ARCHDIOCESAN STRUCTURE DIOCESAN MISSION STATEMENT

Transcription

1 ARCHDIOCESAN STRUCTURE DIOCESAN MISSION STATEMENT We, the Church of Galveston-Houston, recognize ourselves to be a pilgrim people, a community of believers in Jesus Christ who have been called through baptism to continue the life and mission of Jesus on earth. Though one family of God, we are of diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. Our unity is rooted in common faith in Jesus the Lord who guides us through His Vicar on earth, the Bishop of Rome. Led by our bishop, we see ourselves as ministers of the mysteries of God who are called to witness to what we are in Jesus - a redeemed, holy people - and to proclaim the good news entrusted to us by Him. We are a people who are called to celebrate our experience of Jesus and through this celebration to reach out to others and invite them to share in this same joy. As a faith community, we are called to live a way of life which is distinctly different from the way of the world. The roots of this way of life are found in the gospel values as interpreted by the authentic teaching of the Church. Gifted by the Spirit in so many ways, we seek to introduce the message and presence of Jesus into a world that frequently refuses His love and ignores His word. The area in which we live is characterized by a high degree of mobility, rapid economic expansion and a great influx of peoples from many parts of the world. While blessed with material wealth and natural resources, we also experience physical poverty, spiritual confusion, social alienation and powerlessness. Although we are identifiable as the Catholic community, we participate with all people in the search for an authentically human life and a more just society. With those who also believe in Jesus and are rightly called Christian, we share in the work of building the kingdom inaugurated by the Savior. With those who believe in God but not in Jesus as the Lord, we labor in the world as stewards of God's creation. With those who claim no faith in a divine being, we struggle for a more peaceful society and a more human existence. We view the present challenge as too critical to work in isolation in confronting the debilitating elements of society and we seek to be partners with all who strive to enhance the quality of life around us. As a Catholic community in this area of Texas we gratefully acknowledge our rich religious heritage and the courageous witness of our fellow believers during the past several centuries. Over 130 years old as a diocese, we have found stability in the leadership of our six bishops and we stand on a firm foundation of the lived faith of countless men and women. Thus, we feel compelled to accept the challenge of our mission today and commit ourselves to a response that is caring, inviting and enabling. We must be caring because that is how the Father treats us. We must be inviting because that is how Jesus brings us into His life. We must be enabling because that is how the Spirit works in us. As we reflect on our present challenges and commitments in the diocese, we express these beliefs: that our parish communities must be strong and vibrant because it is here that the crucified and risen Jesus is experienced daily and proclaimed to the world; that we must renew our efforts to evangelize those of our faith, to call them to conversion as well as to reach out to those who are unchurched and alienated; that the family is the basic unit of the Church and society and that we must foster the enrichment of family life;

2 Section N N-2 that we must minister to all people, particularly to the unborn, to youth to young adults, to the elderly, to the poor and to those with special needs; that we must develop leadership at all levels to diocesan life and enable those presently working in the apostolate to do so effectively; that the whole community of the baptized is called to minister and that the variety of ministries in the Church be promoted; that liturgy is the source and summit of the Christian life and that liturgy, properly celebrated, evokes effective daily witness to the presence of the Lord in our lives; that we must promote a learning environment within our parishes and educational institutions and programs which will enable people to internalize the Gospel at all levels of growth and development; that we must work tirelessly for peace and justice in our own Church and in society as a whole because to do so is constitutive of preaching the Gospel; that we must support ministry among the Spanish-speaking and Black communities and encourage the full participation in diocesan life of all cultural, ethnic and economic groups; that as stewards of God's creation we are called to be accountable to God and to one another in the administration of our programs, resources and services; that the Spirit operates within the total community and that we must be sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit in all segments of the diocesan family. As people with a vision, we commit ourselves to assess the needs of our diocese and to study the trends of our society. We pledge ourselves to work with our bishop in identifying the priority needs of our diocese and in developing a pastoral plan to respond to those needs. We commend the accomplishments in the past, we support the good work that is presently being done and we invite all diocesan agencies and groups to work cooperatively in addressing the needs of all our people today. We seek the blessings of the Father as we embark on this journey together and we invite others to envision with us a future that is ours to create with the Lord's help. We believe that we already possess the talents and gifts necessary to make this vision a reality because Jesus has touched each of us with His love and has spoken gently to our hearts. His presence is constantly with us as we continue to grow as a diocesan family and become a servant community to our expanding world. We are confident that it is the Spirit who moves us to renew our efforts as a faithful people to meet the challenge of our age. We pray that we will be equal to the task and that our words of today will become our actions of tomorrow. Prepared by the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee and approved by Bishop John L. Morkovsky. December 15, 1978

3 Section N N-3 I. External/Internal Structure ARCHDIOCESAN STRUCTURE A. External ARCHDIOCESAN BISHOP AUXILIARY BISHOPS VICAR GENERAL VICAR FOR RELIGIOUS Vicariates headed by EPISCOPAL VICARS (Regional) Western Vicariate Southern Vicariate Central Vicariate Northern Vicariate Deaneries headed by VICARS FORANE Southwest Deanery Galveston Deanery Central Deanery Northern Deanery Northwest Deanery Bay Area Deanery Northeast Deanery San Jacinto Deanery Western Deanery Southern Deanery Southeast Deanery Eastern Deanery Bluebonnet Deanery B. Internal ARCHDIOCESAN BISHOP ETHNIC VICARS/JUDICIAL VICARS CHANCELLOR/MODERATOR OF THE CURIA 1. Secretariat for Administration Director Offices Archives/Current Records Bishop s Palace Cemeteries Construction/Preventive Maintenance Information Services Internal Auditing Human Resource Office Legal/Risk Management Real Estate/Property Management Victims Assistance Coordinator Boards Audit Committee Benefits Comm./Pension Comm.

4 Section N N-4 2. Secretariat for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services Director Offices Deaf Ministry Permanent Diaconate Seminarian Support Vocations Office Catholic Chaplain Corps (Hospital) Apostleship of the Sea (Port) Correctional Ministries (Jail) Mission Office -- Catholic Relief Services St. Mary Seminary Ecumenism Ministry to Priests Boards Admissions Board Ecumenism Commission 3. Secretariat for Communication Director Offices Copy Center Mail Room Radio Texas Catholic Herald 4. Secretariat for Finance Director Offices Finance Officer/Business Manager Accounting -- Diocesan Accounting -- Financial Reporting & Analysis -- PAS Development Department -- Grants/Foundations -- Inner City Schools -- Planned Giving -- Records -- Stewardship Boards Boards Finance Council DS&L/Energy Committees Development Board 5. Secretariat for Pastoral/Educational Ministry Director Offices Aging Ministry Catholic School Office Continuing Christian Education Director Boards Senior Senate Education Adult Formation for Ministry Bd.

5 Section N N-5 Evangelization Commission Family Life Ministry NFP Advisory Board Office of Worship Liturgical Commission -- Liturgical Music RCIA Steering Committee Respect Life Activities Pastoral Care Advisory Board Resource Center Retreat Centers Circle Lake Retreat Advisory Council Camp Kappe Advisory Council Special Youth Services (Detention) Young Adult/Campus Ministry Youth Ministry Youth Council (YAC) 6. Secretariat for Social Concerns Director Offices Boards Office for Justice and Peace Campaign for Human Development St. Vincent de Paul Society St. Dominic Village Board of Directors -- John XXIII Retirement Residence Board of Directors -- Independent and Assisted Living Board of Directors -- Nursing Home Board of Directors San Jose Clinic Board of Directors Catholic Charities Board of Directors -- Children and Families -- Community Outreach AIDS Council -- Parish Relations and Advocacy -- Immigration and Refugee Services II. Organizational Chart Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston BISHOP Vicars Chancellor Consultative Groups Vicars General Vice-Chancellor Presbyteral Council Episcopal Vicars Finance Officer Priests' Personnel Board Vicars Forane,(Deans) Finance Council Judicial Vicar Building Commission Vicars of Religious Permanent Diaconate Commission Ethnic Ministry Vicars Ecumenical Commission Board of Education Audit Committee Pension Committee

6 Section N N-6 Moderator of the Curia Secretariat for Administration Secretariat for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services Secretariat for Communication Secretariat for Finance Secretariat for Pastoral & Educational Ministries Secretariat for Social Concerns DS&L Committee Adult Formation for Ministry Board Evangelization Commission III. Description of Archdiocesan Departments and Ministries: A. Archdiocesan Officers 1. The Archdiocesan Bishop is the visible principal and foundation of unity in the local Church (archdiocese) entrusted to him by the Pope, the successor of Peter. He is also the link between the local Church and the universal Church. As a successor of the apostles, the bishop is responsible for the mission of the Church in the archdiocese. He needs the collaboration of the clergy, religious and laity to proclaim the Word of God and celebrate the sacraments for the redemption and salvation of God's people. Through his collaborators in the diocesan departments and agencies, and in parochial ministries, the schools and hospitals, the diocesan bishop plans and directs the apostolic work of the Church of Galveston-Houston. 2. Auxiliary Bishops are given to the archdiocesan bishop, especially if the archdiocese is extensive and very populous, either to assist him in his entire ministry, or in some particular pastoral duties, or in caring for a part of the archdiocese (CHRISTUS DOMINUS 25-26). In the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the auxiliary serves as Episcopal and Ethnic Vicar. 3. The Moderator of the Curia coordinates the exercise of administrative responsibilities and sees that the other members of the curia duly fulfill the office entrusted to them. 4. The Offices of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor act as the executive arms of the Archdiocesan Bishop. The functions of these offices include coordinating functions of the Chancery, interpreting diocesan and general Church law and policies as they affect diocesan operations, care of the records, the editing of the clergy newsletter, help to negotiate diocesan insurance, providing consultation and coordination in matters affecting priests and priestly assignments, providing for general communication

7 Section N N-7 services at the discretion of the Archdiocesan Bishop, processing dispensations and any special permissions prior to marriage, supervising the maintenance of the archives and the purchasing of future parish sites. The Chancellor, as Moderator of the Curia coordinates the exercise of administrative responsibility and sees to it that the Department Heads fulfill the ministries entrusted to them. 5. The Office of Finance Officer/Business Manager coordinates various tasks which maintain and safeguard the temporal resources of the Church. The Finance Officer, as Secretariat Director for Finance, coordinates the activities of the Accounting and Development Offices of the Archdiocese and provides consultation, review and assistance on financial matters to parishes, schools and other Diocesan entities and Departments. The Office also maintains primary banking relationships relating to loans, investments, cash management, trust and other bank and financial institution services, is responsible for compliance with debt instruments, and coordinates the activities of the Diocesan Savings and Loan. 6. The six Secretariat Directors form a cabinet overseeing, under the bishop, the operations of Chancery Services. The Directors coordinate these departments in their divisions through joint planning and sharing of information. They also conduct periodic evaluations to determine if the goals of each department are being met, and help in preparing the budget each year. Department heads report to the Secretariat on a regular basis. The Secretariat Directors report to the Moderator of the Curia. The six secretariats are: a. Secretariat for Administration b. Secretariat for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services c. Secretariat for Communication d. Secretariat for Finance e. Secretariat for Pastoral & Educational Ministries f. Secretariat for Social Concerns B. Archdiocesan Departments and Offices 1. The Accounting Department records, reports, analyzes and maintains records and systems to ensure processing and recording of all transactions of the Chancery Office operations of the Archdiocese, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards. Other responsibilities include budgeting, policy and procedure updates, compliance with government and state tax regulations, cash management, coordination with external auditors, and providing advice to chancery departments, parish schools and missions when called upon. The Accounting Office, under the direction of the Controller, includes:

8 Section N N-8 Archdiocesan Accounting records the receipts, pays all the bills, issues invoices and processes the payroll for the Chancery Office operations. The department includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, general accounting and payroll. It records most revenues of the Chancery operations. Financial Reporting & Analysis coordinates the annual budget process, produces the monthly, quarterly and annual financial data, and coordinates the annual external audit. This department also accounts for fixed asset/real estate transactions, Archdiocesan Savings and Loan activity and provides reconciliation oversight on the accounting related to DSF, the Capital Campaign and pension plan activity. Parish Administrative Services (PAS) provides training for and maintains the accounting system designated for use by all parishes, schools and certain other archdiocesan entities. PAS is responsible for collecting and reviewing parish and school financial ledgers for accuracy, completeness and compliance with the policies and procedures of the archdiocese. PAS calculates and verifies Cathedraticum, and Building and Gift Taxes/Assessments. Consultation is also provided to the individual parish priests and finance councils. 2. The Office of Aging Ministry seeks to affirm our Christian mission to older adults by promoting and supporting senior adult groups in the parishes of the archdiocese. It provides leadership and training resources to assist parishes to develop and maintain effective ministries to and with the aging population. It also sponsors the Archdiocesan Senior Senate and a variety of programs and activities for older adults. This office provides information and referral services for families and older adults with special needs and acts as an advocate in issues affecting the older adults of this Archdiocese. 3. The Archdiocesan Archives is the central location for all historical materials relating to the archdiocese. The Archives is responsible for collecting and preserving the materials, as well as, making them available for research. It is also in charge of microfilming and custodian of microfilmed sacramental records, and is available to consult and formulate policies for the orderly management of all records concerning the Archdiocese, the parishes and other diocesan entities. 4. The Catholic Cemeteries Office, in keeping with the prescriptions of Canon Law and the tradition of the Church, is responsible for developing and maintaining cemeteries to meet the needs of the Archdiocesan community. It encourages Catholic families to prepare for and experience death in the

9 Section N N-9 context of faith. It encourages use of the Archdiocesan cemeteries for burial, for prayer and liturgy, and for catechetical purposes. The Catholic Cemeteries Office also provides services for the indigent at no cost. 5. The Catholic Chaplain Corps provides Roman Catholic sacramental and pastoral care to patients, families and staffs of the hospitals and institutions within the Texas Medical Center, Houston and Galveston and other selected hospitals. The Corps is a group of chaplains, priests and religious sisters and specially trained lay personnel as Pastoral Assistants, who seek to bring the healing presence of Christ to those they serve. 6. The task of the Catholic Charities is to function as the primary administrative unit of the Catholic social services; to promote, develop, organize and supervise those specific programs of social service and advocacy for which administrative responsibility has been assigned to Catholic Charities by the archbishop to represent the archbishop in relations with those institutions of social service under Catholic auspices for which the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston does not have administrative responsibility; to promote, on the parish and neighborhood level, the development of volunteer social services; to collect, process, analyze and disseminate evaluative and other data in the social development field for use by all sectors of the archdiocese; to help promote and develop an effective program of social advocacy throughout the archdiocese. Their main service areas are Children and Family Services (counseling, foster care, adoption services), Community Outreach (AIDS, frail elderly, residence for women), Parish Relations (parish social ministry) and Immigration and Refugee Services. 7. The Communication Director coordinates the Archdiocese s interacting with the outside media (radio, television, newspaper). The Director coordinates the media requests for interviews/comments and the requesting of the media to cover Archdiocesan (Parish, Departmental, Archdiocesan) activities and events. 8. Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel. The Justice and Peace Office takes this essential Christian doctrine into all dimensions of archdiocesan ministry under such structures as the joint Social Concerns Commission with the University of St. Thomas, Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services. The Justice and Peace Office is also the liaison to the civic and ecumenical communities regarding peace and justice issues. 9. The Construction/Preventive Maintenance Department: The Archdiocesan Construction Office provides construction management and engineering

10 Section N N-10 supervision in all building construction and major remodeling projects for parishes, schools and other institutions of the Archdiocese. The Archdiocesan Construction manager represents the interest of the Archdiocese and its components during planning, design and construction to assure quality work and cost effectiveness. He is available to pastors and parish building committees on new construction projects from their first stages; is present at all Archdiocesan Building Committee meetings; supervises architect and/or engineer services and contract performance; certifies payment for architect and contractor invoices and pay requests; and certifies change orders. The Preventative Maintenance Office s focus is the encouraging and enabling of preventive maintenance and asset preservation at parishes, schools and archdiocesan related facilities. The Office is available for inspections, recommendations, resource information, cost evaluations, professional/contractor selection, project management and long range planning. It also assists pastors to establish and utilize Building and Grounds Committees. 10. The Continuing Christian Education Department is part of the archdiocesan curia and is the means by which the archbishop, head of the community and teacher of doctrine, directs and regulates all catechetical activity in the archdiocese (GDC, ). Its responsibilities include the formation of parish directors of religious education and catechists in both Catholic schools and CCE programs; development of catechetical programs, resources and materials, and to assist parishes and schools in catechetical related issues. The office develops special sacramental preparation guidelines and sexuality catechesis guidelines, with the approval of the archbishop, for use in the archdiocese and in parishes. In addition, the office develops sacramental preparation programs for persons with disabilities and assists in training catechists who minister with persons with disabilities. 11. The Correctional Ministries Department coordinates sacramental pastoral care to adult Catholics incarcerated in jails and prisons in the archdiocese. Priests, deacons and lay persons are involved in this ministry of bringing Christ to the imprisoned. 12. The Deaf Ministry Office seeks to serve all of the deaf in the archdiocese through Sunday Mass in American Sign language, CCE classes, adult religious education classes, home and hospital visits, interpreted Mass, Weddings, Funerals, etc., & a bimonthly newsletter. 13. Recognizing our call to be good stewards, the Development Department is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of

11 Section N N-11 stewardship programs that give encourage the giving of time, talent and financial resources for the mission of the Archdiocese. The following functions are performed: Provides consultation to parishes, schools and other archdiocesan entities on their development programs and fund-raising efforts Works directly with the Inner City Catholic Schools to raise funds for tuition assistance Researches and solicits major gifts for the programs and needs of the Archdiocese Directs the annual DSF, all major fundraising efforts and capital campaign in the Archdiocese Promotes charitable gift planning. Develop, coordinate initiatives to generate funds from private and corporate foundations Records and acknowledges all gifts and resources given to the Archdiocese Tracks parish affiliation on all parishioners Maintains the distribution list for the Texas Catholic Herald 14. The Evangelization Commission raises awareness of evangelization as the central mission of the Church, not only on the Archdiocesan, but the parochial level as well. It helps form Evangelization Commissions in the parishes which in turn promote active evangelization on the parochial level. Finally, it is a resource for Offices and parishes for the unfolding of active evangelization through workshops, materials and consultations. 15. The Office of Family Life Ministry exists primarily to aid parishes in meeting the family needs of their parishioners. To this end, training and education is provided in the areas of marriage preparation, marriage and family enrichment, natural family planning, parenting education, and ministry to the divorced, separated and widowed, and their children. The office also serves as advocate for a family perspective in all ministries and provides education and leadership training for schools, parish organizations and other groups which seek to improve their understanding of today's family realities. 16. The Office of Hispanic Ministry is a link center of communication for Communion in Mission (Pastoral de Conjunto) and collaborative ministry, which observes, listens, discerns and responds taking actions together with the different archdiocesan offices, parishes and other institutions in the Church and secular community. It will support and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life within the Hispanic Catholic community, and seeks to integrate and empower Hispanic lay ministers into leadership

12 Section N N-12 positions, based on Christian values and beliefs, to serve the people of God with the perspective of the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The Vision of this Office is to be an agent of transformation for Hispanics promoting their fullest participation in the Church and society of the third millennium. 17. The Human Resource Office assists the Chancery, parishes and other organizations within the archdiocese. The Director of Human Resource handles issues regarding personnel policies, employment and hiring procedures, salary/wage administration, performance evaluation process, and other related topics. The Director of the Human Resource Office also oversees the Associate Driector. The Associate Director of Human Resource is responsible for the administration of the Pension Plan, 403(b) Plans, Section 125 Plan, Vision Service Plan, Group Medical and Dental Plans, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long Term Disability insurance. The Associate Director of Human Resource conducts presentations, writes benefits newsletters, resolves benefit problems for priests, religious and lay employees and dependents and processes Life, AD&D and LTD claims. 18. The Information Systems (IS) Department directs and coordinates the Chancery area computer network activities by overall management of the network system which includes hardware, software and user education. The office also performs liaison duty in coordinating computer activities between Parishes, Schools and the Chancery. 19. The Internal Audit Department is responsible for the periodic auditing of all archdiocesan-owned entities. The staff assists parishes in the development and functioning of Finance Councils and addresses all tax issues effecting parishes and schools. They are responsible for maintaining the Internal Audit Manual. 20. The Department of Legal Services has licensed attorneys who function as in-house legal counsel for the Archdiocese. The Department is available for consultation on legal issues, is responsible for liaison with outside legal counsel representing the Archdiocese and its entities, is the liaison with Catholic Mutual Group in responding to claims made against the Archdiocese, reviews legal contracts and is responsible for reviewing Archdiocesan policies and procedures and ensuring compliance. This department coordinates the archdiocesan Safe Environment Program for employees and volunteers who work with youth.

13 Section N N The Director of Ministry to Priests is a ministry of service and ongoing availability to meet the spiritual and personal needs of the priests. It consists in being available for sacramental, confession, help in discernment, giving guided or directing retreats and occasionally offering workshops on prayer and spiritual direction. The Director can act as a support person for all the priests and their continuing progress. 22. The Mission Office has a two-prong purpose, which is to promote mission awareness among the people of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and to collect funds for the support of the missions. For this purpose, the office represents two Pontifical Mission Aid Societies at the archdiocesan level, which are the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and Holy Childhood Association. It also represents Catholic Relief Services, which is the international arm of the Catholic Church in the U.S. In addition, the office coordinates the Missionary Cooperative Plan, which enables missionaries from around the world to visit parishes for mission appeals; provides information to lay people, both individuals and groups, interested in short or long-term mission experiences, linking them with existing mission efforts. Lastly, the office seeks to promote the archdiocese's partnership with Guatamala and the Diocese of Comayagua, Honduras. 23. The Office of the Permanent Diaconate is responsible for the all aspects associated with the formation of deacon candidates and the on-going formation and coordination of the archdiocese s permanent diaconate community. The director facilitates the processes involved in the recruitment and selection of candidates, their formation, evaluation, and initial assignment. Through the academic, spiritual and pastoral formation of these men, the Director helps in the holistic development of each candidate within his family and within his community. Additionally the director works with the ordained deacons in coordinating continuing education, retreats, assignments, exchange of information, meetings, support and other activities. The directors work closely with the Diaconate Commission. 24. The Apostleship of the Sea, or Port Chaplaincy, is responsible for the sacramental and pastoral care of the Catholic seafarers from around the world who enter the ports in our archdiocese. There are centers in Galveston, Barbour s Cut and the Port of Houston. 25. The Office of Radio produces and distributes original and syndicated Catholic programs for local and national broadcast in English and Spanish. 26. The Archdiocesan Real Estate Department is responsible for solving or handling problems and issues relating to the owned real estate portfolio of

14 Section N N-14 the Archdiocese. The Office also provides oversight for the sale or purchase of properties relating to Parishes and Schools. The Office maintains the records and data necessary to keep the Archbishop informed on tax questions, demographic information and current of future land needs of the Archdiocese. 27. The Records Office is in charge of all current records which include all correspondence files of the Archdiocese, Archbishop, parishes and priests as well as property deeds, tax bills and exemptions, marriage dispensations, baptismal records involving adoptions and certain financial records. 28. The Resource Center consists of a Video Lending Library and a Chancery Resource Area. The Video Lending Library is a collection of videos, which are used in religious educational programs throughout the Archdiocese. These Videos are available to all parishes, schools and organizations in the Archdiocese. The Chancery Resource Area houses books, periodicals and reference materials to help Chancery personnel in their ministries. 29. The Respect Life Office sponsors programs in pastoral care, education and public policy and legislative change to bring about a conversion of heart and mind for a true appreciation for god s gift of life from conception to natural death. The primary focus of the Office addresses the horror of abortion and provides assistance to unwed women during pregnancy and after the birth of their child. 30. The Risk/Insurance Management Office supervises the Catholic Mutual Group office and is responsible for coordinating the Archdiocesan P&C insurance programs as they relate to and/or affect Archdiocesan employees (Clergy, Religious and Lay) and the Archdiocese s numerous facilities, locations, service and programs. The Insurance and Risk Manager develops all Archdiocesan safety and risk management educational programs designed to reduce exposures and claims.. The Catholic Mutual Office, located at St. Dominic Center, is responsible for handling Property, General Liability and Automobile Liability and Physical Damage claims for the Archdiocese. Catholic Mutual representatives from this office conduct annual physical inspection of Archdiocesan property at the direction of the Archdiocesan Insurance & Risk Manager. Workers Compensation Claims are managed by Crawford & Co. under the direction of the Archdiocesan Insurance & Risk Manager. Crawford works

15 Section N N-15 with the Archdiocese to assure the equitable settlement of Workers' Compensation cases and to support Archdiocesan return to work policies. Crawford also works with the Archdiocese to assure full investigation of any questionable claims. 31. The purpose of the Rural Life Bureau is to assist in the formulation of programs for pastoral ministry and social service to and with the rural community. 32. The Archdiocesan Catholic School Office serves the elementary and secondary schools throughout the archdiocese. The primary criterion in the recruiting of principals and teachers is their ability to respect Catholic values and to aid in the Christian formation of students. The School Office publishes a policy manual for administrators and curriculum guidelines for teachers. It assumes responsibility for upgrading school programs in accordance with accreditation standards of the Texas Catholic Conference and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 33. The Office of Seminarian Support is responsible for insuring the best academic and pastoral formation of each seminarian as well as addressing specific issues of importance for them 34. The Special Youth Services department promotes and coordinates pastoral outreach to at-risk youth and their families. It also provides pastoral care to youth remanded to juvenile detention centers and placement facilities within the Archdiocese. 35. The Texas Catholic Herald is the bi-weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese carrying news, features and opinions about local, national and world events of interest to 182,500 homes in South Texas. It is also an instrument of the Archdiocese for informing and educating its readers in the teachings of the Church. 36. The Archdiocesan Tribunal Office, as defined in canon law, is an extension of the archbishop's judicial ministry in the archdiocese; and as such, is concerned in a special way with the quest for justice. Grounded upon and obedient to the Magisterial teaching of the Church, the Tribunal serves as a means of delineating responsibilities and protecting rights as they are authentically proclaimed and legitimately codified in Church Law. In addition to studying requests for annulments and Privilege of the Faith cases, the Tribunal offers these other services: a. acts as a resource to the archbishop for canonical matters b. serves as a consultative agency for priests, religious, and laity in canonical policy or programs related to marriage

16 Section N N-16 c. assists agencies and institutions of the diocese with information of policy or programs related to marriage d. serves as a public relations agency and/or a source of information with regard to canonical matters, especially marriage e. serves as First Instance Court of petitions challenging the validity of marriage and judges by trial the rights of physical and juridical persons. 37. The Vicar for Religious is the archbishop's liaison to members of religious orders and congregations; promoting effective communication between him and them. This office also responds to expressed needs of religious, and structures opportunities for spiritual and communal development. 38. The Victims Assistance Coordinator receives allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy or Church personnel. The coordinator provides a pastoral outreach to victims during and after the investigation of allegations and coordinates support services, like counseling. 39. The Archdiocesan Vocations Office is an apostolate offering a range of services that begin with encouragement of the community's awareness and support of vocations to priesthood and religious life in the church and continues with helping an individual discern the correct nature of his or her call. The Archdiocesan Office of Vocations consists of the Vocation Director and Associate Director. Its ministry is two-fold: to promote a general climate throughout the diocese favorable to Church vocations through awareness/education on all levels and to strive to increase the quality and number of archdiocesan priests. The office provides services for men and women interested in the priesthood and religious life through Life Awareness Weekends, Explore, Insight and Support Groups. 40. The Office of Worship seeks to make liturgy the source of spiritual growth and development of the Church in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. A multifaceted ministry, it includes the promotion of divine worship and liturgical music as a vital factor to our prayer in full accord with the directive of the Church; discovering art and architecture which help create good environments for worship and spirituality; and assistance in preparation of good liturgical celebrations with an eye to fostering faith in all those participating. The Office of Worship provides a resource center for liturgical ministry materials, ministry workshops and consultations. 41. The Office of Young Adult/Campus Ministry provides coordination for the ministry to young adult Catholics in the Archdiocese. This office supports parish based young adult ministries and coordinates the campus ministries of the colleges/universities in the Archdiocese. Campus ministry provides

17 Section N N-17 Roman Catholic sacramental and pastoral care to students and others associated with selected college/university campuses. 42. The Office of Youth Ministry provides formation for parish youth ministry leadership in accordance with national standards for competency and ethics that are foundational to effective ministry with adolescents. The formation process, rooted in Catholic tradition, focuses on the specialized training of knowledge and skills for meeting the needs of all youth and for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers. The Office of Youth Ministry works in collaborative partnerships with Archdiocesan, parish, school, and community leaders to promote and foster ministry with adolescents. The Office emphasizes comprehensive youth formation, supporting various models for ministry. Additionally, the department engages the Church to examine its priorities and practices to determine how well young people are integrated into the life, mission, and work of the Catholic community.