OCSJM has received a grant from the Catholic Youth Foundation to create a new service and leadership development program for young adults.  We are excited to announce that we will be piloting the "Two Feet of Love in Action" Summer Justice Program in August 2015.

Young adults from around the archdiocese will gather for four days of service, prayer, and reflection with their peers.  During that time they will have opportunities to learn about social justice issues within the local community from nonprofit agencies, and to participate in leadership training.
 
Do you know someone between the ages of 18-21 who might be interested in being part of this program? DRE's and Youth Ministers: Please encourage your alumni to apply! 

Applications will become available in December. Contact Sarah at OCSJM if you are interested in receiving an application or would like more information.  (203) 777-7279 or sarah.hillier@aohct.org.  View the flyer here, and feel free to distribute it to interested candidates.

On October 15, St. Peter Claver will host a program for parish members and the broader community addressing an issue which is of vital significance to all of us: criminal justice reform. 

• Did you know that between 1970 and 2005 the prison population grew over 700%, far outpacing the population growth rate and the crime rate?
• Did you know that nearly 85% of inmates have drug and/or alcohol addictions or mental health issues? 

We have a system of incarceration that does not reflect or respect the dignity of the human person, and we are incarcerating individuals at an alarming rate.

The Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford will sponsor this workshop on the need for criminal justice reform on Wednesday October 15, 7:00 pm at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford.

The workshop will feature members of Malta Justice Initiative who will provide insights from their new book, "The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration Has Hijacked the American Dream."  The discussion will explore the current situation and what opportunities exist for us to respond, as Catholics and as informed citizens. Advance registration is requested. Use the form here or call/email OCSJM: (203) 777-7279 or info.ocsjm@aohct.org.

Malta Justice Initiative is a sponsored work of the Order of Malta.  

Coming to America is the theme of an Immigration Forum scheduled to happen at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main Street in Manchester on Thursday, Oct 16, at 7 pm.

Do you understand the reasons that immigrants are flocking to our shores? Are they only coming to get the "free services"?

Our ancestors came to America years ago before severe restrictions applied, like quotas and visas. Only those in steerage class had to go through Ellis Island; those who had the money for first or second class passage proceeded directly into NYC. It was similar in other ports, but New York was the main entrance point for millions of Europeans. Walking over the borders from Canada and Mexico was unrestricted.

Assimilation into American culture was difficult then, as it is now. Immigrants have made enormous contributions, despite rampant discrimination! And even then the streets were not paved with gold, as they soon discovered. Indeed, they were expected to pave them!

Join us on October 16 to learn more and share insights.  All are welcome!

Questions? Contact Diane at (860) 649-9827.