Great Green Gathering: Saturday, August 28, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

It is here! The weather sounds perfect and we are ready to welcome YOU to the GREAT GREEN GATHERING which is being held at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates Randolph Complex, 1890 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul.

Among the more than 20 presenters is DREAM OF WILD HEALTH whose mission is "to promote health in the Native community by expanding knowledge of and access to healthy indigeneous foods and medicines." Located on a beautiful rural site near Hugo, the gardens are tended by youth from St. Paul and Minneapolis who learn to plant, grow, harvest and cook traditional foods side by side with the staff of DREAM OF WILD HEALTH. Since its founding more than 500 youth have learned about American Indian agriculture, provided fresh vegetables to more than 600 families including donations to food shelves and elder programs. Visit http://www.petawakantipi.org/

The Earth Partners Working Group of the Justice Commission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates and partners are looking forward to welcoming YOU to the GREAT GREEN GATHERING tomorrow. See you there!

Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption

Jennifer Thompson-Cannino was brutally raped and testified with absolute certainty that Ronald Cotton was the perpetrator of the violence against her body, soul and spirit. She testified in two separate trials that helped convict and keep Ronald Cotton incarcerated for 11 years inspite of his insistence that he was innocent.

During those 11 years, Ronald Cotton struggled to live inside several prisons in North Carolina and Tennessee and Jennifer struggled to learn how to live beyond the trauma of the horrific night when she was raped in her own bed. This book recounts the details of the crime, the struggles that both Jennifer and Ronald endured and how they have become good friends in the years since his release from prison. This is a book about injustice and redemption on many levels.

Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ writes: "This book will break your heart and then lift it up again... A touching and beautiful example of the power of faith and forgiveness. Its message of hope should reverberate far beyond the halls of justice."

To learn more about "Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption" visit: http://www.pickingcottonbook.com/

Minnesota Primary Election Turnout Exceeds Expectations

The Non-Partisan Get Out the Vote Task Group provided absentee ballot applications, pocket size US Constitutions, "I Will Vote" stickers, election day resources and issue based information tables in the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates Administration Center and Carondelet Center leading up to the August 10 Gubernatorial Primary.

Visit: www.sos.state.mn.us/ to keep up-to-date on the results and to prepare for the General Election, November 2.

For more information read this editorial: http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_15748802?nclick_check=1

Every vote counts! Every step taken to provide citizens with issue based and election information creates a more informed electorate.

GREAT GREEN GATHERING

Saturday, August 28, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Carondelet Center

1890 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul

Join CSJs and Consociate Ministries for garden tours, taste tests, eco-friendly tips and MORE!

FFI: www.csjstpaul.org/ggg.aspx

Legislative Advocacy Partners Orientation: St. Joseph Workers

Tuesday, August 10th the members of the Legislative Advocacy Partners (LAP) Working Group of the Justice Commission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates joined the 2010-2011 St. Joseph Workers (SJW) at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Members of LAP of provided a legislative advocacy orientation on the state and federal levels. All twelve 2010-2011 SJWs signed up to be LAPartners and take action for social change!

Hiroshima Nagasaki Time of Remembrance 2010

The annual observance of the anniversaries of the US dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (65 years) is rapidly approaching. The Justice Office plans to attend some of the events scheduled for St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The Hiroshima Nagasaki Commemoration Committee offers these events to the community to encourage reflection on the past and hope for the future through action in the present. It calls for the total abolition of nuclear weapons throughout the world as one measure of ensuring a just and lasting peace.

Lyndale Park Peace Garden, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis
Thursday August 5th
5:30 p.m. Recorder music by Arden Consort
6:00 p.m. Commemorative Tea Ceremony
Friday, August 6th
7:30 a.m. Ceremony of Cranes

Don Fraser, former Minneapolis mayor, speaker
8:15 a.m. Moment of silence for Hiroshima
8:30 a.m. All day vigil
11:00 a.m. Ceremony of the Bells
Veteran's for Peace ; Women in Black, guests from Nagasaki

Global Harmony Labyrinth, Como Park, Saint Paul
Sunday, August 8th
7:00 p.m. Nagasaki Commemoration featuring music by the Junshin singers

and dance by KAIROS

FFI: www.wilpfmn.org/hn http://www.stpaulnagasaki.org/
MSPHNCC@gmail.com (952) 922-0308