Mission integration and Catholic identity represent all the efforts, processes, programs, and relationships that serve to enhance the understanding and commitment of agency staff and volunteers to the tradition and values of the Catholic Church's social ministry to the poor and vulnerable. This ministry of service is understood as an essential element of the Church. It is more than programs and celebrations. It translates into day-to-day language and struggles with complex decisions and brings light to significant decisions.
This page provides resources to assist Catholic Charities agencies develop and implement internal policies, procedures, and practices that help each person associated with the agency---trustee, employee, volunteer, client, and sponsor---understand the origin of its mission and Catholic identity.
Resources
Catholic Identity
Ten ways Catholic Charities are Catholic (Pdf, 157Kb)
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Catholic Social Teaching
Prayer Resources
Sacred Space: Daily Prayer Online produced by the Irish Jesuits
Universalis: The Universalis Web site has been created, to give us all, wherever we are, at all times, the chance to participate in the Church's universal prayer
World Prayers: This website offers a wealth of great prayers from world religions
Lutheran Prayer Resources: Suggestions and ideas on prayer
Links to other Organizations/Resources
The links below will connect you to other organizations and resources that may be of assistance in implementing mission and Catholic identity within your agency.
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
The purpose of the Conference is: "To unify, coordinate, encourage, promote and carry on Catholic activities in the United States; to organize and conduct religious, charitable and social welfare work at home and abroad; to aid in education; to care for immigrants; and generally to enter into and promote by education, publication and direction the objects of its being." The following is a partial list of its office/departments:
- Catholic Relief Services (CRS):
The official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. CRS was founded in 1943 by the bishops of the United States to assist the poor and disadvantaged outside this country.
