I am sure we are all feeling deep sadness regarding the recent violence in the Quebec City mosque. Carl Hetu, former Development & Peace animator in Ottawa, and current Director of Canada Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) has written a very helpful op-ed piece. I encourage you to take a look at it here: http://www.cnewa.ca/default.aspx?ID=2903&pagetypeID=8&sitecode=CA&pageno=1.
Carl is a member of the JPIC Lay Network, which our JPIC (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation) office helped to found several years ago. This is a network of lay staff working on issues of justice, peace and creation with religious communities and in religious organizations. Through such groups we are able to cross-pollinate ideas and nurture deep reflection, thus cultivating the wisdom and courage to advocate for a just peace that considers root causes.
On January 8 at the Chapel of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in North Providence, four women became Congregation of Notre-Dame Associates. In addition to attending the monthly Rhode Island Associate Gatherings when they could, these four women participated in the Formation blog. Since the theme of the Prayer Service for the Feast of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys was “Go to the peripheries”, we are focusing on how they do that in their lives using their own words.
When the idea for the Have a Heart Campaign began in November, I had no idea of how appropriate it would be. In the face of developing anti-immigrant policies and practices, I think we are called to take a stand on behalf of compassion and love. This Campaign provides a simple, concrete way to do that. I hope you will spread the word and invite as broad participation as possible. Thank you.
Congregation of Notre-Dame – ‟HAVE A HEART” Campaign
February 14- March 17. In the spirit of our latest Congregation of Notre-Dame Orientations we invite you to “be open to the diversity of generations, cultures, attitudes and structures” and to “go to the peripheries” by being part of the “HAVE A HEART Campaign.” Today, our detention centers are certainly part of the peripheries. In this campaign, we will be collaborating with First Friends, an advocacy group in Kearney, NJ for those in detention in the NY Metro area. Between Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day we encourage you to join the Campaign by being involved yourself and by finding others to join with you/us.
