National Hispanic Heritage Month

While flying Soutwest Airlines to meetings in Califorinia we received a packet of peanuts announcing National Hispanic Awareness month. We applaud their extending this awareness. We dedicate this blog entry to Hispanic people throughout the world.

The U. S. government, in wanting to recognize the accomplishments of Hispanic-American citizens created by Public Law 90-498 National Hispanic American Heritage Week on September 15, 1968. The law was later amended by Public Law 100-402 expanding it to National Hispanic Heritage Month August 17, 1988.

National Hispanic Heritage month is a month long period recognizing the contributions of Hispanics to the United States and a time to celebrate heritage and culture. It begins on September 15 - the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico declared its independence on September 16 and Chili on September 18.

Associate Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomeyor is but one example of the millions of accomplished Hispanic Americans.

United Nations International Day of Peace, September 21

The United Nations International Day of Peace, is observed on the 21st of September each year and is a global call for ceasefire and nonviolence. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon "is calling on young people around the world to take a stand for peace under the theme, Youth for Peace and Development.

This year the International Day of Peace falls within the Millennium Development Goals Summit being held September 20-22 (MDGs are the world's largest anti-poverty campaign).

Spaghetti Dinner to honor the late Sister Rita Steinhagen

Sunday, OCTOBER 3, 2010, 5:00 p.m.

Sister Rita founded The Bridge for Youth in 1970 as a refuge, counseling center and shelter for runaway youth. Today The Bridge is proudly celebrating its 40th Anniversary.

Commentary: Fr. Roy Bourgeois, SOA Watch Founder

Music: Larry Long, Folksinger

Dinner: $20 per person (wine available for additional contribution)

ADVANCE TICKET SALES are encouraged. Make checks out to The Bridge for Youth or SOA Watch and mail to : Phil Willkie, 2625 Newton Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405

LOCATION:Open Arms of Minnesota, 2500 Bloomington Avenue,Minneapolis, MN

FFI: Phil Willkie, 612.822.0522 or email philwillkie@earthlink.net

Justice Resource Room

Jane Hurley, CSJ, has been busy reorganizing the books, VHS and DVD films in the newly painted Justice Resource Room. She says, "this room is a treasure trove of justice resources. I look forward to coming here and working in this wonderful space. I just wish I could sit down and read everything here."

She is now adding new aquisitions to the library and updating the Justice Resource Room Library Catalog.

Located just inside the main entrance of the Administration Center, 1884 Randolph Avenue, the Justice Resource Room offers books, VHS and DVD films that can be checked out, an Apple computer to do research and a printer to print out small projects. Thank you Jane!

A New Age of Immigrants: Making Immigration Work in Minnesota

The Immigration Working Group of the Justice Commission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates suggests this excellent report commissioned by the Minneapolis Foundation and compiled by the Wilder Foundation on immigrants in Minnesota had a two-fold purpose: 1) bring the immigrant population into focus and 2) identify "some key areas for further research and discussion." Read more at: www.minnpost.com/communitysketchbook and at http://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/

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/