Church's social teaching is focus of Day of Retreat

Courtesy graphic/Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon

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What is Catholic social teaching, why is it important and how can Catholics incorporate it into their daily lives?

All of these questions will be addressed at the Oct. 8 Day of Reflection organized by the Diocese of Salt Lake City Peace and Justice Commission and its director, Jean Welch Hill.

"It’s a day to spend some time thinking about a topic that most people don’t really spend time thinking about, which is Catholic social teaching," Hill said. "A lot of political pundits have said ‘If your church teaches social justice then you’re a socialist.’ Well, that’s not what it is. That sound bite may be nice but there is a deep basis for what we’re talking about, and we want people to reflect on how deep this goes and how much of a part of your decision making it needs to be if you are truly a person of faith. Catholic social teaching is how we put our faith into action."

Among the speakers will be the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, who will discuss the Biblical foundation of Catholic social teaching. Other presenters will be Father John Norman, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Magna; Dr. Kandie Brinkman, a certified lay ecclesial minister, University of Utah faculty member and Judge Memorial Catholic High School teacher; and Anna Huth, area relationship manager for Catholic Relief Services, the international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Most Catholics are familiar with their local church’s social mission, but the question of how to help those in distant lands, who may have very different needs, should be addressed, Huth said.

"How do you respond when you’re probably never going to see the person, you’re never going to be looking at them, listening to them directly?" she asked. "That becomes where we dig deep into our own Gospel call and say, ‘I still recognize them as my brothers and sisters.’"

CRS is how U.S. Catholics reach out to those in need overseas, with immediate relief such as was provided in Haiti after the earthquake and now with the famine in East Africa; with long-term development work to help create sustainable communities; and with peace-building, to deal with tensions in a way other than through armed conflict.

"We are respecting, guarding and nurturing the life and dignity of the human person," Huth said.

At the Day of Reflection, "I hope to illustrate how CRS works overseas," she added. "The Church is universal, which is a huge, huge gift for our world that we have yet to unpack, I think. As Catholics, especially as U.S. Catholics, we can forget or be unaware of how incredibly powerful that gift is, that we are a universal church."

In addition to the speakers, the day will include time to talk in small groups, reflect on what’s been presented and raise questions, Hill said. "It’s for people who are not familiar with social teachings of the Catholic Church, and anyone who would like to spend time learning, discussing and reflecting, and who wants to take what they know further and engage in acts of justice but are not sure how."

The Day of Reflection is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Benvegnu Center, Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 E. Spring Lane in Salt Lake City. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register at https://dioslc.mmaweb.net/events/registration/step1?event=1531 or contact Jean Welch Hill, 801-328-8641 ext 336.