Last weekend, the Mid-Atlantic Mission Centre co-hosted a Zoom presentation on the death penalty with the group Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, a grassroots organization dedicated to ending capital punishment in Pennsylvania. 

Four presentations were offered, followed by Q&A. One lawyer spoke about the horror he witnessed as one of his clients was executed. A second lawyer spoke of mistakes and inferior lawyering that puts criminals on death row, including innocent individuals. 

Two state legislators spoke about their efforts to eliminate the death penalty in Pennsylvania. Ann Marean, SNJM, Carroll Ann Kemp, SNJM, Kathleen Keller, SNJM and Carol Ries, SNJM (all Mid-Atlantic) attended the virtual Protest Rally Against Executions, which took place on Dec. 6. Sr. Carol added this comment: “As I write this article on Dec. 10, Brandon Bernard is scheduled for execution — on Human Rights Day. May Brandon rest in peace.”

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Portland area Affiliates met on Zoom for their monthly gathering. The group included two Associates from The Dalles, OR and two from Cottage Grove, OR. Discussions covered the American bishops’ 2018 document “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the book The New Jim Crow and a proposed constitutional amendment regarding modern slavery, which is co-sponsored by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley. The group welcomed a new Associate, Mary O’Reilly, who lives at Mary’s Woods. After reading her promises, Mary was asked to lead the rest of the group in renewing their own promises, since some were unable to join the Province-wide Zoom gathering on Saturday.

Christine Weber-Kearney, Associate (Marylhurst) shared this article about the proposed Abolition Amendment, which would remove constitutional language permitting incarcerated people to be used as cheap or free labor. Robert Weber-Kearney, Associate (Marylhurst) is composing a letter of support to Sen. Merkley; six Associates have added their names and others are welcome to do so by contacting Robert at robertjameswk@gmail.com. He plans to mail the letter on Dec. 15.

• Top row, L-R: Robert Weber-Kearney, Associate and Christine Weber-Kearney, Associate; Delphine Busch, Associate; Province Directory representing those who were absent; LaVerne Brown, Associate.
• Second row, L-R: Nancy Gast, Associate and Lay Consecrated; Frodo Okulam, Associate; Agnes Leistico, Associate; Leonard Kulawiec, Associate. 
• Third row, L-R: Mary O’Reilly, Associate; Constance Hammond, Associate; Mary Beth Thouvenel, Associate; Ruth Cutler, Associate.
• Bottom row, L-R: Charlotte Iven, Associate; Connie Green, Associate.
• Present but not pictured: Therese Fenzl, Associate and Lay Consecrated; Jean Gent, SNJM; Pia Welch, Associate.

During December, we invite each of you to ponder, to act and to identify actions to Take Care of Earth. For our reflection this week, ponder the following:

Feel free to send questions, comments or suggestions to members of the U.S.-Ontario Committee: Mary Rita Rhode, SNJM, Mary Breiling, SNJM (both PLT) Jean Morningstar, SNJM (South Bay), Brigid Baumann, SNJM (NE Portland), Nancy Clemmons, SNJM (Saratoga) and Emma Bézaire, SNJM (Windsor).

The COVID-19 pandemic provides a great opportunity for the SNJM Water-Ecology Committee to highlight the serious hygiene crisis that is taking place around the world.

In its recent communication, the Committee recalls that 40% of the world’s population lacks access to basic sanitation facilities for washing hands with soap and water. Beyond the statistics, the importance of handwashing in daily life is noted in both COVID and non COVID times.

With its “Learn, Pray, Act” approach, the Committee invites people to make of one’s handwashing an act of gratitude and encourages action by supporting causes. To these, we can also highlight the SNJM mission projects (hyperlink).

The SNJM Water-Ecology Committee is the result of the recent transformation of the former SNJM Justice & Peace Network, the initiator of the Corporate Stand on Water adopted by the Congregation in 2008. At various times over the year, the new committee presents reflections on a specific theme to encourage continued interest in water issues and the implementation of local actions. SNJMs are invited to share this with any and all partners.

You can access the document available in three languages:

English | French | Español

Following the deterioration of the political situation in Peru, Sr. Ana Maria Vilca Mamani, SNJM and SNJM Associate Elvira Mendieta, both Peruvian, prepared a brief report to signal the reaction of the Peruvian people to the recent decisions of elected officials. They highlight the interventions of certain religious authorities, including the Conference of Major Superiors of Peru. Reading it allows us to grasp the extent of the political, economic and social crisis while the health situation is still not under control at this time of COVID-19.

The latest news confirms that the street has finally got the better of this “appointment” of President Manuel Merino. Merino resigned on Sunday, November 15, after severely repressed pro-democracy protests. At least two people are reported dead, a hundred wounded and about forty disappeared.

View the report in Español – PDF

Vicki Cummings, CFO, has shared the annual report of the Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment (NWCRI), which has information about the shareholder actions taken by its members during the past year. A program of the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, NWCRI has 14 member organizations, including the U.S.-Ontario Province.

The report details proposals made to various companies on social justice issues important to us, including COVID-19 safety, gun safety, human rights and environmental care, along with a complete list of the 2019-2020 shareholder activities.

The list can be found on page seven of the report and includes a “P” next to the shareholder resolutions filed by the U.S.-Ontario Province and a “C” next to the resolutions filed by the SNJM Congregation.

(Source – Connections – SNJM U.S.-Ontario)

Two weeks ago, Holy Names Academy students, faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees welcomed speaker Alison Park of Blink Consulting to talk about what it means to be anti-racist in 2020. Alison first addressed the student body in a virtual, all-school assembly titled “Anti-racism starts with calling ourselves in.”

She continued the presentation that afternoon with HNA faculty and staff, and led the Board of Trustees retreat on Saturday. Alison’s talks invited all community stakeholders to take active roles in the anti-racism campaign by examining personal behaviors, beliefs and biases and by engaging others in conversations about theirs.

(Source – Connections – SNJM U.S.-Ontario)

From October 3 through October 11, SNJM sisters and affiliates from Brazil, Canada, Lesotho, Peru and the United States met via 22 virtual gatherings for the Official Opening of this significant event in our lives, our 35^th General Chapter.

In addition to this exceptional way of opening a General Chapter, was the historic presence of partners who will be with us throughout the yearlong journey of Chapter. These partners are colleagues in ministry, alumnae, religious of other congregations, collaborators in mission, and fundamentally, persons who share our SNJM spirit and values. In a spirit of mutuality, each one has committed to embrace this yearlong experience of discovery and discernment.

At these virtual gatherings, the Chapter theme The Call of Our Lives! resounded in our hearts as we heard it proclaimed from around the world in Spanish, French, Sesotho, English and Portuguese. In small subgroups, we surfaced what we believe to be essential calls as we embark on this yearlong journey. The main calls that emerged with great strength and frequency center on climate change, racism, white privilege, inclusion, as well as partnership and transformation.

The next concrete step is for sisters, affiliates and partners to form Chapter Circles, in which they will reflect and share together with the help of a monthly Chapter Guide, focusing on various facets of The Call of Our Lives!

A significant journey has just begun. We trust in the presence of the Spirit all along the way.

At the dawn of the Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 to October 4, the Water Committee of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), now the Water-Ecology Committee, is proposing a reflection to be shared with all members of the SNJM networks.

Let us recall that the Season of Creation is an extension of the World Day of Prayer for the Safeguarding of Creation, instituted in 2015 by Pope Francis. By joining the initiative of the Orthodox Churches, it has now become a vast ecumenical movement to reach out to all Christians in order to encourage them to commit themselves together to initiate change while celebrating Creation.

In this 2020 year marked by the global pandemic, the theme chosen well before March is more relevant than ever.  “A Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope” serves as a reminder of the crisis experienced since the beginning of the pandemic and highlights the need for a collective awareness of the need to repair the ties that unite us to creation and to others. By the same token, we wish to lead each and everyone to make radical changes in their way of life by becoming aware that we are all part of Creation.

As the Holy Father wrote at the launch of the annual World Day of Prayer for the Integrity of Creation, addressing believers around the world, this is an opportunity to “renew their personal commitment to their vocation as guardians of creation, giving thanks to God for the wonderful work he has entrusted to our care and invoking his help for the protection of creation…”

A Transition Committee

The Water Committee, which grew out of the former Justice & Peace Network SNJM, the initiator of the corporate stand on water in 2008, took advantage of the transformation of this body, now known as the SNJM JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) Committee, to rethink its future. In the past, the Water Committee has developed special presentations, awareness workshops and promotional materials to educate and encourage action.

In the current context, its members have found it more relevant than ever to pursue their mission while reviewing their ways of doing things. To mark the distinction, committee members chose to slightly modify the name: SNJM Water-Ecology Committee.

The new committee plans to transmit brief reflections on specific themes as the seasons go by encouraging their sharing among the various partners and the realization of local actions.

In conclusion, this committee is composed of the following people: Dorothy Guha (Qc), Margaret Ames (WA) and Sharon West (FL), all three SNJM Associates, and Sisters Josephine Chudziz (Manitoba), Mary Annette Dworshak (U.S.-Ontario) and Yvonne Massicotte (Manitoba).

Learn more about the Water-Ecology Committee’s reflection on the Creation Season 2020, available in French, English and Spanish.

The Canadian Religious Conference shares the summer edition of its online magazine ad vitam, which focuses on caring for creation. The magazine includes articles from across Canada, including one from Lorraine St-Hilaire, SNJM (Manitoba) on the retreat time she offered at the Despins Residence. 

Ad vitam is available as both an online magazine and a printable PDF. The CRC recommends reading the online version, as it offers an integral and interactive experience featuring articles and audio-visual content not available in the PDF.

Click here to read the online version or click here to download the PDF.