Parish Social Ministry
How Catholic Charities Helps
The mission of Parish Social Ministry is to assist and support parish communities in integrating the Church's social mission into parish life, identifying and training new leaders in the Church’s social tradition, and teaching and convening people around critical social issues.
Parish Social Ministry achieves its mission by:
— Linking parishes to other resources in the Diocese, Catholic Charities, and other local and national organizations
— Developing relationships with parishes
— Training parish leaders in the Church’s tradition of social ministry, and providing leadership skill development to advance the implementation of the social mission in the parish
— Providing education, information and formation on Catholic Social Teaching and social justice / peace issues which will enable individuals to live out the Gospel message in their everyday lives
— Supporting parish social ministries through technical assistance and networking
— Helping parishes to develop relationships and partnerships with the poor and marginalized
— Working with parishes and community groups to change structures and systems that create social, economic, and political injustice
Parish Social Ministry Services
Parish Social Ministry serves the people throughout the Diocese of Wilmington by offering a diverse array of programs that reflect the entire range of the Church’s social mission.
— RCIA, Adult Education, and Youth Ministry presentations on Catholic Social Teaching and a variety of social justice topics
— A seven-week program based on the book, Becoming a Community of Salt and Light, which provides formation in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and skills to integrate the social mission into parish life
— JustFAITH, a nine-month social justice formation experience
— Journey to Justice retreats involving parishes and groups funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
— Planning retreats with parish Social Concerns Committees to develop mission and vision statements and functional organizational structures
— Advocacy opportunities through the VOICES for Justice advocacy network
— Assistance to parishes in becoming involved in the Diocesan Partnership with the Diocese of San Marcos, Guatemala
— One-on-one consultation with parish social concerns leaders
— Annual Social Concerns Networking Day
— Promotion of the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and managing the local grant awards process
Advocacy
— Click here for Advocacy Alerts
— Click here for Advocacy Events
— Click here for the Guide to Advocacy
— Click here for the VOICES for Justice Advocacy Network
— Click here for the “Points for Parishes” e-Newsletter
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
— Click here for more information
Journey to Justice Process
— Click here for more information
Salt & Light Certification Training Program
Click here for more information
How To Get Help
Contact Parish Social Ministry at 302-655-9624 for more information about any of our programs or click here to send an email.
How You Can Help
Parish Social Ministry has occasional volunteer opportunities available. Click here or call Parish Social Ministry at 302-655-9624 for details.
Click here to donate to Parish Social Ministry using a credit card. You may also send a check to Catholic Charities, 2601 W 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805, and designate Parish Social Ministry on the check memo line.
Click here to join Catholic Charities newsletter mailing list to keep in touch with all of Catholic Charities programs.
