NEW COVENANT Ministering Together A Step-by-Step Guide for Collaboration with Catholic and Other Community Partners November 2003 Introduction It is our pleasure to present Association of the United States. Ministering Together: A Step-by- Titled Greater Than the Parts: “We believe that Step Guide for Collaboration With A Collaboration Handbook for church ministries can Catholic and Other Community Catholic Charities and Health more authentically Partners, a New Covenant initiative. Care Organizations, the study and effectively fulfill This guide reflects the New documents the current breadth of Covenant’s directive to strengthen ministerial collaboration, identifies the caring and healing and promote the organized factors that facilitate or impede mission of Jesus by expression of Catholic caring effective partnerships, and working together and healing ministries by working describes steps for local leaders. rather than separately.” together rather than separately. We have also included an Much of the collaboration dis- appendix that is a “how-to” guide Ministering Together: cussed in this guide is between two for those interested in forming a A Shared Vision for Caring and Healing Ministries, 2000 or more ministries of the Catholic collaboration with Catholic Church. This ministry-to-ministry Charities, Catholic hospitals, collaboration is emphasized parishes, Catholic schools, col- 1 because we have discovered that leges, and universities on behalf although in some communities a of vulnerable populations such as rich collaboration is taking place, immigrants, migrants, refugees, the in many other communities homeless, and vulnerable women. caring ministries work in isolation, In keeping with the direction of often dealing with similar New Covenant, Catholic ministries problems but without the help are doing more than just healing of natural partners. the sick and comforting the poor. Collaboration with other-than- Instead, we are creating transfor- Catholic community organizations mation. Following Jesus’ example, sharing our vision of service is we are challenging aspects of our also important if we are to address society that perpetuate unjust critical community problems. structures, and we are creating We partner with vulnerable fundamental changes in our people, community leaders, and social order. We are demonstrating community service organizations that by ministering together, to uncover needs, plan how to our collective action can truly best address them, and carry out make a difference. vital services. This guide is based on a Signed by: national study of collaboration The New Covenant Steering sponsored by Catholic Charities Committee USA and the Catholic Health New Covenant Steering Committee Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, Chair Sr. Dale McDonald Jane Stenson Director of Public Director, Community Services Arnold Andrews Policy National Catholic Catholic Charities USA Executive Director Educational Association Catholic Charities, Msgr. John Strynkowski Diocese of St. Petersburg Sr. Mary Mollison, CSA Executive Director, Secretariat for Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn Agnesian Healthcare Doctrine & Pastoral Practices USCCB Jack Burgis Patrick O’Donnell Petaluma, CA Wichita, KS Julie Trocchio Director, Long-Term Care Kathleen Donnellan Rev. Robert Silva Catholic Health Association Executive Director President Catholic Charities National Federation Communication consultant Archdiocese of Cincinnati of Priests’ Councils Lisa Caplan 2 St. Louis, MO Sr. Doris Gottemoeller Rev. Robert J. Vitillo Sr VP, Mission/Values Integration Executive Director Stoney Breyer Catholic Healthcare Partners Catholic Campaign for Links Touchwood, Inc. Human Development Michael James Assistant Executive Director Irene Ward Assoc. of Catholic Colleges Chief of Operations and Universities Catholic Community Services of Western Washington Sr. Judith Ann Karam, CSA President/CEO Staff and meeting facilitator Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Roger Butler (lead staff) Health System Executive Director CCHC Rev. Msgr. Ralph Kuehner Office of Social Concerns Cathy Sullivan Clark (facilitator) Archdiocese of Washington Vice President Jennings Ryan & Kolb James J. McCormack Coordinator Sr. Patricia Talone, RSM, PhD Health Care Network Senior Director, Ethics Diocese of Albany Catholic Health Association Acknowledgements This book is the result of the We are most grateful to the faith and good work of many people. Saint Ann Foundation for funding The starting point for the development of this document Ministering Together: A Step-by- as well as other communication Step Guide for Collaboration with tools for New Covenant. Catholic and Other Community We are grateful, too, to Partners was Ministering Together: Sr. Judith Ann Karam and her A Shared Vision for Caring and New Covenant Models and Healing Ministries, developed by Examples task force for assembling the New Covenant Steering the comprehensive list of ministry Committee in 2000 under the collaborations that appear in auspices of the National Coalition the appendix. on Catholic Health Care Ministry. The gifted writer for this The steps described for project was Marie Wood, who collaboration are based on lessons took hundreds of stories and 3 learned from a national study of translated them into the useful collaborations between Catholic guidelines you will find within Charities and Catholic health these pages. Thanks, too, to the care. That study was conducted staff who coordinated this and for Catholic Charities USA and other New Covenant efforts: the Catholic Health Association Roger Butler, Jane Stenson, by Health Systems Research, Inc. and Julie Trocchio. Members of the 2003 New Covenant But most important of all, steering committee added their we are grateful to all the partners varied experiences to bring in in ministry collaborations reflected perspectives beyond social services in this document. To them, it was and health care to include education, not enough to serve. They also housing, economic development, gave their time and expertise so and service organizations. that others could learn to serve better by ministering together. Step 1: Get Ready Collaboration is one of the Be Clear About the “Why” best ways to make the Catholic of Collaboration mission concrete and the Collaborating is about Inspired by the New Covenant values apparent. the sharing of responsibil- vision of collaboration, ministry Working collaboratively demon- partnerships throughout the ities, resources, and risks strates good business in action. nation have discovered the to achieve a common Catholic partners define this as potential for a stronger mission goal; it is coming “using all available resources as by working together: together as equal thoughtfully, prudently, and partners to find solutions Collaboration results in better effectively as possible.” access to more services for to shared problems. Partners in collaboration say more clients. working alone often isn’t enough Catholic partners collaborate because the needs of real people because their organizations or living in real communities are not agencies cannot deal with the categorical. For example, homeless- 4 scope and complexity of com- ness affects health status, and munity problems by themselves. health status affects employability. Catholic partners realize If the organizations and agencies that they are more likely to providing housing, health services, make lasting changes in their and job training are not working communities if they speak and together, how can they expect to act together. meet the complex, interactive needs of homeless people? If they Collaborating agencies have are not speaking with one voice, demonstrated that collaboration what are the chances they will be is a win-win situation for able to successfully advocate both organizations and their changes that will improve the communities. lives of the homeless? Working collaboratively demonstrates faith in action. Understand Each Other’s Cultures cultural norms is not understood Failure to recognize and (Including How They Do Business) and respected by each of the other deal with the cultural In the beginning of an effort partners, problems can occur. and organizational differ- between Catholic Charities and Take the following steps to help ences between partners the Catholic Health Centers in further the understanding of each can become a significant Cleveland, OH, participants other’s culture: roadblock that could came to the table often carrying Create opportunities to get to threaten the future of “uncharitable perspectives of know one another. Visit the the collaborative. each other and perhaps assuming place where your partners work malevolent intentions on the and provide services. part of the other participants.” However, as they came to know Review your potential partners’ “Collaboration efforts will and trust each other through annual reports and newsletters. maximize our resources the taking of small, manageable Attend annual meetings and and extend our response risks, “gradually mutual fundraisers to sample firsthand to the people and commu- appreciation, respect, and trust the culture of your partners. 5 nities we serve. Achieving replaced skepticism.” Understand how your counter- this vision, for the sake of Organizational culture is part conducts business. Early the Gospel and for those the context from which members on, learn how each organization to whom we minister, will of an organization view their carries out its mission. require us as individuals role in the community.