OVERVIEW

"Young people are entrusted in a special way with the task of becoming communicators of hope and workers for peace. ** -Pope John Paul II

Justice-Walking or J-Walking is an unconventional, three to six-month journey into "engaged spirituality" with older teenagers, ages 16-18 years. This counter-cultural, small-group process includes twelve sessions, two retreats, a justice pilgrimage, and a public dialogue session. Each J-Walking group "adopts" a local social service agency and every other meeting takes place on-site at this agency. The relationships that develop within each small community of J-Walkers, and the friendships that are built "on the other side of the street" at the social service agency, are key elements of this transformational process. Through prayer, ritual, dialogue, and relationships, J-Walkers are empowered to broaden the circle of their awareness, exposed to Gospel justice, and invited to make compassionate life choices.

Just imagine what might happen if our parish raises up a handful of eager teenage prophets anchored in our social teachings, hungry for good news, and immersed in the spirituality of compassionate justice. Justice-Walking will be implemented in the fall of 2008,

THE PROGRAM

These are some of the hard questions J-Walkers wrestle with when they gather to pray, dialogue, and build friendships with people at society's margins.

The J-Walking process includes the following components:

• 12 sessions jointly facilitated by young people and adults
• Every other session located at a social service agency
• An opening and closing retreat
• A Justice Pilgrimage
• A public presentation-dialogue session
• Reading and reflecting together on a small number of selected texts
• A companion CD with songs compiled for the process
• Spiritual practices (lifestyle adjustments) that apply Gospel teachings to life choices

J-Walking is designed to complement parish, diocesan and high school youth ministry. J-Walkers commit to journey as a small community (between 5-10 teens and 2 adults) under the guidance of two adult coordinators. The process can be coordinated by youth ministers, teachers, parents, or other interested adults. J-Walking invites JustFaith graduates to connect with a new generation of seekers and serve as coordinators, sponsors, or supporters of the process.

For further information and/or enrollment in the JustFaith program, please contact Deacon Guy at (310) 312-1358 or at gwauthy@msn.com

Contact Us About Justice-Walking