Video Recommendations

Curing Affluenza (V 1103)
Tony Campolo addresses “affluenza”— the American epidemic of shopping, overwork, debt and pursuit of money. Hear Campolo and others discuss the problem and ways to resolve it. The cure is set forth in the Bible.

Communities of Salt and Light (V 1144)
Challenges believers to put social teachings of the Church into practice in every parish. Introduces the bishops’ call to strengthen parish social ministry. Using hundreds of images illustrating social justice needs and work as well as interviews from church, parish and community leaders, this video challenges viewers to put faith into action and to seek justice and peace in their homes, parishes, local communities and beyond.

When Did I See You Hungry? (V 1540)
A photographic meditation on the plight of the poor and our responsibility to help. View black and white photographs taken by Gerard Thomas Straub in India, Brazil, Kenya, Jamaica, the Philippines, Mexico, Italy, Canada and the United States.

We Have a Table for Four Ready (D 5210)
The story of St. Francis Inn in the Kensington district of Philadelphia. The spirituality of service, compassion and fraternity leads workers at the inn to welcome unconditionally men and women of all races and religions. The moving stories of the community members who serve and the guests who dine make this a powerful program.

Book Recommendations

Mountain of the Moon (BK 4688)
Stephanie Weller Hanson; Saint Mary’s Press
Ten stories that put flesh and blood on issues of injustice at personal and societal levels, offering in-depth material for reflecting on the meaning of justice within a Christian context.

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (BK 5481)
USCCB Publishing
This unprecedented document in the history of the Church serves as a tool to inspire and guide the faithful who are faced with moral and pastoral challenges daily.

Living God’s Justice: Reflections and Prayers (BK 5663)
The Roundtable Association of the Diocesan Social Action Directors; St. Anthony Messenger Press
A gold mine for those called upon to lead prayer during meetings or to design prayer services. The content deals with major themes of Catholic social teaching, discipleship, peace and holy days/holidays. The prayers are sufficiently varied to meet the needs of almost any group.

Web Recommendation

The Busy Christian’s Guide to Catholic Social Teaching
A timeline of significant events from 1760 to 2009. Includes notations of major encyclicals issued during that time frame and gives name, author and summary of each.


To check out these materials or others, phone Kathy Ward at 406-442-5820 or email kward@diocesehelena.org. To see more holdings, please visit www.diocesehelena.org. Select “Education” and then “Resource Center.”


Published in The Montana Catholic Online, Volume 27, No. 7, July 15, 2011.