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