The Mission Department of Catholic Charities serves as the liaison between Catholic Charities and Catholic parishes and other religious and civic institutions in the Archdiocese of Louisville. We seek the active engagement of the community with the programs and services of Catholic Charities. Also as a Catholic institution, we offer opportunities for the people of the Archdiocese of Louisville to live out their baptismal call to seek out and serve those on the margins of life and the most vulnerable through assisting Catholic Charities in its mission to “Welcome, Empower and Strengthen.”
Mission staff work with local schools, parishes and other interested partners to educate around issues that impact the community as a whole while advocating for the most vulnerable among us. We seek to educate people in particular around Catholic Social Teaching to inspire people to participate in the life of their community. We organize refugee camp simulations with local schools and parishes as well as offering parish missions during Lent or other times of the year. We can also organize international or local mission trips. We are prepared to speak to people in sacramental prep or any parish-based study group including bible study.
The Mission Department is the local representative for Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services and in that capacity we facilitate the national and local grants for Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Opportunities for Life. We also help to facilitate Operation Rice Bowl.
“Catholic Charities is the engine of the church that organizes love.”
Catholic Charities of Louisville finds strength in solidarity and works in conjunction with the following organizations: Archdiocese of Louisville (ADOL) , United States Conference Catholic Bishops, (USCCB), Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. These partners as well as many others offer resources that are helpful as we strive to carry out our mission rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.
CCHD & CRS National and Local Grants
The American Catholic Church has 3 charitable organizations that are overseen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development with the mission of reducing poverty and the causes of poverty within the United States of America through and annual national collection that happens in every Catholic Church in the country near Thanksgiving.
- Catholic Relief Services with the mission of responding to natural disasters outside of America, including food shortages, health and human services issues and bolstering education in 193 developing nations around the world through a number of collections taken in American Catholic churches.
- Catholic Charities USA with the mission to respond to issues of poverty, migration, education and advocacy at the level of the (arch)diocese through good will donations and federal and state grants.
Community Organizing
Catholic Charities is a supporting partner of Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together (CLOUT).
CLOUT engages congregations, including Catholic parishes, through advocacy to address issues that affect the community, such as affordable housing, substance abuse treatment, restorative justice and more.
National and International Campaigns
Campaign to Reduce Poverty
Nationally, 36.5 million people live in poverty, and Catholic Charities agencies serve more than 7.8 million people each year. To help Catholic Charities reach its goal of reducing poverty by half by the year 2020, visit the Catholic Charities USA website at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org and endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.
Days of Human Dignity #sharejourney
Pope Francis issued an invitation to “Share the Journey” with the millions of migrants around the world. In January 2018, the Archdiocese of Louisville responded to this call by launching an observance called “Days of Human Dignity”.
Justice for Immigrants
In 2004, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network resolved to make comprehensive immigration reform, with special emphasis on legalization, a major public policy priority within the Church.
The result was a campaign entitled “Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope.” The campaign is designed to unite and mobilize a growing network of Catholic institutions, individuals and other persons of good faith in support of a broad legalization program and comprehensive immigration reform.
Calling on the entire church and others of good will to serve those in need is fundamental to the mission of Catholic Charities. We strive to engage and educate through a variety of community and school activities, shedding light on the plight of others with the hope of sowing compassion.
More information on upcoming and ongoing education and outreach efforts.
Parish and Regional Trainings
Catholic Charities of Louisville seeks to engage and educate the community by providing:
- Workshops on Catholic Social Teaching and current social issues such as immigration and refugees.
- Seminars on effective practices in charity and outreach for parish staffs and social concern committees.
- Presentations for parishes and schools on the work of Catholic Charities and opportunities for involvement.
Refugee Simulations at Local Schools
Catholic Charities of Louisville organizes refugee camp simulations at local schools to help our young people better understand the challenges faced by millions of refugees worldwide.
This innovative project has received the support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz has called it a wonderful resource to help students “walk in the shoes of another.”
CRS Rice Bowl Luncheon
The Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Luncheon is the annual kick-off event to the CRS Rice Bowl collection, the annual fundraiser that takes place throughout the Lenten season. CRS is the U.S. church’s international counterpart to the domestic Catholic Charities agencies.