U.S. Catholic Bishops' Statement
"Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish," United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Full Statement | Order a Copy
Online Resources
Available Now - We Are Salt and Light Resources
WeAreSaltAndLight.org is helping communities witness to their faith and responding to Pope Francis’ call to be a Church with “goes forth!” This new website offers many tools for parish ministry in the social mission of the Church: training tools, assessment materials, PowerPoint for Communities of Faith, videos, church teaching, ideas, and much more. Click here.
For Parishes This webpage produced by the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development provides background about parish social ministry. Includes statements, tools to develop social concerns committees, and resources on how to get involved.
Organizing A Parish Social Ministry Coordination Team This document by USCCB highlights elements of building a successful parish-based social ministry effort.
Four Components of Parish Social Concerns Ministry
We are called to pray. Prayer supports all efforts. It should be the basis of action. We should keep in our prayers the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society especially the unborn, children, the sick, the disabled, the elderly, the poor and unemployed, the immigrant and the refugee, and those who suffer from hunger, pain, violence, discrimination, abuse, and neglect. Jesus also calls us to pray for those who persecute and hate.
The Office for Social Concerns provides resources on prayer with references to Catholic social teaching.
Education
We are called to proclaim the Gospel of life and of love. In order to proclaim, we must understand. By reading, researching, analyzing, and studying; we will be better prepared to inform others.
The Office for Social Concerns has an extensive resource of materials, documents, Church statements, videos, and small group study programs. The department also provides trainings for parish leaders involved in parish social concerns ministry. The diocesan Office of Religious Education & Catechesis also has an extensive audio-visual library.
Pastoral Outreach
We are called to give of ourselves to others. We are challenged to find ways to help those who are in most need. Our churches should be known as places where anyone struggling with a life issue can find material and spiritual support from the parish community.
The Office for Social Concerns provides consultation on models of service and community outreach. The office also gives referrals to Catholic service agencies and organizations.
Advocacy and Organizing for Change
We are called to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters. We must be a voice for the voiceless, the defenseless, and the most vulnerable in society. Charity and justice go hand in hand. In regards to charity, we are obligated to meet the immediate needs of those in most need by providing material and spiritual support. However, charity itself does not change social structures that threaten human life and human dignity. Working for justice requires finding the root causes of poverty, hunger, homelessness, direct threats to human life, oppression, and other forms of injustice and empowering the community to speak out and work for change. As Pope Paul VI said, "If you want peace, work for justice."
The Office for Social Concerns coordinates the Information and Response Network which provides a legislative network and disaster relief plan for the diocese. Timely emails are sent to subscribers. For more information, send a information request at socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org.
The office also has detailed information on community organizing projects and education through the diocesan Catholic Campaign for Human Development Office.