What is the Center for Catholic Social Thought?
MISSION
The mission of the Center for Catholic Social Thought is to spread the message and practice of Catholic social teaching by means of education, research and conversation. The focus of the Center is on introducing this rich tradition to the laity in order to foster disciples of Christ who live this social teaching and to encourage a vision of the world in which all its aspects are seen in relation to the Church. Our central themes are Christian community, work and labor, economics, poverty and the poor, technology, education, and the social nature of Catholicism.
COMPONENTS
To accomplish its mission the Center offers regular courses (taught by Director Colin Miller and other associates), regular one-time events such as speaker and conversation series, times of reflection for service groups, book studies or discussion groups for clergy and laity, and (of lower priority) various “thinktank” components such as whitepapers or colloquia. The Center website provides accessible, introductory readings on main topics in the Catholic social tradition, collaborative book and literature reviews, discussion forums, and, perhaps in time, online courses. All this will be rolled out over time in a series of phases, though many of these components are already in nascent form at Church of the Assumption.
A UNIQUE INITIATIVE
The Center replicates neither the important work of other educational institutions in the Archdiocese such as the Catechetical Institute, the Seminary, or our colleges and universities, nor the service-based priorities of the Center for Mission, Catholic Charities, or the many charitable apostolates on the parish or archdiocesan levels. Nor is it a "hub" for all things related to Catholic Social Teaching. Rather, it is a unique ministry of education, discussion and conversation, for the lay faithful, offering the opportunity, not least for so many involved in faithful service and action, to learn and reflect more deeply, and make the connection between our good works and the Church's teaching. While the Center may at times offer components designed for priests or specialists, this is with the hopes of disseminating the message through them, to the people in the pews.
FOCUS ON MAKING MISSIONARY DISCIPLES
While the Center is in one way a “school” for the Catholic social tradition, our conviction is that theoretical aspects must always be fused with the practical daily business of following Christ in the world. The Center does not seek to turn Christians into activists or intellectuals, but to deepen our identity as missionary disciples. Put differently, the social encyclicals can never be separated from the Sermon on the Mount, because Catholic social thought grows out of, and is intended for, ordinary Catholics practicing their faith. At the same time, careful reflection on the profound ties that unite the Church to all aspects of our lives serves to deepen and inspire our personal and corporate faith, not least by offering Catholicism itself as a fresh pathway through the stale polarizations of our age by cultivating a vision of life which is neither “conservative” nor “liberal”, but Catholic.
BASED AT CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION IN ST. PAUL
The Center is a ministry of Church of the Assumption, reflecting the fact that the Church’s social message should be integrated into the lives of ordinary Catholics in their ordinary place – the parish. Church of the Assumption itself is positioned in a unique local environment that is at the crossroads of Church, society, the poor, service, and culture. On the other hand, the Center is not just for Church of the Assumption but for the whole local Church, and we imagine building mutually supportive relationships with friends such as the University of St. Thomas and Catholic Charities.
RESPONDING TO THE SYNOD
The Center corresponds providentially to the implementation plan and priorities outlined in Archbishop Hebda's recent pastoral letter. In particular, by its very nature it promotes a focus on Christian community (including small groups), foot washing (especially hospitality and concrete action), and making missionary disciples. We have already seen practical results in these areas arise from some of the initiatives now in place as groundwork for the Center.