Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, posted a job seeking a full-time “University minister, coordinator of social justice formation.” What exactly does that entail? Well, among other things, a qualified applicant would be responsible for leading “pilgrimages” to sites “significant to the movement for social justice” and to “write an annual Social Justice Education plan for the next 2-4 years.”
As per Lewis’s standards, the coordinator would “develop and support programs that encourage students to live and understand social justice from a Catholic perspective” and “must have expertise in Catholic social teaching and knowledge of organizations which work for justice.” The right person would need at a minimum a bachelor’s degree or preferably a master’s degree “related to pastoral ministry.”
Here’s a complete list of responsibilities:
- Lead pilgrimages to locations significant to the movement for social justice during breaks and in May
- Organize the Catalyst Social Justice Team & Retreat
- Moderate a chapter of Catholic Relief Services or another organization that promotes social justice
- Write an annual Social Justice Education plan for the next 2-4 years
- Collect data on students involved with social justice education for program development and institutional reporting
- Serve on a Diocesan Committee related to Social Justice
- Lead a faith sharing group
- Participate in Sunday liturgies, weekly staff meetings, Visit Day and Open House Days; provide guidance in pastoral conversations with students and staff; and be a pastoral presence in residence halls and common areas
Lewis has already been offering these social justice pilgrimages for the last year, according to Campus Reform, including trips to the southern border and to Selma, Alabama.
The university’s website states: “Pilgrimages are a unique combination of educational study, faith-based reflection, and social justice immersion. Through these immersive experiences, students will become educated about a current world social issue, grow deeper in their faith, and be inspired to work toward a more peaceful and just society.”
As Campus Reform notes, the job listing has since been labeled “no longer available”; however, it is not known if the position has been filled or canceled. Sorry to disappoint our readers either way.
