UPDATE FROM OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY
At the invitation of the Metro NY Catholic Climate Movement, members of our Social Justice Ministry have joined several local parishes (Francis Xavier, Loyola, St. Monica) to Adopt a District, i.e. District 12, represented by Carolyn Maloney. Our first meeting via ZOOM last Monday at noon was hosted by SJM member Sr. Virginia Dorgan and led by Jonathan Brady, a member of St. Monica's 'Green Team' which successfully lobbied Representative Maloney re climate legislation in 2020—and got her to co-sponsor a bill. Brady has requested a virtual meeting in May with Rep. Maloney at which 3 to 4 members of the AAD 12 team will deliver short remarks on bills related to clean energy, electric vehicles, and regenerative agriculture.
We are seeking parishioners to attend the VIRTUAL (daytime) meeting for impact so that it is clear to our elected representative that this is an issue of concern to MANY her constituents. If interested, please email sjm@sfdsnyc.org with subject line: AAD 12 for more details on how you can get involved.
THE CARDINAL’S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPPEAL
Today we’ll be making announcements and sharing materials about the Cardinal’s Appeal. Please consider making a contribution to this worthy endeavor which funds feeding programs and other essential human services; sets aside funds to deal with the COVID-19 crisis; supports financially-stricken parishes; and undertakes other key projects. Click here for a recent blog post about this worthy campaign.
THRIVE FOR LIFE PRISON prison project
get involved in a very special ministry
THRIVE FOR LIFE builds relationships with individuals while they’re incarcerated and then continues nurturing those connections on the outside.
Our friends Zach Presutti, SJ and the Thrive for Life Prison Project have invited the #SFDSfamily strengthen our partnership in two very special ways:
1) Creating a new prison retreat team—We are looking for 5 individuals who will commit to a training process that involves learning how to prepare and assist THRIVE FOR LIFE in their Behind the Walls Retreat Program. When COVID safety protocols allow, you’ll work primarily with the women incarcerated at Bedford Hills and Taconic prisons. The time commitment after training will likely consist of one Saturday a month.
2) Pray with our brothers at Ignacio House—SFDS parishioners are invited to enter into weekly prayer via Zoom with the men of Ignacio House, a house of study for formerly incarcerated men in the Bronx. What better way to start creating community with our brothers than to reflect and pray together?
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND IMMIGRATION POLICIES
Webinar presented by the SFDS Social Justice Ministry
Our first webinar, presented by the SFDS Social Justice Ministry, was a peak capacity success! We highly urge you to check out the video recording from last week’s event and accompanying resources to learn more about the calamity of huaman trafficking at our doorstep and how it’s perpetuated by current immigration policies.