APRIL Virtue: JUSTICE

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1 APRIL Virtue: JUSTICE Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation: A Responsible Citizen Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Promotion of Peace, Participation and Subsidiarity, Stewardship of Creation Overview of the Virtue of Justice Justice means that we deal fairly with others, recognizing the equality and dignity of all. It requires that we work to insure that all people, especially the poor and the weak, have access to opportunities. It assumes that none of us is free until all of us are. One of the central tenants of Catholic social teaching is the dignity of the human being; we are all created in the image of God, and therein rests our inalienable dignity. Justice is extended to people, animals, the environment; the whole universe. Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation -- I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES A Responsible Citizen Who: Acts morally and legally as a person formed in Catholic traditions. OCSGE 7(a) Accepts accountability for one's own actions. OCSGE 7(b) Seeks and grants forgiveness. OCSGE 7(c) Promotes the sacredness of life. OCSGE 7(d) Witnesses Catholic social teaching by promoting equality, democracy, and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate society. OCSGE 7(e) Respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world's peoples and cultures. OCSGE 7(f) Respects and understands the history, cultural heritage and pluralism of today's contemporary society. OCSGE 7(g) Exercises the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. OCSGE 7(h) Respects the environment and uses resources wisely. OCSGE 7(i) Contributes to the common good. OCSGE 7(j)

2 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching - Possible Links STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION: Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions which cannot be ignored. PROMOTION OF PEACE: Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. Peace is not just the absence of war, said Pope John Paul II, it involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements. Peace and justice are linked: Peace is the fruit of justice. PARTICIPATION AND SUBSIDIARITY: All people have a right to participate in the economic, political and cultural life of society. It is a fundamental demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity that all people be assured a minimum level of participation in the community. Conversely, it is wrong for a person or a group to be excluded unfairly or to be unable to participate in a society.

3 April- Justice Inspirational Quotes from Heroes of Hope "Peace is not simply the absence of warfare." Pope John XXIII Initiatives of Hope The Catholic School community, like all school communities, has an obligation to ensure a safe environment for all students by vigilant and steadfast efforts to eradicate all forms of bullying as well as to provide personal and pastoral care for every individual whose worth as a child of God has been attacked by acts of bullying. The Catholic school must continue to be a safe, inclusive community for all young people entrusted to our care. Respecting Difference - Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association Everyday Healing and Empowering Actions Play a sport. Cook or bake something. Have a mug of tea. Play an instrument. In difficult times, keep something beautiful in your heart. Take a moment to pray.

4 April-Justice Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment. Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world! But to be protectors, we also have to keep watch over ourselves! Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives! Being protectors, then, also means keeping watch over our emotions, over our hearts, because they are the seat of good and evil intentions: intentions that builds up and tears down! We must not be afraid of goodness or even tenderness! Caring Adult Action of the Month: Say things to students that avoid causing defensiveness and resistance on their part. Michael Ungar, Strengths-Based Counseling With At-Risk Youth

5 April- Justice Liturgical Calendar Palm Sunday, the final Sunday before Easter Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. Christian churches distribute palms on Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest and Crucifixion on Good Friday. This year, Palm Sunday falls on April 13, Holy Thursday is the day that we celebrate the Last Supper, at which Christ instituted the Mass and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is the first day of the Triduum, the three days before Easter Sunday, during which we commemorate Christ's Passion. Holy Thursday falls on April 17, Easter, the greatest feast day in the Christian calendar, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday falls on April 20, 2014 Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated on the Sunday after Easter Sunday is a relatively new addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ Himself to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, this feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, the day that he canonized Saint Faustina. Note: Blessed John Paul II Day is celebrated annually at the TCDSB on the Monday following Divine Mercy Sunday. The "liturgical year" includes the first Sunday of Advent and the last week in Ordinary Time. The liturgical year consists of two times: one can call the first time special season times and the other is known as ordinary time. The special season times are, Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, during which a particular mystery of salvation is celebrated. Ordinary Time, in turn, does not hold any particular mystery, but rather the same mystery of Christ in His fullness, especially on Sundays. Ordinary Time is divided into two parts throughout the liturgical year and in total lasts 33 or 34 weeks. Saint Days of The Toronto Catholic District School Board St. Richard April 3 Cardinal Carter April 6 D Arcy McGee April 7 April 8 - Holy Redeemer, James Culnan, James Cardinal McGuigan April 13 - Blessed Margherita of Castello April 17 - St. Kateri Tekakwitha April 21 - St. Anselm. St. Conrad April 24 - St. Fidelis April 25 - St. Mark April 26 - St. Marcellus, Our Lady of Wisdom

6 April-Justice April 2- World Autism Awareness Day "This international attention is essential to address stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate support structures. Now is the time to work for a more inclusive society, highlight the talents of affected people and ensure opportunities for them to realize their potential." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message for the World Autism Awareness Day 2013

7 April- Justice I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES A responsible citizen who witnesses Catholic Social Teaching by promoting equality, democracy and solidarity for a just, peaceful, and compassionate society. OCSGE 7(e) STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION* PROMOTION OF PEACE* PARTICIPATION AND SUBSIDIARITY Hope and Justice Quotes Be the change you want to see in the world. Gandhi Every outcry against the oppression of some people by other people, or against what is morally hideous is the affirmation of the principle that a human being as such is not to be violated. A human being is not to be handled as a tool but is to be respected and revered. Felix Adler If you want peace, work for justice. Paul VI Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said! Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! (Amos 5:14-15) God has told you, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover them (Isaiah 58:6-7) Discussion Starters for Hope and Justice Have you ever planted a tree or something that has the potential to grow for years to come? Many people plant trees in whose shade they will never sit during their lifetimes. This act can be seen as reflecting confidence and hope for the future. Who would you like to plant a tree for and offer hope to for the future? Do you think people your age are treated justly by adults? Explain your answer with an example and offer a suggestion about how to improve the situation. Do you think everyone has determination and strength to overcome disadvantages? Why?

8 What might help a person to overcome the disadvantages of poverty? What temptations are there in our society to get caught up in having the latest things? Do think it s hard to live a simple lifestyle in our society? Imagine that you had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada to talk about relative poverty in Canada and the need for better programs. What would you say? Identity an injustice that troubles you. What emotion first made you aware of it? Then talk about one action you can take to bring about justice. Do you think that all people are born with a yearning for justice or does it have to be taught? According to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., life's most persistent question is, "What are you doing for others?" Search your soul and then write an honest answer in your journal. Discuss the terms marginalized with your class and brainstorm other words that suggest negative attitudes towards individuals or groups of people (e.g. racist, bigotry).

9 April- Justice I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES A responsible citizen who witnesses Catholic Social Teaching by promoting equality, democracy and solidarity for a just, peaceful, and compassionate society. OCSGE 7(e) STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION* PROMOTION OF PEACE* PARTICIPATION AND SUBSIDIARITY REFLECTION ON THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: Catholic tradition maintains that we show respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Title: Environmental Film Festival REFLECTION ON ACTIVITY: How many times a week do you spend some time in nature? What is your mood like after spending some time in nature, walking or going for a run? Tell of a time when nature was healing? What are the primary values Catholics need to develop and promote to respect Creation? What concrete efforts are needed by individuals, non-profit organizations, business, governments and the world community together to respond to the environmental crises from a Catholic perspective? Description: As Catholics, students feel called to be environmental stewards. To raise awareness of environmental issues, student leaders planned, organized and hosted a three-day environmental film festival in sponsorship with OTF and local community agencies and businesses. Student leaders marketed the event to the student body and the community, produced a video documenting environmentally friendly practices at the school, ordered stainless water bottles bearing the school logo and sold them at the festival, raising significant funds. As a result, the Environmental Film Festival increased awareness of local environmental issues and inspired students and community members to take positive action. Project Type: Student-Led Teacher-Facilitated Grade(s) Impacted: 9-12, Teachers, Community School Name: St. Mary's College School Board: Huron-Superior CDSB Title: Green Team/Earth Day Description: Eight student leaders formed the school s Green Team and set about raising awareness of environmental issues among all students. They designed a series of activities and contests, all leading up to a special Earth Day in April. These activities included ensuring that all lights and computer monitors had been turned off, and that garbage in the school yard was cleaned up. Students also ran poster contests, created their own short movies on the environment and wrote a special Earth Day song. Teachers were brought on board, asked to read to their classes about environmental issues and to encourage their students to plant their own flowers and plants. To generate excitement and participation, Green Team leaders made regular announcements over the public address system and planned and ran all activities. Finally, for Earth Day in

10 April, they invited the full student body to an assembly where Olympian Adam Kreek spoke about the Clean Air Achievers. Student leaders were also involved outside school, planting 319 white pine trees at Moonlight Beach, in one of Sudbury s greening initiatives. The project has had a lasting impact as students continue to keep the yards clean and ensure that lights are turned off. Project Type: Student-Led Teacher-Facilitated School Name: St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School Title: HNM Sustainable Living Conference Description: To build inclusiveness in the diverse school community and promote justice through environmental awareness and healthy living habits, student leaders created the Sustainable Living Conference. Presented to the entire student body and staff community, the conference featured a wellreceived keynote speaker and student-led workshops involving a variety of interactive environmentallyconscious activities. Student leaders used their communications skills to create a flyer that was distributed to each student to inform them and their parents or guardians. The ability to collaborate with other organizations was also important in securing participation from the Region of Peel Health Unit and the Humber College Green Team. Project Type: Student-Led Teacher-Facilitated Grade(s) Impacted: 9-12, Teachers School Name: Holy Name of Mary SS School Board: Dufferin-Peel CDSB Title: Message in a Bottle Description: With the goal of eliminating the use of plastic water bottles at both Mother Theresa and St Benedict schools, a group of Grade 12 student leaders prepared an afternoon workshop called Message in a Bottle. This workshop saw Grade 12 students mentoring a group of Grade 7 students, educating them about the negative effects produced by plastic bottles. Armed with this information, the grade 7 students went back to Mother Theresa, spread the word and began weekly data collections. Students at the two schools bought 250 stainless steel water bottles to replace plastic bottles and used tap water instead of bottled water. Three months later, the goal of 80% reduction had been achieved. As well as having a positive impact on the environment, the project allowed students of very different age groups to get to know and appreciate each other Project Type: Student-Led Teacher-Facilitated Grade(s) Impacted: 7-12 School Name: Mother Theresa Catholic C Elem S School Board: Waterloo CDSB Other ideas you can try! Listen and learn from a guest speaker: Ask your teacher to contact the TCDSB Safe Schools Dept. to send a facilitator to come to your class to talk about the process of Restorative Justice Circles which is currently being used in our schools to help promote peace, justice and used to strengthen /rebuild community.

11 April-Justice I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES A responsible citizen who witnesses Catholic Social Teaching by promoting equality, democracy and solidarity for a just, peaceful, and compassionate society. OCSGE 7(e) STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION* PROMOTION OF PEACE* PARTICIPATION AND SUBSIDIARITY The Shawshank Redemption A powerful prison drama reminds us that hope is a precious and buoyant emotion that can give our lives substance and meaning. Contemporary Music about Hope: "I Shall Be Released" by Bob Dylan Lives in the Balance: Charity or Justice Although most of us enjoy a standard of living that is comfortable and secure, there are many among us, who for a variety of reasons live in poverty. And there are many more whose lives are in the balance between fulfillment and indignity. Lives in the Balance looks at these differences through the eyes of an immigrant family, a single mother and someone who relies on disability support. As you watch the video we invite you to rejoice in how human beings help each other but reflect upon what we could all do to bring greater justice to our society. Keep in mind the statement from Vatican II document: Gaudium Et Spes (On the Church in the Modern World): "The joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially of those who are poor or afflicted, are the joys and hopes, the grief and the anguish of the followers of Christ as well." The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, Social Affairs Commission (Length: 30 min.)

12 earth Film length: 1 hr. 30 min. Rating: G Director: Mark Linfield Genre: Nature Documentary Synopsis & Central Plot: Earth follows three animal families around the world, through changing seasons and a changing planet. The diversity and vivacity of our planet is highlighted, from the North Pole to Antarctica, from the forests of North America to the deserts of Africa. The audience is privy to the incredibly fragility and simultaneous robustness of life on our planet. Elephants, polar bears, and humpback whales provide a lens through which the audience experiences the harsh elements and extraordinarily precious moments of animal life. Throughout the film, humans are invisible, but our impact on the climate and natural resources is regrettably prominent. Main Themes to Engage through the Film: The climate change crisis The harmony of life on our planet The perfection and beauty of God s creation The cycles of life and death, destruction and creation The impact of humanity on the rest of the Earth s living plants and creatures The interdependence of all life Catholic Social Teaching Themes and Connections: We are all called to care for God s creation. In earth we see how rapidly our planet is changing and the impact that changes are having on animals lives right now. We must recognize the connectedness of all of God s creations and our duty to care for the perfect gifts that God has given us. As humans, we were created in God s image and share a call to strive for the common good. Our planet is shared amongst all humans and by respecting the diversity of life, whether human, animal, or plant, we become closer in our united humanity.

13 April - Justice I HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES A responsible citizen who witnesses Catholic Social Teaching by promoting equality, democracy and solidarity for a just, peaceful, and compassionate society. OCSGE 7(e) Prayers: STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION* PROMOTION OF PEACE* PARTICIPATION AND SUBSIDIARITY God of Justice, help us to always see those around us with loving and compassionate eyes. If they need us, help us to reach out to them. May we always work towards breaking down the barriers that make people feel alone. In showing kindness and care to each other we will make a difference; we will be demonstrating our love for you. We make this prayer in your name, Jesus. Amen. Faith, Hope and Charity Prayer Loving God, we pray, that the Toronto Catholic District School Board community continue to witness to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. May we be people of FAITH, always willing to follow the example of Jesus in all that we do May we be people of HOPE, always trusting in your loving presence in our lives. May we be people of CHARITY, always willing to give of ourselves to better the lives of others. Together, may we be a community of faith, anchored in hope, with heart and charity. Through, Christ our Lord. Amen Come Holy Spirit Come Come Holy Spirit, Fill the hearts of Your faithful, And kindle in them the fire of Your love. our Spirit and they shall be created, And You shall renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit Magnificat My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm; He has cast down the might from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for He has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise He made to our father, to Abraham and his children forever. Amen.

14 A Prayer Service for Earth Day Leader: All: Come, let us praise God for the gift of Creation. Creator God, we praise you for the grandeur of the universe. We praise you for the gift of this Earth. We praise you for the land, and we praise you for the seas. We praise you for the great miracle of teeming life on our prolific planet. We praise you for the cycle of growth and for the beauty of bursting blooms in the Spring time. We praise you green growth of summer and for the holy harvest in the Fall. We praise you for the infinity of different creatures on the land and in the sea, each unique in its own way, each fitting into the complex ecosystems you have gifted us with, each dependent on each other and the whole. We praise you, our Creator. Grace us with a sense of our responsibilities to preserve and protect your precious gift, This Garden, this Earth. We praise you, Creator God, and we offer you our hearts and hands for the preservation of your Creation Affirmations: I will treat others in a just, equitable and unbiased manner. I will play by the rules, take turns and share. I will be respectful of others. I will seek peaceful solutions to problems. Reading a letter from an advocacy organization, I vow to make my hopeful yearnings into concrete demands for change. I am a peace-maker. I am forgiving. I follow rules and do my share I will stand up for what is right. I respect and protect the world and all that is in it.