Reflection Process

On the margins I have discovered so many social movements with roots in parishes or schools that bring people together to make them become protagonists of their own histories, to set in motion dynamics that smacked of dignity. Taking life as it comes, they do not sit around resigned or complaining but come together to convert injustice into new possibilities. I call them “social poets.” In mobilizing for change, in their search for dignity, I see a source of moral energy, a reserve of civic passion, capable of revitalizing our democracy and reorientating the economy.

It was precisely here that the Church was born, in the margins of the Cross where so many of the crucified are found. If the Church disowns the poor, she ceases to be the Church of Jesus; she falls back on the old temptation to become a moral or intellectual elite. There is only one word for the Church that becomes a stranger to the poor: “scandal.” The road to the geographic and existential margins is the route of the Incarnation: God chose the peripheries as the place to reveal, in Jesus, His saving action in history. . .

To be clear: this is not the Church “organizing” the people. These are organizations that already exist—some Christian, some not. I would like the Church to open its doors more widely to these movements; I hope every diocese in the world has an ongoing collaboration with them, as some already do. But my role and that of the Church is to accompany, not paternalize them. That means offering teaching and guidance, but never imposing doctrine or trying to control them. The Church illuminates with the light of the Gospel, awakening the peoples to their own dignity, but it is the people who have the instinct to organize themselves.

—POPE FRANCIS, “LET US DREAM” (SIMON & SCHUSTER, 2020)

Reflection Questions: n How do Catholic social teaching and the principles of organizing, as described in this issue, show up in the work you do both individually and in the communities of which you are a part? n What’s at stake when it comes to preserving the connections between Catholic social teaching and organizing in the American context? For people of faith? For American public life? n What changes are needed in order to build the vision Pope Francis describes here—one where every diocese supports and collaborates with community organizers? n How might we build our collective power to achieve these changes?

Note: Participants were asked to reflect on similar questions throughout the course of the “Prophetic Communities” conference.

Spring Events

NW Ignatian Advocacy Summit

From April 13–15, we cohosted an ecological justice advocacy summit with Jesuits West and Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. The three-day event provided opportunities for college- and high-school students, teachers, justice practitioners, and parishioners to learn community organizing and advocacy skills. In a powerful act of solidarity, the highschool students and their teachers traveled to the Spokane City Legislative building when representatives failed to show up to their scheduled Zoom legislative meetings. The summit concluded with a liturgy that invited participants to spend time in deep reflection and gratitude with nature.

“Receive Her in the Lord”

On May 6, we cosponsored “Receive Her in the Lord: Reimagining Women’s Participation in a Synodal Church” (shown below), an event hosted by Discerning Deacons at St. James Cathedral Hall. Nearly 200 participants from western Washington representing 40 different Catholic communities participated. As a result of this gathering, 10 institutions committed to hosting St. Phoebe Day celebrations in their parish and local communities to honor the many gifts and powerful voices of women while also praying for the universal church’s discernment about women’s participation and leadership. Interested in planning your own St. Phoebe Day celebration? Learn more and register for a planning call at discerningdeacons.org/celebrate2023

Annual Spring Benefit

On May 18, we hosted our annual Spring Benefit and—because of your extraordinary courage, confidence in our work, and generosity—raised $132,000! This year’s theme, “extraordinary courage,” describes our community’s main quality over the last year and perfectly describes our 2023 Thea Bowman Award recipient, Judy Byron, OP (shown right). As a staff we were delighted to award Sister Judy with the award for her commitment to empowering youth, education, and justice work. This year also marked the inaugural St. Thérèse of Lisieux Young Activist Award: Recipients uphold St. Thérèse’s love, authenticity, emotional intelligence, tenderness, strength, and selflessness as demonstrated through commitment to their communities. This year’s award was given to Erin Monda, a senior intern in the Youth Action Team Internship program and graduate of Holy Names Academy.

Racial Justice Week Memorial How Much Longer: Ending the Sin of Racism

On May 23 the South Seattle Deanery Racial Solidarity Committee gathered at St. Edward Catholic Church to commemorate the third anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. The prayer service featured a gospel choir, reflections from community members, liturgical dance, and communal prayer. Two of IPJC’s Youth Action Team interns, Saskia Visser and Cleia Yuniardi, presented their work on the “Break the Norm Campaign,” sharing their experiences of racism and ableism in Catholic education and inviting the assembly to join them in action.

Youth Action Team Internship End of Year Celebration

Season 4 of Justice Rising Comes to an End

Throughout Season 4, host Cecilia Flores interviewed national faith-based community organizers who highlighted the importance of the intersection between faith and community organizing for creating a more just world. A common theme throughout each episode was the importance of developing and investing in authentic relationships. We invite you to embrace the invitations at the end of each episode to engage in different forms of action in your own local community. To listen to Justice Rising please visit ipjc.org/justice-rising-podcast

UPCOMING EVENTS Lobby Days for the Philippine Human Rights Act

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) asks for your support to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA). From July 13–14, ICHRP is hosting lobbying days in Washington, D.C. They will also facilitate opportunities for lobbying local representatives. To learn more about the PHRA and register for in-person or local lobbying visit humanrightsph.org/2023-lobby-days.

Sacred Salmon: Removing the Lower Snake River Dams

The 2022–23 Youth Action Team Internship cohort (above) held their last meeting on May 24. After a year spent building community, developing themselves as leaders, and striving for justice in the education system, the interns spent an evening sharing about the joys and challenges of community organizing. It was a privilege to spend the year in fellowship and power with eight incredible young women. As this internship year ends, we have already begun interviewing high school students for the 2023–24 cohort, and we cannot wait to share more about them in the fall.

In partnership with Se’Si’Le’ and a broad coalition of partners, IPJC will be hosting and planning several events and actions focused on salmon preservation and dam removal. This work will culminate in the Totem Pole Journey from September 22nd through October 1st. Please look for further communication on ways to get involved.

Donations

IN HONOR OF Mary Alexander, Alice Crawley, Judy Byron, OP, Giselle Cárcamo, Lucille Dean, SP, Rita Elsberry, Sr. Eleanor Gilmore, CSJP, Patricia Harvey