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July & August/2016 |
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 Our internationality challenges us to witness to unity in a divided world, to develop a world vision and a sense of global responsibility. Thank you for accompanying us on this journey!
We hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable summer. You can expect to receive your next edition of Shalom News North America on September 1.
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Shalom North America Contacts
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Click here for our printer-friendly (pdf) version of the newsletter.
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Integrity of Creation
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 North American Climate Partnership
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Barack Obama, and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto recently completed a one-day summit in Ottawa where they unveiled a commitment to see half of the continent's electricity generated by clean sources by 2025. "This is the only planet we've got and this may be the last shot we've got to save it. And America and Canada are going to have to lead the way," Obama said in a speech to Parliament. Learn more. If the U.S. is going to help lead the way, it must keep the commitments it made in Paris. Learn more/take action.
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Integrity of Creation
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 Encouraging News - Ozone Layer is Recovering
In a major new paper in the influential journal Science, a team of researchers report strikingly good news about a thirty year old environmental problem. The Antarctic ozone "hole" - which, when it was first identified in the mid-1980s, focused public attention like few other pieces of environmental news - has begun, in their words, to finally "heal." Discovery of the "hole" galvanized action which led to adoption of the Montreal Protocol and the phasing out of the use of ozone depleting chemicals. It's an example of positive community response we can hopefully learn from - scientists identified a problem, the public grew concerned and demanded change, politicians took action. Read more.
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Integrity of Creation
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World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Last year, Pope Francis announced that the Catholic Church would join the Orthodox Church in marking the prayer day on September 1 each year. The day provides us with "a precious opportunity to renew our personal participation in this vocation as custodians of creation, raising to God our thanks for the marvelous works that [God] has entrusted to our care..." Learn more, prayer resources.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Justice for Immigrants
The Supreme Court's recent ruling that let stand a decision to block implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs reinforces the need for Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. In the meantime, we invite you to join us and other religious in urging the White House to suspend deportations of the parents of children born in the United States. Let us not break up one more family in need of protection, striving for freedom and security.
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Human Life and Dignity
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2016 Trafficking in Persons Report - Just Releas ed
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is considered the world's most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts. It also serves as the U.S. Government's principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. "If there is a single theme to this year's TIP Report, it is the conviction that there is nothing inevitable about trafficking in human beings," explained Secretary of State Kerry. 2016 TIP Report.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons - July 30
As the TIP Report points out, around the world criminals are selling people for profit. Of the 21 million slaves, 80% are women and half are children. This heinous crime of exploitation generates billions of dollars annually. Children and young people can find their lives stolen, their education blocked and their dreams dashed. It is an assault on their most basic human rights and fundamental freedoms. What can you do? Click here for a prayer service and suggested actions you can take.
Also consider downloading and using the TraffickCam App for Apple and Android devices. By taking a few photos of the hotel rooms you stay in, you just may help save a trafficking victim. Learn more.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Global Food Security Act - Action Alert
The Global Food Security Act will authorize Feed the Future, a U.S. government initiative charged with combating chronic hunger and food insecurity around the world. Feed the Future ensures that every dollar spent in global agricultural programs increases productivity, expands opportunities for education, reduces violence, and helps those who suffer from food scarcity. The best way to move this legislation forward to the President's desk is to get the House to pass the Senate's version of this legislation. Learn more/take action.
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Our Youth
World Youth Day will be held July 25-31 in Krakow, Poland. The theme is "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Pope Francis has urged young people living in situations of "war, extreme poverty, daily troubles and loneliness" to not lose hope and not be taken in "by the messages of hatred or terror all around us." Learn more about World Youth Day, read Pope Francis' Message to Youth. Consider the issue of child marriage and some of the sobering issues that lead far too many indigenous youth to contemplate suicide. Explore this Youth Toolbox for reflection and action resources (Username - schoolsisters, password - peace).
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Human Life and Dignity
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 Sustainable Goal #5: Gender Equality
The heart of SDG #5 is an understanding that providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes is not only the right thing to do, but it will also fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Learn more.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Show Your Support for Vatican Peace Document
In our May edition of Shalom News North America, we highlighted SSND participation in the historic "Nonviolence and Just Peace: Contributing to the Catholic Understanding of and Commitment to Nonviolence" conference held in Rome. Individuals and groups are now invited to endorse the outcome document, "An appeal to the Catholic church to re-commit to the centrality of Gospel nonviolence." Learn more/take action.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Gun Violence in the U.S.
"Every year, more than 30,000 Americans have their lives cut short by guns. Suicides. Domestic violence. Gang shootouts. Accidents. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost brothers and sisters, or buried their own children. We're the only advanced nation on earth that sees this kind of mass violence with this frequency." Barack Obama, President of the United States of America. Reflection resource, take action.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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Global Compassion Summit - July 13-14
The Global Compassion Summit is a no-cost online event produced by The Shift Network in partnership with The Center for Compassion Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University as part of the 5th annual Summer of Peace - considered the largest online peace event on the planet. Nobel Peace Laureates, scientists, economists, global thought leaders, teachers, practitioners and activists will share their wisdom for co-creating a new peace narrative and effective methods for putting this vision into inspired action. Learn more/participate.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Never Again - Hiroshima
Despite President Obama's recent visit to Hiroshima, where he called for a "world without nuclear weapons," nuclear weapon spending by the U.S. is at an all-time high. Corresponding with the President's visit, Pax Christi International's Washington Working Group presented a webinar entitled "Nuclear abolition and why we as U.S. Catholics should work for it at this time." We invite you to view the webinar here and reflect on the speakers' messages. August 6 marks the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. Let's challenge our Presidential candidates to commit to establishing time-bound, actionable, verifiable plans to eliminate nuclear weapons.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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International Day Against Nuclear Tests
Established by the UN General Assembly in 2009, August 29 is a day in which educational events and activities aim to capture the world's attention and underscore the need for preventing further nuclear testing. But in the seven years since, and in the twenty years since the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which has yet to enter into force, little consideration has been given to the devastating effects of nuclear fallout from atmospheric, underwater and underground testing. Click here for more information and for ways to respond.
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Voices for Justice
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Peace and Non-Violence
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 Laudato Si' Reflection - A Response to Violence and Division
"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it. We have had enough of immorality and the mockery of ethics, goodness, faith and honesty." ( Laudato Si' 229)
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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, Allyn Horton, Ethel Howley, Jeanne Wingenter, Rose Mary Sander, and Tim Dewane. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcomed. Email us at [email protected]. Please only print this e-publication if necessary.
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