ECOLOGY, PEACE AND JUSTICE

As Sisters of St. Joseph, open to the winds of the Spirit in our world, we sought to know the pathways of our mission in these times of ecological and earth devastation.

Together
we met and prayed.
Together
we committed ourselves to this:

Chapter 2003
Directional Statement

"We Are One"

LINKS TO PROGRAMS AND RETREATS

Village Earth Spirituality Program and Practicum    July 3-10, 2007
This is an invitation to explore more deeply the interconnections of our lives with our earth through learning about the earth's story, eco-spirituality and practices of eco-living and sustainability.
Please see: Villa St. Joseph Retreat Centre    www.villastjoseph.ca/

Retreats and Workshop Retreats    please see
CSJ Federation Web Site, Ecology Committee    www.csjfederation.ca
Spirituality Centre, Peterborough    www.spiritualitycentre.com

JUSTICE , PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION

The mandate of this committee stems from the Gospel itself. As Christians we understand that the doing of justice is not peripheral, but a constituent part of living the Christian life. It goes beyond the work of charity, but is best accompanied by it. Justice-making encompasses the research and lobbying required to effect change in government, societal, and business structures. It demands the need for patience and the appropriate use of anger to motivate the necessary actions that can effect change.

It requires the asking of questions, many difficult , to probe the reasons why people are poor, and kept poor in our world, while the "haves and have mores" live in plenitude. Yet poverty increases. It is about supporting the work of food banks and soup kitchens while demanding more appropriate wages and more affordable housing for the underprivileged. It concerns working for human rights when it may not be a popular activity. This could involve letter-writing, peaceful demonstrations, even civil disobedience, but above all, the commitment to sustained and ongoing prayer.

This mandate has broadened in more recent years to include respect for the environment, and even to see the whole universe as one great kinship. As God is creator, all plants, animals, birds, insects, water, soil, rock together praise and give glory to the God of the universe. Thus we pray and strive together to build a world of peace and mutual respect. Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation stems from our call as Sisters of St. Joseph to be a community of reconciliation, unity and peace. Commitment to justice and peace-making stems from a passionate love for God and the "dear neighbour"!