Peace & Justice

Peace & Justice

Ministry Description

Our Peace & Justice ministry is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Ours is a very alive and participatory ministry. We strive to bring the light of the Gospel to bear on the social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental spheres of life. Our focus is the common good of all our sisters and brothers around the world, with particular emphasis on the poor and oppressed.

Meetings

All are invited to take part in our quarterly meeting and our justice actions (Offering of Letters, Refugee Resettlement, etc.).
The quarterly meeting time is 2:00 PM but varies by month (please check the monthly parish calendar).

Events & Activities

Following the urging of Pope Francis, we are currently facilitating a process so that our parish can welcome and sponsor a refugee family.

Each year we take part in the Bread for the World Offering of Letters. Together with many other Christian communities in all the country, we write personal letters to our Senators and Representatives, as they prepare the budget, on behalf of the neediest people in our own country and around our world.

From time to time, we host Fair Trade sales in order to purchase from producers in foreign countries, so that they get a fairer price for their product. The goal also is to remind us all that as consumers, we are invited to be aware of the moral as well as the financial impact we can have on the economy.

We are also ready to support all local, national, and international issues that seek peace through actions on behalf of peace and human rights.

Contacts: Dan Driscoll-Shaw or John Kavalunas pj@resurrectionwoodstock.church

 

 

A Humane Immigration System
A humane immigration system balances national interests with the rights and dignity of individuals. It should be fair, transparent, efficient, and grounded in international human rights norms. Below are the specific elements of a humane immigration system, followed by suggested categories of valid entry:
Elements of a Humane Immigration System
1. Legal Clarity and Accessibility
 -Clear, understandable laws and processes
 -Access to legal representation and translation services
 -Information provided in multiple languages
2. Due Process Protections
-Fair and timely hearings
-Right to appeal decisions
-Independent judicial oversight
3. Non-Discrimination
-Equal treatment regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation
-Protections for vulnerable populations
4. Family Unity
-Policies that prioritize keeping families together
-Expedited processing for family reunification cases
5. Protection of Human Rights and Dignity
-Safe and humane detention conditions (if detention is used at all)
-Prohibition on arbitrary detention or deportation
-Adherence to the principle of non-refoulement (not returning individuals to countries where they face danger)
6. Humanitarian Considerations
-Asylum and refugee protections
-Special provisions for victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and persecution
7. Efficient and Transparent Processing
-Reasonable timelines for visa and asylum applications
-Digital tracking and transparent communication with applicants
8. Economic and Social Integration Support
-Access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities
-Language and job training programs
-Pathways to permanent residency and citizenship
9. International Cooperation
-Coordination with other countries to manage migration flows
-Support for international refugee and development initiatives 
  1. United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
  2. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (1951/1967). Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.                                                             https://www.unhcr.org/1951-refugee-convention.html
  3. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). (1966). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.                                                       https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights
  4. Migration Policy Institute. (n.d.). Research and analysis on migration policy. https://www.migrationpolicy.org
  5. International Organization for Migration (IOM). (n.d.). Principles of humane and orderly migration. https://www.iom.int
  6. United Nations. (2018). Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. https://www.un.org/migration
  7. UNHCR. (2012). Detention Guidelines: Guidelines on the Applicable Criteria and Standards relating to the Detention of Asylum-Seekers and Alternatives to Detention. https://www.unhcr.org/detention-guidelines.html
  8. American Immigration Council. (n.d.). Reports and policy briefs on U.S. immigration law and practice. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
  9. Human Rights Watch. (n.d.). Immigration and asylum reports. https://www.hrw.org
  10. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (n.d.). Migration and integration statistics and reports. https://www.oecd.org/migration
  11. World Bank. (n.d.). Migration and remittances: Development impact. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/migrationremittancesdiasporaissues

For further reading on consideration for a 10th essential element; prevention of irregular/urgent migration with root causes in widespread human/political caused catastrophe (i.e. civil strife, international war, national collapse):
Journal of Peace Research – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Journal of Peace Research is an interdisciplinary and international bimonthly, covering scholarly work in peace research. It strives for a global perspective on peace and peacemaking, with particular focus on the causes of violence and conflict resolution. JPR is edited by Gudrun Østby (Editor …
www.prio.org
Development cooperation and addressing ‘root causes’
Following the significant increase in the number of refugees entering Europe, calls to address the ‘root causes’ of displacement through development cooperation have become louder across the European Union (EU), and several EU member states have dedicated substantial funds to this purpose. However, the increasing over-use of this terminology and the lack of clarity with…
www.fmreview.org

 

Refugee Family Summer Update       June 2025
Our Resurrection Peace and Justice sponsored refugee family have passed the six-month anniversary of their arrival in the United States.
Things are now more settled, as a fluid job/no job situation has been stabilized as both Mom and Dad have been hired into permanent positions at a
local industrial manufacturer about 25-30 minutes from home. Mom had a two-month temporary cleaner assignment there in March and April.
Two weeks have passed since the permanent hire, and both are pleased with their positions. Dad has had a promotion already to a more skilled position!
The 20-year-old daughter continues with her full-time warehouse job and has made quite a few friends. The 12-year-old boy completed his spring soccer season and has now begun
summer school in District 47 for learning enhancement. He is a serious student.
Our refugee family is very responsible and grateful — and we are grateful we have been able to actively help them out, with financial assistance from many of you.
Peace and Justice Ministry

 

 

CATHOLIC TEACHING ON MIGRATION