The Marianist Social Justice Collaborative began in 1998. Since that time, we have continued the founding vision of the Collaborative: to educate the Marianist Family about social justice, to help Marianist Family members network around common social justice concerns and to provide community reflection and support for Marianists to do the work of justice. MSJC tries to operate in the spirit of our Marianist Founders in forming a community that draws from the contributions of the many diverse elements of the Marianist Family. Just as the method of our founders was to help form individuals and communities who would cooperate with the Holy Spirit under the inspiration of the Mary in building up the Body of Christ, the MSJC seeks to do the same in the area of social justice.
Our Ongoing Efforts
Following the gospel of Jesus Christ and Mary’s example, the Marianist Family empowers individuals, families, and communities to build the common good. We dedicate ourselves to promoting human dignity, protecting human rights, and practicing an integral ecology.
Our Vision Statement
Through the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, the three branches of the Marianist Family in North America (the Society of Mary, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and the Marianist Lay Community) unite and multiply the efforts of Marianists to act for social justice. Inspired by Mary’s yes and our founders’ call to respond to the signs of the times, we commit to building authentic, inclusive, and diverse community, in order to build a more just world and Church. MSJC offers hope, inspiration, and opportunity for action through education, outreach, skill-building and advocacy at the local, national and international levels.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Who We Are
In 2022, MSJC created an Antiracism Ad Hoc Committee which will advance our goal to progress forward on the continuum as an antiracist organization. The current members of this committee are Maimoa Fineisaloi, Miranda Melone, Kathy McGinnis, Bro. Steve O’Neil, Brian Reavey, Carlos Stewart, and Sarah Gray. While this committee is new, they commit to reporting updates about the work of antiracism, both within MSJC and beyond, here.
Antiracism Commitment
Laudato Si Action Platform
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES
Antiracism Commitment
MSJC is committed to engaging with and utilizing restorative practices and principles in our justice work. Specifically, we are focused on a restorative practice called the circle process. This is a communication process based on ancient wisdom that helps build understanding, safety, and authenticity within groups. We commit to sponsor folks within MSJC and the Marianist Family to become trained as restorative circle keepers. Learn more about this practice or opportunities by contacting us.
Restorative Practices and Principles
LAUDATO SI ACTION PLATFORM
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES
Antiracism Commitment
MSJC is committed to participating in the 7 year Vatican led Laudato si Action Platform (LSAP) and the Marianist Family Encounters Project to create a framework for, in collaboration with other Catholic groups and experts, Marianist advancement on Laudato si goals.
Laudato si Action Platform
LAUDATO SI ACTION PLATFORM
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES
Antiracism Commitment
- MSJC has increased our staff to a full-time direction and half-time assistant director.
- MSJC has worked for the inclusion and support of LGBTQ+ persons in Marianist circles and spaces.
- MSJC has increased our fundraising capacity.
- MSJC is measurably, several steps forward towards becoming a truly anti-racist organization.
- Our participants have been measurably impacted by programming from each of our issue teams.
- All MSJC volunteers have had a positive experience with restorative justice practices.
- MSJC has strengthened our collaborative outreach and increased our work with other groups.
- Our 25th anniversary has been celebrated by highlighting our mission and accomplishments.
MSJC 5 Year Goals:
2019 - 2024
Federal Death Penalty Abolition Legislation, reintroduced in 2023, would prohibit anyone from being sentenced to death or put to death for any violation of Federal law. The House Bill is linked here (H.R.4633) and the Senate Bill here (S.2299). Go to this link for a list of Endorsing Organizations (including MSJC).
Catholic Letter to Congress on Climate Action by Catholic Climate Covenant -- In the spirit of Pope Francis' Laudato Si, it urges Congress to support legislation that protects our climate.
Letter to the President to End Inhumane Immigrant Detention -- This faith letter urges the Biden Administration to take very doable and concrete steps that will halt current immigration detention expansion efforts, terminate current ICE contracts, invest in rights-respecting border management, and inact just and humane immigration policies.
Catholic Appeal for Climate Action to President and Congress -- A coalition of Catholic social justice and religious groups, under the leadership of the Catholic Climate Covenant, wrote to President Biden and Congress, asking them to work beyond partisanship and create climate solutions that will build a better future for present and future generations and our common home.
Statement issued by New Ways Ministry entitled A Home for All: A Catholic Call for LGBTQ Non-Discrimination
Policy Framework to Advance Just Immigration & Refugee Resettlement -- The Hope Border Institute created an "action framework with the goal of fundamentally changing the economic, migration, human rights and development policies in the region, at the same time that we help all of our families survive this crisis and reconstruct a better, more just and equitable future." MSJC signed onto this policy framework letter which was sent to then President-elect Biden.
July 2023
September 2022
December 2021
September 2021
August 2021
December 2020
MSJC is committed to engaging with and utilizing restorative practices and principles in our justice work. Specifically, we are focused on a restorative practice called the circle process. This is a communication process based on ancient wisdom that helps build understanding, safety, and authenticity within groups. We commit to sponsor folks within MSJC and the Marianist Family to become trained as restorative circle keepers. Learn more about this practice or opportunities by contacting us.
Restorative Practices and Principles
LAUDATO SI ACTION PLATFORM
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES
Antiracism Commitment
MSJC is committed to participating in the 7 year Vatican led Laudato si Action Platform (LSAP) and the Marianist Family Encounters Project to create a framework for, in collaboration with other Catholic groups and experts, Marianist advancement on Laudato si goals.
Laudato si Action Platform
LAUDATO SI ACTION PLATFORM
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES
Antiracism Commitment
