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On Social Conscience In The New Century
Tom Webb would be the last man to buy the bumpersticker, “TheOneWhoDiesWithThe Most Toys, Wins.” That notion is about as far from Tom’s definition of winning as one can get.
Tom’s career for the past decade has headed in exactly the opposite direction. As program director for the San Francisco Food Bank, he was concerned with sharing the daily bread, not stockpiling it. As Lay Pastoral Associate of his church, Tom spent numerous hours with outreach to the destitute and homebound. WorkingasAdministrativeDirectorof the Tri-State Conference on Manufacturing in Pennsylvania, he explored creative approaches available to help steelworkers stave off economic disaster when their factories shut down.
WhenTomdecideswhowins, hewillgiveextra points for ability to see past one’s self. He says his values are inherited from his strong religious education, hisparents,bothThirdOrder Fransciscans, and the experience of being part of a large family. His career choices come from — among other motivations — his conscience.
At Woodside Priory, Tom teaches theology, history and social justice, and advises the campus chapter of Amnesty International. The community service segment of students’ social studies curriculum is also under his direction. A description of this new program is on page 15. He is, as far as we know, the only faculty member to participate at a peaceful demonstration on an issue of conscience this year, and the only one currently thinking of entering trainingforthepriesthood. Forthis“Conversation With,” Tombringsauniqueperspectivetothetopic of social conscience in the next century.
—C. Dobervich
Woodside Priory puts a high priority on values and values are often discussed in the curriculum. What do we mean when we talk about living with conscience?
Living with conscience to me means simply acting in accordance with beliefs and examining one’s beliefs. Itisthehabitofexaminingbeliefsand
A Conversation with
Tom Webb
Coordinator of Community Service
“Everybody’s decisions have social consequences, even if people don’t like to think about what they are...”
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