Social Justice Ministry Team

In 1992, the Bishops of the United States issued a statement called, Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish. In that document our bishops stated, “In these challenging days, we believe that the Catholic community needs to be more than ever a source of clear moral vision and effective action. We are called to be the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” in the words of the Scriptures (cf. Mt 5:13-16). This task belongs to every believer and every parish. It cannot be assigned to a few or simply delegated to diocesan or national structures. The pursuit of justice and peace is an essential part of what makes a parish Catholic.”

In response to these challenging words, we are working to establish a Social Ministry Committee in every parish in the diocese. It will be the role of the Parish Social Ministry Committee to call, encourage, involve and support members of the parish in providing service and advocating on behalf of their vulnerable sisters and brothers in their community and in the world. Each member of the parish is called to do their part in bearing witness to Christ in the world.

The Social Ministry Committee will focus on nine specific areas of need:

1.             Respect Life: As Catholics we believe that human life is precious from conception to natural death. Our committees will work to protect and enhance the lives of those most vulnerable at both the beginning and end of life.

2.                   Direct Service: Together we will strive to meet the immediate needs of our brothers and sisters. That could mean providing food, housing, access to medical care, clothing, and other necessities.

3.                   Advocacy: We will speak in the State Capitol and in Washington D.C. with and on behalf of the unborn, the poor, the migrant farm worker and others whose voices too often go unheeded

4.                   Community Organizing: Through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development we will support and become involved in the efforts of local grassroots community organizations to meet the needs of their own communities.

5.                   Migrant Ministry: Every year workers from Mexico come to the San Joaquin Valley to tend to our crops. Many are poor. Most are Catholic. We will reach out with welcome and love to these hard working people.

6.             Restorative Justice Ministry: We have many state prisons in our diocese. Over a third of those in the prisons are Catholic. We will seek to provide pastoral and social ministry to those incarcerated in our communities.

7.                   Solidarity/International Ministry: We live in a  diverse community. Many of us have roots in other countries. We will seek ways to care for our friends and family from other parts of the world.

8.                   Parish Health Ministry: Access to affordable health care is difficult to find for many in our community. We will explore ways to make sure that all who are in need can receive health care.

9.                   Environmental Justice: Our Holy Father has said that if we don’t care for creation, we will not long survive on this earth. We seek practical ways to work for clean communities, clean air, and clean water.

10.                Peacemaking Ministry : Description coming soon

These committees will only become a reality when parishioners begin doing the work of social ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of the Social Ministry Committee of your parish.

Last Update April 27, 2007