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Truth, Justice and Mercy Meet February 15th, 2013
“Truth and Mercy have met together
Justice and Peace have kissed.” (Psalm 84)
“In these two short lines there are four important concepts and two powerful paradoxes. The concepts kept running through my mind as I watched the peace process unfold [in Nicaragua] in its fits and starts. I noticed for the first time that the Psalmist seemed to treat the concepts as if they were alive. I could hear their voices in the war in Nicaragua. In fact, I could hear their voices in any conflict. Truth, Mercy, Justice and Peace were no longer ideas. They became people. And they could talk.”
John Paul Lederach, a Mennonite Christian, is an influential author and practitioner in the fields of conflict transformation and peace building. He has written a little play – “a liturgy of sorts” as Lederach calls it, based on his experiences in working with conciliation groups in Nicaragua who often used Psalm 84 for their biblical reflections. We would like to share it with our readers as a good mediation piece for Lent. (Download the PDF)
Lenten Resources to Care for Creation February 12th, 2013
Thanks to the Franciscan Action Network for these suggested Lenten materials.
- The “Stations of the Cross with Blessed John Paul II: On the path of ecological conversion” is available in both English and Spanish.
- Sr. Terri MacKenzie, SHCJ has offered “Spirituality of Soil: A Lenten Journey from Cosmic Dust to Easter Garden,” a five-week program for groups or individuals.
Grounded in Lenten themes, Scripture, and the Universe Story, participants deepen their appreciation of Sister Mother Earth and the gift of soil. Reflections on the role of earth in the Gospels and in our evolution story highlight the importance of mitigating the current threats to Earth.
Each week contains a closing activity and suggestions for Earth-care action. Users can adapt this material in any way that will deepen participants’ consciousness of the sacred interconnection of all life and our part in co-creating a sustainable future.
This program is available online, for free.
3) Please also consider the Lent 4.5 program that uses the traditional Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to promote caring for God’s creation, embracing gospel justice, and nurturing spiritual fulfillment. The core of the program is a series of handouts or bulletin inserts distributed throughout the weeks of Lent. There is also a school resource book that comes with permission to reprint for all classes, and a discussion course book that is usable any time of the year, not just Lent.
4) Inspired by Pope Benedict XVI’s teaching on Creation and the environment, the Archdiocese of Washington (D.C.) Care for Creation Committee offers you a new “Caring for Creation Calendar” for Lent 2013 in the Year of Faith. The calendar offers practical ways you can grow in your understanding of what it means to be a wise steward of God’s Creation and to deepen your commitment to practices and attitudes which promote care for Creation.
Lenten Resources on Immigration February 12th, 2013
As we begin our Lenten journey of prayer, reflection and fasting, we hope these Lenten resources related to immigrants will be useful. Suggestions for Homilists: The Lenten Season and Lenten Resolutions on Behalf of Immigrants can be found on the USCCB Justice for Immigrants website. These offer materials that the Oblate community and parishes, and other supporters of immigrants, may use in advocating for and educating others on comprehensive immigration reform.
2013 is a very important year to push for the passing of immigration reform and it is absolutely critical that your Senators and Representatives hear from you.
Additionally, you can send a Justice for Immigrants e-post card to Congress by clicking on this link: www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert/?alertid=62312721&type=CO
New Health Care Law Explained February 4th, 2013
The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships of the US government agency Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering a series of informational webinars on the new health care reform law for faith and community leaders in February and March 2013.
The Health Care Law 101
February 12 at 2:00 p.m. ET
A presentation on the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the health care law, and how to access care in your community.
Tour of HealthCare.gov
February 21 at 12:30 pm ET
An online tour of www.HealthCare.gov that will help you and those in your congregation and community access health care, provide information on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchanges and Medicaid Expansion) and understand the main provisions of the health care law.
The Health Care Law 101 (in Spanish)
February 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET
A presentation on the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the health care law, and how to access care in your community in Spanish.
The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Outreach and Enrollment Campaign
February 27 at 2:00 pm ET
Learn about the nationwide effort to identify children eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and get them enrolled.
The Health Care Law 101
March 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET
A presentation on the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the health care law, and how to access care in your community.
The Health Care Law 101 (in Spanish)
March 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET
A presentation on the main provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the health care law, and how to access care in your community in Spanish.
All webinars are open to the public and include a question and answer session where you can ask HHS staff any questions you may have. They encourage you to submit questions you would like to have answered on the webinars to ACA101@hhs.gov.
To participate in one of the webinars, please select your preferred topic from the list below and submit the necessary information. Please click on the title of the webinar and fill out the registration form. After registering you will receive an e-mail confirmation containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact us at ACA101@hhs.gov if you have problems registering or if you have any questions about the health care law.
Reminder: Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid Outreach Grant Opportunity
If your organization or agency is interested in enrolling eligible children in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid, CMS is currently soliciting proposals until February 21, 2013 for Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants. States, local governments, community-based and non-profit organizations, Indian health care providers, and tribal entities are all eligible to apply. For more information, please follow this link: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/professionals/index.html
Interfaith Call-In Day to Prevent Gun Violence Feb. 4 January 31st, 2013
On Monday, February 4, people of many faith traditions is calling U.S. senators and representatives to urge them to act now to prevent more gun violence. More information is here.
