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JUSTICE JOTTINGS

July 2024

MSJC EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Women & The Diaconate Marianist Sign On

You're Invited to Share Your Voice!


MSJC's Women & Justice Team, in an effort to engage the Marianist Family in the discussion about whether or not to open the diaconate to women, has created an online statement of affirmation.

We are inviting individuals within the Marianist Family to sign on. MSJC, if granted permission by the signee, will share responses, our collective witness, with Discerning Deacons organizers and will publicly post them on MSJC’s website. Please fill out the form below!

Sign onto the Women & the Diaconate Marianist Affirmation Statement Today!

Why is this Issue Timely and Important, and Why Should You Sign On?

Reflection by Team Member Barb Belle


Including women in the diaconate will be a positive step in the fight for women’s justice in the Church. As reflected in the Synod on the Amazon documents, many times the work of a deacon is already being done by women in the Church. The Synod of Bishops on the Pan-Amazonian Region in 2019 called for greater leadership roles for women. (Read more at this article – America Magazine - A nun makes the case for women deacons.) Women do real ministry with the poor, the imprisoned, the outcast, and other members of our communities, but they do it without the official blessings and without the sacred strength given through the sacrament of ordination. Opening the door to the diaconate to women would change this. This would be a revival of a role women have historically held and a step towards the expansion of women’s authentic gifts being available to the Catholic Church[1]. The role of deacon should not be considered a step toward the priesthood[2]


Not only would this be a positive step in the fight for women’s justice, but opening the door of the diaconate to women would provide numerous benefits to the Church as well. The priest shortage continues to impact all of our faith communities. (Read more here: NPR - A shortage of Catholic priests.) Today, it is not uncommon for a single priest to be responsible for shepherding thousands of parishioners. 


Members of the Women & Justice Team see the potential opening of this door, not as a subordinate role, but as an important step towards the expansion of women’s authentic and equal roles in the Catholic Church. We believe that having more voices and gifts at the table is a blessing to all.

[1] The Council of Chalcedon (451) recognized the ordination of women deacons and required them to be 40 and celibate. Women deacons were ordained by bishops in the sanctuary with an epiclesis and the laying on of hands (e.g., an eighth-century Byzantine ordination rite).

[2] The diaconate is a “proper and permanent” order that is distinct from the priesthood. The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes this distinction: “Bishops and priests receive the mission and faculty (‘the sacred power’) to act in persona Christi Capitis [in the person of Christ the Head]; deacons receive the strength to serve the People of God in the diaconia of liturgy, word, and charity, in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate” (No. 875). In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI revised church law to make clear the distinction among deacons, priests and bishops.

MSJC REFLECTIONS & RESOURCES

LGBTQ+ INITIATIVE

Imago Dei Reflection by Team Member Beth Garascia


What a dynamic experience the Imago Dei assembly was! 140+ people gathered at the Bergamo Center in Dayton from June 27-30 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a 1974 groundbreaking conference entitled “The Gay Christian,” held in the same place. Both experiences centered on LGBTQ inclusion and ministry. As is the case in most Marianist Family events I’ve attended over the years, there was a wonderful mix of all genders, married and single, lay and religious, young and old. At this assembly, however, there were not only gay and straight persons, but also a significant number of out trans Catholics as well. It was a privilege to hear their stories and get to know them.


Bro. Brian Zampier, SM discovered a brochure about the 1974 conference four years ago when he was combing through the Society of Mary archives in San Antonio. He sent the newspaper clippings and other info about the original gathering organized by Bro. Norb Brockman (the Director of Bergamo in 1974), who passed away in 2013, to Brian Halderman. Brian H. then shared it with the LGBTQ+ Initiative. We were so excited to learn about the early commitment of the SM to gay Catholics, and soon the idea to have a 50th anniversary celebration of this event was proposed...[Read full reflection here!]

INTEGRAL ECOLOGY

Marianist Meatless Mondays

Team member, Laura Koonce, shares a powerful reflection on how eating less meat can be a pathway to environmental responsibility.


"In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with meat consumption. While meat is a significant part of many diets worldwide, reducing its consumption—even partially—can yield substantial environmental benefits. This essay explores how moderate adjustments in meat consumption can contribute to environmental sustainability, emphasizing that it’s not an all-or-nothing endeavor but a journey towards more responsible choices...[Read full reflection here!]


Additionally, here are 4 new meatless recipes to try in the next month. This time, they are all variants of salads which we thought would be fitting considering all the hot weather we have been having across the U.S. The recipes include a warm broccoli and rice salad, a strawberry and kale salad, a minty passion fruit salad, and a Mediterranean pasta salad! Enjoy :)

July/August Meatless Mondays Recipes

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

In a win for immigrants and refugees, Judge in El Paso, TX rules that the Catholic Annunciation House will remain open. Read more about this immigration news at the link below:

Judge: Texas AG Ken Paxton failed to show probable grounds to shut down Annunciation House

BEYOND MSJC OPPORTUNITIES

Transforming Grace Virtual Prayer Space by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)


LCWR invites you to 24 hours of contemplative prayer throughout the days of the United States Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the days of the National Election in November. LCWR congregations are making commitments to each hour of the 24 hours of prayer, ensuring that there is non-stop prayer for discernment, wisdom, non-violence and transformation. You are welcome to join us at a time that fits your schedule using the Zoom webinar platform.


These days of prayer are open to all, bridging the divide between culture, religion and politics through the witness and commitment women religious make to the power of collective contemplation.


There will be no presentations or comments during the virtual

gathering, simply a burning candle. To participate, log in, review the orientation to our gathering in the waiting room, and join women religious from around the world as they pray in silence. To join the Virtual Prayer Space visit: bit.ly/VirtualPrayerRM (This will take you right to the Zoom room.)

Mary at the Foot of the Cross: Somebody's Child

A Virtual Retreat exploring Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice


Saturday, September 7, 2024

10:00a-12:30p PT / 11:00a-1:30p MT / 12:00a-2:30p CT / 1:00a-3:30p ET


Take time at the foot of the cross during this 2.5 hour virtual retreat on Death Penalty Abolition and Restorative Justice. Hear from affected families, ministers, and activists as they share their stories and invite us to consider Mary’s unique role in our work to be a voice against the death penalty and help promote restorative justice. There will be time for reflection and sharing in small groups and art, music, and poetry will be part of this retreat. The cost to attend is $10, and there will be scholarships available. Join us and register using this link!


MSJC is proud to be cosponsoring this event with the following organizations: Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning, Catholic Mobilizing Network, Ignite Peace, International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton, Journey of Hope, and Pax Christi USA

Conference registration link coming on July 31, 2024!

Questions, comments, or feedback for Justice Jottings can be sent to us at info@marianistsjc.net.