Journey to Justice Process
An Overview

The Journey to Justice Process is designed to effect a conversion of heart, a growth in compassion and a sensitivity to the needs of our brothers and sisters in want.  Journey to Justice sets the groundwork for building solidarity between those who are poor and those who are economically advantaged. It is a solidarity that at the end of the journey creates communities that truly reflect the biblical principles of jubilee justice.

The initial event of the Journey to Justice Process is a weekend retreat that is designed for 20 to 25 participants.  This retreat consists of eight sessions that build on each other and represent a key part of the total conversion process.  During the retreat, participants are led through reflection on and discussion of the scriptural call to justice and catholic Social Teaching, especially as they relate to the preferential option for and with the poor.  A major and key portion of the second day of the retreat is devoted to an immersion experience with a Catholic campaign for Human Development (CCHD) funded group (or other empowered low-income group as defined by CCHD and CCUSA). Following the immersion experience, participants are introduced to the concept of social sin and its relation to personal sin.  This is followed by a session on social analysis within the context of the pastoral circle. The participants are then called to image anew what can be done to address root causes of poverty in their community. The final session is a call to commit to taking the first step to make real their image of a just community by agreeing to attend a post-retreat meeting.

The long-term outcomes of the Journey to Justice Process are a deepening of personal faith, conversion to the justice dimension of that faith, formation of small communities of faith, leadership development on a parish and diocesan level, relationships of mutuality with empowered low-income groups and new efforts of social action.

For more information on Journey to Justice, call Parish Social Ministry at (302) 655-9624.