlé Cuellar, Executive Director of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and Emma Tacke of the Catholic Mobilizing Network. What is being done and how we might unite more effectively as educated citizens?
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 29, 4:00 pm (Eastern Time)
MORE INFO: Click here for an information sheet with details about the program.
Virtual Prayer Vigils Against Federal Executions
The Catholic Mobilizing Network has organized virtual prayer vigils on the day of Federal executions. Sign up to participate here. Upcoming vigils are scheduled on Dec. 8 and Dec.10.
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RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Harm, Healing, and Human Dignity – A Reflection
Martha Hurley, a member of the MSJC Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice Team, shares her reflections on a new book about restorative justice.
- The racial tensions and riots that had become an all too common part of the American landscape;
- The political uncertainty and harmful rhetoric prevalent across the country as we moved into election season;
- The return to state-sanctioned violence via the death penalty at the federal level;
- The seeming lack of value placed on human life, across the spectrum, evident with COVID - in jails, prisons, in the streets, and homes.
The concept of harm seemed to dominate my ruminations in 2020. Then I read chapter one. It was short. It talked about restorative justice and faith and presented reflective questions for contemplation. The questions at end of the chapter were thoughtful, but it was the prayer I found that led to initial insight…. (Read more)
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WOMEN & JUSTICE
Support the Women’s Diaconate
The Women and Justice Team is urging you to sign a Public Affirmation of women who feel called to be a Deacon. One of the team members, Barb Belle, is participating with a group of very talented, well educated women who feel called to be a Deacon. This is not an officially organized group but they have started an effort to pray for the papal commission that is studying the possibility of the church welcoming the call of these women.
__We are Catholics who embrace the ministry of deacons,
__Witness the gifts of women for this ministry,
__and hope that our Church receives these women.
Click on the link to sign the statement. Click here for more background information and resources on the Diaconate for Women. If you would like to find even more information about the history and the current role of women deacons in the Church, please contact Barb Belle at msjc.women@gmail.com
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Women Theologians –
Leading Us to a Healthier Notion of God
Glenn Miller, a member of the Women and Justice Team, shares his reflections on how women theologians like Elizabeth Johnson can help us develop a healthier notion of God.
Boyle began by saying, “There’s nothing more consequential than our
notion of God (not God but our notion of God). Everything is utterly
dependent on how we see God. If our God is puny or restrictive or exacting or mean,
then that’s how we are going to be in the world. The invitation to us is to be in the
world who God is - compassionate, loving and kind.” Then he quotes Meister Eckhart
who said, “Any talk of God that does not comfort you is a lie.”
I have always had problems with atonement theology and its emphasis on sin
which tor too long has promoted a notion of God who is punitive and vengeful.
putting the work of the theologian Anselm in the context of the feudal society in
which he lived.
In refuting the negative elements of Anselm – that God’s justice demanded that
Jesus die to atone for our sins - she presents an understanding that emphasizes
the love and mercy of God. She goes on to present the Christian concept of
salvation as it applies to all of creation. Her notion of the connection between
salvation and creation is expressed in the subtitle, The Mercy of God for a Planet
in Peril.
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RACIAL JUSTICE
Statement on Anti-Racism from the Marianist Sisters
Read the powerful new statement on anti-racism from the Marianist Sisters of the Province of the United States. It commits them to “face racism and promote the adaptation and change needed to build a society where all are welcome in our common home.”
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There’s a Lot Happening
The folks on the LGBT Initiative Team have been busy, busy, busy over the last month. Click here for a brief summary of what’s been happening.
But they like staying busy!
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IMMIGRATION
Pope Francis on Immigration
Let us reflect on the words of Pope Francis, quoted from his new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, about how we should treat migrating persons.
Complex challenges arise when our neighbor happens to be an mmigrant. Ideally,
unnecessary migration ought to be avoided; this entails creating in countries of origin
the conditions needed for a dignified life and integral development.
Yet until substantial progress is made in achieving this goal, we are obliged to respect
the right of all individuals to find a place that meets their basic needs and those of their
families, and where they can find personal fulfilment.
Our response to the arrival of migrating persons can be summarized by four words:
- Welcome,
- Protect,
- Promote.
- Integrate.
For “it is not a case of implementing welfare programs from the top down, but rather of
undertaking a journey together, through these four actions, in order to build cities and
countries that, while preserving their respective cultural and religious identity, are open
to differences and know how to promote them in the spirit of human fraternity.”
(Paragraph 129)
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ENVIRONMENT
Resources for Enjoying this Autumn
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The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim Jesus with their mouths and deny Him with their actions is what an unbelieving world finds unbelievable.
Karl Rahner
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Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to Jim Vogt
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