Calls For Legislative Reform

Thank you Franciscan Action Network for informing us of the issues that we need to take action on in order to protect our families. CALL FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM: Tell them that as their constituent and as a person of faith, you want immigration reform that provides a pathway to FULL CITIZENSHIP and prioritizes FAMILY UNITY.  You can also send an electronic postcard or print postcards to mail to federal legislators on the Justice For Immigrants website.   http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/index.shtml  CALL FOR GUN CONTROL REFORM: I DEMAND A PLAN    The Horrific school shooting at Newtown reminds us of the effects of gun violence on our children and families. The horrific school shooting in Newtown, CT is the latest devastating example of the toll of gun violence. It's time for our leaders to tak "On January 15, 2013,  the 84th birthday remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,  Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence held a press conference in Washington, D.C., to announce an initiative to reduce the number of deaths by guns in our country which has reached epidemic proportions, with over 30,000 deaths in 2012.   Forty-seven faith leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities, as well as leaders of organizations such as Catholic Health Association, signed a letter which was delivered today to the President, Vice-President and every member of Congress." To sign the petition to Congress, go to: http://www.demandaplan.org/ CALL FOR FDA TO STOP "Frankenfish"  "The FDA will soon approve the first genetically engineered animal to enter the U.S. food supply - a salmon dubbed "Frankenfish" - unless concerned advocates speak out. Scientists say that the genetically modified (GMO) salmon poses increased risks to humans, including allergies and cancer, and could threaten the wild salmon population.  Frankenfish was created by biotech company AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., by combining the DNA of the Chinook Pacific salmon with a growth hormone from an eel-like creature, called an ocean pout fish. The growth hormone causes the "AquAdvantage" salmon to grow twice as large, twice as fast as the average salmon. Environmentalists say that if the Frankenfish escapes its farms, it will threaten the natural habitat of, and could potentially breed with, wild salmon.  Because the U.S. is one of only a few countries left that does not require labeling of genetically modified foods, consumers will have no way to identify and avoid Frankenfish in grocery stores and fish markets. The FDA is set to approve it after a 60-day public comment period. You can learn more and sign a petition from the Organic Consumers Association." TAKE ACTION TODAY Organic Consumers Organization:   http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50865/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9142

CALL IN

Ever wonder how to make a CALL IN to your Senator to support a change in proposed legislation.

Here is a sample script that can be used to be tailored to your message:

"Hi, my name is NAME, from CITY, STATE. May I please speak with the staff person who handles immigration issues? I urge the Senator to support a common sense, humane immigration reform bill that prioritizes family unity and creates a pathway to citizenship for aspiring Americans who are currently undocumented. What is the Senator doing to help enact immigration reform this year?"  Make sure to call twice to reach both of your Senators, and please spread the word!  Ask your friends, family members, neighbors, congregations, and communities to call their Senators.  Thank you FAN, Franciscan Action Network, for all your good work in helping us learn how to be prophetic witnesses of the gospel.

Right to Life March

This past Friday, Sister Lauren Trinh, one of our St. Walburga Monastery Benedictine Sisters, joined forces with our brothers at St. Benedict's Prep and filled a bus with over 40 students to weather the cold and the snow in Washington DC. It was the annual Right to Life March where thousands of people from across the United States rallied together in support of human life. As Mr. Jennings, our Principal, so often preaches "from the womb to the tomb", we must protect the dignity and life of every human being.

They began their trip with the celebration of the Liturgy and Eucharist at 6:30 a.m. at Benedictine Academy. We are proud of our Pro-Life Club. Despite the chilling below freezing temperatures and sleet, they travelled for over four hours to be a prophetic witness for our government and all the world to see. Their SACRIFICE spells LOVE OF CHRIST.

It was a short forty years ago on January 22, 1973, that the United States Supreme Court handed down Roe vs. Wade decision, one of the worst injustices against our children waiting to be born into new life. The decision declared that the unborn child had no human rights and were beyond the protection of the law. Many states have since passed new life-affirming laws. Unfortunately, New Jersey is not one of them. We must take a stand and be a voice for the voiceless. If we do not, then the voices of the unjust will continue to determine the future of our society.

During this Year of Faith, it is important for all of us to give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ.

Living Our Fatith

SO many people have asked, "Why  are you Modern Day Abolitionists against Human Trafficking, a form of Modern day Slavery?"  ... Because we have heard the cry of the oppressed like 60,000 other young Christians in our country. 07:28 AM ET College students raise funds to fight slavery By Jordan Hultine, CNN "Atlanta (CNN)–More than 60,000 young Christians packed the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for worship and inspiration at the Passion 2013 conference that wrapped up on Friday. They came together from 56 countries and 2,300 universities, according to organizers, “to shine a light on modern-day slavery.”

“We believe when you fill a dome full of people who say they follow Jesus, there should be some tangible action,” said Bryson Vogeltanz, chief steward of Passion’s freedom initiative. That tangible action came in the form of tens of thousands of towels and socks donated by conference-goers to be handed out at local homeless shelters in the weeks following the conference." As our sisters and brothers were donating towels and socks to homeless shelters in Atlanta, our BCD's (Benedictine Cor Defenders) have been distributing comfort bags in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to shelters for the homeless, human trafficking survivors, and families of Hurricane Sandy. We can all do some act of kindness to bring hope and compassion to those who are suffering or alone.

Want to read more .... read about the Rally at Trenton on National Human Trafficking Day. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/human-trafficking-emerges-as-state-legislative-issue-nj-holds-events-to-combat-problem/2013/01/11/52f678b4-5c1c-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html

Petition State Law Makers

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING MONTH:  January 11, 2013 (National Human Trafficking Day) - February 12, 2013 (Lincoln's Birthday)    

This month, our Benedictine Cor Defenders will be working hard to raise awareness to protect our children and young people against the dangers of human trafficking.  It is an evil that knows no color, race, country, or state. 

Carolina De Los Rios, Polaris project has proposed the following petition to State Lawmakers to Pass Safe Harbor Laws that treat child survivors of human trafficking as kids/victims, not criminals.  Please help us protect our children. Be a Hero for Justice and sign the petition today. ttp://www.change.org/petitions/state-lawmakers-kids-not-criminals-pass-safe-harbor-laws?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=url_share&utm_campaign=url_share_before_sign

State Lawmakers 

Dear State Legislator, 

According to national estimates, there are 100,000 children in the commercial sex trade in the United States. All too often, these children are arrested and prosecuted for prostitution. However, they are kids, not criminals. 

There are better policy approaches and better options, ones that literally save the lives of children and teens. Safe Harbor laws are that better option. These laws define these sexually exploited children as victims of abuse, help them find protection and support, and grant them immunity from prosecution for prostitution while they are under 18 years of age.

Safe Harbor laws should also increase funding for specialized services like long-term housing, mental health care, educational support, and job training to help these children recover. Thirty-nine states lack these basic Safe Harbor protections – including Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Nebraska, and Louisiana. And every state can do more to increase services for child victims of sex trafficking.

Safe Harbor laws help all of these children get the care they so desperately need.

I cannot believe any lawmaker—any person—would look at an abused 15-year-old and think: jail. We must do better. I am signing this petition to urge you to support these kids and support Safe Harbor laws to protect them. Thank you.Sincerely, 

[Your name]

National Weekend of Prayer

National Weekend of Prayer to End Slavery and Trafficking

January 11-13, 2013

A coalition of faith based groups and churches organized a national weekend of prayer in Washington DC to bring an end to modern day slavery.  Our Freedom Partner, Ken Morris, the great great great grandson of Frederick Douglass was a guest speaker.  Frederick Douglass was a man of deep faith.  

John Stauffer,Professor of English, African and African American Studies at Harvard Universitywrites for the Huffington Post:

"Understanding Frederick Douglass, the great black leader and abolitionist, requires an appreciation of his religious faith. As an atheist friend of his once said: "there was one obstacle to a loving and lasting friendship -- namely, the personal Christian God."

For most of his career Douglass believed in a living God who could change the world. "All things are possible with God," he declared. "I believe in the millennium," a literal heaven on earth as described in Revelation. Love and freedom were for him the hallmarks of Christianity. His faith fueled his hope in an immediate end to slavery and racial oppression.  Douglass saw himself as a prophet heeding God's will."

USCCB Anti-Trafficking Newsletter

At Benedictine Academy, we began the weekend of prayer with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis prayed by the Pope a few weeks ago:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy... Amen."

NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK

The following is an article from the JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/index.shtml

"“We are Strangers No Longer: Our Journey of Hope Continues” is the theme for National Migration Week 2013 (January 6-13).  This year's observance and theme commemorate the 10th anniversary of the historic joint pastoral letter of the United States and Mexico bishops conferences, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope.  This theme reminds us of our responsibility as Catholics to help newcomers integrate in ways that are respectful, culturally sensitive and responsive to social needs, and of the ongoing need for comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform.        Read More  |  En Español

Take Action and send this electronic postcard to the U.S. Senate and Congress asking that they pass immigration reform (or print the postcards to mail to your lawmakers):"

National Human Trafficking Day

Today is National Human Trafficking Day. While we were taking exams and preparing for Midterm Exams next week, our brothers and sisters are attending Rally's with our Freedom Partners in Washington DC and Polaris Project in Trenton.

Ariana Taveras and Caroline Antonio, Graduates of the Class of 2012, returned for a visit to place a "Hero for Justice Challenge" before the student community. Together, and as individuals, the Power of One and the Power of We, we can do something to help put an end to human trafficking. Human trafficking is a gross injustice that affects 27 million young women & children in the world. In the United States, a young person is trafficked every ten minutes. "It is evil that good people like you and me must stop". An 18th philosopher, Edmund Burke, once said: "All it takes for evil to excel is for good people to do nothing."

Ariana invited every one to take out their cell phone and place the National Human Trafficking Hotline in their contact list. If you are reading this blog, we invite you to add this number to your cell phone: 1-888-3737-888. This number may be called if you see anything suspicious or need help or advice. Callers remain anonymous.

We are Called

Every First Friday, we gather as a Eucharistic community to celebrate God's presence in our midst.

God's gift during this Christmas season and every day is His presence among us. Jesus, our Brother, is here for us and we are called to be brother and sister like that to others. 

At the conclusion of Mass, our Students In Action Team Leaders and Mr. Jennings honored our unsung heroes who have given their time and talents in ordinary, but extraordinary ways. Their selfless acts of kindness to the poor at shelters and the little children for as many as 60 hours a month was recognized and applauded. Marina Batista (12), Gina Ferreiro (12), Reneee David(10), Ranisha Frejuste(9), and Kayla Terry(10). Father Jack Martin was honored in a special way for his over 35 years of humble service to the poor, locally and globally in such places as Haiti and the Honduras.

We also recognized our students and staff who became certified in CPR and Defibrillator. In thanksgiving to the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation and the Emergency Squad, we are able to have a state-of-the-art automatic defibrillator hanging in a central location at our school and training through the Atlantic Health Assoc. Our certified students and staff are ready to respond in an emergency and potentially help save a life. We thank Students In Action for their financial and organizational support.

We give thanks to God for the gift of such saints in our midst.