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The Sisters of Divine Providence will participate in a nationwide effort begun by Jubilee USA for debt cancellation of the most impoverished countries in the world. Jubilee USA is calling for a Rolling Fast between September 6 and October 15. The Sisters will fast on October 5, 2007 . We invite you to join us by fasting on one of the days from now until October 15, thus ensuring that there is always someone fasting during that time.
Millions around the globe remain locked in poverty and suffer under crushing and unjust burdens of debt. In the world's impoverished nations, the majority of the population does not have access to clean water, adequate housing, or basic health care. These countries are paying debt service to wealthy nations and institutions at the expense of providing basic services to their own people. The rolling fast is called for to help us to remember these situations around the world
Some suggestions in support of the initiative:
- Call or e-mail your representative in Congress on the day of our fast October 5 and ask them to support the passage of Jubilee Act HR 2634, which calls for the cancellation of debt without harmful conditions for a list of 50 impoverished countries.
- Become familiar with Jubilee USA, www.jubileeusa.org, where you can find resources
- for prayers and education on the issue.
- Invite coworkers and friends to join you in the Rolling Fast
- Integrate prayer for world's poorest countries and forgiveness of the debt into community prayer.
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We nurture relationships that are based on respect for the dignity and worth of each person.
“Providence
Spirituality challenges us to be global in our concerns and more
attentive to justice issues in our ministries. In our preferential
option for those in need, we focus especially on the plight of women
and children living despair and brokenness. We consciously choose
to commit ourselves,
individually
and corporately, to live nonviolently.”
– Acts of the General Chapter,
2001
"No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do." - Dorothy Day
We pray, God of All, help us to recognize our sisters and brothers
in the global community.
Open our hearts to them, that we might live in solidarity with this extended family.
God of Justice and Peace. help us to be committed to change unjust structure and to be peacemakers in a suffering world.
Empower us to be Christians not only in word but also in compassionate action.
Give us the courage to speak out for truth and justice and to prayerfully and
patiently call for transformation.
May global solidarity and peace be achieved through the power of compassion,
understanding, and love. Amen
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Sr. Betty Sundry |
My
hero, Dorothy Day, said that what we have over and above our needs,
belongs to someone who does need. I think she meant more than just
material goods.
The work of building bridges is difficult. After activism comes
the ‘nitty gritty.’ After the picket lines you have
to advocate. You have to talk to legislators, work to change minds
and hearts -- you have to be dogged. It’s a slow process and
you never know in the moment if your work will pan out.
The first Sisters of Divine Providence to come to the United States
from Germany founded a hospital for the “sick poor”
and educated workers’ children, traditional ministries with
a focus on the poor and working class. Today we work in both traditional
(education and health care) and non-traditional (foster care, counseling,
day care) ministries. The 2001 Mission Statement of the First Provincial
Chapter of the newly formed
Marie de la Roche Province challenges us to follow in the footsteps
of our founders, working for justice in our society, especially
among those less fortunate.
Over the years, working with people who are poor or oppressed has
taught me a lot about life and what is really important. It has
been life-giving and energizing.I am humbled by the patience, forbearance,
and just plain grit that they have in the face of overwhelming odds.
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