Peace and Justice Ministry

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  • Our Peace & Justice Ministry meets monthly to plan parish opportunities to increase awareness of Catholic Social teaching and take action on current social issues.  New members are always welcome.
  • Upcoming meetings: Tuesdays September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1 (come to one or all).
  • Peace & Justice ‘Flocknotes’: Receive updates once or twice monthly with information about ministry activities, resources on Catholic Social Teaching and current issues, and related action alerts. Sign up for our flocknote list by emailing: [email protected].
What’s Happening?

Death Penalty 

Immigration

  • Send a letter to Senators Moody & Scott supporting the Florida Bishops’ Letter ‘Support for S. 4814 to Extend Temporary Protected Status and Immigration Reforms’  FLACCB 8/5 Letter HERE
  • Multi-language Rosary for World Day of Migrants & Refugees - National Migration Week (Wednesday September 23rd, 6 PM, Church)
  • The local Faith Leaders Network of the Immigrants are Welcome Here Coalition holds regular Sunday prayer vigils and Monday solidarity events at ICE offices

Season of Creation - September 1 to October 4

World Day of the Poor  

  • Movie Matinee - Cabrini  (Saturday, November 7, 2 PM)

Annual Abolition Observance

  • Cities for Life (Monday, November 30, 6 PM)

Recent Peace and Justice Ministry Programming

 

  • Noah’s Pudding, Interfaith Coffee Hour (6/28)
  • Bread for the World, OFfering of Letters on Hunger Policy (6/6-7)
  • Farmworker Association Tabling after Masses (5/17)
  • Rosary for Peace with Pope Leo’s Reflections (5/8)
  • Unhoused -  dramatic presentation on homelessness ( 4/25)
  • Stations of the Cross for Immigrants (3/30)
  • Ecological Stations of the Cross (Mead Gardens, 3/14)
  • Lenten Film Series:  St. Judy (3/23), In the Executioner’s Shadow (3/9), Leo from Chicago 2/23)
  • Interfaith Ramadan Dinners (with Atlantic Institute, 2/28 and 3/8)
  • Vigils Before Executions (2/9, 4/20, 5/20, 6/1, 7/13, 8/17, 9/1)
  • Guest Speakers Death Penalty Action/ Journey of Hope (2/9)
  • Interfaith Book Discussions (3/5, 6/23, 9/22, 12/13)

 

The mission of the Peace and Justice Ministry is to:

  • Provide educational opportunities for the parish to increase parishioners’ awareness of Catholic social teaching in the context of real-world issues.
  • Research real world peace and justice issues. Identify concerns for possible action by the parish community.
  • Present potential actions or programs to the parish community.
  • Provide structure and opportunity for parishioners to become involved with peace and justice issues.
  • Collaborate with other parish ministries and staff  to coordinate joint offerings and content addressing social issues.

We welcome new members!

Please attend a meeting if you’d like to learn more.  Meetings are typically on the first or second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM with time for socializing beginning at 6:00 PM

Upcoming meetings are scheduled: April 14th, May 5th and June 9th. For more information & to confirm our next meeting time/location, contact Meghan at [email protected].   

7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

As stated by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, “The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of a modern society.” We focus our efforts on the 7 themes found in the papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents that articulate modern Catholic social teaching:

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

Learn more: Catholic Social Teaching - Justice Peace and Human Development | USCCB

Focus Issues

  • Climate change, sustainable lifestyles, and environmental issues
  • Migrants and Refugees
  • Building a Just Society
  • Advocacy and Faithful Citizenship
  • Interfaith Dialogue
  • Death Penalty 
  • Poverty
  • Racism

Typical Offerings

  • Guest speakers
  • Movie nights
  • Prayer services
  • Advocacy opportunities
  • Networking with local agencies addressing social issues
  • Prepare educational/advocacy content about current social issues for parish media

Annual Events

  • Lenten Film Series
  • Social Issues Stations of the Cross & Rosary 
  • Season of Creation (September)
  • Cities for Life (Prayer Vigil for Abolition of the Death Penalty)

Helpful Resources