posted on: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 by: renaebauer
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
I remember a line in the first TV program I ever saw when my
family had purchased a TV in the 1950s. "Water, please."
Today that request might be heard from more than 750 million
persons (11% of the world population) who lack reliable access to
safe drinking water. About 2.5 billion people (about 35% of the
world population) lack adequate sanitation, which is linked to
5,000 deaths of children each day or one every 17
seconds!
Water is a precious resource that we tend to use without much
thought. A person's water consumption -- called "water footprint"
-- includes much more than direct consumption (drinking, cooking,
washing, cleaning, flushing, etc.) Other uses such as the
production of power and irrigation must be counted as well.
 |
|
Food Source
|
Litres of
Water
(4 litres = 1.057 gallon)
|
| 1 hamburger |
2400 |
| 1 glass of milk |
200 |
| 1 egg |
135 |
| 1 apple |
70 |
| 1 slice of bread |
40 |
| 1 potato |
25 |
This year, the Food and Agriculture Organization is focusing on
Water for Food (30-second video). For example, the chart here
shows the number of litres of water it takes to produce common
foods in our American diets.
As more of the world's population adds meat to its daily diet,
more water is drawn from the world's aquifers. In fact, freshwater
withdrawals have tripled over the last 50 years due to population
growth, dietary changes, the production of biofuels, and demands
for energy.
On World Water Day I invite you to reflect on the
precious gift of water and ways that you can provide water to the
thirsty. Chapter 4 of John's gospel reveals Jesus' simple request
of the Samaritan woman, "Please give me a drink." Mathew 25 reminds
us that when we give water to those who thirst we are giving it to
Jesus just as the Samaritan woman did. In return, we receive the
life-giving water that Jesus promised.
posted on: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 by: renaebauer
"Who shall find a valiant woman? Far and from the uttermost
coasts is the price of her." -- Proverbs 31: 10
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
This verse from Sacred Scripture always reminds me of the note I
received from Mother Ambrose when I asked to be received into my
community's novitiate. "It (religious life) is for valiant women
only," she stated. Undaunted by that daring proclamation I entered
the community, and gradually learned why life as a religious IS
only for the valiant.
Over the years I have come to appreciate the verse from Proverbs
in new ways. I think of the virtuous wife and mother that the
author of Proverbs praised. But equally valiant are the countless
women in history who worked for justice and peace. On International
Women's Day (March 8) and during Women's History Month let us
awaken sacred memories and praise God for valiant women in so many
walks of life who have contributed to creating a better world.
- Jane Adams, founder of Hull House
- Eleanor Roosevelt, co-author of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights
- Susan B. Anthony, suffragist
- Dorothy Day, journalist, pacifist, advocate for the poor and
vulnerable
- Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver, and Maya Angelou , poets
- Rachel Carson, environmentalist
- Grandma Moses, rural life artist
The list includes but a few famous and valiant women. Added
could be many others, including women religious in U.S. history.
They founded and staffed health care and educational institutions
that contributed to the development of our country. Their story has
been chronicled in the traveling exhibit, Women &
Spirit. A DVD of the same name captures the essence of the
story and is available for purchase from the Leadership Conference of
Women Religious.
Whose name would you add to a list of valiant women?
posted on: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by: rbauer
by Sr. Sally Ann Brickner
Happy New Year!
In the Church, we begin the new year with the Feast of Mary
Mother of God, also known as the World Day of Prayer for Peace.
Each year Pope Benedict delivers a message for this day. This year
his message focuses on "Educating young people in justice and
peace." Youth are often filled with enthusiasm and idealism, and so
can offer new hope to the world, says our Holy Father. But in order
for this to happen, they need to have a sound education in justice
and peace.
Our Holy Father's message reminded me of the vision of Fr.
Edward Daems and our founding Sisters. Within days of arriving in
Green Bay, Sister Pius was teaching youth their catechism in
preparation for receiving the Sacraments. Thus, our Community's
earliest commission was the education of youth in the three "Rs"
and also in peace and justice.
For over 130 years our Sisters have provided youth with a sound
education. Many Sisters did so directly through their ministry as
teachers or administrators in elementary or high schools or in
religious education programs. Other Sisters served indirectly
through their work as homemakers.
Our Sisters saw their educational ministry as a partnership with
parents who are the primary educators of their children. Hence,
offering faith formation for parents is another way to promote the
education of youth. A good example is the "Early Morning Catechism"
that Holy Spirit Parish in Darboy and Kimberly now provides via the
World Wide Web. Congratulations to you, Sister Elise, and to your
faith formation staff who offer this weekly lesson in faith! You
are helping parents understand and fulfill their responsibility as
primary educators.
In his message for the World Day of Peace, our Holy Father
states that "Peace for all is the fruit of justice for all, and no
one can shirk this essential task of promoting justice, according
to one's particular areas of competence and responsibility." As we
begin the New Year, we might do well to reflect on the ways we
contribute to the sound education of youth, helping them learn to
uphold human dignity, pursue peace, and promote Gospel justice.
posted on: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by: rbauer
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Justice and Peace Coordinator
Have you ever felt upset, even angry, that someone violated or
infringed on one of your "rights"? Perhaps a friend (or foe) told a
lie about you, violating your right to your good name. Or someone
posted something about you on the Internet, affecting your right to
privacy. Maybe a doctor gave a wrong diagnosis resulting in a
life-threatening illness. An uninsured drunken driver crashed into
and totaled your car causing loss of property. These are but a few
examples of violations of human rights.
Persons often take rights for granted, not thinking about them
until they are violated. Sometimes legislators argue that a right
needs to be enshrined in a law, such as the Concealed Carry Law in
Wisconsin that was based on a Constitutional "right to bear
arms."
An important statement about human rights is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This
document was developed after World War II by the countries that
belonged to the United Nations. It was signed on December 10, 1948.
The basic rights and fundamental freedoms named therein are
inherent to human beings, inalienable and equally applicable to
every person. They are considered universal because they exist
across time and space, in every country and culture.
Catholics have special reason to celebrate and promote human
rights not only on December 10 but every day. Why? Because
throughout the centuries, the Catholic Church has taught that all
rights derive from the dignity of each person who is created by God
and whose destiny is union with God. Catholics, together with other
Christians and many religions, recognize that rights do not come
from the State or the United Nations. They come from God alone, and
it is the duty of each person, of organizations, and every
government to uphold individual rights.
- What right is of special importance to you? Why?
- What actions have you taken to preserve that right not only for
yourself but for others?
- When have you experienced a conflict between two rights? What
guided you in your choice of action?
posted on: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by: rbauer
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
As we gathered around our festive tables on Thanksgiving Day, we
probably offered thanks to God for the many blessings we have
received during the past year. One person might have had a
near-death experience and is grateful for the gift of life. Another
might give thanks for having found employment after many months
without work. Someone might have been "under water" with his
mortgage and found a government program that enabled him to
refinance and thus keep his home. Whether our blessings are large
or small, we offer God abundant thanks, ever mindful that God cares
for us at all times and in all places.
Thanksgiving is also a time when we might ponder the growing gap
between those who are rich and those who are poor, those who are
economically secure and those who lack the resources to meet their
basic needs. Brown County's recently released Leading Indicators
for Excellence, or LIFE, study reports that 11% of the population
lives in poverty. The study also finds that more people are
burdened with housing costs, homelessness is increasing, and more
people struggle financially. Imagine what these families experience
as Thanksgiving approaches.
For 25 years, the American Farm Bureau Federation
has tracked the average cost of serving Thanksgiving dinner to ten
persons. This year's cost is 13% higher than last year, in part
because of the increased demand for turkey worldwide.
Thanksgiving is very much a family holiday, a time to share with
loved ones. When food prices rise it becomes especially difficult
for some families to provide a festive, traditional holiday
meal.
Conscious of this, many area churches in Green Bay - and
throughout Northeast Wisconsin - are serving a free holiday dinner.
The Christian Outreach Ecumenical Thanksgiving Ministry, Inc, will
again have a dinner in the Atrium at Lambeau Field. For the fourth
consecutive year, Crossroads Church on Oakland Ave. is sponsoring a
free dinner. Many people, including our local Bishop and some of
our Sisters will assist in serving those who come for the
Thanksgiving meal in the Atrium. Charity, direct service among
those experiencing poverty, is a necessary response to those in
need.
Another dimension of justice calls us to ask why there is more
hunger and homelessness in our community. People may suffer
increased poverty because of unwise personal decisions. But it may
also derive from structural conditions such as higher unemployment,
increased medical costs, escalating costs of child care, etc. It
may also be due to the vanishing social safety net as all levels of
government cut services that have the greatest impact on those who
live below the poverty line.
• What are your thoughts about how to help
reduce the number of people living in poverty?
• What are some of the things you do to help
those who suffer poverty?
I look forward to hearing from you!
posted on: Monday, October 31, 2011 by: rbauer
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Justice and Peace Coordinator
On October 31, 2011, the world marks the birth of its 7
billionth person, according to the United Nations. Though the exact
time and location of the birth will remain unknown, the event
should cause much reflection. What is the child likely to
experience during his or her life?
As the figure to the left shows, the world's population growth
is the highest in developing countries. Population in both China
and India exceeds 1 billion, and their rapidly growing economies
continue to expand the number of consumers.
But consider the disparities in global consumption. About 12
percent of the world's population lives in North America and
Western Europe. But this 12% consumes approximately 60 percent of
global resources. At the same time, more than one billion people
lack reasonable access to safe drinking water. Also, the World Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that over a billion
people live in chronic hunger. Furthermore, the rising price of
food throughout the world will probably increase the number of
those who suffer chronic hunger.
Because the seven
billionth person was most likely born in the developing world, it
is more likely to suffer from chronic hunger and lack access to
potable water. Most likely, s/he will have less access to education
and employment opportunities.
We in the more developed world have great responsibility for
global inequalities. We promote consumption (locally and globally)
as the engine for economic growth. But we have only ONE planet,
which cannot sustain the lifestyles that we have come to expect and
to enjoy.
The Worldwatch Institute offers a sobering message about human
consumption:
Problems in
Paradise
"If the levels of consumption that...the most affluent people
enjoy today were replicated across even half of the roughly 9
billion people projected to be on the planet in 2050, the impact on
our water supply, air quality, forests, climate, biological
diversity, and human health would be severe."
If we desire every person on the planet to live a life of
dignity (as they have a right to do), we who live in affluent
societies need to live more sustainably. We need to consume less so
that the seventh billion child - as well as all those yet to be
born - can have his or her basic needs met.
posted on: Friday, September 16, 2011 by: rbauer
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Justice and Peace Coordinator
Peace! Salaam! Shalom!
In 1982 the United Nations declared that each year all countries
commemorate the International Day of Peace on September 21. It is a
day for a global cease-fire, for respectful dialogue, for
nonviolence, for peace. And if we live in peace for ONE day, we can
hope to extend it beyond 24 hours.
What does peace mean? Is it the absence of violence? Is it inner
serenity? Is it a state of harmony? Is it living in right
relationship with God and others? Peace is this and much more. It
is wholeness and holiness. It is a GIFT that comes from God.
We can choose accept that gift of peace and live nonviolently,
maintain inner serenity, promote harmony, live in right
relationships with others. Second after second, minute after
minute, hour after hour we can choose to be peace.
Make the prayer attributed to St. Francis your daily prayer:
"Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace."
What will you do to live more peacefully on September 21 and
each day after?
For more information, visit the International Day of
Peace website.
posted on: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 by: rbauer
By Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Often seen as the end of summer in the northern hemisphere, this
holiday recognizes the dignity of workers and their rights. It was
established as a federal holiday in 1894 and is usually marked by
parades that include labor unions and other organizations committed
to workers' rights.
Work is a good thing for humans -- a good thing for humanity --
because through work humans transform nature and also achieve
fulfillment as human beings. In a sense, they become "more a human
being". For this reason, it is vital that those who are able to
work have opportunities to do so and that we work toward a policy
of full employment. The high rate of unemployment in our country
and in many countries of the world is a grave scandal and violation
of human dignity.
Work is a valued human activity. But it is not to be valued
above the workers who perform the labor in order to provide for
their basic needs, for their families, and for the whole of
society.
The Catholic Church has always upheld the dignity and rights of
those who work. At the present time "there is a need for ever new
movements of solidarity of the workers and with the workers" (Pope
John Paul II, Laborem exercens). In the state of Wisconsin,
in the USA and throughout the world, workers experience
exploitation through unjust wages, inhumane working conditions, and
denial of the right to organize. This, too, is a scandal that calls
for remedy.
We are called to celebrate the dignity of workers and their work
not only on Labor Day but every day. One way is to be aware of the
service that workers provide. Make it a habit to recognize and
affirm them with your smile and an expression of appreciation.