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/