January 31 and February 1

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From Deacon Dick~

Social Justice

          The Pastoral Councils from both our parishes will meet in early February to discuss animating a joint Social Justice Ministry. As Catholic Christians, it’s important for us to distinguish between charity and justice and to begin living intentionally the Principles of Catholic Social Justice. Simply put, our acts of charity deal with the more immediate problems of human suffering (e.g. hunger) whereas social justice addresses the root causes of human suffering (e.g. why is there hunger). Both are works of mercy. Please see the insert in today’s bulletin for an excellent synopsis of Catholic Social Justice.

In choosing the papal name of Leo XIV, our new pontiff sent a strong signal that he is committed to continuing the work of his namesake, Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum Novarum, published in 1891, was a seminal work in this area. Our American Bishops have taught that social justice is an integral part of evangelization, a constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel, and an essential part of the Church’s mission.

So stay tuned and be ready to get involved!