We, the JPIC committee, sisters and associates of the United States province, have committed ourselves to both an international and a national justice focus.  In union with our sisters throughout the world our international focus is the Millennium Development Goals.  For our national focus we centered on the issue of Human Trafficking.

As part of our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals each of the approximately 75 sisters present at our provincial meeting filled out a JPIC ministry/individual assessment linking specific actions with the MDGs.  The following results indicate a strong involvement even before our formal commitment to the goals.

            Goal 1               Eradicate poverty…                    74 specific actions listed

            Goal 2               Primary education…                   45 specific actions listed

            Goal 3               Empowering women…                93 specific actions listed

            Goal 4               Reducing child mortatlity            21 specific actions listed

            Goal 5               Improve maternal health              24 specific actions listed

            Goal 6               Eradicate HIV/AIDS                   23 specific actions listed

            Goal 7               Environmental sustainability        26 specific actions listed

            Goal 8               Global partnership for

                                    Development                              32 specific actions listed

 The insight that came to us as a result of the assessment was the intricate connection between our ministries and the carrying out of the goals.

Besides working for systemic change and involving ourselves in direct action a JPIC prayer circle was formed directed by Cindy Langlois, IBVM.  The circle began in April with a prayer focusing on Millennium Development Goal 1 – Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

The following month our attention was diverted by the plight of the millions of undocumented workers in the U.S.  With the nation divided over solutions that ranged from possible citizenship to deportation immigration reform became the focus for May.

The issue of immigration touched us close to home because of the kitchen workers at Loretto, Wheaton, who are predominately Mexican, and because of the IBVM ministry at the Mary Ward Center where ESL (English as a second language) is taught to a predominately Hispanic, immigrant community.

On the day of the massive immigration protest this spring in Chicago the workers at Wheaton were given the day off to alleviate any conflict between protesting for immigrant rights and their commitment to the sisters.  Mary Ward Center also closed, as did most businesses in the area, in support of the call for rights for immigrants.

Spring was a time of taking the issues to the streets.  Besides the phenomenal gathering of immigrants in different locations throughout the United States several of our sisters and friends participated in Walks for Justice in both Chicago and Sacramento.  The attached photos show our involvement through the 8^th Day Center for Justice in the walk for justice entitled “Creating a New Day – together in the struggle.”

Through Jean Okroi, IBVM we continue our connection with Illinois Rescue and Restore, a coalition of government organizations, social service agencies, non-profits, and religious institutions.  The hope is that the state of Illinois will be a model with a cohesive, comprehensive approach to the problem of human trafficking. 

Jean has also helped graduate students from Dominican University to plan and organize a meeting on Human Trafficking at the university.   During this meeting Jean was a presenter.

Networking with other congregations from Region 8 of LCWR we continue to work for systemic change through Project Irene.  We have recently been part of coordinating and participating in the Bread for the World letter writing campaign to U.S. Congress re: commitments to cut global poverty.

Understanding the importance of direct action along with working for systemic change a new ministry is being started by our province which will offer hospitality to women in need. 

 

As the mission statement says:
Loretto House, a ministry sponsored in part by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
provides a safe environment, warm hospitality and mentoring to women in transition,
empowering them to

-          assume control of their lives,

-          take the next steps toward autonomy,

-          work toward a housing solution.

The blessing of Loretto House will occur on June 24^th and then the doors will be open to welcome women who have been homeless and are in need of housing.