JUSTFAITH: 
“FAITH AND POVERTY: A SOLIDARITY RESPONSE” 

How do you respond to poverty in your community? “Faith and Poverty: A Solidarity Response,” the second program of the JustFaith Catholic series, explores local poverty and introduces participants to the tips and tools they need to respond. Together, participants navigate questions such as: “Why are the poor, poor?”; “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 emerge from this program better equipped to help alleviate poverty in their communities, as well as stand in solidarity with those experiencing poverty.  
 
The program consists of eight 2-hour sessions to be held on Thursday evenings (6:30 pm to 8:30 pm) in Immaculata’s “Youth Ministry” room (2222), beginning February 2. An additional one-day retreat and an immersion experience will each be held on Saturdays. We are requesting that everyone registering for the program be able to attend all sessions. Space is limited. Participation in Part I of JustFaith in the Fall was NOT required to join us for this session. To register, please email Sylvia by January 17th. 
 
JPIC DIRECTOR: Ken Chiha 
JUSTFAITH CO-FACILITATORS: Lauren Lee Pettiette Schewel, esq. and Sylvia Thompson 
 
VIDEO 
https://youtu.be/va_zznp3gpE 
 
WEBSITE 
Faith and Poverty: A Solidarity Response (JFC Program 2) - JustFaith Ministries 
 
PROGRAM GOALS 

• To learn about the experiences of people in poverty 
  
• To have a better understanding of dynamics that make it difficult for many to move out of poverty 
  

• To discern personal and social actions to address poverty in your local community 
  

 
COST 
The “Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation” (JPIC) ministry will be subsidizing the cost of this program. Participants will only be responsible for paying the cost of their reading materials for the course. The JPIC has financial support available for those in need who are unable to afford the cost of these texts, so please contact us if you need assistance. 
  
The books/resources will be ordered in bulk from the JustFaith program after registration. Participants can purchase them from the parish when they arrive. If you decide to purchase them on your own, please let us know in advance.  
 
BOOKS/RESOURCES INCLUDE 

• Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond 
  
• Beyond Empowerment: A Pilgrimage with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, by Jeffry Odell Korgen 
  

• Catholic social teaching spiritual practice resource, compiled by Susie Tierney 
  

 
SESSIONS INCLUDE 

• Prayer & Reflection 
  
• Discussion of Reading 
  

• Videos/Group Activities 
  
• Spiritual Practices 
  
• Integration of Faith 
  

 
SESSIONS 

• Session One: Dignity of Work/Rights of Workers 
  
• Session Two: Cost to Live 
  
• One-day retreat 
  
• Session Three: The Social Safety Net 
  
• Session Four: The Cliff Effect 
  

• Session Five: Poverty and Health 
  
• Session Six: Trauma and Addiction 
  
• Immersion Experience in your local community 
  
• Session Seven: Housing 
  
• Session Eight: Grassroots Organizing 101 ​
  

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