Have you registered to join the Fast Action for Immigration Reform?

Although we've mentioned it several times previously, this is another gentle reminder to register to join with people of faith from across the country to demonstrate your solidarity with immigrant communities by fasting for 40 days from September 9 to October 18.  Click here for more information and here to register. 

Ask your local NBC affiliate to air "Women & Spirit"

You will recall the Women & Spirit exhibition that traveled the country from 2009-11.  To capture the essence of that exhibit, the documentary Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America was produced.  Now, the possibility exists to air the documentary on NBC's "Horizons of the Spirit" series.  Local NBC affiliates have the discretion to air the documentary between September 15, 2013 and March 15, 2014.  It is up to us to contact our local NBC affiliates to encourage them to air the documentary. Here's how to do that:

1. Find your local NBC station, using the online NBC Directory at www.nbc.com/local-stations, or your local phone directory.

2.  E-mail or phone the station with a message, such as:  "I am a local resident and viewer and I've learned that the documentary, Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America, will be available for broadcast on your station starting September 15.  I understand it's part of the NBC "Horizons of the Spirit" series and that information about the program is on the NBC Universal APT system.  Are you aware of it and do you have plans to broadcast it?  This is the virtual untold story of the nearly 300-year history of Catholic sisters in the U.S. and how they have helped shape our nation's social, cultural and spiritual landscapes.  Many people in your viewing area are becoming interested in the program.  I will help spread the word about any broadcasts.  Can we count on your station to air this program?"

 3.  Direct your sisters, associates, ministry partners and others to this sectionof the documentary website and ask them to make contact with NBC as well:  www.womenandspirit.org/media-bulletins.html.  The more contacts made to a station, the better chances that the film will be aired.

4.  Consider urging local business to offer to advertise during the program if it is aired locally.  This, too, will increase the likelihood of a local NBC station airing the program.

5.  If you learn of a broadcast, please e-mail womenandspiritfilm@verizon.net and consider spreading the word by organizing a group viewing session.

   

Building on the success of the Women & Spirit traveling exhibit, the documentary's availability to NBC is a great opportunity to use mass media for millions to see this incredible, 300-year-old story that includes our history and our present day ministries.

USCCB Labor Day Statement

As we enter into Labor Day weekend, we have an opportunity to "take stock of the way workers are honored and respected. . . . Unfortunately, millions of workers today are denied honor and respect as a result of unemployment, underemployment, unjust wages, wage theft, abuse and exploitation" (Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Bishop of Stockton, CA and chair of the Committee of Domestic Justice and Human Development of the USCCB).  Click here to read Bishop Blaire's Labor Day statement in its entirety.

Human Trafficking and Super Bowl 2014

The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking has released the details for training to be a team leader or to be part of the team that reaches out to local hotels to train their staff to identify victims of human trafficking and to develop protocols for responding to victims of trafficking.  The training takes place on September 9 for leaders and on September 16 for all other volunteers.  Go to the coalition's website to learn more about the tasks involved and to register for the training.

NJ Residents: Has Your Municipality Acted?

As we know, January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  But, did you know that Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has designated January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in New Jersey?  Additionally, municipalities in New Jersey have begun to proclaim January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  Click here to learn if your municipality is among them and to learn what to do to make that happen if your municipality is not among them.

Why is this important when we already have a national day?  One word -- awareness!  The more people who can be made aware of the existence of human trafficking, the better we become as individuals, neighborhoods, towns, states and nations.

"I Have a Dream"

Wednesday, August 28 is the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech at the Emancipation March on Washington.DC.  This site provides information about commemorations of this event throughout the country.

Many materials are available to mark this event.  Smithsonian magazine has published this Oral History of the March on Washington, which is worth reviewing.  (Go to http://www.smithsonianmag.com for much more information.)

On Sunday, August 25, Pax Christi USA Executive Director Sister Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN will participate in a panel discussion on "A Catholic Conversation on Race, Religion and the March on Washington" at Holy Redeemer Church in Washington, DC.  Go to the Pax Christi USA website for more information.

The USCCB's Committee on Cultural Diversity issued a statement, "March on Washington Anniversary: Time to Face Unmet Goals."

Catholic Leaders and Changes in Immigration Policy

On September 8, a coordinated message about immigration reform will be delivered in  many Catholic parishes across the nation.  Kevin Appleby, director of migration policy at the USCCB, is quoted in this article from the New York Times, indicating that the Catholic bishops will push for passage of a legislative overhaul that includes a path to citizenship.

Additionally, Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton, PA recently issued this letter on immigration reform.  Readers in the Scranton Diocese will be able to link from Bishop Bambera's letter to their elected officials in Washington to send a message about immigration reform. 

Remember, too, that the Interfaith Immigration Coalition urges us to participate in 40 days of "Fast Action" for immigration reform.  Click here for more information.