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Mission

The mission of the Social Justice Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester is to raise awareness and deepen understanding of issues of injustice toward our neighbor and our earth. From this awareness our goal is to engage the Congregation in actions of justice and peace.

Judeo-Christian tradition, Catholic social teaching and our SSJ Charism calls us to act with others:
• to promote nonviolence
• to alleviate poverty and oppression
• to protect and renew the environment.

"Just Us"...News and Notes from the SSJ Justice and Peace Office

In this week’s Just Us:

Local Nuns on the Bus Trip Focuses on Poverty in Rochester:

Click here for photo essay

Human Trafficking

ImmigrationThis image, created by artist Virginia Sullivan, is being used throughout our campaign to focus the issue. Ms. Sullivan is a member of the SSJ Justice and Peace committee as well as an SSJ Associate.

SSJ Public Statement on Human Trafficking

We, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, whose mission is one of unity and reconciliation, corporately proclaim our opposition to Human Trafficking in all its forms, which demeans human beings and keeps them from achieving their potential.  We commit ourselves to:

a) Continue to educate ourselves about this issue
b) Raise public awareness of the enormity of the problem
c) Collaborate with others in addressing the root causes and
d) Work with and support those who advocate and minister directly to its victims.

Human Trafficking CoalitionHuman Trafficking Coalition

In December of 2012 the Sisters of St. Joseph voted to commit themselves to working for an end to human trafficking. As a major component of that commitment representatives from a number of faith based groups and human service agencies were convened by Sister Phyllis Tierney, Coordinator of the Congregations’s work for Justice and Peace. A group met at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse on April 4. The group’s focus will be to share the expertise and resources available in our community, to support one another, and to expand our outreach through community education and action. Membership is open to organizations and individuals. Rabbi Amy Sapowith has agreed to chair the Coalition.

Interesting Links:

U.S. Federation Sisters of St. Joseph Statement on Human Trafficking

SSJ Brochure Human Trafficking is Modern Day Slavery

Immigration

SSJ Public Statement on Immigration

In full harmony with the Gospel proclamation “that all may be one” and the charism of the sisters of St. Joseph to unite neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God, we the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, urge Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
• We support immigrants in their wish to come to the United States and work.
• We support suspension of the current emphasis on punitive action against undocumented workers and their families.
• We support the right of laborers to receive a just wage and to be treated with dignity and respect

Link to Impending Legislation on Immigration:

Click here for Summary of Senate Bill

Click here for Revised Outline of Immigration Bill

 Environment

Go Green Efforts! Here are some of the issues the office is currently following:

• Promote ban on hydraulic fracturing of Marcellus Shale in NYS  Click Here for Quick Facts on Hydraulic Fracturing

Religious Coalition for the Great Lakes:

Rio + 20 UN Conference

Twenty-one Sisters of St. Joseph representing Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru and the United States attended the Rio+20 conference sponsored by the United Nations. This conference evaluated the progress made over the 20 years ago since the first historic global plan to address climate change occurred in Rio. 

Sister Maureen Finn shares Her Personal Experience of the Rio +20 Conference in June 2012   CLICK HERE

Coordinator, Sister Phyllis Tierney, SSJ may be reached at  ptierney@ssjrochester.org or 585.641.8180