The archdiocesan Justice and Peace Commission is adding new members to include representatives from the pastoral regional councils in order to facilitate communication and the sharing of resources among the parishes engaged in the work of social justice.

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Solis, director of the Office of Justice and Peace (OJP), said he was delighted to be expanding the work of the commission. The group's members, he said, are "dedicated and deeply rooted in the work of social justice. There's conviction of mission and ministry to make the church a prophet of peace and justice --- not just proclaiming it, but living it --- so we can transform the hearts of fellow Christians to being about change."

The commission plans to continue working on broad issues like comprehensive immigration reform and the healthcare crisis (the theme of the upcoming annual public policy breakfast Sept. 14).

"In the last couple of years we have been gaining steam and we are building capacity so that we can do even more," said Aguilina Soriano, commission chair.

Commission members will be working in four different committees: education, community outreach/interfaith, alliances with clergy, and with parish-based social justice ministries.

"We hope to infuse social justice at all different levels" --- in a way that is grounded in the Gospel and the social teaching of the church, added Soriano, a parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in Atwater.

The commission also plans to offer workshops at the regional congresses in the fall. "We hope to update and inspire the teaching of justice in religious education programs," said Judy Girard, commission vice-chair and director of religious education at St. Mark Church in Venice.

Joe Esseff, business administrator at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo and an active parishioner at St. Julie Billiart Church in Newbury Park, will now serve on the commission as a representative of the social justice committee of the Santa Barbara Regional Council.

Esseff hopes his work assists people to "make the connection between social justice and faith and to have greater awareness of what Scripture calls us to." He sees in Jesus' ministry a moral responsibility to address the issues which impact people's lives.

Joe Lusnia, a parishioner at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Pasadena, will serve on the commission representing the justice and peace standing committee of the San Gabriel Regional Council.

Lusnia is interested in the education and formation of youth in the Catholic principles of social justice. A father to three sons, he added that "if we get youth involved now, they could be doing justice and peace work the rest of their lives."

Tony Fadale a parishioner at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach came to the commission after he participated in the program JustFaith and discovered "a whole new passion to prayer," one that involves making a deeper commitment to helping others. This has included getting involved in shaping public policy and engaging in conversations with his wife about how the family spends its income.

Fadale, a retired educator, is eager to work on a commission subcommittee on education.

The members of the Justice and Peace Commission are: Cathleen Crayton, George Crook, Allis Druffel, Joe Esseff (Santa Barbara Regional Social Justice Committee representative), Tony Fadale, Social Service Sister Anne Field, Judith Girard (vice chair), Robert Gutierrez, Dominican Sister Mary Sean Hodges, Alice Linsmeier, Joe Lusnia (San Gabriel Regional Social Justice Committee representative), Ken Martinet, Rámon Posada, Bernadette Robert, Company of Mary Sister Claudia Romero (San Fernando Regional Social Justice Committee representative), Aquilina Soriano (Chair), Deacon John Steele and Deacon Manuel Valencia.

Ex-officio members include Bishop Solis, OJP director; Social Service Sister Gail Young, OJP program coordinator; Cambria Smith, former commission chair; and Joan Harper, OJP program consultant. Two additional members will be named from the Our Lady of the Angels Region and the San Pedro Region.