Social Justice Week 11-17 September 2016 We all have a migration story: Fostering a culture of encounter RESOURCES AND LITURGY NOTES 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C 11 September 2016 Tutu ana te puehu Stirring up the dust Dear brothers and sisters, migrants and refugees! At the heart of the Gospel of Mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and acceptance of God himself. Welcoming others means welcoming God in person. POPE FRANCIS Published by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand PO Box 12-193 Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand
[email protected] www.caritas.org.nz ISBN: 978-0-908348-08-4 (Print) ISBN: 978-0-908348-09-1 (Online) Research and writing: Cathy Bi, Louise Campbell, Fr Patrick Bridgman, Phillip Hadley Editing: Lisa Beech, Emily Benefield Graphic Design: Rose Miller Illustrations: Kieran Rynhart What is Social Justice Week? Social Justice Week was established by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference in 1997 as an ongoing commitment in the Catholic calendar for the week beginning the second Sunday of September. This is a time to consider, reflect and take action on a particular current social justice issue in the light of Catholic social teaching. Social Justice Week falls during the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This is a period in which the liturgical readings teach us about discipleship. This year the Social Justice Week theme is: We all have a migration story: Fostering a culture of encounter. Why include liturgy notes for Social Justice Week? “A real concern today is that liturgy and social justice tend to be treated as two unrelated activities in the life of the Church … the equality we know at the table of Christ’s Body must be celebrated at all other tables.” Cardinal Tom Williams said these words in 1997 at “Love in Action Day” during an address to a gathering of Catholic charity and social justice groups.