September 2000 Call to Action News

Getting Around

Elizabeth Johnson views Mary

As an appetizer for theologian Elizabeth Johnson's CTA Conference 2000 keynote, check out her treatment of "Mary of Nazareth: Friend of God and Prophet," in America magazine June 17. Johnson's theology of Mary for the 21st century sees her, not as the maternal face of God, and not as the Ideal Feminine, but as a poor Jewish Village Woman of Faith. "It is precisely as a poor woman, one of those on the underside of history, that Mary had faith," Johnson says.

Peace Train rolls to D.C.

Over 70 people aged 9 to 91 set off June 30 on a specially chartered "peace train" from Chicago to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Summer of Nonviolence. The Loretto Peace Express, organized by the Loretto sisters, had already picked up passengers from El Paso, Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Many were students from Loretto high schools. On the program in Washington were actor Martin Sheen, Jesuit Fr. Daniel Berrigan, Dr. Helen Caldicott, and Jonathan Schell.

Were you at Detroit in '76?

CTA national conferences in 2001 will observe the 25th anniversary of the original U.S. Bishops' Call To Action conference in Detroit. Were you there? Want to help us evoke the memories? If so, please contact membership coordinator Mauro Pineda at 773 604-0400, ext. 68.

Kudos for Kentucky

CTA Kentuckiana, a new regional group still in formation around Louisville and southern Indiana, already has at least 40 people signed up for a chartered bus to the Nov. 3-5 CTA Conference 2000 in Milwaukee. Half of them are brand new to CTA. Contact person is Tamar Byczek: 502 584-3622 or TMBhouseruth@aol.com

Is your parish council effective?

If so, the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) would like to help you share that experience with others. Parish councils are essential ways to start sharing authority in parishes and Newman centers. As a first step, send ARCC copies of your parish council's constitution, mission statement, bylaws, etc. Send them (e-mail only) to arcc@supermail.com Or call Ed Donaghy at 916 962-0202