As
Sisters of Saint Joseph, and as members of the global
community, we embrace a global
spirituality that is a vibrant contemporary expression
of our SSJ Mission and spirituality. It recognizes our
need to encounter the sacred within ourselves and to move
outward to encounter the sacred in all creation. As Thomas
Berry says, "The human community and the natural
world will go into the future as a single community or
we will both perish."
We recognize the sufferings of people throughout the
world on both the local and the global level. In response,
we support with personnel and resources ministries that
offer an opportunity for presence and direct service on
behalf of those who are materially poor as well as working
for systemic change. As we support these ministries, we
recognize that we are persons in need of being evangelized
even as we evangelize.
A strong congregational commitment to social justice
is supported by a sister who serves as a full-time, Social
Justice Coordinator, a Commission
for Justice, a network of local Social Justice contacts,
a socially responsible investment
policy, an effective process for taking a corporate stand,
and a commitment to work collaboratively with others.
The Social Justice Coordinator, assisted by the Commission
for Justice, provides timely, concrete ways for Sisters
of Saint Joseph and Associates to live out the Mission,
"that all may be one," both individually
and corporately. This is done through suggested actions
toward ending the death penalty,
ongoing education in justice
issues, monthly Justice mailings to local Social Justice
contacts, hotline messages,
action alerts and execution
alerts.
