Register Now for the 30th Annual Social Action Summer Institute

This year marks the 30th Annual Social Action Summer Institute (SASI), hosted by the Archdiocese of Chicago and taking place at Saint Xavier University. The five-day national conference will focus on issues of racism, gun violence, and other themes of Catholic Social Teaching.

This year’s event, entitled “Who is my Neighbor? Discipleship in the Year of Mercy” includes speakers from organizations such as The Human Thread and Chicago Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism. Speakers from Catholic higher education include Kathleen Maas Weigert from Loyola University Chicago, and Elisabeth Vasko from Duquesne University.

Taking place July 17-21, “Who is my Neighbor?” will be a conference full of engaging dialogue, prayer, and reflection on what it means to live Catholic Social Teaching in our daily lives.  Register here by July 7! 

 

University of St. Thomas Hosts Talk on Immigration Reform

On Friday, March 18, 2016, The University of St. Thomas (MN) School of Law and the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Public Policy hosted “Hot Topics: Cool Talk – Immigration Reform: Economic and Pastoral Perspectives.” Attendees heard from Dr. Deborah Rho, an assistant professor of economics, who spoke on the economic factors and impacts of immigration in the United States. Additionally, Rev. T. Michael Rock, pastor of Robbinsdale Church of Christ, will share his parish’s experiences in hosting undocumented immigrant families.

The event was part of the University’s Law Journal Spring Symposium, which focuses on Sanctuary Cities and the relationship between government authorities and civil society around immigration policy.  A video of the event is available on their website.

 

Molloy College to Host Cardinal Peter Turkson at “Catholics, Capitalism and Climate” Discussion

Next week, Molloy College of Rockville Centre, NY will host a lively discussion to continue the dialogue on climate.  Entitled “Catholics, Capitalism, and Climate,” the event features  Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, as the keynote speaker. As a principle contributor to Pope Francis’s recent encyclical Laudato Si’, Cardinal Turkson will offer his remarks on the encyclical and its significance.

After the Cardinal’s remarks, Fr. James Martin, SJ, editor at large for America Magazine, will moderate a panel including Meghan J. Clark, Ph.D., R.R. Reno, editor of First Things magazine, and Erin Lothes, Ph.D.

The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. on February 17, 2016 in Molloy College’s Madison Theater. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Molloy website.

How is your college or university continuing to discuss climate change? Let us know! 

St. Thomas Aquinas College Hosts Sustainability Event on Water

On Wednesday, November 4, St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) of Sparkill, NY held an event to discuss sustainability and water.  STAC’s School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, and School of Education joined together to host the event, showing how issues around water relate to several areas of study. As part of the national discussion on sustainability, the event featured four presenters, each sponsored by one of the College’s Schools:

• Dr. John Rosko, associate professor of biology in the School of Arts and Sciences at the College
• Peter Coy, Economics editor of Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, sponsored by the School of Business
• Don Distante, director of planning at United Water (NY), sponsored by the School of Business
• Dr. Matthew Harke, a post-doctoral research scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, sponsored by the School of Education.

The presentations, given by the above speakers respectively, focused on:

• Sparkill Creek and the local water supply
• “Making Water More Liquid”
• “Water Resources: Current Issues and Future Solutions”
• “It’s Not Easy Being Blue-Green”, a study on fresh-water algae

For more information about STAC’s sustainability efforts, visit the College’s Global Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility website.

How does your campus promote water sustainability? Let us know! 

Holy Names University to Host a Talk on ‘Ecological Conversion’

As Catholic Higher Education continues to fervently answer Pope Francis’ call to care for creation, the Sophia Center in Culture and Spirituality at Holy Names University in California will host a speaking event entitled Ecological Conversion on October 9.

The talk will feature Dr. Robert Ludwig, director of the Sophia Center, and Sharon Smith, campaign manager of the Tropical Forest and Climate Initiative Union of Concerned Scientists and author of The Young Activist’s Guide to Building a Green Movement and Changing the World. Ludwig and Smith plan to deliver thought provoking presentations and to encourage a lively discussion on care for creation, Laudato Si’, and the recent Papal Visit to the United States.

DePaul hosts Death Penalty programming

In the week of April 22-29, 2015, Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., activist and author of Dead Man Walking, will once again visit DePaul for a week’s worth of programming inspired by her work against the use of the death penalty in the United States. Departments from around the university will host panel discussions, class activities, and performances on the topic of death penalty abolition and Sister Helen’s novel. Events include conversations with the Catholic Studies department, the College of Law, the Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies department, and the social work department. For more information, click here.

Want more information?  Read more about ACCU member colleges’ work on the issue of the death penalty and see a compiled list of resources.

Thoughts on the Church and Climate Change

Want to catalyze discussion surrounding climate change and the Catholic Church on your campus? Consider showing the clip below, where the executive director of the Catholic Climate Covenant (an organization formed by the CCHD) discusses the Church and its stance on environmental issues.

Sample discussion questions:

• Mr. Misleh spoke about the difference between using the words “environmentally friendly” versus “stewardship of the earth” when discussing the Church’s role in environmental issues. How does language play a role in how Catholics and non-Catholics alike perceive the Church, especially regarding this topic?
• Mr. Misleh emphasized that the Church’s interest in the environment is “not something new.” Where have you seen the Church’s commitment for creation – both throughout history as well as in your own life?
• Mr. Misleh gave examples regarding how climate change affects the most vulnerable among us. What are different implications of this fact?
• What does it mean to you to say that “creation is a gift”?
• Mr. Misleh said that his motivation for his work in raising awareness about climate change is knowing the affects it will have on the lives of his children. What motivates you to make a difference?

Take Action for Immigration Reform!

For those interested in connecting with others on the topic of immigration reform, an online discussion forum is now available on the ACCU website. This will serve as an interactive space for you to share resources, ask questions, and engage in dialogue regarding immigration efforts. Visit the Immigration Reform: Action Plan for Catholic Campuses page and join the forum now to get involved in the conversation.