Peace and Justice

Dr. Brian L. Christenson, Sister Kim Marie Jordan, Dr. Bill Clouser and Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth meet about the new Social Justice Scholarships at LCSC. Read full story and more Peace & Justice News...

Principles of Social Justice

By monastic profession, we, the Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, commit ourselves to seeking God and God's reign among us. Profession calls us to witness God's love for the world, and impels us to work for justice according to the following principles of Catholic Social Justice teaching:

1. Human Dignity
   Each person is endowed by God with human dignity and should be respected as a unique expression of the Divine. 
   
2. The Call to Community and the Common Good
   As a reflection of our Triune God, every human being depends upon and must contribute to the common good.
   
3. The Rights and Responsibilities of the Person
   As an expression of the Living God, each person has a fundamental right to and responsibility for life and to that which makes life possible.
   
4. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
   As an expression of our Creative God, each person has the right and responsibility to work productively in safe conditions for fair wages.
   
5. The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
   We are called to contribute to the good of the whole society, especially the poor and vulnerable. The whole society is strengthened when everyone is empowered to become an active participant in society.
   
6. Solidarity
   Aware of our place in an interdependent world, we relate to all as members of one human family. Solidarity expresses the Church's concern for world peace, global development and international human rights.
   
7. Care for Creation
   As an expression of our Creative God, we recognize our interdependence with all creation and pledge to respect and care for it.

We do this in light of our mission statement to foster values of healing hospitality, creative peacemaking and grateful simplicity.

Peace and Justice Committee: Oblates Alyse Cadez and Rick Fairbanks, Sister Kim Marie Jordan, Oblate Jane Somerton-Frith, Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth and Sister Maria Elena Schaefers.

Incorporating These Principles Into Our Monastic Life

Under the leadership of our Social Justice Committee we strive to deepen our awareness of peace and justice issues both locally and globally. In order to be more effective we focus our common prayer and action on a specific issue chosen by the community. In addition many of our Sisters and Oblates are involved in ministries that include peace making and works of justice.

More Info About Peace & Justice

• Please contact:
  
  Sister Carol Ann Wassmuth, OSB
  208-962-5032
  justice@stgertrudes.org or
  
  Rick Fairbanks, OblSB
  rbrmk@comcast.net

5 Things You Can Do Now!

1. Donate
Make a donation to the Idaho Food Bank www.idahofoodbank.org.

2. Organize
Organize a canned food drive for local families in need.

3. Shop Responsibly
Buy Fair Trade/organic products.

4. Reuse
Instead of using disposable bottles of water and coffee cups, consider investing in a reusable travel mug or drink bottle.

5. Learn more about the issues:

Human Rights & Social Justice Amnesty International Benedictines for Peace Human Rights USA Resource Center Idaho Human Rights Idaho Human Rights Education Center Idaho Inclusiveness Coalition Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger Idaho Women's Network Interfaith Alliance of Idaho Mary's Pence National Catholic Bioethics Center Network National Catholic Social Justice Lobby Polaris Project Stop Global AIDS The Vatican Voices of Living Faith Hunger & Food Supply 20/20 Vision Bread for the World Catholic Relief Services Coffee Project Eat Well Guide Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International Heifer Project International Idaho Hunger Awareness Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy National Catholic Rural Life Conference New Harvest Coffee Roasters Northwest Coalition for Alternative to Pesticides OXFAM Pesticide Action Network Serrv International Sustainable Table Transfair USA Union of Concerned Scientists Investment Responsibility Ethical Investments National Housing Trust Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment Refugee Issues Refugees SaveDarfur.org USA for UNHCR UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Labor Coalition of Immokalee Workers Houston Catholic Worker Maquila Solidarity Network National Council of Churches National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice National Labor Committee Stitch United Farm Workers US Labor Against the War US Labor Education in the Americas Project Peace & Nonviolence 8th Day Center for Justice American Friends Service Committee Amnesty International Ban Landmines Catholic Campaign for Human Development Center For Christian Nonviolence Center of Concern Churches for Middle East Peace Code Pink Father John Dear FOR USA Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America Haiti Reborn Hunt Alternative Fund Idaho Peace Coalition Maryknoll National Council of Churches Against Torture National Religious Campaign Against Torture Network National Catholic Social Justice Lobby NonViolence.org Peace Action Peace Council Quixote Center Religious Task Force for Central America and Mexico School of the Americas Watch Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Voices in the Wilderness Witness for Peace Water - Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual Women Say No to War World Watch Racism Amazing Change International Justice Mission King Center for Nonviolent Social Change Polaris Project World Conference on Racism