“Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.”

Check out these statements from Church leaders on the Dignity of Work:

From the Holy Father:

“Work Is a Fundamental Element of the Person and Society”

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 27, 2011 (Read full address here via Zenit.org)

Benedict XVI recalled today the love and affection Pope John Paul II continually showed for the worker upon receiving in audience participants of a pilgrimage from the Diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia, Italy.

The pilgrims traveled to Rome to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1981 visit of Pope John Paul II to Terni and its steel industry. The southern Umbrian is home to Italy’s first steel plant, which the Polish Pontiff visited on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph.

Benedict XVI noted in his address the “love that [John Paul II] showed for the working world; we can almost hear him repeat the first words that he spoke shortly after he arrived at Terni: ‘The main reason for this visit, which takes place on St. Joseph’s day … is to bring a word of encouragement to all the workers and express my solidarity with them, my friendship and my affection.’”

Reiterating the sentiments of his predecessor, Benedict XVI affirmed his own concern for the plight of the worker in the midst of the current global economic crisis.

“It is important always to remember that work is a fundamental element of the person and society,” the Pontiff stated. “If it is difficult to find work, the conditions for society itself — living according to the demands of the common good — becomes threatened.”

The Holy Father noted the benefits of work, which “helps us to be closer to God and to others,” and the dignity of work that stems from the fact that “Jesus himself was a worker, indeed he spent most of his earthly life in Nazareth in Joseph’s shop.”

Benedict XVI recalled the words of John Paul II in Terni some 30 years ago when he spoke of the “Gospel of Work,” saying that it was “written above all by the fact that the Son of God, becoming man, worked with his own hands. In fact, his work, which was a physical work, occupied the majority of his life on this earth, and it thus entered into the work of his redemption of man and the world.”

“Already this speaks to us of dignity of work,” Benedict XVI explained, “indeed of the specifi dignity of human work that is inserted into the mystery itself of redemption.”

The Holy Father praised the efforts of Bishop Vincenzo Paglia of Terni-Narni-Amelia to promote the Sunday Eucharist in the diocese, and he encouraged the pilgrims present to turn to the Eucharist in order to build a more just and solidary society.

“In [Bishop Paglia's] first pastoral letter, ‘The Eucharist Saves the World,’ your bishop indicated the source that you must draw from and return to in order to live the joy of the faith and have passion for improving the world,” the Pope explained. “The Sunday Eucharist has thus become the fulcrum of the diocese’s pastoral action.

“It is a decision that has born its fruits; participation in the Sunday Eucharist has increased, from which the diocese’s commitment to your land takes its start.”

He said that the diocese “feels the responsibility of standing with you to communicate to you the hope of the Gospel and the strength to build a more just and worth society for man,” and that it does this by turning to the “source,” which is the Eucharist.

“From the Eucharist,” Benedict XVI continued, “in which Christ makes himself present in his supreme act of love for all of us, we learn to live in society as Christians, to make it more welcoming, more solidary, more attentive to the needs of everyone — especially the weakest — richer in love.”

“Living in a ‘eucharistic way’ means living as one Body, one family, one society bound together by love,” he said. “The exhortation to be ‘eucharistic’ is not a mere moral invitation addressed to individuals, but it is much more: it is the exhortation to participate in Jesus’ dynamism itself, Jesus who offers his life for others so that all might become one.”

From the Wisconsin Catholic Conference:

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, president of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, issued the following statement Wednesday, Feb. 16, regarding the rights of workers and the value of unions:

Governments, for reasons of economic utility, often limit the freedom or the negotiating capacity of labor unions. Hence traditional networks of solidarity have more and more obstacles to overcome. The repeated calls issued within the Church’s social doctrine, beginning with Rerum Novarum, for the promotion of workers’ associations that can defend their rights must therefore be honored today even more than in the past, as a prompt and far-sighted response to the urgent need for new forms of cooperation at the international level, as well as the local level.

It does not follow from this that every claim made by workers or their representatives is valid. Every union, like every other economic actor, is called to work for the common good, to make sacrifices when required, and to adjust to new economic realities.
However, it is equally a mistake to marginalize or dismiss unions as impediments to economic growth. As Pope John Paul II wrote in 1981, “[a] union remains a constructive factor of social order and solidarity, and it is impossible to ignore it.” (Laborem Exercens #20)

The Catholic Labor Network’s latest newsletter also provides several commentaries on recent issues in labor that may be of interest: The Rank and File Catholic.

Dear Roundtable Members,

Save the Date! Join us on Thursday, May 26 at 12-1p PT, 3-4p ET for a training and discussion on promoting the fullness of life & dignity within your social action office, led by your colleague Tricia Hoyt.

Our conversation will cover the ways in which diocesan social action directors and other social justice educators can approach the teaching of Respect for Life so that it can expand the vision of those who consider themselves pro-life but who struggle nevertheless with Catholic Social Teaching.

Tricia will share some techniques that have proven very helpful in the last 12 months:

• How to begin;
• What sequence to establish and why;
• Some essential phraseology;
• How to frame the spiritual underpinnings;
• How to name and grapple with the challenges.

To be a part of this webinar, please RSVP with Jenn Svetlik at coordinator@catholicroundtable.org or at 202/635-2757×133.

Tricia Hoyt is the director of Catholic Charities Parish and Community Engagement in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, where her work is to encourage parishes to take on the full perspective of Parish Social Ministry as a component of its Catholic identity. She is a PhD. Candidate  at Brite Divinity School (TCU) in Fort Worth, currently conducting research on Luke-Acts, and holds a M.A. in Adult Christian Community Development from Regis University, Denver. She is a lead instructor with Survival School: Managing Leadership Successfully, a training event for church and non-profit leaders, and co-author of the MOMS: Ministry of Mothers Sharing books in English and Spanish, published by Resource Publications.

Dear Roundtable,

We’ve seen a number of changes in our country and around the world over the past few months. Media attention has particularly been focused internationally recently, which provides new teaching opportunities around global solidarity. The uprisings in a number of countries across the Middle East, in particular, are of interest to me as I recently returned from a Christian peacemaking and solidarity delegation to Israel-Palestine.

In the land often called the “Fifth Gospel,” we witnessed Palestinian Christians (whose share of the population has been reduced from 18% to 2% over the past 60 years) working with Palestinian Muslims and Israeli Jews for peace in this treasured land. Hearing their stories showed me that a spirituality of resistance is both a way of life and of hope.

“Come and see,” was the theme of the last church homily I heard in Jerusalem. It’s an invitation with a lot of relevance to the work of diocesan social action. Whether it’s through an international trip with Catholic Relief Services, a visit to a CCHD grant-funded organization during SASI, or some other form of immersion, we are reminded that to “come and see” can shake us up, challenge our assumptions, and help foster relationships with other members of the Body of Christ that ground and motivate our work.

We know that the struggle for justice is not just taking places in countries thousands of miles away but also here in our own states and dioceses. In Bishop Blaire’s recent letter offering support and solidarity with Wisconsin Bishops on affirming the rights of workers, he reiterates, “hard times do not nullify the moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.”

Now is an historic moment for a new discussion around labor focused on the worker and rooted it in the dignity of work. For that reason, our 2011 Social Action Summer Institute will be on focused on the worker and workers’ rights. Please join us July 10-13, 2011 at Loyola University in New Orleans. Some information is already available at http://catholicroundtable.org/events/sasi/ and registration is coming soon!

Throughout the April 2011 issue of the Roundtable Report, it is clear that the struggle for a more just world in accordance with the reign of God is something we’re engaged in together as a community. Read on!

We were so pleased that many of you participated in our 26^th Annual Roundtable Symposium I February on Addressing a Culture of Fear with Prayerful Conversation with Peggy Steinfels and Sr. Deborah Lorentz, S.S.S. Read some of the highlights from the Symposium and check out pictures!

Also during the Symposium, we had an opportunity to hear from 2011 Servant of Justice Award winner Tom Allio, who offered a powerful address calling for being at the table with those who do not completely embrace our principles on all issues, building a nationwide life and human dignity movement, and promoting civility and dialogue in our Church. 

And it’s already time to nominate 2012 winners – make sure to turn in a nomination form by April 20!

As part of the Roundtable Report, we always want to share resources with you that can help your work and build your capacity – and even better if those resources come from our membership itself! Roundtable member Chris Ruff has written the Discipleship Series to make justice outreach and education more “common” and communal. Read about how he came about writing this series and how it’s being used by dioceses around the country.

Just last week, the Roundtable hosted Dan Ebener for a webinar on Servant Leadership. If you weren’t able to be with us, you can read about some of the highlights from the webinar and download it online.

Teaching around environmental stewardship is a priority for many of your dioceses. In order to help resource you better, the Franciscan Action Network is offering several educational tools to Care for Creation, including a recent webcast around a collective effort for Creation Care, a six-session small group curriculum, and a series of Lenten reflections.

At the annual membership meeting, we elected four new board members. You can learn more about them here. As always, the Roundtable Roundup features much of the wonderful work that you are doing around the country.

We need your support to continue this work; please pay your 2011 membership dues soon! Thank you in advance.

May your Lenten and Easter seasons be filled with personal growth as well as renewal across your dioceses. I pray the season is filled with joy and expectant hope!

Many blessings,

Jenn Svetlik
Roundtable Coordinator

Tom Allio was honored with the Servant of Justice Award during the 2011 Roundtable Symposium. His remarks at the Symposium Luncheon are below. Tom can be reached at tallio@aol.com.

Remarks by Thomas J. Allio Jr. to the Roundtable – February 13, 2011 Symposium Luncheon

Thank you Scott for your kind remarks. I greatly appreciate this recognition of the Roundtable. Your work is needed more than ever in our Church and the nation. I want you to know that I am extremely humbled by this award. The title “Servant of Justice” is rather daunting. If anything, I view myself as an unworthy servant, who surrounded himself with outstanding cast of (characters, I mean) leaders in Cleveland and Ohio, and, with them, tried to advance the ball of social justice and peace in our diocese, state and nation. So, I accept this honor in their behalf and all those who have inspired me throughout the years.

In my remarks, I intend to pay tribute to a real servant of justice, offer three challenges for our Church and conclude with some reflections on hope.

The real servants of justice are people like my former boss during 25 years of this wonderful run, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla. The Roundtable would not be recognizing me today if I had not had the privilege of being mentored and shepherded by him.

Through his support and leadership, Cleveland became the largest system of Catholic Social Action in the nation. (At the height, we had 16 full time people on staff. Sadly, today, five years after Bishop Pilla retired, six remain).

Bishop Pilla elevated the work of justice and peace in Cleveland through his own pastorals on poverty, peace, the environment and others, the nationally recognized Church in the City Initiative, his many interfaith efforts to overcome poverty in NEO, the empowerment of lay leaders who served on our five Catholic Commissions, the establishment of numerous community organizations, the founding of Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice, his intervention in the bankruptcy of LTV steel, our diocesan missionary work in El Salvador, the creation of the Leadership of Justice Institute and the Council on Global Solidarity, and his active support for the agenda of the Catholic Conference of Ohio and the USCCB.

Bishop Pilla saw the value of a strong and united USCCB. In the 1980’s and 90’s, he helped shape an agenda in which remarkable work was accomplished by the conference. He served the conference in several capacities including President. He was first and foremost a spiritual leader with keen pastoral skills. He was extremely versed and committed to Catholic Social Teaching and an astute student of history. He had sharp political instincts, which he used locally to champion the plight of the poor, and nationally when he played a significant role in 2001 that convinced President George W. Bush to include the refundable child tax credit in his budget. This initiative lifted 500,000 children out of poverty. He was a leader who understood that trust and relationships are everything. He was a consensus builder, who was unafraid of genuine debate, diverse opinions and honest dialogue. His inspiring example gave credibility and life to our four decades of work in Cleveland.

He taught us that anyone who aspired to be a “Servant of Justice” must always strive to manifest Christ’s love for the poor and most vulnerable. He insisted that we effectively give voice to the least in the halls and offices of the powerful. He also taught us that respect for the leaders we oppose is a requirement of Catholic social action.

Servants of justice must be unwavering in their commitment to defend human life and promote human dignity. However, such advocacy must be done in a spirit of love and in a manner that persuades, rather than, polarizes. Such servants must have the courage to stand for core principles no matter how unpopular they may be. Bishop Pilla often reminded us that the positions we take are not based upon some popularity polls but the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, he believed that such servants should strive to build community, work in coalition, empower and mentor others. Winning on issues was important; however, the development of people was as equally important.

Servants of justice clearly understand that their allegiance is to the Gospel, which requires them to take prophetic stances that challenge corrupt structures, unjust policies and, at times, Church leaders. They are nourished by a spiritual and prayer centered community that provides them the strength to persevere in the struggle and withstand the personal attacks that they are certain to endure. Finally, Bishop Pilla taught us that a servant of justice is one who regularly inspires hope…that our efforts, no matter how small are meaningful in the context of a merciful God, who only asks that we love others unconditionally.

I think these fundamental characteristics of a servant of justice can guide us in confronting the challenges we face as a Church and as social action leaders. Let me suggest three immediate challenges for us:

1. It is imperative that we be at the table with those who do not completely embrace our principles or values on all issues. Our efforts to promote the common good, to evangelize, and to transform our society become extremely limited if our Church isolates itself from other religious, civic, national, international and secular partners. The stakes are too high in the current budget and tax debate, immigration reform, and health care and all the other issues we care so much about if we try to act alone.

It concerns me greatly that there are strident and influential voices that would be content to put a chilling effect on virtually all Catholic participation in outside coalitions and community organizations. Let me be very clear, as Church, I believe it would be wrong to participate in initiatives or partnerships in which the platform of the coalition includes professed values, principles, policies or actions that are contrary to Catholic moral or social teaching. That is to say, if the agenda of the coalition or community organization is inconsistent with Catholic Social Teaching, we cannot participate. (The review and renewal of CCHD is most helpful). We should not avoid potential collaborations because of bloggers and strident critics who oppose any kind of coalition building. Simply put, there needs to be a dispassionate dialogue about this question. Hopefully, more education can be done with Church leaders so that they can better understand and appreciate the fundamentals of coalition building and the positive impact of such engagement.

2. The second challenge is that of building a life and human dignity movement in our nation. Such a movement would embrace the totality of Catholic social teaching and the call to stand with the unborn and vulnerable, as well as, the poor, those without health care, the unemployed, those on death row and those losing their homes to foreclosure. Such a movement would stand for human rights, care for God’s creation, peace and nonviolence, and all the issues related to reducing global poverty. Such a movement would acknowledge that all issues do not have the same moral weight but as Church we have an obligation to confront attacks against human life and dignity, injustice, and violations of human rights whenever and wherever we encounter them. The current legislative priorities of the USCCB, articulated by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, including the Protect Life Act, exemplify this vision.

Such a movement would create a “big tent and large table” that would put aside partisanship and invite  each believer to do what he or she does best. If advocating for the unborn and terminally ill are your callings, you have a role to play and you will be affirmed and supported in these endeavors. If advocating issues that protect low income families and promoting global solidarity are your callings, you have a role to play and you will be affirmed and supported. However, as Catholics we must recognize that both callings and many, many others are legitimate expressions of our Catholic faith and indeed mark who we are as a faith community. One person cannot do everything, however, each of us can do one or more things that advance respect for human life and human dignity in our society. Perhaps, it is time to think of establishing a distinctly catholic organizing institute.

If we are to truly build such a movement, it must be more about announcing the Good News, rather than, inflicting personal attacks and demonizing individuals. It would truly be about proclaiming the Good News to the poor and liberation to captives. I think most of us want to be known as believers who announce and proclaim rather than people who denounce and condemn.

3. The final challenge for us is to do our part to end (what David Gibson calls) the Catholic civil war being waged within our Church. The lack of civility and dialogue divides the Body of Christ, keeps us from being all God calls us to be and diminishes our voice in the public policy arena. Last week, Archbishop Dolan warned that the church must “speak as one voice against the increasing political and social pressures that are trying to force the church to compromise her principles.”

I don’t think I have to say much to this audience about what characterizes this conflict. The vilification, character assassination, guilt by association and the practice of the politics of personal destruction are unchristian acts that cry out for Episcopal intervention.

Too many lay leaders are unfairly demonized as social progressives, liberals, activists, and radicals. We cannot allow the secular media and their friends in the blogosphere to define us. Despite what some pundits say, social justice is not a dirty word. In fact, Catholicism without social justice is a contradiction in terms.

It is unfortunate but true that many would rather personally smear, distort and assassinate the character of leaders rather than enter into dialogue with fellow Catholics with whom they would find there is much common ground. It ought to be apparent to all that what unites us as Catholics is so much stronger than our differences.

Today, truth is sacrificed if it gets in the way of serving some hyper partisan agenda. Rumor, gossip and partial information are like a spiritual sickness that spread from one anonymous blogger to another until they metastasize into a cancer that immobilizes Church leaders, debilitates lay leaders and paralyzes actions for the common good. Sadly, those who act in this manner view civility as a weakness.

Recently Cardinal Donald Wuerl wrote about this topic in a piece entitled Christian Discourse: Both Truth and Love (highly recommend it to you). In part, the Cardinal said: “Christians must not only speak the truth but must also do so in love. It is not enough that we know or believe something to be true. We must express that truth in charity, with respect for others so that the bonds between us can be strengthened in building up the Church or Christ.” The constructive dialogue between the CHA and the Bishops is a wonderful example of what is possible.

My sincere hope is that new leadership of the USCCB might consider taking on this challenge of ending the civil war within the Church. Already outside groups are formulating their strategies and score cards for the 2012 elections.

Although we have many challenges in the days ahead, I truly believe that we can advance our movement by: continuing to work with coalitions and diverse partners; building a life and human dignity movement in our parishes and doing our part to end the Catholic civil war. My call today is for more inclusivity and engagement, more civility and understanding and greater unity within our Catholic family.

Let me conclude with some reflections on hope. The hope is that despite the recent dark times and the current economic hardships, we are members of a Church that does justice. We continue to change hearts and minds of parishioners while making life tolerable for millions around the world. And we do it on such a remarkable scale.

We are members of a Church that strives to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through such life giving institutions and vehicles like CRS, CCHD, our educational system, Catholic Health Care, Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Action. Our human and financial investments are substantial. What would our world be without these instruments of hope, healing and justice?

Twelve years ago, the U.S. Bishops issued a wonderful statement entitled: Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics. The Bishops said: “We believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a ‘Gospel of Life.’ It invites all persons and societies to a new life lived abundantly in respect for human dignity. We believe that this Gospel is not only a complement to American political principles, but also a cure for the spiritual sickness now infecting our society. As scripture says, no house can stand divided against itself (Luke 11:17). We cannot simultaneously commit ourselves to human rights and progress while eliminating or marginalizing the weakest among us. Nor can we practice the Gospel of life only as a private piety. American Catholics must live it vigorously and publicly, as a matter of national leadership and witness, or we will not live it at all.”

My sisters and brothers: you are signs of hope to so many. May you continue to take the banner from those who have gone before you and move forward in faith…mindful that we are people of hope and compassion. And with the guidance of our loving God, we will live the Gospel of Life authentically, vigorously, faithfully and publicly.

Thank you very much.

For text and resources from the other Roundtable events, visit the Members’ Virtual Roundtable.

By Chris Ruff

The following is adapted from an article that first appeared in the July-August 2010 issue of the Catechetical Leader Magazine.

I have been involved in and passionate about small-group faith-sharing for more than twenty years. It is a powerful means for drawing closer to Christ and deepening the bonds of community. More recently, it has taken on even greater significance.

About five years ago I was looking for a way to make the outreach of justice and charity in parishes less committee-centered and more “common.” I wanted to foster a deeper awareness that it is the mission of every disciple of Christ. Could Jesus have made it any clearer that he will judge each one of us – without exception – on what we have done, or not done, to him in “the least of these my brethren” (cf., Mt 25)?

It struck me that a properly focused faith-sharing program would make an ideal setting for fostering compassion and care for our neighbor in need. I began looking for resources that would embody this goal. Nothing I found quite matched what I had in mind. I wanted something that would engage people in a manageable way and not overwhelm their busy calendars, and I wanted it to speak to their hearts with Gospel simplicity. I also wanted to avoid any hint of particular social agendas, other than enkindling the flame of the great Commandment of Love. It seemed to me that in this way I could help bridge the gap that has too often existed between the contemplative spirit and zeal for social action. Is that not what Dorothy Day and, more recently, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, were all about?

I decided to write my own resources, a set of books I have called the Discipleship Series.  There are three of them so far—As I Have Loved You, (also in Spanish as Como Yo Los He Amado), The Greatest of These is Love, and Who Is My Neighbor?—and for the past four years they have been utilized fruitfully in the Diocese of La Crosse, several other dioceses around the U.S., and most recently in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The books contain a blend of Scripture, brief commentary, snippets from the Catechism and modern papal writings, illustrative stories (Jean Vanier, St. Damien the Leper, Dorothy Day, etc.), discussion questions and prayer. A modest commitment to loving service – at least an hour or two a month – is woven into the program.

Thanks be to God, this faith-sharing experience has borne the fruit of love lived in service, and the palpable joy that overflows from it. Did Jesus not tell us to abide in his love, “that you may have joy, and have it to the full”? I believe joy in the Lord is the sure hallmark of faith-sharing done well, because it is a process not of academic learning, but of lived assimilation of the Gospel at the level of the heart. And because it is lived in companionship with others, it leads to deep and lasting bonds of friendship.

And why should this joyful assimilation not flower – always and by a kind of law of the Spirit – in a love that extends from the group and its members to the hungry and the poor, the sick and the aged, the lonely and the marginalized? Truly, I can no longer imagine doing small-group faith-sharing in any other way, in any way that fails to recognize the blessed calling expressed so beautifully in the words of St. Teresa of Avila:

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

No hands but yours, no feet but yours,

Yours are the eyes through which

He looks with compassion on this world;

Yours the feet with which he walks to do good;

Yours the hands with which he blesses.

The Discipleship Series is published by Novo Millennio Press. Information, preview samples and testimonials regarding the series can be seen at www.novomill.com. A glimpse into what has been done in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, where a major Lenten launch is underway, can be found at www.rcav.org/discipleship. Two articles from the archdiocesan newspaper can also be viewed: one from August (click here) and one from early March (click here).

Christopher Ruff, S.T.L., has been director of the Office of Ministries and Social Concerns for the Diocese of La Crosse since 2001. He assists the bishop in matters of social justice and the outreach of charity, as well as directing programs for the formation of the laity and working as associate director of deacon formation.

“I know a man… He didn’t have much. He never wrote a book. He never held an office… He never went two hundred miles from where he was born. He did none of the usual things that the world would associate with greatness… Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today he stands as the most influential figure that ever entered human history. All of the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned put together have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one solitary life…
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice… We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade…And the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a good instinct if you don’t distort it and pervert it. Don’t give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.”

- Martin Luther King, “Drum Major for Justice” Sermon, 1968

On March 21, 2011 the Roundtable hosted author Dan Ebener for a webinar discussion on servant leadership in our dioceses.

Roundtable members shared their own descriptions of leadership, which included “part coach, part backstop,” “someone who keeps the group together,” and “someone with pure motivations, following the example of the Sermon on the Mount.”

During the conversation, Dan offered some Organizational Citizenship Behaviors, behaviors we’d like to see parishioners in our dioceses engaged in, and the group discussed how leaders can facilitate an environment to enable followers to practice those behaviors.

Members shared challenges in their own practice of servant leadership, such as feeling responsible for taking care of everything on their own, or feeling that their lack of capacity prevents them from investing time into developing new leadership. They also shared ways in which the content of the conversation made them feel affirmed. One participant shared that she can see her work in this context as creating “programs that are helping people develop the right motives, then accompanying those participants on the follow through.”

Framing diocesan social action work in the language of servant leadership helped to remind members that our work involves developing leaders, which through one-on-one meetings can be like conducting a “talent search” for potential leaders to share the vision of diocesan social action. One participant shared that she would seek to engage the wives of deacons, who accompany their husbands in formation, in this work. Participants agreed there were a number of takeaways from the conversation that can enrich their work.

Did you miss the conversation? Visit the Virtual Roundtable to stream or download the webinar. – Note: Many members streaming or downloading the webinar simultaneously may overwhelm the server.

Also, check out Dan’s February 2011 article in Sojourners Magazine: On Becoming a Servant Leader – Seven myths and seven paradoxes of Christian leadership.

By Barbara Budde and Sr. Gail Young, Symposium Co-Chairs; Jennifer Svetlik, Coordinator

Just before the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, social action directors from across the country gathered in Washington DC for the 2011 Roundtable Symposium, “Fear Not:” Addressing Fear with Prayerful Conversation. We gathered to recognize how our baptismal call implores us to bring light to the fears that affect the church, and how Jesus’ love casts out all fear and brings hope to the world.  We reflected on how the Church has moved from past events in order to constructively address the current situation. We also considered how to bring a more prayerful spirit to conversations with our adversaries in order to open the door for further conversation.

We began the Symposium on Saturday with Peggy O’Brien Steinfels, who spoke on Addressing fear: Learning from the Historical Context. Peggy took us on a whirlwind tour of some of the fears in U.S. history from the country’s birth to recent times. She particularly highlighted St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the parish nearest the Twin Towers, during 9/11, who reached out to the community then, and once again during the outcry around the Park51 Islamic Interfaith Center in 2010.

Peggy offered a number of lessons from history, including “Distinguish the truly fearful from the phony,” “Create a narrative about what is happening especially when fear is being manipulated and incited. Report what you know to be true,” “Remember where we came from,” and “Continue to do our work with serenity and confidence in the midst of fear and anger.”

One attendee reflected, “Peggy reminded me that the Church today is not what the Church has always been, change happens, this moment is not the only moment.”

Saturday night the Education for Justice Project staff received the Harry A. Fagan Award and Tom Allio received the Servant of Justice Award. The address from Sr. Katherine Feely, SND and Dr. Jane Deren, Education for Justice staff, focused on transformative education.

Sr. Katherine said, “We need to risk and those risks need to be bold… We need a vision that transforms, and Jesus gives us that. We need a method that weds knowledge and hope, perspective and a kingdom vision… We need to see how not to change perception but change the assumptions that keep the systems embedded where they are,” and Jane offered, “We have learned that transformative education happens best in supportive communities. Our society privileges individual effort, individual achievement, individual formation but if we are going to model for ourselves and for others what Catholic social teaching really means we must do it in a communal way. We are called to the altar to participate in the Eucharist as a community and we are sent out to continue the work of transformation in the world as a community.”

On Sunday morning, we heard from Sr. Deborah Lorentz, S.S.S. on Addressing fear: Tools for Dialogue. Sr. Deborah stressed the importance of grounding ourselves in prayer for this work, and recommended that every social action director have a spiritual director. It was clear that she practiced what she taught, as she brought a calming presence to the room. She also offered some concrete tips, such as asking for a moment of silence or prayer during a conversation that becomes particularly polarized.

For the first time in a long time, the pace of the Symposium was relaxed and humane. It felt like we were putting into practice what Sr. Deborah described. Attendees reported that the table conversation that followed each of the speakers was particularly helpful as social action ministers could share their experience and offer feedback for one another.

At the Symposium Luncheon, Tom Allio offered words of challenge and of hope to his diocesan colleagues. He stressed the importance of being “at the table with those who do not completely embrace our principles or values on all issues,” building a national life and dignity movement, and doing our part to end the “Catholic civil war” in our church. He closed by saying “with the guidance of our loving God, we will live the Gospel of Life authentically, vigorously, faithfully and publicly.” Read his whole address.

Many participants shared what they would carry back home with them, including “how to be a more effective, meaningful leader and facilitator,” the need to distinguish between real and manufactured fears, and bringing deliberate internal preparation to tough conversations.

One diocesan leader said they would find a common project for the pro-life and social ministry groups and have a retreat for them. Another said he would be more faithful to his prayer time. Another reported an increased awareness of the situations that make her fearful in the workplace.

The conversations, experiences, lessons and inspiration offered at the Symposium will be brought back to our work as diocesan social action directors, helping to address fear and build up the Body of Christ. See you next year!

See more photos from the Symposium.

See the text of and accompanying resources from Symposium Talks and Award Addresses.

Please save the dates for the 2012 Symposium! – Feb. 11& 12, 2012.
The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is Feb. 12-15, 2012 at Washington Marriot Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Rd. NW, Washington DC 20008

On January 26, 2011, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) hosted “Creativity for Creation,” a two-hour webcast which explored how the Franciscan tradition can contribute to the collective effort to care for creation, especially as we face the challenge of climate change. This interactive event included discussion of how to move towards our goals of ecological sustainability locally and regionally as we continue to advocate for comprehensive federal legislation to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Panelists included Prof. Rob Breen, SFO, of the political science department at Siena College; Sr. Caryn Crook, OSF, who provided a foundation in Franciscan creation theology; Stacey Kennealy of GreenFaith; Joelle Novey of Interfaith Power and Light; and Fran Teplitz from Green America. Additional resources and a link to a recording of the webcast are available at http://www.franciscanaction.org/creativityforcreation.

FAN’s C4C: Franciscan Care for Creation six-session program is one way to prepare communities, including at the parish and diocesan level, to address important ecological issues. The C4C facilitator’s manual and companion DVD provide learners with an introduction to a Franciscan perspective on relationships in creation, an overview of pressing creation issues (including climate change, environmental health, and clean water issues), a description of a Franciscan ecosocial analysis tool and the processes of civic engagement, and suggestions for ways to put faith into action in caring for God’s creation. For more information about C4C, including a preview of the facilitator’s manual and DVD, or to order a copy, please visit http://www.franciscanaction.org/c4c.

FAN is also an active member of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, which supports FAN’s distribution of C4C. FAN’s Executive Director, Patrick Carolan, represents the Coalition as a “Catholic Climate Ambassador.”

Given the coincidence of Good Friday and Earth Day this year, FAN’s Lenten resources focus on “Crucified Creation.” Weekly resources feature Lectionary reflections, contemporary stories of suffering in our earthly home, and ways to respond in prayer and action. Other resources throughout the season include an Ash Wednesday reflection on carbon in creation; Br. Jeffrey Wilson, TOR’s examination of how we share our faith values with secular partners in caring for creation; various forms of the Stations of the Cross; and a Lenten calendar from the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. During the Easter season, FAN will share stories of “Resurrection in Creation.” To access the resources, visit http://www.franciscanaction.org/creation_lectionary_reflections.

To learn more about FAN’s Care for Creation efforts generally, please contact Christy Elliott at 202 527 7564 or elliott@franciscanaction.org. You can reach Patrick Carolan at 202 527 7565 or carolan@franciscanaction.org.

Download the informational flyer on C4C: Franciscan Care for Creation.

Local news from Roundtable members around the country:

TRANSITIONS IN GREEN BAY:

You all know, to varying degrees, that I have been doing a lot of serious thinking the last nine months or so about ministry. After nearly eight months of dialogue with the Norbertine Director of Personnel (Fr. James Herring) and my diocesan supervisor, I submitted my letter of resignation as Social Concerns Director, Diocese of Green Bay, effective Feb. 28, 2011.

To my co-workers, it has been a great pleasure serving with many of you over the years in state immigration advocacy, community organizing in NEWI, the mission of national Catholic offices, and the work of our local Church. As long as I am living in De Pere as a Norbertine, I know that I will be active in Catholic social action ministry in our state.  I just won’t be doing it as a represenative of the Diocese of Green Bay.

- Brother Steve Herro, Diocese of Green Bay

TRANSITIONS IN SALT LAKE CITY

It is with conflicting emotions of joy and sadness that I introduce Jean Hill to the Roundtable “family”.  Jean has been hired to take my place as I retire after over 26 years as Government Liaison and Director of the Peace and Justice Commission for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Jean has been an attorney for the State Office of Education for the last 10 years and a member of our P & J Commission. I have been trying to recruit her for years and I know you will all enjoy meeting her at this year’s SASI.

The sad part is the realization that I will no longer have the benefit of working with all of you. My experience on the RT Board and those three and a half years as Chair were some of the most rewarding in my years of working for the church. I have been promising Jean that she will find the RT affiliation as the most satisfying aspect of this job.

Our brutal legislative session has now ended and I should have my files pruned in order to retire early in April.  My home e-mail is rowland.dee@gmail.com.

- Dee Rowland, Government Liaison, Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, 801.456.9336

DIOCESE OF ORANGE – PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY GATHERING April 29-30, 2011

Join our diocese and others at St. Bonaventure Church in Huntington Beach on Friday evening and Saturday, April 29-30, 2011 to be inspired about the connection between our faith and actions of charity and justice.  Everyone (including parishioners; parish ministry leaders, parish pastoral councils members; and parish administration staff) is invited to this gathering titled Transforming Hearts, Living the Gospel.  There are three separate keynote addresses and tracts of workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Early registration is $50 which includes reception, continental breakfast, lunch and program; $60 after April 15th.  Registration is open now. For more information or to register, go to www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/netcommunity/psmtraining or call Ana Olivo at the Diocese of Orange at 714-282-3105 aolivo@rcbo.org. Promotional materials available in all three languages.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOUISVILLE

Catholic Charities of Louisville in its Parish Social Ministry work is updating last year’s 1-page Parish Survey Checklist of care of creation efforts in each of our 190 Archdiocesan entities (parishes, schools, agency buildings, healthcare facilities, motherhouses). The Record, our Archdiocesan newspaper, is very cooperative in reporting results. Dynamic: gadfly! We support efforts of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change.

See The Record’s April 2010 Article on last year’s effort.

- Sister Mary Schmuck, RSM, Catholic Charities of Louisville Catholic Identity and External Relations schmuckrsm@scnazarethky.org

DIOCESE OF ST. CLOUD

New! As I Have Done for You…So You Also Should Do is the new pastoral letter from Bishop John Kinney, promulgated in 2011. Opening with Mathew 25, it is a reflective work on the basics of Catholic social teaching, written in a way that calls the reader to reflect on CST as it is seen in action in the diocese and how it can be lived out in a parish setting and in a personal way.

This rewrite of a previous pastoral letter titled, As I Have Done for You…, comes with theological updates and adds discussion/reflection questions for the reader to ponder and for groups to discuss.

Since the main goal for this work was to get it into regular parishioners hands and to get people talking about Catholic social teaching, we also created companion guides that lead adult faith sharing groups, youth and college students through the letter in age appropriate ways.

We also are trying to see if there is interest outside the diocese and, if so, a new adult faith sharing group companion guide can be written that would better engage people outside the diocese.

Anyone interested in finding out more about it or using it, along with the companion guides, can call or email Kathy Langer, Director of Social Concerns, at 320-229-6020 or KLanger@gw.stcdio.org.

See the webpage for the pastoral letter.

LECTURE SERIES IN CAMDEN

I’d like to thank all who participated in, attended, facilitated, planned, or prayed for a Grace-filled, Spirit-led, Hope-filled 11^th Annual Romero Lecture Series, on Friday, March 25, at Rutgers Camden, centered on “Images of Justice.”  Participants (@ 340) said that they were truly stirred, renewed, and awakened to:

v      discover the hunger and hope for justice through art, crafts, film, and poetry

v      understand the depths of Latino Spirituality in the most challenging of times, particularly through the witness of Oscar Romero and the perseverance of the peasants of El Salvador, and those ministering and living in solidarity with them.

v      see and hear the Gospel through the eyes and lives of people who are oppressed, poor, and struggling for God-given and God-promised justice

v      celebrate the life, death, and rising of Oscar Romero through the poetry of his friend and our Keynote Speaker, Carolyn Forche

We will reconvene at the Romero Center on Friday, May 6, at 7:00 PM, to continue to reflect on how the Lecture Series touched and challenged us all. Our own Brother Mickey McGrath will offer the opening presentation on May 6. Carolyn Forche has promised to return in the Autumn to follow up on the message of her Keynote Address. Of course, you did not have to attend the Romero Lecture Series to attend the follow up gatherings.

- Larry DiPaul, ldipaul@camdendiocese.org

On February 13 at the Annual Membership Meeting, the Roundtable welcomed four new board members. Adrienne Curry (Chicago) and Sr. Gail Young (Los Angeles) were elected for a second term. Barbara Budde (Austin) and Rob Gorman (Houma-Thibodaux) completed their second (and final) term on the board and we thank them very much for their faithful service to the Roundtable.

You can get to know our new board members a little bit better via their biographies here!

Anne Avellone
Archdiocese of Santa Fe

For the last 8 years Anne Avellone, M. Div, LMSW has been the Director of the Office of Social Justice and Respect Life for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in New Mexico. She coordinates CCHD, CRS, Respect Life, CST education and supports Parish Social Ministry efforts in her Archdiocese, and collaborates on legislative advocacy with the State Catholic Conference Director. She recently introduced JustFaith in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and is working on spreading the word about CRS and solidarity work.  Working as a Catholic lay minister for over 20 years, Anne’s work history includes campus ministry, youth ministry, retreat ministry, social work, and directing a inner city lay volunteer program in Chicago. She has an M.Div from Loyola University in Chicago, and recently returned to school to earn her Masters in Social Work, to deepen her skills in social justice.  Previously, she served on the board of the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service and of a non-profit ecology education organization. In addition, she is a Stewards of Creation Adult Leadership graduate and a Companion of Green Mountain Monastery in Greensboro, Vermont, a Catholic religious community dedicated to the work of ecologist and theologian Fr. Thomas Berry, CP.

Anne enjoys accompanying others on their spiritual journey as they cross the borders of their hearts by bringing together service work, spiritual reflection and the challenging work of building a more just world.

Larry DiPaul
Diocese of Camden

Larry was born, baptized, educated, and raised in West Philadelphia, and attended a Jesuit High School in North Philadelphia. He received a Masters of Divinity degree in 1973 and was involved in parish ministry from 1973 to 1996, serving in mostly inner-city Philadelphia churches.

Larry presently serves as Director of Life and Justice for the Diocese of Camden, and Co-Director of Romero Center Ministries in Camden, NJ. From 2004 to 2007, he served as Director of The Romero Center, a Peace and Justice Retreat Center in East Camden. He taught and directed the Christian Service Programs at Malvern Preparatory School and Bishop Eustace High School from 1997 to 2004. He also served as a Pastoral Counselor for Compassionate Care Hospice in 1997.

Larry’s interests include jazz and Motown, peppers and eggs, everything about Philadelphia, city sidewalks, autumn, the ocean, Sinatra, Christmas in New York, magic acts, all sports (except water polo), diners, and both listening to and telling stories, while drinking Fair Trade coffee.

Jude Huntz
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Jude Huntz was born and raised in Buffalo, NY where he graduated from Canisius College with a B.A. in Philosophy and Classics. He later earned an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Dallas. Jude taught middle and high school students for 14 years, earning the Teacher of the Year award for the State of Missouri in 2005. Mr. Huntz became the director of the Human Rights Office for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Missouri in 2008 and currently sits on the Public Policy Committee for the Missouri Catholic Conference, the board of Directors for the Missouri Association of Social Welfare, Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and the Western Chapter of the Society of Saint Andrew. He will complete a M.A. in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago in December 2010. Jude has been married for 12 years to Cristen. They have two boys, Paden (7) and Simon (1).

Jim Thomas
Archdiocese of Seattle

Since 2007, Jim has directed adult faith formation for the Archdiocese of Seattle with a special emphasis on Catholic social teaching and family life ministry. He provides leadership for parishes and schools on a wide range of issues concerning life, justice, and peace ministry. He serves as a resource for marriage and family life. In addition, Jim represents the Archdiocese with the Catholic Advocacy Network, a project of the Washington State Catholic Conference.

For over 20 years before joining the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Faith Formation, Jim advocated for justice for people harmed by the radiation releases from the Hanford plutonium plant in eastern Washington. As a citizen activist, he organized a national coalition to bring environmental accountability to Hanford operations. He also served on a number of federal advisory committees concerning public health issues related to the U.S. nuclear weapons complex.

Prior to his involvement with Hanford, Jim was the peace and justice coordinator for the Diocese of Spokane (1984-1987). He was a member of the Bethlehem Peace Pilgrimage (1982-1983) – a 7,000-mile walk and prayer for peace and nuclear disarmament that crossed the United States and 9 other countries and the Holy Land. He has also been involved with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Christian Life Community and the JustFaith program.

Jim has a M.A. in Religious Studies from Gonzaga University (1988) and a B.A. in Broadcasting and Theater, also from Gonzaga (1977). His Master’s thesis considered the morality of nuclear deterrence. In 2010, he was commissioned as a Lay Ecclesial Minister for the Archdiocese of Seattle by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett.