Parish Social Ministry (formerly Family Life Institute)

Visit a work in progess...Parish Social Ministry Web-Page

Birthline
"Women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy also deserve unplanned joy!" (Patricia Heaton). Birthline helps pregnant women and couples find life-affirming alternatives to abortion, helpful resources, and emotional support so they can birth their babies with care, grace, and courage. We offer educational sessions for parish and community groups on how to assist those facing unplanned pregnancies.

Project Rachel
An abortion can burn a "hole in the heart". To those carrying this pain, we offer a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where they can express, release and reconcile painful feelings caused by abortion. Women and men can begin to restore and heal the heart and soul. They can strenghten their relationship with God and their Church. We do this through individual support, weekend retreats, and referrals to clergy and counselors if desired.

Marriage Preparation

“An enduring marriage...is a process of growth into an intimate friendship and a deepening peace." (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) Many clusters now offer their own marriage preparation program to better accommodate engaged couples in their area. Through these local programs, engaged couples have opportunities to build stronger relationships with their parish/cluster staff, as well as with other local engaged couples. 2010 is the last year we will sponsor marriage preparation programs. For information on 2010 dates and registration, please click on Marriage Preparation above.

Natural Family Planning (NFP)
NFP is like "marriage insurance". It fosters communication and understanding in couples who use it to either conceive or postpone a pregnancy. We teach the Creighton Model Ovulation Method (cervical mucus method) and offer informational sessions for couples and parishes, as well as individual follow-up to learn and practice the method effectively. We can also refer couples to others to learn the Sympto-Thermal method (mucus & temperature).

Divorce Ministry It is possible to move beyond the pain of divorce. Our eight-week "Divorce & Beyond" support groups offer hope and comfort to those suffering the loss of a marriage. They help participants understand what they are going through and how others have coped with divorce and even become better persons through it. We are also developing a one-day retreat program for the divorced and those who are in the process of divorcing.

Parish Inclusion Ministry (for persons with disabilities)
We help parishes create and nurture caring, inclusive Church communities where people of all abilities can participate. We help them find ways to be welcoming and affirming of people with physical, mental and/or emotional challenges. To do this, we encourage adoption of the the national catechetical program called SPRED (SPecial Religious EDucation), for persons with special needs. Parishes recruit and manage their own SPRED volunteers. We provide oversight of program content, as well as emotional support and training opportunities for the volunteer teachers and aides.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)
Through funds made possible by a yearly Thanksgiving collection in Catholic parishes, CCHD awards small grants to grassroots community programs uniquely helping poor and low-income people in our State to help themselves. We manage the grants and the grant process through a volunteer Committee of Advisors.

Office Locations

Portland
307 Congress Street
P.O. Box 10660 (mailing address)
Portland, ME 04104-6060
(207) 871-7464
(207) 523-2764 Fax

Email: psm@ccmaine.org