Now in its third year in this diocese, JustFaith, a program offered through the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, is changing lives for the better, says Sister Jane Boos, SSND. This program, used nationally by dozens of dioceses, is sponsored by Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). It is a conversion-based process that helps participants grow in their commitment to care for the vulnerable and become advocates for justice.

"JustFaith is a 30-week adult formation program that offers a great opportunity for parishioners to experience a spiritual journey into compassion," says Herb Reisinger of Holy Family Parish in Granite City.

Participants in the small groups hold weekly gatherings, says Sister Jane, who is director of the Office for Social Concerns. Every session includes prayer, reflections on specific readings, and some new insight from a speaker, video or DVD.

Groups also take part in an "immersion experience" that entails, for instance, a presentation by a person who heads up an organization funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development - and often a visit to one of those funded places. For example, on Feb. 23, a number of JustFaith participants took part in a Journey to Justice Day at St. Agnes Church in Springfield. They heard from Tim Rowles, executive director of The Springfield Project, a CCHD nationally funded group.

"He recounted the projects with which his group is involved such as new housing and several projects involving institutional change," says Reisinger. "Sandy Robinson, from the Department of Community Relations for the City of Springfield, led a much energized discussion on the problems facing the city, churches and citizens of Springfield." Margaret Griffin of the C. Lee Carey Neighborhood Group, also spoke.

"JustFaith is not just an education, but a transformation," says Sister Jane. "Because this education is combined with prayer and different experiences, it opens a person up to God's grace to conversion."

Lonnie Looby, facilitator of the JustFaith group at St. Agnes Parish in Springfield, agrees. "There are a lot of religious education programs around," she says. "But this group is based on the social teaching of the Catholic Church. It is a formation program, not an information program."

Taking part in JustFaith is a serious commitment, Looby says. "It is a commitment for every week. It is an issue-committed program. We really do focus on the poor. We learn to be with them; we are not just doing things for them. Then, of course, we also have the immersion experience."

Presently several Springfield parishes and the Franciscan motherhouse are hosting JustFaith groups. There are also two multi-parish JustFaith groups gathering in Decatur this year, says Kim Diaz, DRE, director of family life and Scripture study at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Decatur. "I am sure we have enough people interested that we will have new groups beginning this fall," Diaz says.

"During the JustFaith experience every person hears a different call," says Sister Jane. "For some it is living more simply; for some it is helping a CCHD group in a neighborhood; for some it is helping in a Third World country; for others it is recognizing the sin of racism. It really is living the way Christ lived ... it is simply an invitation to change."

The fee for hosting a JustFaith group at the parish level is $250 and includes a 30-week lesson plan and materials. Additionally, some parishes or the participants purchase books to study. "We share the videos," Sister Jane says.

For more information on beginning a JustFaith Group, call Sister Jane Boos at (217) 698-8500 or e-mail .