| Gordon: |
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When
and why did you join
St.
Patrick Parish and
how
has the parish
enhanced your spiritual life? |
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Lynn:
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My husband Tom and
I have been members of St. Patrick Parish in Farmington, CT ,since we married in 1986. I was involved in many parish ministries over the
years. I started as a Catechist, and then became involved in the Human Needs
Committee. During my involvement with the Human Needs Committee, I organized
several parish based social ministries. Later I went on to initiate more social
justice oriented activities such as hosting educational events and engaging the
parish in Fair Trade by connecting the parish to Catholic Relief Service’s Fair
Trade program and organizing an International Bazaar. After participating in an
immersion trip to Haiti in 2012 I joined our Haiti Ministry Team of which I
remain a member. It was during my time on the Human Needs Committee when I first
connected with our diocesan social justice office – The Office for Catholic
Social Justice Ministry.
I am thankful to my parish
for the opportunity to connect with so many others through ministry. This
faith-based connection with so many people has enhanced my spiritual life.
Ministry offers me the opportunity to be in communion with others as I share,
pray, reflect, and serve with others beyond the Mass. |
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| Gordon: |
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When were you appointed
executive director of the
Archdiocese of Hartford’s Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry
and what are your primary responsibilities? |
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Lynn:
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In 2004 I participated in a
program at our parish called “JustFaith”. The program launched several
ministries in our parish. It also helped me personally in my discernment to
pursue a career in ministry. I saw the opportunity to work for the archdiocese
as an extension of my ministry involvement at St. Patrick Parish. After working
for the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of
Hartford for five years, I was appointed to Executive Director in 2012.
My responsibilities
include administering on a local level the national programs: Catholic Campaign
for Human Development (CCHD), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and the U.S.
Bishop’s Justice for Immigrants (JFI) program, and implementing and providing
on-going support for Parish Social Ministry. I supervise a small staff and
several volunteer committees who work to help the parishes engage in social
justice. |
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| Gordon: |
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Please share with our readers and overview of what Social
justice is and what our responsibilities we have as Catholic to address
social justice in our daily lives |
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Lynn:
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Social
justice is rooted in the Gospel and based on the principles
of Catholic Social Teachings. Social justice calls each of
us to ensure that all people, especially the poor and
vulnerable, have access to our God-given rights necessary to
live a life in dignity: education, employment, food,
healthcare, housing, shelter, and rest. By our Baptism we
are all called to this mission – to be participants in
Christ’s life and mission of love, justice and peace. We are
called to live our faith in the world. It is in our daily
lives where we will have the greatest impact through how we
raise our families; participate as “faithful citizens”; and
use our gifts and talents to serve others. Our everyday
choices, from how we treat each other to the purchases we
make, are ways in which we address social justice in our
daily lives. |
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| Gordon: |
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How does
Office for Catholic Social Justice
Ministry educate and prepare parishes to work for social justice? |
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Lynn:
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The Office’s mission is to advance Catholic
Social Teaching by preparing and educating parishes to work
for social justice. We do that by providing formation
opportunities including conferences, workshops, in-service
trainings and consultation for parish leaders, particularly
parish social ministry committees, in the areas of Catholic
social teaching and effective parish social ministry as
outlined in Communities of Salt and Light (USCCB, 1993). We
work closely with the ordained and lay leadership. We put
special focus on developing parish social ministry
leadership among Hispanic Catholics in light of their
growing numbers. We use social media and organizing
strategies to encourage advocacy by parishes and individuals
on international peace objectives of the USCCB and the CT
Catholic Advocacy Network. We collaborate with offices and
agencies of the Archdiocese, other Catholic organizations in
the state and CCHD grantees in the Archdiocese in order to expand our parish
social ministry constituency and integrate the ministry of justice and peace
into their work. We also administer a grant program called Cooperative Parish
Sharing to help low-income parishes meet the needs of their communities.
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| Gordon: |
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Approximately how many people attend your annual
Social Justice Conference? |
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Lynn:
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As a diocesan office we are able to
provide an annual Social Justice Conference. The conference provides networking
opportunities and training, and education in Catholic social justice, Catholic
social teaching, social policy, and leadership development. Over 200
individuals attend the conference. It’s a mixture of individuals already
involved in ministry, those looking to get something started in their parish, or
individuals who come for personal faith formation. |
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| Gordon: |
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If
a parish is considering launching a social justice
initiative what recommendations would you give them? |
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| Lynn: |
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Check to see if there is a Social Action
Director either through the diocese or through Catholic
Charities who can help you get started. A Director can
provide you with resources, training, and best practices –
and connect you to other parishes which may be doing similar
work. A Diocesan Social Action Director can help you assess
the need for a social justice initiative and provide you
with tips to engage the parish community in the activity. If
you don’t know if there is a director, or if there is no
director, the Roundtable Association of Catholic Social
Action Directors can help you. |
