Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish

The roadmap for parish social ministry for over 30 years.

Now in its 30th year, this landmark statement continues to serve as the guiding document for parish social ministry in the United States. In this document, the bishops highlight the vital role parishes play in responding to the call “to build evangelizing communities of faith, justice and solidarity, where all believers are challenged to bring God’s love, justice and peace to a world in desperate need of the seasoning of the gospel.” The statement includes seven elements of the social mission of parishes as a framework for planning and assessing that ministry.