Association of Social Justice Staff (ASJS)
What is ASJS?
ASJS is a professional organization, formed in 1994 for parish staff, paid and unpaid, who have social justice responsibilities at their parish. ASJS is a member of the Coalition for Ministries of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.
When does ASJS meet?
ASJS meets approximately six times a year. Members bring their own lunch to the meeting. We begin at Noon and finish by 2:00 p.m. An agenda is sent out prior to each meeting.
Who's in charge of ASJS?
ASJS members themselves control the organization. The Office for Social Justice provides staff assistance for the ASJS meetings. ASJS also has a designated representative to the Coalition for Ministries.
What does ASJS do?
ASJS is an organization through which members share ideas and express their solidarity with other parish staff people who coordinate social justice efforts. ASJS members also give feedback to the Archdiocesan Office for Social Justice about programs, resources, and needs. Leadership skills are developed and reinforced by topical discussions that vary from meeting to meeting. One of the first projects undertaken by ASJS was to draft a list of competency areas for parish staff persons working in the field of social justice. A goal of ASJS is to encourage more parishes to employ professional staff who can empower parishioners to act for justice; to move beyond social service responses.
How does ASJS define the term "social justice?"
Working for social justice means working for social change that is focused on systems and institutions. The goal of social justice is to transform policies to be more responsive to human needs. Social justice efforts are directed at the root causes of human suffering, not the immediate symptoms.
Contact the Office for Social Justice at (651) 291-4477.
