A Note from Sister Barbara Battista: August 12, 2024
I have indeed been active in politics. That might surprise you because I am a vowed Sister of Providence.
But think about it – if you know any members of our Providence Community (Associates, staff, volunteers, students, and supporters) you know that we all believe in Love, Mercy, and Justice. As citizens, we have the right to vote.
Voting is how we speak for Justice. The policies proposed by our elected officials have a lasting impact on justice in our society.
Recently I read that “justice is … a concern for justice, peace, and genuine respect for people.” Pope Francis speaks about voting for the common good. This parallels the research cited above. Voting for the common good means that all issues are equally important. And this, too, points to “a duty to others.”
Voting in elections is how we voice our values and show genuine respect for others.
Call to Action
- Check out Voting and Elections
- Check your voter registration status – sometimes people get purged from the voter rolls and don’t know it.
- Make sure you have a voting plan – and then check with your friends and family to help them develop theirs. Go to your voting site before election day. Look around for parking and check the bus schedules.
- Where is your voting location?
- Print out a sample ballot
- Absentee Ballot and Voting by Mail are not the same thing.
Share NETWORK’s Equally Sacred Checklist and engage in conversations with people around you about the issues that matter to you and why it’s important to vote.
Song by Carrie Newcomer
If not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
We may never see this moment
Or place in time again
If not now if not now tell me when
I see sorrow and trouble in this land
I see sorrow and trouble in this land
Although there will be struggle we’ll make the change we can
If not now if not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
We may never see this moment
Or place in time again
If not now if not now tell me when
I may never see the Promised Land
I may never see the Promised Land
And yet we’ll take the journey
And we’ll walk it hand in hand
If not now if not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
We may never see this moment
Or place in time again
If not now if not now tell me when
We’ll work it ‘til it’s done
Every daughter every son
And every soul that ever longed for something better
Something brighter
It will take a change of heart for this to mend
It will take a change of heart for this to mend
But miracles do happen every shining now and then
If not now if not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
If not now tell me when
We may never see this moment
Or place in time again
If not now if not now tell me when
And miracles do happen every shining now and then
If not now if not now tell me when
If not now if not now tell me when
Songwriter: Carrie Newcomer. For non-commercial use only
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Plan for your future!
Leave the things you value to the people and purposes you value most.