 | Parish social ministryParishioners throughout our diocese use their time and talents in a wide variety of services to assist those who are poor or vulnerable in their communities. The works of charity are evident in the provision of food, clothing and shelter as a parish responds to an individual or family’s immediate needs. The works of justice that empower parishioners to address the structures that keep people in poverty situations are not evident in many areas. Both charity and justice activities are essential to promote a peaceful and harmonious society.
The Office for Pro-Life and Social Ministry was formed to encourage parishes to address both the immediate social and community needs in their areas and to work to build a just and peaceful society. The parish is truly Catholic when it proclaims the Gospel and lives it through service to one another. A parish is truly Catholic when each member of the faith community reflects on our Catholic social teaching and puts that teaching into practice. Our United States bishops declare … our faith is profoundly social. We cannot truly be ‘Catholic’ unless we heed the church’s call to serve those in need and work for justice and peace” (U.S. Catholic bishops, Communities of Salt and Light, 1993). The goal of parish social ministry is to provide our Catholic parishioners with the knowledge and the skills they may need to become aware of immediate needs of their neighbors and respond in effective ways, and, to work to change structures that keep people in poverty situations.
Parishes are encouraged to take advantage of the following programs offered through the office:
- Communities of Salt and Light, a four-week series that offers a basic reflection/action process for education in Catholic social teaching principles, and application in response to needs of poor and vulnerable people in the community.
- Leadership training to assist parish/regional leaders to develop the planning, organization and communication skills required to put faith into action and they form salt and light groups to address social needs.
- Legislative Education and Advocacy Training to develop networks of informed Catholics who work together to promote just legislation.
- Parish ministry of care, initial formation for those who are beginning parish ministry to the elderly, homebound or persons with disabilities. Ongoing formation to those who are involved in the ministry may take the form of a regional or diocesan workshop or an evening of reflection.
- Parish ministry of consolation, a diocesan certification is awarded to parishioners who participate in the initial training through the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved, as a first step in the development of a parish ministry of consolation. Ongoing formation in all areas of bereavement are offered to those involved in the ministry in regional or diocesan workshops throughout the year.
- Faith-filled citizens, education in the integral relationship between being a faithful Catholic Christian and a good citizen present an opportunity for parishioners to understand the relationship and to explore ways to apply our Catholic social teaching in the political arena.
For additional information, please contact:
Mary Ellen Pellegrino, director of pro-life and social ministry, at 724-837-1840 |