Laudato Si’ Quote:

28. Fresh drinking water is an issue of primary importance since it is indispensable for human life and for supporting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Sources of freshwater are necessary for health care, agriculture, and industry. Water supplies used to be relatively constant, but now in many places, demand exceeds the sustainable supply, with dramatic consequences in the short and long term. Large cities dependent on significant supplies of water have experienced periods of shortage, and at critical moments these have not always been administered with sufficient oversight and impartiality. Water poverty especially affects Africa where large sectors of the population have no access to safe drinking water or experience droughts that impede agricultural production. Some countries have areas rich in water while others endure drastic scarcity.

Reflection:

What is my relationship to the water I use every day? Am I mindful of my use of clean water – showers, brushing teeth, flushing toilets, washing clothes and dishes, preparing food, cleaning, drinking? For a week, keep track of the clean water that you personally use and how you use it. Mindfulness leads to insight and action!

Action:

Watch the third video in the AMSSND “Integral Vision” series here – it is about Deep Incarnation, an important reflection in these days of Ordinary Time after Christmas.  
 

Climate Change

Read this powerful reflection from the LCWR Global Concerns Committee, “Climate Change, We Must Change.”

Dismantling Racism

For an excellent daily reflection and learning during Black History Month, use this calendar developed by CSJ Brentwood JPIC office. 

CBS Sunday Morning ran this interview with Bryan Stevenson (author of Just Mercy) this week, in a segment called “Confronting history to heal a nation” – just 7 minutes long but compelling. 

Join NETWORK event on White Supremacy and American Christianity: https://networklobby.org/uschristianityconvo/ 

Human Trafficking

Feast Day of Sr. Josephine Bakhita - February 8 – a reflection from Marie, a member of the HT committee:  I would like to dedicate this to Sr. Jean McLoughlin, a very special lady who passed away in 2021.  She was a member of the SSND Trafficking committee for many years and also volunteered at a survivor trafficking shelter in the area where she lived.  As an SSND associate, I first met Jean in the early 1990's and was inspired by her during the time she spent with us.

Sr. Josephine Bakhita was born in the Darfur region of Sudan in 1869.  She was kidnapped and enslaved as a child.  Eventually she was sold to an Italian diplomat and taken to Italy where she valiantly asserted her freedom with the help of the Camossian Sisters of Venice.  Through her faith, Sr. Bakhita realized the promises of liberty inherent in the human spirit.  She lived out the rest of her life as a Camossian sister,sharing her empowering testimony of human freedom and dignity.  In 2000, Pope John II canonized Josephine Bakhita noting in this spirit, "we find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation".

Prayer

Lord, you blessed St. Josephine Bakhita of Sudan with compassion for others.  May her prayers comfort and strengthen women, men and children who are in search of freedom.  We ask for conversion of heart for us, for traffickers and we pray for strong laws that protect victims.  Give us wisdom and courage so that together we find ways to freedom that is your gift to all people.  Amen."

“The Power of Care"

Women, Economy and Human Trafficking” is the theme for the 8th International Day of Prayer and Reflection against human trafficking on February 8, 2022. For access to resources for study, reflection, and prayer, click here

Justice for Immigrants

Take a moment to pray this week for all those who seek safety and justice in a land not their own:

God of love and compassion: may we always recognize your spirit

  • in the refugee family, seeking safety from violence;
  • in the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables;
  • in the asylum-seekers, seeking justice for their families;
  • in the unaccompanied child, traveling in a dangerous world.

Give us hearts that break open whenever our brothers and sisters turn to us.
Give us hearts that hear the voices of others in times of need;
Give us eyes to recognize a moment for grace instead of a threat.
Give us voices that do not remain silent but decide to advocate prophetically.
Give us hands that reach out in welcome, but also in work, for a world of justice until all homelands are safe and secure. O God, hear our prayer. Amen. 
- adapted from Fr. Dan Hartnett S.J.

Gospel Fund announcement

The next cycle for Gospel Fund applications is open until March 1, 2022. 
Atlantic-Midwest Province Gospel Fund Application – Due March 1, 2022

The Gospel Fund of the Atlantic-Midwest Province is established for the purpose of assisting in the financing of projects whose goals are consistent with the SSND congregational mandate to reverence all creation and make the concerns of the poor our own. Gospel Fund applications are due by March 1, 2022. Click here for the current application. You may send the completed application via email to Cheryl Fameli at cfameli@amssnd.org. If you would prefer to send hard copies of your application through the mail, please contact Arlene Flaherty (aflaherty@amssnd.org) for instructions.


 

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