JustFaith

Build a world where poverty and injustice no longer exist.

JustFaith is a small-group program that challenges participants to live out the Gospel call to care for the poor and marginalized among us. Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, JustFaith Catholic uses books, articles, online videos and immersion experiences to expose participants to obstacles that hinder human flourishing, so the group might explore together how their own gifts and skills can meet the world’s needs.

This three-part series guides participants in exploring the Gospel’s call to respond to poverty in their local communities. It also equips them with the tools they need to take action in a way that is effective, sustainable, and in accordance with their Christian values. Each of three programs in the JustFaith Catholic series includes eight 2½ hour weekly sessions (24 sessions in the complete series.) Each session includes prayer, dialogue, active listening, and relationship-building. Built into each of the three programs is also an opportunity for an immersion experience into our local community. In addition, program one includes a six-hour retreat to build community, establish trust, and seek spiritual renewal. 

The JustFaith Catholic series will be co-hosted by three local parishes.

• St Thomas More
• Newman Catholic Center
• Holy Infant Catholic Church

The small group sessions will be facilitated by Jim Hynes, former Director of Adult Faith Development at St Thomas More.
 

Program Information

Program 1 - Faith and Poverty: A Biblical Response
The first eight-session program in this three-part JustFaith Catholic series, lays the theological and biblical foundation for responding to poverty in our communities, so that we might respond in a way that honors the image of God in those we seek to serve. In this program, participants explore these two questions: 1. What tools does my Catholic faith have to offer regarding huge questions around poverty and injustice?, and 2. In light of poverty and other forms of human suffering, what is the Good News of the Gospel? This program is grounded in Catholic social teaching: together, participants will learn about Church’s commitment to those who are poor and marginalized and discern the specific ways in which they are called to be a part of this greater mission. Your group will emerge from this program with a transformed understanding of who they are as God’s children and how God is calling them to use their lives.

Program 2— Faith and Poverty: A Solidarity Response
The second eight-week week program of the JustFaith Catholic series explores local poverty and introduces participants to the tips and tools they need to respond. Participants explore questions such as: “why don’t people in poverty just get a job?’”, “what are some common hurdles that people in poverty face?” and “what are some practical tools for alleviating poverty in my community?”. In addition to the readings, group members engage in prayer and reflection around Catholic Social Teaching throughout the week between sessions. Participants will emerge from this program better equipped to respond to poverty in their communities effectively and with compassion.

Program 3 — Faith and Poverty: A Justice Response
The third eight-week program of the JustFaith Catholic series introduces participants to the systems and structures that perpetuate poverty in their communities. Participants awaken to systemic barriers that keep certain people from rising out of poverty, barriers which are often invisible to those of us who don’t have to face them. They also discern how they are called to bring change and healing to their communities. In addition to the readings, group members engage in prayer and reflection around Catholic Social Teaching throughout the week between sessions. Participants emerge from this program with the courage and tools to lead their communities by speaking truth to power and working for systemic justice on a local level.

Additional information about JustFatih Ministries and Catholic programming may be found here.
 

Schedule

All eight weekly sessions will be on Tuesdays (choose morning: 9:30 am - 12 Noon or evening: 7:30 -9:30 pm) and will be conducted via Zoom.
 

• Program 1: Sept 28 - Nov 16, 2021
• Program 2: Nov 30 - Feb 8, 2022
• Program 3: Feb 15 - Apr 4, 2022

The following Saturday sessions will be included:

• Program 1: Oct 9: one-day retreat, and Nov 13: Immersion Experience
• Program 2: Jan 8: Immersion Experience
• Program 3: Apr 2: Immersion Experience

Click for the Program Schedule
 

Meeting Location

While in-person small groups had been planned, COVID-19 restrictions necessitate meeting via Zoom (online video conferencing) for at least the first eight-week program. Guidance will be provided.

Cost

We encourage completion of entire JustFaith series (three programs), but that involves a substantial commitment. The complete series includes 24 weekly sessions, a one-day retreat, and three “border crossing” immersion experiences. Also, participants are expected to do one to two hours of reading each week. The program asks a lot, just like the Gospel. In addition, participants have the privilege of developing community as they journey through this program. Participants should come ready for the possibility of change. 
 

The cost for each of the three programs is $90 ($270 for participation in all three), which includes materials and two books per program. Fees will be reduced for students and others of low income.

Contact

For more information, please contact Jim Hynes at [email protected] or 919-928-2157.
 

Registration

Please complete the sections below and be sure to click the "Submit" button. Payment information follows the registration form.

Payment Methods ($90 per program):

• Check: payable to St. Thomas More, with ‘JustFaith’ on memo line, and sent to Laura Stewart, St. Thomas More Parish Office, 940 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

 

• Online with credit card: click here.