Dear Parish Social Minister,

Living the Gospel Together: Catholic Charities and Parishes, is the title of the just-released issue of Charities Today, the magazine of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). It profiles outstanding parish social ministry (PSM) programs, highlights the intersection of PSM and CCUSA’s strategic priorities, features articles on PSM and advocacy and rural ministry, and introduces CCUSA’s disaster preparedness program, which includes prominent parish-focused components. Click here to read, and feel free to share this link widely.

Here are other items of note:

Next week, Catholic Charities USA’s Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team will be hosting three national networking conference calls to explore best practices in establishing partnerships with parishes. These calls are intended for those responsible for PSM at a Catholic Charities agency or a diocese.

The calls are scheduled as follows (all times Eastern):

Tuesday, December 3, 3:00-4:00 pm

Wednesday, December 4, 2:00-3:00 pm

Thursday, December 5, 11:00 am-Noon

Pre-registration is required; click here to sign up. Participation will be capped at 15 persons per call, and slots are filling up fast.

Click here to watch a beautiful seven-minute video on Catholic Charities’ work with asylum seekers in Laredo, Texas, and elsewhere along our southern border. This video is ideal for PSM and catechesis.

Catholic Charities USA is honored to sponsor a retreat with Fr. Bob Dufford, SJ, a four-time Grammy nominated composer as a Saint Louis Jesuit and beloved for songs such as “Be Not Afraid.” Click here to register or for more information on this special event scheduled for January 28-20, 2020 at the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center near Baltimore. This event is reserved for Catholic Charities staff, trustees, and their spouses.

Once again, Catholic Charities USA will offer Advent and Christmas reflections authored by Catholic Charities employees and other social concerns ministers, which arrive by email each morning. Sign up here to receive them. 

All of CCUSA’s parish social ministry resources – foundational documents, webinars and newsletters, and CCUSA’s PSM Leadership Team contact info – are freely and publicly available online.

If you have an inspiring or informative story about the work of Catholic Charities, please submit it to the CCUSA Storybank. These stories are used to promote the work of Catholic Charities through the media. Contributing agencies will be credited for approved stories. Email David Werning with questions. 

Do you know of others who would appreciate receiving these emails? Please share with them this link.

Peace,

Scott Hurd

Vice President, Leadership Development and Catholic Identity