Parish Social Ministry

Empowering Parishes to Live Out Gospel Values in Partnership with Catholic Charities

Address: 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95134
Phone: (408) 325-5262, Fax: (408) 944-0275
Primary Contact: Elizabeth Lilly, Director, (408) 325-5262, elilly@ccsj.org

Description and Services:
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County empowers parishes to fulfill the Church’s mission to live out gospel values and Catholic Social Justice Teaching in collaboration with others in our community.  Parish Social Ministry empowers parishioners to respond to local needs in a communal, organized, and sustainable way. Services include:

• Education: forums, workshops, presentations, JustFaith®, and social justice course in the Institute for Leadership in Ministry of the Diocese of San Jose
• Leadership Development: JustFaith II®, parish consultation
• Organizational Development: consultation for parish human concerns teams and parish staff
• Direct Service: in collaboration with our Communications staff we link parishioners (including teens and children) with service opportunities with Catholic Charities clients
• Advocacy: skill building and opportunities for advocacy on issues in the areas of housing, education, health care, immigration and budgets to reduce poverty

Most education programs are sponsored by parishes.  Some longer programs follow the school year calendar. Leadership and Organizational Development are on-call for mutually agreeable times.  Service and advocacy events are on-going and sometimes seasonal.

Eligibility and Requirements:
Hope, compassion, and a vision of a community that lives the principles of full participation of all people for the common good.
Fees:
Most services are free. The JustFaith programs and ILM course have small fees and book costs are usually paid by the participant. Other events may have a nominal registration fee. 
Hours and Availability:

• Office Hours: Director, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Program hours:  Days, evenings, and weekends, by appointment

Geographic Area Served: Catholic Charities sites and parishes throughout Santa Clara County