parish social ministry:
Educational Opportunities
Local and Online Programs
Certificate in Social Justice
The University of Dayton offers a "virtual learning community for faith formation (VLCFF)." VLCFF courses are 4-6 weeks in duration, and are taken on a pass/fail basis. The Certificate in Social Justice also requires a four-month, five-hour weekly internship working on a specific social action project. Since the Archdiocese of Hartford is currently a VLCFF partnering diocese, courses cost only $40 each. Learn more about VLCFF. |
Lay Ministry Formation
The Hartford Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education and Evangelization provides a 2-year training program for lay men and women interested in volunteer ministry within their parishes. Areas of ministry include: Liturgy,Bereavement, RCIA, Social Justice |
National Conferences
OCSJM offers limited grant assistance to support leadership training at national conferences and events.
Social Action Summer Institute
In July, the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors and other sponsoring Catholic organizations host a multi-day Social Action Summer Institute annually at rotating locations around the country. The Institute offers a parish track including a three-day in-depth segment on one of two focus topics, as well as additional days of workshops. You can attend either the in-depth or workshop segments of the gathering, or participate in the whole Institute. The program schedule is published in the spring, and is scheduled for the third week in July.
Learn more about the Summer Institute at the Roundtable or by contacting the OCSJM.
In July, the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors and other sponsoring Catholic organizations host a multi-day Social Action Summer Institute annually at rotating locations around the country. The Institute offers a parish track including a three-day in-depth segment on one of two focus topics, as well as additional days of workshops. You can attend either the in-depth or workshop segments of the gathering, or participate in the whole Institute. The program schedule is published in the spring, and is scheduled for the third week in July.
Learn more about the Summer Institute at the Roundtable or by contacting the OCSJM.
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
Each year the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering provides and excellent opportunity for Catholic leaders to Connect – Learn – Pray – Advocate! Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions address current topics essential to various ministries, and better prepare leaders and volunteers for the challenges of our mission. The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is the result of collaboration by 16 partner organizations from around the United States including Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, the Roundtable Association, multiple departments of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, JustFaith Ministries, and others.
The event is held in February in Washington, DC, offering access to Capitol Hill and opportunities for in-person advocacy.
For more information, visit the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering webpage.
Each year the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering provides and excellent opportunity for Catholic leaders to Connect – Learn – Pray – Advocate! Exciting plenary presentations, briefings, workshops, and strategy sessions address current topics essential to various ministries, and better prepare leaders and volunteers for the challenges of our mission. The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering is the result of collaboration by 16 partner organizations from around the United States including Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, the Roundtable Association, multiple departments of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, JustFaith Ministries, and others.
- Connect in person with social ministry colleagues from across the United States–an opportunity to share best practices, plan for emerging needs, and identify areas for more effective cooperation. Expand these opportunities by joining the Gathering’s virtual community on Facebook and Twitter.
- Learn about the larger picture of Catholic social ministry, and pressing current domestic and global challenges relating to human life and dignity, and justice and peace. Inform others with the experience and perspective of your own diocese, organization, or faith community.
- Pray together to renew our spirit and vision for mission. Wonderful liturgies will mark our gathering on Sunday afternoon and our sending forth on Wednesday. Opportunities for daily Mass will add to this time of spiritual as well professional enrichment.
- Advocate for policies that will protect and support people suffering poverty and injustice. In this defining experience of the Gathering, the renewed purpose of our meetings and our prayer flows directly to Capitol Hill, where as one faith community we bring to legislators our concerns and proposals about policies affecting the most vulnerable among us, both locally and globally. Then continue this effort after the Gathering in Washington through district visits with members of congress in your own community.
The event is held in February in Washington, DC, offering access to Capitol Hill and opportunities for in-person advocacy.
For more information, visit the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering webpage.