Solidarity

Play the song One Voice – by the Wailn’ Jennys

Leader say, “In this song, the lyrics speak of one voice, a kind of connectedness that we experience with all of humanity. This song illustrates simply one of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching, solidarity.

So what is solidarity? Solidarity is more than what is commonly meant by the word interdependence. The fact that we are linked to one another in a variety of ways is interdependence. But individuals may acknowledge this fact while being resentful or indifferent toward it, even as they take advantage of the others with whom they are interconnected. Interdependence does not rule out domination or exploitation.

Solidarity, on the other hand, moves interdependence to another level, beyond acknowledging the fact of interdependence. Solidarity shapes the response we should have to interdependence, evoking within us a desire to build the bonds of common life. As a virtue, solidarity, in the words of John Paul II, is not a feeling of vague compassion but a “firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good” (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, #38). Solidarity shapes the character of a person so that mere recognition of interdependence is transformed into a commitment to the common good. It is solidarity that enables people to devote themselves “to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all” (Ibid.)”

Then say, “I know this is a lot to take in and may be hard to understand, so lets take some time to reflect on some quotes on solidarity. “ Hand out Solidarity Quote Sheet and Reflection questions and pencils.
Then say, “We will take about 10 minutes to reflect quietly. When looking over the hand out feel free to underline or highlight those things that really resonate with you and then answer the first two reflection questions. When we are finished we will take some time to talk about your answers. “

After everyone seems to be done writing (about 10 mns.) Ask them to share some of their reflections. What hit them? IS solidarity a new concept for them? If so, do they think it is an important and valuable way of being in the world? Is living in solidarity connected to being a person of faith?
Optional opening/closings – Use the reflection on homelessness as a lead in and close with the song or use the litany of remembrance as a closing.

“Young people say, "What good can one person do? What is the sense of our small effort?" They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time; we can be responsible only for the one action of the present moment. But we can beg for an increase of love in our hearts that will vitalize and transform all our individual actions, and know that God will take them and multiply them, as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.
The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us? When we begin to take the lowest place, to wash the feet of others, to love our brothers [and sisters] with that burning love, that passion, which led to the Cross, then we can truly say, 'Now I have begun.'" Let us begin with one action.”
~Dorothy Day


Take some time to reflect on the solidarity quote sheet. What quotes really resonate with you? What does the word solidarity mean to you?


Does living in solidarity connect with being a person of faith? Why or why not?




Litany of Remembrance

We remember the children of the world. As Jesus called to the children to come to him, so we gather in prayer the children of our world who are hurting. We embrace them with loving kindness and with a desire to mend the systems that bring such pain to their young lives.

We remember the children:

…who will go hungry today,

…who are plagued by addiction,

…who have no one to teach them to read,

…who are handicapped and unattended,

…who do not know love,

…who live in filth and degradation,

…who have no friends,

…who are not listened to,

…who have never been sung to or read to or taken by the hand or experienced beauty,

…who are shunned or mistreated because of their color, their religion, or the place they live,

…who have no awareness of their inner goodness,

…who have stopped believing in love,

…who are filled with anger and hate,

…who are receiving a poor education,

…who are ill or in pain,

…who are grieving the death of a loved one,

…who are suffering from AIDS,

…who feel lonely, desolate, and unloved,

…who are filled with fear for their lives,

…who hear only harsh words and hostile language,

…who have been bruised, beaten, and mutilated,

…who hide in fear from the sounds of war,

…who are victims,

…who have no hope.


Yes, we pray for the children of our world today and we pray for each man and woman of this world, including ourselves, that we will do our part to create better living conditions for these children. Show us the way and prod us into action, God of justice and compassion

Reflection on homelessness

This story is true. I do not want money for it, and if it does get chosen for money, please give it to a child’s trust fund for when they are 18. You choose the child.

My name is Brian. I don’t wish to give anything else because I am ashamed of my homeless way right now.

What’s it like being homeless? To be homeless is not even having paper to write on, so you use a paper bag. Next time you have to use the bathroom, go outside and find a place. Or go outside and wait until 6:45 PM. That’s when the mission opens up and then you can go after you sign up. Or try to find some place private enough to use the bathroom downtown. If you don’t have any money, you can’t use a bathroom. So what do you do when you have to go real bad?

Because you are homeless, it is not easy to keep clean. Some people that are homeless have given up because it’s not east to take a shower every day when you don’t have a shower or money to wash your clothes. You probably are saying to use a hose. Well ok, I don’t have and problem with that, but it’s cold. And if someone sees you, they call the police.

When you are homeless, you can hardly wait for the sun to come up so it will warm up. So next time you’re outside and you’re cold, just wait until the sun comes up. Or maybe you can panhandle enough so you can get yourself a beer so you can get out of the cold for a while.

You’re so embarrassed that you’re homeless that you can’t get in touch with a friend to help you. Being homeless is not as easy as I hear you rich people talk, because I used to be a little rich myself, thinking this would never happen to me. But boy was I wrong. I challenge you to try to be homeless for one week, not calling anyone for help. Just live out in the streets. If it is as easy as you people say it is, please come show us, you get in tour car and go where you want. I wonder where I am going to get 50 cents for the bus.

There is no change of getting ahead. These days, labor only pays you $4.25 and hour. So what. I am use to $8 to $14 an hour, until our damn president shut down my job.

But I am still not done yet. Do you know what it is like to see rich people in cars? I wonder what is must be like to have money in my pocket again, to take a shower when I want, to be a somebody, nice warm bed, wishing that you were me and I was you at the wheel of your car, getting out of the cold when I want to.

Do you know that when you’re homeless you don’t even have a place to put your stuff like extra clothes? The mission or Salvation Army won’t let you. So you put your stuff someplace and hope they don’t rip it off while you’re trying to get some money up so you can get a place to live. While you sleep outside at night, you just hope someone don’t come along and slice you through, just to get what little pocket change you have.

What I have told you is just a piece of what it is like being homeless. If I told you all of it, you would puke because you’re not accustom to what it is like out here. You do whatever it takes. So my story ends for now.