Social Justice and Service
St. Charles Borromeo Parish, in the Diocese of Arlington, is a community of people with various cultural backgrounds united as a family of faith empowered by Christ. We call on all to offer their unique gifts in building the Reign of God’s love, as we proclaim the word of God, celebrate the Sacraments, and promote education, hospitality, justice and service.
From the mission of our parish, having everyone involved in justice and service is central to who we are. The Social Justice Committee of St. Charles, in conjunction with the Social Justice Coordinator, work to engage the parishioners of St. Charles in the social justice and support the functioning of the existing ministries.
St. Charles uses the framework for social justice from the U.S. Bishops’ Statement,
Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish. The Bishops remind us that service and action, charity and justice, are complementary components of parish social ministry. Neither alone is sufficient; both are essential signs of the Gospel at work.
Ministries
Contact Dale Dean, 703.528.1554, deanpd@earthlink.net
Marisa Vertrees, 703-527-5500, ext. 126, mvertrees@stcharleschurch.org.
Parishioners are called to use their talents, the resources of our faith, and the opportunities of this democracy to shape a society more respectful of the life, dignity, and rights of the human person. Our advocacy is needed on behalf of vulnerable children (born and unborn), of those who suffer discrimination and injustice, of those without health care or housing, of our land and water, and of our communities and neighborhoods. St. Charles-supported advocacy opportunities influence moral public policy on the local, state, national, and international levels.
Representative position is Vacant; Contact the Social Justice Committee at sjc@stcharleschurch.org.
The Campaign for Human Development has provided vital resources to many self-help organizations empowering the needy to seek greater justice. Parish support and participation in these organizations help put Catholic social teaching into action and to revitalize local communities.
St. Charles works with local groups to address community needs.
Representative position is Vacant; Contact the Social Justice Committee at sjc@stcharleschurch.org or Jo-Ann Duggan, the parish Social Services Coordinator, at jduggan@stcharleschurch.org.
Our parishioners are called to reach out to the hurting, the poor, and the vulnerable in our midst in concrete acts of charity. St. Charles is involved with several direct social service organizations and opportunities.
Representative position is Vacant; Contact the Social Justice Committee at sjc@stcharleschurch.org
Our bishops have reminded us that we are called to share our social teaching; our social doctrine is an integral part of our faith. St. Charles has adopted several educational initiatives to enable us to carry the Gospel into the world.
Contact Michelle Knight, michellem.knight@gmail.com.
Global Solidarity is part of the Catholic social teachings: “it calls us to overcome barrier of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, economic status, and nationality. We are one in Christ Jesus (cf. Gal 3:28) – beyond our differences and boundaries. Parishes need to be bridge-builders, reminding us that we are part of a Universal Church with ties of faith and humanity to sisters and brothers all over the world…” (U.S. Bishops’ Statement:
Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish).
St. Charles supports international human relief and development projects.
Parish-Wide Social Justice Resources
| Parish Social Services Coordinator |
Jo-Ann Duggan
703.527.5500
jduggan@stcharleschurch.org |
| Parish Social Justice Coordinator |
Marisa Vertrees
703.527.5500
mvertrees@stcharleschurch.org |
| Social Justice Committee Co-Chairs & Parish Council Representatives |
Ethan Wozniak and Dave Theis
sjc@stcharleschurch.org |
| Parish Tithing Committee |
Jason Albritton, Chair
tithing@stcharleschurch.org |
