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March 1, 2021
“This is the fast I desire…. (Isaiah 58)
...untying the thongs of the yoke...
Restoring Asylum is a Holy Invitation
...setting free the oppressed…
Urge Congress to include Immigrant Families in the new Covid Relief Package
Annunciation House-El Paso
Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas is now accepting a limited number of short-term volunteers to assist with providing hospitality to refugees enrolled in the Migrant Protection Protocols. MPP participants are now being admitted to the U.S. and will receive temporary hospitality as they are assisted in making plans to travel to their sponsors elsewhere in the US. Find out more here.
...caring for the oppressed and homeless…
Sr. Allan’s knitted hats were distributed to the homeless by Sr. Jude and Sr. Janice’s students from Cristo Rey HS on their Hope Walks in the Bronx. (See the reflection page 3)
We will again provide Blessing Bags for the homeless in Morristown and Dover in March. If you would like to donate travel size items or money send donations to Sr. Patrice.
Deadline: March 19th
...breaking every yoke…
We Can’t Wait - H.R.40
Sign up for the 21 Day Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge
...not turning your back on your own.”
Watch the short video Women in the Shadows
March 8
International Women’s Day
Prayer Service for International Women’s Day
The JPIC Team is collaborating with a local women’s group, the United Way of NJ, to which Elaine Thornberry (member of the JPIC team and Companion of Pauline) is an active member.
The group is sponsoring a food drive to restock food pantries in NJ. Some are in desperate need of food to provide families in need. If you would like additional information for your parish, school or any groups or indiviudals contact Elaine at elainethornberry@gmail.com .
How many of these women do you know? Find out how they made a difference.
Sr. Helen Prejean
Wangari Maathai
Malala Yousafzai
Etty Hillessum
Jane Goodall
Sr. Ignatia Galvin
Henrietta DeLille
Diana Ortiz
Rose Hathorne
Dr. Hawa Abdi
Berta Caceres
Sr. Larraine Lauter
Le Ly Hayslip
Dorothy Stang
Charlene Teters
Linda Sarsour
Leymah Roberta Gbowee
Tegla Loroupe
Helen Mack Chang
Eula Hall
Miriam Makeba
Dolores Huerta
Nelly Bly
Alice Bal
YOU CAME ON FRIDAY
A reflection on the Hope Walks in the Bronx by Marty Rogers
You and I came on Friday from our imperfect families, messy apartments and busy behind schedule assignments. We came a little harried, hurried, unprepared and unsure. We maybe came afraid and maybe heard the voice inside that told us: “This is a big mistake. “
But we came with all that baggage and bundles and had to leave it in the Sister’s chapel and pick up different bags and bundles. We took up sandwiches, gloves, cookies, hats, chocolate milk and more. The holy tools of charity.
We walked like Jesus- that great walker of dangerous roads and streets in Galilee and beyond.
And as we introduced ourselves and we learned names and were told stories, something inside us was being torn down. There was laughter and the silliness. There was pain and almost tears, all dug deep and deeper.
One by one we engaged as strangers but left having built bonds.
It is mysterious, it is silent and it is amazing.
And after all the sandwiches fly away and the last blessed chocolate milk is shared; I am always left shaken up, exposed, sometimes sad but always amazed. Amazing grace… how sweet the …sound, the touch, the time and the experience.
Marvin, a homeless friend, told us “hands” are for joining. Colon told us that love sees people hiding in dark cold shadows, but love also calls them forth to smiling faces, some food and a friendly prayer. Even if only for a moment. “God’s son” (a homeless man who said that was his name) told us that birthdays are special and made us sing to celebrate all of our birthdays, all of our own gifted lives- where we are right now.
Some sacraments happen on marble alters with incense floating in the air. Some sacraments are made on street corners with the orchestra of sirens and traffic composing the hymns.
We all returned home, shaken, grateful, lifted up and blessed.
And before Jesus went to sleep on Friday, he got down on his knees and thanked God mightily for you. And as he drifted off to sleep, he moved his lips and said: “Thank you my dearest. You did it to me. “
(homeless encampment near Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx)