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International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples - August 9th

August 05, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Monday, August 9th, is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.  The date marks the day of the first meeting in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.  This year’s theme is: Leaving No One Behind: Indigenous Peoples and the Call for a New Social Contract.

What does this mean?  I encourage you to visit https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day to seek understanding, read stories, and find resources. 

You may also want to join the 2021 Virtual Commemoration at 8 am (CST) Monday morning.  Register here for that.  This observation will also be streamed on Facebook Live, but interpretation will only be available at the Zoom event. 

Posted in Indigenous Peoples

Changes to Our Justice Emails

August 05, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Greetings Beloved Community!

Thank you to the many who responded to our recent Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Survey. As those results continue to be examined, you will notice changes in how Justice Alerts are distributed.  

In the past week, we began sending targeted emails to individuals requesting information on the justice issues they were feeling most called to. If you did not complete the survey or still wish to be added to any of the following email lists, please email the JPIC Office or call 920.907.2315.

  • Climate Justice 
  • Care of Creation / Laudato Si'
  • Racial Justice
  • Immigration / Border 
  • Fair & Just Elections
  • Death Penalty
  • Trafficking
  • Peace and Nonviolence (to include gun violence)
  • Health Care / Mental Health
  • Hunger
  • Socially Responsible Investing
  • LGBTQ+ Rights
  • Criminal Justice / Restorative Justice
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Women and Children
  • Endangered Species / Animal Protections

The Justice Today blog on the CSA website will continue to be updated throughout each week, and those on social media can continue to follow alerts and information on your favorite pages, from the icons below.

Thank you for your patience and feedback as we continue to compile and distribute relevant information and important calls to action. We live the charism of our calling from a contemplative spirit which allows us to promote systemic change by: seeking guidance from the gospels, Catholic social and environmental teachings, and our CSA statements; educating ourselves and others about justice issue; and engaging  in action for the common good.

Petition Opportunity: Moment of Silence on August 6

July 29, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

As we approach the 76th anniversary of the bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we have a rare opportunity to utilize the spotlight that is currently focused on Japan for the summer Olympics. Please consider joining with thousands of others in a call to the International Olympic Committee requesting a minute of silence at 8:15 AM on August 6 in honor of the landing of the first atomic bomb and in recognition of the destruction it caused.  The second bomb fell on Nagasaki on August 9.

To add your name to the list, visit this link. 

Justice Alerts - July 23, 2021

July 23, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Laudato Si'

 

The Victory Noll Sisters Small Grants Program
Seeding Creation Care

Have you heard?  Small grants are available up to a maximum of $1,000 for groups, parishes and individuals. The priority deadline to apply is October 14th, 2021. (If funding remains thereafter, grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted.)

The types of activities that could be funded include:

  • Projects/programs that connect to the Laudato Si’Action Platform (LSAP)
  • Advocacy and dialogue with church and political leaders on our call to care for creation and our vulnerable neighbors
  • Support for events (educational events, rallies, fairs, festivals) that connect to Season of Creation, Feast of St. Francis, Earth Day, or any of the seven Laudato Si’Action Platform goals.
  • Participation in existing creation care events with the intention of lifting up the Catholic voice within them
  • Prayer services and liturgies related to creation care
  • Retreats, workshops, or forums to promote understanding, bridge-building, and healing related to creation care
  • Service projects (tree-plantings, cleanups, community gardens, etc.)
  • Carbon reduction activities
  • Classroom instruction/curriculum related to creation care
Are you planning something special?  Please let us know, we'd love to share it!

 

Plastic Free July

As we continue Plastic Free July, do you wonder...
What more I can do?  Well, do you...

Understand the problem of single-use plastics?
Keep useable bags handy when shopping?
Bring cloth or mesh bags for your produce?
Buy in bulk?
Use reusable straws, cups and mugs?
Bring your own utensils?
Wrap without plastic - use compostable parchment paper, a plate or silicone stretch lids instead?
BYOC - Bring your own container for leftovers?
Party without plastic (balloons, cups, decorations...)?
Recycle responsibly?
Please (re)visit https://www.sustainfdl.org/recycleinfo

Congratulations and thanks for your efforts!
Love, The Earth

 

Earth Justice

The Biden administration is about to start the first of what will likely be several official rulemakings to reverse the last administration’s rollbacks of the Endangered Species Act, one of the most effective tools we have for protecting wildlife and its habitat.  There are two things you can do right now to help:  LEARN and TAKE ACTION.

Trafficking

If you missed this month's episode of Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate, you can find the podcast, "Ending Human Trafficking" here.  

Next month's episode is "Eliminating Gun Violence" on August 11th. 

 

Peace & Nonviolence

Pax Christi USA is holding a fabulous National Conference, via zoom, next Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31 with speakers like Olga Segura, Megan McKenna, Marie Dennis, Fr. Bryan Massingale, and others!  It includes a wrap-around event with the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative

Information can be found HERE. Registration is free (though donations are welcomed), and you can drop in for all or parts of the conference as you like.

 

Immigration

Citizenship for All: Faithful August Recess Advocacy on July 27 at 4pm CT
Sign up now for a webinar to learn how your faith community can put pressure on Congress during August recess to include citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers - including farm workers - in the next recovery package.

 

Options to Take Action

Urge Congress & the Administration to Evacuate and PROTECT our Afghan Allies

Tell Congress: Support H.R. 2590 The Palestinian Children & Families Act Today! 

Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition

Pass a national red flag law to help reduce gun violence.

Close down private immigration detention facilities

Tell Secretary Haaland know we stand with her and urge her to take swift, bold steps toward ending fossil fuel extraction on our public lands and waters.

 

Justice Alerts - July 15, 2021

July 15, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Remembering John Lewis

“We all live in the same house, we all must be part of the effort to hold down our little house. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just… do something about it. Say something. Have the courage. Have the backbone. Get in the way. Walk with the wind. It’s all going to work out.”

John Lewis
(February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020)
John Lewis' Last Message

 

Laudato Si'

Introducing a NEW Website!
https://godsplanet.us/

As women religious around the world begin the work of the Laudato Si' Action Platform, the Catholic Climate Covenant has created this new US-based site, which houses and provides wonderful resources for all Catholic sectors (families, parishes, organizations, colleges, etc).  Enjoy navigating around!

Please also consider signing the individual petition to send a united message to U.S. Leaders to protect our common home and our future.   

 

Plastic Free July

As we continue Plastic Free July, test your knowledge.
How much do you know about the threats our planet faces from plastic pollution?
Take the Plastic Pollution Quiz

 

Undoing Racism

Education and Conversations!

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is co-hosting a virtual training in local civil engagement called, Taking A Faithful Stand of Equity on Monday, July 19th at 6:30 pm.  All are welcome to register and join.

 

For the People Act 

The Sisters of Mercy Justice Team and anti-racism committee and the Franciscan Action Network are hosting a teach-in on the For the People Act  (S.1) at 6:30 p.m. CT, Tuesday, July 20.
 
As you may know, this bill is focused on protecting voting rights, ending partisan gerrymandering, reducing the influence of big money in politics, and strengthening ethics rules for government officials. These basics of our democracy are critical if we’re ever to address important issues like climate change, environmental injustice, gun violence, immigration, and hunger and homelessness.
 
In this teach-in they aim to provide some background on voter suppression, explain why this bill is so important and provide some ideas for action over the next few weeks to press for passing the bill in the Senate. (It already passed in the House of Representatives, but was blocked by the filibuster in the Senate earlier this summer.)
 
You may register HERE.  Please share with others who might be interested.

 

Immigration

Learn How Congress Can Defund ICE & CBP on July 20 at 6:30pm CT.  
Register today for a Defund Hate event to learn how Congress funds immigration enforcement agencies and how you can advocate to defund them.

Citizenship for All: Faithful August Recess Advocacy on July 27 at 4pm CT
Sign up now for a webinar to learn how your faith community can put pressure on Congress during August recess to include citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers - including farm workers - in the next recovery package.

 

Death Penalty

Mr. Rodney Reed is on death row.  He is scheduled for an evidentiary hearing at the trial court level in Bastrop County, Texas starting on July 19, 2021.  He is believed to be innocent.  Read the Innocence Project's letter to Texas Governor Abbott HERE.

Add your name to the petition to Free Him Now!

Additionally, you are invited to register for a special FREE on-line concert in honor of the work of Death Penalty Action, featuring musical artists Charlie King and Elise Bryant at 6pm CT on Thursday, July 22. 

 

Like Podcasts?

The Gloria Purvis Podcast is a newer podcast from America Media hosted by radio personality and Catholic commentator, Gloria Purvis. The podcast centers the opinions, stories and experiences of individuals who have been marginalized in the Catholic Church and in society. 

I enjoyed this one this week:  "What if you are wrong - How to engage with opposing ideas and beliefs."

 

Additional Options to Take Action

Urge Congress & the Administration to Evacuate and PROTECT our Afghan Allies

Healthy Planet, Healthy People petition

Pass a national red flag law to help reduce gun violence.

Close down private immigration detention facilities

Tell Secretary Haaland know we stand with her and urge her to take swift, bold steps toward ending fossil fuel extraction on our public lands and waters.

 

Follow, Like, Tweet, Learn!

In addition to the blog on the CSA website, I will be using social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to share social justice information. If you don't already, please consider following the JPIC Office in these ways:

If you haven't yet, please take a minute to complete this survey that will help me better serve the CSA community.  Thank you!  

 

 

Justice Alerts - July 9, 2021

July 09, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Prayer for the Pope

Merciful and Gracious God, we pray you guard and protect Pope Francis. Grant him continued healing, longevity, and many fruitful years of life, service, and hope to the world.  Amen.

 

Care of Earth

Last week I shared the link to Plastic Free July which challenges us to choose to refuse single-use plastics.  How are you doing?

Here are some "not-so-fun" facts:

  • Roughly 9 billion tons of plastic has been produced since 1950 — the weight of over a billion elephants or 50 million blue whales.
  • Only 9% of this plastic has been recycled, 12% has been burned and 79% has ended up in our environment.
  • The equivalent of a truckload of plastic enters the oceans every minute.
  • Up to 9 in 10 seabirds, 1 in 3 sea turtles and more than half of whale and dolphin populations have ingested plastic. Studies reveal that species of crustaceans at the deepest depths of the ocean have ingested plastic.
  • Microplastics are in our food, water, air and even our bodies. We each consume the weight of a credit card worth of plastic on average per week.

 

Laudato Si'

There is still time to register for the Laudato Si' and the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home. a biennial conference series co-sponsored by the Catholic Climate Covenant, its 20 Catholic partners, and Creighton University is still open.
 
All Catholics are invited to attend the virtual LSUS Conference to be held July 13-15, 2021.

The conference is free, but registration is required, and a donation is encouraged to offset costs that include Spanish language interpretation.  

 

Undoing Racism

Where do we start?

I believe the first step in undoing racism is to be able to define what it is. "At it's core, racism is a powerful system that creates false hierarchies of human value".  I borrowed this from a summary of Ibram X. Kendi's book, How to be an Antiracist.  Another definition I use is this:  Racism is a system of advantage based on skin color.  The normalized marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges white people.

I have an ongoing list of resources that have helped me discover the untold, or not so well-known, historical stories of racism.  I will be adding the films and documentaries I found in THIS LINK next!  I hope you will too!

 

Ending Human Trafficking

Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate is a collaborative project of LCWR Region 10.  Each month they focus on a social issue and explore how it intersects with racism, migration, and climate.  The month's program is Wednesday, July 14th, 3-4 pm, with the topic:  Ending Human Trafficking.


HOW TO JOIN.

 

Building a Just & Equitable Economy for All

 
SAVE THE DATE!

On October 12, 2021 Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investment (SGI-CRI) will hold its annual (in-person) conference at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

This year’s theme is Resilience: Building a Just & Equitable Economy for All. The two crises of 2020 – the COVID-19 pandemic and the exacerbation of economic and racial inequities – demonstrated and accentuated the fragility of our systems, structures, and policies. The pandemic raised awareness of the critical importance of frontline workers, such as grocery clerks, meat processing and farmworkers, delivery drivers, and many more in maintaining business operations and ensuring the functioning of our global economic system. Many of these workers are women and people of color and this public health crisis has demonstrated their vulnerability and the disproportionate economic and health impacts they experience.

As we begin the recovery process from the COVID-19 pandemic, we see an opportunity to build a resilient society with systems and structures that are just and equitable for all. A panel of company, investor, labor, and NGO representatives will offer their perspectives on how we can implement positive change from the learnings and challenges of 2020, dismantle systems that perpetuate gender and racial inequities, and build an economy that serves all people and ensures the dignity of all workers.

Please contact Tracy or Sister Ruth if you are interested in attending with them.

 

Something to Smile About

I have been asked to share this beautiful audio story of two Mercy Sisters from Chicago. Their interview appears on the Spiritual Edge podcast, which explores the shifting, modern landscape of religion and spirituality. They air diverse stories of people and their communities. It's a reflection of our collective reality, injected with a dash of hope. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

 

Option to Take Action

4,000 low-risk people could be sent back to prison.  Contact President Biden now.

 

Follow, Like, Tweet, Learn!

In addition to the blog on the CSA website, I will be using social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to share social justice information. If you don't already, please consider following the JPIC Office in these ways:

Please watch for a Survey Monkey in your inbox next week.  I will appreciate your feedback to better understand the justice information most important to you and how you wish to receive it.  Thank you in advance!

 

Justice Alerts - June 30, 2021

June 30, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Celebrating Independence Day - the 4th of July

The opening lines of the Declaration of Independence read: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men/women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.&aquot;

As we celebrate our American Independence this weekend, we are ever so mindful of the inherent human rights endowed by our Creator to all gender identities, among these are LOVE, JUSTICE, HUMAN DIGNITY, and EQUALITY.

I thank you for joining in this justice work with us. May you always be in contemplation and praise for the work done before us, the work you're doing now, and the work that must continue.  

"Not all of us can do great things,
but we can all do small things with great love."
Mother Teresa

 

 

Care of Earth

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?

LEARN MORE HERE  

 

Undoing Racism

Should Catholic Schools Teach Critical Racial Theory? 
This is a good article from the Jesuits.

 

Ending Human Trafficking

Consider this:
If all ships stopped for 1-2 weeks in the world, how would this affect your life?

Friday, June 25th was Day of the Seafarer.  I attended a webinar by  the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) which opened my eyes to an issue I admittedly knew little about, but should have - as should every U.S. customer.  Seafarers travel the world, bringing us goods daily.  The worldwide exploitation of seafarers needs our attention.  Below are some takeaways from what I learned:

  • 90% of cargo is transported via waterways.
  • There are ancient prejudices against seafarers; they are treated as incompetent threats to our societies when in reality, they are just people trying to support their families. 
  • Businesses and governments must recognize the value of seafarers to our shipping industry and support their human and labor rights.
  • Seafarers are the first ones to suffer during economic recessions.  At the height of the COVID pandemic, over 400,000 seafarers were forced to work well beyond their contracts without compensation, were abandoned on ships without food or pay, and denied access to go ashore or return home.
  • Seafarers have severely dangerous jobs.  They can be held by pirates for ransom that often goes unpaid.  They are abused and are some of the most exploited workers of the world.

There is some good news!  There are Catholic Maritime Ministries, such as Stella Maris and Apostleship of the Sea, supporting our seafarers at ports around the world.  You too can demonstrate your solidarity with seafarers with prayer, signing petitions, and simply learning more.  Here are some resources to get you started:

Solidarity with Seafarers Call to Action:  U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking

Solidary with Seafarers Educational Resources

Stella Maris National Office, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America

Burmese Cowboy: The Shwe Tun Aung Story
 

"You May Choose To Look the Other Way But Never Say Again You Didn't Know."
-William Wilberforce

 

Capital Punishment

John Hummel, an honorably discharged US Marine, is scheduled to die by lethal injection TODAY, June 30, 2021 in Huntsville, Texas. 

There may still be time to stop this.  Please contact the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles at bpp-clemency@tdcj.texas.gov or 512​-406-5852 OR contact the Governor of Texas at  https://gov.texas.gov/contact/ / (512) 463-1782.

"To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice"
-Desmond Tutu

"There can be no stepping back from this position. ... A life sentence is a secret death penalty.
- Pope Francis

Follow the 28th Annual Starvin' for Justice Fast and Vigil to abolish the death penalty.  Schedule found here.

 

Follow, Like, Tweet, Learn!

In addition to the blog on the CSA website, I will be using social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to share social justice information. If you haven't yet, please follow the JPIC Office in these ways:

 

Peace & Blessings through Christ, our Teacher

Tracy Abler
tabler@csasisters.org
920-907-2315

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” (Psalm 89:14).

Justice Today - June 22, 2021

June 22, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Opening Prayer

God of truth, 
We know every human being is a person of dignity and worth. Guide our efforts to create a more just democracy and soften the hearts of our lawmakers to needed reforms in our democratic institutions.  
(borrowed from NetworkLobby.org)

 

Rid our Democracy of Systemic Racism

Later today, the Senate will try to bring S.1, the For the People Act, to the floor for a vote. This legislation can protect the freedom to vote, end gerrymandering, and get big money out of politics, but in order to get to this critical vote, 60 Senators will have to come together to overcome Senator Mitch McConnell's filibuster.

With more than 20 state laws already enacted this year making it harder to vote, it's urgent that the Senate follows the House's lead and passes the For the People Act (S.1) immediately. Inaction is not an option. Without the For the People Act, the future of our democracy itself is on the line.

URGENT!  Please call your Senators TODAY and urge them to support S.1, the For the People Act every day until they vote. Dial 1-888-885-1748 and ask your Senators to advance S.1 to the Senate floor.  Your call will automatically be forwarded to your state Senators.  Call twice to reach both offices.  Below is a sample message:

"Hello, my name is (NAME) from (TOWN) and I’m calling to ask Senator (NAME) to support cloture on S.1. As a person of faith, it’s important to me that all voters in our community have the opportunity to participate fully in elections and have their voices heard in policy discussions. The For the People Act will create national standards to protect our freedom to vote, ensure fair representation for all, and end the dark influence of corporate money in politics that inhibits our progress on so many fronts.”

FYI - Here in Wisconsin, my first call rang to Senator Baldwin's office and I was able to state my message to a live person. When I called back and got Senator Johnson's office, I was directed to leave a message.

 

The War on Drugs = The Attack on BIPOC

 

(the acronym BIPOC = Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color)

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the War on Drugs. Here is some background:

On June 17, 1971, Nixon declared drug abuse "public enemy number one." Since then, long prison sentences and far-reaching civil sanctions have done nothing to reduce rates of drug use or overdose.

Instead, hundreds of billions of dollars have been pumped into law enforcement agencies, which has led to the over-surveillance and incarceration of millions, disproportionately Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people. Nearly half of the people in federal prison currently are in for drug offenses.

This is why we need to take action by urging President Biden to use his power of clemency to release people incarcerated in federal prison for drugs.  Please take action here.

 

Day of the Seafarer - June 25

June 25 is the Day of the Seafarer. LCWR and Coalition of Catholic Organizations against Human Trafficking (CCOAHT) are committed to protecting all of those who work on the water and are too often subject to abuse and even trafficking. Please join them on June 25 at 11 AM CST to learn more about the plight of seafarers, the dangers they face, and what actions you can take to help.

REGISTER HERE.

 

The Death Penalty

Thanks, in part, to many of you who signed petitions, the South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked the planned executions of two inmates by electrocution, saying they cannot be put to death until they truly have the choice of a firing squad option set out in the state's newly revised capital punishment law.  This hardly seems a win, but it does give us more time to act.  For one, we need to continue to press President Biden to abolish the federal death penalty.

For those feeling called to this specific ministry, please familiarize yourself with the resources from our CSA website, including a sample letter to write death row prisoners and the calendar of scheduled executions. Personally, I have found Death Penalty Action.org to be very valuable to my justice work.  

The CSA has gone on record as opposing the Death Penalty in a corporate stance approved November 2006.  CSA Associates affirmed this stance in February 2021.

Please email me if you would like to included in a group email list to specifically receive information on executions and/or join our letter writing efforts.

 

F-35s - An environmental and humanitarian threat 

I viewed Code Pink's "F-35s Out of Our Skies: Film Screening and Panel Discussion."  It was incredibly informative and equally disturbing!

The Pentagon's F-35 program is the most expensive and the most dangerous of its kind.  Madison, WI was chosen to be one of two new sites as a base for these fighter bombers within the next four years, and Senator Tammy Baldwin seems to be an adamant supporter of this.  These jets have been considered a "violent sensory assault" creating significant health threats, especially to infants and children. They have disastrous environment implications from the toxins they release. Multiple F-35s fly several times a day, several days a week and cost tax payers $44,000 and hour to fly and use 1,000 gallons of fuel with each flight. 

Are you shocked and disappointed that President Biden requested a defense budget in the absurd amount of $753 billion?!  This equates to $1 million A MINUTE for our military budget?!  Imagine that 10% of the 2021 budget could end homelessness!

PLEASE VIEW THIS FILM AND PANEL DISCUSSION and consider how you want to act.  

Co-sponsors and panelists include:
Safe Skies Clean Water, Peace Action Wisconsin, Interfaith Peace Working Group, Madison Environmental Justice Organization, Poor People's Campaign WI, Eken Park Resistance, 350 MKE, Family Farm Defenders, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ)    

 

Recommended Webinar/Podcast Series

Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate is a yearlong webinar series of panel conversations to address societal injustices and offered the second Wednesday of each month at 3 pm.  

Episodes include subjects on gender equity, care of creation, racial justice, human trafficking, gun violence, food security, restorative justice, affordable housing, and more.

The first episode I watched was on Racial Justice and I found it very well done and especially appreciated the action items that are given at the end of each one.  I highly recommend this series!!

The monthly programs are recorded and shared as podcasts and can also be found on Facebook .  

 

Follow, Like, Tweet, Learn!

In addition to the blog on the CSA website, I will be using social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to share social justice information. If you haven't yet, please follow the JPIC Office in these ways:

Justice Today - June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Opening Prayer

God of wisdom and mercy, grant us patience to listen; compassion to be open to other views and opinions; generosity to forgive and grace to change.  As you taught us to love our dear neighbor, we pray that you give us strength to be healing instruments of unity and reconciliation.  
(borrowed from 100daysofprayer.net)

 

BIG Environmental WIN!

After years of hard work of Indigenous and climate activists fighting against the Keystone XL pipeline developer, TC Energy, cancels the project. 

Following is a statement from TC Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer, François Poirier:

We value the strong relationships we’ve built through the development of this Project and the experience we’ve gained. We remain grateful to the many organizations that supported the Project and would have shared in its benefits, including our partners, the Government of Alberta and Natural Law Energy, our customers, pipeline building trade unions, local communities, Indigenous groups, elected officials, landowners, the Government of Canada, contractors and suppliers, industry associations and our employees.

Through the process, we developed meaningful Indigenous equity opportunities and a first-of-its-kind, industry leading plan to operate the pipeline with net-zero emissions throughout its lifecycle. We will continue to identify opportunities to apply this level of ingenuity across our business going forward, including our current evaluation of the potential to power existing U.S. assets with renewable energy.

 

Say NO to the gas chamber!

Arizona recently announced that it has refurbished its gas chamber and is prepared to use cyanide gas to execute any current death row prisoner who was sentenced to be executed prior to November, 1992.

 

Lending support to the Vamos a la Milpa Delegation to Honduras

Vamos a la Milpa is asking for our help by signing the letter below to Vice President Kamala Harris.
 
The letter is a statement of support for a SHARE-sponsored delegation of religious and community leaders traveling to Honduras July 2-12, 2021 at the invitation of Sister Rosa Maria Troches, SSND and Father Ishmael “Melo” Coto, SJ. The purpose of the delegation is twofold:

  1. To support a promising local initiative – Vamos a la Milpa – to build food security and community bonds. 
  2. To visit the families of 8 environmentalists from Guapinol unjustly incarcerated for over a year and seek their release.  

Vamos a la Milpa draws from the age-old indigenous tradition of planting vegetable gardens of corn, beans, squash, fruit trees, medicinal plants, flowers and more.  Not unlike the “victory gardens” planted during WWII in the United States, the campaign is an effort to promote local sources of food and solidarity as communities confront the devastation, dislocation and hunger caused by the recent natural disasters, the endemic violence and corruption plaguing their countries, and the recent hurricanes that further devastated the region. It also brings communities together to demand basic human rights, the rule of law, and due process.
 
They hope to gather as many signatures as possible of men and women religious by June 30th, 2021You can read the letter and sign HERE.  

 

Intersecting Systems Causing Poverty

I signed a petition on Action Network telling Congress to LAUNCH A 3RD RECONSTRUCTION.

Emerging from the pain and organizing power of the 140 million people living in poverty or with low wages in this nation, the congressional resolution for a Third Reconstruction reflects an omnibus vision for a fundamental restructuring of society that lifts from the bottom. The non-partisan resolution comes as a response to years of movement-building to create the collective resolve necessary to implement real and transformational legislative action. This resolution recognizes that in order to build a true Third Reconstruction we must simultaneously deal with the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation and the denial of health care, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism that blames the poor instead of the systems that cause poverty.

Can you join us and take action? Click here: https://3rdReconstruction.org?source=email&
 



Additionally, Please join The Wisconsin Poor People's Campaign this Sunday, June 13th, 6:00-7:00pm CST, for a State Budget Teach-In.
 
This is a virtual statewide discussion analyzing major points of Governor Evers’ proposed State Budget which we feel are most impactful in the lives of poor and working Wisconsinites. Listen to our perspective, supported by personal testimonials. Engage in the discussion. Consider joining the movement!

RSVP here to receive call-in information for the June 13th Teach-In

 

#EndChildLabor2021

2021 is the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour.  Backed by a unanimously adopted resolution at the United Nations General Assembly, the International Labour Organization is leading the way.

Discover ways you can make a difference:  www.endchildlabour2021.org

 

Prayer & Self Care

Friends,
Justice work can be overwhelming.  There is so much needing our attention, but we cannot do it all.  This work is my full-time job, and I am blessed by it, but it's not for everyone. I thank you, and encourage you to continue giving yourself time and energy to those things you are feeling most called to, and trust others will do the same.  

Blessings on your weekend.  I hope you find plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation. 

In closing, I offer this prayer:

God grant that violence be overcome by the power of love,
that opposition give way to reconciliation
and that the desire to oppress be transformed
into the desire for forgiveness, justice and peace…

May peace be in our hearts
so that they are open to the action of God’s grace…

May all members of the family community,
especially children, the elderly, the weakest,
feel the warmth of this feast,
and may it extend subsequently to all the days in the year.

Amen.

 - Pope Benedict XVI

 

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In addition to the blog on the CSA website, I will be using social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to share social justice information. If you haven't yet, please follow the JPIC Office in these ways:

 

Justice Today - June 9, 2021

June 09, 2021
By Tracy Abler, Justice Coordinator

Opening Prayer

God of wisdom and mercy, grant us patience to listen; compassion to be open to other views and opinions; generosity to forgive and grace to change.  As you taught us to love our dear neighbor, we pray that you give us strength to be healing instruments of unity and reconciliation.  
(borrowed from 100daysofprayer.net)

 

Environmental Justice

Sister Ruth and I are working with the Wisconsin Interfaith Peace Working Group on a postcard campaign asking Senator Tammy Baldwin to prevent F-35 Fighter Jets from coming to Wisconsin. These planes will jeopardize the health and safety of citizens and our natural environment.  They are designed to carry "useable" nuclear bombs.

You are encouraged to learn more on your own, but here is one article from WPR:  https://www.wpr.org/f-35-jets-are-coming-madison

You may request a postcard from either Ruth or myself. Please also consider registering for the Code Pink event on Thursday, June 17th at 7 pm. At this event, Code Pink will screen Jet Line: Voicemails from the Flight Path. This is a 12-minute film described as “a poetic portrait of a community plagued by war machines, documenting untenable conditions in a small city once voted one of the best places to live in America.”  The screening will include a panel discussion.  Click here to register for the event. 


Other ways to stay informed on what's happening in Wisconsin government:

 

Immigration

June is Immigrant Heritage Month!  This month provides people across the country an opportunity to explore their own heritage and celebrate the diversity that forms the unique, rich American experience.

It is vital that we urge the administration and Congress to pass a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented community members – many of whom have kept our families and communities safe and healthy as essential workers during the pandemic. It is long past time for our nation to fulfill its moral imperative to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented community members who already call the U.S. home.

CLICK HERE to urge your members of Congress to support and pass a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented neighbors.

 

Voter Protection

Legislators in Wisconsin are trying to pass bills that would restrict our freedom to vote. As voters, we must hold our elected officials accountable and ensure they create a transparent election process that all people can participate in.  Your voice is imperative to making it clear to elected representatives you expect a fair, equitable democracy.

We need your help.
Tell your legislator to oppose the anti-voter bills being voted on in the Senate.  

 

Follow, Like, Tweet, Learn!

In addition to the blog on the CSA website, I will be using social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to share social justice information. If you haven't yet, please follow the JPIC Office in these ways:

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