The Office of Life, Justice & Peace provides resources and information to parishioners on Catholic social teaching, its themes, and specific issues. To request materials, please e-mail the Office.
Interested in learning more? Read one of our books. Find a complete list books available for checkout from the Office library below.
General Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
A Catholic Call to Justice: An Activity book for Raising Awareness of Social Justice Issues (Ages 14-22) -- CCHD, CRS, 1998
Catholic Social Teaching, Learning and Living Justice -- Michael Pennock, 2000
(This textbook, and accompanying teacher's manual, covers a number of justice issues, including a chapter on Justice and the Right to Life, Justice and Poverty, Justice and Racism, and Justice and the Environment)
Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret -- Peter J. Henriot, Edward P. DeBerri, Michael J. Schultheis, 1995 (A brief overview of the development of social teaching along with detailed outlines of the major social teaching documents).
The Challenge and Spirituality of Catholic Social Teaching -- Marvin L. Krier Mich, 2005
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church -- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004
A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching -- Kevin E. McKenna, 2002
Connecting Faith and Life -- Foley and Schmaltz, 1987
Contemporary Catholic Social Teaching (contains Rerum Novarum, Quadragesimo Anno, US Bishops Pastoral Message on 100th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum) -- USCCB, 1991
In All Things Charity: A Pastoral Challenge for the New Millennium -- USCCB, 1999
In the Footsteps of Jesus, Resource Manual on Catholic Social Teaching - USCCB, 2004
Leaven for the Modern World: Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Education -- Ronald Krietemeyer, 2000
Living God's Justice: Reflections and Prayers -- The Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors, 2006
Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action -- Thomas Massaro, S.J., 2000
Quest for Justice: A Compendium of Statements of the United States Catholic Bishops on the Political and Social Order 1966-1980 -- USCCB, 1981
Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching -- Kenneth R. Himes, OFM, 1998
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops) (Leader's Guide included) -- 1998
Papal Encyclicals
Caritas In Veritate (Charity in Truth) -- Pope Benedict XVI, 2009
Centesimus Annus (On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum) -- Saint John Paul II, 1991
Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) -- Pope Benedict XVI, 2005
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) -- Pope Francis, 2013
Evangelium Vitae (On Human Life) -- Saint John Paul II, 1995
Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) -- Saint John Paul II, 1981 (Includes Study Guide)
Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home -- Pope Francis, 2015 (Available for purchase)
Laudato Si': Sobre el Cuidado de la Casa Común (Disponible para compra)
Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) -- Saint John XXIII, 1963
Solicitudo Rei Socialis (On Social Concern) -- Saint John Paul II, 1987
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Dignity of a Person (Dignitas Personae) - - Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, 2008
The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae): On the Value and Inviolability of Human Life -- Saint John Paul II, 1995
El Evangelio De La Vida: Sobre el Valor y el Carí¡cter Inviolable de la Vida Humana
Proclaiming the Message of Life -- Fr. Frank Pavone
Sharing the Heart of Christ: Post-abortion Ministry -- Priests for Life
Death Penalty
Choose Life! Building Opposition to the Death Penalty (A comprehensive look at Catholic teaching on the death penalty and offers suggestions for parishes to get involved in this issue). Roundtable, 2000
Dead Man Walking -- Sister Helen Prejean, 1993
Reflections on Dead Man Walking -- Sister Helen Prejean, 2000
The Oregon Death Penalty Document -- Rachel Cunliffe Hardesty, 2000
A Tortured History: The Story of Capital Punishment in Oregon -- William R. Long
Understanding Capital Punishment: A Guide through the Death Penalty Debate -- Death Penalty Information Center, 2003
U.S. Bishops' Statement on Capital Punishment, 1998
Human Trafficking
How You Can Fight Human Trafficking: Over 50 Ways to Join the Fight
Immigration
Immigration and the Next America: Renewing the Soul of Our Nation -- Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, 2013
The Second Wave: Hispanic Ministry and the Evangelization of Cultures -- Allan Figueroa Deck, 1989
Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope: A Pastoral Letter on Migration
Juntos en el Camino de la Esperanza: Ya No Somos Extranjeros
Together A New People: Pastoral Statement on Migrants and RefugeesUSCCB, 1986
We Are Strangers No Longer: Summary of the Pastoral Letter on Migration
Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity USCCB, 2000
Who Are My Sisters and Brothers? Reflections on Understanding and Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees USCCB: Migration and Refuge Services
Media and Culture
Christians Living in the US Culture -- Thomas E Clarke, 1988
Nonviolence
Jesus and Nonviolence: A Thrid Way -- Walter Wink, 2003
Peace
Blessed Are the Peacemakers: 10 Steps to Peace -- Mary E Latela, 2003
Building Peace, A Pastoral Reflection on the Response to the Challenge of Peace -- 1988
The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response (A Pastoral Letter on War and Peace by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops) USCCB, 1983
The Challenge of Peace: A Challenge to Parents (A Reflective Resource for Parents) -- Commission on Marriage and Family Life; USCCB, 1985
The Challenge of Shalom for Catholics and Jews: A Dialogical Discussion Guide to the Catholic Bishops' Pastoral on Peace and War -- Annette Daum and Eugene Fisher, 1985
Christian Parenting for Peace and Justice: Program Guide -- James and Kathleen McGinnis
East Timor: Genocide in Paradise -- Matthew Jardine, 1995
From Violence to Wholeness: A Ten Part Process in the Spirituality & the Practice of the Active Nonviolence -- Ken Butigan, 2002
The International Arms Trade, An Ethical Reflection Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1994
El Comerio Internacional De Armas, Una reflexión etica
In the Name of Peace: Collective Statements of the United States Catholic Bishops on War and Peace, 1919-1980 -- USCCB, 1980
Justice and Only Justice: A Palestinian Theology of Liberation -- Naim Stifan Ateek, 2003
Option for Peace: The Teaching of the U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter on War and Peace (Leader's Guide Included) -- Fr. Richard J. Cassidy, 1984
Out of Justice, Peace (Joint Pastoral Letter of the West German Bishops and Winning the Peace (Joint Pastoral Letter of the French Bishops) -- Edited by James V. Schall, 1984
Partners in Peacemaking: Family Workshop Models (Guidebook for Leaders) -- James McGinnis, 1984
Peacemaking: Family Activities for Justice and Peace -- Jacqueline Haessly, 1980
Peacemaking: Moral and Policy Challenges for a New World -- edited by Gerard F Powers, Drew Christiansen, and Robert T Hennemeyer, 1997
The Scent of Jasmine: Reflections for Peace in Everyday Life -- Patricia McCarthy, 1996
The Social Thoughts of Thomas Merton: The Way of Non Violence and Peace for the Future -- Rev. David W. Givey, 2009
Starting Out Right: Nurturing Young Children as Peacemakers -- Kathleen McGinnis and Barbara Oehlberg, 1991
To Dwell in Peace: An Autobiography -- Daniel Berrigan, 1987
Racism
The Church and Racism: Towards a More Fraternal Society -- Pontifical Commission Iustitia et Pax, 1988
The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming -- Natasha Bowens, 2015
Crossing the Racial Divide: America's struggle for justice and reconciliation (a study guide) -- Sojourners Magazine editors, 2005
Here I Am, Send Me:A Conference Response to the Evangelization of African Americans -- USCCB, 1989
Keep Your Hand on the Plow -- USCCB, Committee on African American Catholics, 1996
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself: US Catholic Bishops Speak Against Racism -- Committee on African American Catholics & USCCB, 2001
Racial Justice and the Catholic Church -- Bryan Massingale, 2010
Rising to Common Ground: Overcoming America's Color Lines -- Danny Duncan Collum, 2006
Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity -- USCCB, 2000
Restorative Justice
Camerado, I Give You My Hand: How a Powerful Lawyer-Turned-Priest is Changing the Lives of Men Behind Bars -- Maura Poston Zagrans, 2013
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Age of Declining Turbulence, Are Alan Greenspan's Projections Wrong? -- Douglas N. Thompson, 2009
Building Economic Justice: The Bishops' Pastoral Letter and Tools for Action -- USCCB, 1986
Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the United States Economy -- USCCB, 1986
Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy (Education Resource Directory) -- USCCB
Justica Ecónomica Para Todos
A Pledge of Commitment for Economic Justice -- USCCB
10th Anniversary Edition of Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the United States Economy -- USCCB, 1996
A Decade Later: Economic Justice for All: Continuing Principles, Changing Context, New Challenges (USCCB)
How Much is Enough? Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture -- Arthur Simon, 2003
The Prophetic Imagination -- Walter Brueggemann, 2001
Relieving Third World Debt: A Call for Co-responsibility, Justice, and Solidarity (USCCB, 1989)
The Right to Development: Conciliar and Pontifical Texts 1960-1990 -- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1991
Toward the Future, Catholic Social Thought and the U.S. Economy -A Lay Letter, 1984
Homelessness
Street Journal: Finding God in the Homeless -- Gary N Smith, 1994
Voices from the Street: Truths about Homelessness from Sisters of the Road -- Jessica P. Morrell, 2007
What Have You Done To Your Homeless Brother? The Church and Housing Problems: Document of the Pontifical Commission "Iustitia et Pax" on the occasion of the international Year of Shelter for the Homeless, 1987
Hunger
Exodus From Hunger: We Are Called to Change the Politics of Hunger -- David Beckman, 2010
Poverty
Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation -- Jonathan Kozol, 1996
Champions of the Poor: The Economic Consequences of Judeo-Christian Values -- Barend A deVries
Credible Signs of Christ Alive: Case Studies from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development -- John P. Hogan, 2003
Dispossessed: Life in Our World's Urban Slums -- Mark Kramer, 2006
Empowerment and Hope: 25 years of turning lives around -- CCHD
Justice in the Marketplace: Collected Statements of the Vatican and the US Catholic Bishops on Economic Policy, 1891-1984 -- USCCB, 1985
Management of Values: The Ethical Difference in Corporate Policy and Performance -- Charles S McCoy, 1985
No Shame in My Game: The Working Poor in the Inner City -- Katherine S Newman, 1999
Pedagogies for the Non-Poor -- Alice Frazer Evans, Robert A Evans, William Bean Kennedy, 1987
Poverty in American Democracy: A Study of Social Power -- CCHD, 1974
Community
Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding & Mobilizing Community Assets - - John Kretzmann & John McKnight, 1993
Faith Based Community Organizing: The State of the Field -- Mark R. Warren & Richard L Wood, 2001
Renewing Congregations: The Contribution of Faith-Based Community Organizing 2002-2003
Reviving the Common Good: A Pastoral Letter on Social Justice -- 1991
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
Voices and Choices: A Pastoral Message on Justice in the Workplace from the Catholic Bishops of the South
Voces y Opciones: Una Carta Pastoral sobre la justicia en el lugar de trabajo de los Obispos Católicos del Sur
Solidarity
The Church in America: The Way to Conversion, Communion, and Solidarity in America -- Pope John Paul II, 1999
A Jubilee Call for Debt Forgiveness -- CCHD, 1999
Prayer without Borders: Celebrating Global Wisdom -- Catholic Relief Services, 2004
The Road to Survival -- Catholic Relief Services, 2006
Solidarity will Transform the World: Stories of Hope from Catholic Relief Services --Jeffry Odell Korgen, 2007
Statement on Central America -- USCCB, 1987
A Time for Dialogue and Healing: A Pastoral Reflection on United States - Vietnam Relations -- USCCB, 1989
The True Cost of Low Prices -- Jeffry Odell Korgen, 2013
A Word of Solidarity, A Call for Justice: A Statement on Religious Freedom in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union -- USCCB, 1988
You Did It for Me: Care of Your Neighbor as a Spiritual Practice -- Kevin E. McKenna, 2005
Rights and Responsibilities
Human Rights and the Church: Historical and Theological Reflections -- Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 1990
Respect for Human Rights: The Secret of True Peace (Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace ) -- Pope John Paul II, 1999
Care for Creation
"And God Saw That It Was Good": Catholic Theology and the Environment -- USCCB, 1996
Climate Change: The Facts -- Institute of Public Affairs, 2015
Love God Heal Earth: Leading Religious Voices Speak Out on Our Sacred Duty to Protect the Environment
On Care for Creation: A Collection of Articles and Homilies -- Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Journal, Volume 24, No. 1, Summer 2004
Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice -- 202nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, 1990
The Telling Takes US Home: Taking Our Places in the Stories That Shape Us (A People's Pastoral from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia) -- 2015
Other Books
The Catholic Worker Movement: Intellectual and Spiritual Origins -- Mark and Louise Zwick, 2005
Cloud of Witness -- Jim Wallis & Joyce Hollyday, 2005
Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life -- Henri Nouwen, Donald P. McNeill, Douglas A. Morrison, 1983
Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes -- USCCB, 2010
Dorothy Day: Catholic Worker (for the young reader) -- St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1981
Gandhi the Man: The Story of His Transformation -- Eknath Easwaran, 2006
Geno: The Life and Mission of Geno Baroni -- Lawrence M O'Rourke, 1991
Interpretando Las Senales De Neustro Tiempo: Siete Semanas para Pequenas Comunidades en Proceso a un Cambio Social (2001)
Jesus Before Christianity -- Albert Nolan, 2006
Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom -- Albert Nolan, 1976
Let Your Life Speak: Listening to the Voice of Vocation -- Parker J. Palmer, 2000
Listening -- Andrew Wolven & Carolyn Gwynn Coakley, 1988
The Powers that Be: Theology for a New Millennium -- Walter Wink, 1998
Reading the Signs of the Times: A Seven-Week Small-Group Process for Social Change (2001)
Sons and Daughters of the Light -- USCCB, 2010
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion -- Fr. Greg Boyle, 2010