Parish Engagement

The Parish Engagement department of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City develops and supports social ministries within parishes and the communities in the Archdiocese to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Parish Engagement connects parishes and their communities to agency expertise and resources. Communication and support in the development of social ministries are established through pastor/parish visits, training, networking, and engagement opportunities.

Current social ministries offered through Catholic Charities include:

Project Gabriel is a confidential, compassionate, parish-based ministry helping women struggling with unplanned pregnancies. Mentors in parishes are trained and supported through Catholic Charities Adoption & Pregnancy Services. Mentors will assist women in need of resources, supplies, emotional and spiritual support in their local communities. One-on-one interaction with a mentor and relationship-building which can be the catalyst for formal services and referrals.

Cabrini Wellness Ministry is a program provided by Catholic Charities' St. Joseph's Counseling Services which addresses suicide prevention, response, and education in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City by equipping educators, parents, clergy, and ministry leaders with the tools to respond appropriately to those who are considering suicide. The three overarching wellness blocks and trainings are identified in the Cabrini Wellness Ministry plan are: A one-hour QPR Training, implementation of the Lifelines Prevention Program, and lastly, to identify local resources for parishes and schools.

Disaster Preparedness presentations educate communities throughout the Archdiocese to enhance and strengthen their resiliency and preparedness. Presentations will highlight preparedness plans, what to do in different emergencies, and understand basic insurance needs and coverage. Catholic Charities Disaster Services will cover various parts of the recovery process in the short-term, in the intermediate, and in the long-term. Each participant will be given a resource book covering all the information mentioned above and more.

Domestic Violence Awareness presentations allow Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to build the capacity of parishes and parishioners through education and resources to support those who are caught in the isolation of family violence. Presentations are provided in partnership with the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, YWCA, Palomar, and the Oklahoma Attorney General's office.

Financial Education Presentations are designed to provide education to individuals who need rent and utility assistance and education on how to better manage their resources. The training, conducted by the Catholic Charities Family Support Services, will be a one-hour training which will be given to parishes to help individuals and families who come through their doors.

"Know Your Rights" Presentations instruct individuals seeking assistance with immigration law information about the rights they are afforded in the United States. Through this educative program, Immigration Legal Services at Catholic Charities can also discuss legal options that are available to potential clients.

Ways to Volunteer with Parish Engagement:

Become a Parish Liaison - Parish Liaisons extend the reach of services and educational opportunities to their parishes and communities through the ministries of Catholic Charities. The parish liaisons will serve as an integral connection between Catholic Charities and the Catholic communities where they reside. They will share information about Catholic Charities' accomplishments and events. To read the full position description, click here to Become a Liaison

For more information about connecting your parish to Catholic Charities or any social ministry program, contact:

Brian Smith
Parish Engagement Director
bsmith@ccaokc.org
405-523-3000 ext. 245

or

David F. de Los Santos
Parish and Resources Coordinator
dfrancisco@ccaokc.org
405-523-3000 ext. 244