Social Concerns Committee
   
     Gina Baker, OLS Coordinator
           
"We Are Called"

In the past year, the Social Justice Committee has been active in several different campaigns in the parish. We put up the Giving Tree at the OLS church to help area organizations with some of their needs. We hosted a forum on Migrant Workers in Rusk County. We led a postcard campaign for Immigration Reform and joined in a pilgrimage to Sean Duffy's office to express concerns. We are constantly looking for opportunities to improve all human life here in Rusk County and elsewhere. If you have any ideas for future activities please contact me at bakergm4@gmail.com or at 715-532-0391.

The first Catholic Social Teaching is:  Dignity of the Human Person.
All humanity has been made in the image of God.  Through our actions we must express that each person is precious and that the lives and welfare of all people are priorities.  Some issues included in this principle are abortion, the death penalty, war, racism, police brutality, child labor, torture, genocide, hunger, human rights, inhumane prisons, glorifying violence, discriminating against other religions, and homophobia

The second Catholic Social Teaching is: Call to Family, Community and Participation.

Humans are sacred, but also social.  How we participate in our family and community affects everyone.  Examples are: contacting legislators, voting, giving time, talent, and treasure to our parishes, supporting local shelters and community based programs.

The third Catholic Social Teaching is: Rights & Responsibilities

We must take responsibility to protect the rights of all people.  Some examples include right to life, food, shelter, education, work, political and cultural rights.

Social Justice Website

Hillconnections.org

The fourth Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor

The Gospel specifically calls us to reach out to the most vulnerable members of society. especially those most in need.  These members include forced child labor, sex trafficking for women and children, victims of war and natural disasters, and AIDS victims.

The fifth Catholic Social Teaching: The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

Everyone has the right to work and earn a living for self and family. All work has dignity and everyone has a right to fair wages, safe working conditions, and rest from work.  Some issues are the right to form unions, to strike when conditions are unfair, working many jobs to make ends meet with no benefits or vacation, equal pay for men and women, sexual harassment.

The sixth Catholic Social Teaching:  Solidarity

We are one human and by answering the call of loving our neighbor we will promote a culture of respect and peace in our communities around the world.  Included in this principle is participating in rallies or writing to legislators about human issues, contributing to Catholic Relief Services, Heifer International, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and sponsoring children in underdeveloped countries.

The final Catholic Social Teaching:  Care for God's Creation

We are called to protect the environment and respect the world that God has given us.  Some issues include global warming, destruction of rain forests and other animal habitats, use of pesticides, cruelty to animals, nuclear weapons, producing more organic food, and lessening our dependence on oil to develop other types of energy.