Parish Social Ministry
Building Parish Capacity
Our application, selection, and award processes have recently changed! Hover on the boxes below for more information:
Charity and Mercy Grants are given to parishes located in the Diocese of Jefferson City directly serving vulnerable people in need, regardless of their faith affiliation.
The grant is designed to assist the parish with the start up costs of a new charity or act of mercy resulting from their pastoral plan.. The grant can be used to help start up a new ministry or to purchase items needed for the ministry. This flexibility in use would empower your parish to use your charity and mercy grant The grant recognizes parishes in the Diocese of Jefferson City providing “charitable service” as defined by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (God Is Love). He listed three specific qualities of a Church-related charitable service which the parish social ministry must exemplify:
- It responds to immediate needs and specific situations with more than “technical care”, but with genuine love and heartfelt concern that enables others to experience the richness and totality of their humanity, made in the image and likeness of God. (DCE #31)
- It is independent of parties or ideologies but sees with the heart where love is needed and acts accordingly, utilizing planning, foresight, and cooperation with other like-minded institutions. (DCE#31)
- It is love given freely. It is not proselytism. The Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak. (DCE #31)
- The ministry will be parish-based and operated by the parish.
- Funding will be used for a direct service ministry that helps meet the unmet needs of those within the parish’s community basic needs of people living in the parish’s communities. Funding should also be used to expand the capacity of a current ministry to serve more people or be used to start a new long term sustainable ministry.
- Subsequent year grants may be awarded based on the number of other applications, the ministry’s fit to the criteria of the award, and the availability of funds. Parishes may apply for funding once every 12 months from the date of the initial application. Priority will be given to those parishes meeting the above criteria with new projects.
- Requests can be up to $5,000.
- Applications must be received by e-mail or direct mail by the Parish Social Ministry office at Catholic Charities. When we receive your application, we will send you an e-mail acknowledging that we have received it.
- A committee of Catholic Charities Board members, Advisory Committee members, and staff review all applications. If more information about an application is needed, they will contact you. The CCCNMO Board makes the final decision.
- The Pastors or Administrators and/or contact persons for the ministries are notified of the Award or grant selections quarterly.
- Grant Report requests will be sent with award letters. Grant reports with photos are due within 12 months of the date of the award letter. CCCNMO board members may visit the parish prior to the awarding of the grant.
Download the PDF of the Moral Conduct For Charity And Mercy Grants, which is required alongside the grant application.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri
Main Phone Line:
573-635-7719
JEFFERSON CITY
1015 Edmonds Street
Jefferson City, MO 65109
COLUMBIA
1240 E. Brown School Rd.
Columbia, MO 65202
SEDALIA
421 West 3rd Street
Sedalia, Missouri 65301
Diocese of Jefferson City
Chancery Offices
2207 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 635-9127
diojeffcity.org