CONTACT:  Delis Alejandro  |  310-566-1530  | 

JustFaith is an intensive and successful model of justice education and spiritual formation that consists of weekly meetings, and employs books, videos, speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats, and hands-on experiences. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the remarkable justice tradition of the Catholic Church. This is a demanding course of study over months that exposes the participants to the privilege of becoming community with others and sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.

Special Series: Summer 2020

Faith and Race Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege

 

CONTACT:  Delis Alejandro  |  310-566-1530  | 

JustFaith is an intensive and successful model of justice education and spiritual formation that consists of weekly meetings, and employs books, videos, speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats, and hands-on experiences. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the remarkable justice tradition of the Catholic Church. This is a demanding course of study over months that exposes the participants to the privilege of becoming community with others and sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.

 

Special Series: Summer 2020

Faith and Race Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege

Jul. 29–Sept, 16, 2020

awakens groups to the economic systems, public policies, cultural norms, and hidden biases that empower some and oppress others. The first half of the module introduces a framework for understanding and recognizing racial disparities in power and privilege.

 

 

Requirements

The program requires a significant commitment and one that needs to be entered into with some prayerful discernment and the ability to make space in your life for personal enrichment. The program consists of:

• An immersion experience where you will have the opportunity to interact with those in the community who are living in poverty. These experiences are usually held at a local nonprofit on Saturdays.  One experience will be volunteering at the Thanksgiving Dinner & Clothing Boutique at St. Monica.
• A retreat is held in the first and last phases to allow for you and your group members to learn more about each other and explore a topic in more depth.

For Summer Series 2020:

In observance of State and local guidelines, at this time, the course will be held on Zoom. All participants must have access to a computer and an internet source in order to participate.

Also, an onsite retreat or immersion experience will not be required. In the future, when hopefully we can all gather again in person we will schedule a retreat and immersion experiences for all those that participated during COVID-19 restrictions.

Background

JustFaith Ministries is series of programs created to help bring awareness of Catholic Social teaching, our faith’s call to justice, and prepare individuals and parishes for the work of social ministry. Founded by Executive Director Jack Jezreel, M.Div. in 1989, JustFaith works in partnership with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and Bread for the World. The Catholic Social Teaching Ministry has hosted several programs at St. Monica with the express purpose of acquainting our parishioners with our rich heritage of Catholic Social Teaching. JustFaith is used in over 1,000 parishes and churches involving 20,000 people. Go to http://justfaith.org for more information.

 

Please note: In addition to this program, there are additional outings, service opportunities, speakers, and worship experiences scheduled throughout the year by this ministry for the entire community.

 

2019-20 Schedule

Please note that Faith and Racial Equity is not for the faint of heart! The module is designed for participants who are willing to wrestle with hard questions and take an honest look at their own attitudes, assumptions, and choices. However, through spiritual grounding and community-building, participants find support and belonging throughout their journey to personal transformation and social action.

Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privlege

Jul. 29-Sept. 16, 2020

Sessions meet at 7:00 p.m. You must be registered to attend and commit to the listed requirements above. 

Please note: Attendance is required for all JustFaith sessions and activities.

Session Schedule:

Session 1:  Breaking the Silence

7/29/20

Introduces the theme of privilege and white fragility.

Session 2:  The Invention of Race

8/5/20 

Discusses the origins of race and racial identity.

Session 3: Socialization

8/12/20

Helps participants begin to name the cultural messages that have formed their understanding of race.

Session 4: Whiteness

8/19/20

Participants identify how whiteness affects their communities and institutions.

Session 5: Privilege and Education

8/26/20

Exploring racial privilege embedded in the US education system.

Session 6: Privilege and the Media

9/2/20 

Explores racialized messages in the media that influence our assumptions about race.

Session 7:  The Accused

9/9/20

Explores implicit bias, policing, and double standards around drug policy.

Session 8: Opting In

9/16/20

Guides participants in discerning ways to take action.

 

The books that are used for Phase 3 are:

I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness                             Austin Channing Brown

White Fragility: Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism        Robin DiAngelo

40 Days of Prayer                                                                                               Cheri Mills (used all 3 phases)

 

To learn more about Faith and Racial Equality please contact:

Delis Alejandro, Pastoral Associate

Dennis Hardwick, JustFaith Team Member