Mission Statement
Called by Pope Francis’s urgent message in Laudato Si’ to care for creation and for the poor, the Holy Cross/St. Patrick’s Social & Ecological Justice Committee sees itself as a resource and catalyst for the work of social and climate justice in our parishes.
To achieve this end, We propose to:
1. promote “greener” practices within our parishes;
2. advocate for a simpler lifestyle among our parishioners, in solidarity with the poor of this world;
3. organize parish activities to raise awareness of social and ecological injustice;
4. work with other groups within our parishes, the diocese, and the Greater Victoria community – towards the Common Good.
The Holy Cross/St. Patrick’s Social & Ecological Justice Committee also serves as a joint “core team,” representing our parishes at the Greater Victoria Acting Together (GVAT) Alliance, a coalition of faith groups, environmental organizations, unions, student societies and other front-line service providers. See “What is GVAT?” to find out more about our involvement in this social and climate justice alliance.
History of SEJC
Fr. William Hann initiated the SEJC at Holy Cross in 2016, one year after the publication of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’. The Committee has worked to create a greener environment at the parish (eg. better recycling and composting, switching to fair-trade coffee, transforming our gardens into a more pollinator-friendly, drought-resistant green space) and to raise awareness on social justice issues (reconciliation, housing unaffordability, human rights violations) through educational workshops, letter-writing campaigns, and attendance at rallies. In 2021, members of St. Patrick’s Parish joined the SEJC and we now work together as one team serving both parishes.
Annual Reports
Current Activity
- Food Collection for UVic Students (starting in September at Holy Cross)
Interested in joining us?
New members from either parish are always welcome! Contact the office at office@holycrossvictoria.org.
Holy Cross Parish 