In her own words
Hi, my name is Barbara Molinari Quinby and I “inherited” the Justice Bulletin Board (JBB) column from its creator, Anne Werdel, when I became Director of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries in 2011 at then, Sacred Heart Cathedral (now re-named Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral) in Raleigh, NC.
Writing a month ahead of Sunday readings, JBB is first published on a Dominican website under Fr. Jude Siciliano’s First Impressions column at www.preacherexhange.org and then, on the appropriate date, in my parish bulletin. The purpose of First Impressions and JBB is to assist homilists with material for their homilies or bulletins, so the reader is free to use if they find it helpful. Just note the source.
My focal points in the JBB are the biblical understanding of justice, the social teachings of the Church, and the Vatican II document on the laity where “social action is preeminent” task of able-bodied lay Catholics. Since I am writing for my parish bulletin, I highlight outreach ministries and events under my umbrella. The homilist can insert his own parish work in place of mine.
Both Fr. Jude and I hope to do our part through our writings to build up God’s realm that is our common home. Most of the parishes in my diocese do works of charity but the harder work of justice social action languishes. That the social teachings of the Church are long-standing, best-kept secrets does not advance the work of Jesus in the world, especially since justice is mentioned over 1,000 times in the Bible and the first words of the Book of Wisdom 1:1 are: “Love justice.” I feel privileged to have this platform and do hope the reader finds JBB useful.
My Bona Fides
Loyola University of New Orleans—Masters of Pastoral Studies with focus on spirituality (LIMEX)
Certified as a Spiritual Director in the Ignatian tradition
Master Catechist with the Diocese of Raleigh
Director of HLDJ Ministries at HNOJ Cathedral
Coordinator of Diocese of Raleigh NC Catholics Caring for Our Common Home
Co-founder of Habitat for Humanity Catholic Coalition in deanery of Raleigh
Wife, Mother, and Grandmother (this apparently disqualifies me to be a Deacon in the Church as currently functioning)