Water
Please read the following note from Sr. Eileen Denny describing new efforts in our community’s pursuit of eco-justice:
Yesterday, when I was speaking with Lucy Freeman of Caroline House about the Blue Communities, she told me she didn’t know anything about them. Then she asked if I could send her information about them. This morning I sent the information we have in the W.I.T.H. It material. Later in the morning, I received this response:
‘Thank you Sr. Eileen. This year (beginning in Sept.) each student will receive a water bottle in their book bag in an effort to support Blue Communities. We will also offer to label them to encourage use. We will also have pitchers of ice water at meetings instead of bottled water. Let’s think of other ways to involve our community.’ - Lucy (Freeman – executive director of Caroline House).
Immigration
June 20th is World Refugee Day, a day to remember the courage and resilience of the millions forced to flee their homes. Over 65 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes; over 22 million of these are refugees; the remainder are displaced within their countries. Because refugees and migrants are particularly susceptible to human trafficking due to their vulnerability and insecurity, it is imperative that we work and pray to help refugees find safe haven.
A Prayer for Refugees
God of our Wandering Ancestors,
Long have we known
That your heart is with the refugee:
That you were born into time
In a family of refugees
Fleeing violence in their homeland.
Who then gathered up their hungry child
And fled into alien country.
Their cry, your cry, resounds through the ages:
“Will you let me in?”
Give us hearts that break open
When our brothers and sisters turn to us
With that same cry.
Then surely all these things will follow:
Ears will no longer turn deaf to their voices.
Eyes will see a moment for grace instead of a threat.
Tongues will not be silenced but will instead advocate.
And hands will reach out—
Working for peace in their homeland,
Working for justice in the lands where they seek safe haven.
Lord, protect all refugees in their travels.
May they find a friend in me
And so make me worthy
Of the refugee I have found in you. Amen.
—Prayer courtesy of Catholic Relief Services
It is extremely important to demonstrate the support of the faith community for refugee programs.
See below for 2018 World Refugee Day resources:
• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants’ World Refugee Day toolkit includes sample Prayers of the Faithful, letters to the editor (talking points), social media resources, and more.
• USCCB’s “Share the Journey” campaign resources include Pope Francis’ 2018 Message on World Day of Migrants and Refugees, parish organizing resources, a K-12 educational curriculum, and links to volunteer with local Catholic Charities’ refugee resettlement programs.
• In Canada, please click here to learn about actions you can take to support refugees.
Don’t forget to Urge President Trump to Raise the Quota for Syrian Refugees and to Welcome More Refugees!
Trafficking
If you haven’t already, please take time to view our latest social just resource, “Seafood and Slavery,” which sheds light on the epidemic of human trafficking in the fishing industry. Over 40 million people in the world are currently enslaved, and the fishing industry is inundated with trafficked workers due to the difficulty of monitoring fishers. Because our seafood purchases drive the demand for slave labor, we must become socially responsible consumers! Join us as we work and pray to end all human trafficking.
Haiti
Update on Haiti’s “Change Caravan,” a government program that is facilitating ecological, educational, and health-related development throughout the nation:
“The Change Caravan has produced a number of impressive achievements in areas ranging from healthcare to education, from the environment and energy to infrastructure. In twelve months, over 200 kilometers of road have been built or renovated, eleven rivers cleaned, eight hospitals and health centers rehabilitated, and 400 classrooms renovated. Arguably, however, one of the most ambitious goals is rural electrification, with President Moïse going so far as to promise 24-hour electricity for all Haitians by the end of his term.” Click here for more.
Gun Violence
A video game is set to be released in which the objective is to kill people in a school as an active shooter. This is unconscionable and we must try to prevent it. Please, sign the Sandy Hook Promise petition to demand that Revived Games not release their "Active Shooter" video game, and tell them that school shootings are not a game.
Please click here for our Just Act – Gun Violence resource.
