In his reflection at the vigil of peace last Saturday Pope Leo spoke of the importance of prayer:

“Prayer teaches us how to act. In prayer,
our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God.”

In further reflection, Cardinal McElroy of Washington, D.C. added “action” to prayer:

“It’s not enough to say we have prayed. We must also act.”

Cornelia died in the Eastertime, and we are now in that sacred time between Easter and Pentecost. Can we make this a time when we pray and act together for the deep gospel values we’ve vowed to live and die for?

“We join those in the church [& world] who press toward
uncompromising acceptance of the gospel.” C 13

No doubt each of us is figuring out for herself how to live in this moment true to all we profess and prize. Can we do that together as the American Province community and be resources and supports for one another, simply doing whatever it is that we are able to do — no more than that?

Let’s call down the Spirit on our heartfelt efforts during this sacred time (April 16-May 27), and count on abundant blessings from Cornelia for whom the “whole world” became her “own dear country.”

Just War Video

The recording of Marcia Sichol's excellent presentation on the just war tradition is now available on Vimeo:

Defend the Southern Poverty Law Center

Dear Friends,

I just signed the petition "Drop lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center and stop politically motivated attacks" and wanted to ask if you could add your name too. This campaign means a lot to me and the more support we can get behind it, the better chance we have of succeeding. You can read more and sign the petition here:

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/splc?share=028c8790-e44c-455d-8db6-8e1f086c5830&source=email&utm_medium=&utm_source=email

Thank you,

France White

Holy Child Center Table

Barbara Bartlett has set up a table outside the HCC dining room where advocacy requests and helps for making calls are available

Keep wilderness and giant sequoias wild

Terri MacKenzie encourages you to keep wilderness and giant sequoias wild

The deceptively-named "Save Our Sequoias Act" (S. 4103) would do immense and unnecessary damage to the wild groves of giant sequoias, including in Wilderness. Giant sequoia groves need high-severity fires, so a bill that villainizes this natural process and intervenes with management will only damage the outlook for future sequoia generations.

We can’t let giant sequoia groves in Wilderness essentially be treated like tree farms!

Please call your two senators at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to oppose the "Save Our Sequoias Act" (S. 4103).

Click here to learn more about this issue.

Join the Global Movement to Phase Out Fossil Fuels

France White passed this along from the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns:

FOLLOW: Get real-time updates and videos from Lisa and Olivia in Santa Marta by following us on Instagram and Facebook.

LEARN: Catholic leaders from the Global South recently released a manifesto calling for a just transition that defends both life and justice. Read the Manifesto here. For more context, explore this Sojourners article or watch the Fossil Fuel Treaty video.

ACT: Sign the Faiths for a Fossil Free Future Multi-Faith Letter as an individual or group.

JOIN: Celebrate Earth Day with us tomorrow, either virtually or in D.C., as we recommit to protecting our shared home alongside faith leaders and activists. RSVP here.

PRAY: Join the a virtual Vigil for a Fossil Fuel Treaty on Friday, April 24 at 2pm ET organized by the Vincentian Family and the Sisters of Charity Federation. You can register here to attend or receive the recording. You are also invited to use this daily prayer guide to reflect individually or in community throughout the conference.

Stop Proposed Cuts to the EPA

President Trump’s latest budget proposal would slash billions from the Environmental Protection Agency, alongside deep cuts to NOAA and FEMA. The plan eliminates major climate and environmental justice programs, weakens pollution enforcement, and reduces the government’s ability to respond to environmental disasters—just as extreme weather and toxic exposure are increasing. CLICK to tell congress: “Reject Trump’s EPA cuts. Protect clean air, safe water, and environmental justice for every community.”

Support the Farm Bill

Jeanne Ronzani emailed Mary Gay Scanlon, our Representative in Congress, urging her to support the Farm Bill.

"The farm bill connects the food on our plates, the farmers and ranchers who produce that food, and the natural resources – our soil, air and water – that make growing food possible."

For more information on the Farm Bill, click here.

Immigration

Congress is considering another reconciliation bill to give DHS an additional $85.5 billion. Between the two years’ reconciliation bills, this would leave ICE and CBP (Customs & Border Patrol) with more than 10 and 5 times their annual budgets, respectively, and they could choose to spend these amounts in mere months on buildings, equipment, personnel, and the border wall. There are no comprehensive accounting or reporting requirements, so these funds cannot be tracked or audited. The Mercy Justice Team asks us to urge Congress to reject any proposal that gives even one more dollar to ICE or CBP. CLICK HERE.

Submitted by Mary Ann Buckley

5 Calls App

Peg Doyle recommends the '5 calls' App. Click here for more information and directions for using the app.

The US Capitol switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. You can ask for any member of Congress and you will be connected with that person's office.

USCCB: Press for Peace

Urge your member of Congress to call for peace with Iran, avoid further escalation of war – “The conflict between the US and Iran has entered its second month. Even though both sides have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, the threat of increased military action and humanitarian disaster remains.” https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/

Action taken by: MA Buckley, D Fisher

Advocacy

Your voice is needed now! The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote soon on the Farm Bill Act of 2026. For decades, the Farm Bill has supported key international food security programs that save lives in times of crisis and invest in long-term solutions that help families and communities thrive. CLICK HERE to email your representative today and tell them that you want them to prioritize international hunger-reducing programs in the Farm Bill.

Symposium on Anti-Human Trafficking

Symposium on Anti-Human Trafficking - on Sporting & Other Large Events at Villanova University, in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Dawn's Place.

Date: April 29, 2026; 5:00-6:30 PM

Location: Connelly Cinema, Villanova

https://alliancetoendhumantrafficking.org/events/

A viewing livestream link is available.

Please contact waed@alliancetoendhumantrafficking.org

Corporate Stand

On May 1st, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia will have an event to announce a corporate stand in solidarity with Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers on Friday May 1st (Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker) - if you would like to join us at the Motherhouse or at City Hall, you are welcome - register here for: 9:30 AM promulgation prayer witness (45 minutes) at Motherhouse chapel, Chestnut Hill; 2:30 promulgation prayer witness (45 minutes) outside Philadelphia City Hall (not available by live-stream)

May Day Strong 2026

Actions are planned throughout the country on May 1, including one at Ardmore and Lancaster Avenues in Bryn Mawr at 12 pm. There are non-violent actions in hundreds of cities, to honor the workers who won the eight-hour day—and to carry that legacy forward... For more information Google "May Day Strong 2026." https://maydaystrong.org/

Meg Odeh and Peggy Doherty attended the event in Ardmore.

Conversation: 'Just War'

The conversation with Marcia Sichol about what is a “just war” – the focus of her doctoral dissertation and her book, The Making of a Nuclear Peace: The Task of Today's Just War Theorists, was held via Zoom Friday,  May 1, 2026.