2008 Woodie Awards
Faith Justice Institute celebrates 30th anniversary, local recognition
Kelleen O'Fallon '07
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The Saint Joseph's Faith-Justice Institute celebrates its 30th anniversary this spring, with a series of events that will culminate in a commemoration ceremony.
The Institute, located in Wolfington Hall, will kick off the event series with an Outreach Lecture scheduled for Feb. 13 featuring Sharon Browning, an attorney involved in legal services for the homeless.
Prior to the lecture, the Institute will sponsor a Faith-Justice Charter Member Reunion to celebrate its founding in 1977. At the Reunion, those who participated in the Institute's founding and early stages will come together to celebrate what they accomplished 30 years prior.
At the reunion, members will hold a prayer service like they held 30 years ago. Frank Bernt, Ph.D., Director of the Institute, said. "I don't think they see each other too often," Bernt said.
Although not attending, Ed Brady, S.J., was the Institute's first director. "Ed Brady was the champion of the cause," Bernt said.
The Institute came about as a hunger for justice movement. In 1976, a Eucharistic Congress took place in Philadelphia, whose participants examined social justice issues.
The Saint Joseph's community was inspired, Bernt said. "We needed to do something."
The Institute was founded in order to educate and help the Saint Joseph's community to consider social justice issues. In 1977, the Institute offered one course, entitled "Hunger for Justice". Now, there are about 25 offered each semester, Bernt said.
In the early '90s, the Institute began to offer Service Learning courses, which require students to combine classroom and volunteer experience. Students may volunteer at local schools or at non-profit agencies.
At first, about six or seven Service Learning courses were offered each semester. This spring the Institute offers 18 courses, said Ann Marie Jursca, Assistant Director of the Institute.
In addition to sponsoring the Service Learning program, the Institute also offers a Faith-Justice minor. Those who take Faith-Justice courses examine contemporary social issues such as immigration, nonviolence, and environmental justice.
The Institute, located in Wolfington Hall, will kick off the event series with an Outreach Lecture scheduled for Feb. 13 featuring Sharon Browning, an attorney involved in legal services for the homeless.
Prior to the lecture, the Institute will sponsor a Faith-Justice Charter Member Reunion to celebrate its founding in 1977. At the Reunion, those who participated in the Institute's founding and early stages will come together to celebrate what they accomplished 30 years prior.
At the reunion, members will hold a prayer service like they held 30 years ago. Frank Bernt, Ph.D., Director of the Institute, said. "I don't think they see each other too often," Bernt said.
Although not attending, Ed Brady, S.J., was the Institute's first director. "Ed Brady was the champion of the cause," Bernt said.
The Institute came about as a hunger for justice movement. In 1976, a Eucharistic Congress took place in Philadelphia, whose participants examined social justice issues.
The Saint Joseph's community was inspired, Bernt said. "We needed to do something."
The Institute was founded in order to educate and help the Saint Joseph's community to consider social justice issues. In 1977, the Institute offered one course, entitled "Hunger for Justice". Now, there are about 25 offered each semester, Bernt said.
In the early '90s, the Institute began to offer Service Learning courses, which require students to combine classroom and volunteer experience. Students may volunteer at local schools or at non-profit agencies.
At first, about six or seven Service Learning courses were offered each semester. This spring the Institute offers 18 courses, said Ann Marie Jursca, Assistant Director of the Institute.
In addition to sponsoring the Service Learning program, the Institute also offers a Faith-Justice minor. Those who take Faith-Justice courses examine contemporary social issues such as immigration, nonviolence, and environmental justice.
Be the first to comment on this story