Mission of the Social Justice Ministry: to encourage our parish community to take action to address the roots of social and political injustice by increasing parish awareness of the faith and scriptural foundations of Catholic Social Teaching.
 

If you have any questions or comments, please email socialjustice@joanarc.org. 

Link to a short video on "Biblical Justice"

The Social Justice Committee meets in the Parish Center at 8:45AM on the second Thursday of each month.  We discuss issues of interest, and organize events for the Parish. 

The Social Justice Calendar below provides examples of issues in which the committee becomes involved. For more information on Social Justice issues and on how you can get involved, please see our Take Action page. Join us!

Social Justice Calendar

Summer Education Series

Plan to join us on three Monday evenings in July for our
popular, thought-provoking summer adult education
series. All presentations begin at 7 p.m. in the Church.

On Monday, July 16, Father Iasiello, President of the
Washington Theological Union and retired Navy Admiral
will speak on War and Christianity.

On July 23, Professor Morris, Ph.D. of the Boston
College Theology Department will speak on Islam and
Christianity.

On July 30, Dr. Lou Savary, Teilhardian theologian, will
speak on Evolution and Christianity.

Visit by Father Andrew Massawe of Holy Cross Parish in Nairobi, Kenya (June 23-24, 2007)

Father Andrew visited St. Joan of Arc in June to celebrate Masses and tell us about the work of his parish. There were receptions after all Masses on Sunday the 24th for coffee, refreshments, and discussion. 

Please see the bulletin insert here, and see the photos below.

Father Andrew delivers the homily at the 9:30 Mass	Lunch at Capt'n Elmer's	After Mass	Father Andrew greets a young parishioner	Reception

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Also, see Jim Schermerhorn's presentation on the Holy Cross Parish's Boma Rescue program (Parish Lenten program, below). Jim has been working with Holy Cross Parish through the Catholic Medical Mission Board.

 

Immigration/Migration - "Who would Jesus deport?" (April 25, 2007)

Video on Justice for Immigrants from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
The issue in S.E. Massachusetts - activities of Catholic organizations
Update on the Haitian family from Dennis

For more information on immigration, please see the Justice for Immigrants Web Site
 

 

Parish Lenten Program Coffee and Conversation / Soup and Conversation (February 23, 2007) Hosted by Social Justice

Social Outreach—What is the Power of A Grain?

Included a presentation by parishioner Jim Schermerhorn on a program to rescue children run by Holy Cross Parish in Nairobi, Kenya (see Father Andrew's visit, above). View the presentation (requires Adobe pdf Reader).
 

Catholic Relief Services Lenten Program: Operation Rice Bowl

Martin Luther King Day Interfaith Program (January 14, 2007)

Fair Trade Bazaar (November 18-19, 2006)

Each year, parishes all over the country work with Catholic Relief Services to support "The Work of Human Hands" to host bazaars where parishioners can purchase a gifts to provide income, dignity and hope to artisans and farmers in developing regions of the world.


 

Please use these links to learn more:

Photos of The Event

Information on Fair Trade from Catholic Relief Services

Bridges Monthly Review timely information and analysis on the interface between trade and sustainable development for the growing number of actors involved in the global trade debate Sojourners May 2007 Issue on Fair Trade