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*(Please continue to check the Social
Justice Actions which are updated every Friday). Our petition corner
is now located http://www.wheatonfranciscan-jpic.org/currentactionalerts.html
JPIC Office Blog
December 28, 2009
“If you want to cultivate
peace, protect creation. The quest for peace by people of good
will surely would become easier if all acknowledge the indivisible
relationship between God, human beings and the whole of creation. …
Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of
peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all. It is an
urgent challenge, one to be faced with renewed and concerted
commitment; it is also a providential opportunity to hand down to
coming generations the prospect of a better future for all.”
(#14)
Last week, Pope Benedict XVI released the
text of his annual message for the World Day of Peace on
January 1, 2010. The Holy Father’s theme was at once
simple and profound, “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect
Creation.” In this moving message, Pope Benedict seamlessly
weaves together concerns for peace, poverty and care for
creation. This is certainly music to our Franciscan ears!!
Pope Benedict teaches that “integral human
development is closely linked to the obligations which flow from
man’s relationship with the natural environment. The environment
must be seen as God’s gift to all people, and the use we make of it
entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the
poor and future generations.”
If you’ve not had a chance to read this
powerful document, click here. Also – the USCCB has provided a study
guide for the Pope’s message.
Dear Friends of the JPIC Office,
I am sending you this Blog in the last few
weeks of 2009 rather than in January, because at that time Suz and I
will be busy preparing for the next issue of Mother Earth,
Sister Peace which you can look for later in the month.
In the fight for peace and justice, we
discovered that 2009, like every year, was filled with many
challenges and debates, protests and petitions, setbacks and
successes. I reviewed the Year of
Blogs from this Office and decided to share with you
some of the highlights. There are some successes about which
we can rejoice – and there are some issues which still require our
attention and prayers.
Year End Blog Contents
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
January
2009
- We began the year with great hope as we
awaited the inauguration of our new President, Barack Obama.
- The National Religious Campaign
Against Torture (NRCAT) drew the attention of the Obama
Administration to the issue of torture of prisoners, and
designated the month of January as a time to pray for an end to
U.S.-sponsored torture. As we now know, this campaign
has succeeded by securing the closing of Guantanamo Bay and the
end to torture practices. As the rights of prisoners and
their placement in new facilities continue to be debated, we
continue to pray for justice and compassion.
February
2009
- February 20 marked the first observation
of The World Day of Social Justice by the 192 member states
of the United Nations. We joined in prayerful support to
“consolidate further the efforts of the international community in
poverty eradication, full employment and decent work, gender
equality and access to social well-being and justice for all.”
March 2009
- The Season of Lent appropriately brought
harsh reminders of the war and violence that exists in our world,
as a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq was proposed by
the Obama Administration.
- We also joined in solidarity with the
Jewish and Muslim peoples as the JPIC Office commended Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton’s message to allow humanitarian aid to
the troubled area of Gaza. Peace in the Middle East remains
tenuous despite the various resolutions promoted to resolve this
situation from peaceful talks, ceasefire agreements to a two-state
solution. Franciscans International maintains a
presence in Jerusalem and we continue to support their efforts
with our prayers.
April 2009
- Thoughts of the economy loomed large as
the leaders of the historic G-20 Summit in London addressed global
concerns related to the economy. The JPIC office continues to
monitor the effects legislative actions could have on the poor and
the vulnerable in the U.S. and around the globe.
- We highlighted the successful efforts of
Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services, both in advocacy
campaigns as well as direct service to the most poor and
vulnerable populations in the world. The Wheaton Franciscans
proudly provides these two groups with financial and prayerful
support.
May
2009
- One Win/One
Loss in the fight against the death penalty. New
Mexico's governor Bill Richardson signed the repeal of the death
penalty in to law on March 18, 2009, attracting praise from the
global abolitionist community. However, On May 22, the bill to
repeal the death penalty in Connecticut went to the desk of
Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell, who maintained support of the
death penalty and vetoed the bill.
June
2009
- The Healthcare Reform debate emerged as
the Senate Finance Committee’s released a paper on health care
coverage options. The letter is applauded by the Catholic
Healthcare Association because it advocates for options that best
serve low-income and other vulnerable populations.
- On June 26 Congress passed the historic
legislation, HR 145 The American
Clean Energy and Security Act. It put the US on a
path to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050. An
unprecedented coalition of environmental, faith, community, labor,
veterans, business, and other groups mounted one of the most
vigorous grassroots campaigns in decades to move this critical
legislation through the House. We continue to push for
passage in the Senate.
July 2009
- Jubilee USA Network, tireless advocates
working for Debt Cancellation, advocated for introduction of the
Stop VULTURE Funds Act (HR 2932), a bill in the
House of Representatives that would prevent excessive profit off
the debt of the world's poorest nations. This bill is still
in committee and Jubilee USA will update as information becomes
available.
August 2009
- Along with the heat of the summer came the
very heated debate on Health Care Reform legislation. Town
hall meetings across the country often resulted in bitter feuds,
mud-slinging and out-right lies regarding healthcare options. The
debate continues, as we know all too well, and we may see passage
this week – but let’s not hold our breath!
September
2009
- During “Hunger Awareness Month”
Feeding America, a nationwide network of 205 food banks
called upon communities to take action by giving up something
small through the “Give A Little, Feed a Lot” campaign.
- Well known filmmaker Ken Burns created a
powerful documentary film about the US National Park System.
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, a
six-episode series, premiered on September 27 on PBS
stations. We recognized that in our advocacy efforts to
preserve and protect the environment, it’s also important to honor
and revel in the mere beauty of the earth. This film
celebrates the National Park System and our nation’s natural,
historic and cultural heritage which has been preserved for
generations to come.
- Coincidentally….or not…through the efforts
of the Sierra Club, which we supported, Congress approved
additional funding In October, for the National Park System to
restore and secure critical parklands in the country.
October
2009
- During Fair Trade Awareness Month, the
JPIC sponsored a “Fair Trade Coffee House.” We invited the
Sisters and employees at the Motherhouse to sample fair trade
coffee and chocolate and to watch a short video from Catholic
Relief Services on the life of a fair-trade coffee grower.
We learned that by the choices we make every day in the way we
spend our money, CAN make a difference in our world.
- On October 18, more than 173,000 people
worldwide gathered at events to stand up and take the pledge to
end global poverty. Counted among that number were the 48
who stood at Our Lady of the Angels chapel in Wheaton, and 10 who
stood in the chapel at our Generalate in Rome.
November
2009
- As the holiday season loomed ahead, the
USDA released their annual report in which they reported that 49.1
million Americans, including 16.7 million children, are food
insecure. These startling new statistics confirmed that hunger is
on the rise. Feeding America a leading advocate of hunger
awareness, encourages everyone to DONATE – ADVOCATE –
VOLUNTEER. There are thousands of food pantries across
the country that needs your help. Of course, right here in DuPage
County we have the People’s Resource Center directed by our own
Covenant Member, Mary Ellen Durbin. PRC serves over 20,000
residents, providing core resources of food, clothing and
emergency homeless prevention assistance help people to meet their
basic needs, as well as numerous education and social service
programs.
December
2009
- On December 16, the Jubilee Act (HR 4005)
was introduced into the House of Representatives. The bill
expands life-giving debt cancellation to 22 additional
impoverished countries left out of previous debt relief deals and
calls for an end to harmful economic conditions and an audit of
past odious and illegitimate debts. The JPIC Office has been
working with Jubilee USA to secure this legislation. Ron
Durbin, (CM Mary Ellen Durbin’s husband) and I made numerous phone
calls to our local Rep. Judy Biggert, who signed on as a
co-sponsor of the bill.
The
LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to
them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face
shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you
kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon
the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
(Num 6:22-27)
This is a very familiar blessing to
Franciscans, and a fitting first reading for New Year’s Day.
May the Lord indeed, bless us and keep us, and grant us kindness and
peace throughout all of 2010.
Once again, let me share my gratitude to
everyone for their support and kindness as I have taken over the
leadership of the JPIC Office. The work of justice and peace
is one we all share, and I hope to serve you all in the best ways I
can throughout the New Year.
Blessings and Peace,
Sr. Glenna Czachor,
OSF
JPIC Office Coordinator
Wheaton Franciscans
Blog
Archives
January, 2009
February, 2009
March,
2009
April, 2009
May_June, 2009
July, 2009
August, 2009
September, 2009
October, 2009
November, 2009
December, 2009
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