Just FaithThe Argyll and the Isles PerspectiveMarian Pallister – 2014

The dove of peace…

The fight for justice

No monopoly on compassion

Of course the Catholic Church wants peace

Of course the Catholic Church wants justice

Of course the Catholic Church wants to aid those in need

BUT

So too do non government organisations of all faiths and none

Our USP?Matthew 25:

Jesus adds to the ‘weightier

matters’ of justice and mercy

the Church’s unique selling

point-

Good faith!

‘The Church’s charitable activity at all levels must avoid the risk of becoming just another form of organised social assistance’

‘The Church is not a shop, she is not a humanitarian agency, the Church is not an NGO. The Church is sent to bring Christ and his Gospel to all.’

Catholic Social Teaching‘The Church’s best-kept secret’?

Just Faith

Not just three ‘NGOs’ coming together

Three organisations whose humanitarian work is inspired by and carried out in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching

Three organisations whose work will continue in their own areas of expertise

But together, taking CST to the people of Scotland under the banner of ‘Just Faith’

Responding to diverse needs

Argyll & the Isles

12,000 square miles

25 parishes

Around 12,000 Catholics

Total population of 76,800

29 priests

Paisley

220 square miles

35 parishes

Around 79,400 Catholics

Total population of 342,000

71 priests

Not to stereotype….

Star of the Sea St Charles Borromeo

My ‘Just Faith’…

Taking roadshows to parishes and schools throughout the diocese

Identifying what matters to each parish

Discussing during presentations and a meal

Using music and a ceilidh (in the old ‘visit’ sense of the word) concept to make connections

Using Catholic Social Teaching as a scaffold for all discussion

Our diocese – three deaneries

At least three reasons for welcoming Just Faith:‘I want to inspire a new action group’‘Catholic Social Teaching needs a fair hearing’‘We are stewards of our island – we need to remember why’

Paisley DioceseMy big road show question: ‘What makes you angry?’Your answers: Very different from Argyll & the IslesWhat we share…

All dioceses share the need to promote…

Human dignity

Community and participation

Care for creation

Dignity in work

Peace and reconciliation

Solidarity

…within the framework of our faith

Pray, act, give – remembering that…

‘The theological dimension is needed both for interpreting and for solving present day problems in human society’ (Saint John Paul II) 

Lumen Gentium says that the ‘glorious burden’ falls on all the laity to bring the divine offer of salvation…into the reach of all men of all times and all over the world, ‘with whole-hearted personal participation’

Just FaithGiving us that opportunity for whole-hearted participation in the

growth of the ChurchAn exciting project we must style to the needs of our own communities

A chance to give others faith in a better world

Thank you for your time