Parish Social Ministry at Saint Mary of Sorrows

One of the most encouraging signs of the gospel at work in our midst is the vitality and quality of social justice ministries in our parishes. Across the country, countless local communities of faith are serving those in need, working for justice, and sharing our social teaching as never before. Millions of parishioners are applying the gospel and church teaching in their own families, work, and communities. More and more, the social justice dimensions of our faith are moving from the fringes of parishes to become an integral part of local Catholic life.

Communities of Salt and Light, U.S. Catholic Bishops

Indeed, it must be said that a commitment to justice and

peace . . . is a necessary condition for the preparation and celebration of the jubilee.

On the Coming of the Third Millennium, Pope John Paul II

In the Jubilee Year 2000 and beyond, parish social ministry helps to "Open Wide the Doors to Christ" by carrying on Christ's ministry of compassion and justice.

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Through its parish social ministry, St. Mary’s strives to respond faithfully to God’s call in the Old Testament, to the teachings and example of Jesus and his followers in the New Testament, and to the social teachings of the Church. The Old Testament prophets made it clear that in order for Israel to be in right relationship with God, God’s chosen people needed to be in right relationship with each other, Israel had to care for those in the community who were in need (e.g., Isaiah 58; Jeremiah, 7:1-7; Micah, 6:8). In doing so, Israel would acknowledge its dependence on God and its understanding that God intended the earth and all it contained for the use of all human beings and peoples.

When God became incarnate, he identified himself with the poor and the marginalized. He was born in a stable. His family became refugees soon after his birth. His homeland was an occupied territory. He opened his public ministry by saying that he had come to preach the Gospel (good news) to the poor (Luke 4:18-19). He reminded his followers of what God had made clear in the Hebrew scriptures – not just that we are obliged to ensure that the basic needs of all are met, but that to fail to care for those in need is to fail to know him (Matthew 25:31-46). Because of his fidelity to his father’s will, he was put to death. 

Christians have a long history of caring for poor and vulnerable members of society through countless works of charity. The scriptures, the teachings of Jesus, and papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents that make up Catholic social teaching challenge us, however, to go beyond works of charity to work to eliminate the causes of poverty and other forms of human suffering. The 1971 synod of bishops made it clear that action for justice is an essential part of the Church’s mission:

Action for justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation.

The grace to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters through works of charity and works for justice comes from our participation in the sacramental life of the Church, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Christian community gathers and hears God’s reign of justice and peace proclaimed. We offer prayers for the needs of the Church and the world. We unite ourselves to Christ’s sacrifice, in which His body is broken and His blood is poured out for all. We come to understand that we are called to become broken for others and to share with our brothers and sisters the gifts of the earth because our Father gives His gifts for all. We are nourished by the Bread of Life for our human journey. We pray with Jesus that all may be one, and we are sent forth to live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, ever seeking God’s will for our lives.

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Hundreds of parishioners participate in outreach projects that are part of the parish social  ministry, and many parish groups and classes participate in those projects or plan parish social ministry activities of their own. In addition, individual parishioners offer compassionate service, pursue peace, and seek justice in their everyday lives – most of them quietly and without seeking recognition.

This website describes much of the parish’s social ministry, but because it is so much a part of the lives of so many members of this parish, there is no way to include it all.

Getting Involved  
Interested in Getting Involved in the Parish Social Ministry?

·        Check the bulletin for opportunities to participate

·        Come to a parish social ministry meeting, usually the second Monday of the month

·        Or call the parish social ministry office, 703-978-4141, for information on parish activities and organizations where you can volunteer

Note: The Confirmation booklet and Confirmation catechists have information for students who need ideas on how to fulfill their Christian service requirement.

All members of the parish are part of the parish social ministry community, and all are welcome to attend monthly parish social ministry meetings (usually the second Monday of the month at 7:30pm in Farrell Hall). See meeting notices in the bulletin or call the parish social ministry
coordinator, Pat Seiler, 703-978-4141, for information.

In addition, throughout the year parishioners are asked to support many kinds of parish social ministry activities. This booklet describes many of them, but for specific details see the bulletin and contact the person listed for each activity.

Many parishioners work with organizations that serve people in need or advocate for legislation that will improve the lives of “the least among us.” This booklet lists many of those organizations, many of which receive funding from the parish’s tithing. A contact person is given for each of those organizations.

Anyone seeking more information is encouraged to contact the parish social ministry coordinator, Carol Mayfield, at 703-978-4141.

Tithing Funds

Tithing funds are an important part of the parish’s social ministry. Because the parish allocates part of Sunday and holy day collections to organizations that offer compassionate service and work for social justice, everyone who contributes to those collections provides funds that support the parish’s social ministry. The section of this booklet on programs that receive funding through the parish tithing funds describes the activities that the funds support and includes the names of contact people who can provide more information about the activities and on opportunities for volunteering with them.

All parishioners are invited to participate in the process of recommending to the pastor how the tithing funds should be allocated. Applications for funding are available in November for submission by parish sponsors and due early in December. Each group for which an application is submitted must have a parish sponsor who agrees to maintain contact with the organization, educate the parish about its work and volunteer opportunities, and participate in the parish social ministry budget process and in meetings throughout the year of the parish social ministry community. Meetings are held in January and February to discuss the merits of each request, and at the March parish social ministry meeting decisions are made on recommended funding. These meetings are open to all parishioners.

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