Mission/Purpose

The Social Concerns Committee of St. Maria Goretti Parish helps the parish fulfill our responsibilities to act justly and to serve as Christ would serve. The mission of the social concerns committee is to promote and encourage social action and Christian service programs and projects. The committee acts by assessing needs, recommending priorities, sponsoring education and awareness programs, and facilitating parishioner involvement as volunteer leaders.

Committee membership, size, and term of office
 The Committee should number 8-12 voting members who are registered parishioners and who volunteer to serve a term of 12 months, from July to June.   In addition, the pastor serves ex officio as a voting member of the committee.  At least one committee member other than the pastor should serve as a member of the parish council and function as liaison between the committee and the Council.  If one or more of the committee members are also council members, then one of them will serve the liaison function.  If none of the committee members are also council members, then the committee will request that the Parish Council designate one of its members to serve the liaison function, and that person will attend committee meetings as a non-voting member.
 It is desirable that the committee represent the diverse parish community in terms of age, sex, ethnic background, and residence.  There should be effort to involve teens, young adults, newcomers, newly baptized adults, and persons with professional or prior volunteer leadership experience in social ministry. 

Officers
 The Social Concerns Committee will elect among its members a chairperson and recording secretary.  The Chair will convene and facilitate meetings, set agenda, and delegate subcommittee and task force assignments.  The Recording Secretary will keep a mailing list, send out agendas, meeting notices, minutes and other correspondence, and will keep records of committee actions.  The Liaison to the Parish Council will attend committee meetings and report to the Parish Council regarding committee activities, and serve as primary communication link between the council and the committee.

Subcommittees, Task Forces, and Relationships with other parish outreach efforts
 The Social Concerns Committee may from time to time establish task forces or subcommittees to initiate or support action for justice or Christian service.  Parishioners who are already active in leadership with social ministry [as with the food pantry or Oak Glen Bingo] need not be expected to serve on the Committee, but may be invited to attend committee meetings occasionally to provide briefings or advice.   Committee members should also strive to coordinate with parallel ministries of other parish groups, such as those serving youths, the bereaved, the homebound, etc., so as to avoid duplication.  Similarly, there should be regular communication with other parish groups in order to maximize the advantage of programs such as education, tying in social concerns with homilies, penance services, bible studies, RCIA, confirmation preparation, etc.

Examples of activities sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee are: annual benefit for the Women's Choice Center, annual collection for the medical mission to Belize, Christmas gifts for Catholic Charities families, and an annual letter writing campaign for Bread For the World.