April 3, 2008

Regional Ministry Conerence Hosted by Catholic Charities

By Darrell Harden

Despite the snow that arrived in Memphis March 7, 65 people gathered to hear Father Regan Schriver, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities in East Tennessee present reflections on Catholic Social Teaching during the opening of the Parish Social Ministry Regional Conference, hosted by Catholic Charities March 7-9 at the FedEX Center of Technology located on the University of Memphis Campus.

Father Schriver challenged the attendees to look for the face of Jesus in many different places; in the face of a young child that loves unconditionally as Jesus loves us or in the face of a young child that is vulnerable and can not take care of themselves.

Schriver's challenge to the audience was to take the time to care for the people whom the various agencies touch on a daily basis, respecting the dignity of every person, and seeing the face of Jesus in all those who are cared for.

On Saturday morning Dr. Peter Gathje, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at the Memphis Theological Seminary painted a picture of the poor in Memphis, and he challenged the audience to see them with clear eyes, and not allow them to become faceless.

After each session participants were encouraged to reflect on the messages and examine ways that each individual could make a change and expand the idea into what the family and the parish could do to create change, and make the face of Christ real in the community.

Meals provided an opportunity for dialogue on such topics as: A Living wage, Immigration Reform, Faithful Citizenship, and the Care of God's Creation.

Candy Hill, Sr. Vice President of Social Policy, Catholic Charities USA ended the conference with a workshop that called on the participants to "Go Forth to Build the Kingdom of God".

Hill provided an opportunity to impact change by supporting and participating in the national movement spearheaded by Catholic Charities USA, The Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

On Sunday morning, Bishop Steib presided for the closing Liturgy and reminded those in attendance at the Conference that, "With God... In Him, with Him, through Him, all things are possible."

Catholic Charities will host a follow up opportunity in the near future to allow participants to come together and share ways to use the information learned at the conference to make changes in their personal lives and in their parish.

For more information contact Carolyn Tisdale at 901-722-4727.