Social Ministry Convocation highlights need for ‘getting close and staying close’

TOWSON – Attendees of the Archdiocese of Baltimore April 13 Social Ministry Convocation were greeted by a poignant sight as they approached Calvert Hall College High School: a pathway lined with blue pinwheels gently spinning in the breeze.

The whirling objects are symbols of April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month, placed by the school, but were a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of social justice issues and the dedication of those gathered to uphold Catholic social teaching.

Lia Garcia, left, director of Hispanic Ministries for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, moderates a panel discussion that includes Father Matthew Buening, pastor of Saint Matthew Church and Blessed Sacrament Church; Rev. M. Gayle Briscoe with Bridge Maryland, Inc.; Erin Younkins, director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace; and Jose Aguto, executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant during the 45th annual Archdiocese of Baltimore Social Ministry Convocation. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., set the tone for the day with a message of closeness and transformation. He called for attendees to “get close” and “stay close,” reminding them of the transformative power of genuine human connection.

Emphasizing the importance of proximity in fostering understanding and empathy, Bishop Lewandowski urged everyone to mirror the compassionate outreach of Jesus Christ by getting to know the individuals for whom they serve as advocates in social justice work.

The breadth and depth of Catholic social justice issues are diverse, covering topics including poverty, environmental stewardship and racial justice.

The opening program of the convocation was different this year. Instead of having one keynote speaker, attendees heard a panel discussion moderated by Lia Garcia, director of Hispanic Ministry for the archdiocese. The panel discussion included five social justice leaders sharing their perspectives and lived experiences.

Monsignor Richard Bozzelli, archdiocesan director of the CCHD and pastor of St. Bernardine in West Baltimore, told the Catholic Review he was pleased to see different voices at the table. He noted that sometimes, those working in social justice view institutions as being “in the way.”

“What we want to say is that the archdiocese is ministering as well,” he said.

Social justice advocates attend the 45th annual Archdiocese of Baltimore Social Ministry Convocation April 13, 2024, hosted at Calvert Hall College High School in Towson. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

The priest said it is a challenge to help Catholics recognize that there is a distinction between charity and advocacy.

“When the bishops created Catholic Charities, that was for direct service,” he said. “Someone is in need and you address the need. Social justice is the recognition that we have to look at the structures of society that put people in that need to begin with. If they are poor, why are they poor? If they are marginalized, like the LGBT community, why are they marginalized?”

It’s the work of advocacy to address systemic issues, he said.

“We’re not in competition,” he explained. “You have to do both service and advocacy.”

Convocation attendees heard from Father Matthew Buening, archdiocesan coordinator of LGBT Ministries and pastor of St. Matthew and Blessed Sacrament in Baltimore, who shared the need for genuine listening and accompaniment of those experiencing same-sex attraction. He shared his experience moving from having only an academic understanding of the church’s teachings on LGBT issues to walking beside Catholics with same-sex attraction.

Erin Younkins, director of the archdiocesan Office of Life, Justice and Peace, responds to a question during the panel discussion portion of the 45th Social Ministry Convocation April 13, 2024. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

The Rev. Gayle Briscoe, Baltimore City Organizer for Bridge Maryland, Inc., shared a passionate testimony about the urgency of collective action in the face of systemic injustices. Drawing from her own experiences of racism and advocacy, she urged attendees to stop working in “silos” but to work collaboratively to effect legislative change and social reform, emphasizing the shared humanity that binds us all.

Erin Younkins, director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace for the archdiocese’s Institute for Evangelization, highlighted Catholics’ role as “unity agents” in a polarized society. By prioritizing the principles of the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity and the dignity of the human person, she urged attendees to transcend political divides and embrace a holistic vision of social justice grounded in the experience of holy Communion and Catholic identity. Younkins challenged Catholics to focus not on what separates them, but on shared experiences to help bring the transformative power of Jesus to those who do not know him.

Jose Aguto’s message of faith-filled activism inspired and encouraged those overwhelmed by social justice work’s challenges. He shared how his work with the Catholic Climate Covenant taught him how integrating faith into social justice ministries has enormous power to transform, “particularly for youths and young adults seeking to make a difference in the world.”

One such young adult was Aidan Snashall, a Catholic University of America student and parishioner of Blessed Sacrament in Baltimore. His presence, alongside fellow Catholics of every age and walk of life committed to social justice, served as a testament to the importance of allowing Catholic identity to be the driving force for social justice ministries when advocating for change.

Attendees of the convocation took home messages of unity and closeness grounded in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as the powerful force that not only connects and unites us but has the power to draw a polarized society and, at times, the Church close together so that Catholics can answer the call to work for change uphold Catholic Social Teaching.

Kevin J. Parks contributed to this story.

To view more photos from this event, click through the slideshow below: