Justice and Peace

  

Mission

The Justice and Peace of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community will be a witness of Christ's love and teachings by working for justice for all. The Commission will provide educational opportunities which build understanding of social justice issues and promote community action to eliminate inequities within our society. The commission will support the charitable works undertaken by parish groups.

Members meet monthly to discuss Catholic Social Teaching and its meaning for our parish.

We have a lot of fun, too! Contact Jerry Barney at 777-6433, or jbarney@stjohnwc.org to visit a meeting or join the group.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati offers many opportunities for Peace and Justice action. To find out more connect to the Social Action Collaborative Forum.  Also, for the latest updates from the Archdiocese, please read through the documents listed below.   The most recent documents are at the bottom of the list of file attachments.

 

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10 Principles of Social Justice


10 Principles of Social Justice

The following ten principles highlight major themes
from Catholic Social Teaching documents of the last century.

They are the basis of the St. John's Justice and Peace Commission.

1. Dignity of the Human Person

Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision for society.

 

2. Common Good and Community

The human person is both sacred and social. Human dignity can only be realized and protected in the context of relationships with the wider society. 

 

3. Option for the Poor

The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.    

 

4. Rights and Responsibilities

Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met . 

 

5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity

The state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good.

6. Economic Justice 

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. All workers have a right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, and to safe working conditions.  

 

7. Stewardship of God's Creation

How we treat the environment is a measure of our stewardship, a sign of our respect for the Creator.  

 

8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament

Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. In the words of Pope John Paul II, "Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.”

9. Participation 

All people have a right to participate in the economic, political and cultural life of society. It is a fundamental demand of justice and a requirement for human dignity that all people be assured a minimum level of participation in the community.

 

10. Global Solidarity and Development

We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work globally for justice.

Bookclub

St. John’s Bookclub – Let’s Get on the Same Page!

 

 "THE FAITH CLUB"

Reading the book for our online book club?  Have questions or comments?  Go to our online blogspot and enter a post.  When you get to the blogspot, click on the SIGN IN at the top right of the screen to create an account for yourself.  Happy blogging! 

http://stjohnwcbookclub.blogspot.com/

Also, we will host a meeting on Sunday, March 27th from 12:45-2:15 in the Chapel for those who want to review the book in person.  We hope to see you there!

 

 


Darfur, Sudan

Crisis in Darfur, Sudan  

 
More Information at www.savedarfur.org     
Many think that since they have heard little about Darfur recently that surely things have improved there.  Unfortunately, that is untrue, and unless the Sudanese government accepts UN peacekeeping troops things will get even worse!

This is an especially critical time for the people of Darfur, where three million remain at risk while as many as 500,000 have died since 2003 in what has been called the 21st century’s first genocide.  Currently, aid workers are being killed; the Sudanese government has massed military forces in Darfur while asking neutral African forces to leave. UN peacekeeping forces are now approved, but blocked by Sudan, so deaths will surely skyrocket.  

First: Include the Sudanese people in your daily prayer.  Resources for daily prayer are available at:

http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/admin/SAWP/darfur/index.htm

Second: Learn all that you can about the situation.  Get updated information from www.savedarfur.org

Third:  Write, Fax, or call your elected representatives to express the need for the United States’ strong and persistent pressure to end the violence.  Be sure that your elected officials know that you are aware of a situation that is under-reported, but not unnoticed.  Contact your Representative and Senators is by calling the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and asking for them by name or by your zip code. You can also find them by clicking here and looking them up online.

Fourth: Discuss with your family members the responsibilities of Christ’s followers to work for justice and peace.
 
Do not let it be said, in the years to come, that we once again turned our backs on people in need.  Our children and their children will want to know how we responded.
 
Every St. John's parishioner can be a part of the peace effort.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice"Child of the Universe, behold and seeThe wonder of the earth,      come now and take your placeIn the circle of life, all is one, earth childCelebrate and sing for joy,     you've been invited to the dance"-c. Kathy Sherman, CSJ The US Conference of Catholic Bishops, in Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, wrote: "As people of faith, we are convinced that 'the earth is the Lord’s and all it holds' (Ps 24:1). Our Creator has given us the gift of creation: the air we breathe, the water that sustains life, the fruits of the land that nourish us, and the entire web of life without which human life cannot flourish. All of this God created and found “very good.” We believe our response to global climate change should be a sign of our respect for God’s creation." Find out what you can do to act with environmental justice.The St. John's Justice and Peace Commision will serve the parish by offering information about global warming and other environmental justice issues, programs that focus on how to act with environmental justice, and opportunities to care for God's creation; as well as rasing awareness of how the world's poor are disproportionaltely affected by environmental injustice. Take an interactive quiz, "Is Your House a Green House?"    

10 actions that can make a difference

How to act with Environmental Justice

      10 Actions that Make a DifferenceTransportation
  • Choose a place to live that reduces the need to drive
  • Think twice before purchasing an additional car
  • Choose a fuel efficient low-polluting car
  • Set concrete goals for reducung your travel: whenever practical, walk, bike, or take public transportation
Food
  • Eat less meat
  • Eat bioregionally and in-season, and where possible buy certified organic produce
Household Operations
  • Choose your home based on its energy efficiency
  • Reduce environmental costs of heating and hot water
  • Install efficient lighting & appliances
  • Choose an electricity supplier offering renewable energy
   source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Pledge to End Poverty

"The needs of the poor take priority over the desires of the rich."
Pope John Paul II, Toronto, Canada, 1984

Pledge to Help Break the Cycle of Poverty

I will:
LEARN 
about poverty, including poverty in the USA
VISIT
www.povertyusa.org
SUPPORT
the Church's collections for programs that address poverty, including the Catholic Campaign for Human Development parish collection and the American Bishops Overseas Appeal.
PRAY
for solutions to the root causes of poverty.
ASK
my pastor to preach about poverty and how the Church responds through both service and working for justice. mburger@stjohnwc.org
TALK
with family members about the impact of poverty on individuals and communities.
JOIN
a legislative advocacy group or local community organizing group.
SPEAK
to elected officials about overcoming poverty in the US and abroad.  Find out how.
WORK
with poor and low-income people to build a better, more just community and world.
source: www.povertyusa.org