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Path to Sainthood Opening Up for Archbishop Oscar Romero

BY CHRIS KERR | April 22, 2013 ISN staff report 4/22/13 - Across the Americas there may be signs of hope for the eventual sainthood of the slain archbishop of El Salvador, Óscar Arnulfo Romero.  Romero was gunned down while celebrating…
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Partnership

I’ve just survived one of the most difficult experiences I can think of as a parent—solo parenting! My husband had a work trip that required him to spend 5 full days in Los Angeles with his colleagues. Consequently, that meant that I was home alone with our son, Liam, now 3 years old, and managing all of the details of our lives the best I could. And the many bumps, twists, turns and failures made me realize how much I missed having my partner around.

A Jesuit Novice Reflects on L’Arche

L’arche is home. Laughing, sharing life and being amazed with joy and gratitude were part of my daily routine. It is hard for me to articulate the significance of my time at L’arche. Attempting to name this experience and the effects it has had on me, like any experience, inevitably falls woefully short. This is especially true of an encounter that largely came not from the intellect, but from the heart.
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Ruined For Life

Michael Gladstone, Walsh Jesuit High School student, reflects on a recent immersion trip to Ecuador: I was told to go into my immersion experience in Ecuador with an open heart and an open mind. What I did not predict was the magnitude at which God’s presence would fill these open spaces through the people I grew to love.
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How do we teach our children peace in the midst of so much violence?

Knowing all of this, how do we teach our children peace amid all of this violence? The answer may be right in front of us and actually quite challenging. We must be people of peace ourselves. For some this call to action could be rooted in the model of Christ, for others in Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., or Dorothy Day, to name just a few. Our everyday actions with our children will need to be analyzed for the messages they send about how to treat others, even those who harm us.
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Ignatian Family Immigration Call-In Day on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

BY ISN STAFF | April 8, 2013 The time to advocate for "humane" comprehensive immigration reform is now.  It is likely that later this week the U.S. Senate "Gang of 8" (4 Democrats and 4 Republicans developing an immigration reform bill)…
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The Story of My Faith

Greg Carpinello reflects on parenting during the Easter season and invites everyone to live in radical ways so as to bring light and love to the darkest places of our lives.
Sydney Browning - Georgetown University
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A Campus Call to Divest from Fossil Fuels

Sydney is a sophomore at Georgetown University from Asheville, North Carolina. She is currently studying Biology and Global Health and is the co-founder and one of the head organizers of the Fossil Free Divestment from Fossil Fuels Campaign. Sydney is also involved with Georgetown's student Labor and Solidarity Group and other social justice groups on campus.
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World Water Day

I'll admit it: on most days, I don't actively think about my water usage beyond the quick reduce, reuse, recycle decisions. Frankly, I often take it for granted. And then days like today come around to give me a kick in the butt and remind of what's at stake when it comes to H20--millions of lives.
Liam reading his favorite Winnie the Pooh stories
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Together or Apart

Together or apart, we are still the best of friends. And so I pray my son takes that with him as he continues to grow up and follows his passions—together or apart, we are here to love him and support him.
Gonzaga College High School students with Governor O'Malley
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Maryland Repeal of Death Penalty

After years of debate, the state of Maryland is set to repeal the death penalty. The effort has been led by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (a graduate of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.).
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Little Mustard Tree, Where are Thee?

Little Mustard Tree, Where are Thee?, a poem written by Carolina Dominguez, Spring Hill College '13 after her immersion in Kingston, Jamaica.
Pope Francis I
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Pope Francis – A Voice for Social Justice

During his time as a Cardinal in Argentina he became known as a bold voice for social justice in the Church. It has been reported by many sources that as Cardinal he chose to use public transportation in an effort to live simply and also brought attention to many injustices in Argentina over the years.
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Interview with Greg Callaghan – National Coordinator of the Dead Man Walking School Theater Project

Greg Callaghan is the director of the Dead Man Walking School Theater Project based in San Francisco, California. Greg is a graduate of Santa Clara University and Saint Ignatius Preparatory (San Francisco). The interview gives an overview of Greg's work with the project and how a school can become involved.
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Human Rights in Honduras: Interview with Shaina Aber & Tom Greene, S.J.

Shaina Aber (Policy Director, Jesuit Conference Social & International Ministries) and Fr. Tom Greene, S.J. (Secretary for Social & International Ministries) recently visited Honduras to develop a deeper understanding of the volatile human rights situation facing the Central American country and how Jesuits and lay partners are responding.
Human Rights in Honduras: Interview with Shaina Aber & Tom Greene, S.J.
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Human Rights in Honduras: Interview with Shaina Aber & Tom Greene, S.J.

Shaina Aber (Policy Director, Jesuit Conference Social & International Ministries) and Fr. Tom Greene, S.J. (Secretary for Social & International Ministries) recently visited Honduras to develop a deeper understanding of the volatile human rights situation facing the Central American country and how Jesuits and lay partners are responding.
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Gonzaga Students Join Governor O’Malley to Lobby Against the Death Penalty

Matt Gannon writes about the lobbying day of Gonzaga students in Annapolis, MD to repeal the death penalty on Feb 14.
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Culture of Disposability

The culture of disposability abounds when personal convenience becomes the primary driving force behind individual decisions, while other factors – like accounting for limited earthly resources, fair wages for workers, and environmental health – do not factor into our decision making processes.
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Oscar Craze: Justice Implications

It was a busy week in the ISN office, but we are not slave drivers (that would be counter-mission - right!?). In an effort to savor some of the excitement of the Oscar craze this week, we asked our interns Sadie and McKenzae to take a couple minutes and think about movies from the past year that in their view have social justice implications. They offered a few suggestions below and also listed a number of their all-time "social justice movie favorites." Of course, we would love to hear your ideas as well!
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I want to fall in love again with life and people and God

“I want to fall in love again with life and people and God. I want to be amazed by the world and all its beauty.” That’s what I wrote in my journal the first day I arrived at JVC:NW orientation, sitting by some picturesque stream, uncertain of what the year would bring, my spirit alive with the excitement of that new step, clueless as to the extent to which God would amaze and unmistakably change me.
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Lent 2013 – Not Your Usual Water Fast

BY ISN STAFF | February 13, 2013 written by: Ken Homan, S.J., Fordham University '14 “What are you giving up for Lent?” We have all heard it plenty. There are many regular answers, such as sweets, Facebook, meat and television.…