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 Shalom News North America
An instrument of hope, formation, and action
concerning priority matters of social justice.
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February/2014 |
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We invite you to join SSNDs around the world in taking time during the month of February to reflect on the idea of living sustainably. What does living sustainably mean to you? How do you reflect this understanding in the things you do and the choices you make?
In her reflection, S. Dominika Varga says that, "Although we may think we are too little to take significant steps toward sustainability", she gives a few examples "to strengthen our heart to search for new actions and ways of living." May this be a gentle reminder to all of us to continue to search for new actions and ways of living in right relationship with each other and with all of Earth and our kin.
Shalom North America Contacts
Click here for our printer-friendly (pdf) version of the newsletter.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 2014 World Report on Human Rights
Human Rights Watch has released its 2014 World Report summarizing key human rights issues in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide.The report concludes that "despite the year's turmoil, with numerous atrocities in some countries and deepening repression in others, 2013 also featured a vigorous movement fighting back. More often there was a struggle that, if not immediately victorious, at least raised the cost of abuse - a strategy that, over time, tends to mitigate human rights violations."
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Human Trafficking and the
Super Bowl
In the run up to this year's Super Bowl, School Sisters of Notre Dame have been working with other women religious to bring focus to human sex trafficking, which escalates significantly around major sporting events. It's estimated that the Super Bowl brings an 80 percent increase in trafficking to the area where it is being played. Learn m ore about this issue and ways that you can get involved - prayers, flyers, petitions, and legislative advocacy.
 | | Students at SSND-sponsored Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, N.J., produced this video |
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Human Life and Dignity
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Join in Day of Prayer for Trafficked Persons
February 8, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, has been designated by the U.S Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration as an annual day of prayer for survivors and victims of human trafficking. Communities are encouraged to host prayer services, to reflect on the experiences of those who have suffered through human trafficking and exploitation and to pray for their healing. Prayer service, additional resources.
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Human Life and Dignity
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Teaching and Learning: Achieving Quality for All
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Human Life and Dignity
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Recognizing Mother Languages
International Mother Language Day has been observed annually on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. Learn more.
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Poverty and Economic Justice
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Wealth Inequality
The poorest half of the world's population-that's 3.5 billion people-control as much wealth as the richest 85 individuals according to a new report released on the eve of World Economic Forum (WEF) by Oxfam International. The U.S. has led the global growth in wealth concentration. The top 1% received 95% of wealth created since 2009 (post financial crisis), while the bottom 90% of Americans have become poorer.  | | World's 85 richest people own as much as bottom half of population |
At their meeting the WEF said widening income inequality was the risk most likely to cause serious damage in the next decade. Pope's message to WEF - Will global elite listen?
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Poverty and Economic Justice
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Good Enough to Eat Index
Oxfam America recently released their Good Enough to Eat index, a global snapshot of the different challenges people face in getting food. Overconsumption, misuse of resources, and waste are common elements of a system that leaves hundreds of millions without enough to eat. The new index looks at whether people have enough to eat, food quality, affordability, and dietary health. Learn more, take action.
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Poverty and Economic Justice
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Social Development at the UN
"Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment, and decent work for all" is the priority theme for the
Commission for Social Development at the United Nations, February 11-21, 2014.  Delegates from around the world will review advancements made with its ongoing programs concerning disabled persons, youth, ageing, and family issues as well as explore the impact inequality has on health, education, jobs/economy, and environmental sustainability. Learn more.
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Dignity, Justice, and Integrity of Creation
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Voices for Justice
The World Day of Social Justice is February 20. This seems most appropriate as February offers a strong reminder of voices for justice. Rosa Parks, born on February 4, is well-remembered for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man because she was tired, "not tired physically", she said, but "tired of giving in to injustice". Dom Helder Camara, born on February 7, a Brazilian Catholic archbishop known for his work on behalf of the poor, is perhaps best remembered for his saying, "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist." S. Dorothy Stang, SNDN, assassinated on February 12, devoted much of her life to fighting for the rights of impoverished farmers in northern Brazil who were losing their land to wealthy ranchers and logging companies. We can honor their memory and their work by renewing our efforts to not give in to injustice, by continuing to ask 'why' when the question is needed, and by supporting just trade and sustainable development.
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Integrity of Creation
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Gateway Pacific Terminal
The Gateway Pacific Terminal could be used to export 48 million tons of coal to Asia each year from Cherry Point, WA, resulting in almost as much carbon pollution as the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. But first the Army Corps of Engineers must conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment. If the Army Corps considers the full scope of potential damage when preparing their impact statement, it will become extremely difficult for the terminal to be built.
Learn more; take action to urge a broad scope Army Corps' environmental assessment.
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Integrity of Creation
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Preach-In on Climate Change
Interfaith Power & Light is organizing their annual Preach-In on Climate Change on Valentine's Day weekend. The Preach-In equips congregations and communities around the country to offer sermons or discussions on climate change, the moral imperative for our response, and how we can better love creation. We encourage you to download the free Global Warming Preach-In Kit which includes sample sermons, bulletin inserts, and fact sheets on climate change.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Remembering Thomas Merton - January 31
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen ( Thoughts in Solitude, p. 83) Merton on education and nonviolence.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Interfaith Harmony
World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed the first week of February to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith tradition. Based on The Common Word Initiative, this effort calls for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialog based on two fundamental religious commandments - love of God and love of neighbor - without compromising any of their own religious tenets. How will you partake?
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons
128 national governments sent delegations to the 2013 Oslo conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, but the U.S. government was conspicuously absent and sorely missed. Mexico is hosting the second conference on humanitarian impacts February 13-14 in Nayarit. Learn more/take action now to urge President Obama to send an official US delegation to this important conference.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Bullying
Bullying is a multifaceted form of mistreatment that is characterized by a real or perceived power imbalance as well as the repeated exposure of one person to physical and/or emotional aggression including teasing, name calling, mockery, threats, harassment, taunting, hazing, social exclusion, or rumors. A wide range of bullying has been documented among students and in the workplace worldwide. Addressing bullying with intervention and prevention strategies can really make a difference. Learn more/take action.
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Looking ahead to next month...
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Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath - March 13-16
Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a coalition of 50 national denominations and faith-based organizations, including LCWR, has announced plans for its second annual Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath to be celebrated March 13-16.  LCWR has pledged that 100 or more of its LCWR members' congregations will sign-up to participate. That participation can be as simple as including a prayer, hymn, petition, or moment of silence in already planned worship services or, as ambitious as, hosting a special prayer service or vigil. Learn more.
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The SSND International Shalom Network witnesses to the Gospel with audacity and hope as we collaborate to build just relationships and respond to the urgent needs of our times.
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 Shalom News North America is an e-publication of the Shalom North America Contacts (SNAC) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame - Arlene Flaherty, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Paulette Zimmerman, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at tdewane@ssndcp.org. Please only print this e-publication if necessary. |
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