The Peace and Justice Advocacy Commission was formed with a goal of providing opportunities for our parish to learn, discuss and engage in action on current issues that we face each day. Building equity through action, we seek to do this work through our Faith as Catholics, and with a prayerful focus on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching - a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the changes of modern society.

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If you would like to learn more, become aware and be invited to St. Joseph's Peace and Justice Commission opportunities, simply visit the LINKS section and sign up for our Flocknote, Catholic Social Teaching / St. Joseph - Peace & Justice Commission group.

Watch Your Flocknote for Upcoming Meetings and Events


Together We Are Making a Difference!
 

We Are All Different

Personal Inclusion and Diversity Reflections From Our Parishioners are Shared.
Learn, Reflect, Act, Pray.
See the Articles in the Bulletin | Write an Article to Share.


‘Solidarity is also an authentic moral virtue, not a ‘feeling of vague
compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far.
On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. That is to say for the good of all and of each individual
because we are all really responsible for all.’
St John Paul II, quoted in the Compendium of Catholic Social Teaching, paragraph 193.

The 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching



1 - Dignity of the Human Person
Human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

2 - Family & Community
How we organize our society, in economics and politics, in law and policy -- directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. People have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all.

3 - Rights & Responsibilities
Every Person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities, to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

4 - Option for the Poor
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgement (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

5 - Dignity of Work
The basic rights of workers must be respected, the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property,
and to economic initiative.

6 - Solidarity
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be.
Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace together.

7 - Care for God's Creation
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all God's creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral
and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

Are you Looking to expand your Library and maybe your perceptions too?
Here are some interesting books by both clergy and Lay Catholic Authors:


The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice- A Month of Meditations with Ignatius of Loyola by Patrick Saint-Jean S.J.

Women Engaging the Catholic Social Tradition- Solidarity Toward the Common Good by Erin Brigham.

Everyone Belongs Created by USCCB and Kristin Sorra. This children’s book is for ages 5-12 on the reality of Racism and our Catholic response.

Doing Faith Justice: An Introduction to Catholic Social Thought by Fred Kammer S.J.

Living Justice by Thomas Massaro S.J. This book provides the vocabulary, background, and principles for connecting one’s social justice experiences to Catholic beliefs and Theology.

A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege by Fr. Daniel P. Horan.

We Are All Criminals Exhibit

February 16 - 27, 2023
(Open Around Mass & The Spitfire Grill Performance Times at the Parish Center)


We Are All Criminals is a non-profit organization dedicated to challenging society’s perceptions of what it means to be “criminal.” Through shared stories of those who committed or were accused of committing crimes, those who got away with them, and those who have been directly affected by the criminal justice system, we seek to erase the barriers that separate us. Hosted by the SJCC Peace and Justice Commission; find out more at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkpzNxVUfkM.

SEEN is a prison portrait and poetry project. But more importantly, it’s a Minnesota portrait and poetry project. Through photography, video, and written word, we share the poignant brilliance of poets and prose writers in Minnesota state prisons, and work together to make the invisible visible, the unheard heard, and the unseen seen. In collaboration with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW) and the thoughtful, intelligent, humble, and deeply gifted writers on the inside, WAAC challenges and disrupts mass incarceration by clearing the pathways for people behind bars to have their voices heard, faces seen, and humanity recognized–and for people on the outside to reckon with the inhumanity of our country’s mass incarceration mass disaster.
 

Event: Sunday, September 25, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Parish Center

To celebrate World Day for Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), the St. Joseph Peace & Justice Commission is hosting The Taste of Heritage. Picture a celebration of various food and cultures, tastes and traditions, and music and enjoyment of the wealth of our heritages!
This event will celebrate the vast diversity and cultures in our own SJCC family. We are truly one family united by our baptism and blessed with having been made in God’s image, reflected in our beautiful diversity. 

ALL ARE WELCOME!  Please Sign Up to Plan and/or Sign up to Attend the Event Today!!!

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE!

Planning Meetings: We will review feedback from respondents and plan a wonderful gathering showing our Unity in our Baptism and Jesus Christ as well as the rich diversity of which we are blessed with at St. Joseph Catholic Community. A light meal will be provided.

Attend the Event: Bring a dish, music, traditional clothing, a display or culture representing your heritage to share with other parishioners, or just attend to be immersed with the goodness of the diversity of our faith community!

If you would like to learn more, become aware and be invited to St. Joseph's Peace and Justice Commission opportunities, sign up for our Flocknote, Catholic Social Teaching / St. Joseph - Peace & Justice Commission group.

View the Recording!

The Basilica of St. Mary will host this in-person event and offer a live stream (with registration). SJCC will host an in-person live-stream viewing party at the same time at the Parish Center (no registration necessary).

The SJCC Peace and Justice Commission is proud to host this event as our Catholic community abounds with diversity. Our brothers and sisters represent different races, ethnicities, ages, physical and mental abilities, and socioeconomic classes.

Called by the New Evangelization to be evangelized and go evangelize, this diversity offers great opportunity as we seek to build our Catholic Church. Carrying out the mission of the Church requires us to have intercultural competencies. To join the livestream only, register at: https://www.ccf-mn.org/events/forums.

St. Joseph Catholic Community Peace and Justice Commission
focuses on diversity, acceptance and growth.
We are honored to share with the community
The Forgiveness Project | The F Word Stories of Forgiveness Exhibit and Speaker
to create awareness, hope and the power to heal.
These events are free and open to the public, All Are Welcome.

THE FORGIVENESS PROJECT
provides resources and experiences to help people examine and overcome their
own unresolved grievances. The exhibit's testimonies bear witness to the
resilience of the human spirit and act as a powerful antidote to narratives of hate
and dehumanization, presenting alternatives to cycles of conflict, violence, crime
and injustice.

Find Out More About The Forgiveness Project and Experience the Power of Forgiving!
Visit:  https://www.theforgivenessproject.com