Study Session: Week #5

To be distributed at the end of session #4

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

Reflection

Think and Act Anew: Handout

As our nation works to rebuild the American economy, we are presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the nations social contract so that no person is left out or left behind. The previous four weeks have enabled us to develop a deeper understanding of poverty in America and a heightened awareness of some of the innovative ideas and programs that attempt to address the issue in new ways. This week we gather to identify ways in which our parish can bring about needed change in our immediate community and join others as a national Catholic voice that urges a new trajectory of thinking about what it means to live and work as one family.

Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-549-1390

Reading Assignment for Week #5

Chapters 7 and 8 from Think and Act Anew: How Poverty Affects Us All and What We Can Do about It by Fr. Larry Snyder Fr. Larry Snyders blog, Think and Act Anew: www.thinkandactanew.org. Read a few of the posts and post a comment or question based on what you have learned in this study group.

Consider the following questions while reading the assignment.

1. What are the most pressing needs in our community? 2. Which of those needs are we best suited as a parish community to help alleviate? 3. What are the most important issues for our government and our business leaders to address in order to reduce poverty in America? What can we do to bring these issues to their attention? 4. What can we do to raise awareness of the issue of poverty among members of our parish? Our city/state?

Additional Resources
Catholic Charities USAs Campaign to Reduce Poverty: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/poverty Catholic Campaign for Human Development: www.usccb.org/cchd U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Dept. of Justice, Peace and Human Development: www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife

As we will it, so shall the future be. Fr. Larry Snyder

Reflection

Sixty-Six Canal Center Plaza Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-549-1390