Just Faith

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke 4: 18-19

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25: 35-36

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25: 40

I. What is JustFaith?

JustFaith is a faith formation program emphasizing the gospel message of peace and justice, Catholic social teaching and the intersection of spirituality and action. JustFaith employs books, videos, lecture, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences in an extended (30 weeks) justice education process that meets weekly. The aim of JustFaith is to enable participants to develop a passion for justice and to express this passion in concrete acts of social ministry.

Jack Jezreel, M.Div., the Director of JustFaith, introduced the program in 1989 in a parish in Louisville, Kentucky. It was immediately and dramatically successful. Since then, parishes around the country have had similar results. Catholic Charities USA is now actively promoting JustFaith, making available workshops, curriculum, resources, a website, and technical support. In 2003/4, almost 300 parishes and churches (3000 people) participated in this rapidly expanding program.

II. JustFaith @ St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

Our parish has supported JustFaith groups each year since the summer of 2001. In addition, a JustFaith alumni group meets monthly.

(photos, comments, testimonials)

III. What do we do as an alumni group?

Our main purpose is to oversee the initiation of new JustFaith formation groups and support them throughout the year. In addition, we support the ongoing work of our members, initiate parish education projects and do other charity events. For example,