By Irene M. Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/22/04)

When Jack Jezreel accepted a position as social ministry coordinator, it was a concession. Experience had taught him that while attending to the poor and oppressed was integral to Gospel values, social action remained peripheral to ordinary parish life. Although the Gospel dictated compassion, most parishioners seemed aloof when opportunities for social ministry arose and social action committees commanded little interest. But Jezreel knew that apparent disinterest was born of misunderstanding.

Driven by dissatisfaction at the dismal turnout for social action meetings, Jezreel turned to the Gospel. Jesus, he figured, also had to stir the hearts of his followers to action. Demonstrating compassion for the impoverished and marginalized was the result of a change of mind and heart that came from conversion.

The Catholic Worker movement was an inspiration, and positive responses to the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) programs proved that adults were interested in action and learning. Drawing from knowledge of both programs as well as theological training and parish experience, Jezreel developed the Just Faith program to teach interested parishioners the Church’s teaching on social justice.

The 30-week curriculum includes a syllabus of readings, videos, discussion topics, prayer and hands-on experience in ministry. The program proved successful beyond expectations. Rather than deterring people, the weekly commitment and tuition drew people who were eager to find ways to put faith into action. Now in it its 15th year, the Just Faith formation program is sponsored by Catholic Charities USA and is offered in 250 parishes in 70 dioceses throughout the country. Four parishes in the Arlington Diocese, including St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax, St. Mark Parish in Vienna, St. Francis of Assisi in Triangle, Holy Family in Dale City, are running the program for the first time.

Pat Seiler, social justice coordinator at St. Mary of Sorrows, said Just Faith has been challenging intellectually and practically. Books and videos about poverty, racism, consumerism and other issues have brought injustices previously on the periphery of her awareness into focus, Seiler said. The 25 participants that meet weekly in two separate groups have begun to form lasting relationships. Seiler said many participants feel called to some kind of service, and enrolled in the Just Faith program both for training and to help discover their mission.

Parishioner Kay Semtel, a 65-year-old retiree, enrolled in the program after joining the Ignatian Lay Volunteer Corps, a Jesuit-run volunteer service program for older and retired adults. Having worked for more than a year in House of Ruth, a local shelter for families affected by domestic, violence, Semtel signed up for Just Faith to "acquire knowledge to go with her work.

"I had no idea how great an impact it would have," Semtel said. "They’re giving us so much information. It has expanded my knowledge, and is making all of us so much more aware of problems in the community and in the world. Hopefully, it’s making all of us more empathic."

Semtel said the program has helped her realize that her efforts to help can and do make a difference. When her husband died four years ago, Semtel said she had to "unhook from the world" and did not want to know what was going on. Eventually, she realized it was time to begin again. Joining the ILVC was a first step. The Just Faith program, she said, has pushed her even further.

"It certainly causes you to do a lot of reflection. You can’t get through without realizing how good God’s been to you and how many people really need a helping hand," Semtel said.

Other experienced volunteers have said the same. Kathy Scheimer, co-facilitator of the Wednesday evening group at St. Mark Parish, described the program as both rigorous and compelling.

"There have been a number of powerful videos about poverty, racism and affluenza, and a number of books on the same topics," Scheimer said. "For me, the effect is a heightened
awareness and sensitivity pulling me forward in some social justice direction. I have mixed feelings about some of the books, but they all have served a purpose by challenging the white American lifestyle. My sense is that this is a valuable journey for any Catholic who is willing to confront the discrepancies between our espoused beliefs and how we actually live out those beliefs."

According to Jezreel, 55 percent of participants are women and the remainder are men. Most of the feedback, Jezreel said, has been positive.

"Given the very fast growth of the program, you could guess that we get a lot of positive feedback; the program really can be life-changing. Sure, we do get negative feedback – there is no such thing as a program that meets everyone’s needs," said Jezreel.

Franciscan Father Robert A. Menard from St. Francis of Assisi Parish said the program gives a good overall orientation about Catholic Social teaching theologically and practically by engaging people in real stories of people who are living with issues and those who try to bring about change. A third element, he said, is that it is all done within the context of a local community with people who have covenanted to go through the process together.

According to Father Menard, the heavy theological and biblically-based teaching takes place within the context of three retreats at the beginning, middle and end of the course. Documents and videos from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (ISCCB) are supplemented by books and documentaries on a host of social problems. Hands-on experience at a local shelter, a housing development and Progresso Hispano allow people to gain experience in the field. Like others who are currently engaged in the program, Father Menard said the readings and videos have been challenging and often disturbing. Books like Amazing Grace that deal with poverty and racism in urban America, he said, are emotionally disturbing.

"Racism has been difficult for people on an emotional level," Father Menard said. "People who grow up in a white world find it very difficult to believe that the world they grew up in is not the experience of every American. African Americans in the group identify very strongly with African Americans we are read about who are dealing with racism daily, even though the people in our group are middle class and like-minded in their Catholic beliefs."