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To Protect All Life!
Commitment to
Life,
Charity, and Justice
September 14, 2013
Presented by: Sister Jane Boos, SSND
and Deacon David Erdmann
Ministry of Charity & Justice
Handing on the Torch ……
Where were we at the start?
Where are we now?
Where should we be going?
Opening Prayer
Prayer on page 5 in your booklet
What is Justice?
Write the first three (3) to five (5) words
that come to your mind when you hear the
word „justice‟. (Quiet Reflection)
Large group sharing of those words………
Examples of Injustice
Write down a sentence or two about the first
time you became aware of injustice…..
(Example shared by Sr. Jane……)
Biblical Roots of Justice
The Quest for Justice
is integral
to the Faith
Roots of Justice
Challenge of Prophets‟ in Old Testament
Challenge of Jesus in New Testament
Church as Prophet and Advocate
Powerpoint on Roots of Justice
To begin: open your hearts to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in God‟s love
Breathe out fatigue and concerns
Listen to the words of the powerpoint
Definition of Biblical Justice
–Fidelity to the demands of a relationship (Deut.30)
–Real and concrete
–Sorts out what belongs and returns things back
–Harmony that comes from right relationships (Gen 2:15)
Old Testament:
God takes the lead.
Genesis 1-3 Creation
In biblical language
God‟s word is event
The world is seen as good
All aspects are balanced,
harmonious, interdependent.
Life and Dignity
Man and Women created in God‟s image
Genesis 1:26-27
“every human being possesses an inalienable dignity prior to human labor and achievement
Genesis 4:11
2nd story of Creation
Man and woman are made in
the image and likeness of
God
WE ARE THE
REPRESENTATIVE OF
GOD IN THE WORLD
Israel responds
Psalm 148
Think of all the blessings
we take for granted.
Formation of Community
Israel becomes a people relating to
God in community.
Israel called to act as God acts. . .
“You shall not wrong or oppress a
resident alien for you were alien in
Egypt. You shall not abuse the
widow or orphan. If you do abuse
them, when they cry out to me, I
will heed their cry.” (Exodus chapter 22)
Deuteronomy 15
The Land
belongs to God
Can we relive what happened
in the Hebrew Land?
We are removed from
historical events
How do we enflesh that Spirit today?
Retell the story of outrage and
hope against injustice
• Keep the story alive;
we are people of the WORD
Prophets –
from Greek “gas”
meaning to speak
Someone who
speaks out for God
NEW TESTAMENT
Justice is related to life
and death
of Jesus
Jesus is Justice Incarnate
Jesus works powerful deeds
Jesus challenges power structures
Jesus frees from bondage
Jesus reverses values, enters into new
ways of relating
Jesus inherited Israel’s beliefs:
Alienating bondage was heart of mission
God comes down and enters the lives of
the suffering people
OPPRESSION
taxes
power
military might
SAW PEOPLE OPPRESSED
LUKE 4:18
The Spirit of our God is upon me‟
Anointing me; sending me to bring glad
tidings to the poor
to proclaim liberty to captives,
recovery of sight to the blind
and release to prisoners.
TO ANNOUNCE A YEAR OF FAVOR FROM
OUR GOD
GOD‟S WAYS
CHALLENGE OUR WORLD
Will not tolerate injustices
Calls for deeper conversion
Jesus
related to non personsin the name of God‟s justice:
Poor
Lepers
Samaritan woman
Stranger
enemy
Jesus ignored the
taboos of ritual,
impurity, touched
the untouchable.
We can trust that whoever crucifies
powerless and dominates will not
have the last word.
In the risen Lord,
JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL
Basic Moral Test of a Society
…is how its most
vulnerable members
are faring.
Matthew 24:45
The Last Judgment
Jesus identified with the hungry, the
homeless, the stranger, the “least of
these”
Our Bishops tell us:
“The joys and the hopes, the grief's
and the anxieties of the people of this
age, especially those who are poor or
in any way afflicted, these are the joys
and hopes, the grief's and anxieties of
the followers of Christ.”
For your reflection – 2 minutes
With which trait of Jesus do you identity?
Which trait is your biggest challenge?
Share with one other person (3 minutes)
(Go outside as a 10 minute break follows)
B R E A K
Take time to relax outside……..
For 10 minutes
Respect for Life
Our Lady of
Guadalupe
Prayer
on workbook
page 18
Why are we “Pro-Life”?
Biblical: Genesis 1:27 – “God created
mankind in his image; in the image of God he
created them; male and female he created them.”
Natural Law: Male/Female relationship = Life
Church: Life – Sacred at conception
Science: Separate, distinct life at conception
Believing a baby‟s life is a gift that should be cherished…
Believing that a mother is precious with value and dignity…
Believing that all human life belongs only to the Creator who gave life…
Believing that all life is God‟s to give and take away…
Respect Life Issues Exercise
Activity matching issues and definitions
Share your answers with your group
Rank issues: Most important to Least important
Group sharing
Just Some Issues of Life
Abortion
Cloning
Contraception
Euthanasia
Death Penalty
Infanticide
In Vitro Fertilization
Post-Abortion effects
Stem Cell Research
Embrionic
Adult
Suicide/Assisted
Suicide
USCCB Pro-Life Plan for Parishes
Education – in your parish & public square
Care and Services for those in need
Advocacy for public policies that protect
Prayer for a culture of life and love
Post-Abortion Grief
‘Silent No More’ DVD
Reflect – how did this DVD impact you?
One minute
Share this with 2-3 other persons
Project Rachel
A Pathway to Forgiveness:
By Jesus; The Church
To forgive others involved; …Self
If you know someone who may be in need of Project Rachel:
Call local hotline: (217) 698-4456
Toll free hotline: (877) RACHEL5 (877-722-4355)
Springfield Diocese website:
http://dio.org/socialconcerns/project-rachel-r.html
Pledge for Life
Introduction – Disciples of Life
Blessing of the “precious feet”
Pledge for Life on workbook page 24
Parish staff give the “precious feet”
Final Blessings Video
Cardinal Bernardine - Importance of Faith
-The Lord loves us
--------------------------
-To Experience Peace:
Put ourselves totally in the hands of God
See Death as a Friend
Begin “Letting Go”
Reflection Questions
How can I be a disciple to those carrying
heavy crosses in life or approaching death?
How does my faith help me confront my own
death? (2 minutes quiet reflection)
Quiet reflection for 2 minutes
Share with 2-3 different persons
Lunch and relaxation…………
Lunch Lunch
Rest Rest Rest
Return Time?
Parish Outreach and Action
Prayer „For Light in Darkness‟ workbook page 26
Stand Up Activity …and “exercise”
Handouts on 2 Feet of Justice workbook page 27
Mission of Jesus
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty
to captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free…
Luke 4
Mission of Pope Francis
Mission of Church
USCCB gives us a portrait of what it means to
follow In the Footsteps of Jesus
After the video, reflect on the following:
1. What touched you most in the video?
2. What was the most challenging
Share in groups of 4-5
Communities of Salt and Light
The role of parish social ministry leaders is to create the
structures and programs that enable the entire parish to act
on our social mission.
These committees and coordinators best serve parishes by
facilitating and enabling the participation of the parish
community, rather than simply doing the work on behalf of
the parish.
Communities of Salt & Light
Structure Matters!
How you structure you social ministry team will
determine what is accomplished. In general, if a role isn’t
explicitly part of the structure, it may not be carried out.
Pastoral
Council
Family
Work
Citizen
Advocacy
Global
Solidarity
& Peace
Issues/
Special
Sub Groups
Community
Out Reach
Formation &
Education
Prayer &
Worship
Direct Service
CRS
Twinning
Fair Trade
Pax Christi
Legislative Advocacy
Life Issues
St. Vincent de Paul
Emergency
Assistance
Soup Kitchens
Project Rachel
Food Banks
Consumer Education
Business/Prayer Circles
Coordination with Liturgy
Social mission prayer
Just Faith
Coordination w/Religious
Education
Coordination w/Schools
Other Programs
Pro - Life
Hunger
Death Penalty
Housing
DCJH
Economic Development
Local Organization
Projects
Examples
Examples
Examples Examples
Examples
Examples
Examples Examples
Pastoral
Council
Advocacy
Formation &
Education
Prayer &
Worship
Legislative Advocacy
Life IssuesCoordination with Liturgy
Social mission prayer
Just Faith
Coordination w/Religious
Education
Coordination w/Schools
Other Programs
Examples
Examples
Direct Service
& Outreach
St. Vincent de
Paul
Emergency
Assistance
Soup Kitchens
Project Rachel
Food Banks
Examples
Your Parish
Note: Global solidarity is woven throughout.
Pastoral
Council
Formation &
Education
Prayer &
Worship
Coordination with Liturgy
Social mission prayer
Just Faith
Coordination w/Religious
Education
Coordination w/Schools
Other Programs
Examples
Examples
Direct Service
& Outreach
St. Vincent de
Paul
Emergency
Assistance
Soup Kitchens
Project Rachel
Food Banks
Examples
Your Parish
Note: Global solidarity is woven throughout.
Our Parish
What are the needs:
In our parish
In our community
In our world
---------------------------------------------------------
How should our parish respond:
1.
2.
How am I being called?
Reflect: Where God is calling me?
Special Needs (To do at home)
Prayer of the Beatitudes workbook page 34-35
Fill out the Beatitude inventory
Take time to pray about the inventory
Come prepared to share next month
Resource Pages
Resources on workbook pages 36-38
Office for Social Concerns and
Respect for Life workbook pages 39-42
Reflection Questions
What did I learn today that challenges me to
live as a more faithful and engaged Christian?
What did I learn that helps me be holy?
How does all this challenge me?
How does all this challenge my parish?
May God bless you
Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will:
Guide and Inspire you and your family
Open your hearts to God‟s mercy and love
Fill you with grace and strength
Amen Amen Amen Amen
Closing Song - Chorus
Lead me lord, lead me Lord!
by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way…
Be my way, be my truth,
be my light O Lord!
and lead me Lord today…
© 1987, John D. Becker,
Published by OCP, All rights reserved. Used with Permission