Parish Social Ministry
Parish Social Ministry is the response of the people of
God to the Gospel Call to minister in charity and justice.
It is a means through which parishioners can continue the
servant ministry of Christ.
The Parish is a community of the people of God. It is a
spiritually bonded community with the Gospel Mandate to
teach, to worship and to serve. Social means that the parish
is a faith community extending itself to all those in need.
Ministry flows from the Baptismal call of each Catholic.
Through the sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy
Eucharist, each of us is commissioned and sent to follow in
he way of Jesus - to "bring good news to the poor... liberty
to the captives... new sight to the blind... and to set the
downtrodden free." (Luke 4:18) All realms of human need -
physical, social, relational and spritual are the concern of
Parish Social Ministry. It is an organized way to show care
and concern for fellow parishioners.
The Principles of Parish Social Ministry
1) Builds Community
2) Nurture and intensify our gospel call to ministry by
reflecting on lived experiences in light of Gospel values
3) Empower the parish to: disvern Gospel values, exervise
Gospel values in the community, and develop lay leadership
4) Address social and community needs through direct
services and actions for justice
5) Respect the distinctive gifts, needs, resources and
diversity of the local geography and eparchial areas
6) Transcend parochial and provincial issues by bonding with
other groups, churches, parishies, agencies, organizations -
with all people of good will - i.e. networking
7) Foster a preferential option for the poor
Social Ministry in the Parish
This training program is for anyone interested in reaching
out to his/her fellow parishioners in Christian Service.
´ The Theology and History of Parish Social Ministry
The Church's social mission is rooted in the Scriptures,
especially in the life and words of Jesus. The biblical call
of reaching out to the "least of these" in our parish and
community - the hungry, elderly, sick and the stranger, etc.
´ Personal Prayer and Spirituality
It is in the Divine Liturgy that we find the fundamental
direction, motivation and strength for social ministry. In
personal prayer, the reading of Sacred Scripture and quiet
reflection on the Christian life, one discovers the social
mission of every believer. By serving those in need, we
serve our Lord. In prayer, we find the reasons, the strength
and the call to follow Jesus in the ways of charity, justice
and peace.
´ Networking-Resource Training
Participants are given practical information about the major
social service agencies within their area as well as
procedures for utilizing these resources.
´ Basic Communications Skills
In this session, we will have the opportunity to better
understand the importance of communication in everyday life
and to learn more about verbal and non-verbal communication.
Some skills that will be presented are: the role of
feelings, confidentiality and the right of self
determination.
´ Direct Personal Services
Practically every parish will need to provide many services
among them: transportation, visitation and emergency home
help, etc. The volunteer will learn what is exepected as
well as what is not expected of him/her in the various
services that the parish might need.
´ Role Playing
The volunteers professional development will be expanded
through a study of various situations in which he/she may
find himself/herself.
