March 22, 2019

This is a limited compilation of CURRENT opportunities for action. Additional suggestions are welcomed at:

marynpaul@comcast.net we will make every effort to share them as quickly as possible. NOTE: View “Walk the Talk” previous issues at: http://www.stgilesparish.org/peace-and-justice/

It’s not too late to join NETWORK’s 2019 Lenten dialog “Recommit to Racial Justice”. https://networklobby.org/lent/

“We live in a society built on hundreds of years of oppressing People of Color in the United States. We are at a critical time for white people to do the work of racial justice, educating themselves and finding ways to act in

solidarity with People of Color. It is crucial that we confront our history and the ways racism continues today, including in our federal policies…For white participants, this Lenten resource will deepen your understanding of how race functions in our society and illuminate the extent of white supremacy in our political and economic

structures.”

GUN VIOLENCE - LOCAL

ST. EDMUND CHURCH (Oak Park) Monthly Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence – SATURDAY,

March 30th, 6:30 – 7:00 PM “The last Saturday of each month, please join us on the rectory lawn from 6:30 to 7pm for our monthly

Prayer Vigil to End Gun Violence.”

- STATE OF ILLINOIS (File WITNESS SLIPS! *) 1) HB1490 – PROPONENT: Would require a signed statement from someone who is holding onto the firearms of someone whose FOID card has been revoked or suspended. (Addresses systemic gaps highlighted by the Aurora and Waffle House shootings.) http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/115915…

2) HB2254 – PROPONENT: Would strengthen requirements for safe storage of firearms http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/118046…

3) HB3553 – PROPONENT: Would prohibit municipalities from restricting enforcement of state firearms laws (i.e., so-called “gun sanctuary counties”) http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/120227…

*How to complete a Witness Slip · Click on the link provided for filing a witness slip for a particular bill. · Under Section I - IDENTIFICATION, fill in your identification information (under business you can enter "N/A" or "self", also give yourself a title.) · Under Section II - REPRESENTATION, write "self." · In Section III - POSITION,

o When there are amendments – this may work - -Click on Add Position twice. This reveals three drop-down boxes – for the bill and its amendments.

o Select "Proponent" or “Opponent” depending on the position taken. · In Section IV - TESTIMONY, select "Record of Appearance Only. · Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement · Submit by clicking on Create (Slip)

https://everytown.org/ On March 26, the Senate Judiciary Committee is

holding a hearing on Red Flag laws, and this is our chance to let our lawmakers know we

support this legislation. Take a short moment to send an important message to your

senators, urging them to support a Red Flag law — a proven, life-saving gun safety

measure. “A Red Flag law empowers family members and law enforcement officers to petition a court

to temporarily restrict a person's access to guns when they pose a risk of using them to harm

themselves or others.”

ENVIRONMENT World Water Day 2019: Leaving No One Behind: “March 22nd is the annual observance of

World Water Day. This year's theme is "No One Left Behind." But according to a report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, nearly a billion people today live without access to clean drinking water.” (Voice of America) Send a message to your state legislators asking them to support funding and job training for upgrades to our clean water infrastructure.

EARTH DAY Beach Clean Up: Saturday, April 27, 12 p.m.-3 p.m., Montrose Beach, 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive: “The Chicago Group has been cleaning the city’s largest beach twice annually for 20 years…Equipment, snacks, and water will be provided. We also plan

to offer nature tours into Montrose Point throughout the afternoon.” https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7010Z000001qmolQAA&mapLinkHref=https://maps.google.com/maps&daddr=Earth%20Day%20Celebration:%20Montrose%20Beach%20Cleanup@41

.965417,-87.63756

SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES! http://fpdcc.com/about/jobs/

9AM, May 4th – LINCOLN PARK Why 6K? “It's the average distance women and children in the developing world walk for water. When you walk or run

World Vision's Global 6K for Water, you provide life-changing clean water to one person in need through your registration fee — how cool is that?”

https://www.teamworldvision.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=register.start&eventID=1130

…and more…

(From Vicariate IV Peace & Justice) Thursday, March 28th - FOOD JUSTICE & CRITICAL RACE THEORY register at: tinyurl.com/yyfcbu93

Spread the word! OPALGA Annual Scholarship: (Application deadline is APRIL 1st)

“OPALGA's Scholarship Committee is delighted to announce the availability of application materials for this year's competition. You can find the application

either by going to the OPALGA website home page or by clicking directly on the pdf below: www.opalga.org or: https://opalga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/scholarshipapp2019-form.pdf Students who may apply include those who themselves are LGBTQ+, those who have proven themselves

to be supportive allies of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who are children of LGBTQ+ parents.” The OPALGA Scholarship provides financial support for continuing education of local LGBTQ students. Scholarships are $3000, paid directly to the college or program our scholarship winners plan to attend. This money can pay tuition, room & board, books, or other related expenses.

SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, April 12, 3:30-5:00 PM – OPRF High School (South Cafeteria) “A Place for All” (gay-straight alliance) annual “Loud and Proud” carnival. Live music, raffles, refreshments,

munchies…all are welcome!

https://www.unitedworkingfamilies.org/ “United Working Families is an Illinois-based, independent political organization by and for the many, not the few. Our members…represent over 100,000 people across Illinois.”

Rent Control. UWF is a proud member of the Lift The Ban coalition, which is advancing two bills in the Illinois general assembly. One would lift the statewide ban on rent control and the other would make rent control the law of the land. With more and more working people priced out of housing, we need #RentControlNow. Click here to tell your lawmakers you support bringing rent control to Illinois.

Safe Nurse to Patient Ratios. UWF affiliate Illinois Nurses Association is fighting for the Safe Patient Limits Act, which will ensure that acute care nurses have a workload that they can safely care

for and deter hospitals from providing their staff with unsafe patient ratios. Click here to tell your lawmaker you support the Safe Patient Limits Act.

The Workers Center for Racial Justice (WCRJ) and the Center for Racial and Gender Equity (CRGE) are pleased to announce the launch of the Racial Justice Online Action Center. This interactive legislative website offers users critical analysis on key racial justice policies and accessible opportunities to promote equity in our communities.

Check out the Racial Justice Online Action Center and help us spread the word.

The online guide analyzes the racial impact of more than twenty critical bills currently pending in the Illinois General Assembly. Our legislative agenda includes policies pertaining to criminal justice reform, re-entry, police accountability, workers’ rights, economic justice and direct democracy. Each bill summary is accompanied by a quick one-click action that allows constituents to urge elected officials to either support or oppose significant legislation via a pre-written email or tweet…Your voice is crucial to advancing the fight for racial equity, opportunity and justice. Advocate for the change you want to see in your city, state and beyond by demanding policy action of your elected officials now. (from Fr. Larry Dowling, Pastor, St. Agatha’s Parish, Chicago.)

IMMIGRATION

Name Country Prayer Request from Kankakee

Ramone Mexico

Please pray that I am released soon and can return to church and change

my life to understand the Word of God.

Adolfo Mexico

I pray for my family, -my sister, children, mother, and especially my

lawyer.

Salvador

El

Salvador

Please pray for my return to my country. Pray for my family, my wife & 2

children.

Abraham Mexico

Please pray for the health of my parents & siblings. My mother needs

prayers for her surgery. Pray that I change & renew my life.

Adan Mexico Please pray for my lawyer, my little children, and for peace in my family.

Jonathan

Pray that soon he can get his answer about release. Please pray for his

finance & family that they can be safe & well.

Julio Mexico

Please pray that he can arrive safely in Mexico, and pray for his wife,

daughter & parents.

Gilberto Mexico Please pray he can be deported soon, and pray for his parents & siblings.

Carlos

El

Salvador Please pray that his appeal turns out for his staying in U.S.

Jorge

El

Salvador

Please pray for other detainees both here and in other prisons. Pray for the

judges and the ICDI volunteers too.

Fraylan Mexico Please pray for the children, seniors and the homeless of the world.

Jose Mexico Pray for help in the court system for a successful court case.

Ceasar Mexico

Please pray that his court process moves quickly. He has an autistic

daughter and another child with disabilities.

Kevin

El

Salvador

Pray in thanks for the prayers coming his way, his health & peace, for his

family, & people from ICDI.

Juan Mexico Please pray for all the men & women in this system, and for their families.

Minor Costa Rica

Please pray for better & more human laws. There are a lot of suffering

people in the world and they need to be helped.

Juan Mexico

Please pray for his wife & mom who are paying the lawyer & supporting

him.

Adalberto Mexico

Please pray for his mom who has diabetes - she just had her leg amputated.

Pray for his daughter who is alone with her, and has trouble with her dad

being gone.

Jose Mexico

Please pray for his son, his mom, & himself to be strong. Pray for him (a

widow since Nov.) to learn to be both a mom & dad.

Also, please kindly pray for all those who were recently deported.

Salvador R

Francisco

R

Epigmenio

U Hector S

Humberto

C Manuel G

Eduardo C Jorge F

Melvin F Alma S

The Community of Congregations invites you to

A Neighborhood Gathering

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Dinner: 6:30 pm - Program: 7:15 pm

Location: Dominican University Priory Campus Auditorium

7200 W. Division Street River Forest, Illinois

Please RSVP to oprfcoc@gmail.com

A $15 donation to cover the cost of the meal is suggested

Welcome spring with neighbors, friends old and new, people of

faith committed to building unity in our community. We’ll hear compelling stories of neighbors meeting across difference to

share the histories that have made us who we are and the hope for creating a new future together.

We will gather over a simple, but hearty meal and be invited

into conversation with one another. Religious leaders from Oak Park and Chicago’s West Side will be our hosts and guides.