More Sisters Standing Against Human Trafficking

Here are some more photos from the Stand Against Human Trafficking event on Sunday on the Morristown Green.  Do you recognize anyone in these photos?

Photos owned by NJ.com

For more coverage, go to the NJ.com site.  Click here for more information about the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

Light of Love

"Imagine Sisters" has produced Light of Love, a one-hour documentary described on its website as "60 minutes designed for viewers to quiet their surroundings and enter into convent, the food pantry, the hospital, and the chapel. With minimal music and simple visuals, Light of Love gives viewers a look into the lives, suffering, and joys of religious life captured in a way like never before.  Click here to view the film and to get more information (including study guides).

Standing Against Human Trafficking

Did you Stand Against Human Trafficking on Sunday, October 27?  If so, let us know about your experience.  In this photo, you'll see  SCC postulants and a novice standing on the Morristown Green.  About 10 Sisters from Mendham attended the event. 

Photo courtesy of New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Have you seen "Sisters"?

Gardner films has produced the one-hour documentary Sisters, which is described on the producer's website as "a film about faith and hope, love and death, seen through the eyes of five women who have committed their lives to the service of others in the deepest way. Without narration, their stories are told in the honest words and actions of the women themselves." Click here to watch the documentary in its entirety. 

Sisters was envisioned by Sr. Carol Rittner, RSM, distinguished professor of Holocaust Studies at Richard Stockton College. First broadcast on PBS stations earlier this year, Gardner Films and LCWR are providing the film in its entirety on the web at no cost. LCWR encourages viewers to share the link and permission is granted for any public group viewing by DVD.

Will you stand on Sunday?

This is a second reminder that this Sunday, October 27, is the mobilization on the Morristown Green to raise awareness about human trafficking.  Go to the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking website -- www.njhumantrafficking.org -- for more information and to RSVP for the event.

Stand Against Human Trafficking on the Morristown Green

On Sunday, October 27 from 9:30 am until 6:30 pm, the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking is sponsoring a mobilization on the Morristown (NJ) Green to raise awareness of human trafficking.  We are invited to stand together with other community members for 30 minutes, an hour, or a day . . . whatever we can do.  Click here to access information and to RSVP.  Please share this information with your colleagues, associates and friends, especially if you live near Morristown.  Will we see you there?

Stop Trafficking Newsletter

The October issue of the Stop Trafficking newsletter -- highlighting human trafficking in the Congo and providing information on anti-trafficking educational modules for health care workers -- is available here.

CRS Mobilizes in India

It is estimated that Cyclone Phailin has affected 8 million people and destroyed 200,000 to 350,000 homes in India.  Over 900,000 people were evacuated in anticipation of the cyclone.  Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is there and will determine the most affected communities over the next few days, determining the most urgent needs and coordinating with other agencies to deliver aid.  Click here to read more about relief efforts and to donate.

Reflection for October 11

The Western Region of the Sisters of Christian Charity of North America prepared this reflection for the 11th of the month, focusing on stewardship of and reverence for our planet.  Observance of the 11th of the month as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and justice has been our practice for several years.  We invite you to join us.

What a great ad!

The December issue of US Airways Magazine will run an ad sponsored by U.S. Catholic Sisters United Against Human Trafficking.  Click here to see the ad.  The ad was created (pro bono) by Bailey-Lauerman in Omaha. 

I Am Malala

This week, ABC News is featuring portions of interviews with Malala Yousafzai, who -- a year ago this week --  was shot at point blank range by the Taliban in Pakistan. Her crime?  Speaking out about the right of girls to receive an education.  There are multiple videos on the ABC News site.  If you begin here, you can continue to watch this amazing young woman on the videos as your time allows. If you have more time, click here to watch the YouTube video of her July 2013 speech to the United Nations (on her 16th birthday).

Additionally, her book, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban, is being released on Tuesday, October 8. 

Week 5: Prayer and Fasting for Immigration Reform

The theme for week 5 is Address the Root Causes of Migration.  Here's a prayer from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition: 

For all those who see “home” and all it means
Disappear behind them;
For all those who cannot see a home
In the days ahead of them;
For all those who dwell in
Daily insecurity;
For all those who are weary and
Without a safe place to rest their heads;
For all families in migration we pray.
May the image of the Family
Fleeing oppression
Stay with us each night
As we are blessed
With returning to a home.
May we also be blessed
With compassion for those
Still weary, still seeking,
Still with so far to go.

(Jane Deren, 2007)

Pope: The Church Should Follow the Example of St. Francis

Calling for a "poor church for the poor," Pope Francis has intimated that the church should "take off its clothes" in imitation of the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who famously renounced his wealth by shedding his clothes in the town square.  Click here to read more (in an article written prior to the Assisi visit).

Happy Feast of St. Francis of Assisi!

Cherish Life Circle's 20th anniversary

The Cherish Life Circle, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, is a circle of friends supporting each other in their opposition to the death penalty.  Here is the group's mission statement:  "Members of the Cherish Life Circle uphold the sacredness of all life, striving especially to  eliminate the death penalty, comfort those who have suffered the loss of murdered loved ones,  and promote restorative justice for offenders." 

On Sunday, October 6 at 3 p.m., the Cherish Life Circle will mark its 20th anniversary at an event at the Convent of Mercy on Willoughby Ave. in Brooklyn.  Death penalty abolitionist and author of Dead Man Walking, Sister Helen Prejean, will be in attendance.  For more information, e-mail cherilife@aol.com or call (718) 366-0966.

The New York Times recently published a short piece that covers the Cherish Life Circle, among other things.  Click here to access the article.

Super Bowl 2014 Pre-Game

The Star Ledger's Mark DiIonno has written "Super Bowl 2014 Pre-Game: Nuns take aim at pimps, prostitution surrounding big night."  Click here to access the article, focusing on the group of Sisters (including SCCs) and many others who are organizing visits to hotels to educate and advocate about human trafficking.

"A Bold Plan to Aid Sex Trafficking Victims" (NY Times article)

A new initiative in New York aims to treat those charged with prostitution as abuse victims rather than criminals.  Click here to read more about it in the New York Times.

An abundance of human trafficking resources

This page -- from the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center in Seattle, Washington -- contains a comprehensive listing  of links to anti-trafficking resources.  Prayer services, educational resources, multimedia, English and Spanish, and many other resources are available.