Bending the Arc

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/ 
 

When beekeepers opened their hives for the first time this year, many of them found devastating numbers of empty hives and scientists warn that honeybee colonies in the U.S. are projected to decline by up to 70% in 2025.

Contributing factors for these record-high losses include pesticide exposure, diseases, and nutritional deficiencies. One of the biggest factors could be the varroa mite. Read more here.

Watch this video to understand ways you can help our native bees and honeybees in crisis

In May 2025, a sober-living home for women and children (under 7) will open in Fond du Lac, WI. ARYA (Adult Recovery & Youth Alliance) will have programming available for women living in the home related to trauma, mental health, substance abuse, and overall wellness. They will also have activities and support for the children in the home to foster growth and family connection.

Too many women face homelessness, relapse, and lack of resources after completing treatment for substance-use disorder. The mission at ARYA is to change that by providing a stable, safe, nurturing environment where women can continue to rebuild their lives with dignity and support while allowing their children to stay with them on site. There are not enough resources like this, and they are desperately needed.

Learn how you can get involved at https://www.aryaprograms.com/ 

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.

Indiana knows the value of clean energy. In 2018, a Central Indiana school superintendent says his district’s newly installed solar farm is expected to save the district more than $2 million over 20 years. The Tipton Community School Corp’s nearly 2,000 solar panels went online in the Fall of 2018.

Fast forward to 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) established a path for the nation on climate change that included investments in domestic energy production and promoting clean energy. It also implemented policies to reduce the federal government deficit, change IRS tax laws, and lower prescription drug costs. Indiana qualified for grants to support new electric charging stations and solar projects.

Part of the IRA funding was the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The $5 billion program offered funding for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on state highways and corridors. Indianapolis planned to use its $15 million grant to install charging stations near libraries, parks and culturally relevant sites for Black and Brown communities. In early February, the City announced it had to halt the installation because of federal freezes on grants and loans. Soon after, the state also halted plans for EV charging stations on interstates and highways.

The IRA also authorized a $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. One of its programs, the Solar for All fund, reserved $7 billion to expand solar energy into low-income communities, including in Gary, Indiana. Again, plans to install a solar farm in Gary have been put on hold. Read the full story here.

In contrast, the U.S. Department of Defense requested nearly $850 billion for 2025, largely for military activities. Americans have very different views for how they want their federal dollars used and what it means to care for Earth, and each other.
 

The March 2025 UNANIMA International (UI) newsletter is now available for viewing! You can find this, and all prior newsletters, on their website here: https://unanima-international.org/newsletters/ The newsletter is available in four languages.

It has been a busy time at the United Nations with the Commission for Social Development (CSoCD) taking place in February and the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) just ending on March 21. These commissions provide a stock take of what has been achieved and an outline of what still needs to be done.

A draft resolution, submitted by the Chair of CSW, can be found here.

A summary of the Beijing Platform for Action +30 from the Women in Migration Network can be read here.

For more information on the Commission and UI’s involvement, go to the CSW60 page on their website. 
 

Ma Yang was born in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of Hmong refugees after the Vietnam War. She was 8 months old when her family resettled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and she has lived there ever since. She is now 37 years old. In 2020, she pleaded guilty to taking part in a marijuana trafficking operation and served 2-½ years in prison for counting and packaging cash that was mailed to suppliers of the drugs. Her attorney told her the plea deal would not affect her immigration status as a green card holder, but her legal permanent residency was revoked. She was deported to Laos earlier this month, a place she has never been, does not know the language, and has no family or friends. She has limited resources and dwindling medical supplies for her health conditions. She is now stranded in a rooming house in the capital of Vientiane, surrounded by military guards, with little idea of what to do next.

Ma is a mother of five. Her partner of 16 years, Michael Bub, has disabilities and is struggling to sleep and take care of their children. Their story has struck a chord with so many across the nation, especially those in the Hmong American community who have built lives in the U.S. and could not imagine returning to Laos. Ma’s case is almost unheard of since few people have been deported to Laos in recent years as the U.S. had designated Laos an “uncooperative” country that did not receive its deportees. Read the full Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article.

The family is seeking donations at gofundme.com/f/support-ma-yangs-return-to-her-kids.

The Independent picked up this story and has recently reported some updates to Ma Yang’s situation. Read that article.

Additionally, note these hotlines to report suspected unjust ICE encounters:
CASA (National) - 1-888-214-6016
UndocuProfessionals Network (National) - 1-844-500-3222
Voces de la Frontera - 414-465-8078
Forward Latino - 888-238-9473
Marathon County has a line to report ICE encounters at 715- 551-2552
ACLU Wisconsin - https://www.aclu-wi.org/en/about/contact-us 

Visit https://www.csasisters.org/our-values/trafficking.cfm for a more extensive list of immigration services. 

With the U.S. Administration’s freeze on federal spending for foreign aid and refugee settlement, Catholic Charities agencies across the nation are having to lay off employees and some are closing down completely.

"The abrupt termination of some government contracts and ongoing speculation about the status of other government funding has created a broad sense of uncertainty among faith-based social services providers," said Kevin Brennan, vice president for media relations and executive communications at Catholic Charities USA.

Simone Blanchard, JPIC Director for the Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours, shares: “As a former volunteer with several refugee resettlement agencies and the former Director of Parish Social Justice Ministry for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the services that the Church has provided for so many years to people fleeing violence and persecution is impressive and inspiring. Refugees are people who have fled their country of origin due to war, violence or persecution and sought safety in another country, usually in a refugee camp. They are vetted and processed by the United Nations and often wait multiple years to be resettled in another country. The January 20th executive order suspended the US Refugee Admissions program, and the administration failed to pay for services already completed by refugee resettlement agencies prior to January 20. This forced many refugee resettlement programs to close or shrink down to a skeleton staff. This places refugee families especially those that have just arrived in January in very difficult situations. Many of them are now without assistance or a caseworker to help them navigate this new land and secure employment. This will lead to homelessness for many families hoping to find peace and security in the United States.

Further, the “freeze” on International Humanitarian & Development assistance and the decimation of USAID is leaving the most vulnerable around the world in desperation without access to food, anti-retral viral therapies, or public health interventions to curb infectious disease. Many faith-based agencies working overseas have laid off thousands of staff including Catholic Relief Services. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to respect the dignity of every human person and work for the common good. The actions of this administration in this regard are immoral and should be countered by every person of faith and goodwill.
The following are two ways to take action urging your legislators to end the freeze on US Foreign Assistance and protect essential safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP for people living in poverty in the US: 

• Take action here on a CRS/USCCB alert urging the resumption of critical, lifesaving international humanitarian and development assistance. 
• Take action here on a USCCB alert to tell Congress to protect essential safety net programs that families facing financial hardship in the United States rely on.

In a different view, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister warns that the U.S. Administration’s decision to gut foreign aid assistance has created a “problem worldwide.” The diplomat added that the Administration's cancellation of some $60 billion in foreign aid comes "at a time when it seems, to us, very evident that what the world is in need of now is more expressions of solidarity, not less." Read the full article here.

Where do we find hope? "What remains certain is that Catholic Charities agencies across the country will continue to offer merciful, life-changing support to the most vulnerable members of their local communities — as they have for more than a century," Kevin Brennan told NCR in an email.  Read the full NCR article here.

World BEYOND War is offering a six-week online course that features six core modules, three interactive Zoom sessions, and a strong emphasis on reflective practice, collaborative learning, and community building throughout. As the world races to prevent climate collapse, finding solutions to today’s unprecedented socio-ecological challenges has never been more urgent. While discussions on climate change continue, it is crucial to address the elephant in the room—war. The call to end war is not just about peace and security: it is essential for the survival and flourishing of humanity and the planet.

War and the Environment starts Monday, March 24, 2025. This online course runs for six weeks with an approximate 3 to 6 hours per week commitment. Cost is on a sliding scale from $25 to $100, more if you can afford it. 

Learn more about the course modules and/or register here

Mass terminations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are “crippling” the agency, upending federal workers’ lives and leaving farmers and rural communities without needed support, according to interviews with 15 recently fired employees stationed across the U.S. Read more here.

A February 28, 2025 farmer press conference in South Portland, Maine featured farmers who are directly impacted by the federal funding freeze on payments from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Their stories must be heard. No doubt they represent the concerns of farmers in every state. You can read the press release and watch the full press conference on the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) website.

Millions of dollars in USDA funding, including funding for a variety of innovative, science-based programs that support farmers across the country, is now in question. Despite USDA stating that some payments are moving forward, the farmers who spoke last week have not had their payments resumed. 

Nearly every farmer in the U.S. works with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), on a regular basis, and every single American benefits from the programs of USDA. For the last month, freezes on payments at the federal level have impacted farmers throughout the country. Despite being told that once Secretary Rollins was confirmed the payments would quickly resume, farmers are still waiting for payments, many of which are for reimbursements on signed contracts, for work that has already been done.

“Taking these funding opportunities away from farmers, breaking existing contracts with farmers — it affects all of us,” said Janelle Plummer, co-owner of New Spoke Farm in West Paris, Maine, at the Feb 28 press conference. “In the same way that food starts in a farmer’s field and ends on your plate, the repercussions of these political decisions will ripple out into all of our communities. The effect of this doesn’t end on my farm, it only begins there.”

Farmers face incredible uncertainty every season, but one thing that has always been stable — until now — is USDA contracts. The farmers who spoke in this press conference work hard day in and day out to grow healthy food that feeds our communities. We need them.

ACTION: Please call on your congressional leaders to ensure that the USDA honors the contracts and pays our farmers.

UPDATE: Read this March 11, 2025 press release from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/3d65c65 
The Trump Administration has indicated it plans to renege on its contractual obligations and intends to terminate critical federal funding that supports Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) programs designed to strengthen food supply chains, support farmers and producers, and distribute locally grown food to local communities.

UNANIMA International’s newest publication, "The Hidden Faces of Homelessness, Global Insights and Pathways Forward" has been released! In celebration of this occasion and in recognition of World Social Justice Day, the publication was launched on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Baha'i International Community Office in New York and streamed online. The event included a panel discussion on the topics covered in the publication, presented by some of the multi-stakeholder experts who contributed to the publication. You can watch that recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlGcX4hHCuk

UNANIMA International (UI) truly appreciates the continued support from its contributors and the colleagues who joined them for the public launch, including several CSA sisters, associates, and staff.

This publication is available now with this digital publication link: https://tinyurl.com/yj7rywkv

You can also download the publication from the UI website here: https://unanima-international.org/resource/the-hidden-faces-of-homelessness-global-insights-and-pathways-forward/

Additionally, the CSA JPIC Office has two hard copies that may be borrowed. We encourage everyone to find some time to read and share the great work done in this publication, and consider expressing your appreciation to the UI staff by sending an email to director@unanima-international.org  

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.
 

If you watched the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2, you may have heard one of the most powerful speeches in years when the film, “No Other Land,” won the Oscar for Best Documentary.

The film was made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four activists - Adra, Hamdan Balla, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor. It tells the story of the destruction of Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank by the Israeli military. The title, “No Other Land,” comes from a woman in the film who asks where else the Palestinians of the West Bank are supposed to go.

Abraham, in his acceptance speech, not only highlighted the “ethnic supremacy” instituted by his country in the Occupied Palestinian Territories but also challenged the destructive role of the United States: “I have to say, as I am here, the foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path [to peace].” You can watch their acceptance speeches in full here.

No Other Land is available to watch online for about $4 USD on Microsoft.com.

Details here 

The CSA JPIC Office will be showing this movie on Monday, April 21 at 6 pm.  Please join us in person or online! 

REGISTER HERE

Watch the trailer here: 

The Trump administration’s efforts to halt funding and dismantle the United States’ capacity to provide food for the hungry, health care for the sick, and hope for the poorest people on earth are destroying the lives and dignity of millions of our sisters and brothers around the world. Much of the debate on these reckless actions has focused on who did this, how it was done, and the political dimensions of these actions.

Join the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life for their program March 13, 2025 at 12:30 pm CT.

This online Initiative dialogue takes a very different approach. It focuses on the human consequences and moral implications of this abandonment of our nation’s traditional commitment to the poor around the world. We will look at these actions through the experience and expertise of Catholic sisters serving the poor around the globe and the work of Catholic Relief Services, which offers life-saving humanitarian assistance in almost 100 nations. We will hear directly from sisters and CRS leaders who feed the hungry, care for the sick, provide shelter to those without it, and meet the needs of those affected by conflict and disaster.

This timely dialogue will examine how to assess these unprecedented challenges in light of the Gospel and Catholic social teaching. It will explore through the eyes of those on the front lines what we should do to resist these destructive actions and how we can express solidarity with the poor and vulnerable around the world as well as with those who serve them. 

Kimberly Mazyck, associate director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, will moderate the dialogue.

The dialogue will be recorded and posted online for later viewing. 

REGISTER HERE

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
 

March is Women’s History Month and here are a few of the amazing women who are making history and a positive change for good in Indian Country in Wisconsin, as reported recently in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

•  Marj Stevens is one of three Oneida women who founded the Indian Community School in Milwaukee, now located in Franklin. Today, the school enrolls more than 300 students representing more than 30 tribal nations across North America. Its mission is to provide an Indigenous American education with a special emphasis on teaching Indigenous history, culture, language and practices. Stevens also helped to revive traditional ways for the Oneida community in Wisconsin, which had nearly been lost because of assimilation. 

• Alaqua Cox is an actress from the Menominee Nation who starred as Marvel’s first live-action superhero and had her own series on Disney+ called “Echo.” It is a role that has inspired many Indigenous girls across the country after seeing themselves represented as a superhero. 

• Carol Amour is not Native, but her late husband, George Amour, was Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe from Wisconsin. She has done a lot of volunteer work in Indian Country in Wisconsin and her current project is to save the pow wow exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. She is helping to lead those efforts along with a committee of mostly Indigenous people from the Milwaukee area who have personal connections with the lifelike exhibit. The museum is being closed as a new building is being built and museum officials do not plan to move the exhibit to the new museum.

• Elena Terry is a Ho-Chunk chef who founded Wild Bearies, an educational non-profit looking to build stronger tribal communities through Indigenous food systems and farming techniques. She recently competed on a Food Network TV show called “BBQ Brawl” and faced off against some top pitmasters.

• McKaylin Peters is a Menominee woman who recently created the short documentary, Fighting the Fight, highlighting the epidemic of violence against Indigenous people. She spoke about the issue in Washington D.C. with former Vice President Kamala Harris and other decision-makers in the federal government. Peters currently works as the spokesperson for the Menominee tribal chair’s office. 

We are grateful that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has chosen to highlight these remarkable Indigenous women from Wisconsin who are making history, and hope for the continued success of their work.

The Stuart Center in Washington DC works for social justice through education, empowerment and partnership with others at the national and international level. A just world is characterized by recognizing the dignity of each person and the integrity of all creation.

A resource of the Stuart Center is the Social Justice Resource Center, which links faith to action by providing information and resources on the social issues of our time. One feature of the SJ Resource Center is to create a newsletter with a monthly theme. The theme for March 2025 is The “Undocumented.” Each newsletter provides valuable statistics to support our advocacy on the issues we care about most. The March issue also continues valuable articles and information to include the document from the USCCB titled, 10 Things You Can do to Accompany Undocumented Immigrants.

Prior newsletter themes included: Farm Workers, Asylum Seekers, the War in Sudan, Wind Power, Prison Rehabilitation Programs, the Arms Trade, and more. View all newsletters at https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/newsletters/ 

The Social Justice Resource Center offers hundreds of:

• Key Principles such as Catholic Social Teaching, Justice, Peace & Forgiveness
• Facts & Figures and Church Teaching on Specific Issues
• Resources such as Publications, Films and Websites
• Biographies of Individuals Involved with Social Justice
• A Calendar with Events and Anniversaries Throughout the Year
• Quotes and Prayers Organized by Issue Specific Action Ideas
• Links to Catholic Diocesan Offices by State

I hope you will bookmark this website or consider subscribing to their email list. Email contact@socialjusticeresourcecenter.org 

You can also follow them on Facebook.
 

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Food banks, food pantries, and organizations help people access affordable, nutritious food for themselves and their families. Canned and boxed foods are some of the most-requested non-perishable food items. Monetary donations provide non-donated food.

More than 50 million people turned to food programs in 2023.
Source: Feeding America's annual report Charitable Food Assistance Participation 

Want to learn more about Feeding America?

Sister Mary Riedel, CSA, volunteers at the Salvation Army food pantry, which is associated with the national Feeding America. Surplus food is delivered by area grocery stores and restaurants, other sources, and mail workers’ food drive. Sister Mary stocks edible produce and commodities on shelves. Expired food is delivered to a pig farmer.

Volunteers stock shelves with canned goods and dry goods. Volunteers appreciate interactions with clients, who may be in dire need, have sad stories, and appreciate a compassionate listener.

Help the Fond du Lac Food Pantry by becoming a volunteer.

Find Salvation Army volunteer opportunities within your region.

Front pond of the CSA motherhouse during the winter months of 2017

The Laudato Si' Movement is based on millions of activities (inspired by Laudato Si') of Christians, the Catholic Church, churches, religious and secular partners around the world. 

The Laudato Si’ Movement is supported by 967 member organizations, 11539 Laudato Si' Animators, 204 Laudato Si' Circles, 58 National Chapters and thousands of volunteers worldwide. Everyone is welcomed and invited to participate and to act. (https://www.laudatosi.org/about-1/)

Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes: www.csasisters.org/our-values/creation.cfm

Special thank you to: Chelsea Koenigs, Laudato Si’ Animator; Jean Hinderer, CSA; Julie Ann Krahl, CSA; Patricia Bogenschuetz, CSA

 

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.

On Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 pm CST, the Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin will offer a live, hour-long Zoom update on the situation in Gaza and the Middle East by Dr. Peter Makari. Dr. Makari will share information about the latest developments in Gaza and the region, as well as the work Middle Eastern faith leaders are doing to promote a just and permanent peace in Palestine/Israel. Following his presentation, Dr. Makari will invite Zoom participants  to converse with him and one another about how they and their local faith communities can support this work.  

This event is designed to assist spiritual leaders and members of communities of faith and conscience to consider, from a faith perspective, what is taking place in Gaza and the wider Middle East and how they can participate in efforts to realize the widely shared hopes of people for peace and reconciliation in Israel/Palestine.

Dr. Peter Makari serves as Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe for Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In that role, he is deeply immersed in the situation and on-going developments in Israel/Palestine and the Middle East. Peter works closely with UCC and Disciples partners in the region, including the Middle East Council of Churches. Having recently returned from Jerusalem and Jordan, Peter’s presentation will provide an opportunity for us to hear, first-hand, about the latest developments in Gaza and the region.
This event is free but registration is required. Click here to register.

On February 8 we will celebrate the 11th Edition of International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.

It is the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita who was a victim of trafficking as a child. She has become a symbol of freedom and a source of inspiration for the entire international community committed to combating human trafficking and exploitation.

The theme for 2025 is: Ambassadors of Hope: Together Against Human Trafficking. 
This year, in light of the Church Jubilee, we continue our journey with open hearts filled with compassion, HOPE and solidarity, recognizing our shared commitment to justice. The pilgrimage is a sacred journey, in which each step brings us closer to our mission. By committing in solidarity, we accompany those whose lives have been uprooted and stand to advocate for justice, protection and dignity.

Every step we take is an act of prayer and symbol of hope.

Talitha Kum invites us, either individually or in communal participation in their online pilgrimage on February 7th and in various initiatives scheduled from February 2nd to 8th in Rome and around the world. Find out how to participate.

Download and share this Vigil of Prayer 2025

Imagine if one day people on all continents and in all countries turned out to rally against and demand the closure of all military bases?

Don’t just imagine it… It is happening, February 23, 2025!

Find the event nearest you or create one and add it to the map at https://worldbeyondwar.org/closebases/ 

The Earth is coated in military bases, spreading like a pandemic: foreign ones, domestic ones, famous ones, secret ones — part of a growing and disastrous global increase in spending on wars and preparations for wars that makes wars more, not less, likely. And prime targets in wars are bases and anything near them.

Bases are many of the worst environmental disaster sites, polluting air, soil, and water, and generating horrific noise pollution.

Foreign bases are often mini-apartheid states with second-class status for locals and criminal immunity for militaries — a situation that can often be traced back to stolen land and other injustices.
Check out and share the new video at DayToCloseBases.org. 

Through public pressure, bases have been closed, plans for bases have been blocked, and bases have been converted to other purposes, superior environmentally, economically, and in terms of achieving peace.

On February 23, people will be protesting bases with nonviolent actions around the world: rallies, vigils, peace festivals, protests, lobby visits, demonstrations, flyering at gates, teach-ins, and celebrations where bases have been prevented or closed and converted into something useful.

Find an event near you or see how easy it is to create one at DayToCloseBases.org.

Some of the many organizations involved are:

• International Peace Bureau (Global)
• No to War – No to NATO Network (Global)
• Pace e Bene (U.S.)
• RootsAction (U.S.)
• Veterans For Peace (U.S.)
• War Industry Resisters Network (U.S.)
• War Resisters’ International (Global)
• World BEYOND War (Global)

A pledge of “massive deportations” was at the center of President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, and steps are already being taken to carry this out in the early days of his administration. The executive orders and other actions taken by the administration pose serious threats to immigrant families and to refugees, present a pastoral challenge for Catholic and other faith communities, and infringe on the constitutional rights of religious organizations to carry out their ministries serving their neighbors in need.

What are the moral dimensions, human consequences, and policy aspects of these commitments and actions? How should the principles of Catholic social teaching shape a response for people of faith and national and local leaders?

In a timely public dialogue, offered by Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, five experts and leaders will discuss the administration’s plans along with questions of human dignity, family separation, border integrity, the right to seek asylum, religious liberty, and related issues.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 5 pm CT.  If you cannot join in person, the dialogue will be livestreamed and posted online for later viewing.

 RSVP Here

You can find recordings of all Georgetown’s impressive dialogues in their YouTube playlist

Join the ACLU of Wisconsin for an important Know Your Rights training. This training focuses on giving power to immigrants, their loved ones, and dedicated community members with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and assert their rights. Whether you're an impacted person or just want to help others, this event will give you the tools to navigate challenging situations confidently.

Date: Tuesday, February 11
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Register in advance

Can’t attend the training? Learn on your own. Visit: https://www.aclu-wi.org/en/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights 
 

Nuns Against Gun Violence (NAGV) is a coalition of Catholic Sisters and their allies that affirms the value of human life through prayer, education, and advocacy for common sense, evidence-based, gun violence prevention. They meet via Zoom every other Thursday at 12:00 pm CST.

Updates from their January 19, 2025 meeting include:

• Plans for their 2nd annual Lenten Fast to Prevent Gun Violence. This year, our advocacy focuses on the intersection of gun violence and immigration. To help us demonstrate the breadth of this movement, please complete our commitment form. We will inaugurate the fast with an opening Ash Wednesday Prayer Service on Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. ET on Zoom and YouTube. Register at bit.ly/NAGV-Ash-Wed  
  Please let Tracy know if you are interested in joining the planning committee or assisting in any way. 
• Everytown USA released their gun  law rankings for all 50 states. They assert a connection between stronger gun safety laws and lower rates of gun deaths. You can see how your state ranked here
• Win Without War urges us to contact the Secretary of Defense about ammunition made for the Pentagon that is showing up in crime scenes in the U.S. Use their Action Alert here
• Guns Down America is requesting stories about why people choose not to own a weapon. They ask: “Do you choose to live without owning a gun, like ⅔ of other Americans? We want to know why, as well as any experiences with guns that have shaped your view. Your point-of-view could change hearts and minds to reduce gun ownership and gun violence.” The perspective and experiences of women religious could be a powerful aspect of this project. Share your story here.
• A Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill was introduced in the Senate. It would allow a person who has a concealed carry permit in one state to do so in any state, allowing them to travel freely between states without regard to conflicting state codes. Keep an eye on this one.

Their next coalition meeting is Thursday, February 6 at noon. Please let tabler@csasisters.org know if you’re interested in attending this or future meetings.
 

Running to Stand Still is a documentary film about the humanitarian crisis on the U.S./Mexico border. Running seeks to put a human face on the U.S. immigration “issue” by telling heartbreaking and inspiring stories about the migrants, and from the migrants themselves.

The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary invite you to their Film Zoom Event on February 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm CT.

Register here

Cannot attend this showing? The CSA JPIC Office is planning to offer this movie one night in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
 

Last October 2024, 50 women climate activists from the global South, their counterparts from the North, young and older, from diverse faiths, faith-based NGOs, as well as secular organizations, together with male allies, came together in Frascati, Italy, for four days.

Organised by Wilton Park, in partnership with the British and Irish Embassies to the Holy See, Islamic Relief and the International Union of Superiors General, women from 15 different countries and 8 different faith traditions, came together to birth a new network of women of faith and their allies, committed to radical collaboration for climate justice - the Women, Faith and Climate Network (WFCN).

Sister Jean Quinn, DW, and Executive Director of UNANIMA International (pictured in the second row, far right, in white blazer) was invited to be among these women. Sister Jean reported on the astounding work that was accomplished in their time together. She also reflected on the grace in the meeting with Pope Francis as he gave the group his blessing at an audience in St Peter’s Square.

UNANIMA will be presenting a webinar with UISG and Laudato Si’ in the first quarter of 2025 for WFCN.

A summary of the October meeting, building blocks of the journey ahead, and more can be found in this report. 
 

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

 As part of the Franciscan Peace Center's commitment to education and advocacy, they will be hosting a virtual screening and talkback session for the film “Food Chains.”

“Food Chains” reveals the human cost in our food supply and the complicity of large buyers of produce like fast food and supermarkets. Supermarkets earn $4 trillion globally. They have tremendous power over the agricultural system. Over the past 3 decades, they have drained revenue from their supply chain leaving farmworkers in poverty and forced to work under subhuman conditions.  In this exposé, an intrepid group of Florida farmworkers battle to defeat the global supermarket industry through their ingenious Fair Food program, which partners with growers and retailers to improve working conditions for farm laborers in the United States.  Their story is one of hope and promise for the triumph of morality over corporate greed – to ensure a dignified life for farm workers and a more humane, transparent food chain.

The link to view this film will be distributed immediately upon registration, and participants are invited to join the talkback session from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm CST on January 23, 2025. During the talkback session, the Franciscan Peace Center will be joined by members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers as we discuss issues related to labor trafficking including forced migration, unsafe working conditions, and unfair wages.

You are invited to join. Please click HERE to register for the talk back session. 

A preview of the film is available HERE. 

If you have questions, please contact Marsha Thrall at mthrall@clintonfranciscans.com.
 

The problem of human trafficking has become so prevalent that in 2011, President Barack Obama designated January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed annually on Jan. 11. And in 2015, the Vatican named Feb. 8 the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.

Below are some valuable resources:

In this Global Catholic Sisters Report article of January 6, 2025, sisters reflect on their ministry to survivors of sex trafficking in the Midwest.

In a recent meeting with members of Sisters Program of the Benedict Center in Milwaukee, WI, LCWR-9 Justice Promoters and Communicators joined staff and board members to discuss how they could work together to maximize the advocacy efforts around human trafficking issues. (See group photo)

Read the January newsletter from Alliance to End Human Trafficking
 

Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity, a program of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, started as a one-time teaching webinar whose work expanded into a statewide campaign working on equity with a particular focus on what is happening in our schools. Currently, this group gathers for monthly webinars featuring speakers on a variety of topics related to equity and a time for local organizing around the state. 

The next meeting of Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity will be on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:30 PM on Zoom.

Attendees will consider What Is The Beloved Community's "Project 2025?" What do we, who are trying to build the Beloved Community, need to work on in 2025? What tools do we have for doing that work?

Join the conversation and exercise your holy imagination! 

Register here
 

You are invited to a 3-session online conversation on the book, “Come Have Breakfast: Meditations on God and Earth” by Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ.

Gatherings are Mondays, 5:30 – 6:45 pm CST with the following schedule:
1. January 27, 2025 Before meeting read sections: Intro; Creation: A Relationship; and The Vivifying Presence of God, up to page 91.
2. February 10, 2025 Before meeting, read sections: Jesus and the Earth; and, Humankind and Otherkind, up to page179.
3. February 24, 2025 Before meeting, read section: God’s Beloved Creation and Afterward.

Register with this link by January 15, 2025: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uc-6grz8rHtYvgKmcZ0mdFDj8rwxv-9VH 

For more information contact planners, Sr. Catherine Darcy, RSM at cdarcy@sistersofmercy.org; Sr. Carol De Angelo, SC at cdeangelo@scny.org, Sr. Alice Marie Giordano, OSU at giordanomdg@aol.com 

Conversation format: opening prayer, highlights of section, small group discussion followed by large group discussion.

Sponsored by Metro New York Catholic Climate Movement, ROAR (Religious Organizations Along the River), Dominican Sisters of Hope, Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Sisters of Charity of New York, Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Sisters of Mercy Justice Team - NY, Ursulines of the Roman Union, Eastern Province.
 

More than 60 Catholic groups and individuals — including the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes — signed a letter urging President Joseph Biden to support an initiative promoting debt relief for low- and middle-income countries.

Specifically, the letter asks Biden to support a new issuance of Special Drawing Rights, or SDRs, which are a reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund. With the stroke of a pen, the SDRs through executive authority would provide people around the world with direly needed relief from their suffering in the face of poverty, hunger, and natural disaster and doing so would cap Biden’s legacy of global leadership.

The letter was covered in this Global Sisters Report article on January 6, 2025. 

The Giffords Center just released its Annual Gun Law Scorecard, which analyzes and grades all 50 states on the strength of their gun laws and compares that to their gun death rate. The data is undeniable: Fewer people die from gun violence in states that care enough to pass gun safety laws. It’s that simple. The gun violence crisis isn’t a mystery. It’s a choice America has made.

Read the Scorecard

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 

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was introduced to congress in 1971, proposing that it should be clearly written into the constitution that people should be protected equally under the law in the United States no matter their gender. The House of Representatives passed the legislation with overwhelming margins in both parties. One year later it passed the Senate with an eighty-four to eight majority. The next step would be for 3/4 of the states to adopt and then it would be added as a constitutional amendment. In five years they were only three states short of the number needed. Unfortunately, this is when a vocal high profile anti-feminist conservative activist, Phyllis Schlafly, led a resistance to the ERA effort using scare tactics and misinformation. It worked and the legislation was stalled for years.

Then in 2020 three more states, Nevada, Illinois and Virginia adopted the ERA through the work of women activists in response to the loss of women’s rights - hitting the magic number for ratification. At that point the ERA cleared all the bars for becoming a constitutional amendment. All that was left was for the President to contact the national archivist and tell them to publish the ERA into law.

But, when those last three states ratified, the Trump White House sent a memo saying that the national archivist could not publish the ERA because the original piece of legislation had a deadline of 1982.

Because of that deadline you would think the amendment was over. But there is clear legal argument for the continuation of the ERA. Including the fact that constitutional amendments don’t normally have time limits. The 27th Amendment was ratified in 1992, a full 223 years after it was introduced. Also there is nothing in the constitution that says an amendment has to be passed within a particular time limit. In August of 2024, the American Bar Association made a public statement that a deadline for ratification of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not consistent with Article V of the Constitution.

The point is that there is a real legal challenge to Trump’s White House memo to the archivist. All President Joe Biden has to do is pick up the phone and tell the national archivist to publish the ERA (which has jumped every constitutional hoop - passing overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, and 3/4 of the states adopting the legislation).

Yes, there will be undoubtedly a legal challenge. Currently over 45 Senators and over 100 House members have written and encouraged Biden to call the national archivist and put the publishing of the ERA into motion — then let it work through the courts as it should.

The publishing of the ERA would be a significant firewall for legislation that would discriminate against women and persons in the LGBTQ+ community. 
Contact President Biden and Vice President Harris today, requesting they make publishing the ERA before the end of their term a priority.

Read more about the full 100-year history of the ERA
 

An annual papal message for World Day of Peace (January 1) has been released every year since 1968. In this year’s message, titled “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace,” Pope Francis encourages us to confront the structures of sin that exploit the poor and our common home, emphasizing how God’s mercy in our lives can help achieve peace.

Read Pope Francis’ 2025 World Day of Peace message. 

How does this message challenge you? As you start the new year and make your resolutions, take a moment to think of one way you can address poverty in your community or parish. 

Visit the USCCB Poverty Awareness Month webpage

President Biden ran on a campaign promise to abolish the federal death penalty. On December 23, following weeks and months of public pressure, and just before Christmas, he commuted 37 of the 40 people on death row. This has caused many mixed feelings. While many are grateful for the progress, others feel he needs to finish the job. Leaving three of what some consider “the worst of the worst,” plus 4 on military death row, still makes killing justify killing.

The organization, Death Penalty Action was started in 2017. They work to stop executions and abolish the death penalty through advocacy, education, and action. They are also strong supporters of death by incarceration, not execution.

Hear Abe Bonowitz, Director of Death Penalty Action, in an NPR interview Christmas morning.

Following President Biden’s commutations, Death Penalty Action offered a powerful press conference. 

For the many that work so hard against the death penalty this was a victory, but with the next president coming in with his promise to execute as many as possible, we need President Biden to finish the job before he leaves office. In line with our corporate stance on the death penalty, CSA has signed this organizational sign-on letter to President Biden.

Individually, you can write to President Biden and urge him to:

• Commute the sentences of those remaining on federal and military death rows;
• Deauthorize all pending federal capital trial cases and establish guidelines prohibiting authorization of any new death penalty prosecutions during your administration;
• Rescind the lethal injection protocol; rescind the “Manner of Execution” regulation that took effect in December 2020; rescind internal DOJ guidelines on litigating death row cases that took effect in December 2020
• Order the Federal Bureau of Prisons to demolish the federal execution chamber and the building in which it is housed at the Federal Correctional Institution at Terre Haute

ACT NOW

This December, UNANIMA shares news from Italy, Cameroon, Haiti, the 12th Urban Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Egypt, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, and an upcoming event to be held in Qatar. 

Read the Newsletter

Open the article as a PDF 

Sister Florence Magnan cleans the birdbath outside Nazareth Court and Center to ensure the wildlife are not harmed by contamination. The water from the pitchers after the meals in the dining room is poured into two one-gallon buckets for houseplants, outdoor geraniums, and birdbaths. The birdbath attracts a diverse bird population. Sister Florence adds, “I continue the practice which Sister Rita Kramer began. Sister Mark Plescher identifies sparrows, cardinals, and mourning doves as frequent visitors of the birdbath.” 

What gives you hope as you care for your common home?

Dusty Krikau, Director of Mission Advancement for CSA, shared, “Birds that don’t eat seeds don’t go to feeders, but to birdbaths instead.” Birds, bees, and insects use birdbath water to stay hydrated, especially during a drought. A parking lot is a big, black, dead space, whereas the birdbath is an oasis. Birds are less likely to be attacked by hawks and other birds of prey if the birdbath is under trees, rather than near ponds in open areas.

The wild turkey is a bird that drinks from a birdbath placed directly on the ground. 
Click here to read “6 Tips for Feeding Wild Turkeys with Your Garden and Birdbath”.

Building a better future requires “the active participation 
of all members of the community.” (LS 144)

Inspired by the call to care for creation and the most vulnerable, we are witnessing a growing global response rooted in faith, justice, and hope.

Pope Francis recently recognized this response in his November 10 Angelus: "Three years ago, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform was launched. I thank those who work in support of this initiative."

This season invites us to reflect on the tender care we bring to creation and to one another, and to renew our commitment to building a just and sustainable future—a commitment that grows with every action we take.

The Laudato Si’ Action Platform provides us with the seven goals of Laudato Si’ and additional resources. Want to learn more?  Click here

The leaves fall from the trees surrounding the pond near St. Agnes Convent.
 

Special thank you to: Chelsea Koenigs, Laudato Si’ Animator, 
Mary Christopherson, Dusty Krikau, & Patricia Bogenschuetz, CSA

Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes - https://www.csasisters.org/our-values/creation.cfm
 

On Friday, December 13 - and every second Friday of the month - JCoR, the Justice Coalition of Religious, offers a global community hour. These monthly online gatherings are for Religious around the world to come together in prayer for our world and to shine a light on the most pressing justice issues emerging in your respective nations and regions.

In recognition of Human Rights Day, the theme for December’s gathering is human rights. Therefore, JCoR is especially inviting individuals to share their experiences in protecting, upholding, and fighting for human rights. As usual, all voice and justice concerns are welcome in this communal space, or simply attend to learn from others.

The time for this is 7:00 am CST. Click here to register. Sisters, Brothers, priests, lay associates, and partners in mission are all welcome!

Open this article as a PDF

Dave Gitter, part of the CSA Maintenance Team, carefully trims and prunes shrubs and bushes by cutting away overgrown and dead branches or stems and by removing debris. The process of pruning allows sunlight and water to reach the roots and improves air circulation for the tree or plant. This results in significantly increased growth and fruitfulness. Pruning decreases the spread of disease or decay and promotes new growth. This works wonderfully in yards.

Our prairie and woodlands, on the other hand, provide food and shelter from snowstorms, promote new growth, and become prime nesting material in the springtime.  Pruned material is composted or processed as mulch for natural walkways and woodland paths to live more sustainably and justly with gratitude for creation and ecological conversion.
Source: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/why-you-shouldnt-clean-up-the-fall-garden 

Prune bushes. Protect bugs. Provide for birds.
 

Upper pond at St. Agnes Convent

Pope Francis invites every person to care for our common home.

This call to “ecological conversion” is not only about large-scale policies, but also about integrating sustainability into our daily lives in ways that fit our local context. We can respond in both small and large ways.   
Laudato Si’ reminds us that we are all interconnected and share a responsibility to care for creation. Whether you live in a city, a small village, or on a ledge overlooking a lake, there are practical ways to bring the spirit of Laudato Si’ into your daily life. From reducing waste and conserving energy to planting a butterfly garden and pruning shrubs, every step matters.  Together, in both small and large ways, each of us can respond to this call to care for our common home.  5 Practical Ways to Live Out Laudato Si'. 
 

Special thank you to: Chelsea Koenigs, Laudato Si’ Animator, 
Mary Christopherson, Julie Ann Krahl, CSA, & Patricia Bogenschuetz, CSA

Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes: https://www.csasisters.org/our-values/creation.cfm   

Throughout the nearly two weeks of the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, religious sisters and women's organizations have worked to ensure decisions made on climate finances adequately address the unique needs of women and girls. Sister Jean Quinn, DW, Executive Director of UNANIMA International, is one of several sisters interviewed for this NCR EarthBeat article and coverage of COP29.

COP29 was scheduled to end November 22, but missed deadlines sent meetings into overtime. Catholic and other faith groups pressed world leaders in Baku to deliver a new climate finance target commensurate with what is needed to not only mitigate climate change to less dangerous temperatures, but adapt to its impacts and fund recovery from disasters that have already devastated communities. Read more here. 
 

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.

COP29 – The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11-21, 2024.

Please go to UNANIMA International’s COP29 resources page to see its position and policies papers, information about our side event, and more!

UNANIMA International will be represented at COP 29 by Deputy Director, Liana Almony. On November 21, Liana will be speaking on the panel of a Side Event at the Conference called: “Faith and Justice in Ecological Transition.” A recording will be available after the event.

The Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR) at the UN has made this guide to COP29 available in several languages - English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
UNANIMA International (UI) has consultative status at the UN. They advocate for holistic global policymaking on behalf of women and girls, migrants, and the environment. The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes is one of 23 member congregations that make up UI.

On November 15, despite widespread opposition to the controversial Line 5 project, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources granted Canadian oil giant Enbridge Energy permits for the construction of a new 40-mile pipeline segment that would facilitate the ongoing transportation and combustion of fossil fuels in the Great Lakes region. Those of us demanding climate justice, who stood in solidarity with the Bad River Band, are saddened and perplexed.

What next? Midwest Environmental Advocates is currently providing legal representation to several organizations working to stop new construction on Line 5: League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, 350 Wisconsin and Sierra Club – Wisconsin Chapter. Read more here.

Over the past century, Christian Zionism has been used to justify first the immigration of Jews to Palestine and then, with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, justification for the unquestioning support of Israeli policies of occupation and apartheid. 

• What is Christian Zionism?
• How does it appear in our churches?
• What are some different lenses we can use to examine the scriptures that underpin it?

Watch last month's webinar where Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner, retired Presbyterian pastor and theologian, and Rev. William T. Young IV, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, unpacked and challenged Christian Zionism.

October 24, 1945, following WWII, our forebearers gathered for the first United Nations General Assembly. The United States was one of the first 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. Today, there are 193 Member States, and our current U.S. Administration remains committed to this relationship. Read this White House Proclamation on United Nations Day 2024.

UNANIMA gets its name from United Nations (UN) feminine spirit (anima). It is an international coalition of 23 religious communities, including the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. UNANIMA International (UI) is a nongovernmental organization founded in 2002. For over 20 years, their focus has been on advocating on behalf of these women, children, and girls who are furthest left behind, and bringing their voices, perspectives, and experiences to the United Nations. Their grassroots members are women and girls with lived experience and who provide direct service to their communities - they are health care providers, educators, social workers, development workers, childcare workers. Through advocacy, research, education, collaboration, and action, UNANIMA's mission is to educate and influence policymakers on the areas of gender equality, migration, and climate change through a human rights-based approach.

In honor of UN Day 2024, and as CSA representative to the UI Board of Directors, Tracy Abler offered a presentation to sisters and associates on October 24, 2024.  

The following op-ed is created, and shared with permission, from members of Interfaith Peace Working Group (IPWG) in Wisconsin, retired pastors Rev. Fred Trost and Dr. Jerry Folk. CSA’s Justice Promoter, Tracy Abler, has recently joined these gentlemen on the IPWG Steering Committee.

“Christian churches in the Middle East and elsewhere have been working together for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for many years. They often stress the importance of understanding the roots of this conflict. According to Mitri Raheb, a Palestinian Lutheran pastor and educator, who spoke recently in Madison, the primary root of this conflict is Israel’s policy of “settler colonialism”, the objective of which is to cleanse the land of its native Palestinian inhabitants and incorporate their land into the state of Israel. For example, Israel deprives Palestinian farmers of water, making farming impossible. After three years of non-use, the law allows Israel to confiscate the land, move settlers in, and provide them water, electricity and protection.

In a recent webinar, Dr. Peter Makari, Global Relations Minister for the Middle East for the United Church of Christ, explained the history of this policy which has caused so many Palestinian grievances.* Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their ancestral homes in the 1948 Nakba (catastrophe) during the Arab-Israeli war and Israel will not allow them to return. Since then, armed conflicts in the region have displaced six million Palestinian refugees and their descendants. They are now scattered across Gaza, the West Bank and refugee camps in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, Israel has blockaded the flow of people and goods there, creating an outdoor prison. Palestinians in the West Bank are facing increasing Israeli restrictions on their movements and fierce attacks by Israeli settlers.

Although we support resistance to injustice and oppression wherever it occurs, we stand alongside those who reject the violent acts of Hamas on October 7, 2024. At the same time, we believe with millions of others around the world that this conflict did not begin on that day. The ongoing suffering of Palestinians and Israel's massive destruction of Gaza date back to 1948 when nearly 167,000 Palestinians were killed and 750,000 were expelled from their homes and the land on which they had lived for centuries. This terrible conflict screams for an end which allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace and enjoy the freedom, self-determination, human rights and security that they deserve as fellow human beings. Israel's massive violence in Gaza, in which a staggering number of more than 41,000 civilians have been killed, 63% of them women and children, does not take us a single step closer to the goal of peace and reconciliation. It takes us in the opposite direction.

We urge our government to change its foreign policy on Israel and the Middle East by ending its financial and military support for Israel’s massive and brutal actions in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon and by insisting on an immediate ceasefire and the beginning of serious negotiations for peace and justice in Palestine/Israel. Let us do all we can to support groups and leaders who work for this end.”

*To receive the link to Dr. Makari’s recorded Sept 26, 2024 IPWG webinar, please email Tracy at tabler@csasisters.org.
 

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) is a proud member organization of WNPJ. While no CSA members were able to attend the October 19th assembly you can find recordings here.

This October, WNPJ kicked off a wave of peace throughout Wisconsin. In remembering WNPJ’s origin as a network of organizations and individuals who united in a stand for peace at the time of the Gulf War, they continue to invite people from around the state to stand together for peace. Learn more in their Fall 2024 newsletter, now available here: https://www.wnpj.org/newsletter 

 

As we marked the Oct. 7th anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens and subsequent genocide being carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza (and into the West Bank and the region) the mounting death toll and images of shrouds of children and starving infants have broken all our hearts. Especially painful is that the U.S. has continued to provide political cover for Israel and offensive military weapons—without conditions—to Israel to enable the killing.  

While many of us have been consistently lifting up the need for a permanent ceasefire, a suspension of US weapons transfers to Israel, and diplomacy to address the occupation at the roots of the conflict, there are now two specific Resolutions in Congress—that are extremely important. 

1. The Senate “Joint Resolutions of Disapproval,” (JRD) introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, is a set of 6 resolutions that are categorized by weapons systems, calling for each category of weapons to be suspended, given their offensive nature, and given documentation that the Israeli military has used U.S. weapons in its strikes that have killed thousands of civilians. (JRD bill numbers and text: S.J.Res. 111, S.J.Res. 112, S.J.Res. 113, S.J.Res. 114, S.J.Res 115, S.J.Res. 116). This is a historic resolution and there will be a vote in early or mid-November (after the election) in the Senate.  The challenge is to get as many senators as possible to add their name as a co-sponsor before the vote.  Some steps you can take: 
2. ACTION: Mercy Sisters Action Alert; feel free to take their name out of the message body and put yours in, edit as you see fit, etc. CSA appreciates, and joins, the efforts of the Mercy Sisters. Here’s another template from FCNL Quakers lobby.  
3. If you have members in states with these senators, know they are considered key to convincing to sign on as a co-sponsor (most likely): Van Hollen, Murphy, Reed, King, Shaheen, Smith, Klobuchar, Warnock, Ossoff, Luján, Duckworth, Durbin, Warren, Carper, Whitehouse, Baldwin, Heinrich, Hirono, Sherrod Brown, Markey, Butler, Kaine. 
4. In the House of Representatives, a resolution was introduced in late September: H.R. 9649, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024. The bill calls to repeal the suspension that was placed on U.S. funds destined for UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), which is the primary distributor of aid in Gaza.  For more information on the bill, see Mercy’s action alert; and again feel free to use/adapt/put your name on it—and encourage your members to take action.  There may be a Senate companion bill coming in the near future, but for now, it’s just in the House.  You can check if your representative is among the 68 who have signed on as well here.

Additional resources:

• Mercy Sisters Leadership Team statement for the anniversary of Oct. 7.
• Resource, perhaps for prayer, FB video of the names of those killed in Gaza, w/music. Names are listed by age, and it is long 59 minutes, the first minute and a half—with children under age 1.

On October 18, NETWORK made its last stop in San Francisco to conclude their 3-week “Vote Our Future” tour. With stops in both Gary, IN and Milwaukee, WI on October 8 and a stop in Chicago on October 9, CSA Sisters and friends joined others from across the country in rallies,  site visits, and town halls to emphasize Pope Francis’ message: “The only future worth building includes everyone.”

Pope Francis also makes it clear: Catholics and all people of good will are called to be multi-issue voters, not single-issue voters, in the 2024 elections and in our continued participation in public life. CSA supports these sediments and supports the use of this “Equally Sacred Voter Checklist” as a resource to support others in education themselves as faithful voters on the issues and concerns that are equally sacred - the freedom to be healthy, freedom to live on a healthy planet, freedom to participate in a vibrant democracy, freedom to care for ourselves and our families, freedom from harm, and freedom to live in a welcoming country that values dignity and human rights.

Explore the posts from tour stops and valuable election resources here: https://www.nunsonthebus.org/ 
   

The Paris Agreement sets a benchmark for global climate action through its temperature goal. However, despite fossil fuels being clearly identified as the main driver of the climate crisis, they are not mentioned once in the world’s leading climate agreement.

Addressing only emissions reductions and demand without fossil fuel supply has allowed countries and companies to claim to be climate leaders while continuing to open, approve and fun new fossil fuel projects.

This is why the Paris Agreement must be complemented by a new Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that will: 1) Immediately end expansion of new coal, oil and gas production; 2) wind down existing production in line with the Paris Agreement target of 1.5 degrees Celsius in a manner that is not only fast but also fair; and 3) a just transition with global support to ensure no workers, community or country are left behind.

The good news is that a rapid global exit from coal, oil and gas is possible. The world has more than enough renewable energy resources to meet energy demands of every person on Earth.

Governments must now work together to ensure the global transition away from fossil fuels is fast and fair. You can join the call for a fossil fuel treaty and learn more here: https://fossilfueltreaty.org/

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with film screenings and panel discussion.

Milwaukee PBS presents a free screening of Roots and Legacy: Jesus Salas followed by a panel discussion at Flores Hall in Milwaukee on Wednesday, September 25, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

The documentary is based on Jesus Salas’ memoir Obreros Unidos: The Roots and Legacy of the Farmworkers Movement. It sheds light on the historical struggle of Latino migrant farmworkers during the 1960s. Facing harsh living conditions, they united to confront employers who denied them their rights. The movement led to new social services organizations and significant progress for Latinos in Wisconsin. 
Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvevL1WYobQ 

The screening will be followed by panel discussion. Don’t miss this opportunity to come together and honor the contributions, the rich culture, and heritage of Milwaukee’s Latino community. 
RSVP by clicking here.

Not in the Milwaukee area? This movie will also premiere on September 18th on Milwaukee PBS’ YouTube channel. 

Peter Makari, UCC Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe will offer a Zoom presentation for churches and communities of faith on the crisis in the region. 

On Thursday, September 26, at 7 pm, Peter Makari, a leading specialist on the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East, will offer a Zoom presentation for churches and other communities of faith on the crisis in the region. Born in Egypt, Peter is the Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe for the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.)  A member of the Board of Churches for Middle East Peace, he is among the most well-informed Church leaders on developments in the Middle East, having spent much of his life studying and living in that part of the world.    

Interfaith Peace Working Group (IPWG) invites readers to join Peter in an hour-long discussion of the present crisis in Gaza and Israel. Mark your calendars now! No registration needed.Use this Zoom link on the 28th: https://UCC.zoom.us/j/83824972681?pwd=KNjOoQkkRV6b2KzXBzaNhMROMADVsL.1

Meeting ID: 838 2497 2681 and Passcode: 688763. 

For additional information, contact Jerry Folk at interfaithpeaceworkinggroup@gmail.com  
Tracy Abler, JPIC Coordinator for the Sisters of St Agnes, recently accepted an invitation to serve on the Interfaith Peace Working Group Steering Committee.    
 

Celebrate International Day of Peace (Sept 21) with screenings of a film that provides a look into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people.

The film, Where Olive Trees Weep, offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice. View the film trailer and learn more at https://whereolivetreesweep.com/

The film will be screened on International Day of Peace - Saturday, September 21 @ 7:00 pm at Madison Friends (Quakers) Meeting House, 1704 Roberts Court, Madison WI. The screening will be preceded by a social gathering starting at 6:30 and a discussion session will follow the film. 

Can’t get to Madison? Use this link to privately view the film on your own or host your own small group: https://kinema.com/events/where-olive-trees-weep-hjpxh. Admission is free with this link, but only on September 21, 2024, courtesy of the Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin.

The Sisters of St. Agnes will also be offering a free screening of the film on Monday, September 23 at 5:30 pm at their Motherhouse in Founders Hall, County Road K, Fond du Lac. Please use this link to reserve your seat: https://forms.gle/R3Q21JmA9kjJXvwEA. Please share widely.

You can also:

• Show or view the film on another date: https://sand.thrivecart.com/where-olive-trees-weep/   A donation for that is welcome, but not necessary.
• Get ideas for ACTIONS to take now: https://whereolivetreesweep.com/resources/ 
• Contact Interfaithpeaceworkinggroup@gmail.com for a film discussion guide, media resources to promote your event, and any questions

On September 11, 6-8 pm CT, NETWORK will offer the virtual event, White Supremacy and American Christianity: We Choose Freedom. Participants will explore how, when we exercise our freedom to participate in our country’s public life, we ensure the future of all the freedoms that we enjoy in a vibrant democracy. This builds a future where every person can thrive, no exceptions.

This is the fifth conversation in a series of dialogues, where we will once more engage Fr. Bryan Massingale of Fordham University and Dr. Robert P. Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute on what it means to choose freedom, especially through the practice of multi-issue voting.

Register here!
 

An 18-page report, released Aug. 28 by Network Advocates for Catholic Social Justice suggests that Project 2025 clashes with several principles of Catholic social teaching, particularly through its proposals that would benefit corporations and wealthy Americans at the expense of the poor and middle class. Learn more in this September 3, 2024, NCR online article.

To learn more about NETWORK’s 2024 nonpartisan voter education campaign, “Vote Our Future,” and the issues at stake in the upcoming election, visit networkadvocates.org/election-2024 

Take the Pope Francis Voter Pledge: https://www.mobilize.us/network/event/614667/ 

Follow the 2024 Nuns on the Bus (and friends) tour here: https://www.nunsonthebus.org/ 

Nuclear weapons offer an illusion of security. By allowing the U.S. nuclear posture to shift from deterrence to employment, there will be a scenario where the U.S. will use nuclear weapons.

Successive U.S. administrations have eschewed arms control in favor of maintaining American strategic advantage over real and/or imagined adversaries.

This is accomplished by embracing nuclear weapons employment strategies that deviate from simple deterrence into war-fighting at every level of conflict, including scenarios that don’t involve a nuclear threat.

At a time when the U.S. advocates policies exacerbating already high levels of tension with nuclear-armed adversaries Russia and China, the Biden administration has signed off on a new nuclear employment plan that increases, rather than decreases, the probability of nuclear conflict.

Left unchecked, this policy can have only one possible outcome — total nuclear annihilation of humanity and the world we live in.

Read more in this recent article by writer, Scott Ritter, in Consortium News - an independent investigative journalism and political review.

According to a 2021 petition by Change.org, “The threat of nuclear annihilation is greater than it has ever been… A nuclear war must never be fought, because everyone will lose," said several presidents, including Joe Biden. The leaders of every major religion call for abolishing nuclear weapons. Pope Francis says it's immoral to possess them.

It's not only immoral. It's illegal to possess nukes, since the International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was signed and ratified by the majority of world nations and became law in January 2021.

Yet the U.S. possesses thousands of nuclear bombs. About 1,750 of them are deployed on missiles (aimed and on hair trigger alert), and another 3,500 are in reserve. Consider the horror of the bomb that destroyed the city of Hiroshima in 1945. Today’s nukes are, on average, 20 times more destructive than the Hiroshima bomb. In other words, the US has enough nukes to incinerate 100,000 Hiroshimas and let the remaining living beings die a slow death from radiation poisoning.”

Learn more and Speak Up here: https://www.change.org/p/stop-making-nukes 

Open this article as a PDF

The dense shrubbery behind these CSA maintenance workers, Jack Mohr and Jimmer Immel, is created by buckthorn, an invasive species, which is a tall shrub or small tree.

What is the meaning of invasive species?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health”.

Jack and Jimmer demonstrate how to remove the invasive buckthorn at the root.   

Jeff Atkinson, supervisor and land manager, states that buckthorn is a non-native plant, which threatens the future of forests, wetlands, prairies, and other natural habitats.   Buckthorn competes with other trees and overwhelms them.  Buckthorn spreads quickly through seeds distributed by birds and wildlife. “Harmful, non-native species can be found in all ecosystems across the United States. These species can cause costly economic and ecological damage each year including crop decimation, clogging of water facilities and waterways, wildlife and human disease transmission, threats to fisheries, increased fire vulnerability, and adverse effects for ranchers and farmers.”  Buckthorn can be difficult to remove in sections over the course of several years.  
(Reference:  https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-invasive-species-and-why-are-they-a-problem)

Learn more: 

USGS Invasive Species Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National Invasive Species Information Identification Center

Friends of the Mississippi River explain how buckthorn harms the ecosystem: click here to read the article.

Let Us Sow Hope: 2024 Feast of St. Francis

This year’s program by Catholic Climate Covenant is designed to assist you, your family, parish, school, diocese, religious community, or other Catholic institution celebrate the Feast of St. Francis (October 4th or another date that works for you and your community), become instruments of God’s peace, and commit to climate actions to avoid climate despair, and sow climate hope.  

Hold your own prayer service for the Feast of St. Francis using the document here.

Acknowledgments:

S. Patricia Weidman, CSA, Laudato Si’ Animator, guest writer
Special thank you to Chelsea Koenigs, Laudato Si’ Animator,
S. Julie Ann Krahl, S. Patricia Bogenschuetz.

Pax Christi USA’s virtual conference is September 6-7, 2024 (Friday 6-8pm CT, Saturday 11am - 4:30 CT).

Being a prophetic church in a time of polarization and conflict is the theme for this year’s conference. 

As we witness unprecedented divisions in our world and even our own Catholic family, this Pax Christi USA virtual gathering on Zoom will examine the root causes of the growing polarization with speakers who are actively working in the fields of church politics, nonviolence, and religious nationalism. We will look for ways in which we can be prophetic — working together in dialogue for a better understanding and offering nonviolent solutions that can give all of us hope.

Click here to see more information as well as a link to the registration form.

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?

This report highlights governor’s and Evers Administration’s continued efforts to bolster clean energy and sustainability while lowering energy costs for working families. 

Read the full press release

CSA honors IDWIP Day with a watch party of the film, "Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World."

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is August 9. The day highlights the rights of Indigenous Peoples to make their own decisions and carry them out in ways that are meaningful and culturally appropriate to them.  

The theme for 2024 is “Protecting the rights of Indigenous people in voluntary isolation.” Learn more.

In the spirit of our creation care initiatives and to honor the many gifts Indigenous people bring to our lands, CSA will be hosting an in-person watch party of the film, "Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World," on August 21 at 5:30 pm. This is open to the public. 

Please register

The Sisters of St Francis in Clinton have secured the right to show this film for free between the dates of August 14 through August 27. If you would like to watch this film, but are unable to attend the in-person watch party at the CSA Motherhouse, you can register to receive a link and view this film at your own convenience. Click here.
Watch the movie trailer:

As faithful citizens, we have a moral obligation to participate in the political process. This includes educating ourselves on matters of fundamental importance to our faith and society. 

A critical issue in our country is immigration and our response to those arriving at our Nation’s borders. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers two documents in response to false claims regarding criminal activity (e.g., trafficking, smuggling, harboring, child exploitation) by Catholic organizations serving newcomers; and what Catholic Social Teaching says about Migration

Please read and share widely
 

For many of us, diversity, equity and inclusion seem like goals that are obviously good and worthwhile. But, in recent years, DEI has come under attack. For example, the Wisconsin legislature cut $32 million from the University of Wisconsin budget, mostly aimed at DEI programs. To many, this feels like an attack on years of work to balance opportunity and access for people of color, people with disabilities and any other group that has been systematically excluded in the past. 

On Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30 pm, the Faithful Stance for Equity group will host a webinar titled “DEI: Why the Backlash,” featuring Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billing. She is known for her work in the fields of culturally relevant pedagogy and critical race theory, and the pernicious effects of systemic racism and economic inequality on educational opportunities. In 1995, Dr. GLB became the first Black woman to be tenured as a professor in UW Madison’s School of Education.

Please join us and share this invitation with anyone you think will be interested. 

Register

Momentum has been building to shut down the aging Line 5 Pipeline that poses an immediate threat to the Great Lakes. In March, the documentary film Bad River premiered in theaters across the country, building awareness around the fight to shut down Line 5 and Enbridge’s trespass on Tribal land. The film is now available on demand.

On July 23, fourteen women gathered at the CSA Motherhouse to view Bad River together and were called to action. The Army Corps of Engineers will be making the decision as to whether or not Enbridge should be allowed to expand Line 5. A public comment period was scheduled to close on August 4, but has now been extended to August 30.

CSA members, Wisconsinites, and communities across the nation are standing strong to protect our water, our climate, the health of our neighbors, and future generations. You can join them by emailing your public comment by Aug. 30 to CEMVP-WiL5R-CDD-Comments@usace.army.mil or sign this online Sierra Club petition.

Additionally, write President Biden and ask him to revoke the presidential petition and shut down line 5. 

For more information, this Wisconsin Examiner article provides an interesting perspective to the situation.

For more support material, contact Tracy at tabler@csasisters.org. 

RELATED NEWS: Here is a link to an article that includes a very thorough and detailed video presentation on the problem of microplastics in our Great Lakes and the actions that the State of Michigan is taking regarding the problem.

Join the Laudato Si’ Action Platform’s August webinar, “Connecting Faith and Action.” Uncover the theology of integral ecology and discover tools for faith-based action with speakers from Oxford University and the World Research Institute on Thursday, August 8 at 8 am CT.

Part One:
Speaker Alberto Palecchi from the World Resources Institute, will unveil the guide "Science-Based Targets for Faith," which encourages faith leaders to lead us toward environmental responsibility and consciousness. Following him, Fr. Peter Rožič of the Laudato Si' Research Institute at Oxford University will delve into the theological foundations of integral ecology and its role amid the sciences, the social sciences and the humanities.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE AUG 8 WEBINAR

Part Two:
At 9 am, join a small group dialogue to discuss Fr. Peter Rožič’s and Alberto Palecchi’s ideas and share how they apply to our faith journeys and work around the world.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE 40-MINUTE DISCUSSION ON AUG 8
 

The theme for this year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (7/30) is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.”

A staggering 1 in 3 victims of human trafficking are children. Children are twice as likely to face violence during trafficking than adults, according to the 2023 UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Regions such as Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, have the highest incidences of child trafficking which accounts for 60 percent of detected trafficking victims.

The 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, issued by the US Senate, chronicles the efforts of 188 nations to combat human trafficking in their countries. The report receives international attention as nations which are cited as Tier 1 - permissive and supportive of human trafficking - can be sanctioned by the US government. The 2024 report explores the intersection between digital technology and human trafficking; technology that can be used to expand human trafficking networks, but can also be used to root them out. 

Read more
 

This webinar from the Laudato Si Action Plan delved into the grassroots efforts that contribute to transformation and identified the challenges local communities face in implementing sustainable practices. Alfonso Apicella, Global Campaigns Manager at Caritas Internationalis, shared insights on tackling grassroots challenges through community collaboration. He also discussed the impact of community collaboration on ecological goals, strategies for overcoming local challenges, and the potential for inter-community collaboration. This event was ideal for community leaders, environmental activists, policymakers, and anyone interested in grassroots movements’ role in ecological transformation.

Watch the recording here: 

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.
 

Open this article as a PDF 

Sisters Monica Justinger, Julie Ann Krahl, and Clare Lawlor fish on Marble Lake, Michigan. They caught blue gill and bass in a location of good water quality. Inland spring-fed lakes are clean and stocked.

The Department of Natural Resources performs on-site checks for appropriate fishing licenses and approved catches of specific species. The State Department of Natural Resources protects the natural environment against pollution and misuse. True fishers and hunters appreciate DNR efforts advocating for the environment and protecting the outdoors.

How does the water quality of fish impact care for Earth?

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, climate change impacts hunting and fishing in many ways. Changing weather patterns cause species to shift the timing and location of migrations and where they choose to live. Droughts, wildfire, and harsher storms alter habitat and affect the availability of food, water and shelter animals need to survive. Warmer temperatures increase the threats of disease and spread invasive species. Hunters and anglers may need to change what, where, when, and how they hunt and fish. 
https://www.fws.gov/story/hunting-fishing-and-climate-change 

Water quality requires a sustained effort to eliminate single-use plastics as much as possible. Pope Francis told Nora O’Donnell during an interview, “It is a lack of conscience to use a plastic bottle and then throw it to the sea. This makes the sea unhealthy. We have to be conscientious about repurifying nature.” (National Catholic Reporter, June 7-20, 2024, page 4)

Have you had a conversation about how to use less plastic? 
How to protect our waterways from hazardous waste?

Sister Mary Ann Czaja toured the National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium in Edenton, NC. Americans like fish. America’s fish are in trouble. Aquatic habitat is declining because of erosion and sedimentation, altered stream flows, dams and obstructions, pollution, and invasive species. The Fisheries Program conserves species at risk for extinction and raises native fish and other species. (http://fisheries.fws.gov).

Are you looking for a way to teach children about creation care and the Catholic faith?

Download “God’s Creation Waits,” a free, downloadable PDF, for kids grades 2-5 and their adults, on noticing, appreciating, and protecting God’s Creation. View the free booklet here.

We stand in solidarity with all victims of gun violence and advocate for the swift passage of H.R. 698/S. 25, the comprehensive federal assault weapons ban legislation. 

In the wake of the tragic violence and attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Nuns Against Gun Violence mourns the loss of Fire Chief Corey Comperatore and the perpetrator Thomas Crooks, and the injuries sustained by Mr. Trump and two other attendees. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Camperatore and Crooks families and all affected by this weekend’s trauma.

This tragedy was just one of 300 mass shootings in the United States to date in 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive. It has heightened our awareness of the constant drumbeat of gun violence and its accompanying fear. We stand in solidarity with all victims of gun violence and advocate for the swift passage of H.R. 698/S. 25, the comprehensive federal assault weapons ban legislation. Military-style firearms have no place in civilian hands. We urge Congress to prioritize the safety and well-being of all Americans by enacting this lifesaving legislation. Every life is precious.

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes is part of Nuns Against Gun Violence, a coalition of Catholic Sisters and their allies, compelled by their faith, representing more than 60 communities to speak with a united voice against the crisis of gun violence. We affirm the value of human life through prayer, education, and advocacy for common-sense, evidence-based gun violence prevention.
 

The annual High Level Political Forum (HLPF) will take place from 8-17 July this year. It functions as the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, the forum focuses on a select few SDGs, and government leaders voluntarily report on their national progress toward achievement of these SDGs. The SDGs of focus this year are 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17.

In addition to reports from governments, the HLPF also includes events sponsored by civil society groups, to highlight their perspectives on implementation and progress toward the SDGs in their respective countries. JCoR will join the conversation by offering a series of virtual discussion, which we are calling the “JCoR SDG Lab.” This series will showcase Catholic Religious and their partners’ perspectives on progress and good practices towards sustainable development. It will run from 22-26 July and include sessions dedicated to each of the aforementioned SDGs of focus for the 2024 HLPF.

All are welcome to attend these JCoR SDG Lab sessions. 

Get details and register

As the U.S. grapples with another mass shooting, America’s top doctor issues a first-of-its-kind advisory declaring gun violence a national public health crisis and recommending it be treated as such. 

In a recent 40-page publication, the surgeon general declared gun violence a public health crisis. What does that do? In a June 25, 2024 NPR article, Dr. Vivek Murthy says “a public health approach can guide the nation’s strategy and actions as it has done in the past with successful efforts to address tobacco-related disease and motor vehicle crashes.” He adds, “It is up to us to take this generational challenge with the urgency and clarity the moment demands. The safety and well-being of our children and future generations are at stake.” Read the full article.

To further understand the report, watch this Meet the Press video.

Please continue to follow, or join the efforts of, Nuns Against Gun Violence. Watch the recording of their June 18, 2024 webinar - “Firearms & Faith: Navigating Catholic Social Teaching in a World of Gun Violence.”
 

Since the Emancipation Proclamation reached the last U.S. slave state on June 19, 1865, the struggle for Black freedom, reparations, and sovereignty has remained as relevant as ever. In the last century, Black land ownership plummeted from a total of 15 million acres in 1907 to only 2.4 million in 1997, as a result of systemic discrimination, racist land use policies and more.

Today, we honor the ongoing struggle for Black liberation and land justice by introducing the work of Black Land and Power, an initiative of the National Black Food & Land Justice Alliance.
The Black Land and Power (BLP) project works to deepen collective visioning and strategies toward Black land retention, recovery, stewardship, and defense. Black land, safe space, and the means for self-determination continue to be assaulted and undermined, thus the need to form an organized, multifaceted response is urgent.

Black Land and Power aims to save 15 million acres of land from the speculative market for the benefit of Black farmers and land stewards. Right now, they are raising $150,000 in their first social media fundraising campaign, #defendblackland.They are more than a third of the way there with a little over a week left!

The CSA JPIC Office has proudly made a donation to Black Land & Power. We hope others will consider doing the same! Donate here.
 

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.
 

Take Action NOW to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline that threatens Tribal land, the Great Lakes and our climate.

Watch this informative short video that introduces the problem.

Then watch this full length film “Bad River” which is a chronicle of the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty; a story which unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience. WATCH FOR FREE HERE. The movie trailer is also available here.  

The Army Corps has released a Draft Combined Decision Document for the proposed Line 5 construction. In the document, the Corps makes a number of preliminary determinations that will inform its upcoming decision about whether or not to issue a permit for pipeline construction. The Corps is seeking in-person and written feedback on its preliminary determinations. 
On June 4, the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers held an in-person public hearing in Ashland, WI. Catholic sisters from La Crosse attended a public hearing on June 4 in Ashland, WI. You can hear all the comments with this recording. 

Now, written comments to the Army Corps can be sent to CEMVP-WiL5R-CDDComments@usace.army.mil. The deadline for submitting written comments has been extended to August 4.
This is a critical opportunity to share our concerns about Line 5 with the Army Corps and the Biden Administration. Join the Sierra Club of Wisconsin by telling President Biden to shut down the pipeline with this online petition.
To prepare your written comments, here are some helpful resources including points to consider, sample testimony and links to additional websites. Remember, submit comments by August 4. Your action is crucial. You may also email your comments to Beth Piggush at bpiggush@fspa.org and she will forward them to the Corps on your behalf. Thank you!

The Civil Rights Act shapes our current choices and how faith calls us to advance the common good through a principled and active commitment to resist racism.

Sixty years ago, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed and signed into law after a long moral and political struggle. This act fundamentally changed the United States, enacting legal protections against racial discrimination, prohibiting discrimination in public places, integrating schools and other public facilities, and making employment discrimination illegal. Catholic and other religious communities played key roles in this effort, which offered hope to people who had been excluded from opportunities in education, housing, and employment simply based on race, color, or national origin.

These are not abstract or historical issues. As Pope Francis has said, “Racism is a virus that quickly mutates and, instead of disappearing, goes into hiding and lurks in waiting. Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think.” For Catholics and others of goodwill, we are called to examine our history and act now to defend the lives and dignity of all our sisters and brothers. After 60 years, what has changed and what has not? How has racial discrimination been overcome, and where and how does it continue? In particular, what are the key racial justice issues facing voters, parties, and candidates as we choose a future for our nation this November?

On June 4, a dialogue, co-sponsored with Georgetown University’s Racial Justice Institute and Center on Faith and Justice, explored how this history shapes our current choices and how faith calls us to advance the common good through a principled and active commitment to resist racism and ensure that we continue to honor and protect the essential freedoms that the Civil Rights Act enacted for all Americans 60 years ago. This recording is available now.
 

Sisters formally announce the adoption of their anti-racism stance just as the country celebrates Juneteenth.

Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.

On June 11, 2024, CSA released the following press release to announce their formal adoption of their Anti-Racism stance. They continue their celebration - and the response that comes with anti-racist work - at Fond du Lac’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 15 at Buttermilk Park from 11 am - 5 pm. All are encouraged to attend or find a celebration in your area. Here are details of a couple more events happening in Wisconsin this month: 

June 15 @ Penn Park in Madison - 11am - 6 pm

June 19 in Milwaukee - 9 am - 4 pm  

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) has officially adopted a corporate stance on anti-racism. The stance has also been affirmed by the US CSA Associates.

CSA Corporate Stance on Anti-Racism
Reaffirming our commitment to those whose faith life or human dignity is threatened in any way, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes (CSA) opposes racism in all forms, encourages education, and supports actions to eliminate racism, bringing understanding of our complicity, prejudice, bias, and privilege to the forefront.

Sisters of St. Agnes have been working to reduce the impacts of racism and bigotry in various ways for many years. As early as 1850, CSA Founder Father Rehrl opened schools to all children regardless of background or religion. In the 1960s, many sisters took part in fair housing marches in Chicago and Milwaukee. In 1983, CSA opened Unity House in inner-city Chicago as a haven for those seeking cross-cultural immersion through residential living. These are a few examples of activities that contributed to CSA receiving the MLK Spirit Award from Marian University in 2020. Today, CSA continues this long-standing culture of justice and call to action with their adoption of the CSA Corporate Stance on Anti-Racism.

During the last half of 2023, the sisters and associates spent time intentionally studying racism and how to be actively anti-racist on a day-to-day basis. Each month, sisters and associates spent time researching individually and in small groups focusing on topics of defining race and racism, how to be an anti-racist, recognizing personal bias and bias in media, racial inequities in housing, education, and criminal justice systems, exploring white privilege, white fragility, and public fear around critical race theory and white replacement theory, and finally delving into healing, repair, and justice. A small group also gathered for an intergenerational discussion with local high schoolers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January.

In early February, the entire congregation voted to issue an official corporate stance on anti-racism. CSA has issued six corporate stances since 1987 with the following rationale: 
“As CSA, our promise has, from the start, been to follow and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have done so through teaching, care of the sick, the aged, orphans, and wayfarers. As global realities have become increasingly apparent, so also has our awareness been heightened to issues regarding the dignity of persons, human rights, and justice; the need for structural change; efforts at ‘simplicity of life’ and a greater appreciation of the gifts of creation. The concerns that we pray about and the causes that we pray for have grown.

“That is not enough. We must use all the power we have, first in areas where we have direct impact, through the services we ourselves provide or through our sponsored ministries, then through wise use of our power as shareholders in significant corporations and membership in significant organizations with a social justice agenda. After appropriate study and discussion, we can make public statements of our convictions in areas of major or global importance and concern. These statements, our corporate stance, help create the positive pressure that can lead to a more just society.” - CSA Policy on Corporate Stances

CSA will have a booth at Ebony Vision’s 16th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Buttermilk Park, June 15, 2024, from 11:00am-5:00pm. Juneteenth, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.