Social Action Ministry

The Gospel is clear. Christ stands with the poor, the imprisoned, the sick, the stranger, the other. Pope Francis has taken this Gospel mandate and issued encyclicals and daily messages for Catholics and all people. We are asked to respond to “the cry of the Earth and the poor.” With Pope Francis’ inspiration, Social Action Ministry (SAM) puts all its energy into responding to this Gospel mandate . Care for Creation, Welcoming Strangers, Opposing Violence, War and the Weapons of War (especially nuclear weapons,) and Caring for All are  SAM’s work.

The Diocesan Social Action Ministry is under diocesan Community Services.  Paul Welch, Director, operates by aligning with a wide range of Church and community groups throughout the 7 county diocese and various national and international organizations. Prominent among these groups are the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., and the Catholic Climate Covenant.

USCCB Justice for Immigrants

Catholic Legal Immigration Network

Campaign for Human Development

Catholic Relief Services