This document summarizes a presentation on commitment to life, charity, and justice. It discusses biblical roots of justice in the Old and New Testaments. It emphasizes that all human life is sacred and created in God's image. The presentation examines issues like abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty from a pro-life perspective. It encourages participants to reflect on how they can promote justice and dignity for all people, especially the vulnerable. The goal is to help form a community committed to Gospel values of protecting life, practicing charity, and pursuing social justice.

1. To Protect All Life!

2. Commitment to
Life,
Charity, and Justice
September 14, 2013
Presented by: Sister Jane Boos, SSND
and Deacon David Erdmann

3. Ministry of Charity & Justice
 Handing on the Torch ……
 Where were we at the start?
 Where are we now?
 Where should we be going?

4. Opening Prayer
 Prayer on page 5 in your booklet

5. What is Justice?
 Write the first three (3) to five (5) words
that come to your mind when you hear the
word „justice‟. (Quiet Reflection)
Large group sharing of those words………

6. Examples of Injustice
 Write down a sentence or two about the first
time you became aware of injustice…..
(Example shared by Sr. Jane……)

7. Biblical Roots of Justice
The Quest for Justice
is integral
to the Faith

8. Roots of Justice
 Challenge of Prophets‟ in Old Testament
 Challenge of Jesus in New Testament
 Church as Prophet and Advocate

9. Powerpoint on Roots of Justice
 To begin: open your hearts to the Holy Spirit
 Breathe in God‟s love
 Breathe out fatigue and concerns
 Listen to the words of the powerpoint

10. Definition of Biblical Justice
–Fidelity to the demands of a relationship (Deut.30)
–Real and concrete
–Sorts out what belongs and returns things back
–Harmony that comes from right relationships (Gen 2:15)

11. Old Testament:
God takes the lead.

12. Genesis 1-3 Creation
 In biblical language
 God‟s word is event
 The world is seen as good
 All aspects are balanced,
harmonious, interdependent.

13. Life and Dignity
 Man and Women created in God‟s image
 Genesis 1:26-27
 “every human being possesses an inalienable
dignity prior to human labor and achievement
 Genesis 4:11

14. 2nd story of Creation
 Man and woman are made in
the image and likeness of
God
 WE ARE THE
REPRESENTATIVE OF
GOD IN THE WORLD

15. Israel responds
Psalm 148
Think of all the blessings
we take for granted.

16. Formation of Community
 Israel becomes a people relating to
God in community.
 Israel called to act as God acts. . .

17. “You shall not wrong or oppress a
resident alien for you were alien in
Egypt. You shall not abuse the
widow or orphan. If you do abuse
them, when they cry out to me, I
will heed their cry.” (Exodus chapter 22)

18. Deuteronomy 15
The Land
belongs to God

19. Can we relive what happened
in the Hebrew Land?
We are removed from
historical events

20. How do we enflesh that Spirit today?
Retell the story of outrage and
hope against injustice
• Keep the story alive;
we are people of the WORD

21. Prophets –
from Greek “gas”
meaning to speak
Someone who
speaks out for God

22. NEW TESTAMENT

23. Justice is related to life
and death
of Jesus

24. Jesus is Justice Incarnate
 Jesus works powerful deeds
 Jesus challenges power structures
 Jesus frees from bondage
 Jesus reverses values, enters into new
ways of relating

25. Jesus inherited Israel’s beliefs:
Alienating bondage was heart of mission
God comes down and enters the lives of
the suffering people

26. OPPRESSION
taxes
power
military might
SAW PEOPLE OPPRESSED

27. LUKE 4:18
 The Spirit of our God is upon me‟
 Anointing me; sending me to bring glad
tidings to the poor
 to proclaim liberty to captives,
 recovery of sight to the blind
 and release to prisoners.
 TO ANNOUNCE A YEAR OF FAVOR FROM
OUR GOD

28. GOD‟S WAYS
CHALLENGE OUR WORLD
 Will not tolerate injustices
 Calls for deeper conversion

29. Jesus
related to non persons
in the name of God‟s justice:
 Poor
 Lepers
 Samaritan woman
 Stranger
 enemy
Jesus ignored the
taboos of ritual,
impurity, touched
the untouchable.

30. We can trust that whoever crucifies
powerless and dominates will not
have the last word.
In the risen Lord,
JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

31. Basic Moral Test of a Society
…is how its most
vulnerable members
are faring.

32. Matthew 24:45
The Last Judgment
Jesus identified with the hungry, the
homeless, the stranger, the “least of
these”

33. Our Bishops tell us:
“The joys and the hopes, the grief's
and the anxieties of the people of this
age, especially those who are poor or
in any way afflicted, these are the joys
and hopes, the grief's and anxieties of
the followers of Christ.”

34. For your reflection – 2 minutes
 With which trait of Jesus do you identity?
 Which trait is your biggest challenge?
 Share with one other person (3 minutes)
(Go outside as a 10 minute break follows)

35. B R E A K
 Take time to relax outside……..
 For 10 minutes

36. Respect for Life
Our Lady of
Guadalupe
Prayer
on workbook
page 18

37. Why are we “Pro-Life”?
 Biblical: Genesis 1:27 – “God created
mankind in his image; in the image of God he
created them; male and female he created them.”
 Natural Law: Male/Female relationship = Life
 Church: Life – Sacred at conception
 Science: Separate, distinct life at conception
 Believing a baby‟s life is a gift that should be cherished…
 Believing that a mother is precious with value and dignity…
 Believing that all human life belongs only to the Creator who gave life…
 Believing that all life is God‟s to give and take away…

38. Respect Life Issues Exercise
 Activity matching issues and definitions
 Share your answers with your group
 Rank issues: Most important to Least important
 Group sharing

39. Just Some Issues of Life
 Abortion
 Cloning
 Contraception
 Euthanasia
 Death Penalty
 Infanticide
 In Vitro Fertilization
 Post-Abortion effects
 Stem Cell Research
 Embrionic
 Adult
 Suicide/Assisted
Suicide

40. USCCB Pro-Life Plan for Parishes
 Education – in your parish & public square
 Care and Services for those in need
 Advocacy for public policies that protect
 Prayer for a culture of life and love

41. Post-Abortion Grief
 ‘Silent No More’ DVD
 Reflect – how did this DVD impact you?
 One minute
 Share this with 2-3 other persons

42. Project Rachel
A Pathway to Forgiveness:
 By Jesus; The Church
 To forgive others involved; …Self
If you know someone who may be in need of Project Rachel:
Call local hotline: (217) 698-4456
Toll free hotline: (877) RACHEL5 (877-722-4355)
Springfield Diocese website:
http://dio.org/socialconcerns/project-rachel-r.html

43. Pledge for Life
Introduction – Disciples of Life
 Blessing of the “precious feet”
 Pledge for Life on workbook page 24
 Parish staff give the “precious feet”

44. Final Blessings Video
Cardinal Bernardine - Importance of Faith
 -The Lord loves us
--------------------------
 -To Experience Peace:
 Put ourselves totally in the hands of God
 See Death as a Friend
 Begin “Letting Go”

45. Reflection Questions
How can I be a disciple to those carrying
heavy crosses in life or approaching death?
How does my faith help me confront my own
death? (2 minutes quiet reflection)
 Quiet reflection for 2 minutes
 Share with 2-3 different persons

46. Lunch and relaxation…………
Lunch
Lunch
Rest Rest Rest
Return Time?

47. Parish Outreach and Action
 Prayer „For Light in Darkness‟ workbook page 26
 Stand Up Activity …and “exercise”
 Handouts on 2 Feet of Justice workbook page 27

48. Mission of Jesus
 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty
to captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free…
Luke 4

49. Mission of Pope Francis

50. Mission of Church
 USCCB gives us a portrait of what it means to
follow In the Footsteps of Jesus
 After the video, reflect on the following:
 1. What touched you most in the video?
 2. What was the most challenging
 Share in groups of 4-5

51. Communities of Salt and Light
The role of parish social ministry leaders is to create the
structures and programs that enable the entire parish to act
on our social mission.
These committees and coordinators best serve parishes by
facilitating and enabling the participation of the parish
community, rather than simply doing the work on behalf of
the parish.

52. Communities of Salt & Light
Structure Matters!
How you structure you social ministry team will
determine what is accomplished. In general, if a role isn’t
explicitly part of the structure, it may not be carried out.

53. Pastoral
Council
Family
Work
Citizen
Advocacy
Global
Solidarity
& Peace
Issues/
Special
Sub Groups
Community
Out Reach
Formation &
Education
Prayer &
Worship
Direct Service
CRS
Twinning
Fair Trade
Pax Christi
Legislative Advocacy
Life Issues
St. Vincent de Paul
Emergency
Assistance
Soup Kitchens
Project Rachel
Food Banks
Consumer Education
Business/Prayer Circles
Coordination with Liturgy
Social mission prayer
Just Faith
Coordination w/Religious
Education
Coordination w/Schools
Other Programs
Pro - Life
Hunger
Death Penalty
Housing
DCJH
Economic Development
Local Organization
Projects
Examples
Examples
ExamplesExamples
Examples
Examples
ExamplesExamples

54. Pastoral
Council
Advocacy
Formation &
Education
Prayer &
Worship
Legislative Advocacy
Life Issues
Coordination with Liturgy
Social mission prayer
Just Faith
Coordination w/Religious
Education
Coordination w/Schools
Other Programs
Examples
Examples
Direct Service
& Outreach
St. Vincent de
Paul
Emergency
Assistance
Soup Kitchens
Project Rachel
Food Banks
Examples
Your Parish
Note: Global solidarity is woven throughout.

55. Pastoral
Council
Formation &
Education
Prayer &
Worship
Coordination with Liturgy
Social mission prayer
Just Faith
Coordination w/Religious
Education
Coordination w/Schools
Other Programs
Examples
Examples
Direct Service
& Outreach
St. Vincent de
Paul
Emergency
Assistance
Soup Kitchens
Project Rachel
Food Banks
Examples
Your Parish
Note: Global solidarity is woven throughout.

56. Our Parish
 What are the needs:
 In our parish
 In our community
 In our world
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 How should our parish respond:
 1.
 2.

57. How am I being called?
Reflect: Where God is calling me?

58. Special Needs (To do at home)
 Prayer of the Beatitudes workbook page 34-35
 Fill out the Beatitude inventory
 Take time to pray about the inventory
 Come prepared to share next month

59. Resource Pages
 Resources on workbook pages 36-38
 Office for Social Concerns and
Respect for Life
workbook pages 39-42

60. Reflection Questions
 What did I learn today that challenges me to
live as a more faithful and engaged Christian?
 What did I learn that helps me be holy?
 How does all this challenge me?
 How does all this challenge my parish?

61. May God bless you
 Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will:
 Guide and Inspire you and your family
 Open your hearts to God‟s mercy and love
 Fill you with grace and strength
 Amen Amen Amen Amen

62. Closing Song - Chorus
Lead me lord, lead me Lord!
by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way…
Be my way, be my truth,
be my light O Lord!
and lead me Lord today…
© 1987, John D. Becker,
Published by OCP, All rights reserved. Used with Permission