SOCIAL JUSTICE - EDUCATION

The Parish Pastoral Plan at Good Shepherd charges the Social Justice Ministry with the responsibility of educating our parishioners in Catholic social teaching. Our Social Justice Ministry reaches out to educate members of all ages about issues of poverty and injustice through the lens of Catholic social teaching. We offer many one-time social justice education programs and speakers. For ongoing social justice education,  the AOK Service club works with 4th-6th graders; the JustFaith program offers an in-depth educational experience for adults.

The AOK (Acts of Kindness/Obras de Caridad) Service Club
The AOK Club is a youth service club for that meets to do art-inspired service projects for the needy in our parish and local communities. The Group meets periodically on Friday evenings. Past projects include creating luminaries as table decorations for a local soup kitchen. The group is open to all 4th-6th grade girls and boys.

Contact: Rosie Driscoll, (703) 780-4055, rosie@gs-cc.org.

JustFaith (JF)
JustFaith (www.JustFaith.org) participants explore Catholic Social Teaching in a small group setting.  This extensive, conversion-based program provides a context in which participants can grow in their commitment to care for the vulnerable and to become advocates for justice. JustFaith strengthens the growing commitment of individuals and parishes to be agents of social transformation, mercy, and compassion. Through readings, videos, prayer, speakers, Scripture, and discussions, participants explore an array of social issues in depth. The program begins in September and involves 30 weekly meetings, opening and closing retreats, and three off-site Saturday gatherings.

Contact: Katie Esser, Director of Social Justice – (703) 780-4055, katie@gs-cc.org.