rediscovering mercy - trocaire.org · trÓcaire 3 contents contents introduction 5 session 1:...
TRANSCRIPT
List of Contributors
• Bishop William Crean–ChairpersonofTrócaire
• Lorna Mulvany–TeacherofReligiousEducation,ChristianBrothersCollege,WellingtonRoad,Cork
• Fr Seán O’Sullivan–DioceseofCorkandRoss
• Ms Frances Rowland–DioceseofKerry
Frontcoverphoto(bottom):BishopWilliamCreanofTrócaireandCobhparishionerslightcandlesatavigilheld
tohighlighttheplightofrefugeesintheMiddleEast.
3TRÓcAiReconTenTs
Contents
IntRoDUCtIon 5
sessIon 1: Rediscovering a Personal Experience of Mercy 9
sessIon 2: Rediscovering Mercy in Our Local Community 13
sessIon 3: Rediscovering Mercy in Our World 17
sessIon 4: Rediscovering Mercy through Prayer and Reflection 21
ResoURCes 25
4 TRÓcAiRePRAyeR FoR exTRAoRdinARy Jubilee oF MeRcy
PRayeR foR extRaoRDInaRy JUbILee of MeRCy
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,
and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.
Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;
the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;
made Peter weep after his betrayal,
and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:
‘If you knew the gift of God!’
You are the visible face of the invisible Father,
of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:
let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.
You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness
in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:
let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.
Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,
so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,
and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,
proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,
and restore sight to the blind.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy,
you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
Amen.
5TRÓcAiReinTRoducTion
IntRoDUCtIon‘A new heart i will give you, and a new spirit i will put within you; and i will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.’(Ezekiel36:26)
CatholicSocialTeachingisbaseduponthebeliefthat
weareallmadeintheimageandlikenessofGod.
Thisbeliefinspiresusto‘loveoneanother’(Jn13:34),
treatingourbrothersandsistersinChristwithlove,
respectanddignity.Welearntoacknowledgethe
presenceofChristineveryhumanbeing.TheGospel
relentlesslycallsustocareforoneanother,ensuring
thattherightsofeveryhumanbeingarerespected,
ensuredandprotected.
Thisresource,entitledRediscovering Mercy: An
Invitation to Reconnect Faith and Mercy,hasbeen
preparedbyTrócaireforuseinparishesbysocial
justicegroups,prayergroupsandschools.Trócaire’s
workandvisionisinspiredbytheGospelandrooted
inCatholicSocialTeaching,inparticularthecalltobe
compassionateandmercifulandtosharethesocial
justicemessageoftheChurch.
PopeFrancisremindsusthat‘Godshowsthepoor
“hisfirstmercy”’andthat‘WearecalledtofindChrist
inthem,tolendourvoicetotheircauses,butalsoto
betheirfriends,tolistentothem,tospeakforthem
andtoembracethemysteriouswisdomwhichGod
wishestosharewithusthroughthem’(Evangelii
Gaudium,198).
Mercyidentifieswithmanytypesofbrokenness
inourworldtoday,andbringstothatbrokenness
lovinghealingandsupport,whichweareafforded
timetoreflectuponthroughoutthedurationofthis
programme.
What is Mercy?
God’smercy,shownthroughouthistoryandtousin
ourownpersonallivestoday,issomethingwellworth
reflectingon.Withoutadeepandintimatesenseof
thismercy,apersonalrelationshipwiththeGodof
lovebecomesverydifficult.Inalloflifewecan,ifwe
havetheearstolisten,hearthequietpulseofGod’s
heartbeatwillingustobelievethat,yes,wearedeeply
lovedbytheonewhohascreatedusforlove.
PopeFrancis,uponannouncingtheJubileeofMercy
duringaLentenpenitentialservicelastyear,said‘I
amconvincedthatthewholeChurch–thathasmuch
needtoreceivemercybecausewearesinners–will
findinthisjubileethejoytorediscoverandrender
fruitfulthemercyofGod,withwhichweareallcalled
togiveconsolationtoeverymanandwomanofour
time.’
PopeBenedictXVI,inhisEncyclicalDeus Caritas Est
tellsusthatwhenweknowourselvestobelovedin
thisdeepway,thecalltoloveothersis‘nolongera
questionofa“commandment”imposedfromwithout
andcallingfortheimpossible,butratherofafreely
bestowedexperienceoflovefromwithin,alove
whichbyitsverynaturemustthenbesharedwith
others.Lovegrowsthroughlove’(Deus Caritas Est,
18).
a thiarna Déan trócaire
IntheIrishCatholicChurch,Trócaireisoneofthe
manyrichexpressionsofthismercifullove.Inspired
andnourishedbyGod’slove,weseektoworkwith
thosemostinneedofourlovethroughouttheworld.
Since1973,Trócairehasworkedinthedeveloping
worldasanexpressionofloveandsolidarityofthe
Irishfaithful.Overseas,weworkinpartnershipwith
localorganisationsandcommunities,helpingfamilies
tofreethemselvesfromtheoppressionofpoverty.
InIreland,weraiseawarenessaboutthecausesof
globalpovertyandencouragepeopletoactforglobal
changeasamatterofjustice.
the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
DuringapenitentialserviceatStPeter’s
Basilicaon12March2015,PopeFrancis
announcedthisliturgicalyearasthe
ExtraordinaryJubileeofMercy,thus
invitingallfollowersofChristtobecome
‘MissionariesofMercy’.
6 TRÓcAiReinTRoducTion
AjubileeyearisaspecialyearcalledbytheChurchto
receiveblessingandpardonfromGodandremission
ofsins.Sincetheyear1300,theCatholicChurchhas
calledjubileeyearseverytwenty-fiveorfiftyyears.
Fromtimetotimeithasalsocalledspecialjubilee
years,knownasextraordinaryjubileeyears.
Thelastjubileeyearwasheldin2000duringthe
papacyofPopeJohnPaulIIandwasknownas‘The
GreatJubilee’.Thelastextraordinaryjubileeyearwas
heldin1983tocelebrate1,950yearssincethedeath
andresurrectionofJesus.
ArchbishopRinoFisichellasaidthemottoforthis
jubilee,‘MercifulLiketheFather’,‘servesasan
invitationtofollowthemercifulexampleoftheFather
whoasksusnottojudgeorcondemn,buttoforgive
andtogiveloveandforgivenesswithoutmeasure’.
TojoininthecelebrationoftheJubileeofMercy,you
mightconsiderrunningthisRediscovering Mercy
programmeinyourlocalparishcommunityduring
Lent.
about this Resource
Thefoursessionsinthisresourcefocusuponthe
conceptofmercyanditsconnectionwithjustice.
ThroughouttheNewTestament,Christisshownto
betheultimatemodeloflove(caritas)andmercyin
hissolidaritywiththoseonthemarginsofhissociety
andwithallofhumanity.AsChristians,itisour
relationshipwithChristthatinspiresustoloveothers
andtoactwhenweseethemdeniedjustice.‘Love–
caritas–isanextraordinaryforcewhichleadspeople
tooptforcourageousandgenerousengagementin
thefieldofjusticeandpeace’(Caritas in Veritate,1).
Participantswillalsobeencouragedtoreflectonthe
manyothercharitableandmissionaryorganisations
withintheIrishCatholicChurch,whichstriveto
expressthemercifulloveofChrist.
overview
• Thiscourseaimstocreateaspaceforreflectionon
howmercyisbothexperiencedandexpressedin
ourlives,inthescriptures,inourChurchandinthe
workofTrócaire.
• Thecourseconsistsoffoursessionsoverfour
consecutiveweeks.Whileitmayberunatanytime
intheliturgicalyear,itisparticularlysuitabletothe
seasonsofAdventorLent.
• Eachsessiontakesapproximatelysixtytoeighty
minutes.
• Itisagoodideatoallowforanextrahalfanhour
afterwardsforacupofteaandachat.
Rediscovering Mercyisaprogrammethatbrings
participantsintoaspacetorediscoverGod’s
sacrificialloveforthemandfortheworld.Itisalsoan
opportunitytoseehowtheyarebeingcalledtolove
othersintheirownfamily,communityandindeedthe
worldaroundthem.Preparetobemoved!Prepare
toshare!Preparetobesurprised!Preparetogrowin
yourownfaithjourney!
Course Goals Include …
• Buildinganawarenessofpeaceandjustice
initiativesandconcernsinourworld.
• HighlightingthevaluesofCatholicSocialTeaching
andourrelationshipwithGodandothers.
• Contemplationonhowweweavejusticeandmercy
intoourdailylivesasfollowersofChrist.
• AninsightintotheworkofTrócaire,bothinIreland
andoverseas.
sessIon 1: Rediscovering a Personal experience of Mercy
Thissessionwillcreateapersonalspacefor
participantstoreflectonwhat‘mercy’/’compassion’
meansintheirdailylives,andtoidentifymercyas
acentralqualitythatunderpinsallofCatholicSocial
Teaching.
sessIon 2: Rediscovering Mercy in our Local Community
Thissessionwillillustratehowwe,asChristians,are
calledtomercyandcompassionthroughourfaith.
Thesessionwilllookatmercyinscripture,through
theparableoftheGoodSamaritan.Itwillexplore
examplesofhowmercyislivedoutinourlocal
community/parish.
7TRÓcAiReinTRoducTion
sessIon 3: Rediscovering Mercy in our World
ThissessionwillprovideabriefoverviewofCatholic
SocialTeachingandreflectonhowthiscallsusto
recogniseoursharedresponsibility,asmembersof
theBodyofChrist,inbringingaboutanendtopoverty
andinjustice.Throughtheuseofcasestudies,itwill
illustratehowtheworkofTrócaireengageswiththat
responsibilityandhowpeoplecanbeinvolved.
sessIon 4: Rediscovering Mercy through Prayer and Reflection
Thissessionwillbeprayerfulandreflective,drawing
togetherthefour-weekjourneyandcontemplation
ofmercyandcompassion.Itwillallowspacefor
participantstointeriorisetheconceptofmercyand
learningfromprevioussessions.Itwillreaffirmour
Christianmissionto‘actjustly,tolovemercyandto
walkhumblywithourGod’(Mic6:8).Practicalways
inwhichtheparishcommunitycanworkwithTrócaire
andotherlocalcharitableorganisationstoexplore
thecalltolivemercyandcompassionwillalsobe
considered.
facilitating the sessions
Ideallythereshouldbetwofacilitatorsforeach
session,andhavingseenthematerialsyoumay
wishtoinvitearepresentativefromTrócaireto
helpfacilitateSession3.Thereisnoidealnumber
ofparticipants,butbecauseofthenatureofthe
sessions,amaximumoffifteencourseparticipantsis
recommended.
Preparation
Eachsessionlaysoutclearobjectivesandanoutline
ofresourcesandpreparationguidelines.Facilitators
shouldbeatthevenuetosetupatleastanhour
inadvance,andtoensuretheroomiswarmand
comfortable.Theprayerspacewillbethefocusofthe
room,withchairsarrangedinacircle.Ifyoudecide
tousethefilmfromtheTrócairewebsiteinSession
3,acomputeranddataprojectorwillberequired.
Wherepossible,theroomshouldbespaciousenough
toallowformovementofchairsfordiscussion
purposes,butalsosmallenoughtocreateaprayerful
atmosphere.Itisalsohelpfuliflightscanbedimmed
intheroom,particularlyforSession4.
Methodology
Facilitated discussion
Thefacilitatorswillhelptounpackexperiencesofand
responsestomercy,includingthemorechallenging
aspectsofmercy,throughengagementwithimages,
storiesandinputfromfacilitators.Discussionwillbe
inpairs,insmallgroupsandinthewidergroupat
differentstagesofthecourse.
story
Participantswillbeinvitedtoengagewithstoriesas
awayofreflectingontheirownandotherpeople’s
experiencesofmercy.Thesewillincludepassages
fromscripture,storiesofpeoplewhoarepartners
ofTrócaire’sworkathomeandoverseas,aswellas
personalstoriesfromwithinthegroup.
Reflection and Prayer
Allsessionswillincludeprayerandreflection,during
whichparticipantswillbeinvitedintoadeeper
awarenessoftheunconditionalloveandmercyof
God.Itishopedthatparticipants’personalfaithwillbe
renewedandenhancedthroughtheirinvolvementin
thesesessions.
Personal input
YoumayliketoinviteaspeakerfromTrócaire(or
anotherlocalorganisationyouhavelookedat)tobe
partofSession3.Theymightreflectonthereasons
theyareinvolvedinthisworkasanoutcomeoftheir
faith,andprovideconcreteexamplesofhowmercyis
neededandexperiencedinourworldtoday.
Film
Theuseofacomputeranddataprojector
arerequiredforthefilminSession3,
availableontheTrócairewebsitetrocaire.
org/parishes.
Handouts
Handoutshavebeenprovidedasrequired.
Whenyouseethissymbol,pleasereferto
therelevanthandoutforthatsessioninthe
backofthecoursebooklet.
8 TRÓcAiReinTRoducTion
‘be merciful, even as your father is merciful’ (Lk 6:36)
bayee (12) is named after her grandmother bayee (82), whom she has lived with in ethiopia since her parents passed away from Hiv. Photo credit: Tamiru legesse
9session 1RediscoveRing A PeRsonAl exPeRience oF MeRcy
sessIon 1Rediscovering a Personal experience of Mercy
‘With what can we compare the kingdom of god …? it is like a mustard seed which when sown upon the ground is the smallest of all the seeds upon the earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ (Mk4:30-32)
objectives
• Tocreateaspaceforparticipantstoreflectonwhat
‘mercy’or‘compassion’meansforthem.
• Toidentifymercyasacentralqualitythatunderpins
allofCatholicSocialTeaching.
outcomes
Participants will have …
Resources needed for this session
• Fortheprayerspace:colouredclothandcandle;
symbolsconsistingofseeds,bowlandstones.
• Chairsarrangedinacirclearoundtheprayerspace.
• Imagesofmercy/compassion.Imagesareavailable
toprintfromtheTrócaireparishwebsite(trocaire.
org/parishes)butwillneedtobeprintedinadvance
ofthemeeting.
• Reflectivemusic(baseduponthethemeof
‘Justice’or‘Community’),e.g.‘ChristHasNoBody
NowButYours’byJ.M.Talbot,or‘TheServant
Song’byRichardGillard.
• Handout1withquotationsoncompassion/mercy,
onpages25and26.
• Handout2with‘TheCorporalandSpiritualWorksof
Mercy’poster,onpage27.
• Adeeperunderstandingoftheexperienceof
mercy,havingreflecteduponencounterswithit
intheirownlives.
• Anappreciationofmercyascentraltothe
Church’smission.
• Aprayerfulandmeditativeexperienceon
challengesfacedinourworldandonfaithin
actioninbothpeople’slivesandtheGospels.
stage 1: Welcome and General Introduction (10 mins)
Welcomeparticipantsandintroducethecentral
conceptofthecourse,e.g.‘Mercy’or‘Compassion’.
Giveabriefoutlineofthecoursecontentforthe
nextfourweeks(seeoutlineofsessionsonpages
6and7ofintroductorysectionofthisbooklet).Give
participantstheopportunitytointroducethemselves
andtosay,ifdesired,whathasbroughtthemhere.
stage 2: Introduction to ‘Images’ exercise (10 mins)
Thepurposeofthisexerciseistoallowparticipants
toreflectontheconceptofmercythroughthe
explorationofimagesdepictingmercy/compassion.
Placetheimagesonthefloororonatable.Allow
sometimeforparticipantstochooseandinteriorisean
imagethatspeakstothemofmercyandcompassion.
Explainthattherewillbeanopportunitytosharelater.
Appropriatereflectivemusicmaybeplayedinthe
backgroundasparticipantschooseanimage.Allow
timeforeveryonetoreflectsilentlyontheirchosen
image.
ImagesavailableontheTrócairewebsite
(trocaire.org/parishes).Youwillneedtoprint
theseimagesinadvanceofthemeeting.
stage 3: sharing and Discussion (20 mins)
Inviteeveryoneinpairstosharetheirthoughts,
feelingsandreactionstotheirchosenimage.
1.Whatmovedyoutochoosethisimage?
2.Whereismercyreceivedinthispicture?
3.Isthereanythinginthisimagethatremindsyou
ofapersonalencounterofmercy?
10 session 1RediscoveRing A PeRsonAl exPeRience oF MeRcy
Reconvenethegroupandopenupthediscussion.
Thefacilitator’sroleistolisten,affirmandcollate
insightsemergingfromthegroup.
discussion points
Feelfreetousethefollowingpointstohelpguide
yourgroup’sdiscussion…
• Mercyisadeeplyhumanandinstinctivereactionto
thesufferingofanother.
• Mercyisabasicresponsetothedistressofanother
thatdesirestoalleviatethatsuffering.
• Mercyisaboutthelanguageoftheheart.
• Experiencesofmercy,givenorreceived,can
transformpeople.
• Showingmercymayalsomeanthatinstanding
forsomething,wearecalledtostandagainst
somethingelse,andthiscanbeuncomfortable.
• Mercyissometimesconsidereda‘soft’response.
However,itmaybeverychallenging,e.g.forgiving
afriendwhohashurtus,orstandingalongside
someoneostracisedfromthecommunity.
stage 4: Quotes on Mercy (20 mins)
Manypeopleexperienceandexpressmercyina
varietyofdifferentways.
Forthisexercise,distributeHandout 1,‘QuotesonMercy’fromwell-knownpublic
figures.Beginbyreadingthemaloudforthe
group,theninvitemembersofthegrouptositand
interiorisethesequotationsforafewminutes.
Encouragegroupmemberstocommentonany
quotationorfigurethathadaparticularmeaningfor
them.
Concludethesessionbysummarisingsomeofthe
keypointsthatweresharedinthegroupdiscussion.
Remembertoinclude:
• Mercyspeaksinthelanguageoftheheart.
• Thislanguageoflove,orcaritas,leadsusinto
actionforjusticeandpeace.
• Mercycansometimesbeconsideredasoft
response;itcan,however,beverychallenging.
• Mercymaymeanthatinstandingforsomeone
orsomething,wearecalledtostandagainst
somethingelse.
Oneofthefacilitatorsconcludesbystating…
ThroughourBaptismwearecalledintocommunion
withChristandwithoneanother.Jesushasaskedus
to‘loveoneanotherasIhavelovedyou’(Jn13:34).
CatholicSocialTeachingisbaseduponthiscallto
action.Itchallengesustobeawareofthepoverty,
injusticeandsufferingintheworldaroundusandto
takeactionforamorejustworld.
The Gospel is about the Kingdom of God (cf.Lk4:43); it is about loving God who reigns in our world. To the extent that he reigns within us, the life of society will be a setting for universal fraternity, justice, peace and dignity. Both Christian preaching and life, then, are meant to have an impact on society (Evangelii Gaudium,180).
ThecoreprinciplesofCatholicSocialTeachingremind
usofthedignityofeveryhumanbeingandofthe
valuesandprinciplesthatunderpinafair,justand
compassionatesociety.
stage 5: the Corporal Works of Mercy (10 mins)
Handout 2isneededforthisshortexercise,whichreflectsonthetraditionalcorporaland
spiritualworksofmercy.
Thecorporalandspiritualworksofmercyareapartof
Catholictraditionand,formanyofus,theywerepart
ofourupbringing.Intoday’sworldweareoftentoo
busytogivethemmuchthought,yettheyarerooted
inoneofthemostbelovedGospels,Matthew25:31-
46,theLastJudgementparable:‘WhenIwashungry,
yougavemesomethingtoeat…’
Inthispowerfulscripture,Jesusgivesusour
‘marchingorders’asChristians.Thisiswhatweareto
doifwearetobecomehistruefollowers.Hiswords
arenotjustabouthowwearetoprayordressorhow
oftenwegotoMass.Asamatteroffact,hiswords
arenotaboutusatall,butaboutourneighbours.
11session 1RediscoveRing A PeRsonAl exPeRience oF MeRcy
Whatwearecalledtotoday–inthemidstofour
modernandbusylives–istolookbeyondourown
hecticlivesandtopayattentiontothosearoundus
whoaremarginalisedandinneed.Sincemisfortune
canaffectbothbodyandsoul,therearebothcorporal
andspiritualworksofmercy.
Takeamomenttoreflectontheworksofmercy
below.Asagroup,thinkaboutwaysinwhichyou
mightbegintoincludetheminyourdailylives.
The corporal Works of Mercy
1.Feedthehungry
2.Givedrinktothethirsty
3.Clothethenaked
4.Harbourtheharbourless/shelterthehomeless
5.Visitthesick
6.Ransomthecaptive/visittheimprisoned
7.Burythedead
The spiritual Works of Mercy
1.Advisetheignorant
2.Instructtheunaware
3.Counselthedoubtful
4.Comfortthesorrowful
5.Bearwrongspatiently
6.Forgiveinjuries
7.Prayforthelivingandthedead
stage 6: Closing Reflection (10 mins)
Beginbyplayingsomequiet,reflectivemusic.Give
eachofthefoursymbolsfortheprayerspace(seed,
bowl,stonesandcross)tofourparticipants,asking
themtoplaceeachwithintheprayerspaceatthe
appropriatetime.
Leadparticipantsintoapersonal,reflectivespace.
Drawparticipants’attentiontothesymbolsinthe
prayerspace,linkingthemtotheconceptofmercy:
• Seeds – symbolising the seeds of compassion in
every human being.
• Bowl – a symbol of our openness to Christ and one
another.
• Stones – symbolising the challenges of mercy, the
things that get in the way of us responding to the
suffering and need of others.
• Cross – the symbol of Christ, the model of
forgiveness, who died so that our sins would
be forgiven. We follow in Christ’s footsteps by
extending our love and support to the poor and
oppressed.
Inviteparticipantstoplacetheimagesthattheyhave
beengivenintheprayerspace.Thefollowingpassage
isthenreadaloud:
Allowsomequiettimebeforereadingthescripturea
secondtime.
Concludebyplayingsomereflectivemusicorasong
baseduponthethemeof‘Justice’or‘Community’.If
youwantyoucouldaccompanythiswithimagesona
PowerPointpresentation.
A new heart I will give you and a new spirit I will
put within you; and I will remove from your body
the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ez
36:26)
12 session 1RediscoveRing A PeRsonAl exPeRience oF MeRcy
‘Love one another as I have loved you’ (Jn 13:34)
brothers Anthony and Amos, lenten campaign 2016, Tharaka nithi, Kenya. Photo credit: Jeannie o’brien
13session 2RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR locAl coMMuniTy
sessIon 2Rediscovering Mercy in our Local Community
‘And who is my neighbour?’(Lk10:29)
objectives
• Toreflectonmercyinscripture,throughexploring
theparableoftheGoodSamaritan.
• InspiredbytheexampleoftheGoodSamaritan,
identifyexamplesoflivingmercywithinthelocal
community.
outcomes
Participants will have …
• Anunderstandingofthecontextoftheparable
oftheGoodSamaritan.
• ReflectedonhowtheparableoftheGood
Samaritanrelatestotheirlifeexperiences.
• Identifiedlocalagencies/charitiesintheir
communityworkingforamorecompassionate
world.
Resources needed for this session
• Prayerspacewithcloth,candle,stones,seedsand
bowl(asinSession1).
• AnopenBiblewiththeparableoftheGood
Samaritanondisplay.
• CopiesofHandout1,‘TheParableoftheGood
Samaritan’,onpage28,foreachperson.
• Handouts2and3,onpages28and29.
• Flip-chartpaper,largemarkersandblu-tack.
stage 1: Connecting back (10 mins)
Welcomeeveryonebacktothesecondsessionofthe
courseandinvitethemtotakesometimetorecall
whathadbeensharedinthefirstsessiononmercy.
Questionstopromptthisreflectionmayinclude:
• Canyourememberathoughtorimagethatstruck
youfromlastweek’sgathering?
• Canyouremembertheimageyouchoseandwhy
youchoseit?
SummarisesomeoftheinsightsfromSession1.
IntroduceSession2,‘RediscoveringMercyinOur
LocalCommunity’(youcanrefertotheoutlineofthe
sessiononpage6oftheintroductorysectionofthe
booklet).
stage 2: the Parable of the Good samaritan – setting the Context (5 mins)
Onestorythatfocusesonmercyandcompassionwill
beexploredfromthescriptures,thefamiliarstoryof
theGoodSamaritan.
Handout 1–distributecopiesoftheGospelpassageandreaditaloudonce.
Handout 2–givesomebackgroundinformationaboutthecontextoftheparable
usingnotesfromthishandout.
stage 3: Personal Reflection and sharing (20 mins)
Explaintothegroupthatparablesarestoriesthat
openthemindandtouchtheheart.Stage3will
involvereadingtheparablealoudthreetimesinthe
styleofLectio divina.Astheparableisslowlyread
aloud,inviteparticipantstopayattentiontowhatthey
areseeing,hearingandfeelingastheylisten.After
thesecondandthirdreadings,askparticipantsto
reflectonsomequestions(seenextpage).
Beginbyinvitingparticipantstoclosetheireyesand
hearthewordofGod.Itwillbereadthreetimesby
threedifferentvoices(chooseyourreadersbeforeyou
begin).
14 session 2RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR locAl coMMuniTy
luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the good samaritan
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Following the second reading of the parable …
• Whatstruckyouinthestory,perhapsawordoranimage?
• Whichcharacterinthestorycouldyoumostidentifywith–thevictim,thepriest,theLevite,theSamaritanhimself,therobberortheinn-keeper?Why?
Following the third reading …
• ThinkaboutatimewhenyouweretheGoodSamaritanorexperiencedthehelpofaGoodSamaritaninyourownlife?
Thediscussioncouldbeopeneduptothewidergroup,invitinginsightsfrompersonalandsharedreflectionsontheparable.
SomediscussionpointsontheparableoftheGoodSamaritan,whichyoumightliketosharewiththegroup,include…
• Whoisthisman?Weknownothingofhimexcepthisdireneed.
• Themanontheroadisthemainfigurewithintheparable,theoneatthecentreoftheactionandstoryline.Wecontinuallyviewtheactioninthestoryfromhisperspective.
• Ourinitialsympathyforhimandourconcernforhiswell-being,toalargeextent,determinehowweseeandjudgetheothercharactersinthestory.Itistheperspectiveofthevictimthatiskeytounderstandingthemeaningof‘neighbour’andthenatureofourresponsibilitiestoeachother.
• WhatdistinguishestheSamaritanisthathefeels‘compassion’(seethequotefromPopeBenedictinHandout1,Session1,onpage26)–hebecomesthehingetotheentirestory,transformingasituationofdeathtolife,despairtohope,exclusiontocareandinclusion.
• Thelawyer’squestionsallowforadistinctiontobemadebetweenthosewhoareconsidered‘neighbours’andthosewhoarenot.
• Jesus’questionplacestheresponsibilityofbeingneighbourontheinquirer.
• ThereisnoindicationofwhetherthelawyerrespondspositivelyornegativelytoChrist’sinvitation.Itbecomesaninvitationtolookafreshatourworldfromtheperspectiveoftheneedy,realisingthatonlywhenwelearntolookatourworldinanewway,newwaysofbehavingcanbemadepossible.
• PopeFrancisremindsusthatinthisstory,theSamaritanallowedGodtodisrupthislifebyhearingthecalltocompassionandrespondingtothemanhesawinfrontofhim.Whatdoesthissaytousabouthowactingwithcompassionmaydisruptourlife?
• WastheGoodSamaritanhimselfexcludedinthestory?
stage 4: Group activity on ‘Living Mercy Locally’ (15 mins)
Havingreflectedonpersonalexperiencesofmercy
andtheparableoftheGoodSamaritan,thefollowing
15session 2RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR locAl coMMuniTy
activityisanopportunitytorecognisewhereacts
ofmercyareatworkinparticipants’ownlocal
community.
Askparticipantstodivideintogroupsofthreeorfour.
Distributelargesheetsofflip-chartpaperandamarker
toeachgroup.Askthemtolistalltheexamples
ofagenciesandcharitiesintheirlocalcommunity,
parishordiocesethatareinvolvedinworksofmercy,
e.g.SVP,Barnardos,etc.Geteachgrouptodiscuss
howthese‘worksofmercy’cantransformalocal
community,inparticularreflectingonhowtrue
transformationdiffersfroma‘stickingplaster’charity
response.
Encouragethemalsotoreflectonthecommonlinks
betweentheworkoftheseagenciesandthoseofthe
localcharitiesthattheyhaveidentified.
Allowafewminutesforthisexercise.Takefeedback
fromeachgroup.
Bringparticipants’attentiontotheirparishes/diocese
linkwiththeworkofTrócaire,e.g.annualLent
campaign,Churchemergencyappeals,volunteers,
climatejusticework,awareness-raisingwithparish
justiceandpeacegroups,andourworkinschools.
… the Church is not a shop, she is not a
humanitarian agency, the Church is not an NGO
[charity]. The Church is sent to bring Christ and his
Gospel to all.
PopeFrancis,GeneralAudience,23October2013
sessiontoaclosebyleadingparticipantsintoaquiet
placeofreflectionon‘Whoismyneighbour?’
Bringforwardtheseedsandbowlandremindpeople
ofthesymbolism.
Readslowly:
Our neighbour is anyone we encounter. We are all
creatures of the Creator and we are called to love all
of creation as Jesus has taught us.
The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to
move beyond social, religious and racial boundaries
when we consider the question posed to Jesus:
‘Who is my neighbour?’ This question dares us to
look afresh at our world and our response to it. Living
mercy indeed crosses all boundaries. While it is
central to the teaching of Jesus, it is also at the heart
of many of the great traditions of the world.
Handout 3–distributecopiesof‘MercyintheGreatReligiousTraditionsoftheWorld’.
Allowafewmomentsforparticipantsto
readoverit.
Concludethesessionbyprayingthefollowingprayer,
followedbysingingaverseofanappropriatehymn…
Heavenly Father, Prince of Peace, bless your children gathered here. bless all your children across the world. especially those most vulnerable and in need. bless all peacemakers. May we emulate their courage and assist them in their search for justice. We ask this in your name. Amen.
Finally,inviteparticipantstotakeamomentof
contemplationandthinkaboutthefollowing
questions:
• Whatisstayingwithyoufromtoday’ssession?
• Whatidea/emotion/imageareyoutakingwithyou
forcontemplationintheweekahead?
Askthemtoreturnwiththeiranswersatthestartof
nextweek’ssession.
CommentonhowtheworkofTrócaireisanexample
ofhowtheIrishCatholicChurchislivingmercifully
andtransformingtheworld(thistopicwillbeexplored
ingreaterdepthinSession3),and,motivatedby
caritasorlove,is‘thatextraordinaryforcewhich
leadspeopletooptforcourageousandgenerous
engagementinthefieldofjusticeandpeace’(Caritas
in Veritate,1).
stage 5: Closing Reflection (10 mins)
Drawingpointstogether:
Playingsomesoftmusichymnsbaseduponthe
themeof‘Justice’,‘Service’or‘Calling’,drawthe
16 session 2RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR locAl coMMuniTy
Hong sar Htaw (26) from bilugyun island, Myanmar, with Agatha nu nu of Trócaire. Hong is a member of a women’s group that gives women a voice in local decision-making, as well as offering them loans to start or expand businesses. Through organisations supported by Trócaire, women in Myanmar are taking a more active role in their communities. (Photo: eoghan Rice/Trócaire)
17session 3RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR WoRld
sessIon 3Rediscovering Mercy in our World
‘compassion includes awareness, attitude and action. A deeper and clearer look at compassion, the central quality of christ, enables us to accompany the hurting ones of our personal lives and the larger world with loving kindness.’ (JoyceRupp)
objectives
• ToprovideabriefoverviewofCatholicSocial
Teachingandreflectonhowitcallsustorecognise
oursharedresponsibility,asmembersoftheBody
ofChrist,inbringingaboutanendtopovertyand
injustice.
• Toillustratethesocialjusticedimensionofthework
oftheChurchthroughtheexplorationoffourcase
studies.
• Tolookattheworldthroughtheeyesofthe
missionarychurch,showingmercyintoday’sworld.
outcomes
Participants will …
• BecomemorefamiliarwiththeworkofTrócaire
• HavereflectedonCatholicSocialTeachingand
howitcallsus,asChristians,toworktogether
foramorejustandcompassionateworld.
• Recognisesomeoftheinjusticesandchallenges
facedbypeoplearoundtheworld,andhowthe
Churchisrespondingtothoseinjustices.
Resources needed for this session
• Prayerspacewithacollageofagenciesand
charitiesinvolvedintheworkofmercy(fromlast
week’sgroupwork);alargecandleandtheseeds
andbowlfrompreviousweeks.
• Flipchartandmarkers.
• Handout1withpointsonCatholicSocialTeaching,
onpage30.
• Copiesofcasestudyforgroupwork(Handouts2–5,
onpages32–35).
• Handout6onpage36.
• Ballsofwool/stringforwebexercise.
• Musicsheet/lyrics(ownchoice)forthisweek’s
session.Suggestedpiece:StFrancisofAssisi’s
Prayer‘MakeMeaChannelofYourPeace’.
• Smallpieceofcardforeachparticipanttowrite
theirintended‘ActofSolidarity’.
stage 1: Introduction (10 mins)
Beginwithabriefrecaponpreviouscoursesessions
andsummarisesomeoftheinsightsshared.
• Whathasstayedwithyoufromlastweek’s
session?
ThissessionwilllookatCatholicSocialTeaching,the
Church’steachingonsocialissues.Itwillreflecton
thepracticaloutcomeofthisteachingintheworkof
TrócaireandotherCatholiccharities,andconsiderhow
thisisasignofmercyandcompassioninourworld.
stage 2: the Mission Church – thoughts on Catholic social teaching (10 mins)
ThepresentationbeginswithaquotationfromJoyce
Rupp:
‘Compassion includes awareness, attitude and action.
Handout 1 –‘IntroductiontoCatholicSocialTeaching’
Mercy/compassionisacorevalueinourChurch’s
mission.ThefacilitatorgivesashortinputonCatholic
SocialTeachingbasedonthehandout,andcanalso
usetheanimatedvideoavailableaticatholic.ie/
trocaire-cst-3-minutes.
Further resources on Catholic Social Teaching are available on the Trócaire website (trocaire.org/resources/parishes).
18 session 3RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR WoRld
Inviteparticipantstochatinsmallgroupsabouttheir
responsetothepresentationonCatholicSocial
Teaching.
• Howmuchdidtheyalreadyknow?
• Doesanythingsurprisethem?
• Reflectingbackonlastweek’sactivity,howdoes
theworkofTrócaireandotherCatholiccharities
theyhavereflectedupondemonstrateCatholic
SocialTeachinginactionintheworld,locallyand
globally?
Recordthegroup’sresponsesonaflipchart.
Askthewholegroup:
• Doesitansweranyquestionsaboutwhysuch
organisationsengageintheworktheydo,e.g.
HIVandwomen’srights,gender-basedviolence,
livelihoods,humanitarianresponse,etc.?
• ArethereareasthatCatholicSocialTeaching
highlightsthatarenotbeingrespondedto?
Suggestion:YoumayliketoinviteaspeakerfromTrócaireoranotherlocalorganisationtobepartofthis
session.
stage 3: overview of the Work of trócaire (10 mins)
Brainstormtheword‘Trócaire’.
• Whatdoyouthinkofwhenyouheartheword
‘Trócaire’?
• Whatmemoriesdoesitstirforyou?
LogontoTrócaire’swebsite(trocaire.org)or
Trócaire’spageoniCatholic(icatholic.ie)to
seevideosaboutourwork.
stage 4: Case studies (20 mins)
Handouts 2, 3, 4 and 5–fourcasestudies,eachillustratingtheworkofTrócaire,willbe
exploredinsmallgroups.Inviteparticipants
toselectoneofthehandouts;thenallowthemtime
toreadandinteriorisethestory.
Then,insmallgroups,explorethefollowing
questions…
• Howdidthestorymakemefeel?
• WhenIhearstorieslikethis,howdoIusually
respond?
• HaveIanyroletoplayinthisstory?Doesmy
communityhavearoletoplay?
• Whereistherecompassioninthisstory?
• Highlightthefactorsthatledtothepoverty/
injusticeinthisstory?
• Whatisyourresponsetotheagency’sroleinthe
situation?
Askoneindividualtoreadtheirstoryofchange(case
study)tothewidergroup,ensuringallfourstoriesare
readaloud.Thenchooseonetofocuson.Welcome
feedbackfromthepairswhodiscussedit,thenopen
thediscussiontothewidergroup.
Usethestorytodrawoutsomekeypoints:
• Thecompassionattheheartofthestory:inthe
neighbours’responsestopeopleinneed;inthe
practicalworkoftheorganisations;inthe‘unseen’
peoplewhocontributetotheChurch’swork
throughdonations/campaigning.
• Beingmercifulcallsustobeopento
transformation:ofourownlives,thatofour
communitiesandofourworld.
• Thecausesofpovertyandinjusticeare
multidimensional.Intwoofthesestories,climate
change,floodinganddroughtcontributetopoverty,
alongwithdestructionoftheenvironment.
• IssuesaffectingpeoplehereinIreland,northand
south,likeasylumseekersandrefugees,arethe
consequenceofinjusticeandpovertyinotherparts
oftheworld.
• Socialjusticework,theworkofmercy,involves
addressingthecausesofpoverty,notjust
addressingthesymptoms.
• Ourpartoftheworldcontributestopoverty
andinjustice,e.g.unfairtrade,climatechange,
oppressivegovernments,etc.,butitcanalso
beinvolvedinseekingsolutionstopovertyand
injustice.Socialjusticeinvolveseco-justiceand
tradejustice.
19session 3RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR WoRld
• WecanbecomeinvolvedintheChurch’scallto
workforsocialjusticeinavarietyofdifferentways.
• Bringingaboutamorejustandfairworldbegins
witheachofus,e.g.beingmoreconscious
ofchoicesthataffecttheenvironment;ofour
consumption;ofourwaste;ofchoosingfair-trade
productsandconflict-freegoods.
An interdependent world not only makes us more
conscious of the negative effects of certain lifestyles
and models of production and consumption which
affects us all; more importantly, it motivates us to
ensure that solutions are proposed from a global
perspective, and not simply to defend the interests of
a few countries. Interdependence obliges us to think
of one world with a common plan.(PopeFrancis,
Laudato Si’,164)
stage 5: be the Difference – Get active and Get Involved (10 mins)
Thefacilitatorshouldbringoutthecollageofflip
chartsfromlastweek,andremindparticipantsof
someoftheChurch’sworkofmercy.Askpeopleto
lookatthecollageandreflectonhowwecanactfor
transformation,injusticeandcharity.
Ifyouhaveaguestspeakeryoucouldinvitethemto
sharesomethinghere.Openabriefdiscussion,based
ontheflipchartsortheguestspeaker’sinput,onhow
participantsmightjoinwiththeworkoftheChurch
inmakingourworldamorejustandpeacefulplace,
through–forexample–campaigning,volunteering,
educatingandfundraising.
Alternatively,youcouldlogontoTrócaire’swebsite
formoreinformationonhowpeoplemightliketojoin
withTrócaireinmakingourworldamorejustplace,
throughcampaigning,volunteering,educatingand
fundraisingwithus.Seetrocaire.org/getinvolved/
volunteerformoreinformationonvolunteeringwith
Trócaire.
Askparticipantstowriteonasmallcardtheir
commitmenttoan‘ActofSolidarity’thattheywilltake
withthemfromthisweek’ssession.
stage 6: Reflection (15 mins)
The ‘web’–invitealltostandandpassaballofstring/woolbackandforthrandomlyaroundthegroup,soas
tocreatea‘web’shape.
(Thisworksbestinagroupofeightormore.Fora
smallergroup,thefacilitatorcanprepareawebin
advancefromstring/wool,ordrawawebonalarge
sheetofpaperandinviteparticipantstonotethe
connections.)
Askparticipantstoshareaword,phraseorimage
thattheyfeelbestreflectstheworkundertakenby
TrócaireandtheotherCatholiccharitiesthathave
beenreflectedon.Onceeachparticipanthasshared
this,theypassthewooltoanotherpersonwithinthe
circle.Whenthewebisfullyformed,andeveryone
hascontributedtotheexercise,pausetoprayandto
thinkofthisnetworkandallwhoareinvolvedinit.
Inviteparticipantstostand.Thefacilitatorreadsthe
followingreflection:
Catholic Social Teaching’s vision of a just and peaceful
world is dependent on each of us recognising our
place in the web of relationships in the world of which
we are part. We are all connected to one another.
If one part of the web is damaged, it collapses. If
our brother or sister in another part of the world is
suffering, we join with them in their suffering. If the
earth is damaged, then we are all damaged. The
compassionate life is community life, locally and
globally. Relationship with Christ is relationship with
our brothers and sisters.
Gentlyplacethe‘web’intheprayerspaceandinvite
participantstoprayaloud,intheirownwords,for
peopleorsituationsintheworldwherecompassion
andmercyareneeded.
Handout 6 –concludeeveningwith‘AStepAlongtheWay’,theprayerattributedto
ArchbishopÓscarRomero.
20 session 3RediscoveRing MeRcy in ouR WoRld
Archbishop Romero Prayer: A step Along the Way
Ithelps,nowandthen,totakethelongview
Thekingdomisnotonlybeyondourefforts,itisevenbeyondourvision.
WeaccomplishinourlifetimeonlyatinyfractionofthemagnificententerprisethatisGod’swork.
Nothingwedoiscomplete,whichisawayofsayingthattheKingdomalwaysliesbeyondus.
Nostatementsaysallthatcouldbesaid.Noprayerfullyexpressesourfaith.
Noconfessionbringsperfection.Nopastoralvisitbringswholeness.
NoprogrammeaccomplishestheChurch’smission.Nosetofgoalsandobjectivesincludeseverything.
Thisiswhatweareabout.
Weplanttheseedsthatonedaywillgrow.
Wewaterseedsalreadyplanted,knowingthattheyholdfuturepromise.
Welayfoundationsthatwillneedfurtherdevelopment.
Weprovideyeastthatproducesfarbeyondourcapabilities.
Wecannotdoeverything,andthereisasenseofliberationinrealisingthat.
Thisenablesustodosomething,andtodoitverywell.
Itmaybeincomplete,butitisabeginning,astepalongtheway,
anopportunityfortheLord’sgracetoenteranddotherest.
Wemayneverseetheendresults,
butthatisthedifferencebetweenthemasterbuilderandtheworker.
Weareworkers,notmasterbuilders;ministers,notmessiahs.
Weareprophetsofafuturenotourown.
ComposedbyBishopKenUntenerofSaginaw.
(ThewordsoftheprayerareattributedtoÓscarRomero,butneverspokenbyhim).ReprintedwithpermissionfromLittleBooksofthe
DioceseofSaginaw,Inc.
Inviteparticipantstotaketimeoverthecomingweek
toresearchmoreabouttheirchosenactofsolidarity,
andreflectonthefollowingquestionsinlightof
Trócaire’swork:
• WhatareTrócaire’scurrentcampaignsandfocuses
thatinterestme?(e.g.HIVandgender,livelihoods,
climatejustice)
• Whatgroupsinmyparishmightbenefitfrom
learningabout/engagingwithTrócaire?
• Whatgroupshavewereflectedonthatexistinmy
parish/diocesethatImightliketogetinvolvedwith?
From1977–80,whileElSalvadorwasonthebrink
ofcivilwar,ArchbishopÓscarRomerowasa
voiceofhopeforthepoorandvictimsofhuman
rightsabuses.Despitenumerousdeaththreats,he
continuedtospeakoutontheirbehalfagainstinjustice
andoppression.‘Iftheykillme,Ishallariseinthe
Salvadoranpeople,’Romerosaid.‘Ifthethreatscome
tobefulfilled,fromthismomentIoffermyblood
toGodfortheredemptionandresurrectionofEl
Salvador.Letmybloodbeaseedoffreedomandthe
signthathopewillsoonbereality.’
HebecamethevoiceoftheSalvadoranpeople
whenrepressionhadcrushedallotherchannelsof
expressioninElSalvador.Today,hisperseveranceis
asymbolofhopeforallpersecutedChristiansacross
theworld.
21session 4RediscoveRing MeRcy THRougH PRAyeR And ReFlecTion
sessIon 4Rediscovering Mercy through Prayer and Reflection
‘it is in giving that we receive.’ (StFrancisofAssisi)
objectives
• Toleadparticipantsinprayerandreflection,
allowingspaceforthemtointeriorisetheconcept
ofmercyandlearningsfromprevioussessions.
• Topresentpracticalwaysfortheparticipantsand
theirparishestogetactivelyinvolvedintheworkof
Trócaire.
outcomes
Participants will have …
• Participatedinameditationbasedonthestoryof
Jesus,theWomanandthePharisee(Lk7:36).
• Engagedinprayerandreflection,baseduponthe
conceptsofmercyandcompassion.
• Learnedwaysinwhichtheyandtheirparish
communitycanexpresssolidarityandmercyin
theirlocalcommunity.
Resources needed for this session:
• Fortheprayerspace:cloth,largecandle,seeds
andbowlfrompreviousweeks,andapotteryjaror
vase;oilburnerwithscentedoil;smallbowlwith
essentialoilforuseduringblessingritual;small
candles(unlit),oneforeachperson.
• Jesus,theWomanandthePharisee(Handout1),
page37.
• LitanyoftheSensesprayercards(Handout2)on
page37,andpenforeachparticipant.
• APrayerforZimbabwe(Handout3),onpage38.
• MaterialsfromTrócaire(optional),onpage39.
• Evaluationsheets(Handout4),onpage40.
stage 1: Introduction (10 mins)
Welcometheparticipantsbacktotheirfourthand
finalweekoftheRediscovering Mercy programme.
GiveabriefintroductiontoSession4–aprayerfuland
reflectivesession.
Recapbrieflyonprevioussessions:
session 1:Mercy,asitisexperiencedpersonally,throughimages;mercyisthehumanresponseto
thesufferingofanother;mercyisattheheartofthe
CatholicChurch.
session 2:TheparableoftheGoodSamaritan,‘Whoismyneighbour?’,challengingustogobeyondour
boundaries.Exploringmercyandcompassionatwork
inourownlocalcommunities.
session 3: CatholicSocialTeachingandthepracticaloutcomeofthisteachingintheworkofTrócaire.How
wecansupportthisworkourselvesandinourown
parishcommunities?
TakefeedbackontheresearchtaskfromSession
3.Inviteparticipantstosharetheirfindingsafter
researchingtheirchosenactofsolidarity:
• WhatdidyoulearnaboutTrócairethatyoudidn’t
knowbefore?
Thissessionwillbeaprayerfulandreflective
conclusiontoourjourneyofcontemplationonthe
conceptofmercyandcompassioninlightofCatholic
SocialTeachingandTrócaire’ssearchforjustice.Itwill
beanopportunitytoreaffirmourChristianmissionto
act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our
God(Mic6:8)bydrawingontheworkoftheChurch
andwhatwehavelearnedinthepreviousthree
sessions,throughreflection,prayerandritual.
Asthissessionbegins,inviteparticipantsfromthe
grouptolightalargecandleintheprayerspaceand
bringforward(totheprayerspace)theseedsand
bowlasareminderofGod’scompassionandmercy.
22 session 4RediscoveRing MeRcy THRougH PRAyeR And ReFlecTion
stage 2: Meditation on Jesus, the Woman and the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-39, 44-47) (20–25 mins)
Handout 1–GospelofLuke
InviteparticipantstolistentotheGospelof
Luke7:36-39,44-47.Extendaninvitation
tooneparticipanttoreadthefollowingpassageof
scripture…
luke 7:36-39, 44-47: Jesus, the Woman and the Pharisee
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him
and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his
place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was
a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the
Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began
to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them
with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet
and anointing them with the ointment. Now when
the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to
himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have
known who and what kind of woman this is who is
touching him – that she is a sinner.’
Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon,
‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you
gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed
my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she
has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint
my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with
ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were
many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown
great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven,
loves little.’
Invitealltositcomfortablyintheirchairsandto
preparetomeditateonthewordofGod.The
storyistoldfromtheperspectiveofthewoman,
invitingparticipantstoengageemotionallywiththe
experienceofmercy.Thismeditationisreadslowly,
withpauses,toallowparticipantstoimaginethe
scene.
Touched by Mercy: A meditation from the perspective of the woman, based on luke 7:36-39, 44-47
(To be read by course facilitator)
Close your eyes … relax your shoulders … take a
moment to notice sounds around you and let them
go … breathe out any tension in your body … and
when you are ready, allow yourself to gently enter the
scene from the story … imagining yourself seeing and
feeling the experience of the woman on that day …
‘I am still not certain what drew me there …
I had heard people talking … ‘He is here … in the
city … at the Pharisee’s house …!’
‘He is here … he is here … he is here’ … something
about those words wound their way through the
emptiness, to my heart …
‘He is here’ …
Some impulse set me on the path to the house that
day …
My hands grasping the alabaster jar … every step
heavy with guilt … desperation … doubt … ‘Turn
back … he won’t want to see you. You … with what
you have done?’
But somehow, there was no going back …
The doorway appeared black … unseen, I peered
inside … heart pounding … bones shaking … Eyes
drawn to the light at the centre … a flickering
candle … spreading its gentle glow … casting
shadows … the low murmur of conversation …
shapes gradually coming into focus …
… and there he was …!
… as if sensing my presence he lifted his gaze and
his eyes met mine … I looked away … startled …
embarrassed …
… I held my breath … nothing had prepared me for
that look …
… deep within, I felt the stirrings of grief and shame
for all I had been … for all I had lost … for all I had
seen and felt in my ruined life …
23session 4RediscoveRing MeRcy THRougH PRAyeR And ReFlecTion
… at that moment, I could have turned away … I
could have run away from here … but the same
impulse which led me to the house that day, led me
running to him … until I found myself beside him …
spilling welled-up tears at his feet … drying them
with my hair as if to wipe away my shame … kissing
them … blessing them with ointment …
Looking up at him … I waited for the judgement …
the judgement I had heard so many times before
from the holy men of this city … the harsh words of
reproach … but none came … not from him …
… not even a question …
… just that look … seeing through the tears to my
broken heart … to the person I am … the person I
long to be …
… I have no more to give … no more tears … the
alabaster jar at his feet now empty … but my heart
now full … wide … open … anointed with the healing
ointment of mercy and compassion …’
(Allow a few moments of silence)
Whenyouareready,slowlywithdrawfromthe
scene…
Whataboutmyownstory?
When have I experienced compassion like the woman did?(pause)
When have I responded with compassion to another?(pause)
Where do I need compassion in my own life?(pause)
What prevents me from receiving compassion?
(pause)
What prevents me from being compassionate?
(pause)
(Allow a few moments of silence for personal reflection and then lead out of the meditation)
Noticeyourbreathoncemore…becomeaware
ofhowyoufeel…beawareofbeingbackinthis
room…whenyouareready,openyoureyes.
stage 3: Litany of the senses (20 mins)
Handout 2–PrayerCards
Basedupontheunderstandingofwhatthey
havejustheard,inviteeveryonetoselecta
prayercardtemplatefromwithintheprayerspaceand
totakesometimeontheirowntowriteapersonal
litany.Theymaywishtoconnecttheirreflectionto
somethingthathasstayedwiththemfromprevious
sessions.
Printedoneachofthecardswillbethefollowing
phrase:
We have been given eyes to …
We have been given ears to …
We have been given hands to …
We have been given mouths to …
We have been given feet to …
We have been given hearts to …
We have been given Christ to …
Giveanexampletoillustrate,e.g.‘Wehavebeen
givenearstolistentothevoicesofthosewhoare
unheard.’Allowafewminutesforthecompletionof
thisexercise.
Youmightliketoplaysomereflectivebackground
musicaspeoplecompletethistask.
lighting of candles
Beginbylightingsevencandles(onetorepresent
eachofthesenses).Placeeachcandleintheprayer
spaceandinviteeverybodytosharethelineontheir
prayercardthatcorrespondswitheachsense.Repeat
thisritualforeachofthesenses.
stage 4: blessing of the Hands with oil (10 mins)
Followingthelitanyofsenses,introducetheblessing
ofthehands.
AsChrist’smissiontoservebeganwithhisBaptism
intheRiverJordan,wecalltomindourownBaptism
andourmissionasfollowersofChrist…
24 session 4RediscoveRing MeRcy THRougH PRAyeR And ReFlecTion
Wehavebeengivenhandsandheartstoblessone
anotherwiththebaptismalwatersofcompassionand
mercy.Youarenowinvitedtoenterintothatbeautiful
imageofblessingeachotherwithoilasasymbolof
receivingandgivingmercy.
Participantspassaroundthebowlofholyoilandmark
eachothers’handswithaSignoftheCross,saying…
May your hands be Christ’s hands to the poor
Thefacilitatorshouldinviteamomentofsilenceand
stillnessbeforequietlyandgently:
• Remindingparticipantsthatthisweektheyend
theirtimetogetherasagroup.Theirchallengenow
istotaketheiractionoutintotheirparishandwider
worldandbegintheprocessoftransformingthe
worldwithloveandmercy.
• Invitingthem,duringthisfinalpartoftheprayer,to
reflectonwhatactiontheywillindividuallycommit
toattheendofthissession,andhowtheymay
continuetosupporteachotherasaparish.
• Informingthemthattheywillhavetimetoshare
thesereflectionsattheendoftheprayer.
concluding song and prayers
Listento/singthesuggestedhymn–StFrancisof
Assisi’s‘MakeMeaChannelofYourPeace’.
Handout 3–APrayerfromZimbabwe
Concludethesessionwiththe‘Prayerfrom
Zimbabwe’,invitingparticipantstoreada
lineeach.
Then,saytogether:
Loving God, you created us in the image of yourself.
Bless our eyes that we may remain awake to see all
who suffer in our world.
Bless our ears that we may hear the cry of those who
seek our help.
Bless our hands, that they may be Christ’s hands to
the poor on earth.
Bless our mouths, that they will continue to speak for
the voiceless.
Bless our feet, that they will guide us along the path
of justice and peace.
Bless our hearts, that they will love, in equal measure,
all of your sons and daughters here on earth.
We ask this prayer, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Afteramomentofsilence,thefacilitatorinvitesthe
participantstobecomeawareofthosearoundthem
andtosharewitheachothertheSignofPeace.
Invitethemthentomoveintothefinalstageof
‘TakingAction’together.
stage 5: taking action (10 mins)
Attheendofthefoursessions,itisimportantto
leavepeoplewithasensethatthey,asindividuals
orasaparishcommunity,canbecomeagentsfor
changeinourworld.Remindthemofhowtheycan
‘takeaction’bybecomingfurtherinvolvedinthework
ofTrócaire(andtheotherlocalorganisationsintheir
parishes)throughcampaigning,awareness-raisingand
fundraising,andinvitethemtosharetheirreflections
ofwhattheymaycommitto.
DistributeHandout 4withsuggestionsofwaystogetinvolved.
Encourageeveryonewhotookpartintheprogramme
tofilloutanevaluationsheetandreturnittothe
coursefacilitator.
What next?
ThankyouforfacilitatingtheRediscovering Mercy
programme.Wehopethishasbeenafruitful
experienceforyouandwouldappreciateyour
thoughtsonhowitwent.
Wewouldbegratefulifyoucouldsendasummary
oftheevaluationstoTrócaire(contactdetailsonthe
evaluationsheet).Pleaseincludeanyactionsthe
parishhastakenasaresultoftheprogrammeand
whatdifferencesithasmade.
Wewouldbegratefulforanycommentsonhow
wecouldimprovethisprogramme,orwhatfurther
resourceswouldbeuseful.
25ResouRces session 1: HAndouT 1
ResoURCessession 1: Handout 1 Quotes on Mercy
‘ ’ …wemustnotethatChrist,inrevealingthelove
–mercyofGod,atthesametimedemanded
frompeoplethattheyalsoshouldbeguidedin
theirlivesbyloveandmercy.Thisrequirement
formspartoftheveryessenceofthemessianic
message,andconstitutestheheartoftheGospel
ethos.
St John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, 3
‘ ’ Truemercy,themercyGodgivestousand
teachesus,demandsjustice;itdemandsthatthe
poorfindthewaytobepoornolonger.
Pope Francis, The Church of Mercy
‘ ’ Thecompassionateheartisincommunionwith
alloflifeandiswillingtoenterintosufferingwith
theheartofChrist.Compassionincludes
awareness,attitudeandaction.Adeeperand
clearerlookatcompassion,thecentralqualityof
Christ,enablesustoaccompanythehurtingones
ofourpersonallivesandthelargerworldwith
lovingkindness.Compassionalsoteachesus
howtoliveasapersonofunboundlove.
Joyce Rupp
‘ ’ RememberthatevenJesus’mostscathing
denunciation–ablisteringdiatribeagainstthe
religiousleadersofJerusalem(Mt23)–ends
withChristweepingoverJerusalem.Compassion
colouredeverythinghedid.
John MacArthur
‘ ’ Nothingcanmakeinjusticejustbutmercy.
Robert Frost
‘ ’ Ifyouwantotherstobehappy,practise
compassion.Ifyouwanttobehappy,practise
compassion.
Dalai Lama
‘ ’ Compassionisnotthesameaspity.With
compassion,whileweareawareofwhatanother
isgoingthrough,wealsohonourthatotherand
theirpath.Wearetherenottorescue,but
understandandtolove.Insteadofjoiningthe
otherinhisorherpain,weabsorbthepaininto
ourselvesandreturnpeace,joyandlove.
Sogyal Rinpoche
‘ ’ AnewheartIwillgiveyouandanewspiritIwill
putwithinyou;andIwillremovefromyourbody
theheartofstoneandgiveyouaheartofflesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
‘ ’ Blessedarethemerciful,fortheywillreceive
mercy.
Matthew 5:7
‘ ’ Ihavealwaysfoundthatmercybearsricherfruits
thanstrictjustice.
Abraham Lincoln
26 ResouRcessession 1: HAndouT 1
‘ ’ Thequalityofmercyisnotstrained;itdroppeth
asthegentlerainfromheavenupontheplace
beneath.Itistwiceblessed–itblessethhimthat
gives,andhimthattakes.
William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
‘ ’ Cowardiceasksthequestion:isitsafe?
Expediencyasksthequestion:isitpolitic?Vanity
asksthequestion:isitpopular?Butconscience
asksthequestion:isitright?Andtherecomesa
timewhenonemusttakeapositionthatis
neithersafe,norpolitic,norpopular–butone
musttakeitsimplybecauseitisright.
Martin Luther King Jr
‘ ’ God’smercycanmakeeventhedriestland
becomeagarden,canrestorelifetodrybones
(cf.Ez37:1-14)…LetusberenewedbyGod’s
mercy,letusbelovedbyJesus,letusenablethe
powerofhislovetotransformourlivestoo;and
letusbecomeagentsofthismercy,channels
throughwhichGodcanwatertheearth,protect
allcreationandmakejusticeandpeaceflourish.
Pope Francis, Easter Urbi et Orbi message on 31 March 2013
‘ ’ Mercyisanaction,ormorepreciselyareaction
tosomeoneelse’ssuffering–nowinteriorised
withinoneself–areactiontoasufferingthathas
cometopenetrateone’sownentrailsand
heart…Mercyisabasicattitudetowardthe
sufferingofanother,wherebyonereactsto
eradicatethatsufferingforthesolereasonthatit
exists…
Jon Sobrino
‘ ’ AndnowtheSamaritanentersthestage.What
willhedo?[…]:Hisheartiswrenchedopen.
[…].Seeingthismaninsuchastateisablow
thatstrikeshim‘viscerally’,touchinghissoul.[…
]Struckinhissoulbythelightningflashof
mercy,hehimselfnowbecomesaneighbour,
heedlessofanyquestionordanger.Theburden
ofthequestionthusshiftshere.Theissueisno
longerwhichotherpersonisaneighbourtome
ornot.Thequestionisaboutme.Ihaveto
becometheneighbour,andwhenIdo,theother
personcountsforme‘asmyself’.
Excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth
27ResouRces session 1: HAndouT 2
session 1: Handout 2
the Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the hungry
give dRinK to the thirsty
cloTHe the naked
HARbouR the harbourless
visiT the sick
RAnsoM the captive
buRy the dead
the spiritual Works of Mercy
Advise the sinner
insTRucT the unaware
counsel the doubtful
coMFoRT the sorrowful
beAR WRongs patiently
FoRgive injuries
PRAy for the living and the dead
Matthew25:31-46
lord, when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or thirsty and
give you drink?
in so far as you did it to one of the least of my
brothers you did it to me.
28 ResouRcessession 2: HAndouTs 1 & 2
session 2: Handout 1 Luke 10:25-37 the Parable of the Good samaritan
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to
him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as
yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went
away, leaving him half dead. Now, by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the
other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own
animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the
innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He
said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
session 2: Handout 2 notes on Context of the Parable of the Good samaritan
• ThiswasaparabletoldbyJesustoaJewishlawyerinresponsetothequestion:‘Whoismyneighbour?’
• Tofeelthefullforceofthestorythereisaneedtounderstandsomethingofthebitterlyhostilerelationship
thatexistedbetweentheJewsandtheSamaritansduringJesus’time.
• TheSamaritansidentifiedthemselvesasdescendantsofthechosenpeopleinthenorthernkingdomofIsrael,
buttheJewsviewedthemasdescendantsofforeignerswhowereresettledinthenorthernkingdom(722
BCE,cf.2Kgs17:24-41).
• TheSamaritansonlyacceptedtheTorahassacredscripture,whereastheJewsalsoacceptedtheprophets
andtheirwritings.
• TheSamaritansregardedMountGerizimasthetrueholyplaceofGod,wheresacrificecouldbeoffered(Deut
11:29-30;12:5-14).TheJewsinsisteditwastheTempleinJerusalem.
• Thisdivisionwasexacerbatedbyhistoricalconflicts(e.g.KingJosiah’sdestructionoftheSamaritanplaceof
worship[2Kgs23:19-20];theexclusionoftheSamaritansfromreconstitutedpost-exilicJudah;andSamaritan
oppositiontotherebuildingofJerusalem).
• HostilityclimaxedwhenthetempleonMountGerizimwasdestroyedin158BCE.
• ThedepthofthehostilityisillustratedinEccles(Sir)50:25-26,whichreferstotheSamaritansas‘thefoolish
peoplelivingatShechem’that‘arenotevenapeople’.
29ResouRces session 2: HAndouT 3
session 2: Handout 3 Mercy in the Great Religious traditions of the World
• Islam: RahmahTheattributeofRahmahisregardedasanessentialcharacteristicandqualityofAllah.Eachchapterofthe
Qur’an(withtheexceptionofthesixth)beginswiththesubscription:‘inthenameofAllah,theMerciful,the
Compassionate.’
• Buddhism: Karuna InBuddhism,Karunareferstoourabilitytorelatetooneanotherinsointenseameasurethattheplightof
theotheraffectsusasmuchasifithadbeenourown.ThetermiskeytothespiritualpathwithinBuddhism
andisidentifiedasoneofthefourdivinestatesorthefour‘Immeasurables’ofdivinebeing.
• Judaism: Tzedakah ‘Tzedakah’,literallymeaning‘righteousness’ordoingtherightthing,liesrightattheheartofJudaism’s
understandingofinterpersonalrelationships.Itinsiststhatthereisabasichumanresponsibilitytoreachout
toothers.ToknowGodistoactwithjusticeandcompassion,torecognisethedivineimageinotherpeople
andtohearthesilentcryofthoseinneed.
• Taoism Regardyourneighbour’slossorgainasyourownlossorgain.
• Christianity Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. (Mt5:7)
Go and learn the meaning of the words what I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call
the virtuous, but sinners. (Mt9:13)
Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who pay your tithe of mint and dill and cumin
and have neglected the weightier matters of the law – justice, mercy, good faith! These you should have
practised without neglecting the others. (Mt23:23)
Go home to your people and tell them all what the Lord in his mercy has done for you.(Mk5:19)
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his
son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven
and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick!
Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf
and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and
is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Lk15:20-24)
Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful. (Lk6:36)
‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The
expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise’.
(Lk10:36-37)
30 ResouRcessession 3: HAndouT 1
session 3: Handout 1 Introduction to Catholic social teaching
What is catholic social Teaching?
TheCatholicChurch’sSocialTeachingisarichtreasureofwisdomaboutbuildingajustsociety.Itisthecallto
peopleoffaithtobeparticipantsamidstthechallengesofmodernsociety.CatholicSocialTeachingsumsupthe
Church’steachingonissuesofsocialjusticeandpeace.
‘TheimmediatepurposeoftheChurch’ssocialdoctrineistoproposetheprinciplesandvaluesthatcansustaina
societyworthyofthehumanperson.’(Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,580)
catholic social Teaching calls us …
• tobeawareofinjusticeintheworld
• tochallengeandchangeourattitudes
• totakeactiontobringaboutamorejustworld
What is it based upon?
TheChurch’steachingonsocialjusticeisgroundedinscriptureandintheknowledgegatheredfromthe
Christiancommunity’sresponsetoissuesofjusticethroughouthistory.
ModernCatholicSocialTeachinghasbeenarticulatedthroughatraditionofpapal documents.Thedepthandrichnessofthistraditioncanperhapsonlybefullyunderstoodthroughadirectreadingofthesedocuments.
Methodology: see, Judge, Act
FollowingVaticanII,themethodologythathasbeenpromotedasksustoreadthe‘signsofthetimes’bymeans
ofthe‘see’,‘judge’,‘act’methodthatJosephCardijn,ayoungBelgianpriestandfounderoftheYoungChristian
Workersmovement,madepopularamongststudentandworkersalike.Itasksustoapproachissueswithan
openmind,firstlookingattheissuesofsocialjusticeastheyexistinourcommunities,beforemeasuringwhat
ishappening,andwhatisatstakeinthelightofourfaith.Finally,weneedtodecidewhatactiontoundertakein
responsetothisinjustice.
Key themes of catholic social Teaching HumanDignity·Solidarity·TheCommonGood·Participation·Subsidiarity·Peace·StewardshipofCreation
Human Dignity:WearemadeintheimageofGod.ThisisthesimplestartingpointofallCatholicSocialTeaching.Eachmemberofthehumanfamilyisequalindignityandhasequalrightsbecauseweareallthe
childrenoftheoneGod.
Solidarity:Weareour‘brother’s/sister’skeeper’.Weareresponsibleforoneanotherinrealways.
The Common Good:Theconditionsthatmakeitpossibleforeachsocialgroupandeachindividualmembertoachievetheirfullpotential.Therightsandresponsibilitiesofindividualsandgroupsmustthereforealwaysbe
keptinbalance.
Participation:Peoplehavebotharightandadutytoparticipateinthosedecisionsthatmostdirectlyaffectthem.Weareallcalledtoshapeourowndestiniesandhavetherightanddutytodoso.
31ResouRces session 3: HAndouT 1
Subsidiarity:Theprincipleofsubsidiarityplacesresponsibilityascloseaspossibletothegrassroots.Thepeopleorgroupsmostdirectlyaffectedbyadecisionorpolicyshouldhaveakeydecision-makingrole.
Promotion of Peace:Peaceisapositive,action-orientedconcept.InthewordsofStJohnPaulII,‘Peaceisnotjusttheabsenceofwar.Itinvolvesmutualrespectandconfidencebetweenpeoplesandnations.’Thereisa
closerelationshipinCatholicteachingbetweenpeaceandjustice.Peaceisthefruitofjusticeandisdependent
uponrightorderamonghumanbeings.
Stewardship of Creation:ThegoodsoftheeartharegiftsfromGodandareintendedforthebenefitofeveryone.Wehavearesponsibilitytocareforthesegoodsasstewardsandtrustees,notasmereconsumers
andusers.Howwetreattheenvironmentisameasureofourstewardship.
Fundamentally,CatholicSocialTeachingremindsusthatourfaithisafaiththatdoesjusticeandcommitsusto
takeaction.
AdaptedfromSandieGornishfortheLoyolaInstituteAustrailianJesuitsweb.sndden.org/peace4all/cst/TipsCSTDocuments.pdfand
cctwincities.org/CatholicSocialTeaching.Seealsojedo.perthcatholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Four-Key-Principles-of-Catholic-
Social-Teaching-Loyola-Institute.pdfformoreinformationon‘FourKeyPrinciplesofCatholicSocialTeaching’.
Further resources on catholic social Teaching
catholicsocialteaching.org.uk
usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/
catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-
social-teaching.cfm
caritas.org.au/learn/catholic-social-teaching
Option for the Poor and for the Earth
DonalDorr
OrbisBooks,2012
ISBN13:9781570759741
Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret
EdwardP.DeBerri,JamesE.HugwithPeterJ.
Henriot,MichaelJ.Schultheis
OrbisBooks,2003
ISBN1570754853,9781570754852
Following Jesus as Pilgrims, Servants and Prophets in
the 21st Century: Letters to My Grandchildren
MichaelHornsby-Smith
FastPrint,2014
ISBN9781780350157
Catholic Social Teaching and Movements
MarvinL.KrierMich
Twenty-ThirdPublications,1998
ISBN9780896229365
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
PontificalCouncilforJusticeandPeace
StPaul’s,2004.
Gaudium et Spes
PopePaulVI
LibreriaEditriceVaticana,1965
www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_
council/documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-
spes_en.html
Sollicitudo rei Socialis
SaintJohnPaulII
LibreriaEditriceVaticana,1987
w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/
documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_30121987_sollicitudo-rei-
socialis.html
32 ResouRcessession 3: HAndouT 2
session 3: Handout 2 Water and Women’s Rights in Malawi
sitelia’s story: Malawi
It’s5a.m.intheDedzaregionincentralMalawiandthefirstthingoneveryone’smindis‘water’.Womenand
girls,youngandold,arriveattheKamboniRiver,bucketsintow,toqueueandwaitforwater.Whentheirturn
comes,theyhunkerdownbarefootonthemuddyriverbedandscoopwaterintotheirbuckets.Theythenmake
thelongwalkhome,balancingunwieldyfifteen-litrebucketsofwaterontheirheads.Thedailyhustleforwater
hasbegun.SiteliaChitsongaknowsthisstrugglealltoowell.
Thisgatheringofwaterispartofherdailyritual.Sheisamotherofeightandawidow.‘Idoworryaboutmy
children.WhattheyeatandwhatIcangivethem,’shesays.Sitelia’sroutineissimilartootherwomeninthe
community.Sheadds:‘Igoandfetchwaterthreetimesaday.Thechildrengotwiceaday.Thewaterisused
forcooking,drinkingandwashing.SometimesIgoandbathintheriver.Thewaterlookscleanbutitisnot.Itis
nottreatedwater.’
Siteliadoesn’thavebreakfast,preferringinsteadtogostraighttoherfarmaftercollectingwater.Herfarm
consistsoftwoacres,whereshegrowsnuts,sweetpotatoes,maizeandcassava.Shealsohasagoat,apig,
threechickensandaduck.
Likeothersinthevillage,betweenJanuarytoMaySiteliastrugglestoprovidefoodforherfamily.Despiteall
ofherresponsibilities,shestillmanagestofindtimetobeamemberofthelocalwatercommittee,whichwas
setupinherlocalvillagebyTrócaire’spartnerCADECOM.Watershortagesareasharedburdenamongstthis
community.Together,theyarehopefulthisissuewillberesolvedandthattheirneedswillbemet.Theirneeds
areimmediate–aboreholeandirrigation,cleanwaterandfoodthatlastsayear.Untilthesebasichumanrights
aremet,thepeopleofDedzawillcontinuetoworry,continuetowalkandcontinuetheirwaitforwater.
To see a video on how Trócaire is helping people in Malawi to gain access to water log on to vimeo.
com/77419642
Women in cikiwawa village in Malawi building a water reservoir in preparation for drought. chikwawa has been hit by drought and inconsistent rainfall. This community in nyambio village is being helped by Trócaire partner cAdecoM to cope better with drought, growing more drought-resistant crops and conserving water. (Photo: Alan Whelan/Trócaire)
33ResouRces session 3: HAndouT 3
session 3: Handout 3 safely Delivering new Life in Guatemala
Smallhandsgrabthebreezypinkcurtainwhichhangs
overthelowentrancedoortothehouseoffifty-
seven-year-oldMayanmidwifeVicentaCacJimenez.
Curiouseyesareeagertoseewhat’sgoingon.
Vicentahelpsbringlifeintotheworld,andthesmall
childreninhervillage–manyofwhomshedelivered
–wanttoknowwhethertherewillbeanynewarrivals
today.Shehasworkedfortwenty-sevenyearsasa
midwifeinthisremotevillageofonehundredand
fiftyfamiliesintheLaBenidicióncommunityinthe
Guatemalanhighlands.Shehasdeliveredintheregion
ofninehundredchildrenoverallthoseyears,giving,
asshesays,her‘timeandknowledgeforfree’.
Althoughamidwifeformanyyears,itwasnotuntilVicentareceiveda‘TrócaireChristmasGift’thatshe
receivedformaltraining.Thisgift,generouslyfundedbytheIrishpublic,iscalled‘safemotherhood’andithas
transformedVicenta’swayofworking,savinglivesalongtheway.
AccesstoresourcesinGuatemalaisextremelyunequal.Thisisreflectedinthehighlevelsofmalnutrition
amongchildrenandthealarmingincidenceofdeathsofmothersduringorafterbirth.Basicmaternityservices
arevirtuallynon-existentinmanypartsofGuatemala,andmidwivesoftenhavetoworkwithoutproperfacilities
orsanitation.TheCERNEclinic,runbyDrEdwinRojas,wasoneofthemanybeneficiaryorganisationsthatwas
abletosupporthundredsofmidwiveswithequipmentandtrainingasaresultoftheTrócaireGiftofChange.
Priortothetraining,intheregionoftwenty-fivemothersdiedeachyearduringchildbirthinLaBenidición.
However,inrecentyears,notasinglewomandiedasaresultofchildbirthcomplications.
Vicentahasagreatsenseofprideaboutherworkandknowsthatitcarrieslotsofresponsibility.Sheistheonly
midwifeinthearea:‘Whenoneofmypatientsisunwell,Igetnervous.Agoodmidwifeisconcernedaboutall
herpatients.’Vicentasurveysthesafemotherhoodkitononeofthefivebedsintheroomwhereexpectant
womencancomeduringthedayforcareandattention.‘BeforeTrócairehelpedIworkedwithmybarehands,’
shesays.
Withthispracticalgift,Vicentacannowreadababy’sheartbeatbeforebirth,andweighitwithasmallscales
afterbirth.Shehasawidebasinforwater,packetsofsterilisedglovesandapairofscissors.Thesescissors
meanshecancuttheumbilicalcordinamorehygenicway.Althoughitsoundslikeanexaggeration,amachete
hasbeenusedinthepast.‘Icouldneverhaveboughtthisequipment,’shesays,‘Iwanttosaythankstothe
peoplethathelp.’IntheeveningthehousebecomesVicenta’shomeagain.She,herself,hadthirteenchildren
butfivesadlydied.Foursonsandonedaughtercurrentlysharethehousewithherandherhusband,coffee
pickerPedroLuisGarcia.InthemorningVicentawillgetupandextendherwelcomeonceagaintoanyyoung
motherthatcomestoherdoor,eagertohelpandsupportherandherunbornchild.
Allinaday’swork.
34 ResouRcessession 3: HAndouT 4
session 3: Handout 4 family struggles in PalestineWaledAbohanyawasfarminghislandwhenthe
soldierscame.Thereweredozensofthem,supported
bydozensmorepolicemen.Theyhadasimple
mission:theyweretheretotakeWaled’sland.
‘Theyarrivedwithnowarning,’herecalls.‘When
theybulldozedmylandclear,itwasliketheywere
bulldozingmyheart.Itfeltasthoughthebulldozer
wasdrivingovermystomach.Ishowedthemthe
deedsforthelandbuttheyignoredthem.Itoldthem
thatonedayIwouldbeabletotakemylandbackand
theystartedlaughingatme.Thatwastheworstpart.
‘Therewerefiftyorsixtysoldiersandanotherfiftypolicemen,alongwithgovernmentofficialsandthesettlers
themselves.Onehundredandfiftypeoplewithgunsagainstonemaninafield.’Thesoldiersbulldozedhis
cropsandthelandwasofficiallyhandedovertoanIsraelisettlement.Thisincident,whichtookplacein2010,
wasthesecondtimeWaledhadlostlandtoIsraelisettlers.In1995,Israeliofficialsarrivedathisfarmand
toldhimthattheywouldreturnthefollowingyearinordertodrawanofficialborderbetweenhislandand
thesettler’sland.Theofficialsdidreturnthefollowingyear,buttherewerenonegotiations.‘Theyarrivedon
myfarmandtoldmetheyweretakingmyland,’herecalls.‘IaskedthemcouldtheyatleastwaituntilIhad
harvestedbuttheywouldnotwait.Iaskedthemcouldtheyatleastgivemeafewhourstoremovethepipes
fromthegroundbutwhileIwastalkingtothemtheyenteredthelandandbulldozedeverything.’
Waled’sfarmwasoncefifteenacres,buttodayhehasjustalittleoverfiveacresremaining.Therestofhisland
isnowownedbytheIsraelisettlers,whoplanonplantingitnextsummer.Whenthathappens,Waledandhis
familywillbecompletelysurroundedbysettlerfarms.Theywonderhowlongitwillbebeforetheycomeback
forhisremainingfiveacres.
‘Ifearalotforthefuture,’hesays.‘Wearesurroundedbyconfiscatedland.Theyhavetakenlandoffmetwice,
andeverydayIexpectthemtocomebackathirdtime.Thereisnojusticehere.Lookathowthesettlerslive
andhowwelive.Thesettlersconfiscateourlandandattackus.Itisnotsafehereforus.Itisahugehumiliation
andalossofdignity.Toseeasettlerillegallyworkingonyourlandisthesameasthemwalkingonyourbodyas
youlieontheground.Theconditionswefacenowmakelifeveryhardanditwillgetworse.Iamfortyyearsold
andforeachofthosefortyyearslifehasgotworseforus.’
Waledtakeshopefrominternationaloppositiontothesettlements,whichareillegalunderinternationallaw.
HehopesthattheinternationalcommunitywillbeabletoputpressureonIsraeltostoptheillegalseizureof
PalestinianlandintheWestBank.‘Peopleshouldcomehereandseewhatishappeningwiththeirowneyes.
Itisimportantforpeopletoknowwhatishappeninghere.IamproudoftherelationshipbetweenPalestinians
andtheIrishpeople.ItmakesmehappythatpeopleinIrelandbelieveinstandingupforourrights.Mystrength
comesfrommybeliefinhumanrightsandinjustice.Everybodyshouldhavejustice.Justicemeansfullequality.
Itmeanseverybodybeingequaltoeverybodyelse.Thereisnojusticehere.’
Trócaire have produced a resource for groups travelling on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. ‘Come and See’ invites groups to share and pray with those in the Holy Land who are struggling for justice and peace. It is a portal for enquiry rather than a comprehensive guide, and invites
pilgrimage groups to explore how the message of the Gospel can be encountered in a lived way during their visit to the Holy Land. This resource is available at trocaire.org/resources/parishes.
35ResouRces session 3: HAndouT 5
session 3: Handout 5 the ebola Crisis in sierra Leone: Patrick’s story
PatrickSesay’slifebegantofallapartinOctober2014.
Beforethen,lifewasdifficultbuthappy.Hewasa
teacherandhiswifeAminatasoldvegetablesata
localmarket.AttheageofsixtyPatrickwaslooking
forwardtoretiringandgrowingoldwatchinghis
childrenraisethenextgeneration.
On18Octobereverythingchangedwhenhisdaughter
Ammahfellsick,complainingofdizzinessandfever.
Herhealthworsenedquicklyandwithindaysshe
passedawayintheirhome.
Overthecomingweeks,theEbolavirusspread
rapidlythroughthehouse.Intotal,twelvemembers
oftheextendedfamilycaughtthevirus.Inamatterof
weeks,sevenwoulddie.Patricklivedinthehousefor
thewholetimethatEbolaranriotthroughitswalls.
Hewatchedinterrorandagonyasfirsthisdaughter
died,thenhiswife,thenhisson,thenanother
daughter.
Hesitsoutsidethehousenowandcanhardlyspeakofthosedaysandweeks.Hisplansforagentleretirement
arenowgone.Ebolahasdestroyedeverythingthisfamilyhadbuiltoveryearsofhardwork.Overthepastyear,
wehaveallheardabouttheimpactsofEbola.OvertwentythousandpeopleinWestAfricahavebeeninfected,
overhalfofwhomwereinSierraLeone.
TrócairerespondedtothecrisisbyprovidingfoodtofamiliessuchasPatrick’swhowerelivingunderquarantine.
Wealsoprovidednewmattresses,pillows,blanketsandotheritemstofamilieswhohadbeenaffectedby
Ebola,aswellasraisingawarenessincommunitiesonhowtostopthespreadofthekillervirus.
Ourresponsesavedlivesandbroughthopeandcomforttopeopleastheybattledthishorrificoutbreak.
Thankfully,EbolaisnowundercontrolinSierraLeone.Infectionrateshavefallendramaticallyandthereis
confidencethattheworstofthecrisisisover.
However,oureffortstohelpthoseaffectedareonlyjustbeginning.Thelong-termimpactsofthiscrisiswillbe
huge.Tensofthousandsofpeoplewerequarantinedduringtheplantingseason,whichmeanstheywon’thave
anycropstoharvestoverthecomingmonths.Likewise,manypeoplelosttheirjobswhenbusinesseswere
forcedtoclose,leavingthemwithnoincome.
Hungerisontherise.Trócaireisworkingwithfamiliestomakesuretheyhaveenoughfood–butweneedyour
help.Weareprovidingfarmerswithseedsandtoolsastheyattempttorebuildtheirlives.Wearealsoworking
withaffectedcommunitiestoprovidecounsellingtopeoplewhoseliveshavebeencompletelydestroyedby
Ebola.
36 ResouRcessession 3: HAndouT 6
session 3: Handout 6 archbishop Romero Prayer: a step along the Way
Ithelps,nowandthen,totakethelongview.
Thekingdomisnotonlybeyondourefforts,itisevenbeyondourvision.
WeaccomplishinourlifetimeonlyatinyfractionofthemagnificententerprisethatisGod’swork.
Nothingwedoiscomplete,whichisawayofsayingthattheKingdomalwaysliesbeyondus.
Nostatementsaysallthatcouldbesaid.Noprayerfullyexpressesourfaith.
Noconfessionbringsperfection.Nopastoralvisitbringswholeness.
NoprogrammeaccomplishestheChurch’smission.
Nosetofgoalsandobjectivesincludeseverything.
Thisiswhatweareabout.
Weplanttheseedsthatonedaywillgrow.
Wewaterseedsalreadyplanted,knowingthattheyholdfuturepromise.
Welayfoundationsthatwillneedfurtherdevelopment.
Weprovideyeastthatproducesfarbeyondourcapabilities.
Wecannotdoeverything,andthereisasenseofliberationinrealisingthat.
Thisenablesustodosomething,andtodoitverywell.
Itmaybeincomplete,butitisabeginning,astepalongtheway,
anopportunityfortheLord’sgracetoenteranddotherest.
Wemayneverseetheendresults,
butthatisthedifferencebetweenthemasterbuilderandtheworker.
Weareworkers,notmasterbuilders;ministers,notmessiahs.
Weareprophetsofafuturenotourown.
ComposedbyBishopKenUntenerofSaginaw.
(ThewordsoftheprayerareattributedtoRomero,butneverspokenbyhim).ReprintedwithpermissionfromLittleBooksoftheDioceseof
Saginaw,Inc.
37ResouRces session 4: HAndouTs 1 & 2
session 4: Handout 1 Luke 7:36-39, 44-47: Jesus, the Woman and the Pharisee
OneofthePhariseesaskedJesustoeatwithhimandhewentintothePharisee’shouseandtookhisplaceat
thetable.Andawomaninthecity,whowasasinner,havinglearnedthathewaseatinginthePharisee’shouse,
broughtanalabasterjarofointment.Shestoodbehindhimathisfeet,weeping,andbegantobathehisfeet
withhertearsandtodrythemwithherhair.Thenshecontinuedkissinghisfeetandanointingthemwiththe
ointment.NowwhenthePhariseewhohadinvitedhimsawit,hesaidtohimself,‘Ifthismanwereaprophet,
hewouldhaveknownwhoandwhatkindofwomanthisiswhoistouchinghim–thatsheisasinner.’
Thenturningtowardsthewoman,hesaidtoSimon,‘Doyouseethiswoman?Ienteredyourhouse;yougave
menowaterformyfeet,butshehasbathedmyfeetwithhertearsanddriedthemwithherhair.Yougave
menokiss,butfromthetimeIcameinshehasnotstoppedkissingmyfeet.Youdidnotanointmyheadwith
oil,butshehasanointedmyfeetwithointment.Therefore,Itellyou,hersins,whichweremany,havebeen
forgiven;henceshehasshowngreatlove.Buttheonetowhomlittleisforgiven,loveslittle.’
session 4: Handout 2 Litany of the senses: Prayer Card
We have been given eyes to …
We have been given ears to …
We have been given hands to …
We have been given mouths to …
We have been given feet to …
We have been given hearts to …
We have been given Christ to …
38 ResouRcessession 4: HAndouT 3
session 4: Handout 3 a Prayer from Zimbabwe
Wehavebeengiveneyestoseeandearstolisten
Wehavebeengiventongues…tospeakfortheinnocent…andtheguilty,
Topraise,encourageandsupport,
Toproclaiminseasonandout,thenewsthatisgoodnews.
Wehavebeengivenhandstoreachoutandstrengthenthefearful,
Toprotecttheweakandliftupthefallen,
Toembracethedying,
Toshareburdensandwipeawaytears…
Tobuildup,nottoteardown,
Tofantheembers,nottoquenchthesmoulderingwick,
Tobless,nottostrike,
Togive,nottowithhold.
Wehavebeengivenmindstojudge…ourselves,notothers,
Situations,notmotives;
Toseeksolutions,notexcuses,justice,notexpediency;
Todiscerntheessentialfromthemerelydesirable,
Thegoodfromthelessgoodandthelessgoodfromthebad…
Wehavebeengivenheartstofeel,
Tointerpretthehiddenmeaningsbeneaththewordsspoken,
Toopendoorsclosedbydespair,
Todiscoverthebestinothersandsetitfree,
Tounderstandandtoforgive…ortosimplyforgive…
Tocomfortthesorrowful,toloveandtherebyhealthescars.
Wehavebeengivenallthesethingssothatpeoplearoundus
MayneitherdoubtnorforgetGod’spresenceamongthem;
Thatinourtouch,ourwords,ouractions,
Godmaytouchandspeakandactandothers,inturn,maysensethepresenceofGod
whenwepassby,andseeingus,knowwithlittleeffort
ThattheycancatchaglimpseofGod.
Just One Year: Prayer and Worship Through the Christian Year,
TimothyRadcliffeandJeanHarrison,eds.,London:Darton,LongmanandTodd/CAFOD,ChristianAid,2006.
39ResouRces session 4: HAndouT 4
session 4: Handout 4 the next step: How your Parish Can engage More with the Work of the Church for social Justice• Find out more about the work of Trócaireandhowyoucangetinvolved.
• Find out what local organisations working on social justiceexistinyourparish.Arethereanyissuesthatarenotbeingrespondedtothattheparishcouldtakeactionon?
• Volunteer with Trócaire.TrócairehasvibrantvolunteergroupsinnumerouslocationsacrossIreland,northandsouth.Asavolunteeryoucangetinvolvedinarangeofactivitiesincludingcampaigningandactivism,schoolandyouthwork,parishrepresentation,communityfundraisingandsellingTrócairegiftsduringtheChristmasseason.FormoreinformationonvolunteeringwithTrócairevisittrocaire.org/getinvolved/[email protected].
• Invite a speakerfromTrócairetospeakinyourparish.
• Have a picnic, barbeque or partytocelebratethedifferentculturesinyourownparish,welcoming,inparticular,thosewhoarenewtothecommunity.
• Have a Fairtrade coffee morninginyourcommunity/parishcentre.Sendaspecialinvitationtothoseworkingorvolunteeringinanyorganisationthatservesothersorworksforsocialjustice.Themoneyraisedcouldbeacontributiontoalocalorganisationworkingforsocialjustice.
• Have a night of prayerinsolidaritywithacommunityhereinIreland,northandsouth,orinanotherpartoftheworldwhereTrócaireisworking.Youcouldaskthemforinformationtohighlightorshare.
• Discuss ways you can live more simply as a communitytoreduceyourimpactonGod’screationandhispeople.Perhapsyoucouldstartacar-poolingschemeforthosewhodrivetoMass,orencouragepeopletocomeupwiththeirownpledgetoreducetheircarbonfootprint.Asaparishwhomightliketoexplorethethemeofclimatejusticeinmoredepth,youcouldruntheTrócaireGLASprogramme,apastoralresourcetosupplementThe Cry of the Earth.Availableonlineatwww.trocaire.org/resources/parishes.
• Have a parish missiononthethemeofsocialjusticeortheenvironment,andinvitelocalandnationalspeakerswhoworkforjusticetoaddressthecongregation.
• Have an art competition/exhibitiononthethemeof‘TheEnvironment’,‘Justice’or‘Community’forschoolswithintheparishorbetweenneighbouringparishes.
• Think about becoming a Fairtrade parish or an eco-congregation.
• Have a reflection evening for young peopleintheparishonthethemeof‘EnvironmentalJustice’(it’sagreatevangelisationtoolwithyoungadults,whichhasprovenitsworthonnumerousoccasions!).SeeTrócaire’swebsiteforyouth/schoolsresourceandideas.Whynotcontactyourdiocesanyouthcoordinatorforassistance?Trócairecouldalsoprovideyouwithresourcesforthis.TheirGLASandJustfaithprogrammesarespecificallydesignedwiththe18–35yearsagegroupinmind.
• Launch, or relaunch, a parish justice and peace group.AsbaptisedCatholicswearecalledtoactjustlyandtospeakforthemarginalised.Havingajusticeandpeacegroupcanaddanewdimensiontothefaithofacommunity.ItensuresthatparishesarelisteningandactingoutthedemandsoftheGospelmessage.Theiraimsaretohighlightinjusticesagainsthumanityorcreation,toeducatetheirownparishcommunitiesabouttheseinjustices,tobuildalocalcampaignaroundthem,andthusbringaboutalastingchangeinaffectedareas.ContactSocialJusticeIrelandformoreinformationatsocialjustice.ieortheIrishEpiscopalCouncilforJusticeandPeaceatfacebook.com/councilforjusticeandpeaceireland.
• Setuporreconnectwithyourparishoutreachgrouptolookatwhatmoreyourparishandlocalschoolscandotoreachoutintothecommunity,bothlocallyandglobally.
40 ResouRcessession 4: HAndouT 5
session 4: Handout 5 Course evaluation sheet
What has been the best part of participating in this programme?
Is there any part of the programme you feel could be improved?
How have you been inspired to answer the call to justice?
What changes have you seen in your parish as a result of this course?
How would you rate the overall content?
Comments:
What further information and resources would you like to support your involvement?
Pleasereturnyourcompletedevaluationsheettothecoursefacilitator.Thankyou!
Facilitator:[email protected]
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