CCA + The People’s Pastoral
Catholic Committee of Appalachia
Along with his Co-Coordinator, Jeannie Kirkhope, and many beloved colleagues, Michael Iafrate was dedicated to his work at CCA. Learn more about the organization here.
The People’s Pastoral
In a way [The People’s Pastoral] offers a smoothly transitioned, localized sequel to Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home,” reading every bit as beautifully and powerfully.
Sharon Abercrombie, National Catholic Reporter, on The Telling Takes Us Home
Michael would be the first to say that The Telling Takes Us Home, also known as “The People’s Pastoral,” was a collaborative project of the Catholic Committee of Appalachia and the people of Appalachia, not “his” work alone. It is impossible to deny, though, that as the lead author and with his lyrical, wordsmithing gifts, he left an indelible mark on the document, which even inspired a documentary film by Salt + Light Media Foundation.
On this page you can download the document itself, watch the film trailer, see and hear a couple of Michael’s presentations on the work, and find links to some press about it, spanning from the planning process to its release. (Not an all-inclusive list.)
Magisterium of the People
OFFICIAL TRAILER
Presentations
Michael presents at the 2017 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, speaking about The People’s Pastoral and emphasizing the importance of honoring our own Appalachian stories — while challenging those that dominate and oppress — in charting new courses for our communities and the world.
Michael speaks at St. Michael’s College of the University of Toronto, where he was in the process of completing his PhD dissertation, regarding the “The People’s Pastoral,” The Telling Takes Us Home, from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia. The presentation was entitled “The Audacity of the Laity and the Option for the Poor in the Appalachian People’s Pastoral Letter.”
Press Coverage of the Pastoral
National Catholic Reporter articles
Multiple articles. Dates vary. 2014-2018.
WV Public Radio Spot – “The Catholic Committee of Appalachia Develops Its Third Pastoral Letter”
Interview with Michael. Story by Glynis Board
April 21, 2014
WV Public Radio Spot – “Grassroots Pastoral Letter from Appalachian Catholics Calls for the Telling of New Stories”
Story by Glynis Board. Features interviews with Michael and Sister Jaculyn Hanrahan.
January 15, 2016