1. Ongoing Education: "We Are In This Together"

We must increase awareness and concern about the serious issues facing our central cities and the importance of interdependent relationships among:

• people in cities, their suburbs and surrounding rural areas
• urban, suburban and rural parishes
• different faith traditions
• various levels of government, business,
• social agencies and nonprofit enterprises.

The development of people's understanding and attitudes about this vision will be the foundation for effective action for all of our people- adult parishioners, families, children and youth, members of Catholic institutions. These efforts also need to engage leaders in the wider community, recognizing the role of people of faith in the world.

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Provide formative experiences through prayer and reflection.

Adapt model programs such as the "100 Days Experience" of the Diocese of Saginaw which called the people of the diocese to reflect upon and discuss a particular question before each meeting and activity. Questions that might be used: "How will what I/we are doing impact people who are most in need?" "How will what we are planning or deciding help us to be more aware of our call to be one Church and one people? How will this serve or affect the lives of others?"

Develop a booklet of daily reflections for prayer and distribute it to all people of the diocese
Small group discussion upon topics such as:

• the moral dimension of choices on where and how we live;
• the practice of "moving up" means "moving out" and its effect on the neighborhood, community and family life;
• the impact of outmigration on places left behind;
• the challenge of our interconnectedness as a people of an area;
• the challenge in our everyday life to be aware of the presence of God that graces the places where we live.

Provide continued leadership and reinforcement of The Church in the City vision in pastoral statements from the Bishop and other diocesan leaders.

Reinforce The Church in the City vision through liturgical celebrations and preaching.

Help people to put into action in daily life what we celebrate and believe

Provide preaching institutes to address the social justice issues of The Church in the City vision and encourage the participation of all who preach

Develop teaching ministries to build upon present efforts to address social justice issues in curricula programs through the following:

• adult discussion and formation groups
• colleges, universities, seminaries
• use the Infusion Method of instruction in elementary, secondary and PSR programs

Engage faculties in addressing the interdisciplinary issues raised by The Church in the City in courses, writings, seminars for different groups

Provide educational programs for pastors, priests, permanent deacons, pastoral ministers.

Create educational materials for use in parish bulletins and newsletters, the Universe Bulletin and public media.

Organize formative interactions which draw people together from different parishes, neighborhoods and community groups for inspiring and meaningful dialogue, to foster a spirit of solidarity and stewardship in seeking to serve others, and to deepen the recognition about what people in our cities, suburbs and rural areas can learn from each other, realizing the different forms of both economic and spiritual poverty in the lives of people wherever they may live.

Promote the personal example of pastors, parish staff, parish pastoral councils and other leaders, and their consistent commitment to collaborative efforts that reflect our interdependence as people and communities.

Emphasize how issues of cultural differences, classism and racism impact upon choices regarding housing and work.

Use formal and informal networks to educate people about the benefits of living in the city and to communicate about housing options.

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For questions or comments, please send messages to: citc@igc.apc.org URL = http://www.citc.org/citc/

1996 The Diocese of Cleveland, Cleveland Ohio (216) 696-6525 ext. 350