Faith and Poverty: A Global Response (Catholic Version)
Catholic Programming Series
Find a group & registerHow can I act locally to address global poverty?
Faith and Poverty: A Global Response, developed in partnership with Catholic Relief Services, invites participants into a new understanding of the dynamics, structures, causes, and consequences of global poverty.
Program Overview
Through engagement with Scripture, Catholic social teaching, poetry, story, and sacred dialogue, participants gain insights into the complexity of this global crisis and the insistent demands for a response rooted in the spirituality of the Scriptures. By encouraging new spiritual practices and informed action, Faith and Poverty: A Global Response aims to cultivate a groundswell of action and advocacy in solidarity with those whose lives are affected by severe poverty across the globe.
Faith and Poverty: A Global Response, developed in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), invites participants to a new understanding of the dynamics, structures, causes, and consequences of global poverty. Through engagement with Scripture, Catholic social teaching, poetry, story, and other resources, participants gain insights into the complexity of this global crisis and the insistent demands for a response rooted in the spirituality of the Scriptures. By encouraging new spiritual practices and informed action, Faith and Poverty: A Global Response aims to cultivate a groundswell of action and advocacy in solidarity with those whose lives are affected by severe poverty across the globe.
This program is designed to challenge participants’ thinking about global poverty; its structural, social, and environmental causes; and its impact. It also invites participants to adopt a “holy empathy,” to use Belinda Bauman’s language in Brave Souls, one of the books used in the program.
Faith and Poverty: A Global Response can be offered as a standalone program OR as the first or last program in the JustFaith Catholic series.
Goals for Faith and Poverty: A Global Response (Catholic Version) include:
To provide participants with the Scriptural and Catholic social teaching framework or addressing global poverty
To illuminate issues that have created barriers to addressing global poverty or have directly contributed to it
To inspire solidarity-focused action that is rooted in the recognition of the inherent dignity of all human persons
Faith and Poverty: A Global Response consists of eight 2-hour sessions, a 2-hour retreat and an immersion experience in Session 8.
Recommended group size is 8-14.Program Framework & Session Topics
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Session 1: What is Sustainable Ecology?
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Session 2: Addressing Basic Human Needs
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Session 3: Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction
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Session 4: The Legacy of Oppressive Systems and Structures
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Session 5: Responding to Conflict and Violence
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Session 6: Poverty and the Environment
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Session 7: Addressing the Root Causes of Poverty
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Session 8: Global Solidarity Next Steps
Sessions include:
Prayer and reflection
Discussion of reading
Videos & group activities
Spiritual practices
Integration of faith
Want to know more?
An overview, sample session, and program booklet are available for free download.
What you'll need for this program
There are two books and a spiritual practice resource in Faith and Poverty: A Global Response– all available through our JustFaith Ministries Bookstore.
Need help inviting people to your small group?
This program promotion kit contains a program booklet, a program image, a promo video, and other materials.
We believe strongly in making our programs inclusive and available to everyone
Cost should never be a barrier to participation, and we are committed to working with individuals and organizations to ensure meaningful access through flexible pricing options. Why do we use a sliding fee scale?
There are Two Registration Options:
Option 1: Individual Participant Registration
Participants register and pay individually using a sliding-scale fee of $45, $60, or $75 per person, based on ability to pay. If $45 is still inaccessible, participants can choose the Pay-What-You-Can option to choose a price that is right for them.
- There is no charge for up to two facilitators.
- A minimum of 8 participants is strongly recommended.
Option 2: Organization-Sponsored Registration
A church or organization may choose to cover registration for all participants using a sliding fee scale of $45, $60, or $75 per person, based on ability to pay.
- The organization will be billed a flat rate of the amount chosen below, which covers up to 8 participants.
- For groups larger than 8, the organization will be invoiced an additional $45, $60, or $75 per participant when the group begins, price depending on the chosen amount below.
- If the lowest fee is inaccessible to your organization or ministry, choose the Pay-What-You-Can Rate to learn about shared-cost or reduced-fee options.
What the Registration Fee Includes
- Comprehensive materials for each session (instant download upon purchase)
- Facilitation scripts, guidance, and training resources
- Retreat and immersion planning assistance
- Adaptations for virtual groups
- Direct access to program staff for ongoing support
- Books are an additional cost and may be purchased separately through the bookstore.
To ensure our programs remain accessible while remaining sustainable, we utilize a sliding fee scale of $45 to $75 for our registrations. We invite you to choose the registration tier that best reflects you or your faith community's current financial reality. Paying on the higher end allows us to keep the program affordable for all.
We also offer a Pay-What-You-Can Rate. If the lowest rate does not seem accessible to you or your church at this time, don’t let this be a barrier to participation. Contact our staff here to learn about shared-cost or reduced fee options.
What our program participants are saying
The recurring thought that I had throughout my participation in Faith and Poverty: A Global Response was 'I can do better.' The program allowed me to make connections between my thoughts, beliefs and actions and the lives of others around the world. I was reminded again and again how interconnected we all are. I cannot fix global poverty, but with the knowledge and passion I learned in this program, I can certainly be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
It has been an honor to work with Rev. Kristin Dollar and the JustFaith Ministries Team to develop a module that boldly wades into the painful history of systemic racism. I sincerely believe the only way to build a better future is by creating partnerships across the lines of race that re-educate people about issues they were socialized to ignore. This module will provide what I call “new learning that transforms and informs” the kind of justice work that sets us on the path to healing and reconciliation.
This new collaboration between Catholic Relief Services and JustFaith Ministries, provides the opportunity for all of us to engage in a movement of prayer and action for global change. A meaningful action that can have and international impact on some of the most vulnerable communities around the world, offering a concrete response to Pope Francis’ invitation to grow in fraternal love, and a community life that is grounded in service.
Faith and Poverty: A Global Response Overview, Sample Session, and Program Booklet
To get access to this program's overview, sample session and program booklet, complete the form below and you will receive an email with the downloadable materials.
Faith and Poverty: A Global Response Promotion Kit
To get access to this program's promotional materials, complete the form below and you will receive an email with the downloads.