Catalog of Ministries

Since 1977, the Padre Pio Foundation of America has spread devotion to Padre Pio and helped maintain his home village of Pietrelcina and the Capuchin Friary and Church where he resided for 50 years in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. We perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy in the name of Jesus and Saint Padre Pio, support religious and priestly vocations, and work with religious communities in Vietnam, the Philippines, Haiti, and South America. We provide financial assistance to Padre Pio’s hospital in Italy, La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, have restored two churches in Pietrelcina, funded the Baptistry in Padre Pio’s new church in San Giovanni Rotondo, provide humanitarian aid both in the USA and internationally. Most importantly, our prayer group prays the Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart, the same prayer offered by Padre Pio daily, for the spiritual needs and welfare of our benefactors.

Pax Christi USA strives to create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ by exploring, articulating, and witnessing to the call of Christian nonviolence. This work begins in personal life and extends to communities of reflection and action to transform structures of society. Pax Christi USA rejects war, preparations for war, and every form of violence and domination. It advocates primacy of conscience, economic and social justice, and respect for creation.. Pax Christi USA commits itself to peace education and, with the help of its bishop members, promotes the gospel imperative of peacemaking as a priority in the Catholic Church in the United States. Through the efforts of all its members and in cooperation with other groups, Pax Christi USA works toward a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world

“People of Life”: In support of the”Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities”

At their meeting in November 2001, the U.S. Catholic bishops reaffirmed and approved for publication the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: A Campaign in Support of Life. The staff of the Pro-Life Secretariat, with support from members of “People of Life,” implements this plan on a national level, as well as supports its implementation throughout the country. This pastoral plan calls upon all the resources of the Churchâ??its people, services, and institutionsâ??to pursue this effort with renewed energy and commitment in four major areas. Public Information and Education to deepen understanding of the sanctity of human life and the humanity of unborn children, the moral evil of intentionally killing innocent human beingsâ??whether at the beginning of life or at its endâ??and the mission of the Church to witness to and serve all human life. Pastoral Care for women with problems related to pregnancy; for all who have been involved in abortion; for those who are disabled, sick, and dying, and their families and caregivers; for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime; and for those in prison sentenced to death. Public Policy efforts directed to restoring legal protection to the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressures to end their lives by assisted suicide, and to providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide. The staffs of NCHLA and the USCCB Office of Government Relations are key partners in this work. Prayer and Worship directed to participation in the sacramental life of the Church and in programs of communal and individual prayer, that the culture of death that surrounds us today will be replaced by a culture of life and love. This Pastoral Plan foresees dialogue and cooperation between the national episcopal conference and priests, deacons, religious, and lay persons, individually and collectively. We seek the collaboration of every Catholic organization in this effort. At every levelâ??national, regional, state, diocesan, and parishâ??it is important to seek the support of individuals and organizations involved in other ministries and, in turn, to be supportive of their work on behalf of human life as well. Together we are involved in God’s work in promoting the dignity of the human person.

Mission Statement: The first and primary purpose of the Corps of the Gendarmeria is to provide personal security to the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The Corps of the Gendarmeria also has general responsibility for the security and public order which includes all regular police duties, including border control, crime prevention and investigation, and enforcement of financial and commercial regulations. Their areas of responsibility includes not only Vatican City State but all extraterritorial property such as St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Castel Gondolfo. The Corps of the Gendarmeria is getting ready to celebrate its 200 anniversary. Pope Puis VII founded the Corps on the 14th of July 1816. Althoug the name has changes over the centuries the duties of these brave men have not. Many friends and supporters of the Vatican have asked how they can support the various activities and needs of the Gendarmeria. To this end, we have established a way for benefactors in the USA to support the Gendarmeria via the National Catholic Community Foundation supported 501 (C) 3 organization.

As American SCJ’s inspired by God’s love, revealed in the heart of Christ, seeking fidelity to his gospel through the charism of Leo John Dehon and nourished by the Eucharist, we are called to live together simply, to pray together and to be, especially among the poor, “prophets of love and servants of reconciliation,” offering ourselves with Christ to a world which hungers for Justice and Peace.