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Acknowledgements It takes a community to raise a social ethicist, and in both my personal and professional life I have been formed by the witness and work of many others. This book is dedicated to the memory of my grandparents, John and Carol Clark. They took me to my first political protest, shopped with me for the local food pantry, and modeled faithful citizenship by explaining all of their activism for justice in light of the gospel. The Catholic faith passed on to me and my siblings during Sunday dinners is why I cannot stop blogging about Jesus and food stamps. My sincerest gratitude goes to David Hollenbach, SJ. I thank him for his constant encouragement, challenging critiques, and generosity with his time and especially for his gracious foreword to this book. A special thanks as well to Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ, who inspired me as an undergraduate at Fordham University to pursue graduate studies in theology. At Fordham, her guidance and that of W. Norris Clarke, SJ, Joseph Koterski, SJ, Brian Davies, OP, Mark Massa, SJ, and Donna Mckenzie nurtured and urged me to pursue doctoral work. At Boston College, Lisa Sowle Cahill, Kenneth R. Himes, OFM, James Keenan, SJ, Stephen Pope, and Thomas Massaro, SJ, modeled a challenging and collaborative community. It was a privilege to learn to be an ethicist within such an encouraging and challenging community of scholars. I am blessed to have wonderful colleagues and friends who provided much support as this book came to fruition. Warmest thanks to Teresa and Patrick Collins, Kevin Ahern, Amanda Osheim, Susan Frazzetto, Christopher Vogt, Patrick Flanagan, CM, Joann Heaney-Hunter, R. Ward Holder, Poppy Fry, Michael Jaycox, Nicholas Austin, SJ, Kimberly K. Asbury, and Monica Jalandoni for their friendship and willingness to read drafts, offer advice, and provide unconditional support. In the era of constant media and headlines, the need to bring Catholic theology into the public square is great, and I am lucky to have found a community of moral theologians at www.catholicmoraltheology.com and a forum for young Catholics voices at Millennial (www.millennialjournal.com). Being part of such diverse groups of scholars enriches my theology and vocation as a theologian. I am thankful to St. John’s University for their institutional support through a yearlong research reduction as this book was being completed. In addition, St. John’s faculty vii writing retreats led by Maura Flannery at the Center for Teaching and Learning and Anne Geller at the Faculty Writing Initiative were invaluable. At Fortress Press, Michael Gibson, Lisa Gruenisen, Jeremy Rehwaldt and others expertly guided this manuscript to publication. In undergraduate and graduate studies, I suffered from debilitating migraine complications managed through the incomparable care of Dr. Mark Gudesblatt—I am immensely appreciative of all his diligence made it possible for me to accomplish. This book is a labor of love for which the deepest thanks go to my family. My grandmother Joan McCarthy, aunts, uncles, and cousins provide an unconditional love and massive cheering section. Over the last two years, Hurricanes Irene and Sandy devastated my home in Long Beach, New York. Through the ups and downs of displacement, my sister and roommate Kaitlin also weathered the ups and downs of this book. I want to thank her and my brother Chip for always keeping me grounded and distracting me with Mets games. Finally, the person I am is thanks to my parents Drs. Charles and Lisa Clark. Their model of faithful service to one’s family, the vulnerable and marginalized, and the church serves as a constant living example of striving to “live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God.” Their personal and professional commitment to the common good motivates my own work. My father is an accomplished economist committed to Catholic social thought and poverty alleviation. With a doctorate and years as a nurse-practitioner, my mother tirelessly fights for the health and well-being of newborns at home and abroad. It is truly a wonderful gift to be able to collaborate with both of them in scholarship and an honor to be their daughter. viii | The Vision of Catholic Social Thought ...

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