Community Organizing Ministry

For many years the Church has taught that people must participate in the society in which they live. For persons who are economically poor, that is sometimes very difficult to do. So the Catholic Church in the U.S., through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, has supported community organizing and community development efforts found in the poorest neighborhoods in our nation. For example, many parishes belong to congregation-based organizations partially funded by CCHD. Social Ministry Committees must be aware of the community organizations working in their neighborhoods and cities and explore what participation in those organizations might mean for the parish. The Social Ministry Committee should also take responsibility for learning more about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. An effective SMC will inform parishioners about the importance of giving generously to the annual CCHD collection on the third Sunday in November.

Last Update April 27, 2007