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CALENDAR
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NOVEMBER
November 9
DECEMBER
APRIL
April 20
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Join Our List
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| From the Director |
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The other night I had the opportunity to join members of the CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty (CNADP) for their Annual Meeting. It was a celebration of CT Supreme Court's ruling of Unconstitutionality, but also a reminder that the work continues. Although we have eliminated the death penalty in the State of CT, it could still be implemented under Federal or Military Law. There are still 31 states with the death penalty. The CNADP is working with other states, providing speakers and sharing best practices.
Pope Francis in his address to Congress said "Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty. Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation."
And so, the mission continues: Sharing the Gospel. Working for Peace and Justice, Respecting Life and Human Dignity. "...No words of encouragement will be enough unless the fire of the Holy Spirit burns in our hearts". (The Joy of the Gospel, 261)
Come  Holy Spirit, come!
 Lynn Campbell, Executive Director
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Annual Dinner
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Thank you for joining us at this year's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony!
If you were unable to attend, you can hear Dr. Woo's presentation, which aired Sunday, November 15, on the Office for Radio and Television's program, "That's the Spirit,"
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Advent Advocacy Calendar
| | | The Social Justice Ministry committee at St. Bridget Church in Manchester put together an Advent Advocacy Calendar for 2015: Hope for Justice, Work for Justice, Look for Justice, Await the Dawn of Justice. Visit the OCSJM website and download the calendar. |
Year of Mercy
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Pope Francis has proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as a special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective.
The Holy Year will open on 8 December 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The Jubilee year will close with the liturgical Solemnity of Christ the King on 20 November 2016.
How will your parish celebrate? Send us your activities so that we can share with others. Looking for ideas on the Corporal Works of Mercy? We can connect you with organizations that work with food programs, shelters, the elderly, and prisoners.
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#Pray4Cop21
| | On November 30, world leaders will inaugurate the Paris Climate Summit (called COP21) and sign a treaty to tackle the climate crisis. Throughout November, we will pray and mobilize to put into practice the Pope's Laudato Si message. To get started, the Bishops of the world just released an impressive "Appeal to the COP21 Negotiating Parties." You can watch the Pope's call to action and prayers can be found here.
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Speak Out Today: Syrian Refugees Need Your Support!
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Your members of Congress need to hear from you as they finalize budget plans for fiscal year 2016. Urge them to robustly fund humanitarian and development core poverty accounts and provide at least a $1 billion increase in assistance to address the Syrian refugee crisis.
The war in Syria, which has forced so many to flee and contributed greatly to the refugee crisis, is entering its fifth year-with little hope for a solution. And with winter coming, it means even greater hardship for those risking their lives to reach Europe.
Our Holy Father, who urges generous support for Syrian refugees, has opened the Vatican's churches to refugee families. He has also called on elected officials to be peacemakers, and to press for a solution to end violent conflict in Syria and elsewhere.
Catholic Relief Services is taking Pope Francis' words to heart by scaling up our response to the needs of Syrian refugees and others arriving daily in southeastern Europe. We're working with the local Church and other partners to provide food, water, access to sanitation, medical care and legal services.
Take Action Now: Send a message to your members of Congress asking them to support humanitarian and development funding and increased assistance for refugees of at least $1 billion. You can also call your members of Congress using our toll-free number: 888-562-8232. Download talking points here.
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"Cui Bono"- Who Benefits?
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A reflection by Michael Carlson,
2015 CCHD Intern
Cui Bono? That Latin phrase asks a simple question: Who benefits? Giving to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) in the National Collection can bring up a question: "How does CCHD use my money?"
In addition to considering the organizations that CCHD funds, we can consider our charity in the context of CCHD's view of social justice as Two Feet of Love in Action: Education and Service. Finding out more about CCHD-funded organizations is a responsible pursuit of knowledge. Generous giving is a way to serve. Both education and service shouldn't be seen as simply requirements of our faith. They are how we love.
CCHD founds its model of Two Feet of Love in Action as comprehensive: Education
"Always be prepared to give an answer to give an answer to people asks you to give a reason for the hope you have." (1 Peter 3:15) Service
"Faith without works is dead." (James 2:14) Cui bono is a phrase historically used in detective as a way to finding a culprit by determining motives. When we ask that question about our financial contributions, we are detectives trying to find out who is being served. The motive, however, is already clear: our love for those in need. To ask, "Who benefits?" is a right question for us to ask just as opening our hearts and hands to charitable giving in the National Collection is a right way to serve those in need. We should continue to ask questions. We should continue to serve. Education and service are how we walk as Disciples of Christ.
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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will be taken up in parishes nationwide on November 21-22, the weekend before Thanksgiving. This national collection is the primary source of funding for CCHD, the anti-poverty program of the bishops of the United States. CCHD's grants empower communities to build pathways out of poverty and isolation. Your contribution will defend human dignity and reach out to those living on the margins. Please support the CCHD collection.
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Mary's Visit to Malawi
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A reflection by Mary O'Brien, OCSJM/ CRS Fair Trade Ambassador
This past September, I had the privilege of joining a CRS (Catholic Relief Services) delegation of 7 persons from around the country to Malawi, Africa for ten days. Upon returning, the first question I would hear from family, friends and acquaintances went something like, "So how was Africa?" Miriam Hidalgo from our Diocesan Office of Religious Education and Evangelization was also a member of the delegation, and I think we both agree that this is a difficult question to answer. The experience was profound and transformative, yes, but I guess what struck me the most about the trip was the work that CRS is doing, and the commitment that CRS has made to all aspects of integral human development, in countries around the world such as Malawi.
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Would you be interested in hearing more about my experience in Malawi, and the wonderful work of CRS there? I would be happy to meet with you and/or members of your parish to discuss this further, and perhaps brainstorm some ways for you and your parish social justice team to become more involved. I can be reached at
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Advent Coffee Hour at Trinita: Saturday, December 12
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The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ. This Advent, the OCSJM is partnering with Trinita Retreat Center to offer a unique opportunity! Join us a Fair Trade Coffee Hour on Saturday, December 12th from 9:30- 11:30. During this time of preparation, join with other parish leaders to take some time away to visit a cozy retreat center and network with members of the OCSJM community! Mary O'Brien will be selling CRS Fair Trade items- a great opportunity to purchase Christmas presents!
Please register online or contact the OCSJM (203) 777-7279.
This event is part of a Coffee Hour Series, providing parish leaders the opportunity to network, learn about important social justice issues, and reflect together. All are welcome! If you are interested in hosting a Fair Trade Coffee Hour at your parish, please contact Sarah at sarah.hillier@aohct.org
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Urge Congress to Protect Human Dignity
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Our Church works to fight human trafficking both abroad and within the United States. For more than a decade, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has been a national leader in the fight against sex and labor trafficking. USCCB and its partners have provided intensive case management services to victims of human trafficking, assisting more than 2,232 survivors and more than 500 of their family members. In addition, Catholic Relief Services has implemented more than 100 programs in more than 35 countries to reduce human trafficking and, through public-private initiatives, has recently engaged the corporate sector to help eradicate the worst forms of slave labor.
We need you to shine a light on human trafficking today! Contact your members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor and support the Business Supply Chain Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act of 2015. Send a message or call your members of Congress using our toll-free number: 866-596-7030. Download talking points here. "Businesses have a duty to ensure dignified working conditions and adequate salaries for their employees, but they must also be vigilant that forms of subjugation or human trafficking do not find their way into the distribution chain. Together with the social responsibility of businesses, there is also the social responsibility of consumers. Every person ought to have the awareness that 'purchasing is always a moral- and not simply an economic-act.'"
Pope Francis, January 2015
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Resources for the New Encyclical Laudato Si
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8 Page Study Guide from the Sisters of Loretto
The following study guide is divided into 7 sections, the 6 chapters of the Encyclical are followed by a final discussion on how to live the teaching. A meeting template for group discussions is included. You might want to meet in one large group or divide into smaller groups; you could meet on 6 separate occasions or you could meet less frequently and combine chapters. Click here for the pdf.
19 Page Pauline Press Study GuidePope Francis addresses his encyclicalLaudato Si'to all the people of the world. This guide can
be used either for individual study or for group discussion of this important document. The guideincludes a summary of each chapter of the encyclical, along with study questions and some reflections for prayer. Click here for the pdf.
CRS and Ave Maria Webinar
In this webinar Ted Miles, Youth and Education Relationship Manager at Catholic Relief Services, highlights some of the core themes of the Holy Father's recent encyclical in light of the environmental challenges faced by the world's most vulnerable people. Explore the collection of resources offered by Catholic Relief Services and others that aid in fostering dialogue and faith-filled engagement with young people on this core issue of our time. Watch it here.
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