As part of Creighton University’s commencement activities, we commissioned 50 students who will be participating in post-graduate volunteer work or who are entering a religious order. Thank you to everyone who came out to support these students.
More pictures can be found on Facebook or on our flickr page!
With an ongoing civil war that has displaced more than 5 million people, Colombia continues to suffer the largest displacement and humanitarian crisis in the world today. Over half a million Colombians have also fled Colombia’s borders to neighboring countries. Last year alone at least 118,000 people were newly displaced.
This conflict disproportionately displaces poor rural farming communities, Afro-Colombians, indigenous groups, and women and children, who are victimized by vying armed groups as they seek to control territory, resources, and transportation routes. In addition, Colombian farmers face the challenge of crop fumigation. The U.S. funds the aerial fumigation of toxic chemicals over Colombian farm land in an attempt to curb the illegal drug trade, yet the fumigations indiscriminately destroy both legal and illegal crops.Colombians who have been sprayed by the chemicals, produced in the U.S., have reported high incidences of miscarriages, birth defects, and fungal skin infections, as well as the death of livestock and the poisoning of drinking water.
Over the past decade, the U.S. government has spent more than $8 billion in aid to Colombia under a program called Plan Colombia. Until very recently, 80% of this aid was earmarked for arming and training the Colombian military, a troubled outfit that has been implicated in gross human rights abuses. Jesuit Refugee Service has been working with displaced communities in Colombia since 1995. Today, 17 years later, we are still asking you to work with us for peace in Colombia.
Contact your elected officials to voice your concerns about the status of Colombia.
Jesuit Archbishop in Peru Receives Death Threats:
Jesuit Archbishop Pedro Baretto (Huancayo, Peru) has received death threats for his recent statement calling for responsible environmental regulation of a multi-metallic smelter in La Oroya. The smelter has been operated by Doe Run Peru a subsidiary of Renco Group (US privately held company) and was forced to shut down in 2009 after pressure from Church leaders. Recently there have been moves to re-open the operation without necessary environmental improvements, which prompted a letter from Archbishop Baretto and the ensuing threat.
Context: La Oroya is one of the 10 most polluted places on earth and a St. Louis University public health study found that 90% of children living there have excessive levels of lead. Abp. Baretto will be Washington, DC later this month for two World Bank meetings and a conversation with faith leaders. Jesuit Conference secretary for social and international ministry, Tom Greene, SJ, will also meet with him. Additional Resources/Links:
Environmental Education and Catholic Religious Education:
Exploring a Synthesis of Organizing Concepts, Standards and Best Practices is the title of a new special report prepared with support from the Jesuit Social and Pastoral Ministries Research Grant Program. The research report was commissioned by small grants from the Jesuit Commission for Social and International Ministries and The Congregation of Notre Dame and prepared by the interfaith ecology group Greenfaith. It is designed to be a practical resource for environmental education and sustainability practices with references drawing from Catholic sources and principles. Contact John Sealey for pdf of the report.
Jesuits and Religious leaders call for a Faithful Budget:
(March 22) The Jesuit Conference joined religious leaders and faith-based organizations unveiling a “Faithful Budget” proposal for congressional consideration. The Priorities for a Faithful Budget is a set of comprehensive budget principles that will protect the common good, value each individual and help lift the burden on the poor. Read The Faithful Budget in its entirety.
Eastern Africa welcomes 16 New Novices:
AOR Provincial Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J., has announced the acceptance of new novices to the Gonzaga Gonza Novitiate in Arusha. Countries of origin include: 9 Kenya, 3 Uganda, 2 Tanzania, 1 Ethiopia, 1 South Sudan. (AOR News April 13, 2012)
Immigration News:
USCCB President Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Gomez, who chairs the Committee on
Migration, sent a letter dated March 22 urging House Speaker John Boehner to “build consensus” on immigration reform.
Lamar Smith, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, chaired hearings on March 28 regarding the new guidelines for immigration detention. The title of the hearing, “Holiday on ICE,” seems to moc the more humane treatment undocumented immigrants should now receive. See Detention Watch Network’s press release (DWN was created by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network in 1997).
The USCCB and several other Christian denominations filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Arizona vs. United States, supporting the principle that the federal government controls the enactment and implementation of the nation’s immigration laws.
On April 20, PBS’s “Need to Know” program will air a half hour segment on the excessive use of deadly force by Customs and Border Protection.
Catholic Social Teaching Meets Wall Street
Friday, April 20th
12:45 pm – 1:30 pm
Center for Service and Justice (Harper 2067)
All are welcome to a discussion in the Creighton Center for Service and Justice (Harper 2067) on Catholic Social Teaching and socially responsible investing with Dr. Tom Kelly and Michael Rossmann, SJ. This article from America Magazine and this initiative by Jesuits and Creighton University will serve as the basis for discussion. For more information or to RSVP (so we know how many to expect), please contact Michael Rossmann, SJ at rossmann.michael@gmail.com or 402-280-1290.
Featured Events:
Service and Justice Trips Info Meeting
Interested in doing something a bit different for your 2012 Fall Break? Do you want to learn more about an amazing opportunity? Are you looking to have an exciting experience next semester?
Join us on Tuesday night, April 3rd at 9PM in the Harper Ballroom for our Info Night! Come to learn about the program and trips and to hear what the new application process is! Bring a friend and ask someone who has gone! Hope to see you there!
For more information about the Service Trip Program:
Visit the Website: http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/serviceandjusticetrips/ Contact a Core Team member or Service & Justice Associate: Melissa List, Maureen Book, Claire Bowens, Kate Kogler, Kelsey Cullinan, Mike Rios, Laura Green, Steph Haas, Nick George, Bill Kusek, or Chris Boitano
Good Friday Walk for Justice
Join sponsors – including the Social Ministry Commission of the Omaha Archdiocese, St. John’s Church, and the Creighton Center for Service and Justice –on Friday, April 6 for a Walking Stations of the Cross.
The walk will begin at 1:00pm at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 19 & Dodge and will wind its way past the Federal Courthouse, Douglas County Jail, among other locations.
The walk serves as a public witness of the continuing crucifixion of Jesus in the sufferings of people today, and a communal prayer inviting people to live out their faith in a public way. You can read an article in the Catholic Voice Omaha about the walk here: http://catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=16164
Events this week:
Finding a Voice Art Exhibition
Come and See: Columban Fathers Open House
Ollie Webb Volunteers Needed Mondays in April
Hungry For Ethnic Food! MSA Food Sale
Service and Justice Trips Info Meeting
Ollie Webb Center Collage Class
Ollie Webb Center CIRCLES I Class
Good Friday Walk for Justice
Events More than One Week Away:
Adopt-A-Block Conference and Summit
A Night of Comedy: Opening Hearts and Minds
8th Annual All-Nations Pow-Wow
Save the Date: Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony
Saturday, March 31
Finding a Voice Art Exhibition
2012 First Annual Exhibition of the Arts. This event is full of music, poetry, and artwork presented by the “artists in recovery” group. It will take place on Saturday, March 31st from 6:30-9:30pm, with a panel discussion at 7:30 about Homelessness and Transformation. This event will take place at 906 North 16th Street. A $5.00 free will donation is suggestion. Your support and contributions are appreciated.
Come and See: Columban Fathers Open House
If you are a Catholic man between the ages of 18 and 35, and believe you might be called to the missionary priesthood, come and explore the possibilities with Columban Fathers Chuck Lintz and Bill Morton. The day includes vocational discernment, personal sharing, lunch, and Mass. This event will take place from 9am-5pm at the Columban Mission Center, 1902 Calhoun Street, Bellevue, NE. For more information, or to register, please contact Fr. Chuck Lintz at (402)731-0100 or email vocations@columban.org.
Monday, April 2
Ollie Webb Volunteers Needed Mondays in April
The Adult and Adolescent programs at the Ollie Webb Center are in need of volunteers on Mondays in April (April 2, 9, 16, and 23) to assist with a weekly session called “Keeping your Cool.” Volunteers would assist adults and adolescents with disabilities with reading, writing, and role playing. Volunteers should be able to commit to an entire session to have consistency with the students, and would need to be present from 5:45-8:15 pm for each of the sessions. To volunteer, please contact Lisa Dougherty at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org.
Tuesday, April 3
Hungry for Ethnic Food!
The Creighton Muslim Students Association presents a Middle Eastern food fundraiser! Choose from grape leaves, hummus, taboleh salad, Mediterranean rice, Dessert (Baklava, Haressa) and more! Cost is $6 per plate and $1.50 for dessert. Only cash will be accepted. This event will take place from 11am-1:30pm on the Creighton Mall (rain location: Hixon-Lied building, Mutual of Omaha Student Lounge, first floor). For more information, please contact Naser Alsharif nalshari@creighton.edu.
Service and Justice Trips Info Meeting
Interested in doing something a bit different for your 2012 Fall Break? Do you want to learn more about an amazing opportunity? Are you looking to have an exciting experience next semester?
Join us on Tuesday night, April 3rd at 9PM in the Harper Ballroom for our Info Night! Come to learn about the program and trips and to hear what the new application process is! Bring a friend and ask someone who has gone! Hope to see you there!
For more information about the Service Trip Program:
Visit the Website: http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/serviceandjusticetrips/ Contact a Core Team member or Service & Justice Associate: Melissa List, Maureen Book, Claire Bowens, Kate Kogler, Kelsey Cullinan, Mike Rios, Laura Green, Steph Haas, Nick George, Bill Kusek, or Chris Boitano
Wednesday, April 4
Ollie Webb Center Collage Class
Volunteers are needed to assist adults with developmental disabilities with creating art collages on Wednesday evenings in April. Fine motor skill assistance is necessary. The class runs April 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, from 5:30-7:45pm at the Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Attendance is encouraged at all 4 classes, but not mandatory. To volunteer, please email Lisa Dougherty at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org.
Thursday, April 5
Ollie Webb Center CIRCLES I Class
Volunteers are needed to assist adults with developmental disabilities with a course about boundaries on Thursday evenings in April. The class runs April 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, from 5:30-7:45pm at the Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Attendance is encouraged at all 4 classes, but not mandatory. To volunteer, please email Lisa Dougherty at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org.
Friday, April 6
Good Friday Walk for Justice
Join sponsors – including the Social Ministry Commission of the Omaha Archdiocese, St. John’s Church, and the Creighton Center for Service and Justice –on Friday, April 6 for a Walking Stations of the Cross.
The walk will begin at 1:00pm at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 19 & Dodge and will wind its way past the Federal Courthouse, Douglas County Jail, among other locations. The walk lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
The walk serves as a public witness of the continuing crucifixion of Jesus in the sufferings of people today, and a communal prayer inviting people to live out their faith in a public way. You can read an article in the Catholic Voice Omaha about the walk here: http://catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=16164
Upcoming Events:
Adopt-a-Block Conference and Summit
(Friday, April 13, 2012)
The Adopt-a-Block Summit is sponsored by the Empowerment Network, and will take place at the OPS-TAC Building (3215 Cuming Street) from 7:30-10am. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a Crime Stoppers demonstration, participation from law enforcement, pastors, faith leaders, organizations, neighborhood associations, residents, interactive discussion, and more. Deadline to register is Thursday, April 11th by 5pm. RSVP by contacting Vicki Quaites-Ferris at (402) 502-5153 or at vqferris@empoweromaha.com.
A Night of Comedy: Opening Hearts and Minds
(Friday, April 13, 2012)
Comedy has always played a role in building bridges across cultures and humanizing the other. In that spirit, the Muslim Student Association, in conjunction with Campus Ministry, the CCSJ, CSU, and others, present A Night of Comedy: Opening Hearts and Minds. This event features Dean Obeidallah from Comedy Central’s Axis of Evil Special and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. This event will take place from 7-9 pm in the Harper Center Auditorium. This event is free to the Creighton Community with ID, $15 for the general public, and $10 for non-Creighton Students. For more information, contact Naser Alsharif at nalshari@creighton.edu.
8th Annual All Nations Pow-Wow
(Saturday, April 14, 2012)
Presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Creighton’s Native American Association (NAA). The 8th Annual All Nations Pow-Wow is a wonderful opportunity for Creighton students, faculty, staff, and alumni to celebrate with friends and guests of Creighton in this annual tradition for our campus and the Community. This event will take place in the Kiewit Fitness Center from 1-10pm, with Grand Entries at 1 and 6 pm, and the community feed at 5 pm. For more information, please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs, at (402) 280-2459.
Save the Date: Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony
May 11, 2012
Save the date for the 2012 Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony. The ceremony will take place from 10:30-11:15 am on Friday, May 11, 2012. Join Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., President of Creighton University and Fr. Andy Alexander, S.J., Vice President for University Ministry, the Creighton Center for Service and Justice, and the Justice and Peace Studies Program in celebrating our graduates who are volunteering or entering religious life for the upcoming year. All are welcome, especially family and friends of these graduates. For more information, please visit http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/category/post-graduate-volunteering.