The mission of JustFaith Ministries is to form, inform and transform people of faith by offering programs and resources that sustain them in their compassionate commitment to build a more just and peaceful world.

The original JustFaith program was introduced in 1989 by Jack Jezreel, M Div. In 2005, Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) formed a partnership with JustFaith Ministries. The partnership recognizes parish and church commitment to social ministry, and the critical role that formation in the justice tradition plays in this process. The partnership also helps CCHD, CCUSA, and CRS carry out the mission of engaging US Catholics in work with and on behalf of the poor and vulnerable.

Overview

• JustFaith is a scripture-based adult formation program that looks at poverty and compassion for the poor through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.
• JustFaith is a conversion-based process that provides a context in which participants can grow in their commitment to care for the vulnerable and to become advocates for a more just society.
• JustFaith serves to strengthen the growing commitment to parishes to be agents of social transformation, mercy and compassion.
• Through prayer, immersion experiences, books and videos, participants encounter the face of poverty in such a way that they experience transformation and are drawn to respond to the needs of our broken world. It is deep spiritual journey done in the context of a small faith community.
• There are three adult components of JustFaith Ministries: (1) The JustFaith Introductory Program; (2) JustMatters Modules; and (3) Engaging Spirituality.

1. JustFaith Introductory Program

The JustFaith Introductory Program is designed for a small group of about 8-15 people who commit to 30 weekly 2 1/2 hour sessions. Co-facilitated by two participants from within the group, the program includes prayer, reading, discussion, video presentations, guest speakers, two retreats, and four immersion experiences. Watch the two videos below (Part I, and Part II) for an introduction to the JustFaith Introductory Workshop.

Click here for the JustFaith website where you can register your group for the Introductory Program online, or download a registration form to return to the JustFaith Ministries offices.

Costs for the JustFaith Introductory Program:

• Registration: $325 per group (parishes with multiple groups pay only one registration fee).
• Videos: $265 (approx) per group (includes 12-14 videos, which can be used in subsequent years of the program).
• Books: $145 (approx) per person (includes 10-13 books used throughout the program year).
• JustFaith Ministries strives to ensure that cost is not a barrier to any group or individual wishing to participate in programming. They are happy to speak with you about you or your parish's financial need in the hope that all who seek to participate are able to.

2. JustMatters Modules

JustMatters Modules are also designed for a small group of about 8-15 people, but instead of 30 weekly 2 1/2 hour sessions, participants commit to just 6-8 week sessions that focus on a particular current social justice topic, and culminate in a call to engaged action. Each JustFaith Module costs $150 and can be used to continue and/or lead into a full JustFaith Program. Current topics include:

• Faith Encounters the Ecological Crisis
• In the Footsteps of the Crucified: Torture is Never Justified
• Living Solidarity: Government, the Federal Budget and the Common Good
• Crossing Borders: Migration, Theology, and the Human Journey
• God's Creation Cries for Justice. Climate Change: Impact and Response
• Prison Reform: The Church of the Second Chance
• New Wineskins: Forming Mission Based Communities
• Engaging Our Conflicts: An Exploration of Nonviolent Peacemaking

3. Engaging Spirituality

The one who attempts to act and do things for others or for the world without deepening (his/her) own self-understanding, freedom, integrity, and capacity to love, will not have anything to give others. --Thomas Merton

Finally, Engaging Spirituality is designed for a small group of about 8-12 people who commit to 21 weekly 2 1/2 hour sessions. Co-facilitated by two participants from within the group, the program includes two retreats, two immersion experiences, journal-keeping, prayerful dialogue, and spiritual reading. Resources include 6 texts, 4 video presentations, and wisdom writings from contemporary spiritual teachers. All together, Engaging Spirituality strives to be an integrated process of spiritual practices, lifestyle challenges and outreach ministry. Watch the two videos below (Part I, and Part II) for an introduction to Engaging Spirituality.

Cost for Engaging Spirituality

• Registration: The cost to register a group for Engaging Spirituality is $325. This cost includes all the materials you will need to convene and facilitate an Engaging Spirituality group:
  • 14 Reference/Start-up Documents
  • 21 comprehensive session outlines, and accompanying notes to participants
  • 25 Bearings letters (commissioned from spiritual pathfinders exclusively for Engaging Spirituality)
  • 4 Retreat Outlines
  • 3 Thematic Resources
  • Telephone and email consultation with JustFaith Ministries' staff
• DVDs: The group purchases four DVDs costing about $80.
• Books: For participants, there are five books and a journal, costing about $84.

For more information on starting a JustFaith program in your parish contact Rebecca Ford at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by phone at 620-792-1393. We are happy to assist and support you in the process of forming a committee, selecting co-facilitators, and inviting participants.