Reading Laudato Si’ - #113
113. … humanity has changed profoundly, and the accumulation of constant novelties exalts a superficiality which pulls us in one direction. It becomes difficult to pause and recover depth in life. …
Reflection
In 2020, Pope Francis spoke in a similar vein to a gathering of Laudato Si’ communities: “Our outlook on reality is increasingly rapid, distracted, superficial… Contemplation is the antidote to hasty, superficial and inconclusive choices. …compassion... is the fruit of contemplation. … Compassion is the opposite of indifference.” [Click here to read his full message.] Spend time reflecting on these realities. Do we really believe that contemplation is important for the life of the planet? For an ecological conversion?
Action
It is difficult to pause. Making time for contemplation can be a challenge in our busy lives. How can we encourage each other in this practice? How can we encourage not just our sisters but the other people in our lives to take time to ponder, to reflect, to sit in silence? Do you set aside time each day for contemplation?
“Our challenge today is not how to get out of this, how to emerge from this reality;
our true challenge is what life will be like for future generations.”
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyred theologian
Promoting Justice for Immigrants: Voter Voice Opportunity - Proposed Asylum Rule in the USA
Earlier this week, you received an alert from the Shalom North America contacts about the Proposed Asylum Rule in the USA. In case you missed it, learn more about the proposed rule here and consider this analysis. Catholic (and other faith-based) immigration advocates are deeply concerned about the impact the rule could have on vulnerable people seeking safety and asylum. Learn more.
Actions:
- Click here to submit a comment.
- Click here to use the SSND Voter Voice tool to send a message to President Biden.
- The comment period ends March 27.
Ending Human Trafficking: The Starfish Tale
One day a man walking along the beach noticed a young girl picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean. Approaching the girl he asked, “Child, what are you doing?”
“Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die,” she replied.
The man laughed and said, “Do you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish. You can’t make any difference throwing one back at a time.”
After listening politely, the little girl bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the surf. Then she smiled at the man and said, “I made a difference to that one.” The old man looked at the girl and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and many, many starfish were saved.
Although this is a short version of the Starfish Tale, it provides a great lesson for us all - we can make a difference however small that difference may seem.
Project STARFISH (Sex Trafficking Awareness For Individual Strength and Hope) has embraced the Starfish Tale and linked it to human trafficking. STARFISH is an educational tool developed by academics, researchers, social workers, and teachers, designed to raise awareness and provide education about the social injustice of sex trafficking in the United States. It is a free resource for school administrators and educators.
Learn more at Project STARFISH.
We can all make a difference. If we help one child or one adult from becoming a victim of Human Trafficking – it is worth everything.
Dismantling Racism: Lenten Video Series
We had a great first session this past Monday evening. Next week we explore systemic racism and social structures. If you haven’t already registered, feel free to join us in “Breaking Open the Sin of Racism” over the next four Mondays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm Eastern/6-7pm Central. March 13, 20, 27 and April 3. Contact Sister Sharon Wall (swall@amssnd.org) and put "Lent Dismantling Racism Series" in the subject line. You will receive the Zoom link prior to each presentation.
