Partners in Health

Click here to check out that latest on Dr. Paul Farmer and the tremendous work his Partners in Health crew does around the world.

Earth Day Climate Covenant Reminder

Happy Earth Day!

Yesterday, on the eve of Earth Day, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change held a web conference to announce the launch of the Catholic Climate Covenant which asks Catholics, "Who Is Under Your Carbon Footprint?" and encourages individuals, families, parishes, schools, hospitals, et al, to take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. Please watch your local media to see if it is covered. A mailer was sent last week toevery Catholic parish in the U.S. To see the mailer electronically go to http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/ and look in the right-hand column. You may also click on "Coalition Activities" to get more resources.

Chicken a la carte

Thanks to S. Maria Dolores for sharing this video. Watch it all the way to the end. E-mail subscribers might have to click here to go to the blog to watch the video or here to go to the "Culture Unplugged" website.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Observance of the 11th of the Month

For several years, the Sisters of Christian Charity have observed the 11th of each month as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and justice. Our North American Western Province (Wilmette, IL) has made these suggestions for observing April 11:

On Saturday, April 11th, as we remember our day of fast and prayer, we are invited to “reflect on the signs of the times with the eyes of God and with women’s hearts.”

We remember, “THE LONGING OF WOMAN TO REDISCOVER HER DIGNITY AND HER TRUE PLACE IN SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH.” (General Chapter Document, 2007)

Creative Ideas to End Human Trafficking

Schools & Universities
Approach Campus Ministry programs for support & advocacy.

Ask libraries to have books for children related to trafficking.

Educate school counselors about identifying victims of trafficking.

Incorporate in high/middle school curriculums (social studies & health).

Organize student video project on coercion, (trafficking/drugs/bullying).

Teach younger children the principles of respect & dignity.

Video night at colleges & universities.

Find websites such as www.ipjc.org to learn more about human trafficking.

Post information about trafficking at your place of ministry.

Educate internet & cable installers, plumbers, & others with access to homes.


Media
Advertise hotline numbers for victims.

Advocate for Public Service Announcements.

Affirm the media when they cover human trafficking.

Ask national & local media to do a story.

Use Social Networking sites (My Space/ Face book/ Blogs) to raise awareness.

Write article & letters to the editor for local newspaper & newsletters.

Integrity of Creation

The Integrity of Creation Working Group of the Commission for JPIC of the UISG and USG in Rome has published, "The Earth Community: In Christ Through the Integrity of Creation towards Justice and Peace for All." While this book is intended to be general and not comprehensive in order to reach out to a global community of readers, it is an excellent resource for anyone seeking practical suggestions for changing personal and communal behavior and working for appropriate national and international legal frameworks that ensure a sustainable future for the Earth Community. The booklet includes resources, accounts of experiences, a prayer service and some questions for you and your community to evaluate your progress. Click here to download the booklet.

The Eucharist and Social Justice

I received this notice from Margaret Scott, author of The Eucharist and Social Justice, which will be available beginning May 15 (Paulist Press). I met this Sister at the Convention for the Common Good, and I'm happy to pass this on to you:

The Eucharist and Social Justice convincingly makes the argument that the Eucharist is deeply political and potentially subversive. It explores some of the many different aspects of the inseparable relationship between Eucharist and social justice. Making ample use of the eucharistic texts, which are pregnant with meaning and embrace a whole host of social issues around poverty and injustice, it teases out their wider implications. It also rediscovers the dimension that God intended for the Eucharist: the life of the world. It draws out the potential of Eucharist, as a critique of the methods and results of economic globalization and as a dynamic force that both motivates and enables a commitment to social justice and the alleviation of poverty. It is written for all those who want to make the world a better place and for the growing coalition of the caring.

Human Trafficking: The Blue Heart Campaign

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking. The Blue Heart represents the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding us of the coldheartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human beings. The use of the blue UN color also demonstrates the commitment of the United Nations to combat this crime against human dignity. By wearing the Blue Heart you raise awareness of this crime and join the campaign to fight it. For more information, go to the UNODC website.