Why We Do What We Do

Social Justice Ministry brings to life our Parish Mission to "serve the local community." We strive to establish and protect justice in our parish and community with efforts toward Service (meet immediate needs, such as providing food or shelter) and Advocacy (create long-term solutions and/or eliminate issues at the source, such as affordable housing).

Our activities and ministries are rooted in the seven tenets of Catholic Social Teaching:

• Life and Dignity of the Human Person
  Every human has been created in the image of God, therefore all life is sacred and valued, at all ages and stages, from conception through natural death.
  
• Rights and Responsibilities
  Each person has a right to life and all necessities required to sustain life (food, shelter, education, employment, health care). We are called to respect and secure these rights for each other.
  
• Call to Family, Community, and Participation
  As social beings, we have the right and responsibility to participate in family life and in the greater society, working together toward the common good.
  
• Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers 
  Everyone has the right to work as a means to earn fair, living wages, and as an opportunity to engage with society. The basic rights of workers should be upheld and respected.
  
• Solidarity
  We are members of one large, global family, and our love for each other encourages us to promote peace and justice for all people regardless of our differences, and distances, from each other.
  
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
  The needs of those most in need must come first. This is true not only in our daily routines but also as society establishes policies and laws. All efforts should support the poor rather than further marginalize them.
• Care for God’s Creation
  We are entrusted to be good stewards of Earth and our environment and to make decisions for the good of our planet and future generations.

To read more about Catholic Social Teaching, visit USCCB website