Anyone interested in learning more about serving on the Social Justice and Peace Commission should contact Frank O'Hara at 207-592-1788 or [email protected]

Committee Members

Alyne Anderson
Peter Bourque
John Burrell
Stefany Burrell
Frank Cuff
Gina Czerwinski 
     (Parish Life Coordinator)
Karen Jones
Elizabeth Keene
Thomas Keith
Scott Klinger
Fern LaRochelle
Maureen Malley
Frank O’Hara (Committee Chair)
Andrew Phinney
Emilie Phinney
Barbara Snowadzky
Martin Spahn
Eileen Wilkins
Bill Wood 
     (Catholic Charities Representative)
 

Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching refers to the collection of teachings that challenge the faithful to live responsibly, work to build a just society, and live a life of holiness amidst the challenges of modern life. These teachings are rooted in Sacred Scripture and have been articulated through papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. There are several key themes that make up the heart of Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching in Two Minutes 

Over the next three years, the St. Michael Parish Social Justice and Peace Commission will be highlighting these key themes through educational presentations, opportunities for prayer and reflection, and calls to action.

• April-June 2022: The Life and Dignity of the Human Person
• September-November 2022: Care for God’s Creation
• January-March 2023: Call to Family, Community, and Participation
• April-June 2023: Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• September-November 2023: Solidarity
• January-March 2024: Rights and Responsibilities
• April-June 2024: The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The principle of the Life and Dignity of the Human Person is one of seven key themes of Catholic social teaching. The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred, and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
God created man and woman in his image (see Genesis 1:26–27) and because of this all people have inherent dignity. There is nothing anyone can do to gain or take away their human dignity, since it is God given and not earned. Because of this, every life is sacred and no life—born or unborn—is disposable. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important that things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. All the principles of Catholic social teaching flow from the core belief that every person has inherent dignity that must be respected.

CST 101: The Life and Dignity of the Human Person 

Sacred Scripture

• Old Testament: Genesis 1:26-3; Psalm 139
• New Testament: Romans 13:9-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 John 3:1-2; 1 John 4:7-12

• Paragraphs 1701-1706; 1929-1933

• Economic Justice for All, USCCB, paragraph 28, https://www.usccb.org/upload/economic_justice_for_all.pdf
• Centesimus Annus, Saint Pope John Paul II, paragraph 11, https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_01051991_centesimus-annus.html
• Mater et Magistra, Saint Pope John XXIII, paragraph 219, https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_15051961_mater.html
• Gaudium et Spes, Pope Paul IV, paragraph 27, https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html
• Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis, paragraphs 3, 54, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html