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Catholic Charities

Social Concerns

 

Social Concerns promotes the Catholic Social Teachings that Catholic Charities is founded upon – teachings like the protection of human rights, the inherent dignity of all people, care for God's creation and the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. Kathy encourages the Catholic community at large to consider what it means to live the gospel message of love and challenges parishes to answer the question "How do we live our faith according to Catholic Social Teaching?

 

Social Concerns....

Acts on social justice issues, especially those of particular concern within our diocese, by:
• providing education, information, and resources on social issues to individuals, groups, and church institutions;
• promoting reflection on current social issues in light of Scripture and church teaching;
• supporting legislative advocacy and political responsibility;
• helping to integrate the social teachings of the church into other diocesan ministries.


Rural Life


Works with the diocesan Rural Life Committee to promote a sustainable system of agriculture, a healthy environment, and strong rural communities by:
• providing opportunities and resources for education on the church's teachings on rural concerns;
• gathering the diocese together for prayer at the annual Rural Life celebration;
• promoting prayer and liturgical resources which celebrate rural life, the planting and harvest seasons, and the goodness of God's creation;
• advocating for sustainable agriculture and land stewardship at the state and national levels.


Parish Social Ministry


Works with parishes to strengthen local pastoral support through service, outreach, and community action by:
• serving as a listener/facilitator/catalyst for parish action, ideas, etc.;
• offering convening and training opportunities and resources to assist parish leaders in identifying and acting on local issues;
• empowering parishes and their leadership to establish and/or enhance, develop, and maintain effective outreach and social ministry efforts.


Catholic Campaign for Human Development


Addresses the root causes of poverty through:
• support of community-controlled, self-help organizations that encourage people to join together to build strong communities and break the cycle of poverty;
• empowerment of people with limited income and resources through local initiatives;
• promotion of solidarity between the poor and non-poor through justice education.


Community Social Action


Increases the level of local response to community needs by:
• working with local communities to assess unmet needs in the diocese;
• collaborating with community leaders to create innovative responses to local needs;
• working with an empowerment model to ensure that the dignity of people of limited income and resources is respected