Laudato Si’ Quote:
30. Even as the quality of available water is constantly diminishing, in some places there is a growing tendency, despite its scarcity, to privatize this resource, turning it into a commodity subject to the laws of the market. Yet access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity. This debt can be paid partly by an increase in funding to provide clean water and sanitary services among the poor. But water continues to be wasted, not only in the developed world but also in developing countries which possess it in abundance. This shows that the problem of water is partly an educational and cultural issue, since there is little awareness of the seriousness of such behavior within a context of great inequality. (Italics for emphasis in the original)
Reflection:
When I think of basic human rights, do I include access to safe drinkable water? Am I willing to talk to others about water as a basic and universal human right? What does it mean to me that access to safe drinkable water is so essential to human survival that it is a “condition for the exercise of other human rights”?
Action:
Talk to at least one other person this week about water as a basic and universal human right. Continue to pay attention to the water that you use, and the water that is wasted this week.
Climate Change
Invitation to Contemplation
Pause and take a few minutes just to be with the majesty of this Arctic iceberg. Imagine being in a boat floating by this iceberg up close. Hear the tiny crackling sounds around you and think of all the ice below that you cannot even see. Feel the chill air and the warm sun travelling with you.
As you ponder, let your heart move to wonder, awe, and gratitude for the extraordinary marvels of the world’s Arctic waters.
Video: Reflection
Listen to Zaria Forman as she uses her art to connect us to the impact of climate change:
The Call to Ecological Conversion
The foundation of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform commitment made by SSND and countless other organizations is a commitment to participate in the healing of the Earth, and to living in right-relationship with all in our planet’s community of life. While the seven Laudato Si’ Goals provide a framework and critical guidance for engaging this mission, it is essential that we remember that at the heart of this initiative is a call to each of us to undergo the process of ecological conversion. Adopting eco-friendly policies and practices will always be essential, but without the deeper work of ecological conversion these efforts will be limited and short-lived.
We invite you to take time this month to reflect on the call to ecological conversion using:
and
Dismantling Racism - Black History Month
Take a moment to listen to and reflect upon the voices of these young Black Women:
Logan Green - A love letter to Black Girls
Amanda Gordon - New Day's Lyric
End Human Trafficking
This year the Ending Human Trafficking Committee will be focusing on the online exploitation of children, which endangers all children everywhere. Take action this week by learning about the EARN It Act and writing your congressional representatives to support the EARN IT Act – there is a Voter Voice on the issue here. Encourage others to do the same!
Justice for Immigrants
Every Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m. EST since December 12, 2000 there have been a group of people who pray at the border and call out the names of those who have died trying to reach safety. You can now join this vigil with Healing Our Borders virtually through Zoom. Hear the names, including those no identificado, and think of their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,..….click this link to join the vigil.
Take action by reminding President Biden that immigration is an issue past due. For more information on #WelcomeWithDignity and a way to respond, click here.
Gospel Fund
Atlantic-Midwest Province Gospel Fund Application – Due March 1, 2022
The Gospel Fund of the Atlantic-Midwest Province is established for the purpose of assisting in the financing of projects whose goals are consistent with the SSND congregational mandate to reverence all creation and make the concerns of the poor our own. Gospel Fund applications are due by March 1, 2022. Click here for the current application. You may send the completed application via email to Cheryl Fameli at cfameli@amssnd.org. If you would prefer to send hardcopies of your application through the mail, please contact Arlene Flaherty (aflaherty@amssnd.org) for instructions.
