Peace and Justice Ministry

Peace & Justice ‘Flocknote’ Email List
We send a monthly parish update with information about our ministry events and activities, as well as occasional social justice action alerts on issues involving our social teaching. Sign up for our flocknote list by emailing a request to: [email protected].

Lent 2025

Totus, Totus, Totus: Catholic Social Teaching in Lent

Join our Peace & Justice Ministry for Lenten programs that invite us to deeper consideration of how fully we live out our call to community. “There is room for everyone. Everyone. In the Church, no one is left out or left over. There is room for everyone. Just the way we are. Everyone. Jesus says this clearly” (Pope Francis). How do we address the challenge to embrace everyone as Jesus does?

Interfaith Dinner

Sunday March 9 (7 PM, Parish Hall)

Lent and Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, overlap in March this year. Sharing a Turkish meal with our Muslim brothers and sisters, we will build community as we learn about one another. Register HERE by 3/2.

Peace & Justice MInistry Planning Meeting (virtual)

6:15 Social and 6:30 PM for our agenda

We will meet briefly by zoom (This is the day before Ash Wednesday) to finalize Lenten program plans. Many hands make light work, and we need you to help host our interfaith dinner, movie nights, and stations of the cross. Contact [email protected] for the zoom link if you are not on our mailing list. .

Film Night - Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story

Thursday March 27 (6:30 PM, Cana)

Watch the Trailer HERE

Learn about the life and legacy of 20th century theologian Howard Thurman. Born & raised in Florida the grandson of slaves, Thurman’s work contributed a spiritual foundation for the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders.

Film Night - Building A Bridge

Thursday April 3 (6:30 PM)

Watch the Trailer HERE

Follow Fr. James Martin on his journey inviting parishes to grow more welcoming to LGBTQ+ community members, challenging Catholics to seek to develop greater understanding of one another by building a community marked by love and mercy.

Ecological Stations of the Cross

Saturday, April 12 (9 AM, at Mead Gardens)

Meet at Mead Gardens to pray the Stations of the Cross with a focus on Care for Creation and how we live in relationship with ‘Our Common Home’. Wear your walking shoes.

Lent 2025: Take Heart

Ignatian Solidarity Network Daily Email Reflections & Podcast Series

Reflections from the Ignatian Solidarity Network offer guidance as we seek to allow our hearts to be made tender to bring mercy into our broken world. Sign up at https://ignatiansolidarity.net/lent-2025/.

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 always welcome new members!

2024-2025 meetings will be Tuesday evenings (1st or 2nd Tuesdays)at 6:30 PM with time for socializing beginning at 6:00 PM. Dates for this year (subject to change) will be: Sep 3, Oct 1, Nov 12, Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 4, APril 1, May 6, and June 10.

For more information & to confirm meeting time/location, please contact [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