Last weekend, eight CJ students traveled to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice conference in Washington, DC. The group spent most of the weekend there and returned last Monday, Nov. 17.
This is the second year CJ has attended this event. The group was accompanied by Patrick Burns, campus minister for service and justice, and Beth Marshall, English teacher.
Burns said, “The Teach-In is an incredible opportunity for students to put their faith into action on a very real and practical level. It provides them with tools to grow in their understanding of numerous social justice issues, and even engage in direct advocacy by visiting members of Congress.”
The Teach-In connects Catholic faith and justice work, addressing timely issues through two days of dynamic speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. It is the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the United States, with approximately 1,800 participants from Catholic universities, high schools, parishes, and organizations from more than 25 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, and Central America.
“This trip inspired me to be more observant of issues in our community,” said a CJ senior. “I’m aware that I have a voice that can help deal with those problems.”
Father Greg Boyle, Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles—the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program—was the opening keynote speaker.
“You are exactly what God had in mind when God made you. No bullet can pierce it and no four walls can shut that out,” Fr. Boyle said. “But you have to dismantle these messages of shame and disgrace. The only thing that can scale that wall (of shame and disgrace) is tenderness.”
On Monday, the CJ group participated in Teach-In’s Advocacy Day. In front of the U.S. Capitol building, hundreds of participants gathered for a public witness before delegations were blessed and sent forth to previously scheduled meetings with their elected representatives. There, CJ students spoke directly with Ohio legislators and their aides, challenging them to support comprehensive, humane immigration reform and climate justice. The day included a morning meeting with legislative aides from Senator Jon Husted’s office and an afternoon meeting with Congressman Mike Turner.
Burns said, “We were grateful that Congressman Turner listened to our concerns regarding the current inhumane treatment of immigrants. Although we didn’t agree on everything, it was encouraging that he took the time to meet.”
One CJ student reflected, “The trip was very inspiring. In the Senate building, I told my story to members of Jon Husted’s staff in front of students from the Dayton and Cincinnati areas. It was an honor to have this opportunity. I’m now motivated to be more engaged in leadership roles to help the immigrant community.”
A senior stated, “It was a great experience to meet Congressman Turner. I really appreciated that he took the time to meet, listen and explain his views on the topics that we addressed.”
This is the 28th year that Ignatian Solidarity Network has hosted this event, with a rich history rooted in honoring the Jesuits and their companions who were martyred in El Salvador in 1989. The Teach-in grew out of a call for Jesuit institutions and the larger Church to actively speak out against social injustice and fight for policies that will help restore justice.