What Is the Peace and Social Justice Ministry
The St. Paul Newman Center’s Peace and Social Justice Ministry was formed in 2016. Our mission is to provide educational awareness and activities and actions that will bring about positive change for the people most in need.
The words of Jesus and Pope Francis dictate that we need to work together towards peace and social justice. We need to build bridges that will overcome the walls of exclusion, indifference, prejudice, and intolerance. (www.thinkingfaith.org)
CEAC
The Community Engagement and Action Committee (CEAC) is a vital expression of our Peace and Social Justice Ministry, which seeks "to provide educational awareness and activities and actions that will bring about positive change for the people most in need." Through CEAC, every parishioner is invited to participate in meaningful acts of service, advocacy, and education that respond to the needs of our broader community.
In this spirit, CEAC continues to explore and support areas of ministry that reflect our call to love our neighbor and care for the world entrusted to us. Among these are efforts grounded in Restorative Justice, which promote healing and reconciliation in the face of harm, and Creation Care, which recognizes our shared responsibility to safeguard God’s creation and ensure a just and sustainable world for all, especially the most vulnerable.
By embracing these expressions of justice and compassion, CEAC affirms its role as a space where faith is put into action—where parishioners can respond to the issues that touch their hearts and be part of efforts that build peace, restore dignity, and foster hope. These commitments align closely with our ministry’s mission and offer rich opportunities for deeper community engagement and transformative service.
If there are issues that speak to your heart, CEAC welcomes you. We offer a space to learn, share, and act together in faith. Your voice, passion, and presence can help shape our efforts and bring about meaningful change. Join us in building a more just and compassionate world, starting right here in our parish community.
Contact Information
Join our Flocknote group to receive additonal information and stay up to date with this ministry.
The Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- Genesis 1:26-27 (created in the image of God)
- Deuteronomy 30:19 (choose life)
- Psalm 8:5-7 (humans made little less than a god)
- John 12:32 (Christ will draw all to himself)
- 1 Corinthians 15:22 (Christ died for all)
2. Call to Family, Community and Participation
- Genesis 17:7-8 (God covenants with a people)
- Exodus 6:6-8 (God's covenant frees a people)
- Leviticus 19:9-15, 35-37; Deuteronomy 14:22-29, 15:1-18, 24:10-22 (some of covenant's social laws)
- Jeremiah 32:38-40 (God's covenant with a people and their children)
- Mark 1:14-15 (the reign of God, a social image)
- Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 8:7-12 (Christ's new covenant)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mGxEAtVGcU
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
- Exodus 22:20-22; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 24:17-18 (laws protecting aliens, widows, orphans)
- Exodus 22:24-26; Leviticus 25:23-28; Deuteronomy 15:1-11, 23:20, 24:6 and 10-13 (laws protecting debtors)
- Deuteronomy 14:28-29, 26:12-13 (laws providing for the poor)
- Matthew 25:31-46 (judgment of nations)
- Luke 4:16-21 (Jesus' mission to the poor/outcast)
- Luke 14:12-14 (reach out to the poor/vulnerable)
5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
- Genesis 2:2-3 (God labors and rests)
- Genesis 2:15 (humans cultivate earth)
- Exodus 20:9-11, 23:12, 34:21; Leviticus 23:3; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (Sabbath gave laborers rest)
- Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Sirach 34:22; Jeremiah 22:13; James 5:4 (wage justice)
- Isaiah 58:3 (do not drive laborers)
- Matthew 20:1-16 (Jesus uses wage law in parable)
- Mark 6:3 (Jesus worked as carpenter)
- Mark 2:27 (Sabbath is for benefit of people)
- Matthew 10:9-10; Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (laborer deserves pay)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2G8jGOva7Y
6. Solidarity
- Genesis 22:17-18; Psalm 22:28-29 (save all nations)
- Isaialı 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-3 (peace for all nations)
- Romans 10:12 (no national distinctions in God)
- Galatians 3:28 (all one in Christ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cteMjwOBPtw
7. Care for God’s Creation
- Genesis 1:31 (goodness of creation)
- Genesis 2:15 (stewardship of earth)
- Daniel 3:74-81 (all the earth blesses God)
- Hosea 4:1-3 (humans wound the earth)
- Romans 8:18-25 (all creation awaits: redemption)
Racial Equity and Social Justice
- Human Trafficking
- Indigenous Communities
- Local Contact Roman Raintree: [email protected]
- www.renamesquawvalley.com
- Fresno Bee Article on Renaming Squaw Valley https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article266270086.html
- Rename Squaw Valley Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rename-Squaw-Valley-Fresno-County/100069141912812/
Care for the Poor
Advocate the Global Food Security Act
Millions of people experience hunger every year due to conflict, climate change, economic crises and other causes. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased food insecurity—nearly one in 10 people were undernourished in 2020.
You can help communities around the world overcome hunger and malnutrition. Urge Congress to reauthorize the Global Food Security Act, which helps farmers learn sustainable farming practices and produce more food, improves nutrition and reduces poverty.
Click on this link to find out how you can help: Catholic Relief Services Website
Food Insecurity
- The Food Recovery Program at the SPCNC every Friday night from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in our Cafeteria. Volunteers Needed: Jim Grant, [email protected]
- Poverello House www.poverellohouse.org
- Catholic Relief Services www.crs.org
Health Care Issues
- Homelessness & Housing Issues
- Mental Health
- Fresno’s Suicide Prevention Walk: “Out of the Darkness” was at Woodward Park, September 17, 2022
- Sign a petition to have congress enforce the mental health and addiction partity. Take Action by Clicking Here
- Encourage all interested parishioners to be better informed, join the #Vote4mentalhealth pledge: https://www.vote4mentalhealth.org
- Advocate to To increase funding for accessible mental health services in crisis situations, learn more about advocate for AB-988: https://www.themileshallfoundation.org/ab-988
- Addiction/Recovery
Human Rights and Responsibilities
Immigration Resources
The California Catholic Conference has a list of resources that cover:
- Immigration Enforcement and Protected Areas
- Addressing common misconceptions and questions regarding the Church’s role in serving migrants and refugees
- Services offered through our Catholic Charities
They will be adding additonal resources as the situation develops. Please click the link to view their page.
Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey
Environmental Justice (Creation Care)
- Environmental Legislation
- Earthbeat Weekly Newsletter:
- Yo’Ville Community Garden and Farm: Fresno Metro Ministry
- Laudato Si Action Platform
- Recycling: https://www.fresno.gov/recycling
Restorative Justice
Crime Survivors Ministry
Maciel Godburn: [email protected]
Last September 4, Maciel Godburn of the Crime Survivors Ministry, together with Sally Peralta and Israel Gonzalez from St. Paul Catholic Newman Center, offered a prayer service in Wasco cemetery to help the family of Guillermo ‘Memo’ Leon celebrate his birthday. Maciel led the surviving family in praying the rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, and a healing prayer for the family of homicide victims. The Leon family released some balloons and doves as symbols of their love for Memo.
Here’s some photos of the event:
