Becoming a Community of Salt and Light
Formation for Parish Social Ministry

Peggy Prevoznik Heins

“Social justice is an integral part of evangelization, a constitutive
dimension of preaching the gospel, and an essential part of the church's
mission.” With these words, the U.S. Catholic Bishops reaffirmed their
ongoing commitment to the social teachings of the church.

In their document "Communities of Salt & Light: Reflections on the Social
Mission of the Parish," they demonstrated that the parish is to be a
place where the work of charity, justice, and peace thrive. Becoming a
Community of Salt and Light helps the parish become such a place.

This book is for anyone engaged in the work of social ministry:
parishioners, social justice committees, pastors, directors of religious
education, and even liturgy committees. Accessible and informative lesson
plans help facilitators lead groups of parishioners in an exploration of
their relationship to the parish and to the work of charity, justice, and
peace. The resource materials included are invaluable to today's parish.

The commitment to live the social mission of the church is for each of
us. Becoming a Community of Salt and Light is the key to understanding-
and then acting upon-this commitment.