Catholic Charities Commission to discuss new evangelization through service

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is embarking on a new strategic planning process, looking to guide the Diocese through 2030. The planning process will be focused on four key aspects to the ministry of the Diocese of Covington: Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Foundation, and diocesan governance. Faithful from across the Diocese of Covington have been invited to participate in commissions and subcommittees, with the goal of advising Bishop John Iffert on the best path forward in these ministries.

The meeting of the Catholic Schools Commission, April 14, began the process of commission and committee meetings, with the Catholic Charities Commission meeting April 15. The Catholic Charities Commission meeting brought together approximately 50 people, said Deacon Jim Fortner, chief operating officer, Diocese of Covington, all of whom are vested in the success of Catholic Charities.

Chris Goddard, executive director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Covington, said about the crowd, “I was really pleased with the enthusiasm, the diversity of representation in terms of the breadth and depth of professionals, men and women, different careers and people that came who are very interested in programs and services.”

Deacon Jim Fortner called the group of participants, “prayerful people.”

Their role will be to meet and discuss the future of Catholic Charities in the Diocese in terms of ministry services and how to reach people in need. Mr. Goddard said, “the greatest thing that I heard was that Catholic Charities could expand its reach and scope across the Diocese … there’s a tremendous opportunity to increase awareness across the community, that a lot of people don’t know who we are.”

In opening remarks made via video at the commission meeting, Bishop John Iffert told the crowd, “It’s time for us to engage in strategic planning. That is, planning that is really directed towards building the capacities of Catholic Charities and our Diocese, to be able to respond to the needs of our neighbors who rely on us and our spiritual need to be able to serve others and to give charitably.”

Moving past just increased volunteerism in the community, Deacon Fortner hopes to evangelize through service, a callback to the With One Heart Campaign of Mercy.

“I would love to see then, obviously, by us serving we strengthen the body of Christ through more people, stronger people, fully participating into the works, the spiritual and corporal works of mercy; not just going to Mass, but going to Mass and serving.”

The Campaign of Mercy, a process of evangelization through practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, is instrumental and a natural fit for Catholic Charities in the Diocesan strategic planning process.

“This campaign of mercy was fundamental to evangelization,” said Deacon Fortner. “We need to get out there and really do something, break through, as a form of reaching those that are unchurched, those that may not feel the love of Christ’s hands.”

While Catholic Charities has many ministries that meet the physical needs of a person, Mr. Goddard emphasized the importance of inviting people into a life with Christ; emphasizing the need for ministry to be not only “transactional” but “relational.”

“I think equally important,” he said, “is people knowing that they’re loved by God and sharing the good news.”