Ministries of Mercy - Life Ministries at 6363 9th Avenue North , St. Petersburg, FL 33710 US - Resources for Small Christian Communities
|
Resources for Small Christian Communities |
Small Christian Communities and Social Justice USCCB Publishing Services, Phone: (800) 235-8722, Fax: (202) 722-8709, www.usccb.org Faith Sharing Booklets Phone: (202) 635-2757, Fax: (202) 832-9494, www.coc.org; www.coc.org/focus/ej/reflections Since 1971, the Christian Family Movement USA National Office, P.O. Box 925, Evansville, IN 47706-0925 EVERDAY CHRISTIANITY - A CFM Response - $7.50 A parish afternoon or evening of reflection on Everyday Christianity. The program is designed to assist a parish in creating awareness and understanding of the Catholic Bishops' pastoral "Everyday Christianity", identifying and discerning the areas where we as the faithful have a role to play in peace and justice issues. ROOTED IN FAITH This book is a book about contemplation that leads to action - about action that flows from social justice. The 15 meetings in the book treat action and contemplation as parallel channels of growth. The book looks at some of the saints, holy people and prophets of our time. It concludes with an in depth look at specific issues such as the homeless, the unborn, peace and justice in the LOVE IN ACTION - The Works of Mercy in The World Today This program takes the CFM method of Observe-Judge-Act directly to the heart of the traditional "corporal and spiritual works of mercy." It challenges participants to focus on works of mercy in their families and neighborhoods. Each of the 14 chapters concludes with appropriate involvements for various stages of a "real life." JustFAITH, Jack Jezreel, Director, JustFaith Office, Phone: (502) 429-0865, www.justfaith.org; Email: jack@justfaith.org JustFaith is a process. Over the course of six to nine months, participants meet weekly for readings, videos, lecture, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences in justice education. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the remarkable justice tradition of the Church. JustFaith can be adapted for use in settings including diocesan-sponsored programs, small faith communities, high school settings and college campuses. RENEW International, RENEW/SCC Resources, Phone: (888) 433-3221; Fax: (908) 769-5660; E-mail: Resources@renewintl.org www.renewintl.org and www.ParishLife.com Beginnings: Human and World Issues, Mary C. McGuinness and Thomas A. Kleissler Explores the integration of faith and action—Christian responsibility—in a variety of settings and situations. Acts as an excellent springboard for faith sharing and a vibrant call to action in various arenas of our world, including family, civics, work and society. (8 sessions) 1 IS $3.50 Beyond Black and White, Danny Duncan Collum Unfortunately, racial issues still threaten the peace of our homes, communities, and nation. The author asks us to look at how Scripture can guide us in dealing with racial issues, and offers a reminder that religion crosses racial boundaries. (6 sessions) 18 IS $3.50 Encourages us to become more well-informed about the important issues that touch our lives, and more importantly, impels us to take action in a wide variety of ways. (6 sessions) 5 IS $3.50 Discipleship of Nonviolence, Mary Elizabeth Clark, SSJ Jesus’ life of peace, forgiveness, and hope in the face of violence, hatred, and despair led to the cross and Resurrection. Look at the underlying causes of violence within your own hearts, as well as its effects. Explore ways to confront the culture of violence and seek to follow Jesus as a true disciple. (7 sessions) 6 IS $3.50 Embracing Life: Reflections on a Vision of Life that Holds Each Person and All Creation Sacred, Michael T. Mannion Calls us to reflect prayerfully and to share our faith response to a number of life issues in order to deepen our convictions that each person and all creation are sacred. Hunger in God's World, Art Simon A comprehensive look at hunger in today’s society, including its many causes, and misconceptions about why people are hungry. Explores various ways that we can help those who are hungry, and addresses the contradiction between God’s intention for the world and widespread hunger. (6 sessions) 8 IS $3.50 Reflections on “Dead Man Walking”, Helen Prejean, CSJ & Lucille Sarrat This exploration promises to help today’s Christian in uncovering the facts and dispelling the myths of the death penalty in the light of the gospel of Jesus and Catholic teaching. Perfect for any ministry, group, or small community, these six faith-sharing reflections also look at the emotional sufferings of victims’ families. (6 sessions) 21 IS $3.50 Resource Publications, Inc., Phone: (408) 286-8505, Fax: (408) 287-8748, www.rpinet.com/index.html Reading the Signs of the Times: A Seven-Week Small-Group Process for Social Change Nora Petersen, Stephen K. Hicken & Hector D. Reading the Signs of the Times is a tool that small Christian communities can use for identifying social needs within their larger communities and for deciding what action to take in response. The process is easy to lead but thorough. The first six sessions focus on examining a different "reality" in the larger community — in culture, the economy, the family, politics, the media and religion — using a format that combines, prayer, Scripture and reflection. The concluding session helps the group members decide on a specific social action based on their observations and reflections. Because the book is written in both English and Spanish, people used to speaking either of these two languages can achieve some unity by using the same process to examine their communities. Parish Renewal Consulting Services, Moving Reflection into Action! Planning resources for SCCs Pastoring The Big “How To” Book for Paulist Press, Phone: (800) 218-1903, Fax: (800) 836-3161, www.paulistpress.com Mustard Seed Communities, Inc. Work the Word is a Catholic formation program designed to build a deeper life of prayer and raise the level of awareness and commitment in service to the most vulnerable in your community and around the world. Based on a small group structure, the program is organized into two seasons and a service mission, which together, comprise a total of 10 sessions. Work the Word: Beyond Our Boundaries - Participant's Guide Season One, $2.95 Work the Word: Beyond Our Boundaries - Leader's Guide, $19.95 Includes simple-to-follow directions for facilitating the gatherings. No special skills are required. Work the Word: Beyond Our Boundaries - Leader's Mission Guide Book, $19.95 Small Community Connection, P.O. Box 745475, Arvada, CO 80006-5475 Phone: (303) 477-0180, www.sccconnect.org Seeking Justice: The Public Life of Faith in Small Christian Communities Pricing: Individual booklets: $4.50 + S&H, Set of four (this is one book in the set): $16.50 + S&H The Institute for Peace and Justice, Pope John Paul II. Apostolic Exhortation on the Vocation and Pope John Paul II. Ecclesia in Pope Paul VI. Evangelii Nuntiandi: On Evangelization in the Modern World, 1975. Pope John XXIII. Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), 1963. Synod of Bishops. Justicia in Mundo (Justice in the World), 1971. Documents of Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Constitution of the Church. NCCB Committee on Family, Laity, Women and Youth. Called and Gifted: The American Catholic Laity. NCCB Committee on Family, Laity, Women and Youth. Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium. US Bishops Committee on Hispanic Affairs. Communion & Mission: A Guide for Bishops & Pastoral Leaders on US Bishops. Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the US Bishops. Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice. US Bishops. In the Footsteps of Jesus: Catholic Social Teaching at Work Today. Baranowski, Arthur R. Creating Ciangio, Donna L. What Kind of Small Community Are You? Currier, Richard & Frances Gram. Forming a Small Christian Community: A Personal Journey. Mystic, Darling, Barbara A. Getting a Grip on Your Group. Forliti, Rev. John. Toward The Common Good. Henroit, Peter; DeBerri, Edward and Michael Schultheis. Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret. Kleissler, Thomas, Margo LeBert and Mary McGuinness. Small Christian Communities: A Vision of Hope for the 21st Century. Lee, Bernard J. with William D’Antonio. The Catholic Experience of Small Christian Communities. Summary of a study examining who Small Christian Community members are, what they do in groups, why they joined and what difference the groups make. Includes theological significance and importance for the future of the church. Also offers pastoral recommendations. Pierce, Gregory. Activism That Makes Sense: Congregations and Community Organization. Acta, 1997. ($9.95) Ulrich, Tom. Parish Social Ministry: Strategies for Success. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2001. Vandenakker, John Paul. Small Christian Communities and the Parish. Westley, Dick. Good Things Happen: Experiencing Community in Small Groups. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1992. Some Thoughts on Justice © RENEW International Proverbs 31:8-9 Isaiah 10:1-2 Amos 5:7, 12, 15, 24 Micah 6:8 Key themes of Catholic Social Teaching Life and Dignity of the Human Person Ÿ Call to Family, Community and Participation Ÿ Rights and Responsibilities Ÿ Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Ÿ The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers Ÿ Solidarity Ÿ Care for God’s Creation Other Resources for Adult Faith Formation and Parish Social Ministry Formation: Becoming a Commun
Each reflection/action guide for small faith groups is designed to be used in six sessions in order to enable adults to deepen their awareness of a specific theme in Catholic social teaching.
Pricing: English and Spanish, 1-9 copies, $2.50 each, 10-24 copies, $2.00 each, 25+ copies, $1.50 each
Shaping the Tradition, Sharing the Future (Book I)
This 28-page booklet is the first of a series of five study guides highlighting six basic themes of Catholic social teaching. The booklet contains selected scripture readings, reflections, focus questions, and suggested group actions. English: No. 5-451, 28 pp., Spanish: No. 5-856, 28 pp.
The Call to Family, Community, and Participation (Book II), English: No. 5-189, 28 pp., Spanish: No. 5-835, 28 pp.
Dignity of the Human Person (Book III), English: No. 5-190, 28 pp., Spanish: No. 5-850, 24 pp.
Preferential Option for and with the Poor (Book IV), English: No. 5-191, 28 pp., Spanish: No. 5-851, 28 pp.
Solidarity with the Poor (Book V), English: No. 5-192, 28 pp., Spanish: No. 5-853, 24 pp.
Phone: (812) 962-5508, FAX: (812) 962-5509, www.cfm.org, Email: office@cfm.org
Civic Responsibility: What's It All About?, Mary Ann and Steve Jeselson
Phone/Fax: (443) 367-0257, Email: PRCS@comcast.net. All resources listed here by Betsy Lamb.
Flexible resource for moving a group to social ministry or action. At its core is a five-step planning process with optional accompanying reflections. Also included: three chapters introducing rationale and social teaching of scripture and church documents, and resources for facilitators and planning committees to help promote involvement and deepen personal commitment. Revised, expanded spiral-bound edition of "Send Forth Your Light," 57 pp, 1997, $6.00
Work the Word: Beyond Our Boundaries - Participant's Guide Season Two, $2.95
Work the Word: Beyond Our Boundaries -
Peter Eichten, Michael Cowan, Bernard Lee, SM
"...public life is important in small Christian communities anywhere, but even more so in the
Quantity discounts for 50 or more, call 303-477-6379. To order booklets, call 303-477-0180
Phone: (314) 533-4445, Fax: (314) 715-6455, www.ipj-ppj.org/index.html, Email: ppjn@aol.com
Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.
Mt. 5:1-16 Mt. 25:31-46 Luke 4:18-19 John 13:34-35 Acts 2:42-47 Acts 4:32-35 Romans 12:9, 21