Social Ministry Convocation gets fresh look for 45th annual event

The Social Ministry Convocation serves as an annual showcase and educational forum for Baltimore’s chapter of the Campaign for Catholic Human Development.

The 45th annual event is an opportunity to highlight the many good works of the arm of social justice for American Catholic bishops. More importantly, it provides speakers and workshops to offer a hands-on educational look at the fight against institutional poverty. 

Scheduled for April 13 at 9 a.m. at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, the convocation is getting a fresh look this year.

The theme for the event is “Hear the Call for Justice,” and includes an opening panel discussion instead of a typical keynote speech.

Monsignor Richard Bozzelli, the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s CCHD director, said the convocation has a three-fold agenda – to inspire, educate and support.

“If someone is interested in social justice work, this is where we bring it all together,” said Monsignor Bozzelli, pastor of St. Bernardine in West Baltimore. “It’s sort of a one-stop shop, an easy place to come and see all of the good work done throughout the archdiocese.

“For those who might not be interested yet, it’s also meant to inspire them to get involved. For those already involved in the many ministries, it’s meant to encourage and support them.”

Instead of a traditional keynote speaker, this year’s convocation will feature a panel discussion with the Rev. M. Gayle Briscoe, Baltimore City organizer of Bridge Maryland Inc.; Father Matthew Buening, coordinator of LGBT ministries for the archdiocese; Erin Younkins, director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace for the archdiocese; and Jose Aguto, executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant.

Workshop topics range from social justice outreach, racial justice, prison ministry, pro-life issues, mental health, labor unions, LGBT community ministry, voting rights and domestic violence.

Three workshops will be offered in Spanish.

Event coordinator Fred Trenkle, Brian Rhude of the archdiocese’s Office of Youth Ministry and Younkins have helped infuse some new ideas into the convocation.

“In the fall, we had a retreat to look at new ways to move forward and get the younger generation involved,” Monsignor Bozzelli. “We also looked at ways to expand geographically; how we can spread beyond just the immediate Baltimore area?”

A least 300 people are expected to attend this year’s convocation.

Trenkle, a retired information technology specialist, said the new-look convocation is just the beginning of a revamped approach to spreading the educational message of social justice.

“This is just the first attempt at putting some of the great new ideas into practice,” said Trenkle, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Columbia. “We’re trying to make it appeal to a wider audience along age, ethnic and racial lines.”

He said that in the past the organization focused on the strengths of the presenters, while this year organizers lined up workshop topics first and then found presenters.

“For someone who has been here in the past, they’ll find much of what they encountered before, but hopefully we’ve enhanced the networking possibilities. For someone who is new to the convocation, they will be presented with ideas where they can find their call to justice. Then they can use those ideas in their own parish and life.”

Trenkle said working with the staff at its new host, Calvert Hall, has been a blessing.

“Calvert Hall has been fabulous to work with and so accommodating,” he said. “They’ve handled so much of the little logistical details for us. We held it at Mercy in the past, and they did an equally terrific job. We’ve been so blessed to have these Catholic high schools to work with.”

This is the first year that planning didn’t involve Monsignor William F. Burke, who died in March 2023 after serving as the archdiocese coordinator of CCHD for more than 50 years.

One thing that won’t be changing is the involvement of former Baltimore chairperson Glynn Bailey, who at 101-years-old will be once again an active participant.

To register for Social Ministry Convocation, visit archbaltsmc.org. ($20 pre-registration fee by April 8; $25 walk-in registration on the day of the event. Registration includes all-day program and lunch.)

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

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