Parish
Outreach
Lay
Leadership
Faith in Action
Volunteer Opportunities
Pastoral Visitors
to the Elderly Developing
lay leadership
...is a fulfillment of the call of God for the leaders of
Church: "the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and
teachers"
(Ephesians 4:11).* More
than 63 million Americans gave their time to help their communities, an increase
of
4 million from the previous year.**
*A
Biblical Perspective on Developing Lay Leadership
by Mark Trew
**US Department
of State 2002 Catholic
Charities Parish Outreach Program is a delivery of support and services for persons
in need, regardless of religion, race, or ethnic origin, within the context of
the parish community life. It offers opportunity for ecumenical outreach to, and
with, the neighbors of the parish community as well as within the parish itself.
Lay
Leadership Development
The
program emphasizes leadership development and re-energizes parishes from the inside
out. The program emphasizes leadership development through a ministry of volunteer
services. Brainstorming sessions are conducted to determine the needs of each
parish as well as their neighborhoods.
Local parishes and their parishioners
are the outreach arm of the Church throughout the Diocese. Parishioners help people
with various social service needs, supported by Catholic Charities through training
and workshops built around the needs of individual parishes.
The agency's
Parish Outreach Administrator assists the Pastor of the Parish in a number of
ways, including: - Assistance
in setting up the program's record- keeping system
- Program
training through workshops
- Lay
leadership certification program
- Advice
on confidentiality and privacy
compliance - Preparation
of job descriptions for program workers and the Parish Outreach Coordinator
-
Determination
of program space requirements and availability of facilities
- Supervision
of the program's evaluation process
- Assistance
with the identification of potential parish leadership
- Other
workshops as required
Parish
Outreach Coordinators
They
develop, organize and administer their Parish Outreach Programs. Parish Outreach
Coordinators work closely with the Pastor, Consultation/Facilitation Committee
and the Worker Committee to plan and maintain the organizational structure, develop
programs of service and support for the Parish Community, regularly evaluate the
Parish Outreach Program, and assume responsibility for the on-going work of program
participants. Prime
Time Clubs
Based
in parishes, Prime Time Clubs benefit the senior citizens of the Diocese. The
clubs provide a place where members can meet regularly to share friendship and
common concerns. Its focus includes the spiritual, intellectual, and social needs
of its members.
Our mission is
to provide compassionate human services with respect for the sanctity of all human
life.
We provide opportunities for volunteering. Contact the Catholic Charities
office nearest you.
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Charities is a private non-profit social service agency operating under the auspices
of the Diocese of Allentown. Its services are available to any person residing
within Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton or Schuylkill County regardless of race,
ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, color, political affiliation, creed, disability
and Limited English Proficiency. Catholic
Charities is financially supported by the Bishop's Annual Appeal, Holiday Appeal,
grants, fees, donations and federal, state and county governments. Its
programs are approved for funding by the PA Departments of Education, Community
Affairs and Public Welfare, and County Departments of Human Services including
Children and Youth, Mental Health/Mental Retardation and Aging.
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ADMINISTRATION
2141 Downyflake Lane
Allentown, PA 18103-4774
Tel. 610-791-3888 Fax 610-791-1878
BERKS COUNTY
Madison Bldg,
400 Washington St., Suite 100
Reading, PA 19601-3966
Tel. 610-376-7144
Fax 610-376-7145
LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON
COUNTIES
530 Union Blvd, Allentown, PA 18109-3230
Tel. 610-435-1541 Fax
610-435-4367 SCHUYLKILL-CARBON
COUNTIES
1720 W. Market St, Pottsville, PA 17901
Tel. 570-628-0466 Fax
570-628-3343
Post Office Box F • Allentown,
PA • 18105-1538 |
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