Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J.’s 1982 Commencement Address at Santa Clara University

Description: Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., a Salvadoran Jesuit, speaks in this address about his beliefs that a Christian university has an obligation to work for justice, keeping in mind the Church’s preferential option for the poor. Ellacuría, along with five other Jesuits, would be murdered seven years later for continually speaking out against the oppressive government and standing in solidarity with the poor.

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How to Be Offended

Description: Teacher Dustin Wax shares his idea that being offended when something uncomfortable happens can be a positive feeling, as long as the person that is offended uses that feeling to achieve personal growth.

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Heroes Not Welcome

Description: U.S. Catholic magazine’s article argues that heroism is a selfish and wrong motivation for participating in a service trip to a foreign country.

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Gaudium et Spes

Description: Pope Paul VI’s encyclical argues that throughout the chaos of the material world- poverty, oppression, addiction, and more, Jesus is the answer to life’s problems.

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An Inconvenient Faith: Ruined for Life

Description: Eric Immel, S.J. reflects on his experience of being “ruined for life” during his year of service, and of serving as spiritual director for a current Jesuit Volunteer, who he has seen be challenged and heartbroken during her year in ways similar to his service experience.

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Preferential Option for the Poor

Description: Pope Paul VI, the Second Vatican Council, and the U.S. Catholic Bishops say that the wealthy are obligated to give to the poor, as all goods are common because they come from God. They call for a special dedication to the poor and their needs as the highest priority for Christians.

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How We Should Think About the Poor

Description: Bishop Kenneth E. Untener reflects the ways which “the poor” should been thought about and looked at.

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Faiths Call to Justice

Description: America Magazine author, Dennis Hamm, uses the New Testament to prove the faith’s commitment to justice.

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Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person

Description: Gina Crosley-Corcoran’s response to famous article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” written by Peggy McIntosh explaining the reality of white privilege.

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Economic Justice For All

Description: Excerpts from the pastoral letter regarding Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. economy from the USCCB.

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