Spirituality & Social Justice
We strive to uplift the dignity of every human person regardless of creed, orientation, and background. (R.B. 72)
We strive to bring awareness and participate in service to work, as a community, towards a more just society. (R.B. 57)
We strive to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, exploration, and reflection as a community and individually. (R.B. 19)
September 7th: Visit us at Involvement Fair in the HCC Fieldhouse from 5:00pm-7:00pm
September 24th: J-Walking Application DUE (by 11:59 pm)
September 28th: J-Walking Info Session in Murray Hall 140 from 6:00pm-6:30pm
September 30th: J-Walking Visit to the Dream Center 10:00-2:00pm
October 21st: J-Walking visit to the Dream Center 10:00-2:00pm
November 4th: J-Walking Visit to the Dream Center 10:00am-2:00pm
November 18th: J-Walking Visit to the Dream Center 10:00-2:00pm
December 2nd: J-Walking Visit to the Dream Center 10:00-2:00pm
END OF FIRST SEMESTER
The J-Walking Program is a semester-long service opportunity. Participants visit the Dream Center, a transitional housing facility in Saint Cloud which aims to create a safe, stable space for the men to face their problems, find wholeness, and successfully integrate back into society. We work with the Dream Center to provide an environment in which the men are able to learn the tools and skills they need to change their lives for the better.
As a recurring service opportunity, participants are encouraged to build relationships with the men. Saturday mornings provide the optimal setting for fruitful conversation, card games, and story telling. While maintaining a safe and professional distance, J-Walkers create bonds with men that society typically separates from the rest of the world.
In addition to the relational aspect, the J-Walking program partners with Community Kitchen to put extra food from the on-campus dining facilities to good use within the community. We share in their mission to utilize surplus food on campus and in the community as a catalyst for education, collaboration, and community action by serving a meal at the Dream Center each Saturday.
After each visit, J-Walking leaders facilitate a group reflection to debrief the day's event. As a group, we reflect on our conversations and interactions so that we maintain intentionality with our actions. Our reflections help Jesus Christ and social justice remain at the root of the J-Walking program.
Fall 2023 Dates:
September 30, 2023
October 21, 2023
November 4, 2023
November 18, 2023
December 2, 2023
SSJ works to provide CSB/SJU students and employees with many unique service opportunities throughout the academic year. Our goal is to incorporate the concepts of spirituality and social justice through direct service work and education. Service opportunities are scattered throughout the semester.
The service opportunities we provide are diverse. Just as there is more than one way to love others, there is also more than one way to serve others. Some examples of past service opportunities include making a meal for the residents at Anna Marie's Alliance, making rosaries and painting pots with the Sisters at Saint Scholastica Convent, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and Christmas Caroling with the Sisters.
Perfect for those who cannot commit to a recurring, semester-long program like J-Walking, our service opportunities aim to provide all students and employees with different and fun means of serving the greater community, learn about social justice issues, and follow in the footsteps of Christ.
After each visit, leaders facilitate a group reflection to debrief the experience. As a group, we reflect so that we maintain intentionality with our actions. Our reflections help Jesus Christ and social justice to remain at the root of all of our service opportunity programming.
Useful Organizations and Websites:
- CRS University: A variety of educational, co-curricular and engagement resources are available on the CRS University website. Included are academic publications, videos, prayer and reflection resources, activities, and stories of global solidarity from colleges and universities around the country.
- Catholics Confront Global Poverty: Join the CRS/USCCB initiative and be one of a million Catholic voices working to end global poverty. Prayer and education resources are available on their website.
- RENEW International: Download a series of reflection guides entitled "The World on Campus" that will help small faith-sharing groups explore global issues through the lenses of prayer, scripture and Catholic Social Teaching.
- Education for Justice: Access a wide range of educational prayer resources on Catholic Social Teaching and various social justice topics.
- JustFaith Ministries: Start a JustFaith group on campus with the newly developed "Justice Walking" program, specifically designed for college students.
- Catholic Social Teaching on Campus!: This new website offers a clearinghouse of great resources and best practices that can help you understand and share the Church's social teaching on campus! Also find:
- Scripture, quotes from our Catholic faith tradition, and issues of Life and Dignity
- Find prayer, small group, service reflection and action ideas
- Learn about Church teaching, young Catholics living out their faith
- Submit an idea for possible feature on the site
- Get new ideas each week for your ministry
- Fair Trade Resource Network: This is an informational hub designed to grow the fair trade movement. Find resources to help promote fair trade on campus and in your life!
- History of Fair Trade: This offers a history of the Fair Trade Movement, including its motivations, goals, and spearheaders. Learn more about the movement, where it came from, and where it may go!