woke – Joseph Stoutzenberger

Strangers or Guests?

A group of diverse, smiling people standing in front of an American flag and the Statue of Liberty

The text explores the significance of hospitality in ancient Greek and Hebrew cultures, contrasting it with contemporary American attitudes toward immigration and xenophobia. It highlights the biblical call for compassion towards strangers and emphasizes the contributions of immigrants to American society, urging a more loving response to migrants as a moral imperative.

Consolation vs. Social Justice

Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on his childhood Catholic faith, filled with rituals and prayers like those to St. Francis and St. Jude. He contrasts this piety with his current struggles to connect with spirituality as an adult, despite recognizing the enduring devotion in others. He finds solace in sacred spaces, valuing prayer’s nuanced presence in life.

Are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dirty Words?

A group of young, diverse students gathering outside

Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education. He contrasts past efforts to promote DEI with contemporary opposition that argues it’s detrimental. Stoutzenberger highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in enriching education and emphasizes that addressing DEI can foster unity without sacrifice to fairness.

Woke Catholicism

I realized that I could not write about “Catholicism” without recognizing the reality of sexual abuse that has taken place in the church in the recent past and today. I looked at other books that described themselves as offering an introduction to or an overview of Catholicism. None that I found addressed this dark side of Catholicism.