Peace and Social Justicepeace


The Catholic Church's social mission not only includes a response to the immediate needs people face but ideally works to change the root causes of poverty, injustice and violence. 

 St. Jude Peace & Social Justice Ministry bases our mission on the Gospel teachings of Jesus and the Themes of Catholic Social Teaching.  Our goal is to educate parishioners on the various social issues facing our local and global community.   We provide projects in which all parishioners can participate, including the parish's yearly Lenten projects, regular sales of Fair Trade coffee and other food items, a Fair Trade Fair and letter writing campaigns to our legislators.  We have also provided guest speakers on issues including poverty and hunger, non-violence, immigration, peace initiatives and environmental concerns. 

St. Jude Parish is the recipient of the 2008 Community of Salt & Light Award presented by the Diocese of Joliet.  This award is given to the parish best fulfilling the U.S. Bishops' vision of service and justice as put forth in the Communities of Salt & Light Pastoral.  

If you would like more information on this important ministry and/or would like join us for a meeting call Lorrie Tracy at 815-485-8049.

 To link to the Diocese of Joliet Office of Peace and Social Justice go to: www.paxjoliet.org

 

  Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Life & Dignity of the Human Person
Call to Family, Community and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Solidarity
Care for God's Creation


Peace and Social Justice Sponsors
the FAIR TRADE program

FAIR TRADE builds right relationships between buyers and sellers that are rooted in the principles of human dignity and solidarity. 


FAIR TRADE:
      • respects human dignity 
      • promotes the common good 
      • advances economic justice 
      • empowers disadvantaged people 
      • connects us with the people who create the things we buy 
      • cultivates global solidarity



FAIR TRADE SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES: 

  • Watch the Bulletin for dates when Fair Trade items are available in the West Narthex.  (This is not a fundraiser and Peace and Social Justice does not earn a profit from the sales at St. Jude.)
  •  SERVV CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES  (CRS),  www.crsfairtrade.org on-line shopping 
  • TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES,  www.tenthousandvillages.com 
     Stores:  Oak Park, 121 N. Marion St, 708/848-4572  
                    Evanston, 719 Main St., 847/733-8258     
                    Glen Ellyn, 499C Pennsylvania Ave., 630/790-1166 
  •  THE TREE OF LIFE IMPORTS www.thetreeoflifeimports. Tom Hocker can be reached at 800/300-3335. Order on-line or find a parish event.


To read the full text of the Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching click here.

For more information on Communities of Salt and Light:Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish  click here.