CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE REFORM

Thank you Franciscan Action Network for informing us of the issues that we need to take action on in order to protect our families. CALL FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM: Tell them that as their constituent and as a person of faith, you want immigration reform that provides a pathway to FULL CITIZENSHIP and prioritizes FAMILY UNITY.  You can also send an electronic postcard or print postcards to mail to federal legislators on the Justice For Immigrants website.   http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/index.shtml  CALL FOR GUN CONTROL REFORM: I DEMAND A PLAN    THE HORRIFIC SCHOOL SHOOTING AT NEWTOWN REMINDS US OF THE EFFECTS OF GUN VIOLENCE ON OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. The horrific school shooting in Newtown, CT is the latest devastating example of the toll of gun violence. It's time for our leaders to tak "On January 15, 2013,  the 84th birthday remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,  Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence held a press conference in Washington, D.C., to announce an initiative to reduce the number of deaths by guns in our country which has reached epidemic proportions, with over 30,000 deaths in 2012.   Forty-seven faith leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities, as well as leaders of organizations such as Catholic Health Association, signed a letter which was delivered today to the President, Vice-President and every member of Congress." To sign the petition to Congress, go to: http://www.demandaplan.org/ CALL FOR FDA TO STOP "Frankenfish"  "The FDA will soon approve the first genetically engineered animal to enter the U.S. food supply - a salmon dubbed "Frankenfish" - unless concerned advocates speak out. Scientists say that the genetically modified (GMO) salmon poses increased risks to humans, including allergies and cancer, and could threaten the wild salmon population.  Frankenfish was created by biotech company AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., by combining the DNA of the Chinook Pacific salmon with a growth hormone from an eel-like creature, called an ocean pout fish. The growth hormone causes the "AquAdvantage" salmon to grow twice as large, twice as fast as the average salmon. Environmentalists say that if the Frankenfish escapes its farms, it will threaten the natural habitat of, and could potentially breed with, wild salmon.  Because the U.S. is one of only a few countries left that does not require labeling of genetically modified foods, consumers will have no way to identify and avoid Frankenfish in grocery stores and fish markets. The FDA is set to approve it after a 60-day public comment period. You can learn more and sign a petition from the Organic Consumers Association." TAKE ACTION TODAY Organic Consumers Organization:   http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50865/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9142

CALL TO REFORM

EVER WONDER HOW TO MAKE A CALL IN TO YOUR SENATOR TO SUPPORT A CHANGE IN PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

Here is a sample script that can be used to be tailored to your message:

"Hi, my name is NAME, from CITY, STATE. May I please speak with the staff person who handles immigration issues? I urge the Senator to support a common sense, humaneimmigration reform bill that prioritizes family unity and creates a pathway to citizenship for aspiring Americans who are currently undocumented. What is the Senator doing to help enactimmigration reform this year?"  Make sure to call twice to reach both of your Senators, and please spread the word!  Ask your friends, family members, neighbors, congregations, and communities to call their Senators.  Thank you FAN, Franciscan Action Network, for all your good work in helping us learn how to be prophetic witnesses of the gospel.

Right to Life March

This past Friday, Sister Lauren Trinh, one of our St. Walburga Monastery Benedictine Sisters, joined forces with our brothers at St. Benedict's Prep and filled a bus with over 40 students to weather the cold and the snow in Washington DC.  It was the annual Right to Life March where thousands of people from across the United States rallied together in support of human life.  As Mr. Jennings, our Principal, so often preaches "from the womb to the tomb", we must protect the dignity and life of every human being.

They began their trip with the celebration of the Liturgy and Eucharist at 6:30 a.m. at Benedictine Academy.  We are proud of our Pro-Life Club.  Despite the chilling below freezing temperatures and sleet, they travelled for over four hours to be a prophetic witness for our government and all the world to see. Their SACRIFICE spells LOVE OF CHRIST.

It was a short forty years ago on January 22, 1973, that the United States Supreme Court handed down Roe vs. Wade decision, one of the worst injustices against our children waiting to be born into new life. The decision declared that the unborn child had no human rights and were beyond the protection of the law.   Many states have since passed new life-affirming laws.  Unfortunately, New Jersey is not one of them.  We must take a stand and be a voice for the voiceless.  If we do not, then the voices of the unjust will continue to determine the future of our society.

 During this Year of Faith, it is important for all of us to give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. 

Youth Recognition Award

We are pleased to announce that the following Benedictine Academy students and adult have been awarded the Archdiocesan Recognition Award for their dedication and good works both at the school and in their community's parish.

Analisa Branco, with her beautiful mom, attended the Recognition Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.  Analisa has been a role model for our students over the past several years and we thank God for the gift of her presence at Benedictine Academy as the Director of Admissions.



Stephanie, a Sophomore Student, and Samantha, a Senior, were also honored, affirmed and congratulated with a Youth Recognition Award for being faithful servants to our communities in the name of our Lord, Jesus.

We ask God to bless them in their ministry and all our students and staff who devote their lives to help build the Kingdom of God.  Together, during this Year of Faith, let us continue to spread the Good News of Jesus in our lives.

LIVING OUR FAITH

SO many people have asked, "Why  are you Modern Day Abolitionists against Human Trafficking, a form of Modern day Slavery?"  ... Because we have heard the cry of the oppressed like 60,000 other young Christians in our country. 07:28 AM ET College students raise funds to fight slavery By Jordan Hultine, CNN "Atlanta (CNN)–More than 60,000 young Christians packed the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for worship and inspiration at the Passion 2013 conference that wrapped up on Friday. They came together from 56 countries and 2,300 universities, according to organizers, “to shine a light on modern-day slavery.”

“We believe when you fill a dome full of people who say they follow Jesus, there should be some tangible action,” said Bryson Vogeltanz, chief steward of Passion’s freedom initiative. That tangible action came in the form of tens of thousands of towels and socks donated by conference-goers to be handed out at local homeless shelters in the weeks following the conference."

As our sisters and brothers were donating towels and socks to homeless shelters in Atlanta, our BCD's (Benedictine Cor Defenders) have been distributing comfort bags in New Jersey and Pennsylvania  to shelters for the homeless, human trafficking survivors, and families of Hurricane Sandy. We can all do some act of kindness to bring hope and compassion to those who are suffering or alone.

Read About the recent Rally in Trenton:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/human-trafficking-emerges-as-state-legislative-issue-nj-holds-events-to-combat-problem/2013/01/11/52f678b4-5c1c-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html

National Weekend of Prayer

National Weekend of Prayer to End Slavery and Trafficking

January 11-13, 2013

A coalition of faith based groups and churches organized a national weekend of prayer in Washington DC to bring an end to modern day slavery.  Our Freedom Partner, Ken Morris, the great great great grandson of Frederick Douglass was a guest speaker.  Frederick Douglass was a man of deep faith.  

John Stauffer,Professor of English, African and African American Studies at Harvard Universitywrites for the Huffington Post:

"Understanding Frederick Douglass, the great black leader and abolitionist, requires an appreciation of his religious faith. As an atheist friend of his once said: "there was one obstacle to a loving and lasting friendship -- namely, the personal Christian God."

For most of his career Douglass believed in a living God who could change the world. "All things are possible with God," he declared. "I believe in the millennium," a literal heaven on earth as described in Revelation. Love and freedom were for him the hallmarks of Christianity. His faith fueled his hope in an immediate end to slavery and racial oppression.  Douglass saw himself as a prophet heeding God's will."

USCCB Anti-Trafficking Newsletter

At Benedictine Academy, we began the weekend of prayer with the Peace Prayer of St. Francis prayed by the Pope a few weeks ago:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

And where there is sadness, joy... Amen."