About Catholic Charities
of the Diocese of Madison
Catholic Charities, guided by the principles of Catholic teaching, provides services to 10,000 individuals in our Diocese.
The mission of Catholic Charities is to demonstrate Christ’s love and justice by caring in faith for the human family. We do this by delivering programs to those most in need across the 11-county footprint of the Diocese of Madison, including those experiencing the challenges of poverty, homelessness, disabilities, aging, addiction, health and wellbeing, and food insecurity.
Our Mission
To demonstrate Christ’s love and justice by caring in faith for the human family.
Our Programs
Aging
Our Aging services address the emotional, physical and social needs of older adults, serving them with dignity and compassion.
Children & Families
Offering mental health support, access to food and other services for children and families.
Developmental Disabilities
Programs for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Homelessness
The Beacon homeless day resource center and Housing Navigation Services address housing insecurity and homelessness in Dane County.
Substance Use Treatment
5 Door Recovery is a residential substance use treatment facility located in Madison.
Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
The Church identifies key principles of Catholic Social Teaching that guide our response to those in need. Catholic Charities embraces these principles as our core values. Our mission, vision, programs and services are focused on these vital teachings.
- Life and Dignity of the Human Person – All people are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. People do not lose dignity because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race.
- Call to Family, Community, and Participation – The human person is both sacred and social. We realize our dignity and rights in relationship with others, in community. "We are one body; when one suffers, we all suffer."
- Rights and Responsibilities – People have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, health care, education and employment. All people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable – The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation.
- The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers – People have a right to decent and productive work, fair wages, private property and economic initiative.
- Solidarity – We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences.
- Care for God's Creation – The goods of the earth are gifts from God.
– USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Board of Directors
Officers
Patrick Flesch, Chair
Megan McDermott, Vice Chair
Mary Kay Brooks, Secretary
MaryJo Steeber-Higgins, Treasurer
Jim Hartlieb, Immediate Past Chair
DIRECTORS
Tina Ahedo
Richard “Dick” Bennett
John Feller
Fr. Thomas Kelly
Rosario “Rosie” Perez
Chris Roe
Permanent Ex-Officio Members
Bishop Donald Hying
Msgr. James Bartylla
Michael Wick
Shawn Carney, Executive Director
