Solidarity Calendar – Share Lent 2021

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Tomorrow is International Women's Day. Around the globe, women play an integral and essential part in improving the living conditions of their families and communities. Yet, women remain marginalized and disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, conflict and poverty and their vulnerability has been increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, you are invited to think about an inspiring woman leader and to pray that we “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls,” the fifth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals elaborated by the United Nations in 2015.
Saturday, March 6, 2021

A story from Brazil
Last year’s Share Lent campaign allowed Development and Peace to continue supporting its partners’ work with Indigenous communities in Brazil. One of these partners is the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), whose coordinator, Sr. Jean Bellini, said “We thank you for your contributions, because in addition to concrete help, which makes a difference, the solidarity of the Canadian people with the rural people of Brazil encourages us to continue to overcome the challenges that we face.”
Watch a full interview with her here.
Photograph by Gabriela Portilho for The New Yorker
Looking for Fabio’s story? We know we advertised it for today in our printable calendar, but online, we switched Fabio’s testimony with Sr. Jean Bellini’s. So Fabio will be featured on March 30. Come back then!
Friday, March 5, 2021

Your supporters would love to receive emails and/or social media updates about your Spreading Solidarity journey. Keep up your momentum and inspire more donations by sharing photos of your Lenten journey and thanking your community each week. If you don't have a Spreading Solidarity page yet, it's a great time to create one!
Thursday, March 4, 2021

In countries like Brazil and Colombia, Development and Peace’s partners amplify the voices of Indigenous communities whose rights are threatened by powerful economic or political interests.
In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis declares, “Intolerance and lack of respect for indigenous popular cultures is a form of violence.” He cautions that, “No authentic, profound and enduring change is possible unless it starts from the different cultures” of the world. Take a moment today to pray for Indigenous peoples and for cultural reconciliation around the world.
Pictured: Ildair Periera dos Santos, coordinator of the Mura Indigenous Council, Brazil
Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Participation is one of the ten principles of Catholic Social Teaching. In the context of international development, it is echoed in the 2005 Paris Declaration for Aid Effectiveness through the key concept of ownership. Ownership ensures that communities “set their own strategies for poverty reduction” and “exercise effective leadership over development policies” (OECD, 2005). Why do you think participation is important in the context of community development? Discuss this issue with your friends and family.
Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Wondering how to tell others about the Share Love, Share Lent campaign? In our campaign guide, you'll find a short text to help you do just that! The guide also has liturgical resources and everything else you need to make Share Lent a success in your parish community!
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Meet our partners activity!
At 7 p.m. tonight, join Emily Lukasik, animator for Central Ontario; Mary Durran, international programs officer; and Jose Mario Lopez (pictured here), of the territorial defense team of Development and Peace's partner, Fundación Eric - Radio Progreso. Find out how this people-led partnership in Honduras is having a positive long-term impact on community development and advocacy in the country, which is one of the poorest and most dangerous for human rights defenders in Latin America.
Tuesday, March 2 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time on Zoom.
Missed it? Catch up by viewing the recording here:
Monday, March 1, 2021

Did you know?
In 2019-2020, Development and Peace’s For our Common Home campaign highlighted the importance of the Amazon rainforest for all humanity and the struggle of Indigenous and traditional communities to protect it. Over 65,000 Canadians signed a solidarity letter addressed to the Mura people and the seringueiros of Brazil to thank them for safeguarding our common home and to call for their rights to be respected.