On Friday, September 16, 2022, Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) kicked-off the brand new Restorative Justice (RJ) Ministry Community of Practice. Over 50 restorative justice learners and leaders from parishes, schools, religious orders, and nonprofits gathered together, invigorated to join with one another over the next year for communal learning, discernment, and growth.

Click here to learn more about the RJ Ministry Community of Practice.

Why this Community of Practice?

Throughout CMN’s efforts to promote restorative justice, we have heard engaged practitioners’ desires for continued learning and peer connection.

This was affirmed at the kickoff event where attendees shared their search for spiritual growth as practitioners, places to practice using their circle keeping skills, and appreciation of the diversity of skills and interests within the community. CMN’s hope is that the RJ Ministry Community of Practice becomes a vessel for all of this and more.

With these hopes and gifts in mind, CMN now adds new virtual events, like bi-monthly Deepening Circles. These events are intended for those who already have some basic knowledge or experience with restorative justice and are ready to take the next step.

As a community, we have four main goals:

1. Learn new skills and tools for holding restorative conversations in community

In each gathering we will participate in circle processes for reflection and sharing, utilizing creative activities and technologies to facilitate learning and lens shifting. Each meeting will be designed to not only benefit our community, but to provide tangible skills for community members to bring back to their respective ministry or practice.

2. Build relationships of accompaniment with fellow RJ ministers

Through icebreakers, break-out groups, and chat-based sharing we will meet fellow travelers on the road. At each event, participants will have the opportunity to gather with individuals who are serving in a similar area of ministry. We also encourage community members to connect outside of the live events.

3. Navigate core questions and challenges of implementing restorative practices in ministry

Learning from the wisdom of restorative justice implementation in other sectors, as people of faith, we will ask questions such as: What gifts and wisdom are available to us from prior experience in ministry and spiritual formation? What unique challenges and barriers to implementation exist within and among Catholic and faith-based institutions? How do we meaningfully collaborate with other organizations and efforts that seek to promote restorative justice?

4. Deepen understanding of restorative justice in light of Catholic teaching

We acknowledge that restorative justice has roots in a multitude of spiritual and cultural traditions and welcome all those who seek to integrate their Christian identity within restorative justice practice. Through prayer and reflection, we aim to elicit new insights about the call to be agents of restoration and healing within our particular areas of ministry — transforming lives and systems.