CHEERS AND CHALLENGES
These highlights reflect how our justice coordinators view congregational peace and justice activities which promote systemic change. This column is published twice a year.
The unit newsletters carry in-depth articles and reports about substantive peace and justice issues. Happily the publishing of articles and reports across units is occurring more frequently.

Activities
>Multiple letters, telephone calls and e-mails of advocacy and action alerts.
>Education about abolition of the death penalty, Millennium Development Goals, Human Trafficking, Responsible Investments, and Water.
>Events: storytelling retreats, peace prayers, peace retreats, public policy advocacy day.

CHEERS
*Albany has decided on a Common Focus which is Peacemaking/Nonviolence. They are very pleased with the outcome of the Common Focus process.
*All units are involved in educational opportunities to promote the Millennium Development Goals and issues around the evils of Human Trafficking.
*Activities are rooted in faith. The importance of prayer, reflection and contemplation are acknowledged and practiced.
*The use of technology and rapid communication tools are helpful.

CHALLENGES
*Updating web sites.
*Using unit newsletters more strategically.
*Keeping the systemic change process going.
*Networking with a wider number of women religious, organizations and agencies.
*Being focused and intentional, not reacting to the volumes of needs.
*Keeping the focus through the lens of systemic change, Acts of Chapter, and being and acting more as one.

RECOMMENDATIONS/COMMENTS
*To work with the Provincial Leadership Team liaisons and chairpersons of other province committees to coordinate events and keep each other informed.
*To focus.
*To have better collaboration concerning upcoming events and collaboration with women religious and organizations that have justice commissions.
*To determine how to better witness to the issues with the Catholic Church in the coming days.