CMN’s “RJ Ministry Community of Practice” is a virtual network of ministry leaders who seek to connect with one another, deepen their knowledge of restorative justice, and build skills for bringing restorative practices to their institutions, ministries, and civic life. 

Community members belong to a specialized email listserv, where they can share resources and hear about upcoming community events.

Join the Community of Practice

Virtual Community Events

Each month, members of the RJ Ministry Community of Practice are invited to gather for a virtual event, to build relationships with fellow practitioners and navigate core questions about implementing restorative practices, especially in faith-based settings.

Community Hours

Community Hours are informal times for members of the RJ Ministry Community of Practice to get to know one another, share about our ministries, and lift up stories, questions, and wisdom from our experiences. Invitations to upcoming Community Hours are shared via the Community of Practice listserv. Sign up above to join.

Deepening Circles

Deepening Circles are workshops for emerging and experienced RJ Ministry practitioners to reflect together on important themes and common challenges of restorative justice implementation. To hear about upcoming Deepening Circles, sign up above to join the Community of Practice listserv or click here.

Upcoming Events

A Space for Learning, Connection, and Growth

Restorative justice holds great promise for Catholic communities and society at large. It gives us a model to embrace a culture of encounter that binds up wounds in the wake of harm and injustice. 

The RJ Ministry Community of Practice creates a virtual space for emerging and experienced RJ ministry practitioners to support and energize one another in this transformative work. 

The community is best-suited for those who already have basic experience with restorative justice, and are now seeking practical tools and relational supports for implementing restorative practices across affinity areas such as:

  • Alternatives to Incarceration: Supporting pre-sentencing diversion efforts emerging throughout the country that aim to keep young people out of prison
  • Community-Supported Reintegration: Creating parish-based environments for support and accountability with people who are formerly incarcerated
  • Victim-Survivor Accompaniment: Walking alongside individuals and communities who are directly or indirectly impacted by crime and incarceration.
  • Courageous Conversations: Holding brave and healing conversations around difficult and harm-laden topics, including racial injustice and institutional harm

To learn more about opportunities for restorative justice in ministry, visit CMN’s digital resource, Paths of Renewed Encounter: A Restorative Justice Engagement Guide for Catholic Communities.

Just getting started with restorative justice? Join us for an "Intro to Restorative Justice" workshop.