This week is Social Justice Week. Social Justice Week is a time in the Catholic Calendar to consider, reflect and act on current social justice issues. This Social Justice Week is based on the theme of Catholic Social Teaching.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities are facing a time of challenge and change. In such times, it is important to be grounded in enduring principles that have helped generations to make sense and act on the challenges of their time.

Pope Francis recently said, “We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat…are all of us.”

This week we are challenged to think about how we can contribute to making our communities fair places for all.  We are challenged to consider what is fair (or not) in our lives, our communities, and in our society as a whole. May we remember St Mother Teresa’s words, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

For more information about Social Justice Week and Catholic Social Teaching, visit https://caritas.org.nz/