An opportunity to connect with others with a heart for working for justice in the church was welcomed at a hui in Upper Hutt on Saturday December 1.
The hui grew out of an idea from Synod 2006 for all those working in social justice groups in the archdiocese to get together to support and learn from each other.
It was a joint venture between the Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission and St Joseph’s Parish Upper Hutt Justice and Peace group which hosted it.
Many justice groups within the archdiocese were represented at the hui as were other groups working for justice and peace. Mary Hepburn from the JPD office facilitated the day.
The hui consisted of prayer, the sharing of the various initiatives the different groups had participated in and input regarding a call from the archdiocese to make justice a priority.
Everyone at the hui agreed that working in the area of justice can sometimes seem like voices in the wilderness and it was encouraging to share with others and discover the commitment that many give to respond to the church’s call to work for justice and peace.
Each group had an opportunity to prioritise those issues that were of deep concern to them and to offer the justice commission areas they felt needed to be addressed.
All agreed that the day was energizing and many expressed the desire for it to be an annual event.
A similar day will be held in Richmond, Nelson, on March 1. For more information phone Mary Hepburn (04) 496 1701 or email m.hepburn@wn.catholic.org.nz or JPD, PO Box 1937, Wellington 6140.