A season for new beginnings

By Fr Stephan Alexander

General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

My reflections of the past weeks helped to open me to the reality that we are in a season of ‘new beginnings’.

Many of us understand that phrase as something positive. It’s a fresh start, a new opportunity, a decisive step towards positive change.

This positivity was the grace that God gifted me at a time when the uncertainty of change tried to seduce me into a tendency to worry and negative thinking.

On Saturday, November 30, the CCSJ hosted a celebration of acknowledgment and appreciation upon the conclusion of a programme that helped to fund the majority of our activities of the last three years.

As I wrestled with the reality of this end of funding and the necessity to uncover new sources in the face of resurgence in the Venezuelan migrant crisis, God granted me an insight into the blessing of new beginnings.

I shared this blessing generously as I spoke sincerely with those members of parish ministries to migrants and refugees, members of civil society and other guests who attended the celebration.

The hope that I experienced and communicated came from my observation of the ‘signs of the times’. One of these signs of new beginnings was the end of the Synod on Synodality on October 27.

The final document of the synod fathers and mothers, and ratified by Pope Francis, invited us to work together to create “a Church that is the servant of all; … a synodal and missionary Church; a Church that adores God and serves the women and men of our time, going forth to bring to everyone the consoling joy of the Gospel.”

This is a great sign of who we are becoming as we journey together authentically, loving God and seeking the common good of all.

The Advent season, which ushered in a new liturgical year, was another great sign. The readings for the second Sunday of Advent were particularly inspirational as they helped me to understand that “The mountains we need to remove today are the mountains of indifference and self-centeredness. And the valleys that we must fill are the valleys of cynicism and fear of change.” The need for humility and openness to the coming of God, who comes to us, was exemplified in the story of John the Baptist to whom the word of God came in the wilderness.

Jubilee 2025 was an equally strong symbol of hope and new beginnings. A time when we stop and prioritise right living, that is, right relationships by giving to each other their due, forgiveness of debts and other works of love and justice. These helped me to focus on the tremendous opportunity available to the CCSJ to broaden our focus.

Under the guidance and leadership of our new Chairman, Fr Dr Curtis Poyer, the CCSJ is embracing the task of continuing our work with migrant ministry while enhancing the necessary work in the other major areas of social justice.

A brief introduction and description of each of these areas follows:

1. Economic Justice – Ensures equitable access to resources, fair wages, and opportunities for all, addressing poverty, wealth inequality, and labour rights.
2. Gender Justice – Advocates for equality and fairness between genders, combating discrimination, gender-based violence, and structural inequalities.
3. Racial Justice – Seeks to eliminate racism and promote equity for all races, addressing systemic discrimination, prejudice, and disparities in opportunity and treatment.
4. Justice for Victims of Crime/Criminal Justice – Focuses on protecting victims’ rights and ensuring accountability and rehabilitation for offenders within a fair and humane legal framework.
5. Environmental Justice/Care for our common home – Promotes the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, prioritising the protection of ecosystems and marginalised communities affected by environmental harm.
6. Political Justice – Upholds democratic principles, ensuring fair representation, participation, and protection of civil liberties and human rights.
7. Age Justice – Addresses ageism and ensures fair treatment, opportunities, and respect for people of all ages, especially children and the elderly.
8. Justice for People with Disabilities/Differently Abled – Advocates for inclusion, accessibility, and equitable opportunities, combating stigma and systemic barriers faced by individuals with disabilities.
9. Historical Justice – Acknowledges and seeks redress for historical wrongs, such as slavery, colonisation, and genocide, through reparations, reconciliation, and truth-telling.
10. Justice for Displaced Persons/Migrants and Refugees – Ensures protection, dignity, and access to resources and rights for those displaced by conflict, persecution, or disasters, fostering integration and humane treatment.

As we embrace this new focus in our mission, we seek your help and support. Advocacy is important but so too is being there for others by giving of our time and contributing from our finances.

We are inviting parishes to join us by establishing parish social justice ministries and parishioners who feel inspired to reach out to your parish priests or to us at the CCSJ. May we experience and share these new beginnings together.

The CCSJ asks for your support.

Please donate: Catholic Commission for Social Justice

Account #: 290 458 025 501

Bank: Republic Bank Ltd.

or you can contact us at:

admin.ccsj@catholictt.org