Parish Social Justice and Peace Group
Our parish group aims to raise awareness of injustice and inequality in our world today in practical ways. Through our thoughts, prayers and actions we respond to the call of Jesus Christ to reach out to our neighbour.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis reminds us that following on the example of Jesus Christ, everyone is called to build peace by promoting and practising justice, truth and love and contributing to human development through solidarity.
The Parish Social Justice Group works alongside a local school based charity Action Zambia (CHY 19255). This charity was set up and is run by some of the staff of Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
Three parishioners Michelle Nicoll, Joanne Barry and Máire Ní Scanaill travelled to Kalomo in southern Zambia in June 2016 along with 13 students from Coláiste Chiaráin in Leixlip. Maynooth parish is sponsoring the building of classrooms in Kalomo Central School. (See the Maynooth Parish Facebook page for more photos!)
If you would be interested in getting involved or have any ideas or suggestions for us, do not hesitate in contacting us at the e-mail address below. There are 10 members in this group.
Contact Names: Máire Ní Scanaill and Michelle Nicoll.
E-mail: maynooth social justice
Classroom
Three parishioners Michelle Nicoll, Joanne Barry and Máire Ní Scanaill travelled to Kalomo in southern Zambia in June 2016 along with 13 students from Coláiste Chiaráin in Leixlip. Maynooth parish is sponsoring the building of classrooms in Kalomo Central School.
Parish Schools
Sixth class pupils of Maynooth Parish schools were asked to donate their schoolbags at the end of the year to Action Zambia (www.actionzambia.net or www.actionzambia.com). These bags were brought out to Kalomo and given to children who have no schoolbags. How delighted the children in Zambia were to receive ‘real school bags’ instead of their plastic bags!! Two of the children below are donating bags to Sr Teresa Molloy who works with the people of Kalomo.
First Communion classes in the parish donated pencils, crayons, copies and pencil cases. All of these were brought out to Kalomo this summer.
The pupils in the Presentation Girls’ School knit some squares; these squares were sewn together to make blankets.
The Parish Social Justice Group works with the schools in the parish. All the children of the Confirmation Classes are invited and challenged to take part in a social justice project as part of their Confirmation Programme. Every year, they are asked to use their own initiative. This year the Boys’ School worked alongside Focus Ireland and looked at the issue of homelessness and they had a sleepover in the school. The Presentation Girls’ School looked at worldwide poverty and worked with Concern. The Educate Together School Confirmation children worked with Trócaire and the Gaelscoil also worked with Trócaire.
Wilderness Meal
The Parish Social Justice Group also organises a Wilderness Meals in the schools – this year it was held in the Gaelscoil, last year in the Boys’ School and the first year in the Girls’ School. The idea of the Wilderness Meal is that we fast in solidarity with all those who go hungry in our world today.
Photo Library
This year we ran a four week Inclusive Parishes Programme as part of the Year of Mercy. Parishioners were invited along to reflect on how our parish might be more welcoming and inclusive. Our Door of Mercy was blessed as part of this programme.
Knitted Blankets
We see below, some of the blankets that the students helped to knit being donated to people in Kalomo in June 2016. Thanks to the generosity of the local ‘Squares’ Knitting Group, over 100 blankets were made and brought out to Kalomo this year.
