RC Archdiocese of Birmingham
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Welcome
The Commission aims to inform on the theology, spirituality and practice of Justice & Peace throughout the Birmingham Roman Catholic Archdiocese and provide the Archbishop with advice when required in matters regarding Justice & Peace. The Commission particularly encourages parishes and schools to get involved in the Justice & Peace movement. It covers areas as diverse as global issues such as cancelling the debts of the world's poorest countries; the International Peace movement; environmental issues; housing; homelessness; supporting refugees and asylum seekers and human rights. Within this site you can find information about important dates within the Justice & Peace year, links to other agencies involved with Justice & Peace and resources to download to help in your existing or new Justice & Peace activities. 
Columbans launch Schools Journalism Competition 2019
Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural Columban Schools Journalism competition, the Columbans have launched a 2019 competition with the title: ‘The Challenge of Climate Change’. http://www.columbancompetition.com/ Students aged 15-18 inclusive are invited to write an article or make a video report that informs and raises important issues on the topic. Two separate competitions will be held, one for students in Ireland and one in Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). Each has two categories - writing and video. Closing date for entries: 8 February 2019 The objective of the competition is to encourage students to use their journalistic writing and mobile skills to look at a topical issue which is relevant to society today and resonates with both Catholic Social Teaching and Columban mission. The Pope’s environment encyclical of 2015, Laudato Si, is a major inspiration. 
Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change published in March 2019, is a collection of stories and interviews with young people exploring how the next generation are living spiritual values through social action. St Ethelburga’s will be putting a percentage of the book sales towards an annual award and seed corn grant for young people.
Who do you know who puts their faith or spirituality into action? To win the award they need to have spark, innovation and a commitment to faith or spirituality. They need to be under 38 years old and based in the UK or Ireland. In 2019, it’s inaugural year, as there are not yet any proceeds from the book, the awards will come with a small cash prize of £200, and be presented at the book launch on 7th March: Exploring the Future of Faith. 
GREENPEACE Clingfilmed coconuts? Shrink-wrapped turnips? Cauliflower 'steaks' in plastic bags? Many of us have experienced the frustration of unpacking our weekly shop and finding we're filling our fridges, rubbish bins and recycling with pointless plastic - and it's no surprise when supermarkets are producing 800,000 tonnes of plastic a year! Enough is enough. Will you help expose supermarkets' ridiculous packaging practices? Here's how: 1. Next time you spot some excessive plastic packaging, take a photo. 2. If you use Twitter, tweet the photo using #PointlessPlastic (don't forget to tag the supermarket too!) 3. If you don't use Twitter, you can either post it on another social media channel (like Facebook or Instagram) or alternatively email your picture to us at packaging.uk@greenpeace.org and we'll post it for you! Some people are concerned that plastic is necessary to reduce food waste - but a new study has shown that in some cases it might actually be making the problem worse. When plastic packaging requires food to be a specific size or shape, edible food is rejected because it doesn't look the right way. And whilst some people need pre-prepared fruit and vegetables because of mobility issues, no one needs them to be provided in plastic. If hundreds of us share these pictures of pointless plastic packaging online, together we can show supermarkets that their use of plastic is out of control, and that their customers have had enough. 'Unwrapped: How throwaway plastic is failing to solve Europe's food waste problem (and what we need to do instead)' Link to Green Peace video clip on reusable energy Don’t Ditch Fairtrade: CAFOD has asked Sainsbury’s not to ditch the Fairtrade mark on their own-brand tea. Fairtrade tea empowers farmers and producers in some of the world’s poorest communities. While Sainsbury’s has said the ‘Fairly Traded’ scheme it will trial for its tea will operate in a similar way to Fairtrade, small scale producers say they are concerned that they will lose control over how the money made from their goods can be spent. We’re asking supporters to hand in letters to store managers and sign our online petition. Information on the CAFOD website: https://cafod.org.uk/News/UK-news/Sainsbury-s-blow-to-Fairtrade Link to update 08/03/2018 PostReferendum Statements:
Archbishop Nichols' "No To Racism...." Catholic Association for Racial Justice "Supporting One Another" Holy Land
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Link to CAFOD Webinar on Global Warming
ACAT (Action by Christians against Torture) Christmas Greeting Campaign. 1 – Is the full details direct from ACAT 2 –Is the Summarised version which our Parish – Our Lady of the Wayside in Shirley – produces every year as we, and some other parishes, use it because all the cases are on 2 A4 sheets – using both sides, and are easily distributed in the parishes for parishioners to choose who they would like to help. Link to newsletter with dates of future events Dear Friends of Kairos Palestine.
Earlier you may have received a copy of our Christmas Alert 2018 (http://www.kairospalestine.ps/images/kairos-palestine-christmas-alert-2018.pdf). We hope that you are planning to use it on the Sundays of Advent and on Christmas Sunday. We have just completed weekly bulletin inserts that you can print and use in your faith communities from Sunday to Sunday. Please share these on your social media, too. You’ll find the five inserts are attached to this email. As you have read in the Kairos Palestine Document (www.kairospalestine.ps), “Our word to the Churches of the world is firstly a word of gratitude for the solidarity you have shown toward us in word, deed and presence among us (6.1).” Thank you! Kairos Palestine team First Sunday of Advent Second Sunday of Advent Third Sunday of Advent Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Sunday 
You may have heard that Traidcraft will finish trading at the end of the year and that may have frightened you to death. How can we continue to run our Traidcraft Stall or get supplies? Fear not! The information we have received from Traidcraft is that, although details are not yet available, we WILL be able to continue to get supplies, although the set-up will be different. However, the new arrangements in 2019 will take time to put in place, so we think it would be wise to stock up before the end of the year. If you want any further information, you can phone their Customer Services on 0191 491 0855. "Our Common Home: Caring for God's Creation" an example of a Study Course for Lent that you may find interesting. 
Coventry Night Shelter News Letter
Here is the Night Shelter Wish List for November. This month we need single duvet covers, mugs and cereal bowls. And, as always, any donations of fresh fruit, peanut butter, juice, and snacks people can take away such as crisps are always welcomed by those staying with us if you want to offer a little something extra. Donations can be dropped off with us any time we are open, or non perishable items can go into the wooden box outside the door. 
NJPN Newsletter
The December NW NJPN E Bulletin leads with a hard-hitting Remembrance Day homily by a Leicestershire priest, plus a reflection, also making links to the Arms Trade, from Christine Allen of Christian Aid, the newly appointed Director for CAFOD. Several pages are devoted to highlights from the UN Special Rapporteur's damning analysis of poverty in the UK. Climate change also features extensively as well as book reviews and a comprehensive diary going right through till March 2019. Do please pass on to others. Wishing all our readers the joys of the Christmas season and a peaceful New Year. From Anne O’Connor Link to Brush Stokes newsletter November 2018 October 2018 
Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission Parish News Bulletin Dear Friends September 2018 F&J E-Bulletin and information about the many and varied events taking place in Liverpool during the weekend of the Adoremus Congress. I hope you will be able to take the time to read and share the newsletter. The newsletter can be downloaded directly on https://tinyurl.com/yc5umzh3 Peace and best wishes Maggie Administrator Lancaster Diocesan Faith and Justice Commission 
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The Birmingham Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is funded by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and is a member of the Caritas - Archdiocese of Birmingham Network
Birmingham RC Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission 2015