PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE BERMUDA
The Roman Catholic Church Social Justice Ministry
Our goal is to be an impactful social action group. As members of The Roman Catholic Church Peace and Social Justice Ministry, we draw from and are inspired by the social doctrine of the Church, rooted in scripture and the Church's social encyclicals over more than the past 100 years.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE TEACHINGS/THEMES/HIGHLIGHTS
Let's learn more about what the Church says
Our intention is to maintain a site that is easy to follow, read and keep up to date with. There is some much to learn and absorb about the social justice teachings of the Church!
We will continue to present you with the Catholic social justice teachings traditional to the Church and will provide you with new information and/or important encyclicals of the church, in particular those related to its social justice teachings.
Our aim is to keep you informed and up-to-date with these teachings; as well as alert you of any important current information for our bishop, the pope or any reliable source of the Church/Vatican, regarding social justice themes for Catholics today. Here are a few for you to get you started:
1. Catholic Social Justice Teaching Themes:
2. Pope Francis' latest encyclical Fratelli Tutti -rooted in social justice themes:
Stay connected as we keep you updated and informed to guide our living faith today.
OUR SOCIAL MOVEMENT
Empowering our Community
Since its inception in 2007, the Peace and Social Justice Ministry of the Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton, Bermuda has orchestrated numerous successful events, campaigns and programs.
Through fundraising dinners, award ceremonies, movie nights, live forums on ageism, racism, climate change and poverty in Bermuda - to name a few- our committee continues to reach out and engage our Catholic parishioners and the larger Bermuda community to stand up or speak out then take action, for the betterment of our island home.
DO YOUR PART
Get Involved
We believe that there is no singular answer—every little bit helps when it comes to making an impact. There are many meaningful ways you can help us succeed in our mission. Have an idea? Reach out and let us know.
SPREAD THE WORD!
Tell a friend
Our work is never done, hence we can use all the help we can get. One of the ways you can take part is by volunteering. Spread the word about what the Peace and Social Justice Bermuda is doing, lend your support and join in our many programs focusing on the social justice teachings of the church.
CONNECTING WITH OTHER CHURCH MEMBERS
Especially the ageing, suffering or those on the margins
Active participation is an essential part of our movement’s success. We are not a charity but a social action group inspired to change attitudes, behavior and policy by speaking up and taken action about social injustices in our society and church community. We strive to be a social action force for good!
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK
Volunteer to assist us!
Every individual has the ability to motivate others and inspire true change. Become a crucial part of our movement by making sure that our mission is heard and has a far-reaching, lasting impact. Join hands with us and volunteer in whatever way you can based on your talent and our need. We need your support!
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - RAISING RACIAL AWARENESS
An 8-week series of discussions for our church community on race and racism
With the death of George Floyd and the spread of the pandemic that has disproportionately impacted black and brown people, our Western world community has been drawn into a racial reckoning that continues to play out in real time, right before our eyes.
This 8-week program is designed for our Peace and Social Justice Ministry to look at various topics on race/ racism that may impact our Catholic Church community and allow us to deepen our conversation and improve in individual and Church awareness and understanding of this most important social sin.
These are zoom discussions and info education sessions.
TUESDAYS AT 7:30PM-9:00PM
Week 1 ( Jan. 19th) - Raising our Racial Profile through Children's books
Week 2 ( Feb. 2nd) - Exploring symbols, imagery and colorism as it relates to Christianity and Catholicism in particular
Week 3 (Feb. 16th) - Racism, White Supremacy and the Church - What does it mean to be an anti-racist?
Week 4 (Mar. 2nd) - Black Lives Matter - What does this mean in our world and church today?
Week 5 ( Mar. 16th) - Contemplative Prayer, Non-dualism and how the mystics help
Week 6 (Apr. 6th)- Creating a more loving community - within and outside the Church - What is required
Week 7 (Apr. 20th)- Reviewing Fratelli Tutti in relationship to race, racism etc.
Week 8 (Apr. 27th) - Final thoughts, ideas, hope, plans for our local Church community.
These sessions are open to anyone to attend who is interested in raising awareness, supporting discussions on cultural and racial difference in our Church community and providing space to explore where the Church can improve. We ask that you attend all or mostly all sessions for the sake of the group process. Our intention is to be a source for healing, reimaging and healing for our Church; and, a beacon of peace for the wider broken world community.
PAST EVENTS
The Peace and Social Justice Ministry is known for its inspirational programs designed to inform and educate the public about the social justice teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. These teachings/issues are highlighted in the varying events that we offer for all to attend. Our events also, usually, are free. Here is a sampling of our past events throughout the years.
PAST EVENT
PAST EVENT
Rich Person, Poor Person Dinner 2012
The Rich Person Poor Person dinner was designed to educate our community about poverty in the world. Everyone paid the same price to attend the event and sat at tables of 8. One in eight persons at the table received a rich persons' meal while the others a poor meal. A fun event with a pungently telling message. This was a fundraising event, held two years in a row.
P & SJ Award Ceremony for Gladys Misick Morrell 2014
The Peace and Social Justice Ministry commenced its award ceremony in 2008 with its first awardee Dr. Barbara Ball (union rights). In 2009 The Progressive Group was awarded (Racial Justice). In 2010 Dr. Dorothy Thompson received the award ( Girls Education). In 2012 Monsignor Felipe Macedo a Roman Catholic Priest received the award (Immigration/Portuguese Nationals). Then in 2014 Gladys Misick Morrell received the award ( Women's suffrage). The above is our celebration of her life and work in our Bermuda community.
This award ceremony continues even today. In 2016 Dr. E.F Gordon received the award for Labour rights and Racial Justice. In 2017 Dr. Claudette Fleming was awarded for the rights of the vulnerable ( elder rights) and in 2019 Mr. Stuart Hayward was awarded for environmental rights and justice. In November 2020 we will honor our 9th awardee. Stay tuned.
PAST EVENT
Recycling Matters!! - A Workshop with Mr. Alan Douglas - Feb. 28th, 2020
In January 2020 the Peace and Social Justice Ministry completed its document - Environmental Policy for the Roman Catholic Church of Bermuda. In January 2020 also, this document was ratified by our Bishop Wes Spiewak and was distributed to all parish churches thus becoming a formal policy of the Roman Catholic Church as of January 2020.
This event above was a follow-up educational program for our church community to help all understand how recycling works in Bermuda and why and how it benefits our church and our Bermuda community as a whole.
