Catholic Social Teaching Sister Joan Jurski “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. Your light must shine before others. That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Mt. 5:13-16 The US Catholic Conference of Bishops began a period of teaching Catholics of our country about the Church’s social mission by reminding us of the Gospel call to be salt and light to the world. The quotes above were used as an introduction to the teaching. The statement, ”Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish,” reminded Catholics that the three aspects of the Church are Word, Worship and Service. Our faith is nurtured as we hear God’s Word, celebrate God’s Word in Sacrament and Eucharist and reach out in charity and justice. For many this teaching of the Church on justice and peace is unfamiliar or is seen as an added-on activity to do. The reality, however, is that doing justice is a constitutive part of who we are as Church. Catholic social teaching is not a new message, but, takes on new urgency in light of a declining respect for all life and creation. The roots of the call to justice and charity are in the Scriptures, especially in the Hebrew prophets and the life and the words of Jesus. The center of the Church’s social teaching is the life, dignity and the rights of the human person. We are called in a special way to serve the poor and vulnerable, to build bridges of solidarity among people of differing races and nations, language and ability, gender and culture. Family life and work have special places in Catholic social teaching. The rights of the unborn, families,

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JPIC Focus News The Newsletter of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Network

Vol. 16, No. 1 Spring 2012

JPIC Network Members: Sisters: Carolyn Giera Geraldine Nowak Joan Jurski Josephine Dybza Mary Peter Kaminski Nancy Ann Surma Patricia Gardner Sharon Havelak

Associate: Deborah Schwartz

“In the next 30 years we can destroy our world. With the very same powers – spiritual, social, scientific – we can evolve our world. Our mission is to serve as catalysts for a planetary awakening in our lifetime, to take a non-violent path to the next stage of our evolution.”

-Barbara Marx Hubbard

workers, immigrants and the poor deserve special attention. Our tradition also calls us to show our respect for the Creator by our care for creation and our commitment to work for environmental justice. In responding to the Scriptures and the principles of Catholic social teaching we are not called to an extra or added dimension of our faith, but, to a central demand of Catholic life. As Sisters of St Francis we take this mandate and wrap it up in our Franciscan charism and spirit of Francis. Our Mission statement leads us to works that reverence human dignity, embrace the poor and respect the gift of creation.

______________________________________ Human Trafficking: S.O.A.P. Project Sister Geraldine Nowak S.T.O.P.! (Stop Trafficking of Persons) members recently participated in the S.O.A. P. (Save our Adolescents from Prostitution) project in Detroit, MI in preparation for the International Auto Show. A couple hundred volunteers from around the country recently participated in the project in Indianapolis, IN in preparation for the Super Bowl. Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution is the project of Theresa Flores. See her website: www.traffickfree.com When there are large crowds gathered for an event, the demand for prostitution goes up. Many of the prostitutes are young teens who are trafficked. Besides the car show and the Super Bowl, Theresa will be taking the project to the

Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer. Theresa has a very fine experience set up for those who volunteer. The morning is spent listening to Theresa about her experience of having been trafficked for sex while living in Birmingham, MI. Theresa also has the latest statistics and facts about human trafficking in the country. Lunch is provided and then the work begins. Two hours in the afternoon are spent placing labels on hotel-size bars of dial soap. The label contains the national number (1-888-3737-888) to call for those who need support for being trafficked. The rest of the day is spent delivering the bars of soap to local motels and hotels in the areas surrounding the event. Because the focus is on trafficked children, motel and hotel owners have been very receptive. I’m very glad that I participated in the event. We met many others who are interested in doing something about trafficking as well. Please check out the website to follow where the project will be happening next. I promise that if you participate and get to know more about the issue you’ll be glad you did. Another good thing about this project is that while one can feel quite powerless as to how to do something about human trafficking, this project gives you a great learning experience and hands-on experience.

Clare’s Pence in Need of Funds Sister Sharon Havelak There’s been a lot of activity around Clare’s Pence the past few months. Needless to say, the holiday season was very stressful for women and their families. We were able to help three women with small grants at the end of 2011; a Lourdes University graduate student needing auto repairs, another student – a nursing major – who lost her source of income and needed funds in order to continue her studies, and an employee who needed help with a security deposit. Unfortunately, those gifts left our fund pretty dry. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve also received three more requests. Can you help us? We’re not looking for large gifts (though we appreciate them!); we’re very aware how every dollar or two help out, how it’s all of us, putting our donations together, that make a big difference. One of the recipients expressed it so powerfully: “You and your community have fulfilled God’s grace in my life. What began as a challenging Christmas became an example of God’s love. You have no idea the tremendous difference this has made in my life!...I never fail to understand that God provides, but what an additional gift it is, to be able to thank his messengers!”

Clare’s Pence

Issue: Death Penalty In their “Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty” announced in March 2006, the Bishops asked us to pray for the victims of crime and their families, those who have been wrongly convicted and those awaiting execution. The following prisoners are on death row, awaiting execution soon. Please keep them in prayer, as well as their families, their victims and the victims’ families. Also, please continue to pray for healing in our country that the spirit of peace and reconciliation, rather than violence and revenge, may prevail. March 2012 6 Michael Ryan, NE 7 Keith Thurmond, TX 8 Robert Towery, AZ 15 Timothy Stemple, OK 16 Garry Allen, OK 17 Briley Piper, SD 28 Jesse Hernandez, TX April 2012 5 Michael Anthony Archuleta, UT 18 Mark Wiles, OH 26 Buenka Adams, TX May 2012 13-19 Eric Roberts, SD Executions in 2012: 3 Executions since the ban was lifted in 1976: 1280 Sources for information: Death Penalty Information Center (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org) and Amnesty International USA (WWW.amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty) Numbers are accurate as of February 12, 2012.

The Cost of War Estimated cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to date: Iraq: $801,043,640,916 Afghanistan $500,925,546,820 Total $1,301,969,187,737 Since fiscal year 2001, the money spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars will cost: United States: $1.4 trillion or 181.3 million Head Start openings for children for one year Ohio: $44.2 billion Toledo OH $1.3 billion or 234,256 Student Pell Grants of $5,550 for 1 year Michigan: $29.9 billion Detroit MI: $2.1 billion or 831,052 household annual energy costs paid for 1 year Minnesota: $37.7 billion Minneapolis: $2.3 billion or 256,366 individuals receive fair market rent for 1-bedroom apartment for 1 year Texas: $105 billion Bryan, TX: $255.5 million or 67,562 people receiving low-income healthcare for 1 year US Military Deaths: 6,477 (Iraq: 4,484; Afghanistan: 1,893 Iraqi civilians killed: 105,285 – 114,986 Sources for information: The National Priorities Project (www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home), the Iraq Coalition Causality Count (http://causalities.org/oif) and Iraq Body Count (www.iraqbodycount.org). Numbers are accurate as of February 13, 2012.

Haiti Happenings Spring 2012

Haiti Update Sister Fidelis Rubbo VOLUNTEERS: Sister Eleanor Peck OSF from Aston, PA left us December 17 after two months in Haiti. She is discerning whether to return to Haiti or help our mission from the United States. Sarah Allyn R.N. has volunteered for five months with us ending March 27. She is helping in our clinic, making health presentations in the villages, sharpening our record-keeping, making valuable suggestions for the future of health care here, and teaching English to the medical staff and our KPA (leadership team. In January, Sarah participated with us in a new tradition, a thank you party for KPA members and village health monitors, on the seventh anniversary of KPA’s founding. SFH GUEST HOUSE: After completion of a road to our property, construction began on September 12. Walls started going up on October 4. The first floor roof was completed on December 17. Now the masons are finishing the interior walls and ceilings, and the carpenters are fitting windows and doors. The exterior and the second floor still remain unfinished. We are hoping for a fall dedication. NEW PROJECTS: We have procured a rental house for our blossoming sewing project. Machines are being serviced, and shortly staff will be chosen and students and artisans will be enrolled. We expect a summer opening.

Our agriculture program is concentrating on the growing of peanuts this year. In Heifer-style they will be passing forward the peanuts they received for planting plus five extra cans to be made into peanut butter for malnourished children in the area. Our midwife program has begun very successfully. Through it we are giving special training to 23 local midwives who in turn are encouraging pregnant mothers to receive pre and post-natal care with their babies. The midwives meet monthly and receive birthing kits to aid them in their ministry. CONNECTIONS: One hundred and four five-gallon buckets sent by Little Flower Parish of Toledo along with medicines and other gifts arrived here recently. The buckets were filled with food and supplies for school, babies, and cleaning. They are a gift to St. Joseph’s Parish in Pestel and will be distributed shortly by the pastor.

Our agriculture program is concentrating on the growing of peanuts this year. In Heifer-style they will be passing forward the peanuts they received for planting plus five extra cans to be made into peanut butter for malnourished children in the area. Our midwife program has begun very successfully. Through it we are giving special training to 23 local midwives who in turn are encouraging pregnant mothers to receive pre and post-natal care with their babies. The midwives meet monthly and receive birthing kits to aid them in their ministry. CONNECTIONS: One hundred and four five-gallon buckets sent by Little Flower Parish of Toledo along with medicines and other gifts arrived here recently. The buckets were filled with food and supplies for school, babies, and cleaning. They are a gift to St. Joseph’s Parish in Pestel and will be distributed shortly by the pastor.

Our agriculture program is concentrating on the growing of peanuts this year. In Heifer-style they will be passing forward the peanuts they received for planting plus five extra cans to be made into peanut butter for malnourished children in the area. Our midwife program has begun very successfully. Through it we are giving special training to 23 local midwives who in turn are encouraging pregnant mothers to receive pre and post-natal care with their babies. The midwives meet monthly and receive birthing kits to aid them in their ministry. CONNECTIONS: One hundred and four five-gallon buckets sent by Little Flower Parish of Toledo along with medicines and other gifts arrived here recently. The buckets were filled with food and supplies for school, babies, and cleaning. They are a gift to St. Joseph’s Parish in Pestel and will be distributed shortly by the pastor.

Workers are making good progress on the Sylvania Franciscan Health (SFH) Guest House.

Haiti Update, continued The parishioners and students of St. Rose de Lima in Perrysburg have begun a twinning relationship with our chapel and school in Ferrier. PERSONALS: On Thanksgiving weekend Sister Josephine, Sister Eleanor, Sarah and I took a short vacation. Staying in Pestel, we visited the beach one day and our Canadian Franciscan friends in Corail the next. Since September Sister Josephine and I have been leading Sunday chapel services in our village. We are considering the pastors’ request this week that I become the official director of the chapel with Sister Josephine continuing her weekly preaching. We are also giving a presentation on mandala's at a youth camp this month. P.S. Elange Cadet, the paralyzed 40-year-old mother of nine, has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and is being treated at home by our medical staff. We are looking for funds for her, and to help her husband establish a small business to support the family.

Sister Josephine Dybza (far right) with young friends in Pestel, Haiti

St. Rose de Lima of Perrysburg Twins with St. Rose de Lima of Ferrier Sister Joy Barker, OSF Our relationship with St. Rose Parish began with an invitation. Sister Pat Gardner and I attended the Peace and Justice Group from St. Rose Parish in Perrysburg in September, 2011. Sister Pat shared a PowerPoint about her visit to our Haiti Mission. As the group listened there was a sudden realization that St. Rose shared a common saint, St. Rose de Lima, which is also the name of the mission school in Haiti. Since then, Sisters Pat and Joy have enjoyed sharing interests and information about our Haiti Mission with the Peace and Justice members. Doctor Paat, a member of St. Rose Parish, has recently joined our Stateside Haiti Committee. He introduced the Committee to the benefits of the water purification units that provide clean water for Haitian families. The water filtration units can be purchased from a factory in Haiti, which has the added benefit of supporting the Haiti economy. The children at St. Rose School in Perrysburg are also involved with the children in Haiti. During the Christmas season the students sent pictures to the students in Haiti and will continue to be in contact during the Lenten Season as well. The students have a project that will contribute to the clean water filters in Haiti. The Peace and Justice Committee of St. Rose Parish proposed to Monsignor Borger that the parish further support Haiti through twinning. The response came through an announcement in the February 5th bulletin: “Under the leadership of the Peace and Justice Committee

our own St. Rose Parish is seeking to twin with St. Rose de Lima Church and School in Ferrier, Haiti. The Sisters are also in process of constructing a building which will house medical mission trips like the one Dr. Paat is taking to Haiti. The building is to be completed later this year. Dr. Paat will be making a medical mission trip there after the building is completed. Items needed for the medical building include furnishings, tables, chairs and bedding, screen doors and windows and a generator for electricity. The funds raised here at St. Rose will support the water filter projects and the needs of the Sisters in the St. Rose de Lima Church, school and medical mission. What a wonderful opportunity this is for us to help our neighbor!” As of February 4, 2012, the twinning project has proved a success. St. Rose in Perrysburg raised $3,500 to send to our Haiti Mission. Sisters Diana Lynn and Pat Gardner are going to visit the school community March 5, 2012 to show our gratitude for their generosity. Sisters Pat Gardner and Joy Barker are attending a Lenten soup and supper that same evening to speak with the parish community.

Haiti Guest House -“...so people who share our mission of providing healthcare services will have a place to stay.”-Jim Pope, President and CEO of Sylvania Franciscan Health, sponsors of the “Guest House”

Other great news! A Lutheran Community in Maumee is requesting a visit from the Sisters Haiti Committee. They are interested in offering their support to the Haiti Mission. Blessings abound and we are grateful. ______________________________

Little Flower Update Sister Jeanine Sokolowski Little Flower Parish in Toledo has twinned with St. Joseph Parish in Haiti since 2008. Boy Scout, Stephen Kretz of Troop 222, joined forces for The PAIL Project to benefit our families in Pestel, Haiti. Stephen’s Eagle Scout Project was a great success! Over one hundred pails with food, personal care items, school supplies, baby needs, $250 and a generator were delivered to Haiti. The extra bonus is that the pails can be used to carry water and then serve as a seat. The people of Haiti received these pails as gifts. The items sent are items that we use and can easily purchase each day. This project makes us aware of the many blessings we have and how we can share. Little Flower Parish has taken on the responsibilities of twinning with a passion! Whenever asked, the parish has responded to the people of Haiti in fellowship, brotherhood and sisterhood. Pastor, Rev. Joseph Steinbauer said the parishioners have responded in a way to make the adults and children in Haiti feel that they belong to their parish in Toledo. Sisters Fidelis and Josephine were in close contact during this project. They were very helpful in communicating what the people of Haiti truly need.

Little Flower Update, continued There is no doubt that beyond these tangible items of pails filled with supplies, Little Flower Parish has extended much more to St. Joseph Parish in Pestel. They have extended friendship, prayer, peace, love, fidelity and ministry to those in need. It is because of these gifts which are so valuable to life that the people of Little Flower are willing to make their resources available to sustain the Haitian people. It is evident that each activity has been an invitation for each parishioner of Little Flower to deepen and strengthen the faithfulness of their own individual call. They are a witness to the following excerpt from the book, Finding My Way Home, by Henri Nouwen:

We are each sent into this world to believe in ourselves as God’s chosen ones and to help our brothers and sisters know that they also are beloved sons and daughters of God who belong together.

Medical / Clinic $29,555 47% Cisterns $18,499 30% Earthquake Relief $ 5,407 9% KPA $ 6,022 10% Miscellaneous Charities $ 1,694 3% Professional Training $ 1,425 2% Other $ - 0% Total $62,602 100%

Our agriculture program is concentrating on the growing of peanuts this year. In Heifer-style they will be passing forward the peanuts they received for planting plus five extra cans to be made into peanut butter for malnourished children in the area. Our midwife program has begun very successfully. Through it we are giving special training to 23 local midwives who in turn are encouraging pregnant mothers to receive pre and post-natal care with their babies. The midwives meet monthly and receive birthing kits to aid them in their ministry. CONNECTIONS: One hundred and four five-gallon buckets sent by Little Flower Parish of Toledo along with medicines and other gifts arrived here recently. The buckets were filled with food and supplies for school, babies, and cleaning. They are a gift to St. Joseph’s Parish in Pestel and will be distributed shortly by the pastor.

Our agriculture program is concentrating on the growing of peanuts this year. In Heifer-style they will be passing forward the peanuts they received for planting plus five extra cans to be made into peanut butter for malnourished children in the area. Our midwife program has begun very successfully. Through it we are giving special training to 23 local midwives who in turn are encouraging pregnant mothers to receive pre and post-natal care with their babies. The midwives meet monthly and receive birthing kits to aid them in their ministry. CONNECTIONS: One hundred and four five-gallon buckets sent by Little Flower Parish of Toledo along with medicines and other gifts arrived here recently. The buckets were filled with food and supplies for school, babies, and cleaning. They are a gift to St. Joseph’s Parish in Pestel and will be distributed shortly by the pastor.

47%

30%

9%

10%3% 2%

Haiti Mission Expendituresthru 12/31/11

Medical/Clinic, $29,555

Cisterns, $18,499

Earthquake Relief, $5,407

KPA, $6,022

Miscellaneous Charities, $1,694

Professional Training, $1,425