Social Justice
LENT 2026
- Saturday March 21: Social Justice Ministry will host Kathy O’Leary of Pax Christi, who will speak about Pax Christi’s witness and support for visitors at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark. We will meet in the Learning Center from 9am-12pm, with Kathy joining us online at 9:15am. To join us in person or online, email socialjustice@stanselm.com
- A Lenten Challenge from US Bishops: “This Lent is an opportunity for discernment and action. May we quiet our hearts and enter the solitude of the desert, that we might hear the voice of God and listen to the cries of his children around the world whose livelihoods are impacted by our own actions and lifestyles. May we each reflect deeply—individually and as communities—and discern how to act. How are we being called to enter the desert of Lent and discern how the Spirit invites us to act to protect the book of nature, God’s creation?” Read their full letter at https://www.usccb.org/resources/invitation-ecological-conversion-us-catholics, which provides practical actions we each can consider.
- Greener Lent: It’s not too late to join Catholics across the country in prayer, fasting, and giving alms that help build water wells in Africa. See www.greenerlent.org for more details.
- Fratelli tutti reading groups: Tuesdays in Lent at 11am (in person) and 8pm (online). To join us, email socialjustice@stanselm.com
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
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.