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Social Justice Ministry

The Social Justice Ministry has as its purpose to affirm and foster human life and the dignity and rights of all people. It works to increase awareness of needs in the local as well as the global community and to promote Catholic Social Teaching. Our goal is to be proactive in addressing social concerns and in caring for the poor and oppressed.The committee meets quarterly following the 9:00 Sunday Mass. It sponsors a Lenten series of speakers representing groups who minister to those in need both locally and in mission areas. In addition, the SJM sponsors a monthly “loose change collection” on the first Sunday of each month for the poor, for victims of natural disasters, for orphanages, and many other ministries who address those in need. Many donations are made through Catholic Relief Services.   In January 2019, we will begin fundraising to build a house for a qualifying family in El Florido Section IV, Tijuana.  This will be the fourth house St. Martin of Tours parishioners have built together.  All are welcome on these three build dates.  Passports required.  Please read the bulletin for details.

All parishioners are encouraged to get involved. We invite you to attend our quarterly meetings. Contact Flora Funk for the next meeting date.  The Diocesan Office of Life, Peace & Justice also lists information of events throughout San Diego at socialministrysandiego.com

We welcome suggestions of ways to address needs in our community.

For more information, please contact:
Flora Funk at (619) 957-4388
swtpea713@hotmail.com

Social Justice Ministry Meeting Minutes
Jan. 27, 2019
Jun 24, 2018 Sep 9, 2018 Nov. 4, 2018
Feb 7, 2017 May 21, 2017 Sep 10, 2017
Jan 13, 2016 Feb 7, 2016 Apr 10, 2016 Aug 21, 2016

The Social Justice Ministry brings several opportunities for parishioners to live their Catholic faith through donations, involvement, and education.

Loose Change Collections: (on hold for right now due to pandemic)

Build a Miracle: Building homes in Tijuana

Lenten Speaker Series and Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl
(on hold for right now due to pandemic)

Fair Trade and Fair Trade Gift Faire

A Short Walk Home • Walk for the Homeless

 

 


A Fair Trade / Ethical Trade Congregation

Fair Trade is a global movement and Fair Trade certification ensures that products are produced according to rigorous economic, social and environmental standards. Fair Trade seeks to enable economic development through equitable trading partnerships, ensuring consumers that the products they purchase were grown, harvested, and traded in ways that improve lives, benefit communities and protect the environment. Simply through the use / purchase of fair trade certified products, within our congregation, we can contribute to a better way of life for marginalized producers and workers and their families. It is a way to alleviate poverty. We want to spread the word in our congregation that fair trade certification of products endorses values commonly embraced by faith based communities, including the dignity of work and care for the poor.  Some of the items we offer in our parish is fair trade coffee, tea, sugar and chocolate.  St. Martin of Tours was designated a Fair Trade Congregation in 2014.  Learn more about Fair Trade Congregations here.

Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade is a celebration of the dignity of work. It’s a community of fair trade believers dedicated to improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable by choosing to consume differently. Together, we’re creating a better world through education, advocacy and conscientious purchasing.

The following is required for Fair Trade certified products:

  • Paying a fair wage in the local context
  • Offering employees opportunities for advancement
  • Providing equal employment opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged
  • Caring for God’s creation by engaging in environmentally sustainable practices
  • Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context
  • Excluding forced child labor and human trafficking in the production process

St. Martin of Tours Academy – A Fair Trade / Ethical Trade School (Oct. 2015)

St. Martin of Tours Academy became the first designated Catholic Fair Trade elementary school in the nation in 2015. Ongoing Fair Trade education and promotion is a priority within the school community. Fair Trade curriculum and fundraisers are incorporated each year.   The Academy uses fair trade coffee, tea and sugar in the teachers lounge, soccer balls were switched to fair trade soccer balls from Senda Athletics and fundraisers were changed to offer fair trade products (Equal Exchange, Serrv, Malia Designs). At Open Houses we serve fair trade hot cocoa, coffee and tea. In March we will show off our fair trade, organic, dye free t-shirts from Hae Now with our annual walkathons.  Our committee consisted of staff, students and parents. To learn more about our school click here.

La Mesa Fair Trade Gift Faire

Each October, the Social Justice Committee, in partnership with La Mesa Fair Trade, hosts the Annual La Mesa Fair Trade Gift Faire.  There were over 400 shoppers that enjoyed a wide variety of gifts and food in Oct. 2018. Each purchase represented a contribution to artisans and growers in developing countries that are in need of hope for a better future.   The vendors appreciated being at our parish and were grateful for the opportunity to share their mission through their products.  The good news is that the word is spreading about the importance of fair trade as a way to alleviate poverty and to bring about a more just world.

Vendors included: All Across Africa, Around the World Gifts, Awaken Fair Trade, Ben & Jerry’s, Cafe Moto, Ember Arts, Equal Exchange Chocolates, Coffee & Tea, Fair Trade Decor, Dr. Bronner, Genesis Fair Trade, Guatemala Project, Lumily, Malia Desins, Sseko Designs, The Akazi Project, The Golden Rule and Threads Worldwide.