Fair Trade Comes to St. James

"So much better than the old coffee." —Wendy

"It's great! It's much better.” —Shelly

“It’s good!” —Arthur

Such were the positive reactions heard by Gude Floratos and Jeanne Miller, members of St. James’ Social Justice Ministry, about the Certified Fair Trade coffee served on February 19th for the first time during Sunday Hospitality.

Under the direction of the Pastoral Council and with the support of the Parish Office and Sunday Hospitality, the Social Justice Ministry is introducing certified fair trade coffee to the parish, as a step toward greater economic justice, sustainability, and global solidarity. Posters and educational materials are available after the 8:00 and 10:00 Masses to familiarize parishioners with fair trade and inform them about where they can buy certified fair trade coffee for home and work.

Why Fair Trade? According to Catholic Relief Services (CRS), fair trade provides hope for small-scale coffee and cocoa farmers worldwide who have been trapped in poverty by global markets beyond their control. It guarantees prices that allow farmers to cover their production costs and provide a decent standard of living for their families.

Pope Benedict XVI tells us that as consumers we have a specific social responsibility: “It is good for people to realize that purchasing is always a moral—and not simply—economic act. Hence the consumer has a specific social responsibility, which goes hand-in-hand with the social responsibility of the enterprise.” (Caritas in Veritate, no. 66)

Fair Trade gives us the opportunity to act in a small but significant way every day through the choices we make as consumers. When we purchase fair trade certified coffee, chocolate or other items, we are putting the values of our faith into action.

What, exactly, is fair trade?Criteria for Fair Trade include paying farmers a fair, living wage in the local context; providing equal employment opportunities for all, especially the most disadvantaged; engaging in environmentally sustainable practices; building long-term trade relationships; and providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context. Producers also benefit from financial, organizational and technical assistance (http://www.crsfairtrade.org/).

After the 8:00 or 10:00 am Mass, stop by for a cup of fair trade coffee, pick up the list of local and CRS sources, and look for fair trade certified coffee when you shop.

Haley O’Brien, 12, learns about Fair Trade (NOTE: Please use this photo first, and if there is more space available, please add any of the others and insert names, if known. Thanks!)

Submitted by: Judy Pang Social Justice Ministry

Parishioner served a cup of Whole Foods French Roast coffee by . OR Parishioner enjoys a cup of Whole Foods French Roast coffee.

Ranil Fernando and serve fair trade coffee and donuts with a smile! OR Fair Trade coffee and donuts served with a smile!

Jeanne Miller, St. James Social Justice Ministy