The office of Parish Social Ministry seeks to empower persons within the parish to respond to community needs through service, action, and education for justice, advocacy, and community building. Through a process of parish needs assessments, identification of needs and resources, and planning for action, the parish is empowered to meet the needs of its community and to reach out to the larger world.
Parish Social Ministry
The Catholic Charities office of Parish Social Ministry strives to assist parishioners, through the parish community, to understand and act on Catholic Social Teaching.
This is achieved by identifying, supporting and training leaders who will organize people and activities around four specific, complementary ministries:
- Direct Service
- Legislative Advocacy
- Community Organizing
- Global Solidarity
The common thread that weaves all this together is regular formation, education and reflection on Catholic Social Teaching.
The Parish Social Ministry office believes this to be an essential element of living out faith in Jesus Christ. It strives to assist in promoting education about Catholic Social Teaching and training leaders in the skills of effective parish social ministry.
Parish Social Ministry is committed to nurturing, fostering, and supporting Catholic parish leaders who do direct service, advocacy, community organizing, and justice education activities.
Parish Social Ministry aids in the empowerment of the People of God, helping them to fulfill their mission of love, justice and peace in the community.
To help achieve these goals, Parish Social Ministry continues to develop comprehensive workshops based on Catholic Social Teaching. Parish Social Ministry Certification helps provide members of the Diocese of Beaumont parishes with the skills and knowledge required to serve Christ by serving others.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
For more than thirty years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has worked to help people break the cycle of poverty, not just for a day, but for a lifetime, by addressing its root causes. Through the generosity of parishioners, CCHD is able to help fund projects within the Diocese of Beaumont and throughout the United States, without regard to religious affiliation, which encourage self-sufficiency, education and training. Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations working to address social issues in the community are welcomed to apply for these CCHD grants. Viewing the parish community as inclusive of its entire geographical area, Catholic Charities, through the Parish Social Ministry office, administers the local grant funding process made available through these CCHD monies. For additional information, please click on the two documents below:
Local CCHD Grant Application Criteria
CCHD Application
Third Age
The Catholic Charities office of Parish Social Ministry sponsors an annual Third Age Day Celebration. Hosted by a parish selected by the Third Age Task Force members, this diocesan-wide event provides an opportunity for parishioners age 50 and over to come together for worship, fellowship, entertainment and lunch.
