Faith And Justice Development in Service

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IntroductionsWho are we- who are you?

Why are you here today?

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Driving Questions

How do we understand, justify, and promote Social Justice and Faith through service immersion initiatives?

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Goals

–Nuance and broaden our understanding of dimensions and conceptualizations of justice in relation to service

–Nuance and broaden our understanding of dimensions and conceptualizations of faith in relation to service

–Identify how these understandings impact our professional and personal roles

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What is Faith?Includes both trust & belief

Leaping from solid platformWe trust based on evidence &

experience—ultimately, it is more reasonable to trust than not to.

Religious Faith vs. Everyday FaithInterior Knowledge

3 centers: head, heart, gutTapping into a more holistic style of

reflection & relationship as a student affairs professional5 C.Bridges & T.Dunn 7/20/10

Where Does Faith Lead?Ignatius’ idea of faith—“ordering of love”

To help “souls”Faith seeks…Lord Jesus, teach us to be generous;

to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to seek reward,

except that of knowing that we are doing your will. ~St. Ignatius Loyola6 C.Bridges & T.Dunn 7/20/10

How Faith Relates to ServiceThrough…Ignatian Spirituality!Vocation has a social implication

Love: the common thread

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Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach Superior General of the Society of Jesus on October 6, 2000

“Our commitment to faith and justice entails a most significant shift in viewpoint and choice of values.”

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What is Justice?

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Different Conceptualizations of Justice

– Distributive– the allocation of goods in a society

– Relational– produced through cooperative behavior, agreement, negotiation, or

dialogue among actors- focus on individuals– Associational

– Groups Individuals without rights/power working together to gain said rights/power

– Justice as Freedom From Oppressions– Moves beyond relations, includes exploitation, marginalization,

powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence- individual and group

– Restorative Justice– focuses on the needs of victims and offenders

– Other dimensions or conceptualizations– Plural Models of Justice

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How do service and justice interact?Service Justice

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How to have Faith & Justice Filled Interactions with Students Create safe space for people to be who they are Ask questions & let them be with the questions Reflect—encourage students, but allow yourself this

opportunity also Draw out in them the tools they already have—faith can

be a strength See their faith & Spirituality as a gift that can sustain

them in life long service

Remember… Spirituality & Social Justice are values held at a Jesuit

Institution The Call does not take over night—and that’s where our

students are! No matter where they come from, student’s hearts are

typically in the right place.

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QuestionsWas your faith served or strengthened by

your service today or in past service opportunities?

Do you see this morning’s service as working toward justice?

What are intersections you see among faith, justice & service?How does my faith life inform service?How does my perspective on social justice

inform my service?How do my faith and justice perspectives

intersect with each other and service?13 C.Bridges & T.Dunn 7/20/10