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In This Issue
Compare the Candidates: Economic Responses
Food Drives and Justice
United Nations Day Oct. 24
Fair Trade Trick-or-Treat
Prayer for All Saints Day
Homelessness
Millennium Development Goals
Mother Francis Cabrini-Patron Saint of Immigrants
A Litany for Thanksgiving
Advent Resources
Sunday Lectionary Reflection
In Our Last Issue
Lectionary Reflection
October
October 23, 2008
Dear Education for Justice Members,

The beauty of fall brings to mind Shakespeare's seventy-third sonnet where the bard observes, "That time of year thou mayst in me behold when yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang..." The seasons challenge us to welcome and embrace change.

And we've heard that chorus for change being sung from all sectors lately especially economically and politically. (And we've seen bare ruined choirs on Wall Street and on Main Street in foreclosures.) In faith, we don't just seek change, but transformation.  We hope these resources will support the faith-filled work of transformation.

Please see the list at the left for new resources just created to support your work in educating for justice.

Peace and Blessings,
The Education for Justice Team
Compare the Candidates: Economic Responses
Habitat Day Wall Street Crisis
This side-by-side chart compares the presidential candidate's plans to address and respond to the Wall Street crisis and  current economic realities. This resource content is directly from each campaign and includes questions for discussion and analysis based on Catholic Social Teaching.

Go to resource
Food Drives and Justice Concerns
Canned food Charity or Justice?
Is your school or community involved in food drives during the Thanksgiving or Christmas Seasons?  Then use this resource to analyze ways you can serve people with justice as well as charity.
 
This resource is a useful tool to take a fresh look at the justice issues underlying the need for such drives and the structural causes of hunger.  A justice checklist is provided.
United Nations Day

UN Logo October 24
On 24 October 1945, the United Nations was formally established.  Learn about the UN with this two-page summary designed for this anniversary.  Also see our complete unit on the United Nations with activities, handouts and a quizUpdated by Michelle Webb.
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Quiz: Halloween & Fair Trade Chocolate
Pumpkin A Teachable Moment
Americans will spend $1.2 billion on chocolate for Halloween.  Bring a little taste of justice to this holiday by looking at fair trade chocolate as an alternative.  This three-page resource includes a quiz with answer key and connected resources to learn more.  Fair trade chocolate can be ordered online through Catholic Relief Services.
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A Prayer for All Saints Day
Habitat Day November 1
We celebrate All Saints Day to remind us of the universal call to holiness and to lift up those ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives.  This prayer  is a beautiful way to mark the day.
New Resources on Homelessness
Homeless by Liz Leipold, Georgetown Intern
Homelessness is a complex issue that requires not only our attention, but our compassion and action.  A series of new educational resources have been created including:
  • Understanding Homelessness Overview
  • A Story from the Street (Case w/ discussion questions)
  • Causes of Homlessness Activity (w/ answer key)
  • Homelessness Quiz (w/answer key)
Millennium Development Goals - Update
Bliss Ending Poverty in Our Time
The Millennium Development Goals consist of eight key targets set by world leaders to address and eliminate poverty by 2015.  World leaders just met to assess their progress.
 
This three-page update highlights the progress and results of that meeting and charts the progress still needed.  Photos, events and prayer are included.

 
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Saints in Focus:  Mother Francis Cabrini
Mother Cabrini November 13- Patron Saint of Immigrants
Mother Cabrini was a remarkable woman whose missionary heart and compassion changed countless lives.  She was canonized in 1946.  This patron saint of immigrants is a role model for our times.  This one-page resource includes a brief biography, prayer, and describes how she is a living example of faith for us.
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A Litany for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving We Give Thanks for Daily Graces
Education for Justice has several resources for Thanksgiving including our newest Litany for Thanksgiving 2008, a grace before meals, a variety of prayers, a prayer service and a PowerPoint reflection on gratitude.  Please refer to the following link for a list of these resources
Go to resources
Announcing Advent Resource Guide
Habitat Day Preparing the Way
For those already planning Advent observances, we offer you our quick list of Advent resources available now on the web site.  We will also be sending a special Advent posting shortly.
 
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Sunday Lectionary Reflection
The Sunday Lectionary Reflections by Fr. John Bucki, S.J.,  provide an excellent resource for personal or communal reflection on the Word as well as ideas for homily preparation.  Each reflection includes a list of the readings, quotes for reflection, connections to Catholic Social Teaching, Prayers of the Faithful/Petitions, links for action and more.  For this week's reflection, follow the link below.