Prayer
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.
Advocacy and Action
We started this week with another school shooting, this time in Nashville. If you feel compelled, you can send letters demanding a ban on assault weapons to both of your senators and your member of Congress all at once on the Ban Assault Rifles. They are hoping to flood Congress with letters this week.
- Tomorrow is the International Day of Zero Waste. I didn’t know this was even a thing! It aims to promote sustainable consumption and production and raise awareness about zero-waste initiatives in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is what we are attempting to do through our affiliation with Beyond Plastics. Humanity generates around 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which only 55% is managed in controlled facilities. Achieving zero waste requires action at all levels that can foster the protection of the environment, food security and improve human health and well-being. In recognition, I invite you to take note of the waste you generate in just 24 hours. Being aware is the first step.
- Have a few free hours on April 30? Su Casa, our Cincinnati Catholic Charities Hispanic social outreach is hosting a health fair for underinsured members of the community. They are looking for volunteers. It’s a bonus if you speak Spanish, but it’s not required! There is also an opportunity to volunteer on April 27 to sort and stuff the gift bags for the event. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Sara Obando at 513.672.3727 or [email protected].
- Ohio folks – Common Cause Ohio has been watching the latest moves in Columbus. Our state senate is moving to pass laws that will prevent citizens from putting issues on a ballot. This curtails our ability to make change happen. Laws such as these will make the goals we are setting with Beyond Plastics much more difficult. Please send a letter to your state official through Common Causes Ohio.
Education
- The Daniel Berrigan collective is hosting a webinar on April 12 at 7:00 PM EST. “The Politics of Resurrection,” will feature civil rights activist and public theologian Ruby Sales. No need to register. Just Join Zoom Meeting (Meeting ID: 829 7410 9656 and Passcode: j9MiY2)
- Elizabeth O'Donnell Gandolfo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Catholic and Latin American Studies at Wake Forest University School of Divinity has published a book titled Ecomartyrdom in the Americas: Living and Dying for our Common Home which includes the story of Dorothy Stang. It is available through Orbis Books. She is also holding an intensive mini-course this summer at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Ossining New York.
- Don’t forget! The Way of the Cross for Justice will be held again on Good Friday. It will be held in its entirety in Piatt Park this year. There will not be a walk involved. Come pray as we join the suffering of Jesus with the suffering of so many in our world today. You can see details at this link. If anyone is interested in going as a group, let me know. If you cannot go in person, Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns will hold a virtual Way of the Cross for Justice.
- Keeping this on your mind … Catholic Charities, the Catholic Social Action Office, Bellarmine Chapel, and Bruggeman Center will host a free Migration Awareness Event at the Cintas Center on April 19 at 7:00 PM. The keynote will be Bishop Mark Seitz from El Paso, TX.