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Catholic Social Teaching: The Best Kept Secret San Gabriel Regional Pastoral Council Social Justice Committee September 7, 2013 Presented by: Cambria Smith Parish Life Director Holy Family Church, South Pasadena [email protected] Agenda 9:00 9:15 10:45 11:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 1:45 2:20 2:25 Opening Prayer and Introductions (Pat Krommer) Social Justice 101 (Cambria Smith) Break Speaker Panel Lunch Discussion on setting up a parish social justice ministry Some challenges to consider Call to Action: what can you and your parish do right now Evaluation of the Day Closing Blessing by Fr. Chris Ponnet WHY ARE WE HERE? Educate Catholics about riches of Catholic Social Teaching Provide different models of social justice ministry Explore some of the practical aspects of establishing a ministry ALL IN THE HOPES THAT More parishes will be equipped to create effective social justice ministries!!!! WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS? Babies in the River Story What do you take away from this story? What made the most impression on you? Babies in the River Story Homeless People in the River Story Prisoners on Death Row in the River Story Somebody in the River Story Is there a difference in the three stories in the way you feel about the victims? Is there a difference in how you would respond to the different victims? If so, why? What do you think you might find if you walked up river? How do you think Jesus might respond to these three stories? Jesus’ Response Matthew 25: 31-45 The Judgment of the Nations What does the Catholic Church say about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, and visiting those in prison? A lot! Justice in the World, 1971 Synod of Bishops Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church's mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. The Church has identified several major themes in Catholic Social Teaching… FOUNDATIONAL CST DOCUMENTS 1891 1931 1961 1963 1965 1967 1971 1971 1981 1987 1991 1995 2005 2009 2013 Rerum Novarum Quadragesimo Anno Mater et Magistra Pacem in Terris Gaudium et Spes Populorum Progressio Octogesima Adveniens Justicia in Mundo Laborem Exercens Solicitudo Rei Socialis Centesimus Annus Evangelium Vitae Deus Caritas Est Caritas in Veritate Lumen Fidei Leo XIII Pius XI John XXIII John XXIII Vatican II Paul VI Paul VI Synod of Bishops John Paul II John Paul II John Paul II John Paul II Benedict XVI Benedict XVI Francis DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON Most important! Made in image and likeness of God Each person is sacred from the moment of conception to natural death (womb to tomb) CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION We are social beings “ A person is a person because of other people” (Zulu saying) We realize our dignity and human potential in our families and communities The family is the basic cell of society OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE Basic Moral Test of Society How are the poor and vulnerable doing? The poor and the vulnerable have the first claim on our resources. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. The right to life includes a right to food, shelter and clothing, employment, rest, health care, and education. Every person has the right to raise a family and the duty to support them. Human dignity demands religious and political freedom and the duty to exercise these rights for the common good of all persons. DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. • Workers have rights to decent work, just wages, safe working conditions, unionization, disability protection, retirement security, and economic initiative. • The economy exists for the human person; the human person does not exist for the economy. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBSIDIARITY The state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. All people have a right and a responsibility to participate in political institutions so that government can achieve its proper goals. The principle of subsidiarity: As small as possible As big as necessary PROMOTION OF PEACE Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. In the words of Pope John Paul II, "Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.” There is a close relationship in Catholic teaching between peace and justice. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings. CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION “We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation.” • The goods of the earth are gifts from God, • They are intended by God for the benefit of everyone • Humans are part of creation itself •Whatever we do to the earth we ultimately do to ourselves. •We must live in harmony with the rest of creation, and preserve it for future generations. SOLIDARITY We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, economic and ideological differences. • Universal common good • The fates of the peoples of the earth are linked. • It requires richer nations to aid poorer ones; • Commands respect for different cultures • Demands justice in international relationships, and • Calls on all nations to live in peace with one another. SOLIDARITY = COMPASSION + JUSTICE Tony Tolbert’s Story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/tony- tolbert-offers-his-l_n_2397283.html In watching the video, what made the most impression on you? What are some of the elements in this gesture of generosity that reflect the virtue of solidarity? SOLIDARITY IN SERVICE Kenosis (self-emptying) of the one serving The one serving experiences the pain of the other Becomes vulnerable to the one served A relationship based on equality and mutuality Strengths and weaknesses are recognized in both the served and the server “Work of the soul, not the ego” Is there anything else that we could add to this list? RESOURCES Vatican website USCCB website California Catholic Conference of Bishops website Archdiocese of Los Angeles website and Office of Life, Justice and Peace On line course on CST and Faithful Citizenship at the ADLA website Education for Justice website Pax Christi website Agenda 9:00 9:15 10:45 11:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 1:45 2:20 2:25 Opening Prayer and Introductions (Pat Krommer) Social Justice 101 (Cambria Smith) Break Speaker Panel Lunch Discussion on setting up a parish social justice ministry Some challenges to consider Call to Action: what can you and your parish do right now Evaluation of the Day Closing Blessing by Fr. Chris Ponnet SETTING UP A PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY Gather a small group of advocates to form a steering committee (3-5 people) Solicit permission/support from the pastoral leader or group in charge of new ministries (Pastor, PLD, Director of Ministries, or Pastoral Council) Recruit members of the Social Justice Ministry Educate them in CST Determine what you are going to do and what type of SJM you are going to form Create a Mission Statement Plan what you are going to do and implement it Recruit new leadership WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?