Parish Social Ministry

The Parish Social Ministry Section believes parish social ministry to be an essential element of living out our faith in Jesus Christ. It strives to assist members by promoting education about Catholic social teaching, sharing ideas & resources and training in the skills of effective parish social ministry. It coordinates communication efforts that link parish leaders with one another to provide resources & support.

Members of the PSM Section are made up of parish leaders, parish social ministry staff (parish or diocese), participants of JustFaith, and participants of Catholic Charities USA's Parish Social Ministry Regional Trainings and Assemblies. Membership is open to any individual interested in sharing the Church's social mission. Section members are committed to nurturing, fostering, and supporting Catholic parish leaders who do direct service, advocacy, community organizing, and justice education activities. Annual dues: $50.

Registration fee
Section Members: $100
Non-Section Members: $150

View the Registration information for this section or download the program.

7:30–9:00 a.m.
Breakfast

8:00–9:00 a.m.
Registration

9:00–9:30 a.m.
Opening Prayer

9:30–9:45 a.m.
Welcome

9:45–10:45 a.m.
Keynote Address

Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, STD, Ph.D. will speak to the relationship between faith and justice in our lives.

10:45–11:00 a.m.
Break

11:00 a.m.–Noon

Small group discussions about Fr. Bryan’s address featuring a question and answer session with Fr. Bryan.

Noon–1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:15–2:45 p.m.
Workshop Sessions I

An overview of the parish social ministry model. How its mission and structure are reflected in the parish and the importance of building relationships with diocesan offices strengthen parish efforts in social ministry.

The Theological, Biblical and Spiritual Basis for JustFaith This workshop will focus on the Christian vision of justice from which JustFaith emerges and to which it is devoted.

Reflection on the seven principles of Catholic social teaching with an emphasis on the dignity of the human person and the work of John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae.

This workshop will highlight the development of leadership skills in organizing parishioners to do effective social ministry. Session will be interactive, including time for questions.

2:45–3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15–4:45 p.m.
Workshop Sessions II

This workshop will highlight the recently published and newly revised Becoming a Community of Salt & Light: Formation for Parish Social Ministry, developed by Peggy Prevoznik-Heins and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wilmington. Participants will learn of the revisions made and hear how dioceses have successfully trained parish leaders to effectively integrate social ministry into their parish communities.

02b Introduction to JustFaith, Part II:

The History and Basics of the JustFaith Program This workshop will address the story of JustFaith and the practical aspects of starting and offering the program.

02c Social Ministry through Your Pastor’s Eyes

The pastor’s support of parish-based social ministry is critical to the success of PSM. Utilizing data gathered from interviews with pastors across the country, this workshop will explore the self-interest of those pastors. Learn from their own experiences, what the pastors will or will not support and why. Finally strategies for working with them will be examined.

This workshop will feature the practice and skill of analyzing difficult justice issues through the lens of faith and the art of communicating/practicing that skill in a JustFaith or social ministry context.

5:00–5:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer

5:30–6:30 p.m.
Dinner

A time to unwind and relax. An informal get together with snacks and beverages and a chance to meet and talk with others.

7:30–9:00 a.m.
Breakfast Roundtables

Optional for those interested, this event features facilitated networking on the following topics:

• Obstacles & Solutions to Doing JustFaith


• How to Set the Stage for Good Group Process in JustFaith


• Finding Resources on the World Wide Web


• St. Vincent de Paul: Voices for the Poor


• Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s: Poverty USA
• Supporting the Salt of the Earth: Gospel in the Marketplace


• A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome
• Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God’s Children, A Pastoral Reflection of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
• Peace Building

9:00–9:30 a.m.
Opening Prayer

9:30–10:45 a.m.
Keynote Address: Ms. Alexie Torres-Fleming, founder and executive director, Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice

Alexie will share her call and commitment to peace and justice as well as the importance of organizing others to work for structural change in their communities.

10:45–11:15 a.m.
Break

11:15–Noon
Parish Social Ministry Section Business Meeting

A brief introduction to the PSM Section and its network. A report of the work being done and the future direction of PSM Section Annual meetings.

Noon–1:00 p.m.
Lunch

• Obstacles & Solutions to Doing JustFaith


• How to Set the Stage for Good Group Process in JustFaith


• Finding Resources on the World Wide Web


• St. Vincent de Paul: Voices for the Poor


• Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s: Poverty USA
• Supporting the Salt of the Earth: Gospel in the Marketplace


• A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome
• Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God’s Children, A Pastoral Reflection of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
• Peace Building

1:15–2:45 p.m.
Workshop Sessions III

This workshop will highlight models of how to unite your parish’s direct service efforts under one umbrella, so the left hand knows what the right hand is doing and the efforts become coordinated.

03b Getting JustFaith Started

This workshop will speak to start-up tips and solutions to typical and particular obstacles in promoting or offering JustFaith.

An overview of the 2003 US Bishops’ Statement on Faithful Citizenship and how to educate and engage your parish in the legislative process, locally, statewide, and nationally.

This workshop will feature a presentation on the elements of conversion and a discussion on how to prepare and respond to this in the context of JustFaith and social ministry.

2:45–3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15–4:45 p.m.
Workshop Sessions IV

An introduction to why the Church supports the important work and strategies of congregation-based community organizing. Participants will be introduced to successful local efforts of empowered communities through the work of community organizing.

This workshop will address the skills needed for good facilitation of the JustFaith process. It will include group process tips and address difficult group process situations. Time for questions, demonstration and role-playing will be provided.

This timely workshop focuses on peace building and the necessity of global solidarity in the movement.

This workshop will be a discussion of the options available to JustFaith graduate groups as they continue working and growing together in social ministry.

5:00–5:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer

5:30–6:30 p.m.
Dinner

7:00–8:30 p.m.
Entertainment/Social

An evening of fun and laughter after a day of reflection and hard work with Pete McLeod, comedian, magician, and musician.

7:00–8:00 a.m.
Breakfast Roundtables

Optional for those interested, this event features facilitated networking on the following topics:

• How & Why Do You Think People Changed in Your JustFaith Group?
• Sharing Best Ideas/Experiences with Hands-On Experiences in JustFaith
• Post-JustFaith Opportunities & Experiences: What Are Your Graduates Doing Now?
• Building Bridges Between Ethnic/Cultural Groups
• Fair Trade Issues
• Doing CRS Well
• Worker Justice
• Immigration Law

8:30–8:45 a.m.
Opening Prayer

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit will share with us his perspectives of building solidarity and peace through our Catholic faith.

10:15–11:15 a.m.
Liturgy/Closing

11:30 a.m.

Departure for those attending Catholic Charities USA Annual Conference, downtown Detroit

11:30 a.m.

Lunch before departure for remaining participants