Upcoming Justice Events - March and April 2005

Friday & Saturday, March 11-12, 2005
Conference: “The Death Penalty Reconsidered”
Notre Dame de Namur University, 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA
-Friday, March 11
Marion Scherer’s One Woman Play, “Prison of the Mind,” 7:30 pm, Ralston Hall
-Saturday, March 12
Conference, 12:30 – 5:45 pm, Taube Conference Center; Includes Workshops on Victims’ Rights, Innocence and a Presentation on Opportunities for Action with representatives of groups working against the death penalty
-Saturday, March 12
Keynote by Sister Helen Prejean, 7:00-9:00 pm, NDNU Theater, Book Signing to Follow
Sponsors: Notre Dame de Namur University, California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, Sisters of Notre Dame, and Amnesty International
Admission to all three events $25 ($15 for Seniors), Marion Scherer: $8/$5, Keynote Speaker: $8/$5. For more information, call (650) 508-3508.

Saturday, March 12, 2005
Citizenship and Immigrant Pride Day, 9:00 am-2:00 pm, CET Center for Employment Training, 701 Vine Street, San Jose - At this free annual citizenship day, sponsored by the Santa Clara County Citizenship Collaborative, immigrants will learn about US citizenship, receive free assistance, and get an overview of the citizenship process. Orientations will take place in 19 languages. This event has been recognized as a nationwide best practice in working with immigrant communities and helping them access citizenship information and services.

Saturday, March 12, 2005
“Catholic Politicians in the Public Square”, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, University of San Francisco, McLaren Center, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco - "How does a Catholic politician integrate fidelity to the Magisterium, personal conscience, and responsibility to constituents in forming public policy today?" This conference is jointly sponsored by the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the University of San Francisco. Speakers include Timothy J. Roemer, President of the Center for National Policy, member of the 9-11 Commission and a former six-term member of Congress from Indiana, John L. Carr, Secretary of the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and John Huebscher, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference. Admission is free. RSVP (415) 614-5567.

Saturday, March 12, 2005
"Health Care is an Economic Right," 10 am - 2 pm, UFCW Hall, 200 South Market Street, San Jose - A Health Care Conference to educate and organize grassroots leaders to build the movement for universal single payer health care. Co-sponsored by a coalition of organizations working on health care issues. Families welcome. Includes information tables, workshops, lunch, Spanish translation. For information, call (408) 295-4463.

Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Parish Social Justice Liaison Breakfast, 7:30-9:00 am
St. Clare Parish Hall, 941 Lexington Street, Santa Clara
Mr. Will Lightbourne, Director of Social Services of Santa Clara County and Former Director of Catholic Charities of San Francisco will brief parish liaisons on the potential impact of the proposed cuts in the state budget.

Tuesday, March 15, 2005
"Surprised by God: Finding Grace Where You Least Expect It," 7:30 - 8:30 pm, Reception Following, Recital Hall, Center for the Performing Arts, Santa Clara University - A Lenten Reflection by Mark Ravizza, S.J., Director of Ignatian Centers, Santa Clara University. Co-Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and The Bannan Center for Jesuit Education. For more information, contact Maureen Muscat (408) 325-5201 or mmuscat@ccsj.org.

Friday-Sunday, March 18-20, 2005
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat - A healing and reconciliation retreat for those suffering from the emotional and spiritual effects of abortion. The location is not published to protect the privacy of participants. For more information, contact Sister Mary Peter McCusker, RSM at (408) 426-7343. The confidential warm-line for those seeking help after an abortion is 1 (888) HOPE 790.

Saturday, March 19, 2005
Journey to Justice Retreat, Downtown College Prep, 355 West San Fernando Street, San Jose - Just Faith participants from several parishes including Church of the Ascension, St. Athansius, St. John Vianney, St. Martin of Tours will attend a retreat and meet with representatives of local groups funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and working to empower the poor. To attend, participants should contact their parish coordinator.

Weekend of March 19-20, 2005
The Catholic Relief Services Collection - “Through the eyes of faith, the starving child, the believer in jail, and the woman without clean water or health care are not issues, but Jesus in disguise.” This national annual collection, formerly known as the American Bishops’ Overseas Appeal, supports four major Catholic Church organizations that carry out international solidarity and relief efforts. Programs include relief and resettlement services to victims of persecution, war, and natural disasters as well as development projects to improve the living conditions of the poor; advocacy on behalf of the powerless; peace and reconciliation work for people suffering from violence; and legal and support services for poor immigrants. Materials including posters and envelopes in Spanish and English have been sent to parishes to support the collection and provide education.

Thursday, March 24, 2005
25th Anniversary of the Death of Archbishop Oscar Romero

Thursday, March 31, 2005
The Birthday of Cesar Chavez

Friday, April 1, 2005
Symposium: “Human Rights and Human Responsibility” 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Music Recital Hall, Santa Clara University - Sponsored by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and the InterAction Council as part of the William P. Laughlin Lectures on Global Leadership and Ethics. Speakers include Hans Küng, president of the Global Ethic Foundation, Germany. Seating is limited. RSVP to Audrey Vowell at avowell@scu.edu or (408) 554-7893

Thursday, April 7-May 12, 2005
Faith in Action Training Series, 6:30 – 9:00 pm, 2102 Almaden Road, #107, San Jose - Sponsored by The Interfaith Council on Religion, Race, Economic & Social Justice. Participants will learn about social justice issues in the local community and the political landscape and power structure of the valley. They will reflect on what a faithful and strategic response to injustices might be. They will build their skills to be a more effective leader and to engage congregations on issues of economic and social justice. For information, contact Rev. Carol Been at (408) 269-7872 x577

Thursday April 14 - Saturday, April 16, 2005
“Crossing the Borders of Trade”, Tucson, Arizona, Clarion Santa Rita Hotel - A leadership conference on trade agreements jointly sponsored by The Roundtable, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference as well as the Dioceses of Tucson, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Program includes a day trip to Nogales, Mexico. The Diocese of San Jose will be sending a delegation. See www.nplc.org/roundtable.htm for more information and a registration form.

April 26, 2005
Catholic Lobby Day, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento - The 7th annual Catholic Lobby Day is hosted by the California Catholic Conference. Catholics from throughout the state gather at the Capitol to speak on behalf of those who are poor, vulnerable or voiceless. The day includes a rally, Mass, a march to the Capitol, lunch, and legislative visits. To register, contact Chris Stampolis at stampolis@aol.com. Cost $5. A briefing will be held prior to the event. The date and further information on the briefing will follow.

Mark Your Calendars for Future Events:

June 2005 – Specific Dates to be Determined
“Solidarity: The Living Witness of Oscar Romero" -
Plans are being finalized for a 7-day immersion program in El Salvador sponsored by Catholic Relief Services commemorating the 25th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Priority will be given to Just Faith participants and alumni. Contact Linda Batton at batton@dsj.org for future notices.

Note: For additional listings, see Socorro’s List. To subscribe, email luquehere@speakeasy.com