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St. Joe’s Social Justice Updates

 

 

 

Congratulations and thank you to Sister Eileen O’Connor for your many years of service, and leadership, of our Social Justice Ministries at St. Joseph University Parish……a good time was had by all at the October 29th celebration

 

The NYS Court Officer-Trainee examination 45-834 is scheduled to be held April 20 to May 3, 2024.  Application filing will begin

January 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM and close on February 14, 2024.  

Please note that this examination will be held only at test centers located in, or convenient to, JDs 3rd to 8th.   The resulting eligible list will be used to fill positions only in JDs 3rd to 8th. 

The examination announcement, FAQs, subject matter, and related links can be found at the dedicated page: NYSCOT2024. 

Questions not found in the FAQs may be directed to COEXAMS@nycourts.gov. 

 

Andrew Prinzing, who chairs our Racial Justice and Solidarity Committee, recently returned from the annual National Catholic Mobilizing Network Conference in Minneapolis, where he presented a workshop on “Restorative Practices.” During his presentation, he spoke about how our Committee implements these practices during discussions about racial healing.  Congratulations  Andrew! We are so glad that you are with us.


 

Theresa Flores, founder and director of the SOAP Project (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution) speaks to us about the prevalence of human trafficking- October 10, 2023

MHA to Offer Two New Grief Support Groups

 

 

Gun Violence Awareness Committee

The NRA, perhaps the best-known “gun rights” organization in the US, tracks bills introduced in state legislatures and offers a tool for people to contact their state legislators about pending gun bills. They urge people to oppose gun safety bills, and support bills that would have the effect of expanding access to guns. We want the opposite, so let’s turn the tables. Let’s consult the NRA’s list of pending legislation. If there’s a bill pending in our state, let’s contact our state legislators and tell them to support the bill if it furthers gun safety, and oppose the bill if it makes it easier to get and use guns.

 

 

  • YOUR VOTE IS CRITICAL IN THE MOVEMENT TO END GUN VIOLENCE

Every day, more than 120 people in the United States are killed with guns. We are dedicated to creating a future free from gun violence – and that starts with electing candidates who will implement better gun laws. Learn more about what it means to be a Gun Sense Voter. Go to www.gunsensevoter.org

  • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has recently announced the 3D Printed Gun Safety Act, federal legislation that would ban online distribution of blueprints for the 3D printing of firearms and help prevent the proliferation of ‘ghost guns’. Ghost guns are homemade firearms that have no serial number, making them untraceable and extremely difficult to regulate. The components are often purchased in ‘ghost gun kits’, or can be 3D printed using instructions found on the internet. In the past year, according to the New York Police Department, there has been a 75% increase in ghost gun seizures in New York City”. Please consider contacting Senator Gillibrand to let her know you are supportive of her efforts:  (202) 224-4451 (phone) or email via gillibrand.senate.gov

 

  • Members of our Gun Violence Awareness Committee representing at the End Gun Violence Gathering and Candlelight Vigil held June 2nd at Buffalo’s Front Park

 

Scenes from the Gun Violence Awareness Committee information weekend held June 3, 4

 

 

 

Refugee, Immigration, and Human Trafficking Committee Bike Drive

Bike Collection for Refugees 2023 Report

Our Refugee, Immigration, and Human Trafficking Awareness Committee completed its 2023  Bike Drive by collecting over 200 bicycles that were distributed to refugee children and adults via Our Lady of Hope Parish, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Services, International Institute, St. Luke’s Mission, and Peace House. Since this effort began in 2019, 892 bicycles have  been collected, made road worthy, and distributed.  Thanks to Colleen and Paul Colligan for their leadership; the dozens of volunteers who have cleaned, restored, picked up, and delivered  bikes, Fr. Jack for letting his garage bay be used for storage, and all of you who donated bikes and cash to ensure the ongoing success of this effort. See you again in 2024!

 

Racial Justice and Solidarity Team

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The Racial Justice and Solidarity Team cannot thank you enough for the incredible turnout at the “One Body In Christ” Concert. Your presence, love and support confirmed what we stand for at St Joseph’s University Parish, Diversity.

The Concert itself, consisted mostly of people from around the globe gathered in worship, praise, adore and testify as

One Body in Christ for the Glory of God.

It was an astounding cultural display in music, language, traditional outfit and color from God’s incomprehensible creation of man. That diversity is beautiful is not an understatement. God truthfully has the eyes of beauty.

Thank you Parishioners and Friends for your presence

 

 

 

 

 

The  Gun  Violence  Awareness Committee

Pictures from presentation organized by our Gun Violence Awareness Committee held on May 4 : “The Toll of Gun Violence in WNY” by Dr. Allison Freeman and Dr. William Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding Coercion-Based Trafficking – On January 24th, St. Joe’s welcomed guest speaker, Assistant US Attorney Meghan Tokash, who shared her insights on coercion-based human trafficking.  The presentation explored what might make a person vulnerable to human trafficking and the ways traffickers use various psychological and emotional factors to target and compel victims.  AUSA Tokash also shared tips about what members of the community can do to help in the fight against trafficking, including being conscious of the sources of food in our stores and labor practices in our favorite restaurants.

 

From our Racial Justice and Solidarity Committee
New Lending Library opens!
The community room will now host a cart containing several dozen books, for both children & adults, with the shared theme of racial justice.  Feel free to browse through the offerings & find one to inform and inspire you.  Just fill in the sign out sheet on the cart’s clipboard, listing the name of the borrowed items.  When you return the book(s), input the return date.  If you have any recommendations of other books to be added to the library, or even wish to donate one, just advise the parish Racial Justice Committee.

Prayer Shawl Ministry welcomes new members!  Join us on Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm or Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm as we gather to create prayer shawls & lap robes for those who would benefit from  a warm garment created with love.  We will provide lessons in knitting and crocheting as well as all needed supplies and patterns. All are welcome!