Gang priest to speak at 30th Social Ministry Convocation

Peacebuilding will be the focus of the 30th annual Social Ministry Convocation March 7 at The Seton Keough High School in Baltimore.

Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, a nationally renowned speaker known for his work with gangs, will deliver the keynote in English, while Comboni Missionary priest Father Luigi Zanotto will deliver the Spanish keynote address. Father Boyle started Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, which provides job training and work experience for former gang members. Some of Homeboy Industries’ nonprofit enterprises include Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Silkscreen, Homeboy Maintenance, Homeboy/HomegirlMerchandise and HomegirlCafé.

The Social Ministry Convocation will begin at 8:45 a.m. with registration and hospitality. The keynote address will take place at 9:30 a.m.

The convocation will offer a variety of workshops including, “Peacemaking in the ‘Hood,” “The ABCs of Parish Social Ministry” and “A Step on our Faith Journey: Abolishing Maryland’s Death Penalty,” among other topics.

A 12:30 p.m. lunch and social ministry fair will be offered, followed by additional workshops and an award ceremony with Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden.

Monsignor William F. Burke, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Baltimore, and local head of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which helps fund the convocation, said the well-established event is “a celebration of all those committed to working for peace through justice.”

“The convocation has made a big difference in bringing people together from parishes and agencies,” said Monsignor Burke. “It’s always a learning experience to see a face beyond the telephone or an e-mail.”

To register for the event and guarantee a lunch, contact Carol Palmer, cpalmer@cc-md.org or 410-261-6780. Registration is $10 per person.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.