Needs of our neighborhoods     Welcoming neighbors in need and assisting those who come to our doors are at the heart of the Gospel call to love and service.  Saint Mary Magdalene Parish straddles some of the most impoverished neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.  Nearby residents experience a host of social challenges from poverty, lack of healthcare, inadequate employment opportunities, poor housing, racism, violence, drugs, gangs, and a host of others.  Residents in all of our neighborhoods are afflicted by meaninglessness, addiction, and hopelessness.  We cannot solve the depths of the problems that they bring.  But we do what we can to respond with mercy, to offer hope, and give whatever tangible assistance seems appropriate as well as leads to other resources.

Our Call, our past, our connections    As Catholic Christians, we recognize our baptismal call to assist neighbors in carrying these heavy crosses.  Building on past parish efforts through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, food banks, health ministry, Mary’s Child, and other social services, we respond in works of mercy as best we can to address these needs.  Guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, we also confront the root causes of these problems through peace and justice efforts.  We cooperate with individuals and organizations beyond our Parish like the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Society,  to support and enhance their efforts and augment our own.

Responding in charity    As a ministry within the parish, we try to widen and deepen the commitment of parishioners in our efforts – to give generously of their time, talent and treasure.  Education is a key component of our work: education of ourselves to the depth and causes of neighbors’ struggles and practical education of parishioners, awakening them and providing do-able steps to deepen their understanding and compassion.

Mutually beneficial relationships     We strive to respond appropriately to each person as Christ at our door, with hospitality and deep respect.  Honoring their dignity, we cultivate relationships with those we serve.  In listening and sharing hope as well as in giving tangible assistance, we mutually enrich ourselves and those in need.

Responding in social action     Following the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching, we also invite parishioners into practical ways to address the underlying causes that diminishing our neighborhoods and our world.

A Parish Social Ministry Coordinator is charged with supporting these efforts, facilitating the integration of each parish effort into our new parish, and encouraging deeper parish involvement in them.  The Coordinator’s duties include networking with each campus, recruiting and training parishioners, developing resources, meeting and assessing need of those who come for assistance, and providing leadership as new opportunities present themselves.  The Coordinator is also the liaison to the broader community, developing mutually beneficial ways of collaborating.
To carry out the work, we envision the Coordinator working in collaboration with the parish staff, with a parish Social Ministry Committee, and with volunteer program leaders.

The goal of our Social Ministry is to model discipleship to Jesus and the principles of Catholic Teaching: within the parish, in our charitable outreach to neighbors in need, and as a voice for Justice and Peace – advocating and acting on behalf of and with the poor, marginalized and oppressed locally and around the world.