Diocese to train and engage parishes in social mission ministries with two-day workshop

Friday, Apr. 24, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Responding to Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to become engaged in global solidarity and the social mission of the Church to reach out to those people in need, the Diocese of Salt Lake City is offering workshops for parishioners to explore what a Church fully engaged in a social mission could look like. 

“We want people within their parishes to be able to work on the Church’s social mission and whatever issues are of importance within the parish community, but also with an eye on our brothers and sisters around the globe,” said Jean Hill, Diocese of Salt Lake City government liaison. 

During the training, the volunteers will be given faith foundations, practical skills and planning opportunities; the skills will be presented and practiced in a two-part series. The sessions will be May 2 and Oct. 10, with practical homework between each session. Both training sessions will be offered bilingually in English and Spanish. 

Two to four volunteers from each parish in the Diocese of Salt Lake City are invited to join other parish volunteers to create a vision of their own parish outreach needs.

“The training in October is a continuation of the May training, which is to establish the ministry,” said Hill. “In October we will start working on the next steps.” 

Catholic Relief Services is providing the training for the social mission ministry, said Hill, adding that “CRS is helping us to spread the Church’s social mission. Parish social ministry is not a new idea; there is just a renewed interest because Pope Francis has been vocal about social justice.” 

Those attending the training should be “those who are interested in putting their faith into action, are willing to start the ministry within their parish and build this idea of Catholics involved in their world from a faith perspective,” said Hill. 

This ministry is a personalized program for each parish and will be tailored to each parish’s needs. For example, if a parish wants to expand its food bank, or assist people with immigration issues, the parish can focus its attention in that area.

“The training sessions are to give the volunteers the tools and resources they will need to run the ministry in their parish,” said Marlene Coria, Catholic Relief Services volunteer. “We will help get them connected with the right people to expand their services.”

For example, if a parish wants to help people with immigration issues, “we will help them get in touch with foundations and lawyers who have the information and the capacity to help with immigration,” said Coria. 

The Parish Social Ministry is based on Catholic social teachings and the Catholic faith, said Coria. “Everything we want to accomplish is faith based; we want the volunteers to be Jesus in person and to see Jesus in the people they serve,” she said.

The practical skills will include organizational skills and “hopefully each parish will grow into its own project,” Coria said. “We are excited to hear what is going on in all of the parishes and what their needs are.”

 

What: Social mission ministry training

Who: 2-4 people from each parish 

When: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 2 and Oct. 10

Where: Diocesan Pastoral Center, 27 C St., SLC

For information, contact Marlene Coria at marlenelovesangel@yahoo.com or 801-391-6525.