Joliet Diocese Social Justice Coalition Formed. First Action Announced.
Last July, through the diocesan Peace and Social Justice Office, individuals from 20 parishes gathered for a workshop on Social Justice in partnership with Catholic Relief Services. They met in formation and discussion throughout the next few months and emerged as the Joliet Diocese Social Justice Coalition. This letter is an introduction to the Coalition and an invitation to discern the involvement of your community in the Coalition.
Taking social justice action helps institute systemic changes that empower the poor and compliment our actions of charity outreach, allowing individuals, families, communities, and even countries to become self-sustaining.
The mission statement of the Social Justice Coalition defines our collective position, action intention, and vision.
Standing firmly on the ground of Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, led by the Spirit, afire for social justice, we are centered in prayer and united in right relationships as we raise awareness, educate and take action to create a just world locally, nationally and internationally.
In addition to our Mission Statement, we have defined a number of “guiding principles”. Please see the attachment for that list.
A basic tenet of social justice is that the larger the number of people or communities working together, the more of a mountain can be moved. The Joliet Diocese has 130 parish communities that, working together, could move mountains.
The Coalition has defined our first project – Create a Ripple – to be integrated into a parish’s Lenten activities. Please see the attachment and consider incorporating it into your Lenten season.
At this time we are inviting your parish community to consider joining the Coalition. Every parish community has existing social justice ministries and/or individuals that are passionate about social justice. Please provide them with this letter and information. We invite you to identify one or more people in your community to attend a meeting and find out more about us and our mission. It is worth noting that one of our guiding principles is that before we act as one body any action needs to be discerned and agreed to by consensus.
For more information on the Coalition, go to www.paxjoliet.org/coalition. If you have questions or would like to join us, contact Steve Jackson (sjackson@dioceseofjoliet.org, 815-834-4028)
Peace
Barbara Green
Social Justice Coalition Facilitator
