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 Catholics into a new understanding of the dynamics, structures, causes, and consequences of global poverty.
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.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 used in Faith and Poverty: A Global Response (Catholic Version) – 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
There are two registration options:
Option 1: Participants in the group pay their own registration fees: Participants pay individually based on a sliding fee scale of $35, $55, or $75/person. (There is no charge for up to two facilitators.) A minimum of 8 participants is strongly recommended. Scholarships are available for individuals.
Option 2: A church/organization pays the registration fee for all participants: When the group is set up, a church or organization will automatically be billed a flat rate of $280, covering up to 8 participants. For groups with more than 8 participants, the organization will be invoiced an additional $35 for each extra participant when the group begins.
The registration fee includes:
- Comprehensive materials for each session
- Facilitation scripts, guidance, and training resources
- Retreat and immersion guidance
- Adaptations for virtual groups
- Direct access to program staff for support
Books are an additional cost and available for purchase in the bookstore.
To ensure our programs are not cost-prohibitive for anyone, all programs are offered on a sliding fee scale ranging from $35-$75.
We ask you to choose the registration fee tier that best aligns with your current financial situation. Paying on the higher end allows us to keep the program affordable for all.
If the $35 tier is difficult for you, please consider the program anyway. We ask that you decide what amount you can contribute as a commitment to the program, and send us an email at info@justfaith.org to learn about partial scholarship opportunities for the remainder amount.
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.