Marketplace Ministry Focus Area
Pope John Paul II in several encyclicals (On Human Work and Christifedelis Laici), the U.S. Catholic bishops (Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium), as well as the growing body of Catholic social teaching, have all affirmed the importance of the laity bringing Christian values to every sector of society. Organization and communities may be viewed as sacred fields of human energy in which the primary work of envisioning and structuring the life of our global community takes place. The ministerial praxis of those who engage others in work places, neighborhoods, and volunteer associations and organizations involves acting as leaven for the reign of God in the midst of those social and ecological systems. Ministers in the “marketplace” are “church sent.” They participate in the evangelization of social systems to bring about more just and caring communities and organizations. The courses of the Marketplace Ministry focus area assist students in reflecting upon the spirituality of work in its various manifestations. Students then explore the meaning and avenues for Christian praxis in the midst of organizational settings that are not specifically ecclesial in identity.
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Spirituality and Theology of Work
Oriented to those students who
understand their ministry as primarily
taking place outside of parish or other
explicit ecclesial communities, this
course investigates work and profession
from the standpoints of vocation and
community. Vocation is considered as a
transformation of toil into creative work,
and profession is viewed as an expression
of the way one professes commitment to
a particular community. Creativity,
redemption, and collaboration are
explored in light of workplace systems
and the difference that Christians can
make in the world.
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Ministry in the Marketplace
This course helps students discern practical approaches to working toward mutually respectful, caring, and just communities in diverse and pluralistic work and community settings. The course will explore how images of collective life rooted in the biblical image of the reign of God can be translated into contemporary societies and community life with respect for persons of varying backgrounds and traditions.