Justpeace Front Page, February 17, 1999

The thrones of the arrogant God overturns and establishes the lowly in their place; the roots of the proud God plucks up, to plant the humble in their place. Sirach 10:14

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Welcome to the Justpeace Front Page. + Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

This week along the way. More like this month. The publication schedule of this webzine has been interdicted a bit by the duties and joys of ordinary life during this period of "Ordinary Time". Now we begin the Lenten season of reconciliation, examination, and fasting. During these Forty Days the lectionary readings and the rites of the Church show forth powerful images and symbols of healing and the journey to peace and wholeness. The catechumens walk down the path with our Lord into darkness and death, rising in the waters of baptism to the joy of new life and conversion. These are mysterious days, but through our proper observance of them, we are called to be more than we have been, to turn away from sin and wickedness, to reject and redeem the structures of sin that bind so many in poverty and despair, to do penance and the works of justice and peace, and to rise from the ashes of the old ways of sin into a new life in Christ. So now we fast in a desert, opening our hearts and minds to a "waitfulness" that flows from our "watchfulness" of Advent and Christmas. "New forms of poverty and the pressing questions which trouble many hearts await a concrete and appropriate response. Those who are lonely, those on the margins of society, the hungry, the victims of violence, those who have no hope must be able to experience, in the Church's loving care, the tenderness of the Heavenly Father who, from the very beginning of the world, has kept every individual in mind in order to fill each one with his blessings." John Paul II, Lenten Message, 1999

Justpeace Lenten Pages

Here's what God says about the poor and justice.

JUSTPEACE PATHWAYS +++

Crossroads. Our weekly featured news, views, connections, networks, links.

Disasters and Emergency Relief. The primary sites are updated daily.

Living on the Earth as if people and other living things mattered. Simple, prudent, and frugal living.

Solidarity, Orthopraxis, Community Development. Reports, news, views, links, resources, from and about them that's doin'.

World Bank/IMF Watch. We keep our eye on these primary global structures of sin.

Spirituality Source of orthopraxis.

Food Security, a fundamental right, a community duty.

From the Holy Father

Justpeace Crossroads TOP

Message of the Holy Father for Lent 1999

Ecclesia in America post-synodal apostolic exhortation of the Holy Father John Paul II.

The European Kairos Document, extensive and detailed consideration of the signs of the times in Europe, analyzed based on the preferential option for the poor. The document is proposed by approval and signature by religious leaders and groups. (40 printed pages)

Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo, in English, online e-text.

Vietnamese Catholic Network, in English and Vietnamese, sponsored by the Vietnamese Catholic National Pastoral Center, Overseas Vietnamese Catholic Mass Media, and Vietnamese Catholic communities in Asia, America, Australia, Europe, and Africa.

Papers of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr from the Stanford archive.

Institute for the Public Good, academic institute considering questions of ownership, poverty, and participation in the economy for poor people.

Vincent's Genius: In our hands, in our hearts, a reflection by John Freund, C.M. regarding the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul and the role of his religious order, the Congregation of the Mission in that charism today.

The poor suffer less from a lack of generosity than from a lack of organization." St. Vincent de Paul

Solidarity, Orthopraxis, Community Development TOP

Orthopraxis refers to practicing what you preach.

Center for Rural Affairs, serving and advocating for America's family farms and rural communities for 25 years.

Institute for Local Self Reliance provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sound economic development strategies.

BOCS Foundation, European, micro finance, migrants, spirituality,, reconciliation, church and peace, ecology.

Jakarta Status and News this site has been featured on the Front Page before, but there is a January 29, 1999 update that gives an updated status report for Indonesia during this time of grave national crisis.

Spirituality TOP

Justpeace Lenten Pages

Daily Scripture Readings, from the website of the United States Catholic Bishops.

Pope John Paul II prayer intentions for February: General Intention: That the weakest among us, especially those suffering from terminal sickness, be safeguarded from the threat of euthanasia and of assisted suicide. Missionary Intention: That the Church in Vietnam have complete religious freedom and the pastors needed to carry out its mission.

Virtual Rosary Online!

Food Security TOP

Community Food Security Coalition, information, action, networking.

Community Alliance with Family Farmers public policy, sustainable agriculture, community supported agriculture.

To receive a free copy of the Kansas City edition of Better Times, a cookbook and almanac of useful information for poor people, by Justpeace webservant Robert Waldrop, send a large envelope (at least 9" x 12" in size) with $1.43 US postage on it to Better Times Cookbook, 1406 Oakley, Kansas City, MO 64127. (International airmail is generally about US$5.00, international surface mail is generally about $1.63.)

For the sake of profit many sin, and the struggle for wealth blinds the eyes. Sirach 27:1

World Bank/IMF Watch TOP Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31

Third World Debt index at the Theology Library.

He who oppresses the poor blasphemes his Maker. Proverbs 14:31a

Disasters and Emergency Relief TOP

They ask their mothers, "Where is the cereal?" -- in vain, as they faint away like the wounded in the streets of the city, and breathe their last in their mothers' arms. Lamentations 2:12

ReliefWeb from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Complex Emergencies, information about on-going emergencies and various countries of concern to the humanitarian community. There isn't very much good news here. ReliefNet Home Page non-profit helping humanitarian organizations raise global awareness and encourage support for relief efforts via the Internet. AlertNet, a news and communications service from the Reuter Foundation for the emergency relief community, has press releases from leading relief agencies, expert analyses, reviews of key issues and events, jobs noticeboard. Has a focus page on Kosovo. Direct from the Field, reports from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the world's largest humanitarian network. DisasterRelief.Org, worldwide disaster aid and information via the internet. Some very sad and tragic stories here.

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the Justpeace Bookstore

Subjects include justice and peace, simple and frugal and prudent living, community, and spirituality. Proceeds from commissions help keep this ministry on the web +++

TOP Happy are those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked. Psalm 1:1a

+++ Living on the Earth as if People and Other Living Things Mattered Department+++ Surfin' Strawbale Links List, aptly described as "The List" to pursue straw bale building. Jade Mountain, a for profit business distributing alternative energy products, their website is a phenomenal place to learn the practical basics of getting yourself unhooked from the corporate electrical grid. Sun Electric Company (Sunelco), another commercial site that is a one stop education on alternative power. A Homemade Portable Solar Panel Generator an excellent page that explains how its author built a homemade portable solar power system, lots of excellent links, completely explains each step. The Last Straw, a quarterly journal of straw bale construction and natural building. Sustainable Building Sourcebook, from a to z, access and information. Lighthook's strawbale house page. Information and links. The Brick Oven Page, from the Masonry Heater Association, domestic, commercial, sourdough, Adobe Bakeoven. Nicaraguan Outdoor Masonry ovens. Ovencrafters, some basics and instructions for baking in masonry ovens. Village Bakery on the Web recipes, sourdough, questions and answers. Soyfoods.com access to information about and recipes using soybeans. Searchable Online Archive of Recipes thousands and thousands. The Vegetarian Kitchen, basics, staples, recipes, techniques, the Vegetarian Pantry.

Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty; poverty and want in the day of wealth. Sirach 18:25

From the Holy Father. . . TOP

Economic or political power should never be used to protect the interests of one group to the detriment of the others. The whole of society ought to be one with all people and in the first place with the poor. Justice for the poor is a Christian option; it is also the option of a society that is concerned with the true common good. Those who exercise power must do so as a service of social justice. Power must be at the service of people, especially those who are the neediest. Pope John Paul II, Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 1980

On-going. . . Subscribe to Catholic Information Network Mailing lists: CINJUSTANN, Catholic Justice and Peace Announcements, and CINJUST, Catholic Justice and Peace Discussion, both moderated by Robert Waldrop, Justpeace web servant. Click on the link and follow the instructions to subscribe. Offered through the facilities of the Catholic Information Network. A message archive is available at the CIN site: Catholic Information Network

Iraq Crisis Justpeace Index Page. Send Email to President Clinton

Roots of the Catholic Worker Movement saints and philosophers who influenced Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin page at the site of Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker House in Houston, Texas.

Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice, a Pastoral Reflection on Lay Discipleship for Justice in a New Millennium, from the United States Catholic Bishops. Invites all Catholics to make a justice commitment for the new millennium.

Even to the death fight for truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you. Sirach 4:28

The VIEW from OAKLEY STREET:

Previous Editorial commentaries by Robert Waldrop

The Epiphany View from Oakley Street

Election Day 1998 Special Edition

ALL SAINTS DAY Special Edition

+ A LAMENT Concerning the Foreign Policy of the U.S.A.

+ A LAMENT for the SUMMER of 1998

+ Congress, the Presidency, and the Culture of Death

+ President Clinton Should Resign,

+ Works of Justice and Peace My son, rob not the poor man of his livelihood, force not the eyes of the needy to turn away.

A hungry man grieve not, a needy man anger not; do not exasperate the downtrodden;