Bending the Arc

Nuns Against Gun Violence, the Franciscan Peace Center and Franciscan Action Network are collaborating to bring a webinar featuring expert panelists to discuss gun violence prevention in Missouri. These advocates are working for change in a state with some of the worst gun laws in the United States. There is definitely a lot that can be learned from them.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 8 at 6:00 pm CT

Panelists include:

• Janet S. Hyde, Ph.D. | Professor Emerit of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, and Co-Missioner for Gun Violence Prevention for the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri; author of The Psychology of Gun Violence: How Smart Choices Can Save Lives
• Jessica Meyers | Prevention Partnerships Director for the St. Louis MHB, where she supports the St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission
• Maggie Nurrenbern | Missouri State Senator representing Senate District 17 in Clay County
• Emily Sides Schiltz | Member of the St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Gun Sense Committee, motivated by her children's survival of a school

REGISTER HERE
 

WAVE (Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort) is teaming up with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for an afternoon of fun - and purpose!

Join them at the Fox Cities Stadium (Neuroscience Group Field) on Sunday, July 13 for a special WAVE fundraiser. When you buy discounted tickets through this link, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to WAVE, supporting their work to prevent gun tragedies in Wisconsin.

Whether you’re a hardcore baseball fan or just looking for a great time out with family and friends, this is a chance to enjoy America’s pastime and support a safer Wisconsin.

Get your discounted tickets today!
 

John Lewis was an American civil rights leader and politician best known for his chairmanship of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and leading the march in Selma, Alabama in 1965 across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

That day, protesters were confronted by a large force of sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, and deputized “possemen” (some on horseback) who had been authorized by Alabama’s segregationist governor George Wallace to “take whatever means necessary” to prevent the march. Given two minutes to disperse, the marchers were almost immediately set upon. They were quickly doused with tear gas, overrun by horses, and attacked with bullwhips and billy clubs. As a result of the brutal assault, more than 50 marchers were hospitalized, including Lewis, whose skull was fractured but who spoke to television reporters before going to the hospital, and called on Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson to take action in Alabama. Millions of American television viewers witnessed the event, which became known as “Bloody Sunday,” and within 48 hours demonstrations in support of the marchers had taken place in some 80 American cities. The resulting heightened awareness would contribute mightily to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act, which was signed into law by Johnson on August 6, 1965. More of this history found at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Lewis-American-civil-rights-leader-and-politician 

John Lewis served in the US House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death on July 17, 2020. He had a famous saying, which was “Get into good trouble, necessary trouble,” which encourages people to actively confront injustice and inequality.

Since his passing, July 17 has become the John Lewis Day of Action. On this day, Americans have been urged to schedule meetings with our Members of Congress to talk with them about the merits of expanding access to voting, many of which are addressed in the current Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act would modernize and revitalize the Voting Rights Act of 1965, strengthening legal protections against discriminatory voting policies and practices.  

This year, however, some have renamed the day, “Good Trouble Lives On,” which is a national day of nonviolent action to respond to defend our democracy and carry forward the legacy of Good Trouble.

On July 17, 2025 events are happening across the country, such as this one in Oshkosh, WI. Find an event in your area by visiting https://goodtroubleliveson.org/ 

It should be noted that a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals that 76% of Americans believe democracy is facing a serious threat. That percentage includes 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents and 57% of Republicans. Additionally, 73% view politically motivated violence as a significant issue.
 

Georgetown University invites you to another fantastic public dialogue next week, July 10 at 5:00 pm CT titled, Pope Leo XIV: What Happened, Why, and What it Means for Catholic Social Thought and U.S.Public Life. This event is offered online via livestream.

RSVP HERE

Pope Leo XIV brings to the papacy his roots in the United States, an Augustinian religious vocation, decades of ministry in a poor diocese in Peru, and service to Pope Francis at the Vatican. He began his papacy by calling for peace, mercy, and justice in our hurting world. He spoke of the importance of building bridges and has a track record of doing so.

In choosing the name of Leo XIV, our new Holy Father honors Pope Leo XIII, the father of modern Catholic social teaching who championed the dignity of work and the rights of workers. Pope Leo XIV said he chose his name
“because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor.”

This dialogue will take a deeper look at how Cardinal Robert Prevost became the first pope from the United States and the significance of his choice of Leo XIV as his name. It will also examine the legacy of Leo XIII and the potential role of Catholic social teaching in the leadership of Pope Leo XIV. In addition, the dialogue will explore some of the “new things (rerum novarum)” we face today in our Church, nation, and world, along with the implications in U.S. public life of a pope with roots in the United States, ministry in Latin America, and leadership in our global Church.

Cannot make this event? Don’t worry, this recording and all their past webinar recordings are available on their YouTube page

Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) hosts a monthly virtual prayer vigil on the first Fridays of the month. These are sacred spaces to lament upcoming executions and bear witness to the sanctity of all human life. Because of the 4th of July holiday, this month’s vigil will be on the second Friday, July 11 at 1 pm (CT).

Sr. Laurie Brink, OP, Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa will provide the featured scripture reflection. Sr. Laurie is committed to promoting biblical literacy and has presented on a variety of biblical topics across the world.

Register to join via Zoom or tune in to the YouTube livestream and/or watch recordings here: https://www.youtube.com/@CMNEndDeathPenalty/streams 

The Sierra Club invites you to an exciting event in Milwaukee, WI on Saturday, July 12. They’re about to unveil the display of tens of thousands of origami fish and break the world record for largest display of origami fish, currently set at 18,303 made by a group in Japan. The goal is to highlight their campaign to underscore water protection and shut down Line 5. “Fish for the Future” is composed of organizations, activists, and volunteers from across the Great Lakes region. Read more here.

Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, July 12th
Time: Display open 10am - 3pm
Location: Washington Park Urban Ecology Center
RSVP HERE

Please attend if you can and share with anyone who might be interested! 

If you’d like to be part of putting up the display on Friday, July 11, sign up for a shift here. Contact Jadine Sonoda, campaign organizer, at jadine.sonoda@sierraclub.org with any questions.

Fabric of St. Peter, the institution responsible for the conservation and maintenance of St. Peter’s Basilica unveils an environmental sustainability plan inspired by the encyclical Laudato Si and includes reducing emissions, monitoring air quality, and cultivating care for our common home. It is hoped to spread best practices to pilgrims during the Jubilee Year and encourage sustainable behaviors and lifestyles. Read the full story in this Vatican News article. 

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.  

Plastic Free July™ provides resources and ideas to help you (and millions of others around the world) reduce single-use plastic waste everyday at home, work, school, and even at your local cafe.

Will you be part of Plastic Free July by pledging to refuse single-use plastics?

Yes, I will take my pledge!

Take the Pesky Plastics Quiz

Print these posters for home reminders or share in your workplace.

Learn how to Mind Map! Use resources like the ones found at https://learningfundamentals.com.au/resources/ to inspire change and action. Print this map to “Deplastify Your Life” and put it on your refrigerator.