Socializing meets social justice tonight, Wednesday, April 22 at 9:00 p.m., when Canisius alumna Molly Burhans ’14 hosts an Earth Day conversation in the latest Solidarity on Tap series. Hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, this virtual weekly gathering features powerful reflections from members of the network who are engaged in work for justice.
Molly Burhans is the founder and executive director of GoodLands,
which is mobilizing the Catholic Church to leverage its landholdings for
good. To do this, Burhans combines her passion for people and the
planet with her experience in design thinking, business development and
research to address pressing issues from environmental destruction to
mass human migration. The goal, Burhans explains, is to have Catholic
conservation and sustainability operate at the same scale as Catholic
healthcare, aid and education, as the largest, non-governmental network
of its kind globally.
To learn more about Burhans or to register for the (free) Facebook Live event, click here.
Submitted by: Sarah Signorino, director, Mission & Identity
The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT), a neighbor to Canisius at 1221 Main St., is looking for tutors for high school students. Ordinarily, BCAT provides after school art classes to 75 high school students. The students also receive tutoring and other supports they need, which leads to a 95 percent high school graduation rate.
BCAT is closed now but still working with students to help them succeed. The center is seeking help from virtual tutors in a variety of subjects (sciences, math, ELA, social studies and Spanish). Tutoring takes place through Zoom, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Most tutors choose two days per week to work with students. If you are interested in signing up, the commitment runs through June. Canisius students, staff members and faculty are welcome to volunteer.
Questions? Please contact Mary Rockwell, director of the New Buffalo Institute, for more information at mary.rockwell@canisius.edu
Submitted by: Mary Rockwell, PhD, director, New Buffalo Institute
Students in Dr. Fernanda Astiz’ “Foundations of Education” class are engaged in community outreach with primary and elementary students at North Park Community School, Just for Kids, Our Lady of Hope home school program, St. Monica Scholars, and Lafayette Community School.
The Canisius students had established relationships with young people at those schools before the coronavirus forced the move to online learning and they were prevented from continuing their community-based learning and social action project required in the course, which is part of the core curriculum and has a justice attribute designation.
Astiz’ students decided to keep the relationships going by making videos. Some of them produced videos about stress relief and how to stay active and healthy during these times. Others were read-aloud videos for their young students to view at home. Click the YouTube links to watch videos produced by Canisius student Alex Silfies (above) and Renae Fisher (below). Additional videos from Grace DeRoo, Julia Barth and Noel Maciolek will appear in Friday’s edition of The Dome.
Submitted by: M. Fernanda Astiz, PhD, professor, School of Educaiton and Human Services; Mary Rockwell, PhD, director, New Buffalo Institute
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, today, Wednesday, April 22. The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns put together the following resources to pray, study and act for a renewed commitment to integral ecology and a sustainable future for our planet.
Pray
“God of all creation, your goodness and glory shine forth through everything you have made. Through the light of faith, help us to see this world, our common home, not as a resource to dominate and exploit, but as a gift to be cherished by all generations. Prompted by your Spirit, we ask this in the name of Jesus, through whom all creation was made. Amen.” – From Catholic Charities USA
“God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen.” – A Christian prayer in union with creation, Pope Francis, Laudato Si’
• Earth Day Livewill broadcast three days of live programming, beginning on Earth Day, April 22. The first day of programming will celebrate youth and indigenous voices, the second will include actions to push for fossil fuel divestment, and the third will call for political mobilization.
• The Earth Day Network is hosting 24 hours of action on April 22. Every hour, on the hour, they will offer new ways you can take action for climate justice. They are also highlighting the work of faith groups to mobilize for climate justice and offer extensive resources for engagement by faith communities, including Earth Day interfaith worship services.
• The Catholic Climate Covenant is offering a free, one-hour educational online program designed to complement the Earth Day Network’s 50th anniversary theme, “Climate Action,” and help commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Pope’s encyclical letter, Laudato Si’.
Submitted by: Sarah SIgnorino, director, Mission & Identity
