"The mission of the Christian in the world is a mission for all, a mission of service, which excludes no-one; it requires great generosity and in particular the gaze and heart turned heavenward to invoke the Lord’s help. There is so much need for Christians who bear witness to the Gospel with joy in everyday life. The disciples, sent by Jesus, 'returned with joy'. When we do this, our heart fills with joy."

-- Pope Francis, Angelus, July 3, 2016

Spiritans work in 63 countries bringing the word of Christ to those who have not heard it, educate girls and boys in productive environments, provide life’s fundamental needs such as basic medical care, food, water, and sanitation, respond to natural disasters, administer pastoral care, and build facilities, including hospitals, schools and churches to serve the needs of their communities.

The Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) is to be a resource for and enable the implementation of the evangelical priorities of the U.S. Province and to continue its long-standing charism into the future at the service of the poorest and most abandoned peoples it was founded to serve.

SOMA’s mission is to financially resource and practically support the missionary, educational, pastoral, humanitarian and charitable projects and programs of the Congregation and the U.S. Province both in the United States and internationally.

Responsibilities – Primary responsibility will be for Implementation and Management including:

• Implement policies that govern SOMA Operations
• In consultation with the EC, development of SOMA’s Strategic Plans
• In consultation with the EC, development of SOMA’s Operating Budgets and Performance Goals
• Implementation, operation and ongoing management of SOMAS Strategic Plan
• Implementation and administrative support of fundraising activities including the cultivation of major donors, general appeals for funds, development of grant proposals, online initiatives, etc.
• Support for and coordination of requests for funding from Spiritan missions for special projects
• Coordination of Spiritan participation in the USCCB mission appeals in various dioceses.
• Marketing, Communications and Educational Outreach related to Spiritan identity and mission, Spiritan spirituality, Spiritan ministries, publication and diffusion of educational and devotional materials
• Collaboration with Spiritan Vocations Office in developing a unified, consistent image of Spiritan life and mission.
• Coordinate events and gatherings to build relationships (i.e. Spiritan Friends) with potential supporters of the Spiritan mission among Catholics and other groups within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and other geographic areas where Spiritans have a ministerial presence.
• Establish strong relationships with various Archdiocesan offices, parishes, educational institutions, retreat centers, etc., as well as other local churches in Texas.
• Work closely with the SOMA Advisory Board to assist in the development and implementation of SOMA’s goals and objectives. 
• Oversee the creation and operation of Spiritan Mission Advancement Hubs in other cities and regions of the U.S. when circumstances seem to warrant their establishment.

The U.S. Spiritans respond to their calling to support the works of Spiritan missionaries in many countries of the world through the Office of Mission Advancement (SOMA).

In addition to responding to natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, crop infestations, draughts, famines, and viral infections such as Ebola and COVID-19, SOMA’S mission priorities include:

• Evangelization

• Education

• Economic & Community Development

• Health & Wellness

• Priestly Formation

• Social Justice

The  responsibility of this committee which meet at least three times annually are to provide advice and counsel to the Director relative to:

• Structures that support the funding and management of international development projects received by the U.S. Province,
• Domestic fundraising initiatives for the ministries of the U.S. Province,
• Establishment and enhancement of processes and practices that ensure transparency and accountability to prospective donors,
• Development of operations, best practices and policies which support the overall mission of the U.S. province in its manifold ministries,
• Serve as an advisory resource to the Director of SOMA and the Provincial of the U.S. Province on strategic matters relating to philanthropy and fund raising.

* The Congregation of the Holy Spirit is a nonprofit organization established for exclusively religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). All contributions are tax deductible. EIN #53-0259602

You will find us on Guidestar and Charity Navigator under the name Sharelink-Spiritan Worldwide Aid Foundation, Inc.
We also participate in the Amazon Smile program under the same name.
When you make a purchase on Amazon using Amazon Smile a portion of the sale price is donated to the Spiritans.

Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement
Congregation of the Holy Spirit
1700 West Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098-2808
713-522-2882
missionadvancement@spiritans.org