“Parishes are the home of the Christian community; they are the heart of our Church. Parishes are the place where God’s people meet Jesus in word and sacrament and come in touch with the source of the Church’s life… But until now, we have not specifically addressed the crucial role of parishes in the Church’s social ministry… we are convinced that the local parish is the most important ecclesial setting for sharing and acting on our Catholic social heritage.”

—Introduction to USCCB Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish

Parish Social Ministry hosts services that reach into local communities and strengthen the capacity of each parish to be Centers of Charity and Mercy for their neighbors in need. Catholic Charities provides leadership, formation, guidance and training to those called to serve and those who are served. We do this with mutual respect and caring, Christ-centered compassion, insight and adaptability to meet the varied and changing needs of those we serve.