Pastoral Invitation: Restoring Local Care

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Dear Father,

I am writing to you personally to introduce ShareNetwork, a new initiative designed specifically to help parishes restore their historic role in feeding people and strengthening local community life - without adding bureaucracy, political entanglement, or centralized control.

ShareNetwork is a project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation and is rooted explicitly in Catholic Social Doctrine, especially the principle of Subsidiarity. It is not a program that replaces parish authority, nor a centralized charity that directs local action. Instead, it provides infrastructure, standards, and practical support so parishes and local communities can act responsibly and independently, much as the Church once did through mission-based systems.

I am enclosing a short Parish Council & Board Packet for your review. It was written with decision-makers in mind and addresses the questions parish leadership rightly asks today:

• What are the risks?
• Who controls what?
• How does this align with Catholic teaching?
• What is required of the parish?
• What safeguards are in place?

One point I want to emphasize clearly: ShareNetwork does not handle parish funds, does not distribute food or money, and does not direct parish operations. Local authority always remains with the parish. Participation can be as simple as hosting or partnering during a pilot period, with no long-term obligation.

Many pastors feel the tension you feel - the need to respond to real hunger and family strain in the community, while also protecting the parish from overextension, controversy, or loss of control. ShareNetwork was designed precisely to meet that tension with a model that is pastoral, local, and prudent.

If you feel this may be worth discerning further, I would welcome the opportunity to offer a brief, no-obligation 20-minute overview, either for you alone or with your Parish Council at your discretion.

Thank you for your priestly leadership and for the care you give daily to your people. Please be assured of our prayers, and know that ShareNetwork exists to support - not replace - the pastoral mission entrusted to you.

In Christ,

Michael
Your Catholic Voice Foundation
Project Lead, ShareNetwork