Over 200 attend 2^nd Annual Social Justice Conference in Archdiocese of Hartford

Over 200 people attended the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford’s second annual Social Justice Conference. The keynote speaker for the June 11 event was Dr. Stephen Colecchi, Director of the Office of International Justice and Peace of the USCCB, who outlined how Catholic social teaching calls us to Build One Human Family.

Simultaneous translation into Spanish of the keynote, bilingual prayer and music, and a selection of workshops in Spanish was offered to accommodate the Archdiocese’s growing Hispanic presence.

Participants chose from among 20 workshops on subjects ranging from social media in the parish, to global solidarity, the environment, and immigration, and browsed through exhibits of social justice organizations such as the CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty and Not for Sale, the CT chapter of the national human trafficking awareness organization.

View content from the conference.

- Lynn Campbell, Lcampbell@catholicsocialjustice.org

**The Archdiocese of Hartford is still accepting applications for an Executive Director, the position is posted on the Roundtable Website Jobs Page**

Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph to Host Ecumenical “Journey to Justice Day”

As part of a larger ecumenical community group working to raise awareness about poverty in our midst, the St. Joseph-area Catholic parishes and Human Rights Office of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph are putting together a “Journey to Justice Day.” The goal? Each person will get to experience someone else’s story firsthand – a poor Hispanic family, an ex-offender, an inner-city grade-schooler, a recovering drug addict, a homeless man, or perhaps an ex-battered woman – and return to the larger group to share what they saw and heard. This day of immersion will assist participants in recognizing the struggles and activities of those who are poor, break down stereotypes about poverty, open their hearts to the process of conversion, and offer new ways to act compassionately and justly with those who are low-income. Save the Date for Sept. 10, 2011

Highlights from the Diocese of San Jose:

In August 2010, the Diocese hosted the Social Action Summer Institute (SASI)—by all accounts, a great success! In September of that year, the Diocese collaborated with the Interfaith Council for Economic Justice to advance Labor in the Pulpit. This June, the Diocese observed Torture Awareness month, providing sustained theological reflection on torture as a moral issue. Additionally, seven adults from the Diocese of San Jose and two members of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order participated in the First Annual Catholic-Buddhist Interfaith trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. This August, the Catholic Green Initiative team will begin a year-long series on environmental justice for the diocesan newspaper, the Valley Catholic. The articles will consist of scientific analysis and theological reflection on the issues of water, energy, air, consumption patterns, and food choices. We continue to update our website to emphasize the integral link among all the life issues.

TRANSITIONS IN SOCIAL ACTION OFFICES:

From the Archdiocese of Chicago:

Scott McLarty begins his tenure in the Archdiocese of Chicago as Director of the Office for Peace and Justice on July 1^st. Scott comes from Saint Ignatius College Prep., where he taught theology for 8 years. Jesuit educated, Scott has his Master of Arts in theology from Loyola University Chicago. He is also an adjunct professor at DePaul University in the Department of Catholic Studies. Scott and his wife and daughter are parishioners at St. Clement Church in Lincoln Park. There, he teaches the adult confirmation classes and helps out with RCIA and Theology on Tap.

From the Diocese of Phoenix:

Debbie DiCarlo is happy to introduce herself as the new Director of Parish and Community Engagement for Catholic Charities Community Services in the Diocese of Phoenix. She says, “I am stepping into the mammoth shoes of Tricia Hoyt in this position and am relieved to know that not only will Tricia continue to mentor me but that there is an organization like the Roundtable to assist in mentoring as well.  In my new position, I will assist parishes to engage in the mission and vision of Catholic Charities in “helping our community’s most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve lives” by utilizing a comprehensive and developed approach to Parish Social Ministry. I bring to this position 15 years of parish work as Director of Parish Social Ministry which is complimented by an active role on the CCUSA PSM Board. I look forward to learning any tricks of the trade available and to connecting with new and old friends alike.

From Myles McCabe:
My long association with the Roundtable from the beginning is ending. It has been a great 30 years but as of April 29, I am no longer working with the Marianists as the Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. You can each me at myles2491@gmail.com or at 314-775-5561. For official business with the Marianists contact Fr. Paul Marshall at pmarshall@sm-usa.org or 314.553.1207×208.

Still in the Storm: Retreat Opportunities for JustFaith Ministries’ Graduates and Friends

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

Taking our heart out to the world.                Are you hungry for renewal?
JustFaith Ministries challenges us to be disciples by taking our hearts out to the world of problems and possibilities. The work of the Gospel draws us out into busy, broken places. Unless we are deeply rooted, we run the risk of burnout. Inevitably all of us encounter the two occupational hazards of Gospel work: cynicism and self-righteousness.

Letting the world into our hearts.       How are you “re-sourced” and restored?
The Engaging Spirituality process is designed to draw people into prayerful intimacy, to open a space that allows us to take the world to heart. By implementing spiritual practices we sink our roots deeply, grounding our lives in the contemplative wisdom of our tradition. Breathing in, we allow ourselves to be inspired and refreshed by God’s Holy Spirit working in and through us.

An Invitation to Restoration- a day-long or overnight retreat
JustFaith Ministries is inviting you to take a long, deep restoring breath, by offering retreat opportunities to graduate groups, religious communities, diocesan staff or church leadership. The developer of Engaging Spirituality, Joe Grant, will be available for a limited number of engagements around the country in the summer and fall.

This retreat is offered in one-day (6-hour) or overnight (9-hour) formats. If this opportunity resonates, review the following questions.

• Can you guarantee a minimum of 25 participants?
• Can you secure a suitable location (church, diocesan or retreat center)?
• Can your host group cover travel expenses and an honorarium for the retreat leader?

If you would like to know more contact Tina Bruner – tina@justfaith.org 502-429-0865.

JPHD 2011-2012 School Year Multi-Media Arts Contest Materials – Available Now

Help spread the word to parishes and schools in your diocese about the Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest, sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Materials for the ‘11-‘12 school year are available now on the CCHD website. Letting schools and parishes know about these materials now can allow them to integrate the contest into their curriculum during the year.

The theme for the ’11-’12 contest is Put Faith in Action! Uproot Poverty Together. The contest guides students to learn about poverty, its causes, Catholic social teaching, and the Church’s response. Collaborate with your diocesan Catholic schools, youth ministry, and religious education colleagues to promote the contest together. Access the contest packets for young artists, educators, and diocesan contacts here!

JPHD: Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award – nominate a young adult now!

The Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award is given annually to a Catholic young adult between the ages of 18-30 engaged in efforts to end the root causes of poverty in the United States. The award is an excellent opportunity to recognize a deserving young Catholic from your diocese. The annual winner is recognized at the bishops’ meeting each November, providing an important opportunity for the bishops to celebrate the contributions of young people and the work of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Watch a video of the 2010 winner.

We need your help identifying deserving young adults!  Please help by:

1) Nominating young persons from your diocese, and

2) Getting the word out about the award to other potential nominators, including parishes, college campuses, faith-based CCHD-funded groups, your diocesan newspaper, electronic newsletters, and your diocesan young adult ministry office. View the brochure and nomination form now. Nominations are due July 31.

Tags: Archdiocese of Chicago, Archdiocese of Hartford, Arts Contest, Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Diocese of San Jose, JustFaith Ministries, Marianist Province, retreat opportunities, USCCB-JPHD

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