Social Justice Week was established by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference in 1997 as an ongoing commitment in the Catholic calendar. This week is a time to consider, reflect and take action on a particular current social justice issue in the light of Catholic social teaching. This year the theme is: A Culture of Encounter: BE the Church. He Ahurea Tūtaki ki Ētahi atu: Me Noho Ko Koutou te Hāhi

 In our daily lives, all of us encounter others in different and unique ways. As we reflect on these encounters and how they enable us to BE the church, we must always remember that we are all made in the image of God and have an inherent and immeasurable worth and dignity. We are called to love and respect God’s creation – including all those around us. 

In Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, he reflected that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world and spoke of the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships with each other. He continues this theme in his most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti (2020), where he warns all people that ‘the sense of belonging to a single human family is fading’, and as our world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic we must not dismiss the sense that we all share a common humanity.

 Pope Francis challenges us all to restore a sense of closeness and a culture of encounter. He quotes St Francis in calling for “a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance.” (Fratelli Tutti, #1). In today’s society, there are many reasons why people can easily get caught within their own bubble and be removed from those around them. The impact of the pandemic, our reliance on technology, a growing culture of individualism and instant gratification are just a few reasons. However, we are called to be God’s hands and feet, and this requires encountering others and sharing God’s transcending and transforming love. 

Catholic school communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand  join in solidarity and learn about how we encounter one another as brothers and sisters and how we can be more like Jesus in living out the Beatitudes.