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International Solidarity Days-October 2021October 1—International Day for Older PersonsInternational Day for Older Persons is celebrated on October 1st. This day was initiated by the United Nations in 1990 to honor the efforts of the elderly and the value they bring to society.  The theme for this year is “Digital Equality for All Ages.”  We recognize that access to information and participation in digital communication is essential for all ages, but especially for the elderly.  Too often, the elderly find themselves isolated from family and friends due to various physical limitations.  Digital communication, especially at this time of the covid-19 pandemic, [...]

September 2, 2021 As the US completes its formal military withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war, we need to reflect on what we have learned.  In his recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti, in paragraph 261, Pope Francis states unequivocally that every war leaves our world worse that it was before.  He urges us to listen to the stories of those who have suffered the violence of war and to look them in the eyes and open our hearts.  Only then can we begin to perceive the abyss of evil at the heart of war.  If we have learned anything [...]

September 1—World Day of Prayer for CreationSeptember 1st, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, marks the beginning of the 6th annual, world-wide Season of Creation (SOC). Around the world, this season culminates on the feast of St Francis, the patron of ecology, on October 4th.  This year, the theme for the SOC is “A Home For All?— Renewing the Beloved Community of God”.  As we begin this special time of prayer, let us reflect on our common home.  Is the community of creation truly a home for all?  A home is a place of welcome.  Do we extend this [...]

August 6 and 9—World Remembrance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—76th AnniversaryThese days are for remembering the only two times that nuclear weapons have been unleashed during warfare. We also remember the horrendous immediate human cost, and the continuing long-term effects on global societies.  These weapons of mass destruction instantly obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 200,000 people, mostly civilians.  Thousands more died in the following months due to burns, radiation sickness and other injuries, compounded by malnutrition and illness.  Many more continued to suffer and die from the long-term effects of radiation exposure over the next 20-40 years.  Since those two [...]

 July 11—World Population DayJuly 11th, World Population Day seeks to raise awareness of issues around world population.  The world’s population has grown from 3 billion in 1960, to 7.9 billion in 2021.  As the world’s population continues to grow, the risks of pandemics increase, and human activities continue to threaten the climate of our planet.  Cooperation across borders, continents and states is necessary if these issues are to be addressed effectively.  Growing human populations require us to creatively address the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, the need for efficient food production and distribution, and ways to provide access to clean [...]