Eparchy of Saint Josaphat

Parish Social Ministry is the response of the people of God to the Gospel Call to minister in charity and justice. It is a means through which parishioners can continue the servant ministry of Christ.

The Parish is a community of the people of God. It is a spiritually bonded community with the Gospel Mandate to teach, to worship and to serve. Social means that the parish is a faith community extending itself to all those in need. Ministry flows from the Baptismal call of each Catholic. Through the sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist, each of us is commissioned and sent to follow in he way of Jesus - to "bring good news to the poor... liberty to the captives... new sight to the blind... and to set the downtrodden free." (Luke 4:18) All realms of human need - physical, social, relational and spritual are the concern of Parish Social Ministry. It is an organized way to show care and concern for fellow parishioners.

The Principles of Parish Social Ministry
1) Builds Community
2) Nurture and intensify our gospel call to ministry by reflecting on lived experiences in light of Gospel values
3) Empower the parish to: disvern Gospel values, exervise Gospel values in the community, and develop lay leadership
4) Address social and community needs through direct services and actions for justice
5) Respect the distinctive gifts, needs, resources and diversity of the local geography and eparchial areas
6) Transcend parochial and provincial issues by bonding with other groups, churches, parishies, agencies, organizations - with all people of good will - i.e. networking
7) Foster a preferential option for the poor

Social Ministry in the Parish
This training program is for anyone interested in reaching out to his/her fellow parishioners in Christian Service.

• The Theology and History of Parish Social Ministry
The Church's social mission is rooted in the Scriptures, especially in the life and words of Jesus. The biblical call of reaching out to the "least of these" in our parish and community - the hungry, elderly, sick and the stranger, etc.

• Personal Prayer and Spirituality
It is in the Divine Liturgy that we find the fundamental direction, motivation and strength for social ministry. In personal prayer, the reading of Sacred Scripture and quiet reflection on the Christian life, one discovers the social mission of every believer. By serving those in need, we serve our Lord. In prayer, we find the reasons, the strength and the call to follow Jesus in the ways of charity, justice and peace.

• Networking-Resource Training
Participants are given practical information about the major social service agencies within their area as well as procedures for utilizing these resources.

• Basic Communications Skills
In this session, we will have the opportunity to better understand the importance of communication in everyday life and to learn more about verbal and non-verbal communication. Some skills that will be presented are: the role of feelings, confidentiality and the right of self determination.

• Direct Personal Services
Practically every parish will need to provide many services among them: transportation, visitation and emergency home help, etc. The volunteer will learn what is exepected as well as what is not expected of him/her in the various services that the parish might need.

• Role Playing
The volunteers professional development will be expanded through a study of various situations in which he/she may find himself/herself.


		Parish Social Ministry is the response of the people of God to the Gospel Call to minister in charity and justice. It is a means through which parishioners can continue the servant ministry of Christ. The Parish is a community of the people of God. It is a spiritually bonded community with the Gospel Mandate to teach, to worship and to serve. Social means that the parish is a faith community extending itself to all those in need. Ministry flows from the Baptismal call of each Catholic. Through the sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist, each of us is commissioned and sent to follow in he way of Jesus - to "bring good news to the poor... liberty to the captives... new sight to the blind... and to set the downtrodden free." (Luke 4:18) All realms of human need - physical, social, relational and spritual are the concern of Parish Social Ministry. It is an organized way to show care and concern for fellow parishioners. The Principles of Parish Social Ministry 1) Builds Community 2) Nurture and intensify our gospel call to ministry by reflecting on lived experiences in light of Gospel values 3) Empower the parish to: disvern Gospel values, exervise Gospel values in the community, and develop lay leadership 4) Address social and community needs through direct services and actions for justice 5) Respect the distinctive gifts, needs, resources and diversity of the local geography and eparchial areas 6) Transcend parochial and provincial issues by bonding with other groups, churches, parishies, agencies, organizations - with all people of good will - i.e. networking 7) Foster a preferential option for the poor Social Ministry in the Parish This training program is for anyone interested in reaching out to his/her fellow parishioners in Christian Service. • The Theology and History of Parish Social Ministry The Church's social mission is rooted in the Scriptures, especially in the life and words of Jesus. The biblical call of reaching out to the "least of these" in our parish and community - the hungry, elderly, sick and the stranger, etc. • Personal Prayer and Spirituality It is in the Divine Liturgy that we find the fundamental direction, motivation and strength for social ministry. In personal prayer, the reading of Sacred Scripture and quiet reflection on the Christian life, one discovers the social mission of every believer. By serving those in need, we serve our Lord. In prayer, we find the reasons, the strength and the call to follow Jesus in the ways of charity, justice and peace. • Networking-Resource Training Participants are given practical information about the major social service agencies within their area as well as procedures for utilizing these resources. • Basic Communications Skills In this session, we will have the opportunity to better understand the importance of communication in everyday life and to learn more about verbal and non-verbal communication. Some skills that will be presented are: the role of feelings, confidentiality and the right of self determination. • Direct Personal Services Practically every parish will need to provide many services among them: transportation, visitation and emergency home help, etc. The volunteer will learn what is exepected as well as what is not expected of him/her in the various services that the parish might need. • Role Playing The volunteers professional development will be expanded through a study of various situations in which he/she may find himself/herself.

		Copyright 2007 Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat, Parma, OH