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Office for Social Justice
328 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN  55102   
(651-291-4477)

Program of Catholic Charities of
Saint Paul and Minneapolis

95 Social Concerns Resources No Parish Should Be Without

CST:  Bibliography and Resources (PDF)

Reprinted with permission from SALT OF THE EARTH magazine, Recommended Books & Resources, September/October 1995) Published by Claretian Publications, 205 W. Monroe Street, Chicago IL 60606. Phone: 1-800-328-6515.

In February, some 300 Catholic social-ministry leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for an annual meeting sponsored by the U.S. Catholic Conference. We asked them to recommend their favorite social ministry books and resources.

  • Activism that Makes Sense by Gregory F. Augustine Pierce. "Principles of community organizing." (ACTA, 1-800-397-2282)
     
  • The "Barrio Series," a video series produced by the Columban Fathers. Jeanette Arnquist of Colton, California recommends it for "its presentation of the Third World option for the poor." (Call 202-529-5115)
     
  • Beyond Debt by the Columban Fathers' Campaign on Debt and Development Alternatives. "Analysis and suggestions for action on the debt — the silent killer of the Third World,' say Marcus and Glenda Keyes. (Call 202-529-5115)
       
  • Blessed are You: The Beatitudes and Our Survival by Evelyn Mattern. "Poetic, inspirational, down-to-earth." (Ave Maria, 1-800-282-1865)
      
  • Brave New World Order by Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. "Upsetting, challenging." (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838)
      
  • Bread for the World Offering of Letters Kit and other BFW resources. "An increasing number of our parishes are using the kit. A parish group can easily pick up BFW materials and run with them." (call 301-608-2400)
      
  • "Broken Vows" by Marie Fortune. "A 60-minute video and study guide on domestic violence." (Call 206-634-1903)
      
  • Brother to a Dragonfly by Will Campbell is a biography [of Campbell's southern family, especially his brother] that's recommended by Patrick Delehanty. (Continuum, 1-800-937-5557)
     
  • Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets by John Kretzmann and John McKnight. "Easy to use, lots of specific ideas," says Patricia Wallace of New Haven, Connecticut. (ACTA, 1-800-397-2282)
     
  • Building Peace and Justice by Roberta Ann Leskey, C.S.B. and Lucianne Siers, O.P. "Adult workshop format, to develop social mission." (Center for Learning Network, 1-800-767-9090)
     
  • Building United Judgement by Michael Avery et al. "A good resource for group conflict resolution." (Center for Conflict Resolution, 608-255-0479) 
      
  • Campaign for Human Development 1995-1996 Catalog. "A catalog may not sound like an exciting resource, but some of the best and most-asked-for inexpensive resources we provide to parishes are found here. Includes small-group booklets, scripture and prayer booklets, bumper stickers, videos, Advent and Pentecost family-oriented reflections, a year-round planning guide for parish justice education," says J.L. Drouhard of Seattle, Washington. (Call 202-541-3212)
     
  • Catholic Social Teaching: How I Lived It by Phil Land, S.J. "An excellent review of Catholic social teaching." (Center of Concern, 202-635-2757)
     

  • Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret by Peter Henriot et al. "Compact and comprehensive, ideal for classroom use and parish study groups." (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838) 

  • "The Church in the City" Vision Statement by Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland, Ohio. "Truly what urban and suburban parishes must face in addressing today's problems." (Call 216-696-6525 ext 422) 

  • Church Land Project by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. "To promote awareness and good stewardship of parish land." (Call 515-270-2634) 

  • Cold Anger: A Story of Faith and Power Politics by Mary Beth Rogers. (University of North Texas Press, 512-471-7233) 

  • Collaborative Ministry: Skills and Guidelines by Loughlan Sofield, S.T. and Carroll Juliano, S.H.C.J. "Scriptural and theological base for social justice." (Ave Maria, 1-800-282-1865) 

  • Communities of Salt & Light Parish Resource Manual by the USCC's Department of Social Development and World Peace. "The manual is a ‘a framework for assessment and action and a tool for learning more about the social mission of the parish.' Parish friendly and perforated, this manual is being used frequently in our archdiocese by parishes beginning or developing their social-concerns ministries. There is also a companion video." "The best," underscores Virginia Pitts of Hamden, Connecticut. (Call 1-800-235-8722) 

  • Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service by Ram Dass. "Ideas about service in your community." (Crown, 212-572-6117) 

  • Creating Communities of Good News: A Handbook for Small Group Facilitators by Mary LaCourse Mauren. (Sheed & Ward, 1-800-333-7373) 

  • The Crucible, Arthur Miller's dramatic play. (Viking Penguin, 212-366-2000)

  • Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. "Encounters with death-row prisoners and victims." (Random House, 1-800-726-0600)

  • Defecting in Place by M.T. Winter et al. "Result of an ecumenical study done on what women feel about church and why/if they stay." (Crossroad, 1-800-937-5557) 

  • The Different Drum by M. Scott Peck. A truly insightful book about community-making and peace," says Charles Leiden of Altoona, Pennsylvania. (Simon & Schuster, 1-800-223-2348) 

  • Doing Faithjustice: An Introduction to Catholic Social Thought by Fred Kammer, S.J. "Catholic social justice, from Genesis to today." (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161) 

  • Dorothy Day: A Biography by William Miller is on the life of the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. Recommended by Jim Doran of Youngstown, Ohio. (Harper & Row, 1-800-242-7737)

  • Eco-Church: An Action Manual by Al Fritsch, S.J. et al. "Practical how-to approaches to make our church institutions islands of ecological regeneration." (Resource Publications, 408-286-8505) 

  • Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy" by the U.S. bishops. "Well-documented, in-depth analysis of problems and responsibilities." says a social ministry leader from Cleveland, Ohio. (Call 1-800-235-8722) 

  • The Empowerment Process: Centering Social Ministry in the Life of the Local Christian Community by Mary Ellen Durbin et al. "Guide for beginning parish social-ministry committees." (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161)

  • Faith That Does Justice: Examining the Christian Sources for Social Change, edited by John C. Haughey. "Superb essays on scripture, theology, and justice." (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161) 

  • Following Christ in a Consumer Society by John Kavanaugh, S.J. "Words to live by," Adela Gross, O.S.F. says simply. (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838) 

  • FoodFast from Catholic Relief Services "has been widely used in our parishes as an experiential educational tool on a key issue of justice: hunger and poverty," says J.L. Drouhard of Seattle. "Its Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl, also continues to be one of our best educational, community-building, and fundraising programs. High-quality resources, and adaptable." (410-625-2220) 

  • Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. "A spirituality rooted in simple lifestyle." (Harper San Francisco, 1-800-242-7737) 

  • Fullness of Faith: the Public Significance of Theology by Michael J. Himes and Kenneth R. Himes, O.F.M. "Integration of social teachings, moral theology, and sacramental theology." (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161) 

  • "The Future of Mission," a video by the Glenmary Home Missioners. Presents a radical challenge to the church." (Call 513-874-8900)

  • Gathering Prayers by Debra Hintz. "Brief liturgical services, by theme." (Twenty-Third, 1-800-3212-0411) 

  • Geno: The Life and Mission of Geno Baroni by Lawrence O'Rourke. "A pioneer for social justice whose work and influence could not be confined by clerical or political restraints," says one social ministry leader. (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161)

  • Getting Down to Earth: a Call to Environmental Action by John Heidtke (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161) 

  • Go and Do the Same by Nancy Vendouras, C.S.J. "Gives excellent guidelines for starting parish outreach programs — including forms," says Heather Hasslinger of Honolulu, Hawaii. (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161) 

  • Growing Toward Peace by Kathryn Aschleman. "Actual stories." (Herald Press, 1-800-245-7894) 

  • A Guide for Activists: Handbook on African Hunger by John Prendergast. (Center of Concern, 202-635-2757) 

  • How to Make Meetings Work by Michael Doyle and David Strauss. "The nuts and bolts of getting things done in a group," says Tata Suley of Washington, D.C. (Jove Publications) 

  • Hunger 1995: Annual Report on the State of World Hunger by Bread for the World. "An invaluable educational resource that has great graphs and statistics on the state of world hunger," says Mark Melca of Baltimore. (Call 301-608-2400)

  • "The Journey is Home: The Story of Nell Morton," a 29-minute video with study guide. How to ‘do theology out of poverty'" (National Ecumenical Resource Centers, 804-358-8306) 

  • "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" by Martin Luther King. "Letter to white pastors telling them that justice can't be delayed." 

  • Liturgy, Justice, and the Reign of God by Frank Henderson et al. "Liturgy and social justice. Great for a joint-committee dialogue," says Joe Sullivan of St. Paul, Minnesota. (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161) 

  • Living More with Less by Doris Janzen Longacre. (Herald, 1-800-245-7894)

  • "Marketplace Prophets," a video on economic justice produced by the U.S. Catholic Conference. (1-800-235-8722) 

  • The Measure of Our Success by Marian Wright Edelman is recommended by Marie Kenyon of St. Louis, Missouri. (Beacon, 617-742-2110) 

  • Middle East Human Rights Advocacy Handbook by Churches for Middle East Peace. (Call 202-546-8425)  

  • Middle Income Process by the Campaign for Human Development. "A retreat process focusing on the preferential option for the poor and the call to solidarity." (Call 202-541-3212)
     
  • The Moral Core of Judaism and Christianity by Daniel C. Maguire. "An analysis of core religious values from the major religions and how they challenge us to transform our politics, economics, and social systems," says Ron Krietemeyer of St. Paul, Minnesota.
     
  • Moral Principles and Policy Priorities for Welfare Reform, the recent policy statement from the U.S. Catholic Conference on its recommendations for welfare reform. "Excellent!" says a social-ministry leader from Indiana. (1-800-235-8722)
     
  • Moving Faith into Action: A Process for Organizing Parish Social Action Groups by Mary Heldkamp and James Lund. "Great step-by-step resource for integrating social concerns into parish life." says Mark Melca of Baltimore. "Good for a series or for one-time workshops." adds Patricia Wallace of New Haven, Connecticut. (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161)
     
  • News Notes, by the Maryknoll Justice and Peace Office in Washington, D.C., features background information and action suggestions on myriad international issues all packed into each bimonthly issue. (Call 202-832-1780)
     
  • Option for the Poor by Donald Dorr. "Classic intro to social teaching." (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838)
     
  • The Other Side magazine (1-800-700-9280)
     
  • Parenting for Peace and Justice by Jim and Kathy McGinnis (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838)
     
  • Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch. "A history of the civil-rights period." (Simon & Schuster, 1-800-223-2348) 
     
  • Pax Christi magazine "For an ongoing study group." (814-453-4955) 
     
  • A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. "History from the view of the oppressed — workers, women, persons of color," says Chris Burd of Birmingham, Alabama. (Harper, 1-800-242-7737)
      
  • Principles, Prophecy, and Pastoral Response: An Overview of Modern Catholic Social Teaching by the Campaign for Human Development and the U.S. Catholic Conference. "Excellent brief summary." (1-800-235-8722)
     
  • Project Farm Hands by the Rural Life Ministry Office of the Toledo diocese. "A how-to video and study guide uniting rural and urban communities." (419-435-1543)
     
  • The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggeman. "Prophetic imagination in the Bible that culminates in Jesus." (Augsburg Fortress, 1-800-328-4648)
     
  • The Quickening of America: Rebuilding Our Nation, Remaking our Lives by Frances Moore Lappé & Paul Martin DuBois. "A good citizenship primer. (Jossey-Bass, 415-433-0499) 
     
  • Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America by Jonathan Kozol. "Personal stories of homeless families." (Crown, 215-572-6117)
     
  • Rebuilding Our Communities: How Churches Can Provide, Support, and Finance Quality Housing for Low-Income Families by Alice Shabecoff. "Models for housing ministry." (Published by World Vision, 818-357-7979)
     
  • Renewing the Earth by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. "Study guides for children, teens, and adults on the bishops' environmental statement." (515-270-2634)
     
  • Rethinking Social Policy: Race, Poverty and the Underclass by Christopher Jenks. "A good analysis of race, poverty, and welfare reform," says Thomas M. Nolan of St. Louis, Missouri. (Harper Collins, 1-800-242-7737)
     
  • The Road Less Travelled, M. Scott Peck. "Teaches personal responsibility and how to break self-thinking patterns causing depression or anger." (Simon & Schuster, 1-800-223-2348) 
     
  • "Romero," a film about the life, death, and legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero (Paulist Pictures)
     
  • Rural Parish Service by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. "Packet of Prayer and worship materials from a rural perspective." (515-270-2634)
     
  • "Salt and Light" video by the U.S. Catholic Conference. "Intro to the bishops' document on parish social ministry. (1-800-235-8722)
     
  • Salt and Light: a Leadership Training Manual by Peggy Prevoznik Heins. (302-655-9624)
     
  • Salt of the Earth (formerly Salt) November/December 1991 special issue on Catholic social teaching. Copies still available at $2 each. (1-800-325-6515)
     
  • Salted with Fire: Spirituality for the Faithjustice Journey by Fred Kammer, S.J. "Guide to succeeding in social-justice ministry." (Paulist,  1-800-836-3161)
     
  • "School of Assassins," an Oscar-nominated documentary by Maryknoll World Productions. The video is a "powerful expose of U.S. taxpayers' dollars being used to support human-rights atrocities in Latin America," says Terence Miller of Washington, DC (1-800-227-8523)
     
  • "The Seamless Garment," a videotape from Credence Cassettes. "A good video on the consistent life ethic," says Michael Stone of the Office of Justice and Peace in Richmond, Virginia. (1-800-444-8910)
     
  • Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf. "A book that explores the meaning of ‘servant leadership.'" (Paulist, 1-800-836-3161)
     
  • Sharing the Tradition, Shaping the Future, a booklet created by the Campaign for Human Development. "Six themes of Catholic social teaching, put into a small-group workbook." (202-541-3212)
     
  • Simple Justice by Richard Kluger. "An excellent overview of how U.S. law has dealt with race." (Random House, 1-800-726-0600)
     
  • Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice by Joe Holland and Peter Henriot, S.J. "Defines what social analysis is. A very good explanation of the three stages of industrial capitalism and the pastoral responses to each one." A "must have," adds Joe Sullivan of St. Paul, Minnesota. (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838) 
     
  • Social Revelation by Jim Hug, S.J. "Excellent resource for small group reflection," says Brian Corbin of Youngstown, Ohio. (Center of Concern, 202-635-2757)
     
  • Sojourners magazine, Jim Wallis, founder and editor. "Faith and politics, community-focused. Also has a great study guide on racism and on economics." (202-328-8842)
     
  • The Soul of Politics by Jim Wallis. "A serious but hopeful look at our world today." (Orbis, 1-800-258-5838) 
     
  • A Spirit of Solidarity by the Campaign for Human Development. "A brief handbook for individuals interested in social ministry." (202-541-3212)
     
  • Statement on Key Welfare Reform Issues by the Center on Hunger, Poverty, and Nutrition Policy at Tufts University. "Excellent brochure on the facts of poverty and welfare — and it's free," says Thomas M. Nolan of St. Louis. (Call 617-628-5000)
     
  • States of Grace by Charlene Spretnak. "A new approach to the great spiritual traditions and relevance to the problems of today. (Harper San Francisco, 1-800-242-7737)
     
  • This Land is Home to Me, a pastoral letter by the bishops of Appalachia. "Very approachable introduction to Catholic social teaching." (1-800-235-USCC)
     
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Warner, 212-522-7200) 
     
  • Tomorrow's Parish: Choosing your Future by Rev. David Baldwin of the Office of Research and Planning, Archdiocese of Chicago. "Excellent planning tools." (312-751-7999, ext 8345)
     
  • Training for Transformation by Anne Hope, Sally Timmel, and Chris Hodzi. "Three books on a process they used to organize Christian communities in South Africa. Also have done group training in the U.S.," says Kathleen Kenney of Richmond, Virginia. A good "how-to on training," says Paul Amrhein of Wilmington, Delaware. (Mambo Press, Zimbabwe) 
     
  • Who will Tell the People? The Betrayal of American Democracy by William Greider. (Simon & Schuster, 1-800-223-2348)
     
  • The Work of Nations by Robert Reich. (Knopf. 1-800-638-6460)
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