A letter from Darfur

Dear Brenna
Greetings to you!
I would like to thank you for the money ($325) which you sent to us trhough Mr Ezibon. I have received the money and it was immediately used to buy exercises books for children in Comboni Taiba School which is a traning centre for the displaced teenagers boys. We have now 146 boys in that school…They are receiving a basic literacy course…We would like also to give them a Vocational Training in Welding, electricity and Arts if possible…

Our Women Promotion Group is also going well… Now we have a Women Literacy Programm going on with about 150 Women in three different centres within Nyala town. There is also a progamm of in-come generating project… If you could help us to help these women, it will be great!

Thank you very much and best wishes!
Fr. Denima

“Tout est bien qui fini bien!”
P. DENIMA DARAMA EMMANUEL

If you’re interested in making a donation to Fr Denima, contact Brenna Cussen.

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Me and Fr. Denima, who helped start a women’s economic
cooperative at the church. December, 2004.

Nagasaki Day prayer vigil, South Bend

As you are aware, this Sunday, August 6th, is the 61st anniversary of
the bombing of Hiroshima. Wednesday, August 9th, is the anniversary of
the bombing of Nagasaki.

Please join us for a PRAYER VIGIL NEXT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9TH, FROM
8:30-9 PM, to remember the hundreds of thousands of men, women, and
children killed and wounded by these horrible weapons — made and dropped by human beings.

During the time we are gathered, we will read the reflection written
in 1945 by Dorothy Day.

We will take the time also to remember also those in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Israel who have been killed by missiles and airstrikes. And we will pray for peace.

Please join us if you are able. PLEASE WEAR BLACK, or another appropriate dark color, as a sign of mourning and repentence for our actions, and the actions of our fellow men and women, that have contributed to these deaths.

There will be a large banner that reflects the above sentiments. If you wish to bring your own signs, please bear in mind that this is a prayerful witness.

I think this means divestment is working

I think this means divestment is working!

On the divestsudan Yahoo Group, Ben Elberger wrote:

I think we hit a nerve:
[Sudanese press release against divestment]

Emily Gayong Setton wrote:

yes, indeed. actually, i think we have CNN international to thank, because they interviewed this same guy when doing the divestment story a few weeks ago. i hope you guys had a chance to see it, they cut straight from this guy from the sudanese mission saying “what we need is investment not divestment” to joseph stiglitz saying “all of the oil profits are going straight to the military and not to the people.” it was priceless.

Darfur Fast in South Bend–Day 1

The fast in South Bend is also going quite well. There was a wonderful article about it on the front page of the “Local” section on Sunday. So many people read it and now know about the divestment campaign. The local TV station (WSBTV) also gave us 1.5 minutes on the evening news. Amanda Hart was a thorough journalist and she stayed with us to get footage for a full hour.

Continue reading “Darfur Fast in South Bend–Day 1”

Sudan Trial

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. The trial of the “Sudan Seven,” as we have been referred to, was an incredible show of nonviolent witness at its best. I was honored to be a part of such a group. The Holy Spirit no doubt was speaking through the testimonies of witnesses Dr. Eric Reeves, Dr. Mark Lance, Mwiza Munthali, Barbara Wien, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, and each of the seven defendents as they each took the stand to testify to their area of expertise.
Continue reading “Sudan Trial”