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San Gabriel Regional Pastoral CouncilSocial Justice CommitteeSeptember 7, 2013

Presented by:Cambria SmithParish Life DirectorHoly Family Church, South Pasadenacsmith@holyfamily.org

Catholic Social Teaching:The Best Kept SecretAgenda 9:00 Opening Prayer and Introductions (Pat Krommer) 9:15 Social Justice 101 (Cambria Smith) 10:45 Break 11:00 Speaker Panel 12:30 Lunch 1:00 Discussion on setting up a parish social justice ministry 1:30 Some challenges to consider 1:45 Call to Action: what can you and your parish do right now 2:20 Evaluation of the Day 2:25 Closing Blessing by Fr. Chris Ponnet

WHY ARE WE HERE?Educate Catholics about riches of Catholic Social TeachingProvide different models of social justice ministryExplore some of the practical aspects of establishing a ministryALL IN THE HOPES THAT More parishes will be equipped to create effective social justice ministries!!!!WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

Babies in the River StoryWhat do you take away from this story? What made the most impression on you?

Babies in the River StoryHomeless People in the River Story

Prisoners on Death Row in the River Story

Somebody in the River StoryIs 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 ResponseMatthew 25: 31-45The 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.17The Church has identified several major themes in Catholic Social TeachingFOUNDATIONAL CST DOCUMENTS1891Rerum NovarumLeo XIII1931Quadragesimo AnnoPius XI1961Mater et Magistra John XXIII1963Pacem in TerrisJohn XXIII1965Gaudium et SpesVatican II1967Populorum ProgressioPaul VI1971Octogesima AdveniensPaul VI1971Justicia in MundoSynod of Bishops1981Laborem ExercensJohn Paul II1987Solicitudo Rei SocialisJohn Paul II1991Centesimus AnnusJohn Paul II1995Evangelium VitaeJohn Paul II2005 Deus Caritas EstBenedict XVI2009Caritas in VeritateBenedict XVI2013 Lumen FideiFrancis

DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSONMost 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 PARTICIPATIONWe 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 communitiesThe family is the basic cell of society

OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLEBasic Moral Test of SocietyHow 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 WORKERSWork is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods 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 SUBSIDIARITYThe 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 possibleAs big as necessaryPROMOTION OF PEACECatholic 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 GODS CREATIONWe 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.

SOLIDARITYWe are one human family, whatever our national, racial, economic and ideological differences.Universal common goodThe fates of the peoples of the earth are linked. It requires richer nations to aid poorer ones; Commands respect for different culturesDemands justice in international relationships, and Calls on all nations to live in peace with one another.

SOLIDARITY=COMPASSION + JUSTICETony Tolberts Storyhttp://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 SERVICEKenosis (self-emptying) of the one servingThe one serving experiences the pain of the otherBecomes vulnerable to the one servedA relationship based on equality and mutualityStrengths and weaknesses are recognized in both the served and the serverWork of the soul, not the egoIs there anything else that we could add to this list?

RESOURCESVatican websiteUSCCB websiteCalifornia Catholic Conference of Bishops websiteArchdiocese of Los Angeles website and Office of Life, Justice and PeaceOn line course on CST and Faithful Citizenship at the ADLA websiteEducation for Justice websitePax Christi website

Agenda 9:00 Opening Prayer and Introductions (Pat Krommer) 9:15 Social Justice 101 (Cambria Smith) 10:45 Break 11:00 Speaker Panel 12:30 Lunch 1:00 Discussion on setting up a parish social justice ministry 1:30 Some challenges to consider 1:45 Call to Action: what can you and your parish do right now 2:20 Evaluation of the Day 2:25 Closing Blessing by Fr. Chris Ponnet

SETTING UP A PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRYGather 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 MinistryEducate them in CSTDetermine what you are going to do and what type of SJM you are going to formCreate a Mission StatementPlan what you are going to do and implement itRecruit new leadership

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?