Category: OCSJM Events

Top 5 Reasons to Register for the Social Justice Conference

5/31/2016

5
Hear stories about refugees and inmates, and get pointers for the upcoming presidential election

4
Pick up Social Justice summer reading materials

3
Purchase fair trade coffee, chocolate, tea, and crafts

2
Meet other Catholic social justice leaders from around Connecticut

1
Kick-off Laudato Si' Week with keynote presenter, Sr. Damien Marie Savino

Register!

Online or by calling 860-242-5573

0 Comments

Organizing for Mission in CT

8/12/2015

0 Comments

Please join us on Saturday, October 3 for a day of reflection and action, "The Light Offered by Faith- Organizing for Mission in CT."

The day, scheduled from 9 am - 3 pm at Holy Angels Church in Meriden, will explore the vision of Pope Francis, as expressed in his new encyclical, Laudato Si, and offer hands-on practical tools for strengthening ministry through relationship building.

Presenters will include: Kevin M. Johnson- Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Religion, and Theology at Sacred Heart University & President of The Inner Room; Arturo Iriarte and Mary O'Brien - community organizers and staff, Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry. The day is free and open to all; free-will donations accepted. Download the flyer here.

Coffee and sign-in begin at 8:30, with the program starting promptly at 9 am. Lunch is included. Please RSVP by Sept. 26th to info.ocsjm.org or call 203-777-7279!

0 Comments

Serve to Learn - Learn to Serve

8/12/2015

0 Comments

The Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry and the Office for Religious Education and Evangelization invite youth groups and their leaders to learn about the Corporal Works of Mercy this fall by participating in Service Saturdays. Three Saturdays have been scheduled tooffer both learning about service and a hands-on service activity to increase awareness of the needs of the less fortunate, and our call as Catholics to respond.

Each Saturday will have a different theme; groups are invited to participate in one, two or all three service days. Space for each event is limited, so reserve your space or call for more information as quickly as possible. A $10/person fee will cover the cost of materials; participants must bring their own lunch.

Check out the dates below, and click here to download a flyer/registration form.

Saturday, September 26 - Give Drink to the Thirsty
Saturday, October 31 - Feed the Hungry
Saturday, December 5 - Heal the Sick

For more information contact Sarah (sarah.hillier@aohct.org; (203) 777-7279) or Shawnee Baldwin (shawnee.baldwin@aohct.org; (860) 242-5573).

0 Comments

Solidarity with Dilley Mothers and Children

8/12/2015

0 Comments

Hundreds of immigrant women and children of all ages are being held, often for months, in the expanding South Texas Detention Center. It is operated by the U.S. Department of homeland Security near the small town of Dilley, 85 miles from the Texas-Mexico border between Laredo and San Antonio. Often fleeing from violence in their home countries, they now are detained without criminal charges, uncertain of their rights, and with few resources.

CLINIC, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, has extended an invitation to caring individuals and communities to join them in writing letters to the women and children, letting them know that they are not alone.

In response, adults and children gathered recently at St. Augustine Church in Hartford for an evening of letter writing, invited by OCSJM's Arturo Iriarte and other Hispanic PSM leaders. The group composed over 30 letters, which will be sent to CLINIC for distribution.

Visit the CLINIC website to learn how you and your community can participate in this show of support and encouragement, and to learn more about the situation.

0 Comments

Speaker, Forum and Workshops to Address Theme: Creating an Economy of Inclusion

4/20/2015

0 Comments

Guided by the words and wisdom of Pope Francis, this year's Social Justice Conference will address issues related to the economy, and how our choices and actions can either create or prevent an economy that offers opportunities for all, rather than only for a chosen few.

Our guest speaker, Sr. Simone Campbell, will lead off the day with insights gathered through her tours with the "Nuns on the Bus" project, which has traveled across the US advocating for a just budget, voters' rights and immigration reform. Her experiences as Executive Director of NETWORK, a Catholic Lobby in Washington DC, her encounters with ordinary people struggling to make their way in a challenging economic climate AND her strong faith commitment will all contribute to her powerful message.

A panel of individuals representing three perspectives - individual, parish and community - will consider the topic as part of a Forum called "A Place at the Table." Drawing on personal stories and experiences, Bill Heiden (Financial Professional and father of five), Rev. Mark Suslenko (Pastor, St. Anthony Parish, Prospect) and Maryellen Santiago (Community Organizer, Caring Families Coalition) will explore the values and beliefs that guide our efforts to work for economic justice as individuals, parish groups and as part of the broader community.

Over twenty workshop topics (including a selection in Spanish), prayer, exhibits and conversation will build on this theme and offer insights and strategies on other related social justice issues.

Plan now to join us on Saturday, June 13 at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol to share in a great day of learning about the social justice issues that impact the well-being of our communities.

For more information on the conference, workshop descriptions and registration details, visit our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!

0 Comments

Raise Your Voice for the Planet!

4/20/2015

0 Comments

On June 5, 2015 the United Nations will celebrate World Environment Day. In anticipation of that event, join us for the Hartford Earth Festival on Sunday, May 31 to remind our leaders that we are still calling for climate justice!

A Mass will be celebrated at 11 am at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hartford to launch the day, and the Hartford Earth Festival will commence at noon with a short vigil and rally on the steps of the State Capitol. After a march to Riverfront Plaza, entertainment, exhibits on environmental issues, food and fun will highlight the theme of the day from 1 - 5pm. All are welcome, young and old, to celebrate our planet and call for climate justice!

For more information, visit www.hartfordearthfestival.org. Click here for an overview of the festivities; a form to indicate your intention to participate is included here. (Reduced admission tickets to the CT Science Center may also be ordered on this form. Deadline to order Science Center tickets is April 30th.)

0 Comments

2015 Conference Speaker Announced

3/20/2015

0 Comments

We are delighted to announce our Keynote Speaker for the 2015 Social Justice Conference on June 13, 2015, Sister Simone Campbell, who will address this year's conference theme, Creating an Economy of Inclusion.

Sister Simone has served as Executive Director of NETWORK since 2004. She is a religious leader, attorney and poet with extensive experience in public policy and advocacy for systemic change. In Washington, she lobbies on issues of peace-building, immigration reform, healthcare and economic justice. Around the country, she is a noted speaker and educator on these public policy issues.

She has led three cross-country Nuns on the Bus trips, focused on economic justice, comprehensive immigration reform, and (most recently) voter turnout. The "launch" for the second tour in 2013 was held at our own St. Rose of Lima Church in New Haven, where hundreds gathered to bolster support for immigration reform, to pray, and to see the bus off on the first leg of its journey.

Sister Simone has often been featured in the national and international media, including appearances on 60 Minutes, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. She is also the author of A Nun on the Bus: How All of Us Can Create Hope, Change, and Community, published in April 2014 by HarperCollins.

Plan now to join us on Saturday, June 13 at St. Paul Catholic High School to welcome Sister Simone, and to share in a great day of learning about the social justice issues that impact the well-being of our communities.

0 Comments

Top 5 Reasons to Register for the Social Justice Conference

Organizing for Mission in CT

Serve to Learn - Learn to Serve

Solidarity with Dilley Mothers and Children

Speaker, Forum and Workshops to Address Theme: Creating an Economy of Inclusion

Raise Your Voice for the Planet!

2015 Conference Speaker Announced

Categories

Blog Archives