Convention for the Common Good: During the 2008 election season, Catholic groups and other social justice organizations have come together to try to change the national conversation to include a substantive discussion of government for the common good. Catholics and people of faith across the country will gather together for this historic meeting, July 11-13, 2008, at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel in Philadelphia, Pa. Planners hope to chart a new vision for the U.S., one based on a concern for the common good. They hope to affirm a platform that addresses many of the pressing social justice issues of the day- health care, poverty, economic justice, immigration, global warming and promoting a culture of life. For information and registration go to www.commongoodconvention.org/ or call 1-800-266-0866.

Developing Catholic Lesbian/Gay Ministry: This weekend of prayer, presentations, dialogue, and planning is designed to assist those seeking ways to include lesbian/gay people and issues in their home parishes, schools, or other ministerial settings. All interested in learning to develop lesbian/gay ministry programs are invited to participate. Through discussions, presentations, and guided writing exercises, participants will develop ideas into a pastoral plan of realistic ideas and feasible actions to put into practice. Facilitator is Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of new Ways Ministry. August 8-10, 2008. Loretto Spirituality Center, Littleton, Colo. For information and registration go to www.newwaysministry.org/Denver08.html or call New Ways Ministry at 301-277-5674.

Magisterium, Theologians and Folk Like Us: Sex, Sexuality and Developing Catholic Faith: This workshop/retreat for lesbian/gay Catholics, parents, Pastoral Ministers and other interested persons is sponsored by the Catholic Parents Network of New Ways Ministry. Facilitator is Rev. James Halstead, OSA, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. October 3-5, 2008 at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, PA. For information contact New Ways Ministry at 301-277-5674, NewWaysM@verizon.net, or go to www.newwaysministry.org/Aston.html.

A Decade of Seeking Peace: Pursuing Hope, Security and Human Dignity: This 10th International Conference of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation will be held Oct. 24-25, 2008 at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. For information and registration go to www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/509.cfm or call HCEF at 301-951-9400.

Live a Climate-Neutral Lifestyle: “By building clean renewable energy projects, you can reduce the amount of CO2 pollution that goes into the air, and help slow global warming. By reducing CO2 pollution as much as you emit, you can enjoy a Climate Cool ™ lifestyle, certified by the Climate Neutral Network, an independent non-profit certifying organization.

“Your support will help construct Native American-owned and operated wind farms. NativeEnergy is a Native American majority-owned company. You don’t have to switch your utility or make a long term commitment. Just offset an average CO2 footprint or use our online calculator and offset your own. Then be proud that you’re certified Climate Cool. Think of it like planting trees for their CO2 benefits, but better. You’re helping ‘plant’ a new wind farm for a share of its CO2 benefits, and actually reducing our consumption of fossil fuels.”

To read more about how you can make a difference, go to www.nativeenergy.com/coop or call (800) 924-6826.

San Damiano Scholars: Students working toward ordained ministry, religious life, or lay leadership positions in the church are eligible to become San Damiano Scholars at Marian College in Indianapolis, Ind. With generous support from Lilly Endowment, Inc., and others, this Franciscan college provides a unique educational experience to students. San Damiano Scholarships are open to students of any faith tradition.Any student working toward a career in ministry or lay leadership in his or her church may apply. Students of any faith can reap the benefits of learning to live an examined life through the “Rebuild My Church” program at Marian College. To find out more about the program and the remarkable future you can build there, call Marian at 1.800.772.7264 or visit them at www.marian.edu/rmc/.

Through Our Eyes: A Look at Homelessness: Students from Mother of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, paired up with homeless and formerly homeless individuals and interviewed them about their experiences. The students then wrote their own reflections on the project and added artwork and photographs. The students have published their work in a book, Through Our Eyes. It can be purchased through the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Call 513-421-7803, or send $12 to GCCH c/o Through Our Eyes, 117 E. 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

What is Fair Trade? Global Exchange’s Fair Trade Program provides a sustainable model of international trade based on economic justice. We offer people the opportunity to purchase beautiful, high-quality gifts, crafts, jewelry, coffees, and chocolates from producers who were paid a fair price for their work. As an alternative to sweatshop production, our Fair Trade Stores generate income for thousands of artisans and their families in more than 40 countries. Visit our Fair Trade Stores where you will find hundreds of Fair Trade gifts: Crafts; Gift Baskets; Coffee & Chocolate; Books; Video & Audio Cassettes. Visit Online at www.globalexchange.org/store; contact storemaster@globalexchange.org, or call 1-800-497-1994 Ext. 237. You can place orders online, by phone or mail! The Berkeley store is located at 2840 College Ave., 510-548-0370; the San Francisco store is at 4018 24th St., 415-648-8068.

The Education For Justice Web Site: An Exciting New Resource to Promote Catholic Social Teaching: Thousands have used the Center of Concern’s critically acclaimed workbooks, Catholic Social Teaching and Human Rights and Celebrate Jubilee and Justice! The Center’s Education for Justice Web Site continues the tradition of these quality resources, now in an online publication format that ensures timely materials that are updated regularly and always current. Members will have access to weekly postings, hundreds of pages of resources and interactive materials to promote justice and peace, and online dialogue, readings and reflections—the equivalent of several workbooks plus much more. Become a member by going to www.educationforjustice.org.

Responsible Shopper Initiative: There is a web site, www.ResponsibleShopper.org, where consumers can find out where some of the largest consumer product companies stand on labor, environmental, civil and human rights issues. It also allows visitors to send e-mail letters to these companies, letting them know how their practices cause us to patronize or avoid them. The web site is the centerpiece of a much large consumer action campaign, the Responsible Shopper Initiative.

Recycle, Reuse, Renew Hope for Nicaraguan Kids! Join the Quest for Peace’s 18th Clean Your Desk Campaign (CYDC). We collect used, but still usable and new school supplies, sports equipment, musical instruments and backpacks for Nicaraguan students who have none. A family earning $250 a year can’t afford supplies for several children. Parents must come up with additional salary, desks, materials, school repairs, water and electric bills and cleaning materials for their “public” schools.

Visit the Quest web page at www.quixote.org/quest for more information

Computer Cartridge Recycling Program: You can support Marian College in Indianapolis, Ind., a liberal arts college sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Ind., and help the environment by recycling your empty laser and inkjet cartridges found in computer printers, fax machines, and desktop copiers. Funding Factory is the recycler and Marian College receives points for your donations that they can use for educational technology purposes.

There is no cost to you. Funding Factory provides free collection kits and prepaid return shipping via UPS. The program also allows participants to recycle old cell phones, which can be placed in the toner recycling boxes as well. For information contact Janet Van Lone Trieschman at 317-955-6328 or janet@marian.edu or go to www.fundingfactory.com. To register call 888-883-8237.

Recycle Old Cell Phones: Last year Americans set aside 40 million cellular phones. Mobile phones contain lead, mercury and other toxic chemicals that can contaminate ground water and soil. Collective Good of Atlanta, Ga., is a company that refurbishes mobile phones and sells them to people in developing countries for 33-50% less than they would cost in the U.S. People can also choose to have them donated to a charity. Contact Collective Good at 770-856-9021 or www.collectivegood.com.

Recycling Computers: If computers aren’t recycled, the harmful chemicals they contain – notably lead and mercury - usually end up in landfills along with the plastic and metal. Through the IBM Recycling service, PC’s, including system units, monitors, printers and optional attachments can be shipped to IBM for refurbishing or recycling. Refurbished units will be donated to Gifts in Kind International (GIKI), and the donor will receive a receipt for a potential federal tax deduction. Donors pay a fee of $29.99 for the recycling which includes shipping. To learn more go to www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/products/pcrservice.shtml or call 1-888-SHOP-IBM (746-7426).

Web Site Links Donors with Non-Profits: This web site, www.ExcessAccess.com, brings together people with unwanted items and non-profit organizations that need those items. Donors pay a $5 annual fee for the right to post as many classified ads as they want. Once a non-profit group claims the item on the web site, they have access to the donor's contact information so they can arrange a pick-up. It's a win-win situation for all involved.