How do we engage high school
students in a faith that does justice?
Ann Magovern
Ignatian Solidarity Network
www.ignatiansolidarity.net
© A. Magovern February 2008
What is the Ignatian Solidarity Network?
 Founded in 2005
 Housed at the University of San Francisco
 Facilitate communication and collaboration among Jesuit
universities, high schools, parishes, and other Jesuitaffiliated organizations in order to strengthen justicerelated outreach and advocacy on behalf of the
Ignatian family
How do we do this?

3 conferences a year for students, families,
and lay leaders associated with Jesuit
institutions and ministries which focus on:
1. Justice education
2. Social analysis
3. Leadership development
(particularly for youth)
4. Sharing of best practices
Four High School Examples
1.
Brophy Prep – Annual Summit
2.
Bellarmine College Prep – Immersion
Programs
3.
Creighton Prep – Institution for Others
1.
Loyola Academy -Students Grassroots
Campaign
Brophy Prep
 All school Summit on an identified justice
issue concerned with human dignity
 Spread over 2 weeks
 Keynote speakers, lunchtime activities, films,
readings, and experiential programs
 Resources for teachers to integrate the
selected issue into the classroom
 Exposes the entire student body, faculty, and
parents to the issue
Bellarmine College Prep
 4 separate immersion experiences
 Urban plunge
 Rural Immersion
 2 Immersion trips out of the country
 It is the formation process for students
understanding of solidarity and “a faith that
does justice”
 Consistency – same community in Mexico and
El Salvador for 15 years
 Solidarity Dinner - all are welcome
Creighton Prep
 In 2007, Creighton’s Prep passed a Sweatshop Free
Purchasing Policy
 “Wanted a firm policy that makes it clear Creighton
Prep will not do business with those companies
engaged in labor practices that violate Church
teachings”
 Organized and led by the Athletic Department
Slide from Paul Lickteig, S.J. Presentation at Creighton Prep
The Creighton Preparatory
School Plan of Action
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Awareness
Application of Church Teaching
Formation of Response
Educate
Publicize
Slide from Paul Lickteig, S.J. Presentation at Creighton Prep
Awareness
Creighton Prep
Ignatian Heritage Week
 Jim Keady of Educating for Justice
 “Behind the Swoosh”
 www.educatingforjustice.org
 www.sweatshopwatch.org
Slide from Paul Lickteig, S.J. presentation at Creighton Prep
Creighton Preparatory School Athletic Department
Sweatshop Free Purchasing Policy
As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, Creighton Preparatory School is
charged with instilling in our students a commitment to justice
based on the teachings of the Catholic Church.
We ask our students to grow and act as “Men for Others” by
recognizing and confronting social injustice as it exists in this
world.
This call to action would be hollow if Creighton Preparatory School,
as an institution, failed to model such a commitment to justice in
its everyday business.
In other words, we must demonstrate what it means to be
“Men for Others” by acting as an institution for others.
In keeping with this philosophy, the Creighton Preparatory School
Athletic Department is committed to advancing the cause of the
poor and marginalized by implementing a Sweatshop Free
Purchasing Policy.
Slide from Paul Lickteig, S.J. Presentation at Creighton Prep
Loyola Academy (Dream Team)
 2006 Student Led Campaign focused on the
passing of the Dream Act Legislation
 Initiated & led by students and supported by key
faculty and administrators
 Administration allowed students to present their issue
in an all school assembly
 Students met with legislators, went to DC to
advocate, and worked in coalition with other schools
Lessons Learned from these examples
1.
Examine your school culture, existing programs,
and determine what type of social justice work is
appropriate for your environment and students.
1.
Provide experiences for your students not statistics.
2.
Put a face on the issue – personalizing it by
introducing them to relationships with real people if
possible.
“Learning From the Experts: Insights from Youth Workers Effectively Engaging Students in Service and
World Issues” by Cheryl Crawford, FullerTheological Seminary
Lessons Learned Continued
1.
Ground both service and justice work in theological
reflection and Catholic Social Teaching
2.
Providing consistent opportunities for social justice,
not random, detached projects
3.
There is a need for institutional support to make this
work. Try to integrate concepts of social justice
throughout the school, not just in one department
like Christian Service or Campus Ministry
“Learning From the Experts: Insights from Youth Workers Effectively Engaging Students in Service and
World Issues” by Cheryl Crawford, FullerTheological Seminary.
How do we know that students are engaged with
the faith that does justice?
1.
When injustice gets a face and a name they can
recognize.
2.
When they start asking themselves good questions,
such as where their clothes are being made, and by
whom.
3.
When they participate in justice work in some way,
and then are confronted by mental dissonance
“Learning From the Experts: Insights from Youth Workers Effectively Engaging Students in Service and
World Issues” by Cheryl Crawford, Fuller Theological Seminary
How do we know that students are engaged with
the faith that does justice?
1.
When they seek out leadership roles in social justice projects,
or initiate social actions on their own.
2.
When they stop participating in certain types of jokes (ethnic,
degrading, etc.) or negative activities.
3.
When they begin moving beyond a “those poor people”
motivation to “this is what it means to be in solidarity”
4.
When they move from pity to compassion in their responses
towards the hurting people they encounter.
5.
When they are drawn to action more by conviction than guilt.
“Learning From the Experts: Insights from Youth Workers Effectively Engaging Students in Service and
World Issues” by Cheryl Crawford, Fuller Theological Seminary
Why should we do this?
 “The way to faith and the way to justice are inseparable ways. It
is up this undivided road, this steep road that the pilgrim Church
must travel and toil. Faith and justice are undivided in the
Gospel which teaches that faith makes its power felt through
love. They cannot therefore be divided in our purpose, our
action, our life.” Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. 28th General Superior