Events
Roundtable is excited to participate in #iGiveCatholic on #GivingTuesday, November 28, 2023 with the advanced giving period now open from November 13 - 27. Last year was the first that Roundtable participated in this initiative, and a big thank you to all those who generously supported us. We learned a lot about the campaign process, and we hope that this year will be an even bigger success. Your donation provides professional support to social ministers through education, formation, professional relationships, and management development while also tending to the spiritual needs of social action ministers. This year, we are excited to share our story and invite you to support Roundtable:
Donate Now!
Please join us in praying for a successful campaign using the #iGiveCatholic prayer:
O Lord, giver of life,
we know that all we are,
and all we have
are gifts from You.
We live in a world
that celebrates consumption.
But You call us
to be good stewards
of all You have entrusted to us.
May this #GivingTuesday prompt us
to gratitude and generosity,
that brings nourishment to the hungry
and hope to the hopeless.
We pray that #iGiveCatholic
may be a miracle of loaves and fishes,
where every gift shared lovingly
from a grateful heart
becomes bread for the multitudes,
and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
In this giving and receiving,
may our hearts rejoice
in You alone,
who are Lord for ever and ever.
Amen
Donate Now!
The Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors collaborated with the Loyola Institute for Ministry to explore the presentation and impact of Catholic Social Teaching, the role of Catholic Social Action Directors, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), and more.
Roundtable solicited responses from those working in social ministry, and respondents completed a short 10-minute survey on a variety of topics related to Catholic Social Teaching. Below is the executive summary of that report. Please share it widely within your networks and use it as a tool to enhance or grow your existing social ministry efforts.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Check out recent media coverage across the country of the LIM study :
- OSV News
- Archdiocese of New Orleans: Clarion Herald
- Archdiocese of Baltimore: Catholic Review
- Archdiocese of Washington, DC: Catholic Standard
- Archdiocese of Detroit: Detroit Catholic
- Archdiocese of Louisville: The Record
- Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
- Diocese of St. Cloud: Central Minnesota Catholic
- Diocese of Springfield, MA: iObserve
Upcoming Dialogues
Laudato Si Efforts in Your Ministry
Join Roundtable for its spring webinar series where members will learn from experts in the field on how best to implement Laudato Si efforts in one's ministry.

February 23 Recording
March 23 Recording
April 27 Recording
BONUS!
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Time: 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 12 PM MT / 11 AM PT
Panel discussion amongst the previous presenters facilitated by Stephanie Clary, Environment Editor, EarthBeat, NCR
Recording Available!
The Church Returns to Gospel Nonviolence with Marie Dennis
Catholic Social Teaching on peace, enriched by “The Challenge of Peace” and “The Harvest of Justice,” has evolved in significant ways in recent decades. Building on the ideas of his predecessors, Pope Francis has increasingly affirmed the centrality of Gospel nonviolence to the Catholic Church. Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative has followed these developments closely, encouraging the Church – from the Vatican to dioceses and local parishes to deepen Catholics’ understanding of and commitment to Gospel nonviolence.
Date: Thursday, June 8
Time: 2 PM ET/1 PM CT/12 PM MT/11 AM PT
Recording Availble
Previous Dialogues
Discerning a Peaceful Path Forward with Dcn. Paul Kipfstuhl
Violence seems to be all around, but Let Us Dream on how to move forward peacefully as a community of believers. Social ministers play a special role in this effort, so join Dcn. Paul Kipfstuhl, Catholic Charities Cleveland to discuss and discern what this path looks like.
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023
Time: 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 12 PM MT / 11 AM PT
Presenter: Dcn. Paul Kipfstuhl, Catholic Charities of Cleveland
Disruptive & Consoling: Modern Iconography and a Spirituality of Identity with Scott Cooper
In our work settings, we may struggle to communicate a Catholic Christian identity that reflects the diversity of our staff and our clients, as well as a trauma-informed framework. Modern iconography offers a range of diverse images to communicate the justice teachings of our Church.
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Time: 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 12 PM MT / 11 AM PT
Presenter: Scott Cooper, Vice President of Mission, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington
Navigating Roadblocks to Create a Laudato Si Action Plan
Imagine this: you have started to create a Laudato Si Action Plan. There are other eager and committed volunteers, and all that's needed is the necessary final approval. What's this? Others are not as excited as you are, so now what do you do? Come hear from fellow Roundtable members and learn from one another on how best to navigate these roadblocks.
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Time: 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 12 PM MT / 11 AM PT
Presenters: Kat Doyle, Archdiocese of Atlanta; Adam Fitzpatrick, Center for Mission, Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis; Kevin Fitzpatrick, Catholic Charities of New Orleans
Recording Available
Mergers, Closings & Alternatives
Is your diocese undergoing (or considering) a restructure that would impact parish based ministries? Join Roundtable members as we grapple with this reality together. Hear from panelists, Cliff Barber of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sr. Laura Bufano, CSJ of the Diocese of Syracuse, and Andrew Musgrave of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, who are all living this reality and learn from their wisdom.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
2:00 - 3:30 PM ET // 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
Recording
Thursday, April 28, 2022
7:00 - 8:30 PM ET // 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PT
Recording
Ministering to Workers in the Time of COVID
in collaboration with the Catholic Labor Network
featuring Adrian Flores of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Friday, March 19, 2021
1:00 - 2:30 PM ET // 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM PT
Recording is available for Roundtable members.
Fratelli Tutti Virtual 
Dialogue
for Roundtable members
featuring Wilton Cardinal Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington and Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. of the Diocese of Lexington
Friday, February 5, 2021
1 PM EST / 12 PM CST / 11 AM MST / 10 AM PST
Recording now available!
Pre-registration is required using this form, and registration closes at 5 PM EST on Thursday, February 4. The Zoom link will then be emailed to registered participants later that evening. If you are unsure of your Roundtable membership status, please contact Catherine as soon as possible at 202-854-8806.
Dorothy Day: A Voice of Unity in a Time of Division
"In his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis eloquently affirmed the core teachings that animated Dorothy Day’s life: “The light of faith is concretely placed at the service of justice…and peace,” he wrote. Day embraced the totality of Catholic belief and practice, living a life of poverty. When she sometimes challenged the Church, it was usually because she felt it had departed from Gospel principles, particularly when it came to the forgiveness of one’s enemies. Labels of left or right, temptingly applied by liberals and conservatives alike, fail to explain or contain Dorothy Day. Perhaps, ultimately, that’s why this woman of conscience is a saint for our time," (Dorothy Day Guild).
sponsored by Roundtable in collaboration with the Dorothy Day Guild
December 9 // 7 PM EST
Watch the Recording
featuring:
- Martha Hennessy, Day's granddaughter and activist;
- Kevin Ahern, associate professor of religious studies at Manhattan College;
- Rosalie Riegle, author and Catholic Worker oral historian; and
- Tom Costanza, diocesan director in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
This panel will be moderated by Colleen Dulle of America Media.
In his new book, Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, Pope Francis writes, “This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities—what we value, what we want, what we seek—and to commit to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of.”
Join Dcn. Paul Kipfstuhl from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland as je leads round two of this small group book study. Meetings will last for one hour via Zoom and the start date is TBD, but registration will be capped at 10 participants, so please register now.
Novena to St. MichaelJoin members of the Roundtable in praying a weekly Novena to St. Michael! The goal is to form members in a prayer habit that will be cultivated over the next 9 weeks. This novena is to lead members to a prayerful reflection on how each of us can pray for justice and obedience to Christ and the Church, especially in the influence of Pope Leo XIII.
When: every Friday beginning on November 10 through January 5, 2024
Time: 11 AM ET/10 AM CT/9 AM MT/8 AM PT
Duration: 30 minutes
Facilitator: Dcn. Joshua Klickman, Director, Human Life and Dignity Ministry, Diocese of Raleigh
Link: will be shared via the Virtual Roundtable Google Group
God Guiding Us: an Advent prayer service
Roundtable invites you to join us for our Advent prayer service and reflection titled, God Guiding Us, to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.
When: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Presenter: Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Facilitator: Genevieve Mougey, Executive Director, Catholic Charities Wyoming
Register Here
World Refugee DayAccording to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
This year, in solidarity with other celebrations happending around the country, Roundtable intern, Kenza Benazzouz organized and facilitated a prayer service that featured Elena Mueller Garcia, retired diocesan director from the Diocese of Palm Beach, FL, who came to the United States as a refugee through Operation Pedro Pan. If you missed the prayer service, you can watch the recording and hear Elena's story.
Monthly Prayer Opportunities
During the month of October, we celebrate Respect Life Month. Please join us in praying this Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life.
October 28 - This month's prayer opportunity will be facilitated by Roundtable's board chair, Dcn. Robert Vigil from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Hope to see you there!
Topic: October Prayer Opportunity highlighting the Holy Rosary
Facilitator: Dcn. Robert Vigil, Archdiocese of Santa Fe
When: Thursday, October 28 at 2 PM ET/1 PM CT/12 PM MT/11 AM PT
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 864 6876 7997
World Refugee Day - SAVE THE DATE - JUNE 20October 7, 2021 - Organizers from the Office of Migration and Refugee Services at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Office of Religious Life at Princeton University and Roundtable are hosting monthly planning meetings to prepare for World Refugee Day 2022 taking place on Monday, June 20, 2022. Monthly meetings are scheduled the first Thursday of each month at at 2 PM ET/1 PM CT/12 PM MT/11 AM PT. Please consider joining fellow colleagues as we support one another in our respective planning efforts and share best practices.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84262989970?pwd=bjZDVW9lZHRjdUpmMHB3aHA3K1lJZz09
Meeting ID: 842 6298 9970
Ideas to get your creative thoughts flowing:
- National Migration Week 2021
- World Day for Migrants and Refugees, September 26, 2021
- Praying With, For and Among Refugees written by James Martin, SJ and Matthew Weiner.
Additional prayer resources from our colleauges
Bread for the World - Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border
Catholic Relief Services - Lead the Way on Hunger: A Solidarity Prayer Service and Reflection (En español)
Dorothy Day Guild
Charged with forwarding her canonization, the Guild and Roundtable prayed, Hope in Hard Times: A Novena with Dorothy Day from September 16-24. Over the course of its traditional nine days, we “spiritually gathered” (in the words of Pope Francis), invoking Dorothy’s presence and example. On the ninth day, Roundtable members gathered virtually to pray the final reflection and prayer together. Below are the daily reflections, which were shared via email to Roundtable members:Introduction
Day 1 - Solidarity
Day 2 - Healthcare Workers
Day 3 - Generosity and Those Who Have Lost Work
Day 4 - Essential Workers
Day 5 - The Marginalized
Day 6 - Justice
Day 7 - Faith Communities
Day 8 - Non-violence
Day 9 - Hope and Delight
Council on Mental Illness, National Catholic Partnership on Disability
Mental Health Awareness Month (May) Prayer Service was led by Dr. Chris Miller utilizing the following resources:
- this
outine,
- the video, There is Hope, and finally,
- a
prayer through the intercession of St. Dymphna, patroness for those with a mental illness.
Call or text 202-854-8806 with any questions!
Resources Now Available for the spring webinar series, Together on the Journey
Title: We Belong To Each Other: Creating Sanctuary in a Time of Exclusion
Presenter: Bethany J. Welch, PhD, Executive Director, Aquinas Center, Philadelphia
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Time: 1 PM EDT / 10 AM PDT
RECORDING AVAILABLE HERE
In this webinar, Bethany J. Welch, PhD and Executive Director of Aquinas Center in Philadelphia, PA discussed the concept of “sanctuary” as it relates to the topic of immigration. She described the discernment process for congregations who would like to support someone resisting a deportation order, outlined components of a successful sanctuary campaign, and identified several other ways that parishes, dioceses, and communities can create or manifest sanctuary for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Title: Intersection Points as Opportunities for Dialogue
Presenter: Genevieve Mougey, MDiv, Senior National Associate for Roman Catholic Engagement at Bread for the World
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Time: 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST
RECORDING AVAILABLE HERE
Genevieve Mougey, Senior National Associate for Roman Catholic Engagement at Bread for the World discussed how social action ministers can embrace the crossroads in our lives as opportunities to listen, advocate, and dialogue with one another. By embracing these moments, ministry leaders can move beyond tension and learn to advocate for and with those who are vulnerable.
The Roundtable organizes webinar discussions on practical topics of greatest interest to the membership. Recent topics have included Moving the Mission to the Middle of the Church, Using Games to Teach Catholic Social Teaching, What’s at Stake in the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
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Ministry on the Margins Fall 2017 Webinar Series
The Fall 2017 webinar series titled, Ministry on the Margins, seeks to provide diocesan social action directors resources and suggestions on how to address the issues of same-sex attraction, migration, and racism. The majority of social action directors are responsible for one, if not all, of these ministerial areas. All of these issues bring the Church outside of herself to the peripheries of our society, which is what the Gospel and Pope Francis are calling us to do. "We must open ourselves to the peripheries, also acknowledging that, at the margins too, even one who is cast aside and scorned by society is the object of God's generosity," (10/12/14). Please join us for one or all three parts of the series!
Part I of the Ministry on the Margins webinar series
Title: On the Peripheries: Building Bridges with the LGBT Communities
Presenter: Rev. James Martin, S.J.
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Time: 1 PM EDT/10 AM PDT
Missed Fr. Martin's webinar? It is now available! Click HERE for the recording.
*NOTE: due to technical difficulties, the first ten minutes were not recorded; we apologize for any inconvenience.
Part II of the Ministry on the Margins webinar series
Title: How the Catholic Church Can Heal the Wounds of Racism in Our Communities
Presenters: Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, Executive Director of Pax Christi, USA, and Ralph McCloud, Director, Catholic Campagin for Human Development for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Time: 1 PM EST/10 AM PST
Missed Sr. Patty and Ralph's webinar? It is now available! Click HERE for the recording, slides, prayers, and more!
*NOTE: due to technical difficulties, the voice quality is poor. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to rectify the issue.
Part III of the Ministry on the Margins webinar series
Title: How to Effectively Minister to Migrants and Refugees Despite Political Challenges
Presenter: C. Mario Russell, Director of Catholic Charities New York's Immigrant and Refugee Services Division
NEW Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Time: 1 PM EST/ 10 AM PST
Missed Mario's webinar? It is now available! Click HERE for the recording, slides, prayers, and more!
More...
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who made the 2023 Social Action Summer Institute (SASI), which took place in-person at Emory University in Atlanta, GA from July 12-15 a success! This year’s theme was Out of the Shadows: Shining a Light on Human Trafficking. Programming emphasized the various facets of human trafficking, including sex, labor and migrant trafficking, as well as how the Catholic Church, people of faith and/or community organizations respond to this pro-life issue.
Roundtable is especially grateful to the event sponors: The Aquinas Center at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Offices of Justice, Peace, and Human Development and Migration and Refugee Services.
Below includes the participant resources that are available:
- Photos
- Participant List
- Presentations (*slides are included below in the Schedule of Events)
- Prayer Resources
Schedule of Events
Below is a draft schedule, but please note that it is subject to change.
OPTIONAL PRE - EVENT SCHEDULE (SEPARATE FEES APPLY)
Tuesday, July 11
8:00 - 11:00 AM - Registration and Check-in
11:30 AM - Bus departs Emory with boxed lunches
12:00 - 2:00 PM - National Center for Civil and Human Rights
2:30 PM - The King Center and Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
3:00 PM - Reflection and closing prayer service by Exec. Pastor Vaughan at Ebenezer Baptist Church
SASI 2023 SCHEDULE
Wednesday, July 12
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Registration and Check-in
12:00 - 2:00 PM - Exhibitor Set-Up
3:00 PM - Opening Liturgy with Fr. Urey P. Mark, Campus Ministry & Chaplain, Atlanta University Center (AUC) - Lyke House/Georgia State University
4:30 PM - Opening Keynote Address, Shining Like the Sun: Human Dignity & Catholic Social Teaching, by Mr. Gregory Hillis, Executive Director, Aquinas Center
6:30 PM - Dinner at Lyke House
Thursday, July 13
7:30 - 9:30 AM - Breakfast
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM - Exhibit Hall open
8:30 AM - Opening Prayer sponsored by Catholic Charities USA
9:00 AM - 2023 Harry A. Fagan Award Presentation honoring the US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking sponsored by Catholic Relief Services
9:30 AM - Plenary Presentation, A Look at Modern Day Slavery, by Mr. Jeff Hancock, Director of Minsitry Partnerships, North American Partner Programs, International Justice MIssion.
10:15 AM - Break
10:45 - 11:30 AM - Plenary Presentation, Slavery in the Land of the Free, by Ms. Theresa Flores, SOAP International
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 - 2:15 PM - Workshops Round A
- Church Engagement is the Key to Ending Human Trafficking by Susan Patterson, Through God's Grace Ministry
- Fighting to End the Issue of Human Trafficking through the Lens of Catholic Social Teaching by Felicitas Brugo Onetti, USCCB-Migration and Refugee Services, and Yohan Garcia, USCCB-Justice, Peace and Human Development
2:15 - 2:45 PM - Break
2:45 - 3:30 PM - Plenary Presentation, A Look at Labor Trafficking, by Ms. Alia El-Sawi, Victim Assistance Specialist, Department of Homeland Security
3:30 - 4:00 PM - Break
4:00 - 5:15 PM - Workshops Round B
-
Reducing Demand for Sex and Labor Trafficking: A Guide for Individuals and Organizations by Mr. Tony Talbott, University of Dayton, Human Rights Center/Abolition Ohio
-
Combating Human Trafficking Holistically and Humanely by Ms. Christy Williams, Catholic Charities USA; Ms. Sandra Perez, Catholic Charities Palm Beach; and Ms. Brandi Bynum, Blue Campaign, Department of Homeland Security
5:15 - 6:00 PM - Break
6:30 - 8:00 PM - Offsite dinner
Friday, July 14
7:30 - 9:30 AM - Breakfast
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM - Exhibit Hall open
8:30 AM - Opening Prayer sponsored by Catholic Charities USA
9:00 - 9:45 AM - Plenary Presentation, Human Trafficking and Hardened Borders, by Mr. Dylan Corbett, Hope Border Institute
9:45 - 10:15 AM - Break
10:15 - 11:30 AM Workshops Round C
-
How Can Corporations Impact Human Trafficking? by Mr. Christopher Cox, Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility; Ms. Julie Tanner, Christian Brothers Investment Services
-
Addressing Online Sexual Exploitation of Children from a Faith-Based and Evidence-Based Perspective by Ms. Brooke Ruffin, Street Grace
11:30 - 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 - 2:30 PM - Catholic Campaign for Human Development programming
2:30 - 3:00 PM - Break
3:00 - 4:30 PM - Exploring Connections: Climate Change, Hunger and Conflict, Catholic Relief Services' Experiential Learning Programming facilitated by Ms. Beth Knobbe, Catholic Relief Services
4:30 - 4:45 PM - Break
4:45 - 6:15 PM - Roundtable Members Meeting
6:30 PM - Dinner on your own in Atlanta
8:30 PM - Optional movie night on campus, Wind River
Saturday, July 15
6:30 - 8:30 AM - Breakfast
7:00 - 8:45 AM - Checkout for those with morning departures
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Exhibit Hall open
8:45 AM - Prayer Labyrinth closes
9:00 - 10:30 AM - Closing prayer service
11:00 - 11:30 AM - Closing Remarks
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM - Checkout for those with afternoon departures
SASI 2022 AVAILABLE RESOURCES
The Social Action Summer Institute titled, The Spirituality of Justice featured presenters and workshops touching on spiritual advocacy, accountability, justice, and more. On behalf of the board of directors, we thank you for your participation at thisyear's event. Below are the recordings, excerpts, and resources that are now available for your use.
Wednesday
Social media excerpts from the opening keynote by the Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, Diocese of El Paso
Video presentation of Magisterium of the People: The Story of the People's Pastoral from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia
Thursday
Keynote, Dialogue and Encounter: Spiritual Prerequisites for Social Action in our World Day by Mr. Sebastian Gomes, America Media
Presentation, Loyola Institute for Ministry survey results on The Status of Catholic Social Teaching by Dr. Tom Ryan, Loyola Institute for Ministry, Loyola University of New Orleans
Catholic Campaign for Human Development Panel Presentation facilitated by Juan Aranda, CCHD Area D Grant Specialist and featuring the following organizations:
-
- Ostara Initiative
- Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha
- Elpis Enterprises
- Catholic Labor Network
Friday
Keynote, Justice as Balm, Organizing as a Bridge: Synodal Call to Repair the Tapestry of Community by Ms. Ogechi Akalegbere, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Gaithersburg, MD
Workshops
- Truth, Healing, Accountability: Confronting the Relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Catholic Church by Maka Black Elk, Red Cloud Indian School, Inc. and Rev. William Critchley-Menor, SJ, Red Cloud Indian School, Inc. The following is a list of resources that was provided during the workshop:
- National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
- Guide to Catholic Records About Native Americans (Marquette University)
- Department of the Interior Report on Federal Indian Boarding Schools
- Red Cloud Truth and Healing Website
- Papal Visit to Canada
- Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- How Tradition Catholic Teaching Can Help Us Think About Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations by Brett Salkeld
- Money Matters: Spirituality, Justice, and Financial Decision-Making by Kelli Reagan Hickey, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame
EVALUATIONS
Please complete the daily evaluations if you have not already done so. Your feedback is important so that we can continue to provide high quality programming at a low cost to participants. Thank you in advance for your input!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
SASI 2021 Recordings and Resources
August 2021 - Virtual SASI 2021 titled, Mercy and Mental Health: Strengthening Our Pastoral Response, ran from Wednesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 15. It was the first time that SASI was offered in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) thanks to our sponsors. Recordings and resources wil be available on this page until October 1, and then they will be archived in the Members Area of the website.
agosto de 2021 - SASI virtual 2021 titulado, Misericordia y salud mental: Fortalecando nuestra respuesta pastoral, se desarrolló desde el miércoles 14 de julio hasta el jueves 15 de julio. Fue la primera vez que SASI se ofreció en inglés, español y lenguaje de señas estadounidense gracias a nuestros patrocinadores. Las grabaciones y los recursos estarán disponibles en esta página hasta el 1 de octubre y luego se archivarán en el Área de miembros del sitio web.
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 (*All times EASTERN!)
- 1:00 - 1:10 PM - Opening Prayer and Introductions
- 1:15 - 1:55 PM - Keynote Presentation: Responding to the Social Determinants of Mental Health by Fr. Ragan Schriver, Catholic Charities USA (slides)
- 2:00 - 2:45 PM - Workshops Round 1
- Mental Health Ministry: Roots in the Social Doctrine of the Church by Chris Miller, Ed.D, Council on Mental Illness, National Catholic Partnership on Disability and Lisa Ziv, National Alliance on Mental Illness (slides)
- Creating Health Communities: Understanding Human Life and Dignity for those Experiencing Mental Health Conditions by Rebecca A. Yazzie, PhD, LCSW, George Fox University (slides)
- Reconocer y responder a la disparidad de salud mental entre la comunidad indocumentada by Isaac Cuevas, Archdiocese of Los Angeles (slides)
- 2:45 - 2:55 PM - Break
- 2:55 - 3:40 PM - Workshops Round 2
- Trauma-Informed Social Action in a Parish Context by Fr. Jon Pedigo, STL and Bridget Balajadia, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (slides)
- Faith, Culture, and Mental Health: Healing the Discontentment by Claire Shynett, MA, Council on Mental Illness, National Catholic Partnership on Disability (slides)
- ¿Cómo a través de Catholic Relief Services, la Iglesia está liderando el camino en fortalecer a la familia para que los niños prosperen en todo el mundo? por Mary Beth Iduh, Kelley Bunkers, y Brenda Urizar de Arreaga, Catholic Relief Services (slides)
- 3:40 - 3:50 PM - Break
- 3:50 - 4:35 PM - Workshops Round 3
- Surviving in Ministry: Catholic Employees and Mental Illness by Adam Fitzpatrick, MA, Th.M, Center for Mission, Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis (slides)
- Ministering to Workers in the Wake of the Pandemic by Clayton Sinyai, Catholic Labor Network and Unite Here worker
- El llamado del Papa Francisco a "un mejor tipo de política": cómo Fratelli Tutti puede ayudarnos a superar la polarización y sanar las divisiones por Yohan Garcia, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Lia Salinas, Archdiocese of Baltimore; Leyden Rovelo-Krull, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
- 4:35 - 4:45 PM - Break
- 4:45 - 5:25 PM - Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
*English speaking offerings*
- Mental Health and Policing with Dr. Chris Miller, Council on Mental Illness, National Catholic Partnership on Disability
- #2 Mental Health and Policing with Genevieve Mougey, Archdiocese of Washington
- Bread for the World's Offering of Letters to Congress: A Diocesan Model with Dulce Gamboa, Bread for the World; Nicole Schmidt, Bread for the World; and Brian Hickey, Diocese of Joliet
- What do we do now? Loyola Institute for Ministry survey results on social action offices across the country with Kevin Fitzpatrick, Archdiocese of New Orleans
- #2 - What do we do now? Loyola Institute for Ministry survey results on social action offices across the country with Scott Hurd, Catholic Charities USA
- Surviving in Ministry: Catholic Employees and Mental Illness with Adam Fitzpatrick, Center for Mission, Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis
- Developing a Collaborative Approach to Substance Abuse Ministry with Sara Seligmann, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- Mental Health and the Well-Being of Migrants and Refugees in Detention with Leyden Rovelo-Krull, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
- Addressing Systemic Trauma within Native Communities with Emily Schumaker-Novak, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Racism towards Asian American Communities with Jill Rauh and Sr. Myrna Tordillo, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Prison Ministry and Mental Health with Emma Tacke, Catholic Mobilizing Network
*Spanish - speaking offerings* - Mental health and wellbeing of children/migrants/refugees/displaced people with Yohan Garcia, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Thresholds Reentry Programs with/Programas de reingreso con Herman Delgado and Dcn. Robert Vigil, Archdiocese of Santa Fe
- La Salud Mental Después de la Pandemia: Retos y Oportunidades con Esther Garcia, National Catholic Partnership on Disability
- 5:25 - 5:30 PM - Closing Prayer
Thursday, July 15, 2021 (*All times EASTERN!)
- 1:00 - 1:10 PM - Opening Prayer and Introductions
- 1:15 - 1:55 PM - Keynote Presenter (en español): El sufrimiento psicológico de Jesucristo: reflexiones en medio de la pandemia de salud mental by Maribel Laguna, In His Image Counseling, PLLC
- 2:00 - 2:45 PM - Workshops Round 1
- Pope Francis’ Call to “a Better Kind of Politics”: How Fratelli Tutti Can Help Us Overcome Polarization and Heal Divisions by Jill Rauh, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Sabrina Burton-Schultz, Diocese of St. Petersburg; Kathryn Windels, Archdiocese of Washington (slides)
- Mental Health Ministry in Our Dioceses by Dcn. Ed Shoener, Diocese of Scranton (slides)
- Duelo, emociones y pandemia por Dcn. Robert Vigil, Archdiocese of Santa Fe (slides)
- 2:45 - 2:55 PM - Break
- 2:55 - 3:40 PM - Workshops Round 2
- A Catholic Response to the Intersection of Capital Punishment and Mental Illness by Emma Tacke, Catholic Mobilizing Network (slides)
- After Abortion: The Church as a Field Hospital by Julia French, Archdiocese of Washington (slides)
- Escuchando para entender por Dr. Roy A. Salgado Jr., University of Holy Cross
- 3:40 - 3:50 PM - Break
- 3:50 - 4:35 PM - Workshops Round 3
- How the Church through Catholic Relief Services is Leading the Way in Strengthening Families for Thriving Children around the World by Mary Beth Iduh, Severine Chevrel, Vivi Iglesias, Catholic Relief Services (slides)
- Chatbots and Small Groups: Equipping Parishes to Help Heal Hurts by Scott Hurd, Catholic Charities USA and Michael Carotta, Ed.D, consultant with Catholic Charities USA (slides)
- Mujeres Floreciendo: Los grupos de auto-ayuda como herramienta de salud emocional para las mujeres migrantes por Dr. Cary Rositas-Sheftel, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago; Maria Vidal de Haymes, Loyola University of Chicago; y Dr. Graciela Polanco Hernández, Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad de México (slides)
- 4:35 - 4:45 PM - Break
- 4:45 - 5:00 PM - Sending Forth
Resources from Virtual SASI 2020
Virtual SASI, Combating Racism: Transforming Words into Action took place virtually on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Programming began with an opening spiritual reflection by the Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, bishop, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Workshops followed, and the afternoon concluded with a short prayer service. Please see the Members Area for recordings and resources.
Resources from SASI 2019
All resources are availabe in the Members Area of the website.

Midwestern Regional Calls
every third Tuesday of the month at 10 AM ET/9 AM CT
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 19 via Zoom
Facilitator: Adam Fitzpatrick, Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Calls
Next meeting: Tuesday, December 15 at 2 PM ET via Zoom
Facilitators: Lynn Campbell, Archdiocese of Hartford and Genevieve Mougey, Archdiocese of Washington
Other Regions
Don't see your region? We are currently working to get the other areas up and running. If you are interested in facilitating a regional gathering, please let Catherine know. We have template reflection questions created!
Don't know your region?
Check out this map, and contact Catherine with any questions.