Education and Formation

JustFaith JustFaith is a 30-week justice formation process with a focus on discipleship—engagement in the life of Jesus—and the call to be about God’s dream of justice and compassion in a world scarred by the domestic and global crisis called poverty. Meeting weekly, small groups of 10–15 people employ books, videos, lecture, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the healing work of God’s compassion found in scripture, church history and teaching, and faithful witnesses. You can learn more about the program by visting the website for JustFaith. Christ our Light is in its second year of offering this program.

Beyond JustFaith Graduates of JustFaith have opted to continue to meet on a monthly basis to continue their formation in justice. Graduates of JustFaith have become involved in a variety of ministries: ESL classes for refugees through Catholic Charities, raising awareness about fair trade, raising funds for micro-loans, community organizing through Camden Churches Organized for People, and one graduate even created a community garden in Camden for the children of St. Bart's parish in Camden (see pictures below).

Engaging Spirituality This program will be offered beginning in the Fall of 2010. The program is for 21 weeks. You need not have participated in JustFaith in order to participate in Engaging Spirituality.

This program presents a spiritual deepening process that invites small groups of adult Christians to explore the intersection between contemplative presence and social action, as it is lived out in their own lives. Engaging Spirituality focuses on the practical challenges of following Jesus into the broken heart of our world, inspired by the urgency and spirit of the Gospel message to our lives, to our relationships, and to our times. Participants practice “the undivided life” of Christian discipleship—engaging in contemplation while immersing ourselves in the heart of our fragmented world.

“(Those) who attempt to act and do things for others or for the world without deepening (their) own self-understanding, freedom, integrity, and capacity to love, will not have anything to give others.”    —Thomas Merton

Engaging Spirituality …

• is accessible and practical, inviting people to plumb their own depths.
• introduces seekers to a breadth of contemporary and ancient wisdom.
• moves us out to embrace current social realities from our hearts.
• seeks a “grounded spirituality” for contemplative-prophetic living today.

For more information on any of these programs, contact Pat Slater, Pastoral Associate for Justice and Community Outreach.

Community Garden Project Before

Community Garden Project After