June 23, 2022

“Let‘s please continue to pray and to tirelessly commit to peace.” (Pope Francis) Sunday, June 5 (Pentecost Sunday) marked 100 days since the invasion of Ukraine. Let us join our prayers with those of the Holy Father as we continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. We pray in a special way for all those affected by this conflict, those who have lost loved ones, and those who have fled from their homes. We also pray for all those who are supplying humanitarian aid to Ukraine and refugees.

Education & Resources

Pope to government leaders: ‘Please do not lead humanity to ruin' On Pentecost Sunday after the recitation of the Regina Coeli prayer Pope Francis issued an urgent appeal to international government leaders: “I renew my appeal to those who govern nations: do not lead humanity to ruin. Please! Do not lead humanity to ruin!” Pope Francis urged those in power to change the course of the war in Ukraine, calling for real discussions and a sustainable solution. Read more here.

Ukrainian refugees: ‘Wherever you go, look for Caritas’ Caritas Lithuania continues to offer long-term aid to Ukrainian refugees, According to Ernesta Karnilaitė, Communications Director at Caritas Vilnius, Catholic priests in Ukraine are telling people to look to Caritas for assistance regardless of which country they are fleeing to.  Read more here.

Journeying Together Today, June 23, marks the beginning of the Journeying Together National Intercultural Encounter Event in Chicago, IL. This event is the culmination of a two year journey that was born out of the Synod of Bishops on Young People (2018) and the Holy Father Pope Francis apostolic exhortation to young people Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive).  Click here to read a letter from Bishop Arturo Ceped and to learn more about Journeying Together.

Bishop Chairman Calls for Investments for Climate Change and the Common Good Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of the Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, wrote a letter to Congress outlining the USCCB’s environmental principles and priorities. Click here to read key points from Archbishop Coakley’s letter. Click here to write your own message to Congress via the USCCB’s Action Center.

Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of the Poor On November 13, the Church will commemorate the sixth annual World Day of the Poor. The theme for this year comes from 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For your sakes Christ became poor.” In his message, Pope Francis recalls the words of St. Paul in 2 Corinthians as a reminder that we are called to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in need. Pope Francis’ message this year can be summarized with the phrase “we must uphold values of responsibility, solidarity.” Read more about Pope Francis’ message here.  Read the full message here.

Pope’s Migrants Day message: ‘Better future must be built with foreigners’ The 108th World Day of Migrants is September 25, 2022. Ahead of the occasion, Pope Francis released a message. The theme of the message is “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.” Read the message here. Visit the Migrants & Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development website here for more resources.

Laudato Si' Action Platform

Laudato Si’ Week was May 22-29. That week marked the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. Read more from Vatican News here. Julia Grewe, an Americorps volunteer, serving in ecological sustainability alongside the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth through the Notre Dame Mission Volunteers wrote an article about climate change and her work with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. Read the article here. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform team has been working to move forward many initiatives. We invite you to participate in this work through the following updates:  Please share your events and resources with the LSAP Team! The team welcomes the opportunity to feature your initiatives on the website and in blog posts, social media posts, and emails over the coming months. A form to share your events is here while a form to share your resources is here.  A new Tool Kit has been prepared by the LSAP Team to assist in your reflection, planning, and deepening of your commitment through this seven year journey of transformation. You can find that kit by clicking here: Laudato Si' Action Platform Tool Kit. Many videos and support materials have been added to help you actualize your Ladauto Si' Goals. These can be found on our new LSAP webpage.

Contact CMSM JPIC Dr. David Rohrer Budiash, Director of Programs & Managing Editor, Review for Religious Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace

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