Video from 2020 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. A related book excerpt is attached (PDF 5p). We strengthen our spirituality for the faith-justice journey by the grace of ORGANIZING all at once: 1. COMMUNITY (small, networked) 2. SPIRITUALITY (deepening, in sustained formation, JustFaith, etc.) 3. SYSTEMIC action & reflection. Triadic, Ignatian, social spirituality, to “go set the world on fire.”
JustFaith has several new short programs or modules that are especially useful to parish social justice ministries:
* Faith and Racial Equity (Brand New)
* Cultivating Nonviolence, Harvesting Peace
* Exploring Migration: A Faith Journey (Global and National Migration/Immigration
* Hunger for Change (Food Insecurity)
* Just Engagement: The Power to Change (Advocacy)
These are excellent programs running 6-8 weeks that can be facilitated by parishioners. They are best suited for small faith sharing groups of 8-15 people. At St. Joe’s we have done Exploring Migration and plan to offer Faith and Racial Equity this year.
Organization Chart to help parishioners understand the depth of options available at Bellarmine Chapel. One might create something similar for their own parish.
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At Bellarmine Chapel (Cincinnati), JustFaith “graduates” have prepared and shared “Public Narratives” (short talks, PNs can become e.g,. pulpit announcements and “graced history” reflections). Public Narratives are developed by leader-organizers to engage others (see introductory video (0:12:13, link) by Marshall Ganz and attached PN development workshop handouts from the Episcopal Diocese of California).
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Presentation on parish mobilization for social justice (with the example of environmental justice) by St. Ignatius – Portland.
St. Joe’s offered a five-week Racial Healing Circle utilizing the peacemaking circle process. This was a different way of talking about race and racism that is safe, preemptive and proactive; a way that was aimed at building strong relationships capable of holding the needed healing dialogues around race and racism. Each session was themed to give focus and attention to various aspects for racial healing (e.g., racial identity development, impacts of race and racism, implicit/unconscious racial bias, understanding racial privilege, and racial reconciliation). Racial healing has been described as a way of healing from the cumulative effects of racism —individual and societal— most likely caused by racial mis-education, separation, and disunity. This series culminated with various groups within the Parish developing action items to continue their work for racial justice throughout the St. Joseph Parish community. The process was facilitated by Dr. Pamela Taylor, a professor in the School of Education at Seattle University. For more information contact Dr. Taylor at [email protected]
Pastor Statement from John Whitney, S.J. at St. Joseph’s parish on family separation at the border.
Presentation from Chris Kerr at the Jesuit Parish Justice Summit including: overview of Jesuit parishes in the US; ISN and Jesuit Conference of Canada and the US approach to immigration, racial justice, and environmental justice; and ways parishes can engage with ISN.
We used this during election season to encourage civil discourses.