Parish Social Ministry is an opportunity for the faithful to live the Gospel mandate to love and serve all people through an organized program at the local parish putting Catholic Social Teaching into action. In addition, Parish Social Ministry is the action that the faith community takes to:
- protect the life and dignity of all people
- help parishioners grow in love with God and neighbor.
(from Catholic Charities USA) Activities of the Parish Social Ministry are based on the principles of Catholic Social Teachings and utilize the skills of convening, facilitating, organizing, educating for spiritual formation, advocacy, and forming relationships. The Office coordinates the Parish Social Ministry support activities and the diocesan Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). In addition, the office does the following to assist parishes to do social ministry more effectively:
- Promotes the social mission of the Church to bring about change for greater social and economic justice
- Recognizes the dignity and value of all life
- Advocates for structural and legislative change to eliminate the causes of needs which are addressed through charitable programs
- Works toward a more peaceful world
- Organizes for service and/or action for changing unjust systems
- Educates parishioners, students and community members regarding Catholic Social Teachings on social and economic justice
“Effective social ministry helps the parish not 
only do more, but be more, more of a reflection of the gospel, more of a worshiping and evangelizing people, more of a faithful community.” ---USCCB, Communities of Salt and Light
For more information contact Melissa DuCharme: Phone: 919-821-9751 or e-mail: melissa.ducharme@raldioc.org
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