World Day Against Human Trafficking - July 30, 2025

United States is one of the significant destinations and environment for human trafficking.  In any places, where people desire quick money, more pleasures and other worldly things in short and unreasonable means, people can get caught up turning into wrong organizations, wrong actions, and live a life of abuse.  Sometimes, people also are trapped in their own domestic challenges of family not having the right guidance and values of love and self-sacrificing virtues and can lead their own family into prostitution, pornography, under-the-table-businesses, scams, cheap production of goods through sweat shops, forced child labor, and other human trafficking crimes. Through collaboration, care, networking, concerns and advocacies, you can help stop human trafficking.  This can happen within your communities including the domestic homes where children, youth and women are left vulnerable in the hands of their own spouses, families, adopted, or fostered families.  Though this is not isolated to women, as there are also human trafficking in oil businesses where vulnerable migrants accept the jobs in the oil field for livelihood in exchange for toxic chemicals in their body.  Oil field workers can only work up to 35 or 40 years of age due to the health risks that their bodies are exposed to in the oil fields.  Unfortunately, they cannot have insurance as they are undocumented and this they accept the health risk at a young age, retiring soon with chronic illnesses and health challenges without benefits. You can save someone's life and one's dignity now, by posting this campaign in social media.  

Human Trafficking can happen anywhere in the world.  This is a growing multi-billion dollar organized crime in the world.  Some cases, you may come across a victim without knowing the signs, the victim can remain one.  One becomes a supporter of Human Trafficking by falling into the trap of looking for cheap products, slavery, and patronizing or cooperating without a choice due to threat with the abusers’ desire for dominance in power, and wealth .    

Everyone can make a difference and has the power to take actions.  Below are the top five concrete actions to help end the human trafficking:

1. Education

Continue to educate yourself and others on the causes of human trafficking. Reference our module on this topic here. Root Causes of Human Trafficking

• English Resource: ATEHT-Human-Trafficking-Root-Causes-EN-2024.pdf
• Spanish Resource: USCSAHT-HT-and-Root-Causes-module_spanish.pdf

2. Watch our Webinar on July 30 at 2 p.m. EST on Organized Crime and Human Trafficking. 

Register: https://bit.ly/4l4bsIb or view after July 30 on our YouTube Channel.  

3. Raise Awareness

Engage with your community to create and lead awareness campaigns about human trafficking. Encourage grassroots efforts to educate community members on recognizing the signs of trafficking, reporting mechanisms, and supporting survivors. 

• With a new Administration and Congress, AEHT set our advocacy priorities to what we believe the President and Congress can do to end human trafficking.  https://alliancetoendhumantrafficking.org/advocacy-and-campaigns/#howwe-advocate  

• Helpful resources for engaging in effective advocacy, including how to plan a visit with your legislator, are available on the AEHT website. See our advocacy resources.  

• Our legislative and policy advocacy priorities address the root causes of trafficking and their connections to other important global issues. 

https://alliancetoendhumantrafficking.org/advocacy-andcampaigns/legislative-and-policy-objectives/ 

• Take action to end human trafficking, support survivors, and protect the vulnerable! See our current advocacy campaigns. 

4. Join the Alliance.  

As the African Proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together."

Sign up to Receive the Latest News and Action Alerts From Alliance to End Human Trafficking: Alliance to End Human Trafficking – Ending Slavery is Everyone's Work

5. Pray for the end of  Human Trafficking

Opening Song:  Choose a Healing Song

Example: 

Heal Us, Emmanuel

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

Psalm 91

Scripture Reading:    A Reading from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 58:6-9) “This is the sort of fast that is pleasing to me: Remove the chains of injustice and undo the ropes of the yoke. Let those who are oppressed go free and break every yoke you encounter. Share your bread with those who are hungry and shelter homeless poor people. Clothe those who are naked and don’t hide from the needs of your own flesh and blood. Do this, and your light will shine like the dawn and your healing  will break forth like lightning. Hear what God is saying to the Church.” 

Response to the Reading: 

Leader:  Human trafficking and slavery are illegal in every country, but present in every nation on Earth.                                                                                                                             

Let us take a moment of silence in solidarity with those who suffer from human trafficking.  

[Moment of Silence] 

Leader:  Let us join together in the words of the Psalm:  All: The just cry out, and God hears them and saves them from all their troubles. God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34: 17-18)  

Prayers of Petition:     

Our response to each petition is:  Loving God, hear our prayer. 

For all of the women, men and children who will be trafficked today, we pray…  

For the parents who have lost their children through human trafficking, we pray… 

For children and young people who are being exploited online, we pray…  

For the conversion of hearts for those who are traffickers, we pray…  

For ourselves, that we may recognize and safely report human trafficking in our midst, we pray…  

For all those engaged in education and advocacy to end human trafficking, we pray…  

Leader:   Let’s take a few moments of quiet to consider: what one action can I take to stop the demand for human trafficking and create a world that values the dignity of human life?  

[Moment of Silence] 

Closing Prayer: God of mercy and righteousness, you call us to be bearers of light in a world too often shadowed by injustice and despair. Strengthen our resolve to stand with the oppressed, to speak truth in love, and to act with bold compassion. May our hearts be restless until justice flows like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.  Amen. 

Closing Song:  Choose an appropriate song 

 The Goodness of God

Sources:

Alliance to End Human Trafficking

Ending Human Trafficking Prayer toolkit July 2025

Comunidad de asociadas de Chimbote avanza con esperanza

💚🫂 El reciente fin de semana, se realizó el retiro con las asociadas de Chimbote, Perú. Fue un espacio para conocernos mejor y profundizar en la espiritualidad de la Encarnación.

Esto significó hacer una revisión de la historia y vida de la comunidad, desde las asociadas y sus dinámicas de relación entre cada una, para renovar la misión y el carisma de la Encarnación.

También fue un tiempo necesario para fortalecer compromisos congregacionales teniendo en cuenta su propia historia misionera; los sueños y experiencias de cada integrante; y los contextos en el que este año Jubilar nos anima a seguir andando.

Aspectos como el diálogo y la esperanza marcaron el camino de estos días de encuentro. Un camino que continuará en el Retiro Nacional de Asociadas y Asociados CCVI Perú 2025, que también se desarrollará en la ciudad de Chimbote a inicios de agosto.

💟 Sigamos acompañando estos procesos de encuentro para nuestras comunidades y de toda nuestra congregación. 

¡Alabado sea el Verbo Encarnado!

Textos que motivaron y guiaron el retiro:

«Encontramos con frecuencia personas desanimadas, que miran el futuro con escepticismo y pesimismo, como si nada pudiera ofrecerles felicidad. Que el Jubileo sea para todos ocasión de reavivar la ESPERANZA».

Bula de convocación del Jubileo 2025 Spes Non Confundit, n.⁰ 1

«Acercarse, expresarse, escucharse, mirarse, conocerse, tratar de comprenderse, buscar puntos de contacto, todo eso se resume en el verbo “dialogar”. Para encontrarnos y ayudarnos mutuamente necesitamos DIALOGAR».

Encíclica Fratelli Tutti, n.⁰ 198

Plastic-free July

Take the challenge to have your life be plastic-free: Register for the official Plastic Free July Challenge

Plastic is made of fossil fuel.  This contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment.  Before we even buy anything with plastics, consider thinking about the life cycle of the plastic that you just bought whether it is packaging, or the product that you bought is made of plastic.  

July is one single month dedicated to being plastic-free.  This awareness is rooted in the fact that the plastic pollution is a growing problem of our world.  Our society has been addicted to plastic especially the big companies which we can easily see in the big supermarkets.

Plastic-free July is a non-profit organization that originate from Plastic Free Foundation.   The World Population Review shows China and United States outrank all the countries in the world in terms of plastic pollution having 37,606,230 tons and 22,867,246 tons of plastic pollution respectively followed by India, Brazil and Mexico with 7,408,124, 4,911,580, and 4,911,580 tons of the same.

Everyone is invited to make a pledge to have a plastic-free world by starting from plastic-free July.  This is a challenge to refuse convenience and lack of awareness, and reflection that led us to opt for plastic and styrofoam cups in the fast-food restaurants and food trucks, to opt for single-use plastic containers from grocery bags, yoghurt cups, carton-milk jugs, laundry detergent jars, containers use in daily household consumptions.  Here are 10 ways to contribute to having a plastic free world starting from your lifestyle:

1. Home Cooked Meals lessen plastic pollution.

By cooking your own food at home, you can already lessen your plastic pollution as you have the control of ingredients and produce that you will include as part of your menu.  A lot of the food outside your home that are for to-go make use of a lot of plastics or styrofoam not unless you buy it from establishments that have a green/sustainable policy. 

2. Carry reusable kit with you.  Bring your sustainable lifestyle with you by carrying your own reusable containers, water container, and utensils in your work place, school, and events.  

3. Refuse to use plastic containers. 

You can refuse plastics and ask for a change.  You can be in a parish event, in your own organization's event, or in the restaurant.  You can ask the restaurants or cafeteria to change their purchasing policy, change your source of food while your usual establishments do not carry the sustainable practices.  Ask your usual restaurants that you visit to make the shift.  If they are using Styrofoam or plastic containers, invite them to opt for compostable containers.

If you are in a cafeteria and there is an option of using a real cup over a throw away cup, choose the real cup.  If there is a stainless spoon and fork over plastic spoon or fork, use the stainless option. 

If you belong to a parish church that carries styrofoam or plastic utensils, invite the business manager, pastor, and event organizer to be sustainable either using the reusable items or compostable items.  Our late Pope Francis has left us a legacy of Laudato Si' and Pope Leo XIV has officially included the Mass for Creation as part of the official Missal of the Catholic church.  It is all the more that the church has to lead the way of the faithful and the rest of our fellow brothers and sisters.

You can advocate for a plastic-free event.  Host an event without Styrofoam, plastic-made throw away containers but use real plates, cups, glasses and spoons or choose compostable containers if you are not yet ready to practice grade A sustainable lifestyle to your parties and events.  

4. No to plastic-packaged produce.  Buy the produce not packaged in plastic.  You may even save yourself a headache since some of the packaged fruits in plastic may have some rotten parts.  You can also ask the management of the grocery to carry an alternative sustainable option if your favorite fruits are not packaged in sustainable container or are only packaged in plastic.

5. Do not use plastic straws.  United States use 500 millions of straws every day.  Straws are unnecessary part of our lifestyle. This is a top 10 contributor to plastic marine debris in the ocean.  Marine animals die from plastics debris.  Plastic straws came in 20th century although straws have been in the world since the ancient times.  You can carry your own reusable straw if you must use it for health reason.

6. Choose cotton-fabric clothes over polyester.  More likely a lot of your clothes are made up of plastic which is normally called polyester and some other synthetic fabrics.  Most of these polyesters are non-biodegradable and only pollute our landfills and oceans with toxic chemicals.  Single polyester fabric can discharge 700,000 micro-fibers that eventually land into the landfills. There are 92 million tons of textile that are produced globally.  EPA recorded 11.3 million tons of MSW textiles in 2018 where 60% of our fabrics are made of plastics.  

7. Shop at Farmers Market.  Farmers Market carries more sustainable containers such as cardboard boxes, or containers for produce and glass containers for preserved jams, and canned vegetables and fruits.    

8. Use sustainable pens and pencils.  The traditional pencils make use of wood rather than the plastic mechanical pencils.  Use sustainable pens that are made of metal, bamboo, wood or patronize those brands that offer buyback such as Payne.  EPA estimates that 1.6 billion of pens go to landfill every year.  

9.  Choose eco-friendly made products than plastics merchandise.  You have the option to choose the right thing.  As a consumer you have the voice, and you have the right to patronize what is ethical for our planet.  For example, instead of using ziplock, why not use eco-friendly sandwich paper bag or reusable container.

10. Systemic Change.  Writing legislators, and politicians to create policies in stopping some of the sources of these unnecessary and preventable plastic pollution by not allowing establishments to carry some of these unsustainable practices.

Washington State is one of the states in United States that have banned the single-use plastics while the expanded polystyrene is about to be phased out, single use service ware is only provided on a request basis.  

Having a less plastic pollution-world is possible if we take steps in reviewing our lifestyle, making our own changes in the choices we make.  It is time to look at our un-reflected purchasing habits and begin transforming our way of life from unhealthy and unsustainable choices.  When we do so, we can be an incarnational witness, and we can invite others to do the same.  As we share this planet, it is everyone's responsibility to be mindful of the pollution that we contribute to our environment which eventually affects our heath, the health of the wild animals, and the environment.  The chemicals in plastic (including the expanded polystyrene or Styrofoam) are carcinogenic and thus create more reason for us to get these away of our environment and homes.

As we begin to reflect our lifestyle in July, this is a reminder that we are preparing ourselves to be united with creation for the biggest Season for Creation is coming.  September 1 to October 4 is the period when all Christians around the world are invited to reflect, celebrate, and take actions to care for our Common Home.  Let us all begin by reflecting our plastic footprint and start our journey in reducing our carbon footprint through these lifestyle changes.

Let us Lament by TearFund

Our God, The God who suffered, The God who wept, and who weeps.
How long before you answer our cries?

The world is not as it should be. Injustice is everywhere. It feels like there is nothing we can do. 

How long before you ease our sorrow?

How long before you heal this pain? 

The world groans beneath the weight of greed. Governments fail to serve the vulnerable.

Not enough is being done to protect creation.

How long before you respond to this anger? 

You are good and just, and you take the side of the oppressed. 

So do not delay, Lord – hurry to help those in need.

Amen.

Read More: 

Plastic Free July – Be Part of the Plastic Pollution Solution
Laudato si' (24 May 2015) | Francis
"Laudate Deum": Apostolic Exhortation to all people of good will on the climate crisis (4 October 2023) | Francis
What is Season of Creation
Plastic-Waste-Campaign-Prayer-Guide.pdf
Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025 - Home Page
Tackling the plastics crisis - Tearfund
Impacts of Plastic Pollution | US EPA
Plastics - Washington State Department of Ecology
Geneva Environment Network
The Aftermath of Fast Fashion: How Discarded Clothes Impact Public Health and the Environment | SPH
Textiles: Material-Specific Data | US EPA
Sustainable Alternatives to Fast Fashion | Earth.Org
Get The Facts About Single-Use Plastic Straws — Beyond Plastics - Working To End Single-Use Plastic Pollution
Agave Care | The History of Straws: From Ancient Times to Sustainable Solutions
7 Best Eco-Friendly Pens: Recycled, Durable, Biodegradable - Utopia
Eight Plastic Free Pens & Why You Should Switch - Aim Plastic Free
Plastic Free July: How 20 countries are taking action
Embracing Plastic-Free July: Goals and Impact

A Conversation on Pilgrims of Hope for Creation on August 13

A Message From Catholic Health Association

Join us to learn more about Pilgrims of Hope for Creation

A Nationwide Catholic Initiative

Aug. 13, 2025 2 to 3 p.m. ET

We invite you to join us for a call to learn more about how your system or facility can participate in Pilgrims of Hope for Creation, a nationwide initiative bringing together Catholic institutions and individuals during the Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4) to reflect on our sacred relationship with nature and take concrete action to heal the Earth.

Inspired by the 2025 Jubilee theme, Pilgrims of Hope, and the urgent need to respond to the current ecological crisis, this initiative is sponsored by over a dozen national Catholic organizations, including CHA. This initiative offers Catholic health care a unique opportunity to stand in solidarity with other Catholic groups in response to the signs of the times and provide a formation experience for colleagues to reflect on their personal and professional call to be stewards of creation. 

The call will include leaders from Ascension, CommonSpirit, and Providence. Please forward this invitation to your green teams and other interested colleagues so they can join the conversation.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://chausa.zoom.us/j/84092319755?pwd=GSl0gvZClaIDMpVT6AapKNCh1AIfa7.1

Meeting ID: 840 9231 9755

Passcode: 535040

We hope to see you in August!

Sincerely,

Indu Spugnardi

Senior Director, Community Health and Eldercare

Dennis Gonzales, Ph.D.

Senior Director, Mission Innovation and Integration

DANGERS, RISKS, PEACEMAKING TOGETHER

Pax Christi and Laudato Si' Movement Texas Chapter invites all to join the studies 
on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear campaign 
Tuesday August 5, 2025 7pm by zoom

On this 80th Anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we will gather to reflect on the true human and social costs of nuclear weapons, both in the context of historical detonations of nuclear devices around the world and their continuing legacy. Our guest speaker, Cooper Christiancy, comes to us from Texans Ending Nuclear Dangers (TEND) and will give an overview of advocacy against nuclear weapons that is currently developing in Texas and throughout the United States, with an emphasis on ways to connect with local, national, and international networks for peace, environmental justice and human rights.  An open discussion will follow his summary.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89585298901?pwd=uOokQkbw1acpfsvYDe5WHti7rUhdzM.1

 

Meeting ID: 895 8529 8901

Passcode: 484834

Study and Preparation on July 29 before the Forum on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Campaign (August 5,2025)

Join Zoom Meeting 7pm Tuesday July 29, 2025

 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84838623108?pwd=7bNFpDb0JCixNChuuDFzzZTI3BeWIh.1

Meeting ID: 848 3862 3108
Passcode: 541187

For additional information, please contact Arthur Dawes, Pax Christi Texas: arthurdawes@att.net

Resource for Study:  220111_ABW_Pastoral_Letter_LivingintheLightofChristsPeace_Official_Reduced.pdf