Scripture Reading – 1st Reading – February 8, 2019 – Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita Hebrews 13:1-8

Catechesis Video

Grades 7-12

1. Why is the dignity of the human person important?  How does human trafficking take that away?

2. How is human trafficking similar to slavery?

3. How can we be vigilant toward human trafficking in our community?

4. What should be done for the victims?

5. How can we spread the word to our communities?

Parish Leaders/Committees

1. Why is the dignity of the human person important?  How does human trafficking take that away?
2. What actions do we take that may contribute to human trafficking?
3. How might our Catholic faith guide us in addressing human trafficking?

Faith Sharing/Parishioners/Bible Study

1. Why is the dignity of the human person important?  How does human trafficking take that away?
2. What actions do we take that may contribute to human trafficking?
3. How might our Catholic faith guide us in addressing human trafficking?

Witness Video 

Witness Video Reflection Questions

Grades 7-12

1. What was her experience of human trafficking?

2. How was St. Josephine human dignity violated?

3. How can you use your life experiences to help others?

4. How has others life experiences impacted you?

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. What was her experience of human trafficking?

2. How was St. Josephine human dignity violated?

3. How can you use your life experiences to help others?

4. How has others life experiences impacted you?

Faithsharing/Parishioner/College Students

1. What was her experience of human trafficking?

2. How was St. Josephine human dignity violated?

3. How can you use your life experiences to help others?

4. How has others life experiences impacted you?

Action Steps

Grades 7-12

1. Before buying items for school use for parties, events, pilgrimages, apparel, etc. consider searching the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Guide and see if there are alternatives available. CRS vets various companies and determines their compliance with fair and ethical trade practices, avoiding sources that may engage in human trafficking or abuse of workers and communities.. https://ethicaltrade.crs.org/
2. Create a social media campaign to bring greater awareness to human trafficking.

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. Before buying items for parish use for parties, events, pilgrimages, etc. consider searching the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Guide. CRS vets various companies and determines their compliance with fair and ethical trade practices , avoiding sources that may engage in human trafficking or abuse of workers and communities.. https://ethicaltrade.crs.org/
2. Offer mass or other prayer service for the victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Faithsharing/Parishioners/College Students

1. Start replacing items you purchase on a regular basis with fair and ethical trade items using the Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade Guide. CRS vets various companies and determines their compliance with fair and ethical trade practices, avoiding sources that may engage in human trafficking or abuse of workers and communities. https://ethicaltrade.crs.org/
2. Donate to an organization that provides assistance to those being trafficked. This may include a local women’s shelter or domestic violence shelter.

Closing Prayer

Loving Father,

We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved.

For those forced into labor, trafficked into sexual slavery, and denied freedom.

We beseech you to release them from their chains.

Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment.

Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning.

Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes.

Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation.

For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

(From USCCB handout for World Day of Peace 2015)