Analysis for Action

​Learn where you stand on an issue and what course of action you should take using a Good Shepherd Lens. Follow the steps below.

Observation & Info Gathering

Who is affected by the issue?
How are they affected by this issue?
​What are their stories and experiences?​

Analysis

What are the root causes of this issue?
What factors impact those root causes?
How are those causes connected to each other?
What current policies influence the issue?
\Who gains from the situation?  Who loses?

Determine Your Position

Good Shepherd and Catholic Social Teaching Framework

What is the Good Shepherd vision of a just society? How do the Good Shepherd values of individual worth, mercy, reconciliation and zeal intersect with this issue? Are they accounted for? Where might they be lacking?

Catholic Social Teaching
What position takes into account the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching?
  • Life and Dignity of the Human Person
  • Call to Family, Community, and Participation
  • Rights and Responsibilities of All People
  • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
  • The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
  • Solidarity
  • Care for God’s Creation

Find the Political Connection

How does your position and the values that generated your position compare to current policy?
How have [your] elected officials impacted the issue?
What should they do to address the issue?
What external factors influence how they might address the issue?​

Determine a Course of Action

How can you and your organization influence your elected officials to address the issue?
How can you and your organization inform others about the issue?
How can you and your organization get others involved to address the issue?