Living the Catholic Social Tradition combines four essays from leading scholars with eight concrete case studies based on community social justice projects across the country. This unique combination of theory and reflective practice provides university students and adult learners with a framework for understanding the Catholic social tradition and a demonstration of its positive social impact on the people it serves. The reader first learns about the challenges facing Catholic universities in educating the current generation about the Catholic social tradition. The next essays provide insights into the ways in which the tradition frames and contributes to social change; approaches to understanding the key concepts and documents that make up the tradition; and an understanding of the forces confronting change agents in major metropolitan areas. Undertaken by younger scholars and activists, the eight case studies tackle the issues that grass roots groups and visionary leaders face as they try to bring about positive change in their communities.

In a time when the global and national economies seem to favor so few and harm so many, when the threats to the common good are so prevalent and so deep, how do people of faith think about these issues and act with those who are most vulnerable?Living the Catholic Social Tradition: Cases and Commentary addresses these challenges through contemporary theory and research conducted within the framework of the rich Catholic social tradition.

Co-editors Kathleen Maas Weigert and Alexia Kelley combine four essays from leading scholars with eight concrete case studies based on community social justice projects across the country. This unique combination of theory and reflective practice provides university students and adult learners with a framework for understanding the Catholic social tradition and a demonstration of its positive social impact on the people it serves.

The reader first learns about the challenges facing Catholic universities in educating the current generation about the Catholic social tradition. The next essays provide insights into the ways in which the tradition frames and contributes to social change; approaches to understanding the key concepts and documents that make up the tradition; and an understanding of the forces confronting change agents in major metropolitan areas. Undertaken by younger scholars and activists, the eight case studies tackle the issues that grass roots groups and visionary leaders face as they try to bring about positive change in their communities.

Living the Catholic Social Tradition will help readers assess and address different social justice issues within the framework of Catholic social thought. In that process, readers are called upon to think how they might not only contribute to the tradition, but develop it further, thus bringing the Catholic social tradition alive in contemporary times.

Part 1 Foreword
Part 2 Preface
Part 3 Part I: Framing Essays
Chapter 4 Living the Catholic Social Tradition: Introduction and Overview
Chapter 5 Social Change Strategies for the Future of Metropolitan Areas
Chapter 6 From Industrialization to Globalization: Church and Social Ministry
Chapter 7 Catholic Social Teaching: Starting with the Common Good
Part 8 Part II: Case Studies
Chapter 9 Introduction to Case Studies
Chapter 10 Young Visionaries in the South Bronx
Chapter 11 The Resurrection Project
Chapter 12 The Neighborhood Development Center
Chapter 13 Oakland Community Organizations' "Faith in Action": Locating the Grassroots Social Justice Mission
Chapter 14 COPS: Putting the Gospel into Action in San Antonio
Chapter 15 Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Chapter 16 Baltimore: BUILD and the Solidarity Sponsoring Committee
Chapter 17 Students Against Sweatshops
Part 18 Resource Section
Part 19 About the Authors