Annual Buy Nothing Day

I am in the middle of writing a paper for my Theological Ethics course about conscience as it relates to social sin.  The social sin on which I have chosen to focus is Capitalism.  While the paper will probably not be published here in its entirety, I believe that it is vital for those of us in ministry to draw a connection between one's spending habits and one's Catholic identity.  There are moral implications when we shop.  We need to acknowledge these implications which include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) "Sweat Shops" and other abuses that relate to globalization
2) An ever-widening gap between rich and poor, both in our own country and world wide
3) The environmental impacts of consumerism

Each year, Adbusters.com sponsors a Buy Nothing Day.  AdBusters is not a faith-based organization, but its message speaks to the spirit of Christianity and to Catholic teaching.  First, AdBusters adamantly decries the environmental effects of consumerism and promotes efforts towards sustainability.  (See Care of God's Creation in Catholic Social Teaching; Genesis 1 reminds us that human beings are merely stewards of the Earth.)  Second, AdBusters observes that, "You may find that it’s harder than you think, that the impulse to buy is more ingrained in you than you ever realized" - and encourages us to fight back!  Why is buying such a large part of our culture?  Jesus reminds us that we cannot "serve two masters... You cannot serve God and wealth (Lk 16:13)."  We need this reminder more often than not.

Buy Nothing Day is also known as Black Friday.  This year, it takes place just two days before the beginning of Advent.  How poignant!  Will you take a stand and say NO! to consumerism?  Will you truly help to "Keep Christ in Christmas" by avoiding this social sin?

The Website: AdBusters
The Event: facebook
The Poster: Advertise

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue!  Please comment!

Faces of Jesus

Please see this link for the Seminar instructions. See this link for the handouts.

Objective: To use pop culture (specifically the Harry Potter series) as a starting point for theological reflection about the nature and meaning of Jesus Christ. At the end of the seminar, participants should be on their way in developing a personal Christology.

Sessions: There are 5 sessions associated with this seminar. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes. Between sessions, participants should answer reflection questions in the provided Workbook in order to decipher their own Christology. The 5th session will be devoted to open discussion of individual Christologies. The sessions will consist mostly of open, guided discussions.

Audience: Adults; including parents, catechists, teachers, and young adults. Participants should have a general acquaintance with the Harry Potter series of books by J.K. Rowling, or the movies (Warner Bros.).