Social Justice

LIVING OUR OUR FAITH THROUGH ACTION


Pope Leo XIV embraces the challenge of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), the Church’s living faith in action — rooted in God’s love for the poor, grounded in the life of Jesus, and calling us to build a just, compassionate world. 

Embracing CST means living out these principles — love, justice, and action — in our daily choices, relationships, and service, so that our faith becomes a force for hope, peace, and the dignity of all.


SOME WAYS WE CAN ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE


By Wed June 10: Sign Coal Ash Letter to EPA

Visit bit.ly/CoalAshAction to add your name to a letter to the EPA urging them not to follow through with the proposal to relax regulation of coal ash pits - a vast majority of which already leak toxins into groundwater.


Wed June 10, 9:30am: Energy Audit Readout

Hear the engineer explain the results of the recently completed energy audit of our church building including recommendations for reducing our energy consumption. We’ll meet in the auditorium.


Wed June 10, 7:30pm: Social Justice Ministry meeting

Join us in the Learning Center to pray, learn, and plan our work.


Thur June 11, 7:00pm: Climate Migration Webinar

Join us in the Learning Center for this webinar exploring the link between environmental conditions and migration, including migrant experiences in NJ, or visit www.waterspirit.org/events-calendar/2026/6/11/climate-migration-webinar to register to watch from home.


June 13-14;20-21 Weekend Masses 

Defend human dignity by writing postcards to our legislators after Mass about issues that challenge CST principles.


USCCB Alerts to US Catholics

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) periodically request US Catholics to contact our Senators and Representatives to ask them to support policies that foster the common good.

 

See https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/campaigns for a link to easily send email to your legislators regarding current issues.


ABOUT CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

CST begins with the truth that every human person is made in God’s image and has inherent dignity.   From there, it calls us to solidarity — standing with others, especially the vulnerable, and working for the common good.

 

Pope Leo XIV reminds us that CST offers a path to peaceful coexistence by grounding societies in shared truths and universal values. In short, CST is about seeking the common good.


Leo XIV’s choice of name intentionally connects him to his predecessor, Leo XIII, who laid the groundwork for Catholic Social Teaching with the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.


By referencing Leo XIII, he reinforces the Church’s responsibility to confront contemporary issues such as climate injustice, migrant crises, and economic inequality.


His focus on “building bridges, not walls” reflects Pope Francis’ commitment to encouraging dialogue across political and ideological boundaries.

 

2026 Jubilee Year of St. Francis

 

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed 2026 a special Jubilee Year to commemorate the death of St. Francis of Assisi 800 years ago, inviting all Christians to be constant witnesses of peace.

 

This Jubilee Year is an invitation to action to follow the example of Saint Francis, a man of poverty, humility, and reconciliation. We are urged to live in charity, to build more just relationships, and to foster peace, caring for people and for the environment as inseparable gifts.

 

https://www.laudatosi.va/en/news-caf/pope-leo-announces-the-franciscan-jubilee-year-for-2026/

 

April 11, 2026 Prayer Vigil for Peace 

 

Thank you to those who gathered with us on Sat April 11 to pray the Rosary for peace with Pope Leo XIV. During his prayer, he appealed to leaders of nations to act as peacemakers and engage in dialogue and mediation. He also asked all people of good will to reject “war not only in word, but also in deed”, to “leave behind whatever violence remains in our hearts and minds” and to “form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling.”

 

Pope Leo described “the delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive. .. Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death” and noted “True strength is shown in serving life.”

 

He asked every community to “.. become a ‘house of peace,’ where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished.” 

 

Related Links:

 

 

 

Interested in Food Drive Efforts?

 

We’re building an email list to communicate with those interested in food assistance opportunities, such as partnering with area organizations on food pantry collections and soup kitchen volunteering. To be included, please send your contact information to socialjustice@stanselm.com.

 

In the meantime, we’ve been partnering with “From Hearts to Hands,” a new food pantry initiative serving area residents in need. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off on an ongoing basis at the Tinton Falls Municipal Building in the labeled bins M-F from 8:15AM–4:45PM, or at St. Thomas AME Zion Church (87 Squankum Road in Tinton Falls) MWF 5-9PM and Saturday 9AM–6PM. Thank you! 

 

Trenton Monitor Article about Sept. 6, 2025, Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation

 

https://trentonmonitor.com/news/2025/sep/09/tenth-anniversary-of-laudato-si-marked-with-mass-by-bishop-oconnell/

 

Click the video below to view Bishop O'Connell's Sept 6, 2025 homily.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

The mission of our committee is two-fold: (1) to provide assistance and care for the needs of the more vulnerable people in our parish and local community and (2) to identify, publicize, and educate the parish on current social justice issues.  In all of our activities we follow certain key principles of Catholic social justice.

 

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCIPLES  

 

The Dignity of Each Person

 

Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching. We are made in the image and likeness of God and must be the starting point of a moral vision for society.

 

The Common Good and Community

 

We have a responsibility to participate in organizing our society, in law, policy, economics and politics because of the direct effect on human dignity and the rights of individuals.  We must protect human life and dignity and promote the common good.

 

Rights and Responsibilities

 

We have not only the right but the responsibility to participate in politics out of concern and commitment to the good of the community. We have a duty to keep informed about issues of the day and to vote to protect the common good.

 

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

 

The Bible teaches us to put the needs of the poor first.  Jesus showed us the way. This is the true test of our Christianity: how we treat those living in poverty.

 

Stewardship of God’s Creation

 

God gave human beings the task of caring for and nurturing all of creation. All people have an equal right to breathe clean air and drink clean water. In his Encyclical, Laudato Si, On Care for our Common Home, Pope Francis calls all people of the world to take “swift and global action” to stop the environmental destruction of our planet which has a disproportionate effect on those living on the margins of society.  Concern for creations is inseparable from concern for justice.

 

Promotion of Peace

 

There is a close relationship in Catholic teaching between peace and justice.  Peace is the “fruit of justice and is dependent on the right order among human beings.