In Goal 5, action steps have been developed with an emphasis on broadening and expanding the participation of parish members in measurable works of social justice. Many of the action steps identify current activities where people can be involved; others develop new opportunities for service and action. The intent is to call forth the gifts of the entire community for the social ministry of the Church. The archdiocesan response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis is included in this goal.

Objective 5.1
Promote a comprehensive approach to social justice education and formation.

Action Steps:

5.1.1
Promote greater awareness of Catholic Social Teaching, relevant legislative issues, and social justice resources by expanding and improving the utilization of the Internet among parishes and archdiocesan agencies. [Personnel & Planning, Charities]

B Fall 2004
C Fall 2005

5.1.2
Create a resource guide on the social justice teachings of the church to inform children and adults, and update it biannually. [Charities, OLFE]

B Fall 2003
C Fall 2004

5.1.3
Pilot a program in at least three parishes where young adults are given the opportunity to connect their experience of social justice to Catholic social teaching using an action-reflection model. [Charities, OLFE]

B Spring 2004
C Fall 2005

5.1.4
Develop and implement a training program for social ministry leaders at the parish level. [Charities, Ministry & Spirituality]

B Fall 2005
C Fall 2006

5.1.5
Feature a social justice theme and speaker for the Archdiocesan Leadership Institute. [Ministry & Spirituality, Charities, Personnel & Planning]

B Fall 2004
C Fall 2005

5.1.6
Host the "Preaching the Just Word" workshop in the Archdiocese again. [Charities, Worship]

B Fall 2003
C Fall 2004

5.1.7
Adapt the "Christianity and Social Justice" class from the catechist certification curriculum and offer it in three or more parishes. [Charities, OLFE]

B Spring 2003
C Spring 2004

Objective 5.2
Generate and organize parish and community responses to issues of social justice.

Action Steps:

5.2.1
Form a steering committee of parish, diocesan, and community leaders that will promote "faithful citizenship" through its creative use of National Issues Forums in the Catholic community. [Charities, OLFE]

B Spring 2003
C Spring 2004

5.2.2
Organize a parish-based, ecumenical living wage group to advocate on behalf of the working poor. [Charities]

B Fall 2002
C Spring 2004

5.2.3
Conduct a study of wages and benefits of archdiocesan employees according to living wage criteria. [Personnel & Planning]

B Fall 2003
C Spring 2004

5.2.4
Complete the Social Ministry Directory, which lists the social ministry activities of all parishes in the Archdiocese. [Charities, ACC]

B Fall 2002
C Summer 2003

5.2.5
Organize an annual event that acknowledges and celebrates the social justice work of parishes throughout the Archdiocese. [Charities]

B Spring 2004
C Spring 2005

Objective 5.3
Generate and organize parish and community responses to growing unmet service needs of all populations.

Action Steps:

5.3.1
Develop pre-release and after-care programs that build upon current prison and jail ministry activities and utilize parish volunteers as mentors or in other capacities. [Charities, Diaconate]

B Fall 2002
C Fall 2004

5.3.2
Advocate for and facilitate development of safe, decent, affordable housing for low-income persons. [Charities, Finance]

B Fall 2002
C Fall 2005

5.3.3
Support rural family ministry and promote the economic well being of rural families by advocating for, and facilitating fair wages, adequate housing, and appropriate health and social service programs. [Charities]

B Spring 2003
C Fall 2004

5.3.4
Promote a process for parishes to identify unmet human service needs of all age groups and develop responses to them. [Charities, Personnel & Planning, Catholic Family Center]

B Spring 2004
C Spring 2005

5.3.5
Develop a clear and consistent service system to support women in distress (e.g., poverty, unplanned pregnancy, single-parent family, welfare-to-work, domestic violence, substance abuse, etc.) [Charities, Catholic Family Center]

B Fall 2002
C Fall 2004

Objective 5.4
Promote the contributions of refugees and immigrants in the community.

Action Steps:

5.4.1
Publish articles on a regular basis in The Record focusing on the contributions of the refugee and immigrant community within the Archdiocese. [Charities, ACC]

B Fall 2002
C Fall 2004

5.4.2
Expand parish participation in National Migration Week activities and other activities that celebrate refugee and immigrant contributions. [Charities, Multicultural Ministry]

B Fall 2002
C Winter 2004

5.4.3
Expand program presentations by refugees and immigrants to schools and archdiocesan agencies. [Charities]

B Fall 2002
C Fall 2004

Objective 5.5
Implement the Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People.

Action Steps:

5.5.1
Develop new initiatives to reach out to victims of sexual abuse by Church personnel and to minister to all those hurt by the sexual abuse crisis. [Chancery, ACC, Catholic Family Center, Pastoral Care]

B Fall 2002
C Fall 2005

5.5.2
Review and update current policies and processes regarding sexual abuse by church personnel. [Chancery, ACC, Clergy Personnel]

B Fall 2002
C Spring 2003

5.5.3
Appoint a sexual abuse review board to advise the Archbishop on the implementation of the Charter. [Chancery, ACC]

B Fall 2002
C Spring 2003

5.5.4
Provide training seminars for parish, school, and agency employees and volunteers regarding sexual abuse reporting requirements and standards of professional behavior. [Chancery, Catholic Family Center, OLFE]

B Winter 2003
C Winter 2005