A Nine-Month Certificate Program in Catholic Social Teaching Sponsored by St. Thomas University and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami.

 

WHAT IS JUST FAITH ?
JustFaith is an intensive and successful model of justice education and spiritual formation that consists of weekly meetings and employs books, videos, speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the remarkable justice tradition of the Church. Participants are exposed not only to a substantive and demanding course of study but are also afforded the privilege of becoming community with other participants and sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging. At the end of the program participants receive a certificate in Catholic Social Teaching from St. Thomas University.

WHO MAY JOIN?
Most basically, this is an excellent faith-formation program for those who are hungering for a deeper relationship with God. Further, this program is for any adult who is willing to make a 9-month commitment for several hours a week, is open to a deeper relationship with Jesus, is willing to put their faith into action, and desiring to respond to God’s call in their life.

WHERE AND WHEN ARE THE MEETINGS?
The program starts the third week of September, meets weekly for 9 months, and will be taking place in parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

Exact meeting locations, times and days to be announced. Contact us for more information.

CAN I RECIEVE UNIVERSITY CREDIT?
Yes! Participants who are interested in receiving undergraduate or graduate credit for their JustFaith experience may do so through the Religious Studies Department or the Institute for Pastoral Ministries at St. Thomas University. Those interested must make arrangement with the Center for Justice and Peace before the beginning of the program, however, as extra writing assignments and registration processes are required. For more information contact Anthony Vinciguerra at avinciguerra@stu.edu.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE IN JUSTFAITH?
JustFaith in the Archdiocese of Miami is co-sponsored by St. Thomas University and Catholic Charities – thus costs are kept to a minimum. Participants will be asked to pay $200 for the nine-month program, which covers the cost of the 12 texts and registration costs.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
For more information, or to sign up for JustFaith, simply contact Anthony Vinciguerra, St. Thomas University Center for Justice and Peace, (305) 628-6717, avinciguerra@stu.edu; or Linda Coughlin of the Catholic Charities Office of Social Advocacy, 305-733-5384, lcoughlin@ccadm.org. Enrollment is available into September, but space is limited, so we urge you to contact us as soon as possible.

What People are Saying about JustFaith

Karen Simon, parishioner
Among other things, the JustFaith process has given me a deeper commitment to serve the poor and marginalized in our community.  We did a hands-on experience with our St. Camillus French-African community in which we listened to the stories of some of those who have been persecuted, tortured and had to flee from their homelands, and are now political asylees and refugees in our community.  That day, my heart was “broken open.”  I have since been richly blessed by the close relationships I have with some from this community . . . people who have taught me the true meaning of deep faith and trust in God. I feel called to be an advocate for and to be a companion on life’s journey with my new friends.

Jim Cullen, parishioner
We read, we talked about what we read.  And we prayed.  We were confused, sometimes.  We were surprised, even shocked at other times.  We prayed.  All of us, in some way, were changed.

Fr. Dan Divas, pastor
I would call it the new Pentecost.   But, the reality is, it is these (JustFaith) people who are willing to come together, question the questions, and look at the issues, make some changes, and challenge things. It is a Pentecost, it's a new life, it's energy. It has changed the parish, it has changed me.

Jenny Haliski, parishioner
Through JustFaith I have developed a greater awareness of how excessive consumption in the U.S. is tied to an unequal distribution of the world’s resources, global poverty and hunger.  I now do my best to consider whether the corporations I support with my purchases act responsibly on a range of social issues, and to reduce my consumption so that others may have enough.

Elizabeth Gordon-McNeil, parishioner
After going through JustFaith, I can never look at a homeless person and walk past and dismiss him or her again.

Fr. Tim Taugher, pastor
The people from my parish talk about their hearts being transformed, their way of thinking being transformed, their spirituality being transformed.  Now their lives are committed to justice and the spirituality of justice.