As Christians, we are called to live the social responsibility related to us through the gospels. The purpose of the Social Justice Ministry is to seek a deeper understanding of current social issues in light of these gospel values and the key themes of Catholic Social Teaching as defined by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

These themes include:

• The life and dignity of the human person.
• Our rights and responsibilities.
• Family and community participation.
• Option for the poor and vulnerable.
• The dignity of work and rights of workers.
• Global solidarity.
• Care for God's creation.

We seek this understanding through prayer, research, and analysis, arriving ultimately on a plan of action. These actions may take various forms:

• To provide education through lectures, panels, debates, films, and study days.
• To provide written information through the bulletin, website, handouts, posters.
• To plan commemorative liturgies or worship services, prayer vigils for peace, or before executions.
• To join appropriate political demonstrations, such as anti-war rallies and marches or boycotting specific businesses.
• To plan letter-writing campaigns, petition drives, or voter registration drives.

In the past, our committee has:

• Adopted a large Vietnamese "Boat" family, found and funded housing, supplied needed items, and taught them English as a second language.
• Joined the Jubilee USA movement against global poverty.
• Participated in the National Religious Campaign against Torture.

Individuals have:

• Traveled to three separate countries to support people in crisis.
• Joined Bread for the World, Bonita House, Network, Pax Christi, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, and the Family Violence Law Center.
• One family joined Maryknoll Missionaries and worked in Bolivia for 4 years.

Currently, our committee receives information from the Social Justice Coordinator of the Diocese and is in touch with neighboring parishes, as well as Pax Christi and Catholic Charities. We meet monthly throughout the school year. Our meetings support an environment that encourages each of us on our individual call to peace, charity, and justice. The time and place of our meetings are listed in the bulletin. All are welcome to join us.

For more information, please call the Rectory office at 510-526-4811 and leave a message for Maureen Wesolowski or Mary Hurd.