Action for Justice Blog
"Peace is the language we must speak." -- Pope Francis
"Peace is the language we must speak." -- Pope Francis
In preparation for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 24, I invite you to read the 2023 message from Pope Francis and perhaps use it in prayer.
As Pope Francis reminds us, it is essential to let our hearts break and let ourselves weep for our world that is suffering. You can access the Laudato Si’ Movement’s August prayer reflection, which can help you reflect upon our current times.
May we make our homes places of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of the summertime.
I invite you to use this prayer from the USCCB sometime this week. God of all life, help us to appreciate the great gift that is human life formed in your image, a reflection of your holiness…
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur received a certificate for successfully designating a Saint Kateri Habitat for people, plants, and wildlife. The garden of Mount Notre Dame Ohio Province office is registered in the Saint Kateri Conservation Center’s Community of Catholic Habitats for people and wildlife, to limit climate change, conserve biodiversity, and restore our relationships with God, each other, and Nature. Thanks to the Kateri Community at Mount Notre Dame for working on this certification, and for taking care of the people, wildlife, and nature surrounding the Province's Office.
Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it: a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor; a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them; a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect; a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love. Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The USG/UISG Justice Promoters group has asked us to pray for the places that are facing conflicts around the world, especially Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Palestine, and Israel.
Keeping the Ohio Unit in prayer during the Assembly 2023.
World Refugee Day, a message from indigenous activists in Peru, petition to support families, and more! Read this week's Update from the Justice, Peace and Care for Creation.
Prayer, Action, and Education. This week's update is packed with information on how to get involved in care for creation and peace and justice issues including Plastic Free July, Title 42, and more!
Caring God, the earth and we cry out to You. Along with the earth, we ask You to free us from greed, selfishness and indifference. Along with the air, the water, the land and the wind, we ask You to help us get rid of all the pollution. Along with the forest, birds and animals, give us the strength not to destroy ourselves and the delicate webs that connect our ecosystems and all life together.
For all those who feel unheard, may they find people willing to listen and stand in solidarity with them, we pray… May our faith in the risen Christ deepen and become the strength on which we are able to act in the world around us, we pray…
There is much Congress can do with the Farm Bill to address hunger in the US and across the globe. When SNAP benefits were increased during the pandemic, it lifted nearly 3 million people out of poverty. It is important we let Congress know we are watching.
Saturday is Earth Day! I invite you to include a part of the prayer from Catholic Climate Covenant: Creator God, As we feast our eyes on autumn reds and yellows, we sense your creative power. As we marvel at the uniqueness of each snowflake, we rejoice that you know us by name. As we hear the songs of birds of spring, we yearn to sing your praises. As we breathe the delicious scents of summer flowers, our souls rest in your love.
Pope Francis’ April Intention is for a nonviolent culture - Let us pray for a more widespread culture of nonviolence, that will progress when countries and citizens alike resort less and less to the use of arms.
Blessed Holy Week to all. May we all continue our journey for justice in peace.
As we learn details of the latest school shooting in Nashville, I offer this prayer from Bishops Against Gun Violence. I invite you to include it in your prayers this week.
Mid-Atlantic Coalition Against Modern Slavery invites you to their Lenten Way of the Cross for victims of human trafficking on March 29th at 7:00 pm. Come share via Zoom the passion of Jesus and the story of Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of victims of human trafficking.
There have been a few disappointments in immigration and climate change issues this past week. I invite you to say a special prayer for our elected officials, especially those in whom we have so much hope. May their hearts open.
God who created humans from the dust of the ground, we pray flights immorally sending families away would stay grounded. Remove policies that hold communities in fear, and instead may we fast in repentance for ways we have been complicit in feeding such fears. Hold us accountable as a nation for cruel separations of families and racist practices, and Strengthen us to grow your Force of Love until the oppressed truly become free. Amen
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) “Seeing with the heart is seeing the world and our brothers through God's gaze…Faith cannot be reduced to a series of theoretical beliefs, traditions, and customs. It is a bond and a path along which we follow Jesus, who renews our way of seeing the world and our brothers.” (Pope Francis, Feb 19, 2022)
Keeping in mind yet another mass shooting, this time on the campus of Michigan State University, can we pray for those among us who are so angry and afraid that they see mass violence as an outlet for their emotions? Usually, I pray for the victims, sensible gun laws, and more mental health care in our country. I often struggle to pray for the individual who is so lost, they see this as a viable option.