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  This is what Yahweh asks of you,...To Act Justly...Micah 6:8

Responding to the Gospel call to act justly, we, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, commit ourselves:
     to work with and for those who are poor and marginalized.

Our work with and for other others is:
     inspired by our founding sisters
     animated by our charism of unity, mission and constitution
     guided by Catholic Social Teaching...

              Surrounded by photos of the devastation of the bombing of Hiroshima, are Budhist Sister Claire (standing left), an unidentified woman folding peace cranes (seated left) and Sisters of St. Joseph Irene Comeau (standing) and Roberta Mulcahy (seated.)  The group attended  the Exhibit at the Community Music School in Springfield July 2, 2008.

Justice and Peace Committee
The Justice and Peace Committee reflects, educates, and acts on social justice issues in collaboration with:Sr. Jane Morrissey pauses next to a display at Look Park in Northampton, August 2007, to commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Sisters and Associates of the Community

The Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph throughout the world

The Leadership Conference of Major Superiors

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Local, National and Global organizations 

Statement of the Executive Directors
of  the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
on the failure of Congress to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform

July 5, 2007

In the name of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (of which the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield is a member) and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, we express deep regret that the Congress has failed to approve A section of the border fence between Mexico and the United Statescomprehensive immigration reform legislation. The status quo is morally unacceptable, as millions of immigrants are relegated again to the shadows in our nation.

We acknowledge the need to protect our borders, but insist that comprehensive immigration reform must also include a path to citizenship, family reunification, and protection of workers’ rights, as called for by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. While the bill in theA memorial in Mexico installed in memory of  the more than 3,000 people who have died trying to cross the border. Senate was flawed, we regret that the process of coming to just and moral immigration reform was interrupted. We urge the Congress of the United States to take up much-needed immigration reform at the earliest possible date. Waiting until after the 2008 elections is not an option.

Sister Carole Shinnick, SSND
Executive Director
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Rev. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv.
Executive Director
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
 

      Sr. Roberta Mulcahy (right) distributes post cards urging the creation of a Department of Peace.

March 2007
Statement of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The War in Iraq

March 19 is the feast of St. Joseph and the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. We, the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates, strongly voice our opposition to the enduring war in Iraq and the escalation of troops. We are a community of 6,500 women religious and 2,500 associates who believe that this war continues to destroy the gifts of Earth and increases violence in an area of the world desperately in need of dialogue and diplomacy.

Women and men serve our country in this war with dedication and sacrifice; we pray for a prompt and safe return to their families.  We are saddened by the dreadful loss of both military and civilian lives, among Americans, Iraqis, and all in harm’s way.  We pray for peace in the Middle East and for all who have been affected by the violence and loss.

As the U.S. Federation Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates we are dedicated to action that leads to reconciliation. We challenge leaders and people of good will to build relationships that foster just and nonviolent solutions in Iraq and the surrounding region.  We call upon the U.S. government and its allies to work with the United Nations to promote a comprehensive cease fire and to promote concrete plans for securing peace, economic development and reconciliation among the deeply divided Iraqi factions. Such steps, we believe, could lead to a hope-filled future for the people of Iraq.

The Leadership Council of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph

Mary Barrar, SSJ                     Sharon Costello, CSJ
Jane DeLisle, CSJ                    Gilla Dube, CSJ
Sally M. Hodgdon, CSJ             Pat Kozak, CSJ
Kathleen McCluskey, CSJ         Dottie Moss, CSJ
Marguerite O'Brien, SSJ           Rosemary O'Brien, SSJ
Mary Quinn, SSJ                      Mary Sevilla, CSJ

Ongoing Social Justice Actions:

Death Penalty

Earth Charter

Human Trafficking

Immigration

Millennium Development Goals

Non-violence/War

Socially Responsible Investing

Sisters of St. Joseph attend a Peace Rally at City Hall in Holyoke

There are several things that an individual or group can do to address the compelling needs of our time, including contacting your Congressperson:

   

Write letters to your Congressperson

For further information, click on the underlined title to open up the organization's web site:

Bread for the World- seeks justice for the world’s people who are hungry by lobbying our nation's decision makers.

Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty- works to end the death penalty in the United States through aggressive campaigns of public action and the promotion of tactical grassroots activities.

Jubilee USA Network- is part of a worldwide movement to cancel the crushing international debt of impoverished countries.

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility-  members utilize religious investments and other resources to change unjust or harmful corporate policies, working for peace, economic justice and stewardship of the Earth.

NETWORK- A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, educates, lobbies and organizes to influence the formation of federal legislation to promote economic and social justice.

Pax Christi USA- strives to witness to the call of Christian nonviolence.

School of the Americas Watch- seeks to close the US Army School of the Americas, under whatever name it is called, through vigils and fasts, demonstrations and nonviolent protest, as well as media and legislative work.

US Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph - has NGO consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Leadership Conference of Women Religious - works for a more just and peaceful world with a corporate voice by taking action on resolutions approved at the national assembly.

US Conference of Catholic Bishops - The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind.

Sr. Patricia Hottin and student at the Peace Exhibit at Heritage State Park, HolyokeFor more information contact
Justice & Peace Office
Tel: (413) 536-0853 ext. 293
Fax: (413) 533-3275
Email:
justicepeace@ssjspringfield.org

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Justice & Peace Office
Tel: 413.536.0853
Fax: 413.533.3275
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