Holy Cross Catholic Church
JustFaith
What is JustFaith?
JustFaith offers an opportunity for parishioners to experience a spiritual journey into compassion. Most of us long to be a generous and compassionate people. However, the opportunites to explore our tradition's Catholic social teachings in a deliberate and engaging way have largely not been available. JustFaith, now offered in hundreds of parishes across the country, provides a lively and challenging format to read, view, discuss, pray, experience and be formed by the justice tradition, whcih changes lives, inpspires witness, and transforms the world through love and service.
Our Catholic faith and biblical tradition extend an extraordianary 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.
Participants are also affored the privilege of becoming community with other participants and sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.
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 around the country attest to the fact athat both experienced and inexperienced partifipcants have dreived great benefit.
What does the JustFaith program entail?
JustFaith involves groups of about 15 people, who meet for 24 weekly sessions, two weekend retreats and four Saturday immersion experiences. Overall, this adult formation process extends over 8 months and uses the best of adult education practices including books, videos, guest speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats, immersion experiences, and community building.
Does it cost anything to pariticpate in JustFaith?
The books cost approximately $145/person and are paid in installments.
Source: JustFaith MInistries - www.justfaith.org - (502) 429-0865 In partnership with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic relief Services.
For more information, contact:
Deacon Bill Toller
413-372-6237 / 413-478-5201 or tollerwr@gmail.com
Jane Virgilio at 413-782-2842
Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
...................Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA
