"The
Jubilee of our Lord's birth calls us to "Bring glad tidings to the
poor. --- to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of
sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free." ~Luke 4:18
"Love for others, and in the first place love for the poor, in whom the Church sees Christ Himself is made concrete in the promotion of justice." ~Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus (No. 58)
The Jubilee Pledge for Charity, Justice, and
Peace is offered by the Subcommittee on the Third Millennium and other
committees of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic
Conference as an opportunity for Catholics to recommit themselves to serving the
poor and working for justice and peace in the new millennium. As Pope John Paul
II has said, "Indeed it must be said that a commitment to justice and peace
. . . is a necessary condition for the preparation and celebration of the
Jubilee" (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, no. 51).
The Jubilee Pledge flows from the themes of Catholic social teaching: Life and
Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community, and Participation;
Rights and Responsibilities; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable; Dignity of Work
and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; Care for God's Creation.
Catholics in the United States are encouraged to take the pledge as a sign of
their commitment to answering Jesus' call to "love your neighbor as
yourself" (Mk 12:31). But more than taking the pledge, Catholic believers
are called to find ways to act on their pledge, to strengthen their involvement
in serving those in need and working for justice and peace here and
abroad.
As disciples of Jesus in the new millennium, I/we pledge to:
| People throughout the United States were given the opportunity to take this pledge the Third Sunday of Advent, the weekend of 11 and 12 December 1999. If you didn't have the opportunity, feel free to submit your pledge below. You don't have to be Catholic or belong to a Church in order to make these promises. We'll print your pledge and add it to the bushel of them submitted by our members. They'll remain in Saint Bron's Church throughout the Jubilee Year. |
I promise to do my best to live up to the demands of the Jubilee pledge as outlined on this page.
Prepared by the Subcommittee on the Third Millennium and other committees of the
National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference
HOW TO GET STARTED The Jubilee Pledge for Charity, Justice, and Peace is not just about signing a piece of paper. It's about action. To take the pledge, consider the following steps:
- Prayerfully reflect on the pledge on the front of this brochure. Sign it, and keep it where it will remind you of your commitment to act.
- Consider how you are already serving the poor and working for justice and peace in each of the areas noted on the pledge. Identify one or more areas that are "weak links" for you.
- Find specific ways to strengthen these "weak links" and to ACT on the pledge.
PRAY When you pray, reflect on how you have succeeded and failed to serve the poor and work for justice and peace in your daily life. Include people who are poor and vulnerable in daily prayers. Make a commitment to choose each day a specific group, a region of the world, or those adversely affected by a recent event to include in personal prayer and during family prayer. Join in praying the Rosary for the "Culture of Life!" Follow the "Prayer Links" links, or sign up to receive our daily <MP>Morning Prayer by e-mail ... at: http://stbrons.com/.
LEARN Catholic social teaching is a rich resource for building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Periodically read about some aspect of Catholic social teaching. A good starting point is the bishops' summary of key themes entitled A Century of Social Teaching. There are some good Catholic Links at our Web Site. Subscribe to your Diocesan newspaper. Make sure you have a copy of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" in your home! Our Site: http://stbrons.com/.
REACH Build bridges across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and disabling condition. In your parish, neighborhood, school, civic group, and workplace, make a special effort to respect and to include those who are different from you. If you are in a decision-making position affecting others, examine whether you treat those who are different fairly and equally. Make a real effort to identify the people you tend to judge. Make an even greater effort to look at them in a new way and to see them as the child of God, the brother or sister they are!
LIVE The most important opportunities to work for justice and peace do not come through special programs, but in the choices we make and the way we treat others every day. Seize opportunities to promote justice and peace at home, through your financial decisions, in your parish, at school, at work, and in community activities. Consider those who are often treated unjustly ... especially those in our family, school or workplace. Discover the peace that comes from treating others justly and with great respect!
SERVE Volunteer regularly in your parish, with Catholic Charities, or with other organizations that serve the poor and vulnerable, defend life, care for the earth, and work for peace. For example, help at a local shelter, join the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Ladies of Charity, help clean up a river, or collect food at work for those in need. Check your Church Bulletin and find some places where your talents and gifts might come in handy. There are lots of places that look for volunteers. Volunteer!
GIVE The Church's collections for the poor are excellent opportunities to share what we have. Most dioceses have local appeals to fund Catholic Charities and other organizations. You can work for greater justice and peace at home and around the world by supporting the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, Propagation of the Faith, efforts to aid the Church in Latin America and in Eastern Europe, and the work of other organizations promoting justice and peace. How about an alternative Christmas Gift this year? Follow the link from our Advent Page!
ADVOCATE Advocacy can be done for people and with them. Join a diocesan legislative network, pro-life group, or another peace and advocacy group. Join a community organizing effort. Register and vote in light of a conscience formed by Catholic social teaching. Write or call your elected representatives on issues of life, justice, and peace. Contact your parish or diocesan social ministry leaders for information. Join Amnesty International.
ENCOURAGE The great jubilee and the new millennium are a time to strengthen our participation in building God's kingdom. We can do this not only by renewing our commitment to charity, justice, and peace but by encouraging others to do so. Make a copy of this pledge and sign it as a family or share it with a friend. As you act on this pledge, ask a friend or family member to join you, or share with them information on what you are learning or doing.
This pledge is being coordinated by the NCCB/USCC, dioceses and parishes. Please contact your local diocesan office of social concerns, youth ministry, superintendent of schools, or other diocesan offices to find out how the pledge is being coordinated locally.
This appears on the Web Site, Father Pat's Place at: http://frpat.com