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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...
Justice and Peace Committee
The Justice and Peace Committee reflects, educates, and
acts on social justice issues in collaboration with:
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
 comprehensive
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 the
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
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
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.
 For more information contact
Justice & Peace Office
Tel: (413) 536-0853 ext. 293
Fax: (413) 533-3275
Email:
justicepeace@ssjspringfield.org
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