Peace & Justice / Parish Social Ministry

Current Issues and Resources

Justice for Immigrants Information

As Catholics, we wholeheartedly support efforts to further develop our nation’s laws concerning the migration of people to our country. We know that current policies are inadequate to protect rights and dignity of immigrants and their families.

We invite you to continue forming yourselves and others on this vital issue for our country. We hope the links below are helpful.

Justice for Immigrants
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - May 10, 2011, statement entitled Bishops’ Migration Chairman Urges President and Congress to Act on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
President Obama on Fixing Our Immigration System
NC Council of Churches - You can continue to see what is happening in our state legislature on this site.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Raleigh - Look at the links below to see how Catholic Charities is serving the immigrant population.
- Hispanic Family Center, Raleigh
- Centro La Comunidad, Alamance County
NC Justice Center - Check out this site to view what the Justice Center is doing in defense of the immigrant.

Please continue to contact our office if we can be of assistance.

Calendar of Teachable Moments

We have created a calendar to assist Catholics in the Diocese of Raleigh to learn about special days, saints, and events which call us to reflect on Life, Justice, and Peace. The calendar is now complete for August 2010-July 2011. A Spanish copy of the calendar is attached as well. The information in this calendar can be useful for Catholic Schools, Faith Formation Offices, Bulletin Editors, Parish Social Concerns volunteers, Pro-life volunteers, and Family Life Coordinators. We pray that the calendar will cause reflection, education, and advocacy throughout the school year beginning this month and continuing for one full calendar year. Download a copy here. English: Word | PDF; Spanish: Word | PDF

Care of Creation

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change was launched in 2006 to help the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Please see the following website for many resources regarding the issue of climate change: http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/.

Death Penalty

U.S. Catholic Bishops' statement A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, November 2005 (PDF)

Faithful Citizenship

Learn more about Faithful Citizenship Resources

Immigration

Diocesan Campaign for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

According to Justice for Immigrants (JFI), the Catholic Campaign for Immigration reform (http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/), now is the time to continue building legislative capacity around the issue of Immigration Reform.
You are encouraged to write to your representative and to our Senators asking them to bring comprehensive immigration before the Congress. For more information on the postcard campaign please go to: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/.
Postcards to Congress are available from this office. You can request them or use the electronic card on the Justice for Immigrants web site.

Justice for Immigrants

Parish Social Ministry

“One of the most encouraging signs of the gospel at work in our midst is the vitality of social justice ministries in our parishes.” (Communities of Salt and Light, USCCB, 1993.)
Click here for MANY NEW Parish Social Ministry Resources!

Poverty

Domestic Poverty

Learn more information about Catholic Charities Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America
Catholic Charities USA's Policy Paper on Poverty
Learn more about poverty in the USA and CCHD's poverty tour. See www.povertyusa.org.
Catholic Charities USA’s Statement Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good

Global Poverty

Learn more about Catholics Confront Global Poverty and join the effort to reduce poverty worldwide.
Learn more about Operation Rice Bowl and Fair Trade Resources.

Other Resources

Peace and Justice Prayers (organized by topics)
Justice Jottings sorted by Catholic Social Teaching Theme
Focus on Justice and Peace Newsletter (PDF) (May/June)
NEW page with many resources on the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Educational Archives on the Heart of Eucharist and Snip-its teaching for families, faith development, schools, and youth ministry