Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice

Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice 2018

Campus Ministries’ Center for Service & Social Justice coordinated a group of 21 University of Scranton students, faculty and staff in early November to attend the 21st annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. They joined nearly 2,000 individuals from more than 125 institutions across the Jesuit and greater Catholic network. This year’s theme, Discipleship at the Crossroads, drew inspiration from Pope Francis’ call to “get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas” to better journey together “towards the Good.”

Our group was made up of both undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about issues including climate change, racial justice, mass incarceration, and the state of migrants and refugees. Participants had opportunities to listen to keynotes from Bishop George Murray, SJ, on racism, and Dr. Nichole Flores, a professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia on the virtue of solidarity. The final day included advocacy visits to Capitol Hill. Our group met with staff members from the offices of Pennsylvania Senators Casey and Toomey to advocate on legislation regarding immigration and mass incarceration.

Avianna Carilli ’22 said, “It was amazing to see so many people in one room who are so passionate about the same things I am passionate about. You don’t need to know a lot about all the issues. I went there to learn. Since I returned from the Teach-In I decided to declare a Peace & Justice concentration.”

Senior Anna Giannantonio reflected, “IFTJ gave me the opportunity to learn and grow with my Jesuit-educated brothers and sisters across the nation (and in some cases, across the globe) so that we are better equipped to stand in solidarity with those that need it most. I learned a lot, but my biggest takeaway is that you can’t necessarily ever walk around in someone’s shoes – a concept I always used to love. You, can however, appreciate the shoe in the experiences that it walked through and you can love the foot it fits.”

Rose Hricko ’22 added, “I think it was important to attend IFTJ because being an active and practicing Catholic means living your faith in ways that promote and work for justice. IFTJ both educates and prepares students to do just that.”