Providing help and creating hope in Maine
Portland, ME – Portland resident Michael Smith has been selected to serve a two-year term as Chair of Catholic Charities USA’s (CCUSA) Parish Social Ministry Professional Interest Section. This group has the largest membership base of CCUSA’s 15 sections with more than 600 members.
Smith is Program Manager for Catholic Charities Maine’s Parish Social Ministry program which is designed to strengthen parish communities by providing social ministry program trainings and resources based on the individual needs of parishes.
In his role as National Chair, Smith will focus on how program directors can show the effectiveness of their ministries, providing an outreach team to support new directors as well as connect current members, and assisting members with addressing the multicultural and cultural competencies in their dioceses and parish ministries.
Smith will also present at the CCUSA Annual Gathering in Omaha (September 10-12, 2015) on how PSM programs from around the country can implement qualitative and quantitative tracking measures to show the importance and impact of their programs in their dioceses and communities.
“With almost 200 dioceses and over 17,000 parishes in the United States, our network assisting people living on the margins of society is vast and allows for the personal interaction needed to show the dignity of each person with whom we encounter,” notes Smith. “I am humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to working with the national team to help all Catholic Charities agencies and parishes build upon the great work the Church is already doing to live out the Lord’s call to love our neighbor.”
The Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Professional Interest Section is a group of Catholic Charities professionals and others that fosters spiritual growth, networking opportunities, information, and skill training for parish social ministry professionals and volunteers at Catholic Charities agencies, in the dioceses, and in the parishes. These leaders then strengthen the capacity of the Catholic community to build a more just and compassionate society, to reduce poverty thus building up CCUSA and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
About Catholic Charities Maine
Since 1966, Catholic Charities Maine has provided high-quality, community-based, social services to people of all faiths, beliefs, and economic backgrounds. As one of the largest human service agencies in the state, we are committed to helping children and adults overcome adversity and achieve self-sufficiency. More than .92 of every dollar we receive goes directly to serving our neighbors in need. To learn more, please visit www.ccmaine.org or call 1-800-781-8550.
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