SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY

If you want to make a difference and like being part of a team, here’s a chance to work on issues that tug at your heart with people of a similar passion. We come together to create awareness of social justice concerns and take action on issues in our local and wider community. We recognize the complexity of the call to compassion in our world and respond with prayer, education, advocacy and action. We go forth from liturgy to offer our time and God-given gifts in repairing the world. Here’s a chance to make a difference. The Social Justice Committee works to identify and promote awareness of issues that build the common good in accordance with the principles of Catholic social teaching. Primary to our work is the principle that all life is sacred. We work to advocate public policies that support life at all stages. Anyone interested in working for the common good and encouraging informed participation in the political process is invited to join us. For more information please call Fr. Jim Himmelsbach at 612-824-9993 ext. 228.

Links to Resources and Action
Below are some on line resources for justice and peace:

• Office of Social Justice – Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
• Minnesota Catholic Conference
• Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
• US Catholic Conference of Bishops
• Center of Concern – Washington DC
• Pax Christi International
• Every Church A Peace Church

Each site has links to advocacy on critical issues. Choose one this week and make a difference in our world. Resources are also available on the bulletin board on the lower-level of church.

Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. It is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity. Catholic Social Teaching is built on a commitment to the poor and vulnerable. It calls us all to reach out and to build relationships of compassion and justice. It calls us all to defend the dignity of life and build the common good. Below are the key themes that lie at the heart of our Catholic social tradition (from the Minnesota Conference of Catholic Bishops).

• Life and Dignity of the Human Person
• Call to Family, Community, Participation
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Care for God’s Creation

Mission Honduras (Contact Barbara Marquardt, 612-861-6887)
Chimbote Peru (Pook Grathwohl, 612-824-0734)
Russia (Yelena and Rick Hardcopf, 612-928-3740)