Photo John M. Kingery Copyright 2011
Who?
By us the young man runs.
Startled, we wonder why?
He crosses the street against the light,
Not looking left or right.
Down the embankment the young man runs.
Again, we wonder why?
He disappears into the bushes to rest tonight.
WHO is he runs on by?
WHO are we who walk on by?
John M. Kingery – August 15, 2011
‘Mardi Gras, Katrina’, ‘The City that Care forgot’, ‘When the Saints go Marching In’.
Photo Copyright John M. Kingery2011
All terms evoking thoughts of New Orleans, La where the four-day 25th Annual Social Action Summer Institute (SASI) – “Focus on the Worker: ‘New Things” in Labor 120 years after Rerum Novarum” in July. This event drew over drew over 100 clergy and laity from 25 states and was held at Loyola University and sponsored by the USCCB, the Roundtable – Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services and Just Faith ministries. This exciting and faith filled event was hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Jesuit Social Research Institute. Our own Archdiocese of Portland was well represented by Matt Cato, Director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace, Lisa Stiller a recent Just Faith graduate, and me and wife Ann from St. Juan Diego parish.
The event began with Sunday Mass con-celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Archdiocese of New Orleans and Bishop Gabino Zavala, Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Lisa Stoller was privileged to be one of the lectors. In his homily based upon the parable of the sower – Matthew 13:18-23, Archbishop Aymond reminded all attendees that we are called to be ‘humble tillers of the soil’ as we work for God’s Kingdom on Earth.
After Mass, Bishop Zavala gave the keynote presentation – “The Dignity of Work: Theological Foundations.” As a young child, he learned the dignity of work by selling the LA Times newspaper on the street corner in his neighborhood. That dignity is inherent for all who work from newspaper carrier to CEO to our holy father Pope Benedict. He remarked sadly that many Catholic clergy and laity know very little regarding Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Those who do have some knowledge are not keeping current or sharing CST with others.
The Portland pilgrims split up on Monday morning to learn and share with other SASI attendees. Matt and Lisa attended lectures on the Historical and Religious Context for Workers’ Rights and Supporting Workers Today presented by Kathy Saile, USCCB Director of Domestic Social Development and others. They visited the Louisiana Bucket Brigade at St. Bernard Parish on Tuesday afternoon. The LA Bucket Brigade supports communities’ use of grassroots action to create informed, sustainable neighborhoods free from industrial pollution. Along with learning and sharing, Lisa contributed by leading breakfast and lunch discussions on Consistent Life and Happenings in Health Care.
Ann and I participated in lectures on Biblical Justice and Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching presented by Tricia Hoyt, Diocese of Portland and Fr. Fred Kammer, S.J. Jesuit Social Research Institute. Tricia Hoyt emphasized all social issues and actions related to those issues must have a strong scriptural and theological background from the beginning. To start with an issue and then selectively seek scriptural and theological support is incorrect. God hears the cry of the poor. We are called to be the voice for the voiceless – the widow, the orphan and the alien. A key point of Fr. Fred’s lecture was sinful structures are the result of many personal systems and choices. They cannot be separated. Our response as Christians must be structural and personal. As American Catholics, we have developed wonderful educational and social service organizations. Opposed to that good, we have bought into the American Myth that poverty does not exist and individuals can pull themselves up by their bootstraps regardless of the situation.
At lunch, I led a discussion on Justice: A List, A Ladder, A Garment, A Wheel where I invited others to reflect on how justice is shared and lived out in our parishes and community. I created special ‘Justice Trading Cards’ to stimulate discussion. Tricia Hoyt, Nadine Pizer teacher at Cabrini High School, New Orleans, and Jean Dresley, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Shreveport participated in the lively discussion.
Tuesday afternoon, Ann and I visited the Micah PICO Organizing Group at St. Peter Claver. Micah is a faith-based, non-partisan, multi-racial organization of 15 congregations united to for a common good established in 2007. Fr. Mike, Deacon Allen and Daniel Schwartz gave their perspectives on what is effective faith based organizing. First, it involves truly listening to the community members and their needs. It is not another program, it is doing our faith. Second, leadership must be constantly training and growing. This empowers the community and discourages those in power from targeting individuals in the community. Who do they target? They are all leaders.
Our intrepid four came together late Tuesday afternoon at the St. Joseph Rebuild Center. The center works with the needy and displaced residents to rebuild their lives and repopulate this neighborhood, providing hope for the community. This center has won many awards for its welcoming and effective design. It began as joint project of the Jesuit and Vincentian orders in New Orleans. As our host jokingly remarked, “It only really got organized when the Ursuline Sisters became involved”.
We will never be the same because of our pilgrimage to New Orleans.
In Christ and Peace,
John
You are my pastor, gracious hosts, friends and uncle. When you were first ordained, you were called by Jesus to ‘feed my lambs’ and ‘tend my sheep’ just as Simon Peter was called to do.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (Jesus) said to him, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 NAB
That call still exists today.
You have been entrusted with the feeding and tending of your parish flock and the wider community. This flock and community include the widow, orphan and the alien – those who have no voice. The current activity in Washington D.C has the real potential to adversely affect the poor. I work for Outside-In downtown Portland providing medical and social services to homeless youth and the poor. We receive over 1 million dollars in Federal funding. If that funding is cut for community health centers, we will have to close our clinic. This would only be repeated around our country. Who will serve the poor?
On this Wednesday, I humbly ask you, your fellow priests and congregations to
The Glorious Mysteries of the rosary are generally prayed and meditated upon on Wednesday. A copy of the rosary scriptures and reflections can be found in the pray section. Offer up those prayers for the poor and our nation. I hope to have gathering in the parking lot of the old Chili’s restaurant at Bethany and Cornell at 6:00 am to pray the rosary and then phone our elected officials. The sun has risen and the congressional offices have opened in Washington D.C.
The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry.’ Psalm 34:16 NAB
In Christ and Peace,
John M. Kingery
Photo copyright John M. Kingery 2011
Welcome back or welcome for the first time.
It has been a busy week since returning from New Orleans. I continue sharing my thoughts about “Justice: A List, “Justice: A List, A Ladder, A Garment and Wheel”. I am focusing on justice as ‘A Ladder’.
While in New Orleans, my wife and I rode the St. Charles street car to and from the SASI conference. At home in Beaverton, Oregon, I commute daily to work on the MAX light rail in downtown Portland. Street cars and light rail are modes of transporting people from one destination to another on a horizontal plane. There are stops, turns, bridges and tunnels along the way. What connection do street cars and light rail have to Justice as “A Ladder”?
Well, they are both modes of transportation. The ladder is a vertical means of transporting one more individuals. An important difference is the ladder provides the means to get to destination that would otherwise not be reachable. The ladder of Justice has as its destination Peace. Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity. [1]
Last Friday evening, the MAX train was crowded workers returning home and others who had been out enjoying the beautiful sunshine. The Northwest has only recently begun to experience weather and temperatures expected in summer. As the train progressed on its westbound journey, passengers disembarked along the way.
I struck up a conversation with a young man returning with an Arsenal football (soccer) jersey with ‘Fly Emirates’ stitched apposite the Arsenal team logo. He was not from the Emirates, but was from Saudi Arabia. It had been a long day at work, and I was tired. After few more stops, the train car was emptying out of passengers and bicycles. The young man offered me a seat.
“No, thank you’, I replied, “I have been sitting most of the day”.
I fumbled around for card to give him. The ‘Ladder’ justice card seemed the most appropriate. On its back it has the following verse recounting the story of Jacob’s ladder at Bethel.
“… A stairway rested the ground, with its top reaching to heavens; and God’s messengers were going up and down on it.” – Genesis 28:12 NAB
Do we forget that the ladder of justice rests on the ground? We strive for peace that is on earth and heaven.
Is it possible we forget or do not recognize the going up and going down of God’s messengers of justice?
Please respond to admjatt@justiceatthetable.com with your thoughts.
In Christ and Peace,
John
This past week my wife Ann and I attended the 25th Annual Summer Action Social Action Institute (SASI) sponsored by The
Photo Copyright John M. Kingery 2011
Round Table – Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors in New Orleans, LA. I was privileged to convene a lunch time discussion – “Justice: A List, A Ladder, A Garment and A Wheel”. I will be sharing my thoughts in the next few posts.
Viewing justice as a list has both strengths and weaknesses.
A list provides a starting point for learning and initial activities. The list provides a focal point when focus is lost by an individual or a group. How many times, do we ask the question – ‘What are we actually hoping to accomplish?’ Lists are a natural way of organizing and teaching.
There are drawbacks to justice as a list. We can become legalistic and linear in our ministry. Justice is achieved by adhering to the list and checking them off as each is completed. Social Justice Ministries can become fragmented as individuals and groups. Individuals who have great passion can become discouraged as they continue to ‘work’ the list, or do not share the interest of others regarding other list items. Group fragmentation arises as individuals coalesce around specific list items. Again, organization and categorization is a human characteristic. This becomes problematic if by seeing Justice as a list, the movement of the Holy Spirit is stifled.
I am closing with following from the Gospel of Matthew 22:36 –
“Teacher, which is commandment of the law, is the greatest?”
In Catholic Social Teaching, the number of themes can vary from seven to over twenty. Can this cause undo confusion and division? Are we missing or adding something?
Do we engage in and encourage others to play the ‘top 10 game’ with justice? Again, can this and does it create competition instead of compassion and cooperation?
Please respond to admjatt@justiceatthetable.com with your thoughts.
In Christ and Peace,
John
Photo Copyright 2011 John M. Kingery
On Thursday morning April 28, I went to a breakfast hosted by the Westside Economic Alliance. The topic was ‘Has the Economy Changed What Oregonians Value?’ Senator Ron Wyden, Jim Piro – PGE VP, Tim Hibbitts – Pollster, and Sandra McDonough – Portland Business Alliance were the featured speakers. Attendees were a cross section of political leaders, corporate executives (Intel, PGE, Nike, Frontier, etc.), plus numerous small business owners and investors. What was I doing there?
Well, I was there to listen, learn and be a voice for “Justice at the Table” – a faith perspective. I brought some business cards listing the challenges we all face –
Was I turned away or ignored? No, I was not. In reality, the perspective was welcomed and so were my questions. Senator Wyden focused upon taxes as they related to corporations and small businesses. I asked what about individuals. Sandra McDonough in her presentation relating to job creations invited a public/private partnership. I suggested bringing the faith community’s voice to the table. She was very open and interested in speaking and having the faith community involved in the dialogue. One broker even asked if I offered services for the items above. Yes, the concept of justice and faith are welcomed in the economic arena!
How do you fit in you might ask? Think of your life as prayer. As Brazilian Archbishop Dom Helder Camara said “Pray as you can and do not try to pray as you can’t. Take yourself as you find yourself; start from there”. The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers a possible “from there” starting point –
2432 – Those responsible for business enterprises are responsible to society for the economic and ecological effects of their operations. They have an obligation to consider the good of persons and not only the increase of profits. Profits are necessary, however. They make possible the investments that ensure the future of a business and they guarantee employment.
I am inviting you to be a voice for “Justice at the Table” in a concrete way. Here are four possible ways
At Easter my parish’s pastor spoke of the eyes of faith and the lens of the Resurrection. Let’s carry that new vision out into the marketplace! Transforming our lives and transforming our community.
In Christ and Peace.
John
Welcome to the Table!
¡Bienvenido a la Mesa! Bienvenue les Tableaux !
This is a place where we will learn, share, pray and live justice in our lives, community, country and world.
We launched this site on June 13, 2011 and our first post was on June 19, 2011. We will be starting slowly with weekly posts on Friday or Saturday. As the weeks, month and hopefully years pass we will be adding guest contributors, implement a reply mechanism for you and continue to work for Justice At The Table in our world!
For additional information regarding our vision, contributor profiles and contact information click on the about menu.
Thank you for visiting the table. We hope you visit regularly.
In Christ and Peace, En Cristo Y Paz, Dans le Christ et la Paix
John M. Kingery
I wrote and shared the following at the annual “Walk of the Cross” on April 22, 2011 in Beaverton, Oregon – John M. Kingery
“Tell the rich in this present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth, but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our use. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and will to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.” 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19
From the cross Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
I was recently unemployed for 13-months, or more accurately, my family was unemployed. My wife’s social security disability check was really our only income and that went for the mortgage. Eventually, we did receive food assistance and that helped. How many others in our congregations and community have or are still experiencing the same strain?
I became depressed, confused and angry and my body felt the effects of accumulated stress. Going to the Capital Center, I saw the same faces and their anxiety. The mantra was ‘give us your 30 second elevator speech, tells what you are looking for and network, network’! That group has nearly doubled its membership to over 1100 individuals.
I now work for an organization assisting homeless youth and the poor in downtown Portland. One of my co-workers remarked recently, “I don’t need much, just enough to live.” To me the ‘enough’ is a just wage, benefits and time to spend with family and friends to be what God intended us to be – human beings.
At times, I believe our society suffers from CPS.
Forgive us for separating ethics, morals and justice from our business dealings. Forgive us for trying to serve God and mammon. May we live more simply that the rest of the world may simply live. Give us a vision of the Kingdom of God where every one will sit under one’s own vine and under one’s own fig tree. (Micah 4:4)
We concluded with the following prayers.
We pray that the value and dignity of work is recognized and the rights of all workers are respected everywhere.
O God, hear our prayer.
We pray for the approximately 19,372 Washington County unemployed residents and their families. Of which 8,000 will lose their unemployment benefits on or before June 2011 and still be unemployed. May they soon find adequate employment.
O God, hear our prayer.
We commit ourselves to use our economic resources to reflect your values of justice.
O Lord, we want to walk in your ways.
