Serving Those in Need
Working for Justice and Peace
Living Our Faith in the World
Incarnation’s Justice & Charity Ministries provide opportunities for parishioners to engage in charity and justice work from the perspective of faith and to reflect critically on social issues in light of Catholic Social Teaching.
Kristen Schenk, Coordinator of Justice & Charity
434-973-4381 (office phone) or kristens@incarnationparish.org
In acts of charity or outreach, individuals respond to the needs of others by providing direct assistance, such as food, clothing, or shelter. Charitable action aims to provide immediate relief and tends to be personally fulfilling and non-controversial. Through works of charity, we show love and concern for our neighbors. The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) is an example of charity.
In justice and solidarity work, groups and communities respond to the needs of others by addressing long-term conditions and promoting social change in institutions, policies, and systems. Works of justice aim to address the root causes of social problems, such as poverty, homelessness, exploitation, war, and degradation of creation. Justice work tends to be public and political and is the slow work of transformation–both of social structures and of ourselves–toward God. The Exodus story (Exodus 5:1-5) is an example of justice.
Prayer and reflection are important components to both the work of charity and the work of justice. Through these avenues, we are able to listen for and discern how to respond to our individual calls as Catholics to reach out to and accompany our brothers and sisters, as well as to recognize the presence of Christ in our lives and ministries.
With God’s grace, let us engage wholeheartedly in both acts of charity and acts of justice as we seek to love our neighbor as ourselves.
