Parish Toolkit

In the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, the archdiocesan Department for Charity and Justice serves to create a more just community that gives priority to the needs of poor and vulnerable people.  We provide assistance to parishes seeking to live out the Gospel call to love their neighbor as themselves and develop a social ministry that provides parishioners with opportunities to follow Christ through works of charity and actions that promote social justice, nurturing faith that reflects God's love in the world and that brings forth peace.

This Parish Toolkit is intended to help you envision, build, and strengthen your parish social ministry.  Check out the information below and the many references and links.  Many of the resources are from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). They should give you ideas and help you grow and strengthen your parish social ministry.  Please feel free to contact the staff of the Department for Charity and Justice. We are here to help you!

Contact Information: Anthony Bosnick, Coordinator, Parish Social Ministry, 301-853-5340

Check out the Parish Toolkit for helpful information:

  1. Visioning, Building, and Strengthening your Parish Social Ministry
  2. Catholic Social Teaching
  3. Faith in Action: Getting Involved!
  4. Growing Together with Other Social Ministry Volunteers
  5. Training and Formation Opportunities
  6. Monthly Newsletter, Ignite
  7. Parish Fair Trade and Craft Sales
  8. Useful Links

  1. Visioning, Building, and Strengthening your Parish Social Ministry

    These resources are very helpful to parishes interested in starting, building, and strengthening their parish social ministries.

    1. This is a "must-read" from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for parishes getting started in social ministry and for those that want to grow and build their ministries.

      Communities of Salt and Light is the working document from the U.S. bishops for pastors and parish leaders seeking to start and strengthen parish social ministry. It presents seven elements of the social mission of parishes as a framework for planning and assessing that ministry. Focused on the local parish, it encourages parishes to integrate Catholic social teaching into all areas of parish life.

      It may also be purchased in hard copy from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops bookstore:

      Communities of Salt and Light Paperback – "Bishops' statement for pastors and parish leaders seeking to strengthen parish social ministry. Presents seven elements of the social mission of parishes as a framework for planning and assessing that ministry."

    2. Here are some tips and ideas for organizing your parish social ministry team.

      Organizing a Parish Social Ministry Coordination Team is a very practical seven-page document from the USCCB that can be downloaded for free. It will help you draw in parishioners to build a successful parish-based social ministry as envisioned in Communities of Salt and Light and includes models to help guide parishes.

    3. Both charity and justice should be part of parish social ministry.

      The Two Feet of Social Action is a good graphic to illustrate that charity and justice are both part of parish social ministry.

    4. Now that you know the basics, this practical book will help you go further in visioning and developing your parish social ministry.

      Parish Social Ministry: Strategies for Success (Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Ind. : 2001) by Tom Ulrich is filled with information to help you go further in developing your parish social ministry. Ulrich, who is with Catholic Relief Services, is a master at helping parishes find practical ways to organize and develop their social ministry.

  2. Catholic Social Teaching

    1. Catholic Social Teaching is organized into seven major themes.

      2. The Church's social teaching offers much wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through documents from the popes, councils, and bishops. Cards with the themes printed may also be purchased from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

    2. This booklet focuses on the seven major themes of Catholic social teaching and is a good introduction for adults and high school-aged students.

      In Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, the bishops present a compelling explanation of how Catholic social teaching is central to keeping the Church strong and true to the gospel demand "to bring glad tidings to the poor." The work also provides easy to do recommendations for incorporating the seven themes of Catholic social teaching into Catholic education and formation.

    3. Lesson plans and resources for educators are available on the themes of Catholic social teaching.

      Lesson plans and resources for all age levels from elementary to adult on the themes of Catholic social teaching and related topics are available through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

    4. A website designed for young adults introduces them to Catholic social teaching and the exciting and challenging world of social ministry.

      Introduce young adults to Catholic social teaching through a website especially designed for them by the USCCB:

      USCCB website for young adults  

      Designed and formatted with young adults in mind, this website is an invitation to participate in transforming the world by putting our Catholic faith into action.

    5. Pope Benedict XVI has issued a major encyclical on social teaching called Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth).

      Pope Benedict's third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate is a call to see the relationship between human and environmental ecologies and to link charity and truth in the pursuit of justice, the common good, and authentic human development. Free study and action guides, outlines, reflections and other material related to Caritas in Veritate are also available through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

    6. Just about everything you want to know about Catholic Social Teaching is available on the web, including encyclicals and other teaching documents.  A good place to start is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website.

  3. Faith in Action: Getting Involved!

    There are many ways to become involved in social ministry.  Keep in mind that Catholic social ministry involves both charity and justice activities. 

    Some of the opportunities available in the archdiocese focus on individual involvement and some on parish involvement. A common experience among volunteers is that they experience great personal rewards as they reach out to others. Finding the right place for you is important, based on your interests and calling and the needs of the organization. 

    Take the time to think about what you want to do and feel called to do. Read about the various outreach opportunities (on the web or elsewhere) to see which ones seem to be right to you. Then talk with someone from the organization or ministry with any specific questions you may have. If you are serving in a way that reflects your needs or interests and with an organization that needs what you can offer, your service is bound to be a blessing to you and to those you serve. Many organizations in the Archdiocese of Washington are looking for volunteers and often post notices about their activities and needs. You can also keep an eye on your parish bulletin or the Catholic Standard for volunteer opportunities.

  4. Growing Together with Other Social Ministry Volunteers

    The Department for Charity and Justice strives to bring together volunteers in ministry on a quarterly basis.  Thus, throughout the year, we sponsor regional gatherings and an annual conference for volunteers.  We encourage volunteers to attend the gatherings and conference as they enable you to meet and learn with other social ministry volunteers in your local area, and from across the archdiocese. They help you share information, insights, and resources, and grow in collaboration with other people involved in social ministry. They also help you keep up to date on issues and develop skills for ministry.   

    1. Regional Gatherings help you connect with other volunteers.

      The Regional Gatherings are held twice a year, generally in September/October and March/April. Volunteers gather together by geographic region in the archdiocese: the District of Columbia, and the Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's. Volunteers find these gatherings to be a good opportunity to meet other close-by volunteers, to learn of resources which can help them in their ministries, to be updated by Catholic Charities and other outreach ministries in the archdiocese, and to learn of issues which impact their service. Please contact Anthony Bosnick at 301-853-5340 to find the time and place of the next gathering near you.

    2. The annual Social Ministry Conference is a great time to learn and grow in ministry with volunteers from across the archdiocese.

      All volunteers are invited to the annual Social Ministry Conference which is generally held in June. This day energizes volunteers in ministry. It includes a keynote speaker, numerous workshops, time to fellowship over lunch and share experiences with other volunteers, and view display tables from local outreach ministries. The annual conference is a highlight of the year for many volunteers. For more information about the annual conference, please contact Anthony Bosnick at 301-853-5340.

    3. The annual Thanks for Giving celebration is another opportunity to learn and fellowship with other volunteers.

      We also gather together each year in November for our Thanks for Giving celebration to thank volunteers for their generous service in social ministry.  The gathering generally features a presentation along with refreshments and a time for fellowship with others in ministry. Volunteers are notified about the celebration well in advance.

  5. Training and Formation Opportunities

    All of us benefit from continuing education, including our ministries of charity and justice. In addition to the opportunities described above in the Regional Gatherings and annual Social Ministry Conference, the Department for Charity and Justice provides and suggests several other opportunities for training and growth.

    1. JustFaith Ministries

      JustFaith Ministries is a national formation program for parishes that wish to build and/or strengthen their parish social ministry. If you are having trouble getting volunteers for charity and justice ministries in your parish or if current volunteers need more training and support, JustFaith Ministries has a formation program to help you. From the flagship 30-session program, to the shorter JustMatters (6-8 topic-focused modules), JustSkills (20-session focused on organizing and strategizing), JusticeWalking (for high-school students) and the new Engaging Spirituality program, there is something that fits the needs of every parish. 

      Numerous parishioners in the archdiocese have participated in JustFaith Ministries programs over the past five years in close to 20 parishes. Many of these people are now more actively involved in the social mission of the Church in their parish or in a non-parish based ministry.

      Please visit the JustFaith Ministries website or contact Anthony Bosnick at 301-853-5340 to see if there is a formation program suited to your parish.

    2. Social Ministry Leadership Institute

      The Social Ministry Leadership Institute provides additional training for volunteers who are already active in social ministry. The Leadership Institute centers on the principles of Catholic social teaching and also helps current and emerging volunteers to develop leadership skills so that they may better lead projects and activities. The nine-session program meets one Saturday a month and draws its faculty from the rich resource of educators and activists in the Washington region.

      For more information, please contact Anthony Bosnick at 301-853-5340.

    3. Teen, Young Adult, & Adult Faith Formation Resources

      You may wish to host a social justice discussion or a film festival in your parish as part of an adult education offering. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Relief Services all offer helpful resources. We always welcome ideas and resources you may have found helpful for parish use. Please let us know.

    4. Centesimus Annus Pro-Pontifice provides an annual retreat and a week-long seminar on Catholic social teaching in the Washington area.

      Centesimus Annus Pro-Pontifice (CAPP) is a lay-led, pontifical organization founded by Pope John Paul II as a vehicle for lay education and evangelization of the social doctrine of the Church as contained in the encyclical, "Centesimus Annus."  Their annual retreat and seminar provide additional opportunities to grow in your understanding of Catholic social teaching. 

  6. Our Monthly Newsletter, Ignite

    The Department for Charity and Justice publishes Ignite, a monthly e-newsletter for volunteers and others interested in social ministry. Ignite includes news items about social ministry, opportunities for service, resources to support ministry, a calendar of upcoming events, among other items. It is a valuable resource as it helps to keep volunteers informed about things happening in the archdiocese and its parishes related to social ministry. Please contact Anthony Bosnick to receive Ignite.

  7. Parish Fair Trade and Craft Sales

    Many parishes introduce parishioners to global issues through craft fairs featuring crafts and products from other areas of the world, particularly less-developed areas. These fairs are particularly welcomed before the holiday seasons, but can be successful at any time of the year.

    1. Catholic Relief Services

      Playing fair is its own reward. The CRS Fair Trade Program gives parishioners the opportunity to buy great coffee, tasty chocolate and beautiful handcrafts. Fair trade is about being good stewards of the earth, sustainable development and economic justice such as the promotion of fair wages and human dignity. Visit the CRS Fair Trade website to learn more about opportunities for hosting a parish fair offering fair trade products through CRS.

    2. Salvadoran Crafts

      Salvadoran Enterprises for Women is headquartered in the Washington, DC area. They can help you host craft fairs featuring folk crafts from El Salvador. Salvadoran Enterprises for Women helps women in El Salvador develop their capacities as workers, achieve satisfaction in their skills as producers, affirm their self-respect as humans, claim their dignity as women, and grow secure as family providers.

    3. Little Bethlehem Christians

      Little Bethlehem Christians is a co-op of over 100 families living in and around Bethlehem in the Holy Land who specialize in carving religious and other figurines and crosses in olive wood. The carving wood comes from the pruned branches of olive trees, some of which are over 300 years old, and have a unique beauty and quality not found in other wood. All proceeds from the sale of carvings go to the families to help support them so they can remain in the Holy Land .

  8. Some Helpful Links

    The following links will help you get in touch with other organizations: