TONIGHT May 6th - An Evening with Jack Jezreel of JustFaith

"The Call to Transform Our Hearts and the World"

You may have heard about JustFaith, come tonight to learn more!

Jack Jezreel, popular national speaker and justice educator, holds a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame, spent six years in a Catholic Worker Community, and has been involved with parish-based justice ministry for 25 years. He is the author of JustFaith and serves as Executive Director of JustFaith Ministries. He received the prestigious Harry Fagan Award in 2006 for his contribution to the achievement of the Catholic vision of social justice. He is married and has three daughters. Jack has been in Tucson for our JustFaith introduction. We have grown in JustFaith and welcome Jack back!

We are called to be compassionate as our God is compassionate (Luke 6:36), but what does the compassion of Christ look like in the modern world? How do I become a more compassionate person? Are you interested in embarking on a spiritual journey into compassion? The vision of the Gospels and Catholic social teaching speaks to life-giving choices on behalf of a world that struggles to survive.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore some new possibilities for your life, your parish, your heart!

Comments aboutJustFaith from Tucson participants:

* Our JustFaith grads have become a solid foundation for social ministry by meeting and praying and learning together and bydrawing others into their various ministries. – Most Holy Trinity pastor

* I am now living a more simple life – giving more, buying less, and trying to get more connected with my brothers and sisters. JustFaith is a life-changing experience. – Our Mother of Sorrows parishioner

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

WHERE: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, 1800 South Kolb Rd., Tucson, AZ

For all JustFaith Grads and present students:
Dinner with Jack in the OMOS Parish Activity Center (PAC)– 5:30 p.m.
More info: Jean Fedigan: jfedigan@cox.net or leave message for Jean: 520-747-1321

For all JustFaith Grads, Students and ALL NEW to JustFaith:

An evening with Jack in the Parish Hall with Closing Prayer at 9 p.m.
More info: Janet Towner: janett@diocesetucson.org or leave message: 520-838-2544

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World Fair Trade Day: This Saturday May 9th, 2009

Catholic Relief Services to Mark World Fair Trade Day

Catholics are invited to Take a ‘Fair Trade Break’ and Break World Record!

In celebration of World Fair Trade Day on May 9, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a national sponsor of the day, invites Catholics throughout the U.S. to join workplaces, churches, schools, businesses and neighbors and hold a Fair Trade Break to surpass last year's World's Largest Fair Trade ‘Break’ record.

With a goal of 55,000 total participants on and around Saturday, May 9, CRS is rallying Catholics and Fair Trade enthusiasts to hold events like Fair Trade coffee breaks, food tastings, talks, music concerts and fashion shows to promote an ethical alternative to conventional shopping that ensures that producers get a fair price for their products.

“During today’s tough economic times, it is more important than ever to have our shopping habits reflect our values,” says Jacqueline DeCarlo, CRS’ Senior Program Advisor for Fair Trade. “The poor suffer the most during economic downturns, and ‘solidarity shopping’ can directly impact the lives of farming families and craft associations – often led by women.”

Hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. and in over 80 countries will promote Fair Trade by holding a Fair Trade Break and campaign for trade justice together with farmers and artisans in developing countries. In the U.S., World Fair Trade Day is coordinated by the Fair Trade Resource Network and highlights the benefits of Fair Trade and the support needed on a grassroots level.

The recent entry of mainstream companies into the Fair Trade marketplace demonstrates that consumer demand for socially responsible and sustainable products influences corporate decisions. Yet, it is vital to continue to support Fair Trade companies and organizations that are fully committed to small-scale producers and believe in long-term partnerships based on dialogue, transparency and respect.

CRS’ Fair Trade program has grown from two retail partners in 2004 to 16 today, including coffee, chocolate and handcraft retailers. All of these companies help Catholic schools, parishes, and households shop responsibly for the benefit of disadvantaged producers. To find CRS partners dedicated to Fair Trade, visit http://crsfairtrade.org/.

“U.S. Catholics can feel gratified that they are helping to build a market that has been growing at double-digit rates in recent years,” DeCarlo says. “World Fair Trade Day is becoming a rallying point for these groups to spread the word about Fair Trade to the larger community.”

To join the movement and mark World Fair Trade Day, Catholics can:

¨ Hold a Fair Trade coffee break at their parish or schools
¨ Join the CRS Fair Trade Network
¨ Buy Fair Trade items or give a Fair Trade gift for Mother’s Day
¨ Host a Fair Trade fair
¨ Become a CRS Fair Trade fan on Facebook

To find a World Fair Trade Day event near you, visit http://www.fairtraderesource.org/link-up/events-calendar/.


Catholic Relief Services is the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.

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St. Joseph the Worker & The Catholic Worker

Today is the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker and is also the 76th anniversary of the founding of The Catholic Worker Movement in 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin.

Here's a thoughtful reflection on St. Joseph the Worker .

(from the American Catholic.org Saint of the Day website)

To learn more about The Catholic Worker Movement see: http://www.catholicworker.org/

Today would be a great day to support our local Tucson Catholic Worker House, Casa Maria, in a special way! http://www.casamariatucson.org/

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