Photo by James A. McBride
Michael Jordan Laskey begins his new book with a hypothetical challenge: “Imagine that the pope has asked you to come up with a one sentence mission statement for the Catholic Church.”
Laskey is director of Life and Justice Ministries for the Diocese of Camden, so it’s no surprise that he suggests starting with Jesus’ answer in the Gospel of Matthew to another question, “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” As every Catholic school or CCD student knows, Jesus puts love of God and love of neighbor above all else.
From that obvious beginning, and the real life challenge that flows from it — “the trick is that Jesus’ two love-commandments are as difficult to live out as they are to remember!” — Laskey sets out to provide a guide for faith communities in bringing Christian values to a wounded world.
Laskey’s “The Ministry of Peace and Justice” was published last month by Liturgical Press as part of its Collegeville Ministry Series.
Laskey holds a master’s degree in theology, writes on Catholic social teaching for “National Catholic Reporter” and other publications, and serves as the diocese’s vice chancellor for the City of Camden. But the idea for the book came to him from an “out of the blue” phone call a few years back.
“Someone calling himself Barry Hudok, an editor at Liturgical Press in Collegeville, Minnesota, saw my writing on the Life and Justice website, and other places, and invited me to write a book for their Collegeville Ministry series,” which had already published such resources as “The Ministry of Cantor,” “The Ministry of Lector” and “The Ministry of Religious Education.” Laskey thought he had been crank-called until he researched Hudok and Liturgical Press online.
“I was excited to do it, primarily because it would give me the chance to pull some thoughts together and articulate a vision” for his ministry that he could share in the book.
“The vision” Laskey writes about concerns how to “integrate life and justice themes and activities” into already-existing ministries such as young ministry and faith formation.
“Everything we do in our faith communities should flow from, and center on, love of God and neighbor,” he writes.
The influence of Pope Francis is obvious throughout the roughly 100 pages of the book. “Care for the poor and vulnerable is at the heart of his papacy, and at the heart of his vision for the Catholic Church,” Laskey says.
In the book, Laskey introduces key themes of Catholic social teaching, such as “life and dignity of the human person,” “the call to family, community, and participation,” and “preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.”
“Let’s weave these themes, central parts of our faith” into everything the church does, and become “holistic disciples,” he says.
Citing the United States Catholic Bishops’ 1994 document, “Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish,” Laskey says that the parish is “the most important ecclesial setting for sharing and acting on our Catholic social heritage. … The parish is the very best place in which to build a culture of encounter.”
Laskey dedicates his book to the parishes of the Diocese of Camden. Among the “Parish Spotlights” he includes is one on the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill.
“The Ministry of Peace and Justice” offers practical tips on how parishes can create or rejuvenate their own peace and justice committees. He provides examples from faith communities around the country, including one parish holding an intergenerational faith festival, or another parish creating a ministry to meet the needs of Latino immigrants.
The last chapter is a primer for peace and justice parish committee leaders, including tips for conversation, education, and planning in the faith community.
Laskey also includes a few personal stories, sharing his journey from a college student leading high schoolers on mission trips, to a Notre Dame ECHO apprentice working at a parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, to his current responsibilities.
Ultimately, Laskey hopes parishes around the country pick up this book, and “act on the opportunity we have to work with God in the repairing of the world,” he writes in the first chapter. “If you’re a pastor or pastoral associate, liturgist, director of faith formation, youth minister, administrator, or parishioner with a heart for bringing the love of God to our wounded world, this book is for you,” he writes.
Michael Jordan Laskey’s book, “The Ministry of Peace and Justice,” can be found at www.litpress.org/peace-and-justice and Amazon. For bulk copies contact Laskey directly at michael.laskey@camdendiocese.org. The cost is $7.95 a copy.
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