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People's Climate March: Huge and Inspiring!

10/14/2014

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On Sept. 21, over 300,000 people from all over the U.S., including groups from every faith tradition and denomination, marched in New York City. It was a colorful, joyful, powerful and energizing event for all participants. The March called on world leaders, gathered for the United Nations Climate Summit 2014, to develop real plans to reduce the causes of climate change and to commit funding to help affected populations in coastal and island regions adapt to changes already affecting their lives.

The March was led by indigenous people and representatives of poor nations, who have done little to contribute to greenhouse gases and have not benefited from fossil fuel use and development, as most of us have.

In 2011, Pope Benedict addressed world delegates to climate negotiations:  
I hope that all members of the international community can agree on a responsible, credible and supportive response to the worrisome and complex phenomenon [global climate change], keeping in mind the needs of the poorest populations and of future generations. 

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences said recently: 
Failure to mitigate climate change will violate our duty to the vulnerable of the Earth. All nations must ensure that their actions are strong enough and prompt enough to address the increasing impact and growing risk of climate change and to avoid catastrophic irreversible consequences.

A sign carried by some marchers summed up the need for all of us to act: "There is no Plan(et) B." This is our only home, which we must keep life-giving and sustainable. 

So, as we await Pope Francis' upcoming encyclical on care of creation, we can take action:
  • Go to www.catholicclimatecovenant.org for newsletter, teaching and resources; while there, take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor.
  • Have a home energy audit. Retrofit to save energy and $$: Visit www.EnergizeCT.com for info.
  • Sign a petition calling all nations to take meaningful action to reduce the causes and effects of climate change, especially on the poorest and most vulnerable.

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October is FAIR TRADE Month

10/10/2014

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In her well-received book, Fair Trade from the Ground Up, April Linton writes: 

Fair Trade is rooted in three beliefs:  1) We are all connected.  Consumers have the power to express solidarity with producers; 2) Existing world trade practices affect underdevelopment and the unjust distribution of wealth among nations; 3) Paying producers in less developed countries a fair price for their products is a more efficient way of encouraging sustainable development than aid. (University of Washington Press) [For a thorough explanation of the issue of Fair Trade, we encourage you to explore more fully the Global Solidarity link at the OCSJM website, where we developed an educational Resource Packet on the topic.]

This month our focus is on St Augustine Parish in Seymour, where at the end of September Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Chocolate from our partner, Equal Exchange, were introduced at the Sunday morning coffee hours.  The Pastor, Father Honore Kombo, (who by the way is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo), graciously embraced the idea of serving Fair Trade Products at parish functions now and in the future.  Of course we introduced coffee from the Congo first, so that Fr. Kombo would feel at home; and, in the weeks leading up to the event, Alese Kummer, the parish business manager, used weekly bulletin "hints" to peak everyone's interest.  Other parishioners have also expressed interest in hosting a CRS Fair Trade Craft Sale in the future.

As we prepared for the first event, one person asked me a question that I have not yet been able to answer: "Do the other Archdiocesan Offices serve Fair Trade Coffee at their events?"  An interesting question, isn't it?  So, if you are a leader of a Parish, or a Diocesan Office, and you wish to explore this issue, please don't hesitate to contact us for information Fair Trade coffee, and how to get started.  It is really not a difficult task to begin.


As coordinator of the Global Solidarity initiative through the OCSJM Office, I strongly believe that Fair Trade is one of the best, if not the best means to embrace the concept of Global Solidarity in our lives.  In the words of St. John Paul II, in his Social Concerns Encyclical, "Solidarity is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is, to the good of all, and to the good of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all."   
 

Mary O'Brien is the Global Solidarity Coordinator for OCSJM and also a local CRS Fair Trade Ambassador. You can contact her here, or through the Office. 

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Assistance and Hope for Iraq and Syria

10/10/2014

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The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have been responding to the crisis in Iraq and Syria with immediate humanitarian assistance for refugees and vulnerable populations, but also urging the US government to work with other nations within the framework of international and humanitarian law to protect vulnerable Christians and others from persecution and violence.

In addition, CRS is working to educate Catholics about the humanitarian situation on the ground, making individual stories and photos of the people living through this nightmare available on its website, because the more we can share of the human experience, the more we feel compelled to help.
To provide assistance to our vulnerable brothers and sisters in Iraq and Syria, our parish communities are called to:   PRAY, GIVE, ADVOCATE!

1.  Pray: Organize prayer vigils for peace and for all the victims of the violence, bringing together the various religious communities. Prayers for Iraq and Syria can be found here.

2.  Give: Donate to CRS, currently undertaking an emergency response, working with Caritas Iraq, local churches and religious orders with presence on the ground. Some $4 million will be needed to provide critical humanitarian assistance over several months, including educational programs for the children and legal assistance for refugees.

3.  Advocate: Urge the US Congress and the Administration to support vulnerable populations within the framework of international law; to address the root cause issues behind the violence; to encourage the formation of inclusive governments in the region; to invest in humanitarian assistance and economic long-term economic development, so people can rebuild their lives. 

Standing in prayerful and active solidarity with the Church and the vulnerable populations in Iraq and Syria, we can bring hope.
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To advance Catholic Social Teaching by educating and preparing parishes to work for social justice. 
​The Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry
of the Archdiocese of Hartford

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Phone: 860-242-5573 

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