Dear Partner in Ministry,

Here is a new list of resources that may assist your ministry and those in your parish social ministry networks:

• “Combatting Racism: Transforming Words into Action” is the theme of the Virtual Social Action Summer Institute by the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors, scheduled for Thursday, July 23, from 2:00-5:30 pm EST.

• The Industrial Commons, a cooperative, ethical trade, eco-friendly project funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, invites parishes by July 31 to order face masks that can be branded with a parish’s or other logo. This is distinct from the offer of free masks from FEMA, which is no longer accepting requests.

• “Compassion in Action: A Guide for Faith Communities Serving People Experiencing Mental Illness and their Caregivers” is now available from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services Partnership Center.

• “The Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelizing Mission of the Church,” just released by the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, stresses a parish role in the witness of charity and caring for the poor.

• The Catholic Health Association has launched #LoveThyNeighbor, a social media campaign to promote the wearing of masks.

• The US Dept. of Homeland Security has introduced a Faith and Community Toolkit on Human Trafficking, available in English and Spanish.

• The Parish Action Guide for the USCCB’s Walking with Moms in Need Program is now available. Also, a webinar on the program, and its adjustments for COVID-19, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, at 8:00 pm.

• A Guide to Virtual Advocacy, an article from the Jesuit Conference Office on Justice and Ecology, contains useful tips on encouraging social policy engagement from parishes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• “Charities’ Grant Helps Parish Spread ‘Hope’” is an article profiling a pandemic-related parish outreach by Catholic Charities of Louisville.

• An article in America magazine shares how Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is helping local parishes recover from the pandemic.

• A reflection on racism by Msgr. John Enzler, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, incorporates the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.

May God's peace be with you and those you serve at this time.