Parish Engagement
Through strategic partnerships, Catholic Charities agencies and local parishes work together to address poverty, promote life and dignity, advocate for change and foster parish social ministry.
Help vulnerable people realize their potential.
The Mutual Mission
Catholic Charities agencies fulfill the Church’s social mission by providing services, advocating for a just social order and convening the church and others of goodwill to respond to the needs of their communities. Staff members offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help parishes pursue this mission.
A strength of parishes is their significant diocesan-wide reach as well as their connections and insight into the community. They can provide volunteers, financial and spiritual support, and in-kind contributions to Catholic Charities programs.
Parish Engagement Programs
Catholic Charities agencies assist parishes to care for the poor and vulnerable and work for justice. These strategic collaborations with parishes can greatly increase the impact of Catholic Charities programs and services.
expanding impact
Collaborations
Propose and create strategic partnerships with parishes to expand the reach and impact of Catholic Charities programs and services.
catholic social mission
Formation
Promote formation on the Catholic social mission through presentations on Catholic social teaching and opportunities for theological reflection.
Raising awareness
Education
Raise awareness of parish social ministry by educating parish leadership on what parish social ministry is and why it is important.
organizing
Justice Work
Promote community organizing, economic development and social policy advocacy ministries.
training and engaging
Capacity Building
Build capacity for parish social ministry by providing training or consultation and engaging the parish community.
building ties
Networking
Facilitate networking between parish-based social ministry staff, diocesan volunteers, ecumenical partners, community nonprofits and government entities for best practices sharing, problem-solving, community building and spiritual development.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Whole Hearted
A four-part program designed to help parishes and individuals understand the causes and effects of trauma and how Catholic spirituality can help heal its wounds.
Need Assistance? Find a local Catholic Charities agency.
The Impact
Every day, across the country, Catholic Charities reaches out to vulnerable people. Our ministry is grounded in Catholic social teaching.
8,500
Parishes engaged with Catholic Charities agencies
14,087
Parish volunteers
215,000
Hours of volunteer service
FEATURED RESOURCEs
Parish social ministry
CCUSA resources provide insight into the depth and breadth of our ministry, which includes service, advocacy and convenings.
Advocacy
Catholic Charities agencies can help educate and organize parishes to advocate for justice, peace and human dignity with government at all levels and address local, diocesan, state, national and global needs.
PROGRAM LEAD
Scott Hurd
Scott has served as CCUSA’s vice president of leadership development and Catholic identity since 2015. He administers CCUSA’s two O’Grady Leadership Institutes and CCUSA’s relationship with the University of San Diego’s Certificate on Nonprofit Executive Management and is staff liaison to CCUSA’s Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team. He also serves on the Catholic Identity Committee of Caritas Internationalis.
Program Stories
