Social Justice

Saturday Oct 3, 11am - 1:30pm: A Day at Allaire Community Farm

Pre-registration required. Learn more and register HERE. Questions? email creationcare@stanselm.com


MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS, Pope Leo XIV ’s AI Encyclical

Reading Groups

The Social Justice Ministry invites you to join a 5-session discussion group to explore and embrace Pope Leo’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.


Study groups are being offered in-person at St. Anselm church, or online via zoom by St. Mary Basilica in Minnesota.


Consider joining one of these study groups. It’s not about “talking about technology,” but about learning to preserve humanity within the reality of our time. May this journey help us rediscover our “magnificent humanity,” so that every innovation may be illuminated by the Gospel and oriented toward the common good.


What is Magnifica Humanitas and Why Should You Care? Click HERE to read an explanation.


St. Anselm In-Person Study Groups

  • Tuesdays, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov 3. 
  • Time: 1-3 pm. 
  • Location: St. Anselm church
  • Register for the in-person sessions HERE or by emailing socialjustice@stanselm.com


Zoom Study Groups offered by St. Mary Basilica in Minnesota

The zoom dates which correspond with our in-person meeting dates are Group 5.

  • Tuesdays, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov 10th (no meeting on Election Day, the 3rd.)
  • Time: 7:30-8:30pm
  • Location: on zoom - the link will be sent to registrants before the first session
  • Register for Zoom session (Group 5) HERE.


If you choose to join the zoom group, please let us know at Socialjustice@stanselm.com.  We will follow up these sessions with a gathering to discuss how this worked out and what we learned. I have signed up for this. -

Elizabeth Domigan, chair of Social Justice.


Click HERE for more information on St. Mary's Basilica's Magnifica Humanitas series 2026.



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


Observe the Season of Creation 2026


  • Tues Sept 1, 7pm: Bishop O’Connell celebrates Mass for the Care of Creation, Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel at St. Denis, Manasquan. All are invited.


  • Sept 5 & 6 Masses: Garden tool blessing


  • Tues Sept 8, 9am: Mass for Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, followed by prayer at Mary’s Herb Garden


  • .Tues Sept 8, 6pm: “Living Waters” Rosary by the Beach. Meet at the gazebo at Fifth and Ocean Avenues in Belmar to pray the rosary while reflecting on the beauty of God’s creation and renewing our commitment to care for the earth. Bring a rosary, a beach chair/blanket, and dress for the weather. Meet in St. Rose Church in the event of rain.



  • Sun Sept 20: Parish Picnic - Bring a reusable cup


  • Fri Sept 25: Student Art Contest ‘Creation Sings!’ entries due. See Catholic Climate Covenant's registration page


  • Sat Sept 3: Join us at Allaire Community Farm for a farm tour, meet the animals, and enjoy a picnic lunch


  • Sun Oct 4: 1:30pm Blessing of the Animals


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.