Bending the Arc

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each month, we will share an article inviting reflection on this anniversary, the current state of our democracy, and our personal role in its maintenance. 

We have all heard politicians and pundits alike proclaim at every shooting, every violent act or unseemly behavior: “This is not who we are! We are better than this.”

I beg to differ. I believe that this IS who we are. None of us likes to admit it, but it’s true. As a human being, I am a mixed bag of behaviors, of good and evil, of strengths and weaknesses, of kindness and cruelty and I never know which behavior will emerge from that bag at any given moment. Some of us spend our lives slowly opening this bag, owning who we are a little at a time if we can be honest with ourselves and keep growing into higher levels of human consciousness. Unfortunately, a few of us get stuck somewhere along the way, end up in denial and stop growing.

Beyond my humanity, I am a Catholic Christian, so my mixed bag further contains the metaphors and realities of light and darkness, sin and forgiveness, death and resurrection, inertia and transformation—to my constant chagrin and humility. Some of us spend our lives trying to balance these polarities, embracing our True Selves in the process while God works to make us whole. Again, a few of us get stuck at some point, perhaps, for example, narrowly thinking that our faith tradition is the only, true way to God or some other dogmatic theory that traps us in its claws.

But the mixed bag gets much heavier when I get to my identity as a citizen of the United States of America. This bag is filled with 250 years of shadow and glory, slavery and freedom, genocide and manifest destiny, racism and diversity, poverty and obscene wealth, honest work and corruption, imperialism and equality of nations, war and some semblance of peace—and everything in between.

In each of these “identities” or levels of being, how does one grow to fullness, to wholeness? I think it has something to do with acknowledging the past and how that has affected the present, the NOW, of my life, our life together, and how that might affect the trajectory of the future of my life, our life together. So, as a human, I must come to grips with my family history, my ancestors, my cultural ways so that I understand my behaviors, my shadow, my personality, my traumas and can grow beyond, not being held prisoner, but being free.

That is true for my Catholic faith tradition as well. How has the ongoing patriarchy, the colonialism, the traditionalism of the past affected my present? The abuse and its coverup? The dishonesty of it all? How has that shaped my faith life and the subsequent behaviors that emerge from my bag? How can I lay them at the feet of God and be free? My contemplative and apostolic life as a vowed religious woman leads me forward in that quest. Present efforts in the Church to wrestle with that history also help.

Even in my 8th decade of life, I am working at the first two, accepting that I am a mixed bag of behaviors and trying to become whole. But this last bag, the one of citizenship? This bag is daunting. I have discovered that the history I learned in school 60-70 years ago was partial at best, from a white perspective, and wholly about manifest destiny. All the behaviors listed above, the shadows of our country’s existence, while very real, are not acknowledged by very many in power because it is not to their advantage. As I stated before, acknowledging our history, our roots, our past, is the first step in healing, in growth. If we cannot do that on a large enough scale, then the shadow behaviors will keep emerging over and over—the cruelty, the racism, the white supremacy, the imperialism, the corruption and greed—as we are experiencing in this very moment. It is evident to me that we have not had the wider conversations about the ugliness of some of our nation’s past, have not told ourselves the truth about our history and its effects on us, have not accepted the full narrative of who we are in reality, have not asked forgiveness nor forgiven ourselves for the pain we have inflicted on ourselves and then ignored.

So, people, pundits and politicians, stop saying,” This is not who we are!” It IS who we are. We are a mixed bag of shadow and goodness. Some of us have not even opened the bag of our own humanity much less our own faith tradition, whatever that may be. Many, if not most, have certainly not engaged in the conversations we so desperately need to have on our country’s mixed bag of historical and ongoing behaviors. We tend to be mired in American exceptionalism. In the split screen playing out before our eyes right now, we tend to see only the goodness of our neighbors taking care of each other, walking each other’s children to school, shopping for groceries for each other, sounding whistles of warning for each other and not see the screen showing the reasons that make all that even more necessary than usual these days, that lay bare the fear and violence gripping those not considered “exceptional” in these days. I challenge us not to be afraid to open the three bags—that of our humanity, our faith traditions, our citizenship--and courageously yet tenderly explore their contents. Yes, it’s a humbling journey, but it’s the only way we can truly grow—and the survival, if not the thriving, of our common humanity, our many faith traditions and our beloved country depend on it.

Reflect

Questions developed by Patrice Rog, CSA

• Can I honestly and humbly explore my own “mixed bag”? What surprises me? What growth have I experienced over the years? What must I throw out of the bag? Where do I need to add to the bag?
• What idea in the essay touched me as I reflect on my past and current beliefs and assertions?
• In which narrative of our nation do I believe? What can I do to challenge our leadership to align our country’s narrative to our entire past, including both its honorable and distasteful truths?

Learn more about CSA's “US at 250” initiatives including the April 23 event featuring Justice Janine Geske.

The following is a post from Rev. Quincy Worthington from his Palm Sunday 2026 sermon. Quincy is a Presbyterian minister, known for his social activism, in the Chicago area. He shares this thoughtful message:

Yesterday, millions of people poured into the streets attending No Kings rallies and marches throughout the country in what many observers say may have been the largest single day of protest in American history. I’m not here this morning to turn Palm Sunday into a commentary on yesterday’s news. But I’m struck by the parallels between yesterday and Palm Sunday - some inspiring, and some unsettling. Because every so often throughout history people pour into the streets because, deep down, they know that the world as it is cannot be the world as it must be. People have protested throughout history because they’re tired of being ruled by fear, tired of being told that domination is normal, tired of being told that violence is strength and cruelty is just realism. They gather because somewhere inside them there is still this stubborn conviction that another world is possible. And I think that’s what protest is at its best. It isn’t simply being against something. It’s the refusal to believe this is all there is. It’s the insistence that the world could and should be otherwise. And protest at its best is trying to offer a vision of what the world could look like.

That’s Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday isn’t just children waving branches and people laying down cloaks in the road. Palm Sunday is a public act of defiance. Jesus rides into Jerusalem in a way that exposes the empire for what it is. He doesn’t come on Rome’s terms. He doesn’t borrow Rome’s symbols. He doesn’t answer imperial power with a bigger display of power. He comes on a donkey, surrounded by ordinary people instead of soldiers. No warhorse. No armor. No legions. Just a poor man from Nazareth, dusty roads, working people, children, palm branches, and the sound of hope. And in that moment he reveals the lie at the heart of the empire: that this is just the way the world is and always has to be. Palm Sunday is Jesus saying, “No. There’s another kingdom. There’s another way. And you have a choice in front of you.”

But the real test is never whether people will join the parade. The real test is whether they’ll stay when the parade turns into the passion. Whether they’ll still choose the kingdom when choosing it gets dangerous. Whether they’ll still choose it when hope stops feeling exciting and starts requiring courage. Whether they’ll still choose it when following Jesus costs something. That’s the question this day puts to us. Not whether we admire Jesus. Not whether we can wave a branch. Not whether we can cheer for love, peace, justice, and mercy in the abstract. But whether we’ll choose his kingdom when the hard work begins. Because it is a choice.

We do get to choose what kind of world we live in. We get to choose what kind of world we help create. We get to choose whether this will be a world that honors and lifts up human beings, or a world that dehumanizes and tears them down. We get to choose whether we’ll live by fear or by love, by brute force or by soul-force, by domination or by mercy. The problem is that most of the time we don’t believe that. We think the world has already been decided for us by other people. We think power belongs to those who already have it. We think the terms have already been set. We think empire gets to tell us what is possible and what’s impossible, who matters and who doesn't, who gets protected and who gets sacrificed, who belongs and who can be cast aside. And after a while, if we listen to empire long enough, we begin to mistake its world for the only world there is. That’s how people become resigned. That’s how people become numb. That’s how people begin to accept as normal what should never have been normal in the first place.

And I’ll be honest with you, family—I’m tired of the consequences of the world we’ve chosen. I’m tired of living in a world where some people are made to feel, and are actually told, that it is somehow illegal for them to exist. I’m tired of a world where people are marginalized and alienated to the point of desperation. I’m tired of being told that I should always be suspicious, always be afraid, always assume the worst of the stranger, always believe that safety can only come through control. I’m tired of a world that wants to sacrifice the freedom, independence, and creativity of our children for the illusion of security. I’m tired of a world where privilege is confused for righteousness, where entitlement masquerades as freedom, and where people want us to believe that some lives are worth more than others. And I’m tired of a world that wants to insist that I hate people who disagree with me. I’m tired of the consequences of that world.

And if I’m being really honest, I think one of the clearest signs that something is broken is what this world is doing to our kids and to so many young people. We’ve handed them a world of fear, hyper-surveillance, isolation, and anxiety. A world where they’re told that danger is everywhere, that no place is really safe, that human beings are mostly threats to be managed rather than neighbors to be loved. A world shaped by digital intoxication and loneliness and fragmentation. A world where alienation has become normal. And then we wonder why there’s a mental health crisis. We wonder why so many feel powerless, disconnected, and adrift. Which world have we chosen? What world have we created?

Because Palm Sunday is Jesus standing in the middle of that kind of world and declaring that empire is not the only game in town. He enters the city as a parody and mockery of Rome. Instead of a warhorse, a donkey. Instead of soldiers, children. Instead of the polished symbols of elite power, the rough offerings of ordinary people. Cloaks. Branches. Dust. Hosanna. Save us now. Save us, we pray. It’s a parade of the marginalized offering a different vision of what a kingdom could look like. A kingdom where the lowly matter. A kingdom where children lead the way. A kingdom where the poor aren’t disposable. A kingdom where love matters more than law, mercy more than violence, and dignity more than domination. And I think what Jesus is doing there is not just performing a stunt. He is unveiling reality. He is telling the truth about God and the truth about us.

He’s saying: What if the empire is lying to you? What if violence isn’t strength? What if cruelty isn’t realism? What if domination isn’t order? What if the poor aren’t cursed? What if suffering isn’t a sign of divine rejection? What if every person really is precious to God simply because they exist? What if God is actually more interested in love than in preserving the systems that grind people down? What if another world is not only imaginable, but demanded by the heart of God?

Now of course, that all sounds naive to empire. It always has. There have always been people ready to say, “That’s beautiful, Jesus, but it’s not realistic.” There have always been people ready to say, “Turn the other cheek won’t stop a bad guy with a sword. Only a good guy with a sword can do that.” There’ve always been people ready to say, “We all like peace. We all like love. We all like mercy. But that’s not how the world works.” And maybe that’s exactly what some people said as the first holy week unfolded. Maybe that’s what some people muttered as the cheers faded. Maybe that’s what some people thought as the crowds thinned. Maybe that’s what some people believed as the empire finally did what empires always do when they’re threatened: it arrested him, beat him, mocked him, and put him on display.

Because that’s what empire does. It doesn’t just kill. It performs its killing. It turns violence into theater. It humiliates in public. It punishes in public. It crucifies in public. It wants everyone to see what happens to anyone who dares imagine another kingdom. That’s what the cross is in political terms: the empire saying, “This is what power looks like. This is what happens when you challenge us. This is what happens when you refuse to get back in line.” And that’s why Palm Sunday can’t just be about the parade. Because the parade is easy. The parade is moving. The parade is hopeful. The parade is the part where everybody wants to be there. The hard part is staying when it becomes clear what the parade was actually leading toward.

And as we enter this Holy Week, I keep thinking about that moment in the garden. Jesus sits there in the dark knowing what’s coming, knowing the soldiers are on their way, knowing he is about to be beaten, mocked, humiliated, tortured, and killed, knowing exactly what empire does to people like him. And he prays that the cup might pass. And of course, the cup doesn’t pass. The soldiers come. But here’s the thing: he could have run. He could have gotten up. He could have slipped away into the dark. He could have postponed the inevitable by at least a few hours or a few days. He could have chosen self-preservation. He could have chosen safety. He could have decided that the cost was too high. But he stayed.

And I used to think that what kept him there was courage. I used to think he stayed because he was braver than I can imagine, because he trusted God in ways I can barely comprehend. And I still think that’s true. But more and more I think the deeper truth is that he stayed because of love. He loved us too much to let us go. He loved us too much to abandon the work. He loved us too much to stop showing us what the kingdom looks like. He loved us too much to let empire have the final word about what is real and what is possible. He stayed because love stayed.

And that, I think, is the choice before us. Not whether we can cheer for Jesus when the parade is passing by. Not whether we can admire him from a safe distance. Not whether we can say nice things about justice, peace, inclusion, compassion, and mercy. But whether we’ll stay. Whether we’ll stay when it gets costly. Whether we’ll stay when the world tells us to be quiet. Whether we’ll stay when loving people becomes inconvenient. Whether we’ll stay when standing with the vulnerable becomes risky. Whether we’ll stay when it would be easier to retreat into cynicism, numbness, safety, or silence. That’s the choice.

And I know choices have consequences. I know choosing the kingdom isn’t safe. I know it can come with personal cost, professional cost, relational cost. I know that for Jesus it led to a cross, and for most of the apostles it didn’t lead to comfort either. Only one dies from natural causes. I know that when you refuse empire’s terms, empire rarely says, “Good point.” But I also know this: the world empire makes is killing us. Maybe not all at once. Maybe not all equally. Maybe not always visibly. But it’s killing us. It’s crushing the vulnerable. It’s distorting our souls. It’s teaching our children fear. It’s turning neighbors into threats. It’s convincing us that domination is normal and mercy is weak. It’s asking us to surrender the best parts of ourselves just to keep the machine running. And I’m tired of the consequences of that world.

I want to choose his kingdom. I want to choose his world. I want to choose his vision. I want to be in his parade, yes—but more than that, I want to be with him in the garden. I want to be with him on the hard road. I want to be one of the ones who stays when hope starts costing something. And when I look at my kids, when I look at the kids in this church, when I look at the children in our community, I understand more and more why Jesus stayed. He stayed because love doesn’t run when the beloved is at stake. He stayed because there are some things too precious to surrender. He stayed because the kingdom was worth showing us all the way to the end. He stayed because even if only a few people would ever really understand what he was offering - even if only a few would choose the kingdom over empire - it would still be worth it.

Family, we are given the choice. We choose which world we live in. We choose which world we help create. We can continue choosing the empire that kills the innocent, serves itself, and rules by brute force. Or we can choose the kingdom that lifts up the lowly, honors the marginalized, loves the abandoned, and serves all people as precious children of God. We have a choice. And don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Amen

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each month, we will share an article inviting reflection on this anniversary, the current state of our democracy, and our personal role in its maintenance. 

March is Women’s History Month, so today we are exploring the story of Barbara Jordan, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 18th district of Texas between 1973 and 1979. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, she was not part of the “We the People” it referenced and when she gave a speech about the Constitution on July 24, 1974, she was still a minority within a minority as a Black woman serving on the House Judiciary Committee. In 1966, during her first term in the Texas Senate, the Senate Members Lounge still bore a sign reading “Men Only.” The US had come far since 1776, and she was going to take it farther.

Jordan knew that working together was what made the government function. During her time in the Texas Senate, she made intentional relationships with people on “the other side of the aisle” and through those relationships was able to find pathways to improve the lives of people in all walks of life in her state.

She also recognized that patriotism required holding her peers and other government officials accountable. In 1974, when questions arose about whether impeaching President Nixon was petty, she addressed it head on and with an educational speech that has been taught in oratory classes throughout the country as a shining example of excellence. Her speech referenced Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Papers (No. 65) which argues that Congress is best suited to serve as inquisitors of the executive branch of the government because the Senate feels “confidence enough in its own situation, to preserve, unawed and uninfluenced, the necessary impartiality between an individual accused, and the representatives of his people, the accusers.”

She challenged her peers to join her in this role by saying, 

“Today I am an inquisitor. An hyperbole would not be fictional and would not overstate the solemnness that I feel right now. My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction, of the Constitution.”

In 1976, during her speech at the Democratic National Convention, she reminded delegates of the goal of government:

"We are attempting to fulfill our national purpose, to create and sustain a society in which all of us are equal."

On February 23, 2026, KPBS TV premiered a new documentary about Barbara Jordan. You can watch “The Inquisitor” for free through the KPBS+ app. The film “explores her life and legacy, unraveling how her sharp intellect and public influence transformed U.S. politics, while exploring the complexities of her private struggles that few ever knew.”

Read Barbara Jordan's July 24, 1974, Speech

Reflect

1. As I read Jordan's speech, which parts still seem true in today's United States?
2. Do I agree with Jordan’s assessment of our national purpose?
3. What hoped-for changes does this inspire in me, and how can I be part of bringing those changes into reality?

Learn more about CSA's “US at 250” initiatives including the April 23 event featuring Justice Janine Geske.

Sources: A Mighty Girl; UVA Miller Center; Library of Congress

It’s time for the March NETWORK National Advocates Call. Congress is in full swing and there’s a lot of movement around legislation that impacts voting rights and housing.You are invited to join advocates from across the country at this month’s National Advocates Call to build community and learn about NETWORK’s current legislative priorities. National Advocates staff will share what is happening on the Hill.

We'll gather on Zoom on Tuesday, March 17 at 11:00 AM Central/Noon Eastern/9:00 AM Pacific on Zoom. The one-hour meeting serves faith-filled justice seekers (like you) who live in states without a NETWORK Advocates Team. Be sure to RSVP! REGISTER NOW!

During WWII, Norwegians began wearing red knit caps as a sign of resistance to the Nazis who had occupied the area. On February 26, 1942, the wearing of such hats was outlawed as a sign of protest. Minnesotans have recently brought this story back to life as a quiet protest of ICE> Watch this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeFmB9zR4HA 

Therefore, this year, on Thursday, February 26, inspired by the Norwegian Resistance Movement, please consider joining the nonviolent Red Hat Resistance to show your support of democracy, humanity and until across political, ethnic, and religious aisles.

Watch this video to learn more, read this NPR article or visit redhatfactory.com.

The red hat Tracy is wearing in this picture was made by her CSA colleague, Dena Rose Kryzanowski.
 

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each month, we will share an article inviting reflection on this anniversary, the current state of our democracy, and our personal role in its maintenance. 

On July 5, 1852, abolitionist Frederick Douglass was asked “to deliver a Fourth of July Oration” to a mostly white audience. He delivered his speech “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” (also known as "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?") at an event commemorating the 76th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Rochester, New York. Douglass began the speech with praise for the principles that led to the Declaration of Independence.

Feeling themselves harshly and unjustly treated, by the home government, your fathers, like men of honesty, and men of spirit, earnestly sought redress. They petitioned and remonstrated; they did so in a decorous, respectful, and loyal manner. Their conduct was wholly unexceptionable. This, however, did not answer the purpose. They saw themselves treated with sovereign indifference, coldness and scorn. Yet they persevered. They were not the men to look back. 

His hour-long speech reflected on how the independence being celebrated was far from universal. 

The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony.

He did not give up hope that the nation could improve, though. He celebrated that the United States was still young and had room to grow improve.

… nations number their years by thousands. According to this fact, you are, even now, only in the beginning of your national career, still lingering in the period of childhood. I repeat, I am glad this is so. There is hope in the thought, and hope is much needed, under the dark clouds which lower above the horizon. 

Eleven years after Douglass' Speech, The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.  

It took another 23 months for the executive order to be ratified as the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, on December 6, 1865.

And another seven months beyond that for the news of freedom to reach people who were still enslaved in Texas on June 19, 1865. 

Despite the abolition of slavery, it still continues in many forms today usually via human trafficking. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. It is a crime under state, federal and international law and is currently the second-largest type of criminal activity, exceeded only by the illegal drug trade.

Our work to maintain and expand independence is far from over, but as Douglass celebrated the constant opportunity for improvement, so do we.

Read the full speech

Watch a dramatic recreation of the speech courtesy of the US National Archives:

Reflect

1. As I listen to Douglass' speech, which parts still seem true in today's United States?
2. Do I have the same hope as Douglass for the continued improvement of our democracy?
3. What hoped-for changes does this inspire in me, and how can I be part of bringing those changes into reality?

Learn more about CSA's “US at 250” initiatives

Our country is more divided than ever, with too many of us isolated from those who hold different views. This division damages our communities, disrupts our families, and stops us from working together for the common good. Braver Angels works hard to change that. Braver Angels is leading the nation's largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. They believe our nation can survive and thrive for every American who contributes to the effort. 

Of the numerous programs Braver Angels offers us, one of my favorites is the 1:1 conversation experience. My first 1:1 conversation was a “Red/Blue,” meaning, I was paired with someone with different political views than I. His name is Paul and he lives in Connecticut. Braver Angels provided us a well-outlined guide for the two of us to engage in self-directed, non-facilitated conversation. Our conversations were one hour each and we met via Zoom. We became friends so easily that we have continued to meet beyond the two initial conversations encouraged. We look forward to our conversations. We take turns developing ideas for questions and then agree on three of them ahead of our meeting. We both appreciate how refreshing it is to talk civilly about views we see differently on without feeling like we are going to be attacked. As you might imagine, we even find quite a bit that we agree on!

Braver Angels offers several 1:1 conversation types including:

• Conversations Across Generations - connecting one person 18-30 with one person 61+
• Immigration - connecting two people with differing views on immigration
• Race, Ethnicity and Culture - connecting two people from different racial, ethnic or cultural groups
• The Golden Rule - connecting people from different states for a discussion on The Golden Rule
• … and more!

Another experience that I have appreciated quite a bit are the national debates. These are offered online and in person. I found that by attending the online debates, I was able to sit and simply listen to what each side was saying. After a few, I got brave enough to insert a question to someone with a different view than me.

I highly encourage EVERYONE to browse the website to learn more and find an experience that feels right for you.

Braver Angels also has local alliances with two here in Wisconsin, one in Milwaukee and one in Green Bay.

Give yourself a gift this holiday season. Give Braver Angels a try! You can become a member for only $12/year. 

 

No matter where you’re situated on the political spectrum, you doubtlessly have loud voices telling you to watch out for unreliable information or “fake news”. Some of those voices are from your past: parents, priests, and schoolteachers. Other voices are current: journalists, politicians, entertainers, and neighbors. We’re all formed by the encounters and experiences we’ve had, and our worldview shapes how we receive new information. An important task of any mindful person is to sift what we hear to discern what’s actually true.

One of the best tools we have in countering misinformation is a healthy dose of skepticism. Don’t take things at face value. Seek confirmation elsewhere, especially when it too closely matches your hopes or when it seems too good to be true. Lots of people benefit from our unexamined belief. Even sources we trust need verification; every source has a bias, even if you agree with it. Look for confirmation from multiple, unrelated sources.
Read the full article, written by Ryan W. Roberts, OLF, in this November 2025 offering from the Sisters of Mercy: https://sistersofmercy.org/mercy-for-justice/critical-considerations/#misinformation 

The Institute Justice Team provides the following recommendations for information sources:

• CLINIC
• Reuters
• Vatican News
• AFP
• Catholic Charities USA
• Democracy Now
• Brennan Center
• Heather Cox Richardson
• BBC
• National Catholic Reporter
• Associated Press
• FAIR

They also suggest these fact-checking sites to try:

• Media Bias / Fact Check
• FactCheck
• AllSides Media Bias
• PolitiFact
• Snopes
• AP Fact Check

Braver Angels Wisconsin is offering free workshops to help residents bridge the partisan divide. Two in-person workshops are being offered two Saturdays in November.

Families & Politics - Saturday, Nov 1, 9 am to Noon at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue, Racine
Don't let Thanksgiving turn into a food fight! Learn how to preserve family bonds while staying true to your values and political beliefs. Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use these strategies with any loved one. You’ll have some fun in this workshop too – it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families. FREE but registration required

Depolarizing Ourselves - Saturday, Nov 8, 1:30-3:00 pm at Brown County Library - East Branch, 2253 Main Street, Green Bay
Bridging the partisan divide starts with how we talk within our own political "tribes" - learn how to tame your inner polarizer during this in-person workshop. FREE but registration required.

Cannot make an in-person workshop OR want to learn more about Braver Angels?
Braver Angels has a new CEO, Maury Giles AND an exciting new mission/vision. Whether you're a new member/subscriber or existing, please join us. You’ll learn how our mission is evolving to have greater impact. You'll also meet other members and find out more about making a difference right here in the Badger State. This will be a Zoom meeting. Register here.
 

Attention Milwaukee area residents...

People of all faiths and no faith, all spiritualities & theologies gather in small groups to share a meal & participate in a moderated discussion using a proven model, evoking deep exchanges about lived experiences & the role of faith &/or spirituality in their lives. Through exploration & dialogue, participants learn about the beliefs & traditions of others within an atmosphere of respect & understanding, & are empowered to stand as witnesses for tolerance & inclusion.

The next dinner is scheduled at Good Shepherd Trinity Church in Milwaukee on October 30 at 6 pm. Click here for more information and to register.
 

Braver Angels is bringing Wisconsin together to bridge the partisan divide and you can participate!

Join the online webinar, “Welcome to Braver Angels in Wisconsin” on September 16, 7-8 pm. Whether you’re new to Braver Angels (BA) or just want to know more, please join. You’ll meet other members and find out how you can make a difference right here in the Badger State.

Learn more and register here.

You may also attend the state-wide debate online: “K-12 Education in Wisconsin” on September 24, 7-9 pm. Participants (altering “blue” and “red” views) will be allowed to speak to the resolved statement: “K-12 school choice is good for Wisconsin Communities..” These online debates are done so well, with clear guidelines, that allow all voices to be heard and uninterrupted. These online debates are highly recommended for anyone just starting out and wanting to sit and observe the process too.

Learn more and register here for the online state debate.
 

Researchers and developers are experimenting with agrivoltaics, a type of farming system that combines agriculture production, such as crop or livestock production or pollinator habitats under or around solar arrays.

Here in Fond du Lac, WI, sheep on Halbur’s Heavenly Hill graze on a 32-acre pasture, eating grass under and around the rows of a 5-megawatt solar display. Halbur’s farm is one of the rare examples of agrivoltaics in Wisconsin. Sheep are the most commonly grazed livestock in agrivoltaic systems (they’re also very snuggly). Goats tend to chew on wires and jump on panels. Cows don’t have the same bad habits but do require the panels to be raised much higher, significantly increasing the cost of a solar array.

Agrivoltaics is viewed as a potential path to meet the state’s renewable energy needs without sacrificing agriculture. In a 2021 survey, over 80% of respondents said they’d be more likely to support solar development in their community if it included agricultural production.

Read more in this Cap Times article

Halbur’s Heavenly Hill welcomes individuals and groups and provides educational visits. Visit their Facebook page for more information. 
 

Catholic political advocacy involves advocating for policies based on Catholic Social Teaching, which emphasizes the dignity of human life, the common good, and solidarity with the poor and vulnerable. Catholics are encouraged to advocate for what we are for, not for what or who we are against.

Be sure you know and understand your rights when taking a nonviolent, peaceful stand this weekend or in marches and rallies in the weeks ahead. The ACLU offered an online webinar on June 10. 

The materials discussed during this webinar are available for print on their website.

EXPLORE ALL THE MATERIALS

They also have a video series regarding your individual rights when interacting with federal enforcement officers.

Explore all the videos

In May 2005, under a rushed and undemocratic process, the U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Act, requiring all states to check immigration status before issuing a driver’s licenses or state ID, and to only issue driver’s licenses to persons who are US citizens or have legal status. Despite community efforts led by groups like Wisconsin’s Voces de la Frontera to block implementation, the state passed a state law in March 2006 entitled Act 126, which took effect on April 1, 2007, in anticipation of the REAL ID Act. Under Act 126, undocumented immigrants and people who do not have a social security number can no longer renew or obtain a driver’s license or state identification. Since then, the struggle to restore state driver licenses and state IDs for immigrants has been an ongoing struggle in Wisconsin and nationally.

A lack of access to driver’s licenses is not limited to undocumented individuals, however. Low-income US citizens, especially people of color, have also been affected by stringent laws that limit access to affordable driver’s education and penalize those who do not have the funds to pay their traffic and parking tickets. In 2016, 60% of license suspensions were due to unpaid fines rather than infractions related to unsafe driving. These harsh practices have disproportionately criminalized Black, Brown and low income working class drivers, fueling mass incarceration, voter disenfranchisement, and creating barriers for people to access healthcare, school and other vital services that require an ID. 

Throughout his first four-year term as Governor of Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers championed the restoration of driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.  His efforts have been met with opposition.  
Winning drivers licenses for all would not just benefit immigrants, it would have a major impact on all Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin Budget Project, an initiative of Kids Forward, noted in their Widen the Roads report the benefits of providing driver licenses to undocumented individuals, such as lower insurance costs for all drivers, greater access to gainful employment, and safer roads overall.

Voces de la Frontera continues to work with Governor Evers and pressuring the Wisconsin State Legislature to pass legislation restoring access to driver’s licenses for all regardless of immigration status, and ending the practice of suspending licenses solely due to inability to pay fines. To achieve this goal will require a year-round bottom up organizing effort to lobby our state legislators, continued participation in the electoral arena to support candidates that support access to driver licenses, and building alliances with others to challenge discriminatory policies that undermine public safety. After decades of organizing, there is broad community support for restoring driver licenses for immigrants that cuts across party lines.

If you’d like to join this effort, visit https://vdlf.org/driver-licenses-for-all/. There are opportunities for community sign-on letters for business owners, farmers, religious leaders, law enforcement, and elected officials.

It is time to make Wisconsin’s roads safer and more accessible for all. Visit https://wisconsinforsaferoads.org/ 
 

Braver Angels is a nonpartisan organization uniting “red and blue” citizens in a working alliance to depolarize America. They envision an American with respectful embrace of political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes and competing perspectives strengthen our nation. They embrace values of respect, humility, honesty, and responsible citizenship. The goal of Braver Angels conversations is not to change people’s views of issues, but to change their views of each other.

One thing Braver Angels (BA) does incredibly well is host online debates. In national debates, participants join from across the country to share their perspectives on hot political issues affecting us all. Debates are moderated in which persons on all sides of the issue are able to equally speak in a shared, safe space. Just last week, BA hosted an inaugural Wisconsin-only debate, which was a huge success.

You can participate in the next National Debate on May 20 at 7 pm CT. The topic will be Resolved: Social media companies should fact-check users’ posts. What do you think? Register to participate or just watch, listen and learn. 

To learn more about the principles that guide debates, check out this short intro video. To learn more about the structure of debates, watch this short sample debate or watch a highlight reel.

Register here for may 20

On May 31 at 1 pm CT, you are invited to a special BA national workshop called Families & Politics. Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Participants will learn what (often combative) roles family members typically play in conversations about politics. If you want to preserve important family bonds while staying true to your values and political beliefs, this workshop will give insights into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging, and offer you strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way. It won’t be all as super-serious as it sounds; be prepared for some fun during this workshop too!

Register here for May 31

To get Braver Angels news and offerings for yourself, subscribe to the Braver Faith. This newsletter shares articles, resources, and upcoming events that celebrate and support the unique contributions that people of faith bring to the work of Braver Angels. Learn more about Braver Faith.

Sign up for Braver Faith monthly newsletter

Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life invites us to a dialogue on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6:00-7:00 pm CST. This will be livestreamed and recordings are available afterwards.

Latinos are a major force in the U.S. Catholic Church that will define the direction of U.S. Catholicism for generations. At the same time, in the midst of deepening polarization, the role of Latinos in shaping U.S. culture and politics is complex and evolving. 

This dialogue will explore what it means to engage in public life as Latinos/as and Catholics in a society shaped by ideological, political, and social fragmentation. As the Church weighs how to engage the country in defense of immigrants, in support of poor children and families, to prevent the destruction of the environment, and to protect the life and dignity of all, Latino Catholic ministry, media, education, and intellectual life can offer distinctive ways forward.

Focusing on the ecclesial and cultural institutions built and sustained by Latino Catholics in the United States, this conversation will explore a vision for the future of Latino pastoral and political action, considering how Latinos can guide the Catholic Church into a new era of engagement in U.S. political life.

Please RSVP
 

Braver Angels envisions an America with respectful embrace of political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes and competing perspectives strengthen our nation. They embrace values of respect, humility, honesty, and responsible citizenship. Their goal is not to change people’s views of issues, but to change the views of each other.

Braver Angels offers a podcast, e-courses, online workshops and debates, and personal experiences.

In May 2025, Braver Angels is offering THREE events just for Wisconsin.

The first is an online debate on May 7 from 7-8:30 pm CT. Participants will have the opportunity to debate, or simply listen to, responses to this statement: “America-First is Good for Wisconsin.”

Whether you’re a regular at Braver Angels debates or totally new to this unique “shared search for the truth,” join over Zoom to debate the impact of President Trump’s America-first agenda on America’s Dairyland. Come to debate, or just to listen.  REGISTER HERE.

To learn more about the principles that guide debates, check out this short intro video. To learn more about the structure of debates, watch a highlight reel, or check out this Quick Start Guide.

Second, there will be an in-person workshop in Green Bay on Saturday, May 10 from 10-11:30 am called, Skills for Disagreeing Better. Participants will gain understanding of the values and concerns of those who differ from you politically and practice essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground. Learn more and register here.

Third, you are invited to attend a state-wide New Members Meeting on Thursday, May 22, 7-8 pm online. During this meeting, you'll learn more about the organization's history, its mission, and the exciting plans for reinvigorating Braver Angels in Wisconsin. We'll give you a tour of the website (there's so much, it can be overwhelming) and share ways to get involved. Registration link coming in upcoming newsletter. Join at https://braverangels.org/get-involved/#become-member. 
 

Braver Angels is a nonpartisan organization uniting “red and blue” citizens in a working alliance to depolarize America. They envision an American with respectful embrace of political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes and competing perspectives strengthen our nation. They embrace values of respect, humility, honesty, and responsible citizenship. The goal of Braver Angels conversations is not to change people’s views of issues, but to change their views of each other. Learn more at  https://braverangels.org/ 

One thing Braver Angels (BA) do incredibly well is host online debates. Participants join from across the country to share their perspectives on hot political issues affecting us all. Debates are moderated in which persons on all sides of the issue are able to equally speak in a shared, safe space. Here is a sample of a BA debate: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d14Ug_ZRROpw92ZIuzzd29JtRY354CTB/view 

Today, millions of Americans are thrilled with the changes President Trump and his administration are bringing to our government while millions of others fear it’s an existential threat to this nation. In their current National Debate Series: Trump’s First 100 Days, Braver Angels has already had debates on Birthright Citizenship and Foreign Policy. The two left will cover DEI (April 22) and answer the question: “Is President Trump Making America Great?” (May 1) You won’t want to miss these! There are a few tickets left to attend these online debates, but get them soon! 

Sign up here through Eventbrite

Hero of Fascist? Watch and share this video

There are currently Braver Angels Alliances in Madison and Milwaukee, WI. Learn more at https://braverangels.org/braver-citizens/find-a-local-alliance/ 
 

In their March 19th webinar, the Franciscan Action Network and Pace Bene partnered to provide a powerful and insightful webinar titled, “Using our Power - Nonviolence & Noncooperation in History & Today.” The webinar explored how strategies of noncooperation, through boycotts, economic blackouts, and other forms of civil resistance, have shaped history and continue to be used today to defend democracy, challenge oppression, and promote justice.

One of the esteemed panelists in the webinar was Dr. Ken Butigan. Dr. Butigan is a strategy consultant with Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, which has trained tens of thousands of people in the power of nonviolent change and which organizes Campaign Nonviolence, a long-term, nationwide effort seeking to foster a more nonviolent culture free from war, poverty, racism and environmental destruction. He opens the webinar in the Spirit of St. Francis of Assisi by sharing this quote: “When we see or hear evil spoken or done, or God blasphemed, let us speak well and do well and praise God who is blessed forever.” Indeed this is what is needed in these times.

Also presenting in the webinar was Maria Stephan of Horizons Project, who had formerly worked at the U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent nonprofit, established by Congress in 1984. Just last week, DOGE and FBI agents entered the Institute of Peace to remove employees who had been fired days earlier as part of cuts from DOGE. This news clip explains why this is problematic and has been getting news attention:

Many agree this webinar is extremely timely. It provided hope and inspiration in the power of collective action and nonviolent resistance. If you missed it, you will want to watch the recording here:

Another piece of interest is this March 26 NCR article in which Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is quoted, “When one of us is under attack, all of us are under attack” and peaceful protestors hold signs that beg for moral courage from our leaders. Our faith calls us to be like Jesus in our persistence and resistance.

Now, if you’re ready for action, please consider joining a community near you that is hosting a “Hands Off” mobilization on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Madison, elsewhere in Wisconsin, or across the nation. Find details with a quick Google search.

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC) and Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet Franciscans, invite you to a series of four monthly Zoom gatherings for the purpose of better understanding persons of cultures other than our own.

Tuesday, March 25 Wednesday, May 28 
Wednesday, April 30 Wednesday, June 25
6:00 - 7:30 pm CT

TO REGISTER FOR ONE OR MORE and GET A ZOOM LINK, Email: tpmarciani@gmail.com with your name, email address and phone number.

May we have a deeper appreciation of people of all cultures so we more fully grasp how each person can live to her/his full potential and all of us can live well together.
 

You are invited to join a one-hour webinar - Using Our Power - Nonviolence & Noncooperation in History & Today - on March 19 at 3 pm CT. This is hosted by Franciscan Action Network and Pace e Bene Campaign Nonviolence.

The webinar will feature: 

• Maria Stephan, Ph.D., coauthor of Why Civil Resistance Works, award-winning author, and organizer, whose work focuses on the role of nonviolent action and peacebuilding in advancing human rights, democracy, and sustainable peace
• Rivera Sun, author of The Dandelion Insurrection, editor of Nonviolence News, and Program Coordinator for Campaign Nonviolence, with extensive experience in nonviolent strategy and movement organizing.
• Ken Butigan, cofounder of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in Rome and professor at DePaul University, who will offer reflection on nonviolent action in lives of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

Explore together how strategies of noncooperation - boycotts, economic blackouts, and other forms of civil resistance - have shaped history and continue to be used today to defend democracy, challenge oppression, and promote justice.

Register to secure your spot
 

NETWORK invites you to join them for an important webinar on Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 pm CST, where they will present “Moved to Action: Saving SNAP, Medicaid, and More!”

During this policy webinar, they will share the very real threats facing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, and how we can work together to mitigate harm.

Unable to attend? You can still register and receive the recording and slides. REGISTER HERE.

Concerned about the current times?? You’re not alone. But, throughout the country, in both religious and secular sectors, the message is unified - our greatest impact begins at the local level.

It is time we all turn up our engagement efforts and exercise our rights and duties as participants in our democracy. Please review the following actions and consider what step you can take within your own sphere of influence. Whether big or small, every effort matters - what’s most important is that we each take action. 

Advocacy & Activism:

• Respond to action alerts to your legislators. Remember that you are responding as an individual constituent, not on behalf of your congregation.
  • Help those who can’t do the technology to respond.
• Sign the petitions on issues that are important to you.
• Write Letters to the editor of your local paper.
• Use the app “5 Calls" Civil Action App  https://5calls.org/
  5 Calls is an app for your phone (Apple or Android) and works on an iPad. This app makes it easy for you to reach your members of Congress to make your voice heard. They research issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices. All you have to do is call.
• Write positive letters to those who are resisting Project 2025, harmful policies, and spending cuts.
• Speak with one voice…starting point is the Gospel… We are stronger together.

Collaboration & Networking:

• Collaborate with other groups national and local…numbers make a difference.
• Encourage the Bishops and churches to be more vocal. Remind them of the Gospel Values.
• Take the recent CSA or LCWR statements and study them in your groups and circles.
  • A Response from the Sisters of St. Agnes to These Times
  • A Response from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious to These Times
• Talk to everyone, family, friends, even people in the grocery line…let them know what you believe.

Spiritual & Emotional Support

• Energy follows thoughts…what type of energy do we want to put out each day? Support our actions by prayer.
• Work on ourselves so that we don’t become what we are fighting against.
• Encourage people to remember that all of us are human beings and we share a common humanity.

Support for Specific Organizations and Creativity

• Support organizations that are challenging unjust policies through legal means.
• Support artists and musicians. We need their creativity.

What We Can Agree On

One thing most Americans and our congressional representatives do commonly care about is the economy. So it is important we share with our representatives, and others, how actions being taken affect us personally. For example, regarding federal spending cuts and job eliminations, these negatively impact our local economies, and of course, our own families and communities.

It is recommended you call the representatives, whom you want to see change from, with one issue a day. Clearly state your name and your zip code so they know you are a constituent. You do not have to state who you voted for. Simply deliver an honest, heartfelt story regarding issues such as: how your small business is impacted, your family farm is at a loss, your retirement and 401K are tanking, your child’s education is suffering, the agencies you work for or sit on the board for that are helping people out of poverty, addiction and mental illness are having to close, etc. In a day or two, call again regarding a new issue. The key is to call often. It is absolutely crucial that we increase the level of calls we make each week. Consider using the 5 Calls app mentioned earlier to help you know more about the issues and to provide you with helpful scripts.

Find your Senators

Find your House Rep

Locally, find your State Legislators

The outcome of the November election may not have been what some of us were hoping or expecting, but we are invited to consider how we will respond.

The CSA community is invited to join Racine Dominicans and their Justice Promoter, Tim Hall, for a 2-part conversation about the results and implications of the November Presidential election.

Part 1: What Happened? January 9 at 6:30 pm
Part 2: The Way Forward January 16 at 6:30 pm

No registration required. The Zoom link is the same for both sessions: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89134343300 

Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. Coming out of the election, they’re bringing together “We the People” to find a hopeful alternative to toxic politics. The American Hope campaign is equipping Americans across the political spectrum to work together and demand the same of politicians from both parties.

The CSA Leadership Team and JPIC Office endorse the work of Braver Angels and encourages you to consider attending one or both of these post-election offerings:

1.    Ask Me Anything: A Red/Blue post-election S.O.S. (A Braver Way podcast recording)

Two weeks after the 2024 election, left-right tensions are through the roof. In this special “Ask Me Anything” episode, a cross-partisan panel of Trump and Harris voters take on a fiery handful of YOUR toughest questions about how in the world we bridge political divides from here… just in time for the holidays. Join host Moni, April, and our special guests — Angel Eduardo, Shira Hoffer, and Travis Tripodi — as they close out this season of A Braver Way with a conversation you don’t want to miss.

2.    Managing intense emotions and important relationships after the election (Saturday, December 7, 1:00–2:30 pm CST)

Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty will guide us in navigating intense post-election emotions and preserving key relationships. Whether feeling the elation of victory or the despair of defeat, he will offer insights on coping with strong emotions, upholding values, and building bridges in deeply divided times.

As the holidays approach, let’s come together for this vital conversation and take a meaningful step toward healing and unity.

The Franciscan Peace Center continues its “Movies that Matter: Informing Your Vote” series.

At a time when many Americans question democratic institutions, One Person, One Vote? unveils the complexities of the Electoral College, the uniquely American and often misunderstood mechanism for electing a president. The documentary follows four presidential electors representing different parties in Colorado during the intense 2020 election.

After registering for the event, participants will receive a link to view the film online at their convenience between September 11-25.  Viewers are invited to attend our online discussion session on September 26 at 6:00 PM CDT. A Zoom link to the online discussion will be provided upon registration.

There is no cost associated with viewing the films or participating in the discussion session.

Please click here to register: https://form.jotform.com/242284011616145 

The “Movies That Matter: Informing Your Vote” series offers monthly access to thought-provoking documentaries addressing a spectrum of topics relevant to voters, including immigration, gun violence, overcoming partisanship, care of the Earth, voting rights, and more. Each film will be available for streaming over a two-week period, providing ample opportunity for reflection and dialogue.

A preview of the film is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtIGI6ro3U8 
 

The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life offers what looks to be another fantastic public dialogue that will be live-streamed and recorded for later viewing. Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 5 pm CT. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalGeorgetown 

This pre-election Public Dialogue will explore the political and religious dynamics of this tumultuous U.S. presidential election year after the attempted assassination of former president and current candidate Donald Trump, the withdrawal of President Joe Biden, the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris, and the selection of J.D. Vance and Tim Walz as vice-presidential nominees.

In this unprecedented context, our democratic institutions are being tested. As we approach this election and look to the future, Pope Francis’ warnings about the global “retreat from democracy” remind us that the goal of politics is “listening and serving people” and that “democracy always requires the transition from partisanship to participation, from ‘cheering’ to dialogue.”

Reflecting the latest political analysis through the lens of Catholic social teaching, this dialogue will explore these and other questions: 

• What is going on, and what should we look for in the final six weeks of the campaign?
• How will faith and the faithful shape the campaigns and voters’ decisions in this election?  
• How will these choices affect our democracy and our future as a nation? 
• How do polarization, isolation, and lack of solidarity threaten our democratic norms and institutions? What can be done to strengthen them?
• How can Catholic principles of respect for human life and dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity, a priority for the poor, and care for creation be reflected in the discernment and choices of believers?

Tuesday, August 13 is the partisan primary in the state of Wisconsin, where voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the November general election.

CSA encourages voting for candidates who promote the common good. Pope Francis makes it clear: “Catholics and all people of good will are to be multi-issue voters, not single-issue voters,” in the 2024 elections and in our continued participation in public life. Know your candidate's views on the issues most important to you.

In Wisconsin, you can find voting and polling information at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/.

Also in Wisconsin, there will be two constitutional amendment questions on the ballots August 13. The Wisconsin League of Women Voters explains them here: https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin as does the ACLU.

For all your voting decisions, we encourage use of Network Lobby’s Equally Sacred Multi-issue Voter Checklist.

Earlier this week, historian Heather Cox Richardson talked about Project 2025 and drew an online crowd of 42,000 people. More and more people are becoming aware of what this extreme project means for American democracy and personal freedoms. Want to learn more? Watch this Red Wine & Blue recording with Heather or do some research on your own - there is A LOT out there!

While presidential candidate, Donald Trump, is denying any knowledge of Project 2025, his 2024 GOP Platform has very similar language. Listen to what Heather has to say around the 23-minute and 32-minute marks of this recording, and you decide.
 

July 17, 2024, marked the fourth anniversary of civil rights hero and Congressman John Lewis’ passing. 

For six decades, John Lewis fought tirelessly to expand and protect the rights of Black voters and all Americans. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 was one of the crown jewels of his lifelong fight for justice and equality.

But, in recent years, the Supreme Court has gutted this crucial civil rights law, ushering in a new era of suppressive state laws and politicians attempting to silence our voices.

We can fix that by passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will restore and strengthen essential protections of the VRA, shielding millions of voters from potentially discriminatory voting laws.

EVERY voter should be able to cast their ballot on Election Day – free from obstruction or intimidation. Passing this bill would be a major step towards creating the democracy we deserve.

Here are frequently asked questions, answered by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Use this form to tell your senators to take action and pass this crucial legislation.
 

The “Movies That Matter: Informing Your Vote” series from the Franciscan Peace Center continues in June with a virtual screening of A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting.  Advance registration is required to view the film online between June 11-27.  A follow-up presentation by survivors and a viewer discussion session will be held on June 27.

The film provides an in-depth look at the tragic events of October 27th, 2018, when a gunman opened fire inside a Pittsburgh synagogue, killing eleven people as they prayed, in what would become the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting is a deeply personal portrait of the survivors, victims, and family members, who share their harrowing first-hand accounts of the impact of the shooting on the community.

The film is rooted in a community in the aftermath of a violent attack, as they work to rebuild and heal. Despite core differences, they come together to determine what justice looks like and how to best move forward while honoring and learning from the past. The film sheds light on the collective trauma suffered by a tight-knit group and brings into sharp focus the hate-based rhetoric that surrounds many of the mass shootings today, threatening the fabric of our society.

After registering for the event, participants will receive a link to view the film online at their convenience between June 11-27. On Thursday, June 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT, viewers are invited to a live Zoom session that will begin with a presentation from Carol Black and Audrey Glickman, survivors of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. Following the presentation by our panelists, viewers will be able to participate in a discussion session about the film with other viewers from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. CDT

There is no cost associated with viewing the films or participating in the discussion sessions. Interested individuals can learn more and register online at https://form.jotform.com/241414381478155 to secure their spot in this transformative series.

The “Movies That Matter: Informing Your Vote” series offers monthly access to thought-provoking documentaries addressing a spectrum of topics relevant to voters, including immigration, gun violence, overcoming partisanship, care of the Earth, voting rights, and more. Each film will be available for streaming over a two-week period, providing ample opportunity for reflection and dialogue.

The Franciscan Peace Center, established by the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, provides meaningful programming that addresses systemic issues integrating spirituality with the mission of promoting nonviolence and advocating for social justice, including immigration reform and human rights.

For more information about the series and other educational opportunities, visit www.ClintonFranciscans.com.
 

Join 87% of Americans from all walks of life who imagine a world beyond “us vs. them.

Starts With Us is a movement tired of polarizing politics and endless culture wars and declares the power to reclaim our culture Starts With Us. It was founded on the beliefs that diversity of thought is a strength that leads to our most innovative ideas and that we must cooperate across our differences to solve the most pressing societal challenges of our time. Learn more at startswith.us/

Additionally, or alternatively, read this beautiful letter co-written by Starts With Us Founding Partner, Daniel Lubetzky, and Honorary Board Member, Lonnie Ali, Co-Founder of the Muhammad Ali Center. As a passionate Jew and a passionate Muslim, the two came together to humbly share a path forward for how to transcend the construct of “us vs. them” and side with humanity instead. Enjoy this letter.
 

This election, faith-filled voters have the opportunity to choose community over chaos. This April and May, join NETWORK Advocates from across the country for a four-part series to dig deeper into what it means to be a multi-issue Catholic voter, learn strategies to engage people in challenging conversations and build hope-filled narratives that inspire people to care about important issues, and explore concrete actions you can take to influence the election.

You’ll notice that each workshop session has multiple time slots–you only need to sign up for one since the content will be repeated. You do not have to sign up for the same time slot each week. It is hoped that you can attend all four workshops in the series, but your participation is welcomed in any! REGISTER HERE.

Watch NETWORK’s February 2024 Policy Update: Choosing Community Over Chaos