“…and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' " Luke 12:20
Using money is a moral act.
The way we choose to use our financial resources says much about who and what we value. The Office for Corporate Social Responsibility helps us fulfill the Gospel mandate to care for the needs of the poor by using our resources justly, and encouraging others to use their resources in a way that honors the value and dignity of human life and of all creation.
“Why would a congregation of women who profess a vow of poverty be involved in the investment arena?”
It is precisely because of our vow of poverty that we invest our resources.
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need.” Acts 2:45.
Most of the sisters who are in active ministry receive a salary for their work, but that money does not belong to them. Individually, we use only the resources we need. Our paychecks are held in common and used to meet the needs of the entire congregation, including the retired and infirm members. The money we earn is also used to support our ministries with the poor and underprivileged where often there is no salary. Finally, what remains is invested to assure the ongoing viability of the congregation and to enable us to preach within the corporate world about the necessity for just and equitable use of financial capital.
In these pages you can explore the ways we use or financial resources to preach the Gospel. Perhaps you will find inspiration for the stewardship of your own financial resources. We'll provide education on socially responsible investing (SRI) as well as feature some of the ways our financial resources are making a difference in the world. Periodically, you will find articles of interest on various aspects of the SRI movement. Monthly, we will feature a corporate action or campaign involving a particular company, one of our alternative investments and one of our Poverty, Justice and Peace Fund grantees.
