Do you have a heart to serve others? Are you interested in putting your faith in action? Are you a servant leader?
If you answered ‘yes’ then the Parish Social Ministry Certificate Program (PSMCP) is for you. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is the only Catholic Charities member organization in the country that provides a Parish Social Ministry Certification Program.
We invite you to register and put your faith in action at your parish!
PSM Certificate Registration
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Course Information
1) What will the course cover?
COURSE 1:
Introduction to Parish Social Ministry and the Theological Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching
This session is an overview of Parish Social Ministry focusing on the role of the church in a community and what it can offer to those in need. It will cover principles of parish social ministry, leadership skills and ministry resources.
Investigate the Biblical texts that form Catholic Social and the subsequent theological consequences of these texts as represented in Church documents and teaching.
COURSE 2:
Life and Dignity of the Human Person and Family Perspectives
Dive into the foundational element of Catholic Social Teaching by focusing on the uniqueness of humanity and our subsequent response within the context of Christian ethics.
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live” – Pope Saint John Paul II. This class focuses on how to address the dynamics of the family and ways to best serve it when working in social ministry.
COURSE 3:
Advocacy and Intercultural Competencies
Gain an understanding of how to give a voice to those in need through advocacy. Understand how current legislation affects your ministry and clients and how to take action to create systemic change.
Take an in-depth look into the diverse cultural backgrounds of our Houston community and learn how to best interact with and serve people according to their cultural backgrounds.
COURSE 4:
How to Handle Critical Cases
How do you respond to a critical case? What do you do when there seems to be limited to no resources and the look of desperation is evident? Learn tools of practice to help de-escalate situation and other resources and methods.
COURSE 5:
Panel Discussion: Parish Social Ministers in Practice
Learn from seasoned parish social ministers on how they have learned from putting the Parish Social Ministry Certificate Program to practice, how they have managed and grown their ministries, addressed and worked through various challenges.
2) Practicum
A practicum gives the opportunity to learn and practice new skills. Participants are required to complete eight hours of a Parish Social Ministry practicum during the months of November and December. Participants will be in a setting supervised by participating parish/social minister or a Catholic Charities program. The practicum is required to have an introductory proposal/plan/objective and concluding report.
The PSMCP illustrates faith in action and resource tools toward mitigating poverty.
3) How long is each class?
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., classes begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon.
4) How much does it cost?
$100
5) Where is it located?
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (central office)
2900 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77006 (MAP)
1st floor
For more information, please contact Rhonda Sepulveda at RSepulveda@CatholicCharities.org or 713.874.6672.
> Learn more about Catholic Charities’ Parish Relations Office