Parish Social Ministry
Parish Social Ministry is an effort by the Diocese of Pittsburgh through Catholic Charities to assist parishes in living out the Church's Social Teaching, which calls us to recognize the fundamental dignity of all human life at every stage.
Parish social ministers, or PSMs, work within specific parish communities to address social needs and issues. PSMs are certified for ministry through Catholic Charities and attend monthly in-service trainings, including the annual Social Ministry Institute, to help them be as effective as possible when working in the community. With the help of Catholic Charities, PSM positions can be created in any parish within the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
PSMs meet their community's social needs in three main ways:
- Direct Service: establishing tangible needs assistance programs such as food banks and respite care programs, and visiting nursing homes and hospitals.
- Advocacy: supporting the less fortunate in the community by advocating for their rights on a local, state, and national level.
- Convening: bringing people together to educate them on social issues relevant to the community.
Parish Social Ministry creates communities of service and social change through unique partnerships between parishes and Catholic Charities.
For more information about Parish Social Ministry, call 412.456.6975.