“If you ask more, you get more.” So says Jack Jezreel, founder of JustFaith, as quoted in “The JustFaith Phenomenon,” (Jeffry Odell Korgen, Church Magazine, Summer, 2007, pp 15-19.) JustFaith is a parish based programme originally promoted by Catholic Charities but now sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Campaign for Human Development as well.

To this point, seven thousand parishioners have gone through the thirty weeks of group discussion based on videos and readings related to poverty, race, consumerism, ecology and peace. Add to this two weekend retreats and four direct experiences with the poor and it adds up to a sizable commitment of time and emotional energy. The reward for this generosity is a change of heart as people become more aware of the social dimension of the Catholic faith. It also moves some into advocacy and structural change. “Who in their right mind would sign up for such a grueling reflection on human misery?” the article asks. To the great surprise of pastors and staffs, many do, and the number keeps growing across the country. As one person put it, “It makes more sense than watching television, attending a sports event or spending time in the Mall.”

A group of people from the Gesu parish in Milwaukee heard about the JustFaith experience starting up in another parish. They took the risk to get involved. After they had gone through the program they returned to their own parish to start up a group. Carol Brush was one of these pioneers and she is now a co-facilitator for the programme at the Gesu. Here are some of her reflections when she first joined JustFaith.

Originally a friend of mine brought me with her to the weekly meetings. The group had already been in session for a few weeks but I felt very welcomed nevertheless. I remember being resistant to making such a commitment but the group’s welcoming atmosphere with no intimidation or judgment made me feel part of the gathering from the beginning. We started out with 23 people and 16 of them lasted throughout the whole 30 weeks. We started in mid-September, had a week off for Christmas and went to the end of April. After the third or fourth sessions we had a weekend retreat together that drew the group even closer together. Then we got into our weekly meetings in earnest, each one starting and ending with prayer. In between we had a lively discussion on one of the books we were reading or we watched videos, all provided by JustFaith. Initially some were reluctant to buy in because they were afraid of the changes this might ask of them. Eventually they began to see what a positive effect it could have in their lives. As the weeks went on, people began to let go of their own interests and concerns and began to allow the Spirit to work within them.

Over the thirty weeks we read twelve books and watched eight videos, as well as having direct experience with those who had little or no means of support through our visits to agencies and organizations working with the poor and needy. Other times we listened to speakers who gave us insight into what changes were needed in our American system and what difference we could make through our own efforts. At the end of the 30 weeks, we had a second weekend retreat, this time geared toward what God was asking each one of us to do in response to this experience. Some joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society, others got involved in immigration issues, others become interested in ecology. Even now, after three years, our original group is still meeting together on a monthly basis as a way to offer one another support and encouragement in making a difference in our world.

Tom Sweetser, SJ & Peg Bishop, OSF
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(www.pepparish.org)

Parish Newsletter - July 2007
A Service of the Parish Evaluation Project
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reproduced on the OPRFM website with permission