November 30, 2023

This past weekend was the feast of Christ the King, with the magnificent and searing parable of the sheep and goats serving as a keen examination of conscience to start Advent. Jesus is very concrete in his concerns: the hungry, the thirsty, the imprisoned - these are where he is and where he asks us to be. Adveniat regnum tuum - let your kingdom come, and Jesus tells us how that is to be accomplished. Let us pray for the grace to cooperate in this great work.

CMSM is pleased to announce a compilation of JPIC resources available for JPIC coordinators or leaders of communities in the new Member Content area of our website. If you are interested in gaining access to these resources, please email David Rohrer Budiash for instructions on how to sign up.

Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition Conference

The Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition their annual conference, this year titled "Restored by Compassion: Given & Received." This day-long event promises impactful formation, reflection, and insights from notable figures such as Helen Prejean, CSJ, Greg Boyle, SJ, and Bishop Bill Wack, CSC, among other ministry leaders. Attendees will also have chance to network with fellow ministers and supporters from all over the nation.

Glenmary Home Missioners Eucharistic Revival

The Glenmary Home Missioners are hosting a eucharistic revival on December 2 led by Yohan Garcia, focusing on missionary discipleship. The event will invite participants to reflect on Matthew 25 in light of the Eucharist. Livestreaming options are available.

Find out more here.

Pope Francis cancels participation in COP 28 for health reasons

Pope Francis had planned to attend the 28th annual Conference of the Parties, but was asked not to by his doctor due to respiratory tract inflammation. He expressed "great regret" at not being able to attend.



In Laudate Deum, the Pope had stressed that strong action was needed at COP 28, devoting paragraphs 53-60 to the event, especially inviting the conference to consider the common good and the future of our children.

Synodal report is in, religious called upon to respond

The recently-concluded phase of the Synod on Synodality produced a report with a significant amount of material to consider. Religious have begun to examine how they already practice synodality and the way in which they might contribute to the overall synodal effort as the Synod heads toward its concluding meeting in 2024.

Similarly, in a keynote at the Religious Formation Conference, Robert Cardinal McElroy suggested that religious have the right expertise to develop synodality into a feature of the Church's life, given their background in discernment and shared leadership models.

Bishops urge Congress to take new measures to protect migrant children from human trafficking

The US bishops' migration committee, led by Bishop Mark Seitz, is advocating for Congress to implement new safeguards to protect migrant children from human trafficking. They emphasize the heightened vulnerability of unaccompanied migrant children to exploitation and trafficking, noting an increase in such cases. The bishops propose several measures, including enhancing the role and resources of the US Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and establishing a review board to advise on the protection of these children. Additionally, they advocate for the passage of the Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act to simplify the legal status process for certain migrant children, distinguishing them from employment-based immigrants and reducing their vulnerability to exploitation. The bishops assert that prompt resolution of legal status is crucial for the safety and well-being of these children.

Read more here.

Bethlehem University caught in crossfire of Hamas/Israel war

Bethlehem University, run by the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools (commonly known as the De La Salle Brothers) and the only Catholic university in the Holy Land, has been caught in the crossfire of the Hamas/Israel conflict. A student was killed in late October and students of the university have had a difficult time getting to class because of checkpoints and other wartime disruptions.

According to the Bethlehem University Foundation, the university has since moved to online classes and is searching for ways to support grieving students.

• Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition
• December 1, 2023 11:00am CT (online options available): Restored by Compassion: Given & Received
• Read more here

• Glenmary Home Missioners Eucharistic Revival
• December 2, 2023 10:30am CT (online options available): Eucharist and Missionary Discipleship
• Read more here

• Deputy Director for Social and Economic Justice
• More details are available here

Contact CMSM JPIC

Dr. David Rohrer Budiash, Director of Programs & Managing Editor, Review for Religious

Visit us online: cmsm.org/justiceandpeace