The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph is offering a simple CSSJ reflection, rooted in the ten principles of Catholic Social Teaching, for the next twelve weeks leading up to the November 3 elections. We encourage you, your community, your communicators, and our partners to use/share/email/post/tweet these reflections. They have been designed to spark reflections and conversations via social media and engage all of us in the upcoming 2020 elections.Our thanks to the JPIC Federation Immigration Working Group for creating this series for us!
Week 1:
How does our CSSJ Charism – rooted in Catholic Social Teaching – guide our vision to see anew with the eyes of our heart AND inspire reflection on the signs of these times and our candidates? [Flyer]
Week 2:
How can we call out barriers preventing voting during this pandemic? How can we advocate for voter protections to ensure our dear neighbors can vote? [Flyer]
Week 3:
How does the CSSJ mission to bring all people into union with God and one another energize me? How can I be a bridge of unity as I engage in dialogue and actively listen without judgement? [Flyer]
Week 4:
How do we support government rooted in subsidiarity and functions at the lowest level possible to assist citizens in fulfilling their responsibility to others and promoting the common good? [Flyer]
Week 5:
In what ways do I enhance human dignity? How do I affirm Jesus values for human life? Love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy… is essential. (Deus Caritas Est. #22) [Flyer]
Week 6:
How do we build safe communities for everyone, particularity people of color? How do we love our dear Neighbor without distinction in order to become a beloved, anti-racist, community? [Flyer]
Week 7:
How can we replace immigration policies & practices that tear families apart and cause trauma with an immigration system that values families and affirms the dignity of all people? [Flyer]
Week 8:
There is “the need for changes of lifestyle.” (Laudato Si’ #22) How do my decisions & actions today impact the climate? What lifestyle changes am I willing or must make to heal the earth? [Flyer]
Week 9:
How can I become informed about my community’s budget priorities and advocate for aid to people experiencing job losses or economic hardships to advert housing instability/homelessness? [Flyer]
Week 10:
Global Solidarity symbolizes our unity in diversity. How do I participate in and bring people of various faiths, cultures, economic statuses or racial differences together for the common good? [Flyer]
Week 11:
The pandemic & this recession have deeply impacted many. What are candidates on your ballot doing to provide for people most harmed, such as do they support extending unemployment insurance? [Flyer]
Week 12:
How does our CSSJ charism, Catholic Social Teaching, and nonviolent principles inspire us to see the needs of ALL and reflect on our hopes? Do our candidates’ positions represent these hopes? [Flyer]
Week 13-Final Week:
How do we empower others through civic engagement and advocacy? How can our vote serve to bring forth needed changes for and with underserved and marginalized communities? [Flyer]
100 Days of Prayer Special Edition: “Wrapping the Nation in Prayer”
Beginning November 1 to November 7, we are encouraging everyone to join us in “wrapping the nation in prayer.” We have made available a special edition of the 100 Days of Prayer, in lieu of the regular action item, we’re asking everyone to pray the last prayer on the flyer every day that week at 12 pm (local time) [Flyer]
Civic Engagement Resources:
- Confirm your voter registration status here
- Find your state’s registration deadlines and voting resources
- League of Women Voters has information on how to protect the 2020 election
- Intercommunity of Social Justice Summer newsletter, “A Matter of Spirit,” provides resources that discuss the democratic process, the spread of misinformation, voter suppression, and respectful dialogue to promote unity
- Interfaith Power and Light’s Democracy and Values & the 2020 Election Reflection Guide
- Read Stacy Abrams Sojourners’ article on voting: “We’ve Got To Talk About Power: How to outsmart the deliberate barriers placed in voters’ way”
- Read about the foundational principles of Catholic Social Teaching
- For California voters, Mount St. Mary’s University has an excellent resource on getting involved and local voting issues
