Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours Social Justice Week 10 – 16 September 2017 Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours Photos from St Patrick’s parish in Invercargill

“Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #92 Social Justice Week 2017 is from the 10 – 16th of September this year, a week before the elections. The theme this year is Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours. We’ve been corresponding quite extensively this year with the JPD ahead of Social Justice Week, so I’m guessing that many of you knew this already! The title of the theme arose from the Pope Francis quote in Laudato Si’ : “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” In our discerning for a theme for Social Justice Week this year, it was felt strongly that the issue of disconnection and distance experienced between people is a major issue that underpins many of the social issues that we face today. We’ve drawn strongly on Laudato Si’ when we are thinking about this theme. As you know, Laudato Si’ strongly emphasise the interconnectedness of all things, between people and God, people and each other and people with creation. The crux of this year’s Social Justice Week this year is encouraging us all to recognise the centrality of relationships and community in our growth as people and as a society. Pope Francis reflects in his Laudato Si’ that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world. What we need is not just economic growth and development, but development that can enable all people to participate in society and to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other. A Māori whakatauki captures this idea for us: atawhaingia te pā harakeke - nurture and protect the flax grove of the village. Healthy strong relationships are at the heart of any thriving community. If we do not nurture our relationships, then other aspects of community life will be affected. We are inviting people back to the basic action of getting to know their neighbours.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #237 “Rest opens our eyes to the larger picture and gives us renewed sensitivity to the rights of others. And so the day of rest, centred on the Eucharist, sheds it light on the whole week, and motivates us to greater concern for nature and the poor.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #237 Social Justice Week 2017 is from the 10 – 16th of September this year, a week before the elections. The theme this year is Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours. We’ve been corresponding quite extensively this year with the JPD ahead of Social Justice Week, so I’m guessing that many of you knew this already! The title of the theme arose from the Pope Francis quote in Laudato Si’ : “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” In our discerning for a theme for Social Justice Week this year, it was felt strongly that the issue of disconnection and distance experienced between people is a major issue that underpins many of the social issues that we face today. We’ve drawn strongly on Laudato Si’ when we are thinking about this theme. As you know, Laudato Si’ strongly emphasise the interconnectedness of all things, between people and God, people and each other and people with creation. The crux of this year’s Social Justice Week this year is encouraging us all to recognise the centrality of relationships and community in our growth as people and as a society. Pope Francis reflects in his Laudato Si’ that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world. What we need is not just economic growth and development, but development that can enable all people to participate in society and to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other. A Māori whakatauki captures this idea for us: atawhaingia te pā harakeke - nurture and protect the flax grove of the village. Healthy strong relationships are at the heart of any thriving community. If we do not nurture our relationships, then other aspects of community life will be affected. We are inviting people back to the basic action of getting to know their neighbours.

Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 2013, #92 “The Lord’s disciples are called to live as a community which is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are called to bear witness to a constantly new way of living together in fidelity to the Gospel. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of community!” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 2013, #92 Social Justice Week 2017 is from the 10 – 16th of September this year, a week before the elections. The theme this year is Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours. We’ve been corresponding quite extensively this year with the JPD ahead of Social Justice Week, so I’m guessing that many of you knew this already! The title of the theme arose from the Pope Francis quote in Laudato Si’ : “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” In our discerning for a theme for Social Justice Week this year, it was felt strongly that the issue of disconnection and distance experienced between people is a major issue that underpins many of the social issues that we face today. We’ve drawn strongly on Laudato Si’ when we are thinking about this theme. As you know, Laudato Si’ strongly emphasise the interconnectedness of all things, between people and God, people and each other and people with creation. The crux of this year’s Social Justice Week this year is encouraging us all to recognise the centrality of relationships and community in our growth as people and as a society. Pope Francis reflects in his Laudato Si’ that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world. What we need is not just economic growth and development, but development that can enable all people to participate in society and to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other. A Māori whakatauki captures this idea for us: atawhaingia te pā harakeke - nurture and protect the flax grove of the village. Healthy strong relationships are at the heart of any thriving community. If we do not nurture our relationships, then other aspects of community life will be affected. We are inviting people back to the basic action of getting to know their neighbours.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #230 “Saint Therese of Lisieux invites us to practise the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #230 Social Justice Week 2017 is from the 10 – 16th of September this year, a week before the elections. The theme this year is Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours. We’ve been corresponding quite extensively this year with the JPD ahead of Social Justice Week, so I’m guessing that many of you knew this already! The title of the theme arose from the Pope Francis quote in Laudato Si’ : “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” In our discerning for a theme for Social Justice Week this year, it was felt strongly that the issue of disconnection and distance experienced between people is a major issue that underpins many of the social issues that we face today. We’ve drawn strongly on Laudato Si’ when we are thinking about this theme. As you know, Laudato Si’ strongly emphasise the interconnectedness of all things, between people and God, people and each other and people with creation. The crux of this year’s Social Justice Week this year is encouraging us all to recognise the centrality of relationships and community in our growth as people and as a society. Pope Francis reflects in his Laudato Si’ that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world. What we need is not just economic growth and development, but development that can enable all people to participate in society and to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other. A Māori whakatauki captures this idea for us: atawhaingia te pā harakeke - nurture and protect the flax grove of the village. Healthy strong relationships are at the heart of any thriving community. If we do not nurture our relationships, then other aspects of community life will be affected. We are inviting people back to the basic action of getting to know their neighbours.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #149 “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 2015, #149 Social Justice Week 2017 is from the 10 – 16th of September this year, a week before the elections. The theme this year is Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours. We’ve been corresponding quite extensively this year with the JPD ahead of Social Justice Week, so I’m guessing that many of you knew this already! The title of the theme arose from the Pope Francis quote in Laudato Si’ : “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” In our discerning for a theme for Social Justice Week this year, it was felt strongly that the issue of disconnection and distance experienced between people is a major issue that underpins many of the social issues that we face today. We’ve drawn strongly on Laudato Si’ when we are thinking about this theme. As you know, Laudato Si’ strongly emphasise the interconnectedness of all things, between people and God, people and each other and people with creation. The crux of this year’s Social Justice Week this year is encouraging us all to recognise the centrality of relationships and community in our growth as people and as a society. Pope Francis reflects in his Laudato Si’ that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world. What we need is not just economic growth and development, but development that can enable all people to participate in society and to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other. A Māori whakatauki captures this idea for us: atawhaingia te pā harakeke - nurture and protect the flax grove of the village. Healthy strong relationships are at the heart of any thriving community. If we do not nurture our relationships, then other aspects of community life will be affected. We are inviting people back to the basic action of getting to know their neighbours.

Weave the people together Social Justice Week 2017 is from the 10 – 16th of September this year, a week before the elections. The theme this year is Weaving bonds of belonging: Knowing our neighbours. We’ve been corresponding quite extensively this year with the JPD ahead of Social Justice Week, so I’m guessing that many of you knew this already! The title of the theme arose from the Pope Francis quote in Laudato Si’ : “Many people… are able to weave bonds of belonging and togetherness which convert overcrowding into an experience of community in which the walls of the ego are torn down and the barriers of selfishness overcome. ” In our discerning for a theme for Social Justice Week this year, it was felt strongly that the issue of disconnection and distance experienced between people is a major issue that underpins many of the social issues that we face today. We’ve drawn strongly on Laudato Si’ when we are thinking about this theme. As you know, Laudato Si’ strongly emphasise the interconnectedness of all things, between people and God, people and each other and people with creation. The crux of this year’s Social Justice Week this year is encouraging us all to recognise the centrality of relationships and community in our growth as people and as a society. Pope Francis reflects in his Laudato Si’ that social cohesion is being threatened in today’s world. What we need is not just economic growth and development, but development that can enable all people to participate in society and to cultivate meaningful relationships with each other. A Māori whakatauki captures this idea for us: atawhaingia te pā harakeke - nurture and protect the flax grove of the village. Healthy strong relationships are at the heart of any thriving community. If we do not nurture our relationships, then other aspects of community life will be affected. We are inviting people back to the basic action of getting to know their neighbours. Whiria te tangata Weave the people together