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REDISCOVERING An Invitation to Reconnect Faith and Mercy MERCY

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RediscoveRing

An invitation to Reconnect Faith and Mercy

MeRcy

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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