Prayer
Faith in Public Life’s Theologian in Residence, Dora Muhammad, is hosting a series of special episodes on her Wrestling Out Loud podcast entitled Transformative Wisdom. Each conversation with a faith leader will focus with deep spiritual reflection on navigating the collective journey to justice. These episodes will air on Memorial Day (May 26), Juneteenth (June 19), and Independence Day (July 4). The first episode features a profound conversation with Rabbi Michael Rothbaum of Congregation Ahavath Achim and Temple Beth David in Georgia. Together they discuss: What does it mean to remember rightly — and what do we risk when we forget? The conversation is an exploration of Jewish memory, ancestral stories, and the sacred duty to remember histories that have been erased or distorted — from Confederate prison camps to immigrant detention centers, from World War II to 21st Century fascism. We wrestle with the complex layers of interwoven identities and remembrance as spiritual resistance. This episode moves beyond memory to reimagine the path forward. You can tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.
Advocacy and Action
EARLY this morning, around 2:00 A.M, while most of is slept, the House passed the budget bill. Now it goes to the Senate. This bill will cut food assistance (SNAP) and Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Attacking SNAP and Medicaid is a direct attack on people living in poverty.
Another concerning aspect of this bill is a provision that will prohibit the judicial branch from holding in contempt of court the actions of the Executive branch. This is one of the fundamental checks and balances built into the Constitution of the United States.
Please call your senators. If you can’t get through, keep calling. If you have to, email them through their websites. You can write a letter to the editor. Senate aides do watch for those. You can comment on the social media pages if you have accounts. Details can be found here. You can send an email at this link too, but that is not enough. Please call your senators.
Education and Information
Next week is Laudato Si’ Week – May 24 - 31. It snuck up on me this year! Luckily many groups have been planning. We will unite with people around the world to celebrate Laudato Si' Week:
JOIN: the Ignatian Solidarity Network for their Laudato Si' Week campaign to receive short text messages with quotes from the document, moments of prayer, and ways to live Laudato Si’ in your daily life.
JOIN: the Laudato Si’ Action Platform Team & JPIC Commission of USG-UISG who will host Raising Hope for a Reconciled Creation: Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si’ on Wednesday, May 29 at 10:00 A.M ET.
This gathering will be a moment to reflect with gratitude on all that Laudato Si’ has inspired—and to renew our commitment to caring for our common home. Through prayer, music, and storytelling, the words of Pope Francis will be lifted up. Hear inspiring testimonies from participants of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and reflect on the inner conversion of heart needed to deepen our communion with God, creation, and one another. Register HERE
JOIN: The Catholic Climate Covenant for their global online celebration on May 30 at 9:00 AM ET. This global party can be viewed on YouTube live on May 30 and recorded any time after that. We will celebrate together a decade of transformative teachings, hear stories of how Laudato Si' has touched lives around the world in these 10 years, and pray together for the next 10 years.
Democracy Watch
I was hoping to only need this section of the Weekly Update during the election cycle, but sadly I think it will be needed for a while. The uncertainty around the globe means our opposition must be often and loud. We can support candidates that believe in the system of checks and balances in our government. We can support independent journalism. We can be “a gnat in the ear of our politicians.” What have your daily calls been about this past week?
Resources:
NETWORK Executive Order tracker
USCCB Dept of Migration Immigration Actions document
This week's Save the Democracy Opportunity:
The list of issues for advocacy is long. I’m not going to add another. But please, keep up the calls to your elected officials on all of the issues that are important to you. Keep the pressure on our Congress people.
Useful Links: