Sts. Peter and Paul dedicates week to justice, peace and life

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Sts. Peter and Paul Parish presented the first Catholic Week of Justice, Peace and Life. Shown are images and poster boards depicting the various states of the Mexican Republic.

WEST VALLEY CITY – As part of the implementation of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of the Dignity of the Human Person, Saints Peter and Paul Parish presented the first Catholic Week of Justice, Peace and Life.

It was organized by Fr. Sebastien Sasa, the parish administrator, in conjunction with Juanita Cortes, Enrique García and Jimena Zamora Bonilla, parishioners and leaders of the parish.

Welcoming parishioners to the week, Fr. Sasa thanked God “for the grace of the Holy Spirit that is with us in this spiritual and human growth.”

Each day of the weeklong event started with recitation of the holy rosary with the intention for justice, peace and life in Mexico. Each afternoon different talks were presented narrating the history of one of the states that form the Mexican Republic and the needs that they have.

Jean Hill, director of the diocesan Office of Life, Justice and Peace, said she was very excited when she heard that Fr. Sasa and his parishioners took the initiative to put together and present a week dedicated to these topics.

“I am so grateful to Fr. Sasa for providing this incredible opportunity to fulfill their vocations in the social ministry of our Church and for educating the youth in his parish on the social doctrine of the Church,” she said.

The approach that Sts. Peter and Paul took “models subsidiarity and solidarity for parishioners by giving them the opportunity to address the needs in their community and put their faith into action,” said Hill, referring to the fact that the talks were presented by people who are originally from the states in Mexico.

“It was incredible to see so many parishioners responding with enthusiasm to our social mission,” said Hill, who was one of the event sponsors.

Fr. Sasa “brings the joy of the Gospel to his parishioners and is helping them carry that joy into the broader community, as all Catholics are called to do,” she added.

Fr. Sasa concluded the week by asking God to pour out his blessings on Mexico and his people, there and here in Utah.

“Viva Christ the King…Viva Our Lady of Guadalupe… Viva Mexico,” said Fr. Sasa adding that he was grateful to all the parishioners for attending and putting together that special week, during which they were all united in prayer no matter if they were from Mexico or not; all were Catholics praying for the wellbeing of the people of God.

“You worked so hard finding all the information and presenting it to open the hearts and awaken the consciousness of what is going on so we could spend all week long praying for what the people of God in Mexico are suffering,” Fr. Sasa said. “Thank you; may God keep blessing all.”

The parishioners have a great love for Mexico, he said. “As St. Paul said, love is the biggest thing that we have to give, and you have given it throughout this week. Thank you all.”

The event concluded with a lunch for the whole parish community.