Peace and Social Justice/SURE

Advances and applies Catholic social teaching to those local, national and international issues which impact the poor and vulnerable.  We have three primary components: a social justice educational program; a legislative initiatives program; and a public advocacy program.  The public advocacy mission is an outgrowth of our participation in SURE.

SURE is an ecumenical organization whose acronym stands for Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity. St. Martha's along with twenty other faith base communities serve as the poor's advocate before governing bodies of city and county to promote social justice.

Pope Benedict XVI, chose the theme - In truth, peace - for his 2006 World Day of Peace message. He reminded us that the Second Vatican Council declared: ''All those who enter the military in service to their country should look upon themselves as guardians of the security and freedom of their fellow-countrymen, and, in carrying out this duty properly, they too contribute to the establishment of peace.” The Holy Father concluded by asking “for an increase of prayers, since peace is above all a gift of God, a gift to be implored incessantly.” Combining these two thoughts, we initiated an effort we intend to maintain until all of our men and women serving in harms way are brought home. We will add to our prayer line and periodically publish names and addresses submitted of any servicemember currently serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. Name and address requests may be submitted to stmartha_peaceandjustice@comcast.net.

List of individuals to include in your prayers and, if you care to, drop them a line; although you should not expect to hear back.

The Military Officers Association of Sarasota (MOAS) link.

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