February 26, 2019: Peace of Christ Conference

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio through their Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, invite all friends, Sisters, Associates, and Sponsored Ministries of the Congregation around the world to participate in the Peace of Christ Conference that will focus on the theme: “Active Nonviolence: A Paradigm Shift towards a More Peaceful World.”  

This is the 17^th annual Mother St. Pierre Lecture sponsored by the University of the Incarnate Word Religious Studies Department and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio.   The Conference will take place February 26, 2019 at 7:00pm (central time) with a presentation by Marie Dennis, Co-President of Pax Christi International and international peace leader with the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative. 

Online transmission of the Conference will be available in both English and Spanish.  You can register your participation here.  Viewers may e-mail in questions during the presentation.  All will be sent the e-mail address for sending in questions.  A recording of the presentation will be made available as well for those who are not able to join the live stream.   

The live presentation will take place in the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, Student Engagement Center.  Local students’ work will be displayed in the same room prior to the presentation, and after the presentation there will be an awards ceremony for writing and art projects about peace in which the names of students from our schools in different countries will be announced. 

All institutions, as you are able, are invited to designate a room with internet connection in their buildings that will be available for anyone who is interested to come and watch the live transmission of the Conference in English or Spanish. 

About Marie Dennis

Marie Dennis has been co-president of Pax Christi International since 2007.  Marie is a laywoman and a mother of six. She holds a masters degree in moral theology from Washington Theological Union and honorary doctorates from Trinity Washington University and Alvernia University. Author or co-author of seven books, Marie serves on the steering committee of the Catholic Peacebuilding Network and as a contributing editor to Sojourners magazine, and recently ended her service on the national board of JustFaith Ministries. A Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace, Marie has served on the board of Pax Christi International since 1999.

Informational Links:

https://www.paxchristi.net/

https://www.paxchristi.net/sites/default/files/documents/appeal-to-catholic-church-to-recommit-to-nonviolence.pdf

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/peace/documents/papa-francesco_20161208_messaggio-l-giornata-mondiale-pace-2017.html

| FULL PROGRAM |

6:00 p.m.        Reception and Exhibition of all “Culture of Peace” Student Projects

7:00 p.m.        Conference with Presentation by Marie Dennis

8:00 p.m.        Awards Presentation of Student Winners from our Educational Institutions

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The Conference will be recorded for those who are not able to watch the live stream. 

A link to the recording will be sent to all for later viewing as well.

Incarnate Word Family Supports Immigrants

"You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot stop the spring from coming.” ~ Pablo Neruda 


In these challenging political times, let us remember the strength of life and community. In light of immigrants and refugees who seek to enter the United States, Incarnate Word Sisters, Staff, Associates, past and present students of UIW, people working as interns with Incarnate Word Foundation in St. Louis, and people associated with the CCVI Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee gather with others holding up international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and principals of Catholic Social Teaching on the dignity of human beings. UIW students concerned about vulnerable children who are suffering have been gathering resources to help them.

Right corner: Maria Antonietta Maria Berriozábal, 

first Latina to serve on the SA City Council and IW friend. 

Next row: Sarwat Husain, UIW Alumni of Distinction 

and leader in the Council on American Islamic Relations CAIR, 

Catherine Ciarrocchi, IW alum, artist, and advocate.

Many of the problems have been created by unjust economic structures. Each of us is called to examine how we are part of unjust structures and how we can have influence in transforming these. While we call attention to current problems of family separation, let us commit ourselves to creating positive solutions to root causes of these problems.

Monica Cruz, former CCVI JPIC Committee Member and
Director of the UIW Ettling Center for Civic Leadership

In St. Louis, Aly Escaobar and Alexa Maradiaga 

spent their free time assisting with a 

“Families Belong Together” demonstration. 

They are summer interns sponsored by 

the Incarnate Word Foundation. 

Alexa is from UDEM in Monterrey, Mexico.  

Aly, a Cardinal Community Leader from the University of the Incarnate Word Ettling Center for Civic Leadership, who recently graduated wrote, “The March for Families was moving. Even the heat advisory couldn’t keep St. Louis from going out to show their disapproval about the separation of children from their families.  Filled with many emotions and awed by the stories shared, a DACA student stood in the middle of the crowd of marchers and expressed that every drop of sweat was worth it as it symbolizes the sacrifices and hard-work of families who are seeking better lives for their children.  

As a Latina who has always had the loving support of family, I cannot fathom a world where children are being ripped away from the security of their parents/guardian’s arms. It’s easy to feel powerless during a time like this, where nothing seems to make sense, however we must push past the evil and remain hopeful. We are stronger when we all stand in unity and defend the dignity of all humans.”

Jennifer Reyes Lay at
St. Louis March and Rally

Jennifer Reyes Lay, the Assistant Director of the CCVI JPIC Office, also attended the "Families Belong Together" rally and march in St. Louis on June 30th.  She shared, "My Catholic faith and incarnational spirituality tells me that Christ is present in every person, especially those who are suffering and marginalized. How we treat those crossing the border is how we treat Christ himself. We are called to welcome the stranger, share what we have generously, and love unconditionally, honoring the dignity of each of God's precious children. 

The current policies and actions of our government toward immigrant and refugee families is immoral and inhumane. I believe that I and all people of faith and good will have a responsibility to speak out and take action to stop injustice when we see it. I was proud to march with thousands of others in St. Louis who are standing up for the values of compassion, human dignity, love, and justice."

Donations collected by UIW students

In San Antonio at the University of the Incarnate Word, Dr. Emily Clark’s summer World Literature class donated 6 boxes of toys, books, and blankets to send comfort and love to refugee children at the border in Texas and beyond. In the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, again and again teachers and learners are finding that service to humanity is way to more deeply understand the humanities and vice versa. Dr. Clark wrote, “While reading about immigration and displacement, the crisis unfolded at the border and UIW students wanted to do something to help those little ones in need.”

U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett at
San Antonio Rally

Sister Jean Durel attended the rally in San Antonio, TX, as over a million people in over 700 places demonstrated on June 30 with the “Families Belong Together” movement. Several speakers at the San Antonio rally stressed the importance of voting, among them U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett. Doggett said that "it is not enough to just come to a rally, citizens need to get involved, volunteer, and VOTE. It didn’t take 14 days to separate children hundreds of children from their parents and it shouldn’t take that long to reunite them."

Kathy Zeringue Schmidt (lower right corner) 

Incarnate Word Associate at the Vigil for Humanity

Sr. Corrine Walsh, Sr. Mary Margaret Bright,
and Sr. Eilish reminding all “Make America GREET again.”

Photo by Sr. Elizabeth Riebschlaeger

Sister Elizabeth Riebschlaeger who also attended the San Antonio rally wrote that as two persons were packing up to leave after the rally, “I just took a quick picture of their shirts without reading them. I was stunned, but delighted when I later saw the picture and read them left to right. Perfect combination!! Deus providebit!” (image to the right)

Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, Chair of the CCVI Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation of Committee read the CCVI statement at “Family Separation: A Panel” on July 2 at the Barshop Jewish Community Center in San Antonio. The panel included a pediatrician, an attorney, a pastor, and a social worker. 

The CCVI statement says,

“We, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, oppose and condemn the unjust implementation of the ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policies.  Our values and the Gospel of Jesus Christ impel us to reject completely any policy that ignores and defiles the dignity of the human person and uses the most vulnerable among us for political purposes. 

Donna Guerra, CCVI Archivist, Sr. Francine Keane,
Sr. Corrine Walsh, Sr. Jane Farek, Sr. Mary Margaret Bright,
Sr. Eilish Ryan, Sr. Marichui Bringas joined several hundred
people in front of San Fernando Cathedral at the
Vigil for Humanity on June 24, 2018, in San Antonio, TX .

We join our voices and our concerns with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the Catholic Health Association, and many other organizations, denominations, and faith and civic leaders in condemning this policy.  We urge members of the United States Congress to act immediately to halt the unjust, immoral and unconscionable implementation of this policy.”

Written by Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI 

Incarnate Word Sisters Participate in 3rd annual Sex Trafficking Awareness Day

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, represented by the Congregational JPIC Office and sisters from El Puente Ministry, participated in the 3rd annual Sex Trafficking Awareness Day in Jefferson City at the State Capitol.  The event was sponsored by Senator Jamilah Nasheed, a strong advocate in the MO Senate for stronger anti-trafficking laws and support for victims and prevention.  Around two dozen organizations for throughout the state the Missouri gathered together in the morning to share information and resources about human trafficking.  The CCVI Congregational JPIC Office shared prayer resources, educational resources, and information about US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, a network of religious life working to end human trafficking and support survivors, of which we are members. 

In the afternoon there was a rally where attendees heard from various legislators and government employees including Rep Tracy McCreery, Rep Bruce Franks Jr., Rep Jean Evans, Senator Gina Walsh, Senator Bob Onder, Senator Ron Richard, and Senator Jamilah Nasheed.  MO Attorney General Josh Hawley gave a passionate speech about his dedication to ending all sex trafficking in Missouri and the efforts he has led in the past year including bringing together a coalition of business owners, non-profits, politicians, and law enforcement officials.   

Chiquita Tillman

One of the most powerful testimonies shared was that of Chiquita Tillman, a survivor of sex trafficking.  She courageously shared her story of how she ran away from an abusive household when she was just 15 years old, only to be found and exploited by two different pimps over the next year.  She was finally able to escape thanks to a caring stranger who's family ended up adopting her.  She struggled for many years after that with the trauma she still carried from when she was trafficked, until she was finally able to receive counseling services.  She is now the owner of Rubies INK, LLC and shares about her past to help prevent other young girls from becoming victims.  She is also a strong advocate for more survivor resources and works to empower survivors in their own recovery journies. 

Senator Nasheed

Overall it was a powerful and inspirational day of joining together with others in the fight to end sex trafficking in Missouri and support survivors.  Senator Nasheed shared in her closing remarks that she hopes this tradition will continue in years to come, even after she is out of office. 

1st Annual Sr. Antona Ebo Social Justice Conference

The Archdiocese of St. Louis hosted their first annual Sr. Antona Ebo Social Justice Conference on Saturday, September 29, 2017.  The Conference was named after Sr. Antona Ebo, a Franciscan Sister of Mary and St. Louis native who is a long time witness and advocate for civil rights and social justice.  The conference included an opening keynote talk by Rev. Starsky Wilson, pastor of St. John's UCC and former co-chair of the Ferguson Commission which helped author the report "Forward through Ferguson" of policy recommendations for addressing the systemic racism and injustice throughout St. Louis city and county.  Rev. Starsky reflected on the "unfinished business" of the Christian community in reclaiming our call to be Jesus' witnesses/disciples in the world today.

JPIC Office Assistant Director
introducing the workshop
on human trafficking.

The conference was broken into two sections of breakout workshops focusing on the areas of the death penalty, poverty, human trafficking, care for creation, the school to prison pipeline, issues of health, and immigration.  Jennifer Reyes Lay, Assistant Director for the CCVI Congregational JPIC Office, was invited to moderate the panel on human trafficking and share about Catholic Social Teaching on human trafficking. She shared excerpts from bishop's statements and the past three popes who have all spoken out against human trafficking as a sin that violates human dignity.  She also shared about her work with US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking and the recent conference in Bogota, Colombia.  The other presenters on the human trafficking panel included a survivor and current advocate, a prosecuting attorney, and a DHS/ICE official who focuses on cases of human trafficking.

Overall there was a diverse group of approximately 300 people in attendance at the conference.  The lunch time panel focused on the "young church doing social justice" and was energetic and inspiring for all to hear about the initiatives led by teenagers and young adults throughout the diocese, putting their faith into action.  This was a common theme heard throughout the conference of encouraging participants to take their faith and worship out of the sanctuary and into the streets, giving witness to the work for justice we are called to as disciples of Christ.
     

JPIC in Peru Helps Women’s Global Connection Immersion Trip Participants Understand Issues

By: Sister Martha Ann Kirk CCVI

Victor Mendoza, an attorney, the director of the Chimbote Diocese Justice and Peace Office and also a member of the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee spoke to participants in the May 2017 Women’s Global Connection Immersion trip. He helped them integrate many of their experiences and ideas in the larger context.  Mr. Mendoza has been a friend of the Incarnate Word Sisters for many decades including working with Sister Grace O’Meara on justice issues.  He knew the priests who were murdered by the terrorist and have now been beatified as the “Martyrs of Chimbote.”  Mr. Mendoza is currently the Catholic representative on a national human rights committee formed by various religious and social groups concerned about indigenous peoples, the poor, women, homosexuals, and others who are often discriminated against. He shared an overview of various economic, political, and social challenges.

Sister Katty Huanuco, CCVI, the director of the JPIC office in Lima arranged for the group to meet the women the Shipiba Community who live in the hills of Cantagallo, Lima. The Shipomi- koniba communities are indigenous Amazonian communities who have moved to the huge capital city seeking work and education for their children. Sr. Katty works with the women, encouraging their artisan business and strengthening their leadership skills. 

About a year ago, fire completely destroyed their small hillside homes. The government for the longest time refused to recognize the community’s rights to the land. But this group of about 30 women have been leading and the government is finally relenting and allowing rebuilding. As we know, a small group of organized and impassioned women can do anything!

Read more of the trip at: https://wgctravelblogue.wordpress.com