Working for Justice and Peace

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

Recently I attended a 3-day conference of Pastors of English-Speaking Catholics in the Capitols of Europe held in Den Haag, Holland. Our English-Speaking Catholic Community of St. Anthony in Brussels area is by far the largest such grouping in Europe. And, it emerged that we have by far the largest number of children and teenagers preparing for and receiving the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation in the Holy Spirit.

Our gathering in Den Haag discussed a lot of matters of mutual interest but the predominant theme discussed was our involvement in issues concerning justice. It was emphasised that while our charitable contributions are a very important component of our concern for poor suffering people both locally and worldwide, in itself that is not enough from concerned Christians on behalf of their sisters and brothers in Third World countries. Most poor people are suffering because of unjust social and political structures in their countries and our charitable donations alone are not really going to solve the problems of these poor people. We need to do more than just put money in the "Poor Box" - or basket!

There is a worldwide Justice and Peace movement in the Catholic Church for a long time past and it was agreed that every Catholic community needs a Justice and Peace Group within it to constantly remind us of how we can help in promoting Justice and Peace in our world. The aim is to pull together the outreach activities in our Parish Community and to help maintain a common focus on why we are carrying out the will of God in these charitable activities with the aim of making His world a better place for the many who are suffering needlessly. Those of you who would be interested in joining a Parish Justice and Peace Group are asked to Email me at vagall@telenet.be and we can arrange a meeting at a mutually acceptable time.

In this time of Pentecost I pray that all of us will be renewed and strengthened in the Holy Spirit.

Your Pastors, Fathers Vincent and John

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