Sister Helen Prejean is a well known voice for justice.

Coming out of the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph de Madeille— “that all may be one”—she speaks of reconciliation to achieve oneness.

Sister Helen is one of the best-known advocates against the death penalty.  She travels extensively, giving on average 140 lectures a year, seeking to ignite public discourse on the issue.

Her books, Dead Man Walking> (1994) and The Death of Innocents (1997), have reached people around the world and have helped engage millions of people in dialogue about state sponsored executions.

During those times she is not on the road, Sister Helen works at the Death Penalty Discourse Network in New Orleans.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

NYUMBANI was founded by the late Father Angelo D’Agostino, SJ.  NYUMBANI (“home” in Swahili) provides homes and care for thousands of Kenyan families suffering from AIDS.

NYUMBANI has several initiatives:

• NYUMBANI CHILDREN’S HOME cares for children until a definitive assessment of their HIV status can be made.
• LEA TOTO (Swahili for “to raise a child”) is a community based outreach program that provides services to HIV+ children and their families.
• VILLAGE is a self-sustaining community that serves orphans and elders left behind by the “lost generation” of the AIDS pandemic.

To learn more about Nyumbani visit www.Nyumbani.org

This session will outline the mission and message of Catholic Social Teaching.  It will also explore directions and dangers in acting on the Gospel call to life and charity, justice and peace as believers and citizens.

John Carr serves as Secretary of the Department of Social Development and World Peace of the United States Catholic Bishops’ Conference.  In this role, he assists the bishops in sharing Catholic social teaching, advocating on major issues of justice and peace and building the Catholic community’s capacity to act on its social mission.

Mr. Carr coordinates the Catholic Bishops’ policy development and advocacy efforts on a wide range of national and global issues, including poverty, hunger and health care; human rights and religious freedom; debt, development and trade; and war and peace.  He has assisted the U.S. Bishops develop a number of significant statements:  Communities of Salt and Light, Sharing Catholic Teaching, Called to Global Solidarity, Everyday Christianity and Faithful Citizenship.

Mr. Carr writes frequently on Catholic Social Teaching and the moral dimension of public issues.  He speaks regularly on the social mission and message of the Catholic Church and the demands of faith in public life.  He has represented the U.S. Bishops’ Conference at the Vatican and in the Middle East, Central America, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia and Russia.

Outside the Church, Mr. Carr has served as Executive Director of the White House Conference on Family and as Director of the National Committee for Full Employment.  He currently serves on the board of Bread for the World, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, the Catholic Health Association and the Law School of the University of St. Thomas. He is a regular presenter at Preaching the Just Word retreats offered to priests around the country.

John is a graduate of St. John Vianney Seminary and the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.  He has received honors from Crosier Seminary, Barry University, the University of St. Thomas, the Roundtable of Social Action Directors, the Archdiocese of Washington and the Center for Community Change.  He recently received the “Vision Award” from Catholic Charities USA. He also was given the Msgr. John Egan Award by the National Pastoral Life Center and was named a “Hunger Hero” by Bread for the World.

John and his wife, Linda, have four children.

John coordinates the Catholic Bishops’ policy development and advocacy efforts.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

A commitment to justice begins with an ongoing personal conversion.  In the words of a recent General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, that conversion is about "finding Jesus Christ in the brokenness of our world, living in solidarity with the poor and outcast, so that we can take up their cause under the standard of the Cross."  The poor and marginalized -- our "friends in the Lord" -- have something to teach us about faith.  In this talk, Ms. Robinson will discuss her own journey of faith, reflected in concrete works of justice on behalf of the poor.  In her personal narrative, she will also describe how Ignatian spirituality and collaboration with Jesuits and committed lay partners around the world have enriched her faith.

Ms. Robinson served as the National Director of Social and International Ministries and the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA at the U.S. Jesuit Conference, a position she held for ten years.  Ms. Robinson has held positions at Citigroup, the Washington Legal Foundation and Network: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby.  She currently serves on the Board of the Jesuit Refugee Services/USA.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

John R. Donahue, S.J. is a Research Professor in the Department of Theology at Loyola College of Maryland.

He has written and taught extensively on issues of the Bible and social justice, beginning with “Biblical Perspectives on Justice,” in The Faith that does Justice (1977), and more recently “The Bible and Catholic Social Teaching:  Will This Engagement Lead to Marriage?” in Kenneth Himes, ed. Modern Catholic Social Teaching: Commentaries and Interpretation (2005).  He served as a consultant to the U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, “Economic Justice For All” (1986).

Fr. Donahue has lectured widely at scripture workshops in the United States, Canada, South Africa, and at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila and has participated in “Preaching the Just Word” retreats since 1989.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

Fr. Brackley will discuss the appearance and idea of migration from the perspective of countries of origin, like El Salvador, where he has spent many years as a Jesuit priest and professor.

His presentation will explore the reasons why people migrate to the United States and other developed countries, while offering some reflections on the migration explosion in the light of Christian faith.

Fr. Dean Brackley, S.J., is professor of theology and ethics at the Universidad Centroamericana, El Salvador.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

Ms. Smith will present her most recent Release, Come Walk in My Shoes, a 56-minute educational film that had its world premiere at the Athens International Film and Video Festival on May 3, 2007.

Come Walk in My Shoes is a documentary film that casts light on the experiences of ordinary men and women at the forefront of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

Smith is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker with 30 years of experience.  In 1990, Ms. Smith founded Video/Action as a nonprofit organization to collaborate with educators, activists, innovative program leaders, and cultural institutions on the production of high quality educational videos and advocacy media tools.  She has developed a unique niche by working with community organizations and artists with no prior experience in video production.  Many of the productions include substantial apprenticeships, study guides and discussion groups.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

Miles Friedman, as consultant on economic development and author of Your Father Has Alzheimer's:  A Guide for Baby Boomers in Dealing with Our Aging Parents, will relate his experiences related to serious illness.  When a loved one is diagnosed with a critical or terminal condition, how do you cope?  How do you actively seek a positive outlook?  How, as caregivers, can you prioritize your own health so that you are able to help your loved one to the best of your ability?  What are the most effective approaches to ensuring the best possible quality of life for the patient?

Father Samway is author of the new book, Educating Darfur Refugees, and Professor of English at St. Joseph’s University in. Philadelphia.  Sponsored by the Maryland Province Jesuits.

–– This lecture is part of: The Provincial's Lecture Series ––

Ms. DeConcini, parishioner, has dedicated 20 years to representing, working with, and advocating on behalf of immigrants and refugees.  This includes four years as Director of Advocacy for the Catholic Legal Information Network, where she engaged in advocacy on behalf of the Church's immigration policies, and the Catholic social teachings at their core.  This will be an extraordinary opportunity to explore the major issues, possible solutions, political implications, and role of the Church as regards one of the most important social and legal issues of our day.

Brian McDermott, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is the rector of the 26-member Jesuit Community at Loyola College in Maryland.  He is a research professor in Theology and an Affiliate Professor in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola.  His teaching and writing interests are in the areas of Christology, theological anthropology, Ignatian spirituality, and authority and leadership.  He has published numerous articles, as well as two books, “What are They Saying About the Grace of Christ?” and “Word Become Flesh: Dimensions of Christology.”

John Cook has been the leader of L’Arche Greater Washington, DC for twelve years and has had a role in L’Arche since 1986.  'Arche Communities, founded by Jean Vanier in France in 1964, bring together people, some with developmental disabilities and some without, who choose to share their lives by living together in faith-based communities.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

Through his presentation, Rev. Beckmann will look at the biblical roots of justice, and the great poverty and hunger exodus of our time.  He will explore the ways in which God invites us to be part of this exodus through faith-based advocacy efforts.

Beckmann is one of the foremost advocates for policies and programs to reduce poverty in the United States and worldwide.  He has been president of Bread for the World for fifteen years, leading large-scale and successful campaigning to strengthen U.S. political commitment to overcoming hunger and poverty.  Before that he served for fifteen years at the World Bank.

A Lutheran clergyman as well as an economist, Beckmann earned degrees from Yale, Christ Seminary, and the London School of Economics.  He has written many books and articles, including “Transforming the Politics of Hunger” and “Grace at the Table:  Ending Hunger in God’s World.”

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––

It is difficult to sustain ourselves in our good will, energy, and vision in promoting peace and justice.  Where do we find the resources to sustain ourselves for the long haul? Rolheiser offers us a spirituality of doing justice.

Rolheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Immaculate.  He is president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.  For much of his priesthood, he has taught theology and philosophy at Newman Theological College in Edmonton Alberta.  He is an adjunct faculty member at Seattle University.

His recent publications include “Secularity and the Gospel,” “Being Missionary to our Children,” “Forgotten Among the Lilies,” “The Restless Heart,” and “The Holy Longing.”  In addition, Fr. Rolheiser authors a weekly newspaper column which is featured in more than 65 Catholic papers worldwide.

–– This lecture is part of the series, A Year of Prayer:  Living a Faith that Does Justice ––