The St. Bridget Social Justice Committee (SJC) is committed to serving this parish by acting as a catalyst for promoting education, advocacy, and service based on the values of Catholic social teaching. We are open to developing and supporting new ministries to help our parish live out the social mission of the Church. As expressed by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), we are each called to “infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and mores, laws and structures of the communities in which [we] live” (CCC, 2105). In its explication of social justice, the Catechism is very clear about the need to reach beyond the walls of our church in order to maintain intrinsic human dignity: “the equal dignity of human persons requires the effort to reduce excessive social and economic inequalities. It gives urgency to the elimination of sinful inequalities” (CCC, 1947).
In this spirit, the work of the SJC is guided by the following values:
Ø Fostering the dignity of all people
Ø Enhancing the common good, family, and community life
Ø Protecting human rights
Ø Serving the poor and vulnerable
Ø Promoting the dignity and rights of workers
Ø Building solidarity
Ø Protecting the environment
Ø Promoting peace
Joining the Group
Every parishioner is welcome and encouraged to become a member.
Time Commitment
While all members actively contribute to the ministries of this committee, some function in roles with additional responsibilities. Those include chairperson, secretary, and fair trade coordinators. A member typically spends a minimum of three hours a month on SJC work.
Meetings
Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month from 6:45-8:00 PM in the West View Room
Group Contact Person
Anne M. Parks
email Anne or call the Church Office at 715-425-1870
Other Information
The current SJC was initiated by interested parishioners in February 2005. Since then we have developed two on-going ministries: Parish Tithing and a Fair Trade program.
Ø Tithing--working with the Parish Council, we revised guidelines for the Parish tithing program designed to help non-profit organizations promote positive social change. We review applications and make tithing recommendations to the Council on a monthly basis. Get the application below.
Ø Fair Trade--we promote understanding and support of fair trade through various events and monthly sales of fair trade products. Fair Trade sales are held the second weekend of each month after each mass. Click here to see more info on Fair Trade.
What the Catholic Church Teaches: Dignity of Work/Rights of Workers:
The economy must serve the people, not the other way around. All workers have a right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, and to safe working conditions. They also have a fundamental right to organize and join unions. People have a right to economic initiative and private property, but these rights have limits. No one is allowed to amass excessive wealth when others lack the basic necessities of life. (From Key Principles of Catholic Social Teaching of the Catholic Church)
~Fr. Harris
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