Social Ministry at College Church

What is JustFaith?

JustFaith is a 30-week long formation process and spiritual journey that we offer each year for those interested in deepening their faith and their knowledge of the justice tradition of the Church. The program meets weekly for readings, videos, guest speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences in justice education. Participants are also afforded the privilege of becoming community with other participants and sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.

Our Catholic faith and biblical tradition extend an extraordinary invitation to each of us and to our faith communities to become agents of God’s compassion and healing in a wounded world. The Good News of Christ is both a comfort and a promise for the poor and, at the same time, a call to those of us who are not poor to be linked with God’s vision of justice and reconciliation.

JustFaith is offered in hundreds of parishes across the country. JustFaith Ministries, the organization that created the program and develops the syllabus each year, works in partnership with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services.

2009-10 is the College Church’s 8th year for offering JustFaith. The weekly sessions are facilitated by parishioners who have completed the program in previous years.

Do participants need to have previous social justice experience or knowledge?

No. People benefit from JustFaith if they have been involved in social ministry for a long time or if they are newly interested. Testimonies from participants in prior years attest to the fact that both experienced and inexperienced participants have derived great benefit.

What does the JustFaith program entail?

JustFaith involves a group of about 15 people, who meet for 30 weekly sessions, two weekend retreats (one in October and one in May), and two to four local immersion experiences. It requires about two hours of reading each week. Overall, the process extends over 8 months (October through May) and uses the best of adult education practices including books, videos, guest speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats, immersion experiences, and community building.

For 2009-10, the weekly meetings will be on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM in the Adult Faith Room of the Parish Center. The first meeting will be on October 5 and the last meeting and retreat will be on May 15.

It’s like taking a college course or a year-long adult education course. It asks a lot for eight months — but it’s only eight months. It will be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do!

Does it cost anything to participate in JustFaith?

Just the cost of the books ($175 in 2008-09) and you can pay that in installments.

How do I sign up or get more information?

Each year, in August and September, information sessions are held in the Parish Center immediately after one or both Sunday morning masses.

In 2009, there will be information sessions on Sunday, August 23, after both the 8:30 and the 10:30 masses; on Sunday, September 13, after the 8:30 mass; and on Sunday, September 27, after the 10:30 mass. The sessions will last approximately one hour and will be in the Parish Center (room to be announced).

For more information, contact Vicki Simon, Director of Social Ministry, at vsimon1@slu.edu or (314)977-7309.