During this Pentecost season, we pray to be
open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. May the spirit enliven our
hearts and minds to advocate for effective social change in
solidarity with those in need. We continue to pray for a peaceful
resolution for war.
Congratulations to the all the members of
our Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (WFH) for the Champion for Change
Award for the System. This outstanding award from the Hospitals for
a Healthy Environment (H2E) acknowledges the leadership of WFH in
creating healthy and beautiful environments within our system. For
more information on the award, click picture below to view a video
with Terry McGuire, Senior Vice President of Mission Services. To
also view picture of the award click here and to see John Oliverio and others
accepting the award click here.
The
conflict in Darfur is still unsettling. Ongoing pressure continues
through the Save Darfur Coalition. The push now is to consider
economic sanctions and acquire China and Russia’s support in these
actions. To read further information on responding to threats
of genocide today, please go to the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum at http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/
Our focused attention on Comprehensive
Immigration Reform begins with a week long series of prayers.
Through May 20-26, 2007: A Million Prayer Initiative, click here and for The Justice Prayer, click here. Recently the Senate outlined a
bipartisan immigration provision deal. Although we have some
significant reservations, the JPIC Office believes that is important
for the legislation to move forward and that amendments to improve
the legislation will be given due consideration. We advocate for a
law that protects basic human rights, and respects the dignity of a
person and will also serve our national interests and security. Click here for more details of the stance of the
JPIC Office and the proposed changes that could affect most or all
current illegal immigrants. For recent dialogue between the House
and Senate, please go to: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/in_the_media.html
The
Farm bill is in lively discussion in the subcommittee and the Chair
would like to keep the writing of the legislation within that
subcommittee. We continue to advocate for a number of inclusions
through strategic organizations at the national level. To get more
updated information on the Farm Bill, please go to http://www.farmpolicy.com/?m=200705
Issues
related to trade and debt cancellation will be highlighted at the
2nd National Conference of JubileeUSA: Deepening Our Roots,
Creating Community, Building a Movement. This conference, June
15 to 17 at Loyola University in Chicago, supports efforts to end
the international debt crisis in developing countries. The JPIC
Office is also a supporter of this conference. For more information
please go to http://www.jubileeusa.org/get-active/special-events/grassroots-conference.html
Housing
legislation is beginning to move forward with the JPIC Office
advocating for more funds for affordable housing and for
consideration of the Market to Market requirements for our housing
in Denver. Preliminary information is on our website at http://www.wheatonfranciscan-jpic.org/currentactionalerts.html
The
JPIC Office will host a gathering for Sr. Florence Muia, ASN, 1000
Women for the Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and Executive Director of
Upendo Village in Naivasha, Kenya on June 12th, at Our Lady of the
Angels Auditorium. There will be a special presentation on the
Orphan Program by the coordinators and students from Downers Grove
High School Please click here for more details of the evening. If you
would like to attend, please contact the JPIC
Office.
Advocacy efforts for the Coalition of Immokalee
Workers (CIW), who pick tomatoes in Florida, continue to reap
benefits for these workers. Besides, Taco Bell and McDonald’s now
KFC, A&W Restaurants, Pizza Hut, and Long John Silvers will be
working with CIW to improve Florida tomato pickers’ wages and
conditions. CIW is now petitioning Burger King and Chipotle for the
same agreement of a penny a pound more for tomatoes. Please go to
www.allianceforfairfood.org/faith.html
for more information and letters for this
campaign.
Tremendous thanks to all who advocated for the
State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) during Cover
the Uninsured Week. The Budget Resolution, which was passed by
Congress on May 17th, allocated a $50 billion reserve fund to
maintain and improve SCHIP. The budget also included a $20 billion
reserve for the long-overdue improvements to the Food Stamp Program.
To read further information on this resolution, please go to http://www.chn.org/
Thanks for all your prayers and for all you
are doing to make this world a better place.
