Justice Calendar

January - March 2010

Mar 22, 2010
World Water Day
Word Water Day 2010: Communicating water quality challenges and opportunities The overall goal of the World Water Day on 22 March 2010 campaign is to raise the profile of water quality at the political level so that water quality considerations are made alongside those of water quantity. --See the Resources Section for suggested prayers and additional information. -- Issues for additional information on the issue of water.

Mar 24, 2010
Archbishop Oscar Romero's Assassination Anniversary
Archbishop Romero became the voice of the people and spoke out against the poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture that many Salvadorans were affected by daily. His homilies, which were broadcast every week on the radio, were listened to by both his supporters and his enemies. He used his homilies to identify injustices and name the disappeared and murdered. On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Romero was assassinated by a single bullet to the heart as he finished his homily while performing mass. For many, Oscar Romero was the voice of the Salvadoran people in a time when civilian voices were being silenced. As a martyr and saint, he continues to serve an example of faith and a model for the fight for social justice. For additional information, visit: *** http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/social-justice/2009/02/oscar-romero-bishop-poor --- See the Resources section for suggested prayer.

April - June 2010

Apr 7, 2010
World Health Day
World Health Day 2010 will focus on urbanization and health. With the campaign "1000 cities - 1000 lives", events will be organized worldwide calling on cities to open up streets for health activities. Stories of urban health champions will be gathered to illustrate what people are doing to improve health in their cities.

Apr 22, 2010
Earthday
40th anniversary of Earth Day. The world is in greater peril than ever, but there is also unprecedented opportunity to build a new future. Earth Day has the power to bring about historic advances in climate policy, renewable energy and green jobs and catalyze millions who make personal commitments to sustainability - A Billion Acts of Green™ - mobilizing the power of people to create change by taking small steps in our homes, our schools and our businesses that add up to an enormous collective action.

May 1, 2010
St. Joseph The Worker

Jun 12, 2010
World Day Against Child Labor
Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

Jun 20, 2010
World Refugee Day
GENEVA, January 19 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency on Tuesday reiterated strong commitment to back up and support the broader humanitarian effort to address the massive and urgent needs in Haiti. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Sir John Holmes is leading the United Nations' emergency response.

July - September 2010

Aug 5, 2010 August 6
Anniversaries of the Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
Hiroshima Day Aug 6 Resources - Hiroshima Sunday Prayers for Peace This one-page bulletin insert for a worship service includes a call to worship, Scripture, and a litany for peace.

Aug 9, 2010
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples honors the contributions made by indigenous peoples to sustaining life on Earth. Indigenous peoples have a special relationship with nature in general and biodiversity in particular, which makes them crucial partners of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Indigenous peoples are stewards of the Earth's biological diversity and their diverse cultures and languages are the pillars of humanity's cultural diversity. --Institute of Biodiversity Conservation.--Refer to the Resources section for prayers and additional information.

Sep 11, 2010
Anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11
"After September 11, we are a wounded people. We share loss and pain, anger and fear, shock and determination in the face of these attacks on our nation and all humanity. We also honor the selflessness of firefighters, police, chaplains, and other brave individuals who gave their lives in the service of others. They are true heroes and heroines. We continue to urge resolve, restraint and greater attention to the roots of terrorism to protect against further attacks and to advance the global common good. Without in any way excusing indefensible terrorist acts, we still need to address those conditions of poverty and injustice which are exploited by terrorists. . . September 11 made ever more clear that globalization is a reality requiring greater moral scrutiny. --U.S. Bishops ---Refer to the Resources section for a suggested prayer service.

Sep 21, 2010
International Day of Peace
The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on September 21 - is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Visit the Resources section under Justice for a list of peace prayers and suggestions in how to get involved in promoting peace.

October - December 2010

Oct 16, 2010
World Food Day
World Food Day is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger.

Oct 17, 2010
International Day to Eradicate Poverty
"The campaign to make poverty history-a central moral challenge of our age-cannot remain a task for the few, it must become a calling for the many. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I urge everyone to join this struggle. Together, we can make real and sufficient progress towards the end of poverty." United Nations Ex-Secretary-General, Kofi Annan

Oct 18, 2010
Bread for the World Sunday
Bread for the World Sunday is an opportunity for churches to renew their commitment to ending hunger and poverty in God's world. Worshiping communities across the country will join together in lifting up their voices on behalf of hungry people.

Nov 25, 2010
International Day of Violence Against Women
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises. It has many manifestations - from the most universally prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence, to harmful practices, abuse during pregnancy, so-called honour killings and other types of femicide. -- Adapted from UNIFEM ---- - Refer to the Resources section for suggested prayers and resources.

Dec 1, 2010
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise further awareness in communities and across the world about the state of the pandemic, and critical next steps that must be taken to halt its spread. --Adapted from World Aids Day Campaign -- Refer to the Resources section for suggested prayers and additional information.

Dec 2, 2010
30th Anniversary of the Deaths of Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel, and Jean Donovan in El Salv
On December 1, 1980 during the height of a civil war waging in El Salvador, four American churchwomen, Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan were abducted, raped, and murdered. Many Salvadorans were tortured, and some lived to tell their tales. -- Adapted from Education for Justice --- Refer to the Resources section for suggested prayers and additional information.

Dec 2, 2010
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
An estimated 27 million people are enslaved around the world today - that's more than the population of 18 States - or more than the population of New York and Virginia combined. There are anywhere between 600,000 and 800,000 victims trafficked through international borders every year, which does not include the millions trafficked domestically within their own countries. It is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the 21st century - a nine billion dollar industry. -- Adapted from CAST LA---Refer to the Resources section for suggested prayers and additional information.

Dec 10, 2010
Human Rights Day
The 2009 Human Rights Day will focus on non-discrimination. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights". -- Adapted from United Nations Website---Refer to the Resources section for suggested prayers and additional information.

Dec 18, 2010
International Migrants Day
Migration touches upon every country, either as a place of origin, transit or destination, or as a combination of these. In 2009, an estimated 200 million people, or 3 per cent of the world's population, lived outside the country of their birth. Migration can be a positive and empowering experience for migrants themselves, and for both the home and host societies. But for too many migrants, the reality is discrimination, exploitation and abuse. They are frequent targets of hate speech, harassment and violence. They are unfairly blamed for crime and economic difficulties, and are subjected to widespread discrimination.--Secretary-General's message for International Migrants Day 2009.---Refer to the Resources section for suggested prayers and additional resources.