January 2015

Volume 1, Number 2

A message from the CCUSA staff liaison

What does it mean to be a Catholic agency? What is our Catholic identity? Since arriving at
Catholic Charities USA over six years ago, I have been pretty impressed by the reflections and
thoughtfulness on this question by Catholic Charities diocesan directors, people responsible for
Catholic identity in agencies, board members, volunteers and so many other people in the
network. I have also been somewhat amazed by how other Catholic agencies, universities,
Catholic health personnel, national and local, are grappling for more clarity about their Catholic
identity. For some the answer is so simple but for many others it is not that simple. At the
annual gathering in Charlotte at two workshops participants were invited to talk about these
questions. The Catholic identity and Mission Steering Committee listened to the responses and
recently had their own thoughtful conversation about the Catholic identity. What is clear is that
even though there have been on-going discussions, reflections, materials, trainings, and more on
these issues over the past six years, everyone is still pondering the meaning of Catholic identity
for themselves and for the life of their agencies. All of this thinking really reflects the deep
commitment we all have to our Catholic identity, however, we determine to define it.
Back in 2008, a survey was sent to all the Catholic Charities agencies. About 47 agencies
responded. I think it is interesting to look back at the responses. We asked: As a Diocesan
Director how would you define Catholic identity as it applies to Catholic Charities? Here is
what some said:

Overall there is a strong sense that the work of Catholic Charities is about the gospel.
Many of the respondents said that Catholic Charities is there to serve the poor and to
serve everyone, and to serve people of all faiths or no faith.
There was a strong connection between Catholic identity and Catholic social teaching.
A number of them identified Catholic identity as living out Catholic social teaching and
moral teaching.

A number of respondents said that their Catholic identity is known by their witness:
They will know us by our works. They will see our identity by our acts and attitude.
We witness Christs love through hands on action.
Qualities such as care, compassion, and healing were identified as part of the definition
of Catholic identity.

If we were to ask this question today how would you respond? How would you define Catholic
identity as it applies to Catholic Charities?
As follow up to the Charlotte workshops the Steering Committee thought it might be interesting,
and hopefully fun, to invite you to do two things:
1) Send to me (kbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org) a one sentence definition of Catholic identity
as it relates to your agency or work.
2) We are going to be inviting all Catholic Charities agencies to form a focus group to discuss
some questions related to Catholic identity. This will be coming to you soon.
For right now, how would you define Catholic identity one sentence, please? It will be great
(and hopefully fun) to see what you all come up with.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Kathy Brown
Sr. Director, Mission Integration Mission Integration and Catholic Identity, Catholic Charities
USA

A view from the field

Marianne Majewski
Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Metuchen
Driven by Catholic social teaching, Catholic Charities, Diocese of
Metuchen, provides quality services with dignity and respect to the
poor, vulnerable and all people in need, and partners with families
and communities to improve the quality of life.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

Mission Interview Process

The mission process begins with an explanation to the potential new hire, intern or volunteer that
the mission interview is an important part of the hiring process, internship or volunteer

opportunity and that its purpose is to make him or her familiar with the Mission Statement,
Vision, and Values of the Agency. They are informed that the process is conversational, not a
memory test, and that we will be focusing on and sharing information about the values of the
Agency; they are an integral part of the Agencys culture and that the Agencys operations are
based on these values. A business card that contains the Agencys Values, Mission Statement
and Vision is provided to the interviewee.

The mission statement and vision are briefly reviewed with emphasis on their importance to the
Agency; the interviewee is informed that during the mission interview, the focus will be on the
Agencys values. The interviewee is instructed to read each value aloud, one at a time, and to
then express ones personal thoughts and feelings on each value. The Agency employee who is
conducting the mission interview engages in a dialogue with the interviewee in order to share
additional information, answer any questions and to explain each value as necessary. At the
conclusion of the mission interview, if it is determined that the interviewees comments appear
to be in alignment with the Agencys values, the hiring manager is then notified that the mission
interview was successfully completed and that the candidate may proceed with the hiring,
internship or volunteer
process.
VISION

During the actual mission

information that are
limited to, the following:

To be a vibrant, dynamic agency

dedicated to helping all individuals
and families reach full potential
while advocating for a more just
and compassionate society.

interview, key points or

discussed include, but are not

the freedom to pursue ones

Each individual has
full potential, without
exception. No one, regardless
of individual
circumstances, should ever
be prevented from achieving ones full potential, whatever that may be. While we cannot
force an individual to pursue ones full potential, we must provide coaching and
assistance to all during efforts to achieve this goal.

The value Dignity of All Human Life applies from the inception of life to the end of
life for all persons.

We emphasize that we value those who are poor, vulnerable and devalued and that our
responsibility is to ensure that all clients know, through our actions, that we value them
as human beings, that we do care about their well being, and that we will assist them in
moving from being vulnerable to having some control of their lives.

The Agency values the differences of others, and that those differences, in addition to
race and culture, may include different opinions. This value applies to our clients and our
employees.

The importance of the sanctity of families--how we support our families, how our
families support us as individuals, and how families are often an important part of the

VALUES
Freedom of each individual to
pursue their full potential
Dignity and fullness of all
human life
Poor, the vulnerable and the
devalued
Differences of others
Sanctity of the family
COMMITTED TO
Service to individuals in need
Service to individuals no one
else will serve
Justice and compassion
Standards of excellence
Continuous improvement and
measurable outcomes
Success through partnership
Integrity and honesty

solution.
The Agency provides services to those in need with
justice and compassion, that we are not judgmental in the
provision of service to our clients, and that we do not turn
those in need away while providing service to individuals
whom no one else will serve.
Justice and compassion are key values in the provision
of service and that those that are judgmental of individuals
who are in need will not be successful in a social services
agency.
All employees are expected to be committed to
Standards of Excellence in all that we do. Our clients will
receive the highest quality service and that we as providers
will experience a sense of accomplishment and pride. This will
create a win win situation for all.
Continuous Improvement is a value that applies to
clients and employees. We must have goals that improve the
lives of our clients. As providers, we must strive to
continually improve. We highlight the fact that the Agency not
only encourages employees to continue to improve but
supports this value by providing high quality training to
employees free of charge via agreements with the Rutgers
Institute for Families and the National Council on Alcoholism

and Drug Dependence.

Success through Partnership includes partnerships with clients, between employees,

programs, state institutions and other agencies. It is emphasized that the Agency does not
form partnerships with abortion clinics and that all staff must conduct themselves in
accordance with the beliefs of the Catholic Church, including the Churchs respect life
agenda. In addition, we inform the interviewee that if a client were to approach them
about arranging for an abortion to be performed, that they must inform them that we do
not facilitate such a procedure; however, we can offer alternatives such as parenting
classes, maternity classes or adoption assistance. It is further emphasized that if we
become aware that a client has chosen to have an abortion of ones own free will and
subsequently approaches the Agency to address ones needs, that we would not be
judgmental, shun the client or turn the client away.

Integrity and honesty are crucial and must be applied in all that we do. If we expect
clients to exhibit these values and behaviors, we must display them as well. Trust is
important; if broken, it is difficult to repair or re-establish. Therefore we want to be
known as persons who are honest, trustworthy, and integrity laden.

What is new in Catholic identity and mission resources?

Carroll, J. (2014, November 9). Jesus and the Modern Man. New York Times.
Kammer, F. Catholic charities, religion, and philanthropy in Davis, T. J. (2013). Religion in
philanthropic organizations: Family, friend, foe?.
OLaughlin, M. (2014, December 5). As societal norms change, Catholic groups enforce the
rules. Crux, covering all things Catholic.
Synod of Bishops. (2014 November 13). Final report of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on
the Family. Origins. 394-403.
Wendlinder, A. C. (2014). Empowered as king, priest and prophet: the identity of Roman
Catholic laity in the People of God. New Blackfriars, 95(1055), 105-116.
You can't be a Catholic if you are not ecumenical. (2014). Tablet, 268(9056), 12-13.
Stay connected to the CCUSA Catholic Identity and Mission Network
Chairman Kevin Hickey, Executive Director, Catholic Charities
of Camden
Staff Liaison Kathy Brown, Sr. Director, Mission and Ministry,
CCUSA

(856) 342-4102, email Kevin.hickey@camdendiocese.org

For questions related to Catholic Identity and Mission

newsletter and online resource collection and join Catholic
Identity and Mission Linkedin group
Online Catholic Identity and Mission resource collection

Email cim@catholiccharitiesusa.org

(703) 236-6245, email kbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org

https://www.scribd.com/CIM_CCUSA/collections

Save the Date

February 7-10, 2015| United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Social Ministry
Gathering
March 9-10, 2015| Fordham University, Our Inheritance: Vatican II at 50
March 22-24| Notre Dame University, Catholic Social Tradition Conference

April 19-21| Catholic Charities USA, New Diocesan Directors Institute

April 22-27, 2015| Catholic Charities USA, From Mission to Service: A Program on Mission
Based Leadership and Organizational Development
May 30-June 13, 2015| Catholic Charities USA, 2015 O'Grady Institute - Freiburg and Rome
Campus
June 13-19, 2015| Catholic Charities USA, Leadership Institute