This exploration of the tradition and contemporary application of Catholic social teaching focuses on the basics, and addresses the challenges that these teachings pose to Christians in their lives and interactions today. This revised and updated edition focuses on these key themes:

• - the value of all of God's creation--which each of us is part of
• - human dignity--and how it is intrinsic to all of Catholic social thought
• - the need for community--and what it does for us
• - the option for the poor--what it is (and it's not new!) and why it is so important
• - human rights and human responsibilities--to ourselves, to one another, to our world
• - the dignity of all work--and the requiremen for fairness to all workers
• - the need for solidarity--particularly in issues of conflict whether at home, locally or around the globe

To more deeply illustrate these values, Marvin Krier Mich weaves together the biblical tradition and the wisdom of Catholic social teaching with the stories of saints and spiritual leaders, contemporary and historical. These witnesses and martyrs invite us into that same process of transformation and discipleship.

Marvin L. Krier Mich is director of social policy at the Catholic Family Center, a regional office of Catholic Charities in Rochester, New York and president of the Greater Rochester Community of Churches. His books include Catholic Social Teaching and Movements (Twenty-Third Publications, 1998) and, as co-author, In the Spirit of St. Francis and the Sultan: Catholics and Muslims Working Together for the Common Good.