Students of Faith in Action (SOFIA) Youth Ministry is guided by the principles of relationality, comprehensive ministry, vocational discernment and faith in action.

Relationality
A ministry of presence.  The youth minister engages youth, young adults, parents and other community members in relationships that foster discipleship and community. The youth minister models faithfulness for the youth and serves as a resource for families.

Comprehensive Youth Ministry
The themes detailed in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ document, Renewing the Vision, offer a strong foundation for a parish youth ministry program. Every SOFIA program seeks to balance the areas outlined in Renewing the Vision while emphasizing intergenerational faith formation, community development, sacramental awareness, service and justice.

Vocational Discernment
Foster student leadership and development. Youth are provided with opportunities to participate in formation programs integrating leadership skills and vocational discernment. Additionally, we help adults seeking to work within youth ministry, creating a network of leaders who are exploring and developing their own sense of vocation and advancing their qualifications for ministry.

Faith in Action
We seek to provide an experience of Catholicism that forms youth as disciples rooted in their relationship with God and their community. The SOFIA approach nurtures an active commitment to building the Kingdom of God.

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WorX is a long-standing part of SOFIA Youth Ministry. Participants serve those in need, participate in prayer and reflection and engage in critical thought concerning justice issues. Programs are age group specific.

ServiceworX
Middle school students explore service and social justice through the lens of the Catholic faith. Skilled youth ministry staff facilitate engaging prayer services, lively discussions, and dynamic community service experiences.  We design and run the week-long, day camp style program at the participating parish or school, with outreach to local social service agencies and nonprofit organizations.  A fun-filled way to help young people learn the meaning of faith and service.

During the summer of 2011, ServiceworX sessions were conducted in the Diocese of Metuchen, Archdiocese of Newark, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Diocese of Trenton.
For more information, please see www.serviceworx.org.

JusticeworX
High school students spend a week of their summer in an overnight setting exploring the Gospel call to build a more just world, participating in dynamic prayer services, building community with fellow participants and volunteering in the community. Students return home prepared and inspired to make service and justice central components of their lives.

Sixteen JusticeworX sessions were offered in Summer 2011 in Trenton, NJ, Philadelphia, PA and West Virginia. Each year features new, engaging content, so veterans and newcomers alike will experience a unique and inspiring experience.
For more information, please see www.justiceworx.org.

LeaderworX
A summer opportunity for young adults/adults with at least one year of college completed (21 and older for certain positions). Participants live in community, serve those in need and help lead youth ministry projects.  Provides personal and professional formation, leadership training and vocational discernment.

Young Adults seeking to discern how they can work for justice, peace and human dignity, begin careers as youth ministers or catechetical leaders or serve the wider Church are particularly good candidates for LeaderworX. LeaderworX is also a great opportunity for those considering a long-term service program, discerning how to make the world a better place, or just trying to figure out what’s next in life.

During summer 2011, seven wonderful people participated in LeaderworX, helping to facilitate six weeks of JusticeworX and ServiceworX.

Steve Hometown: Branchburg, NJ. Occupation: Franciscan University Student. Fun Fact: While in high school, Steve participated in the New Jersey Service Project, the program that evolved into JusticeworX.

Sarah Hometown: Lee’s Summit, MO. Occupation: Special Education Teacher. Fun Fact: Sarah spent six weeks at an elementary school in Ghana, working with small groups of students on English language skills.

Caitlin Hometown: Belle Mead, NJ. Occupation: 2011 Villanova University grad, preparing for long-term international service. Fun Fact: During college, Cait led retreats, coordinated the Amnesty International chapter at her school, and played cello in the symphony orchestra.

Chrissy Hometown: Lebanon, NJ. Occupation: 2011 University of Notre Dame grad, discerning a career in the nonprofit / church area. Fun Fact: Chrissy is an accomplished singer; her ND degree is in music, and she has been a cantor at her parish for the past three summers.

Kathryn Hometown: West Windsor, NJ. Occupation: Villanova University Student. Fun Fact: Kathryn is fluent in French and studied human rights and conflict resolution while studying abroad in France.

Mary Hometown: Ottawa, OH. Occupation: University of Dayton Student. Fun Fact: Mary served as UD’s President of Catholic Life and is majoring in Religious Studies.

Pierre Hometown: Salem, MA. Occupation: 2011 St. John’s University grad, preparing for grad school in Higher Education at the Ohio State University. Fun Fact: Pierre was a senior resident assistant and peer mentor at St. John’s.

For more information, please see www.leaderworx.org or download the LeaderworX 2012 Application.

FaithJustice Xperience
Collegiate and high school groups during the academic year are provided faith-based service immersions, primarily in Trenton, NJ. CFJ designs a customized program around the school’s schedule.

For more information or to have CFJ create and facilitate a FaithJustice Xperience for your group, please contact Mike Laskey or Widian Nicola.

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Retreats, workshops, and catechetical programs created for youth and young adults groups, parishes and schools. Example include confirmation classes, high school class retreats and social justice workshops.

In addition to one-time programs, we will design a full, year-long confirmation preparation program consisting of catechesis, retreat experiences and community service opportunities (including a week of ServiceworX).

Some of our 2011 events include:

The Ohio State University’s St. Thomas More Newman Center FaithJustice Experience (college spring break)

Notre Dame High School FaithJustice Xperience 2011

Lenten Confirmation Retreats (St. Charles Borromeo Parish; St. Matthias Parish)

Confirmation Retreat: Relationships (Immaculate Conception School)

Junior Class Retreat on Catholic Social Teaching (Immaculata High School)

Diocese of Trenton Youth Celebration Service & Justice Workshop (story)

Day of Reflection (Church of the Sacred Heart)

Monsignor Donovan All-School Workshop (Monsignor Donovan High School)

FaithJustice Xperience (Notre Dame High School)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (story)

Please contact Mike Laskey, (609) 498-6216 x5 or Widian Nicola (609) 498-6216 x4 for more information.

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Goal of Program: For women and men who want to explore the relationship between faith and justice, serve those in need and build community. Targeted toward those seeking careers in pastoral ministry, direct service and/or advocacy organizations. Volunteers work closely with CFJ staff in a variety of capacities, including direct service, justice advocacy, pastoral ministry and nonprofit administration. Volunteers participate in vocational discernment, professional mentoring and ongoing spiritual and intellectual formation.

Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis October through May or until all placements are filled.

Type of Placement: Volunteers may serve within CFJ or with partner parishes, schools and nonprofit organizations.

Living Arrangements: Suburban facility with semi-private rooms/shared common areas, located one hour from New York and Philadelphia.

Length of Service: Includes one and two year placements, typically beginning in August/September.

Service Area: Central New Jersey, Philadelphia Metro Area, and New York Metro Area.

Requirements: 21 years or older, women and men, single or married (no children), engaged in the life of the Catholic community, college education or applicable work experience preferred, high school graduate required, driver’s license.

Training: Orientation, child safety training, mentoring, spiritual direction, professional development, retreat opportunities.

Contact Information:  Brian Reavey at breavey@faithjustice.org or 609.498.6216 x10.

Application: Please complete the pre-application form and we will contact you with the full application.

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Trains and develops lay ecclesial ministers, especially youth, young adult, religious education and social concern ministers.

Qualified and supported lay ministers are provided to a parish or school.  Part-time and shared arrangements are available.  Alternatively, we will assist lay ministers already on a parish/school staff with professional support and development, resources for use within the parish or school, priority access to CFJ’s youth ministry programs (such as WorX) and retreat house (Casa) and supervision and guidance by a senior ministry professional.

Pastoral ministers require ongoing formation, high-quality resources, and professional development to be effective. Consequently, MAPS includes monthly one-on-one mentoring with an experienced ministry supervisor, a monthly curricula review (program schedules and content), training in program development, professional formation workshops and best-practices sharing opportunities.

MAPS participants also have access to spiritual direction, weekly prayer and fellowship with a peer group and CFJ’s ministry library. Finally, CFJ provides semi-annual performance evaluations, pastor consultations, field observations and an annual retreat.

This unique program provides parishes and schools an opportunity to ensure that their communities are given the best in ministry: proven programs and a minister supported by leaders in Catholic youth ministry and religious education.

Youth & Young Adult Ministers are currently in place at the Catholic Community of Saint Matthias (Somerset, NJ) and the Church of Saint Ann’s (Lawrenceville, NJ).  The arrangement between the parish and CFJ is individualized to meet each institution’s specific needs.

For more information or to have a member of the CFJ staff meet with you, your parish council or school administration, please contact Brian Reavey at breavey@faithjustice.org or (609) 498-6216 x10.

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Mission 52

What Is Mission 52? It’s a chance to serve your community in a deliberate and sustained way while supporting the ongoing work of the Center for FaithJustice. The goal of Mission 52 is to provide a coordinated effort where everyday people can commit themselves to serving those in need while supporting CFJ with grassroots fundraising.

Here’s how it works: Over the course of 52 weeks, a participant makes a deliberate commitment to volunteer at least 52 hours – an average of 1 hour per week – in service to those in need. In addition to their volunteer service, each participant is asked to collect donations from friends, family and colleagues that will be used to support the work at CFJ. These contributions are tax deductible and will help CFJ to continue to provide and sponsor service opportunities for individuals and groups throughout the year.

Who are Mission 52 Volunteers? They’re young adults, retirees, professionals, families; they’re people in different cities; they’re people who have decided to serve those in need, participate in their communities, and help ensure that the Center for FaithJustice is able to live out its mission to “provide transformative experiences of faith in action, build community, serve those in need, educate for justice, and empower people to change the world.”

What do Mission 52 Volunteers do? Participants give 52 hours of service over the course of a self-defined year (52 weeks) and help CFJ raise funds for future projects by asking others to sponsor their commitment to service. In this way, Mission 52 Volunteers “support service by serving.”

How do I start? Easy! Just fill out the M52 Volunteer Agreement and send it to Jenna Vanderhyde. Jenna will then give you access to the “Current Volunteer” page and help you set up your fundraising page, provide you with volunteering ideas, talk with you about how to raise funds, connect you to other volunteers if you want some ideas or someone to volunteer alongside and provide any other support you need. We’re dedicated to helping you have a rewarding and successful experience.

Download the M52 Volunteer Agreement, then email it to Jenna at jvanderhyde@faithjustice.org or mail it to her at the Center for FaithJustice, 24 Rossa Ave., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

Questions? Call or email Jenna. (609) 498-6216 x 7.

We hope you will join Mission 52!

Current Volunteers — all Mission 52 information is now available at www.mission52.org.

Soup & Psalms

Join us on Wednesdays throughout the year for an experience of evening prayer and community.  Soup & Psalms is a simple but powerful experience of faith and fellowship. Our schedule:

• 6:30 PM – a simple meal (think soup!) in the Casa dining room
• 7:15 PM – evening prayer in the ancient tradition of Vespers (think Psalms!) in the All Saints Chapel
• 8:00 PM – light refreshments

We also invite everyone, whether or not you are able to attend Soup & Psalms, to let us include your intentions in our communal prayer.  Please send us your prayer requests online.

Our goal is to turn our home into your home, to build up the community of faith and to dream together the Kingdom of God as we work for justice. 

Prayer is led by Martha Dudich and ALL ARE WELCOME!

 Whether you can come once a year or every week, join us on our shared journey. If you can only come for a portion of the evening, please feel free to drop in. Registration is not required and there is no cost.

We hope to see you soon!

Leadership Forum, Speaker Series & Blog

CFJ hosts occasional series aimed at fostering conversation about service, justice and vocation.

Every Tuesday, we publish an original article about living one’s faith, serving others, engaging in issues of justice, and creating community on our blog.  A host of contributors give voice to issues that we hope will move the reader to reflect upon and take action in response to issues of injustice, situations calling out for service, and the journey of faith.  We invite you to participate in the online discussion each week.

In Autumn 2010, Sr. Margaret Scott, aci presented a Reflection on Faith, Justice, and Discipleship, based on her book, The Eucharist & Social Justice. The event was jointly hosted by the Center for FaithJustice and the Church of St. Ann.

In Spring 2010, the Center for FaithJustice staff facilitated a weekly discussion around Leslie R. Crutchfield & Heather McLeod Grant’s Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits (John Wiley & Sons 2008).

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