Social
Concerns
Ministry
Through
the eyes of faith, the starving child, the believer in jail,
and the woman without clean water or health care are not
issues, but
Jesus in disguise.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”
-Gandhi
Supported Programs
On-Going Local Programs
The Social Concerns
Ministry at St. Joseph is here to confidentially help our
parishioners with issues of dailiy living as well as enlist
helpful resources. Through our social ministry programs we
also
reach out to help people worldwide, nationally, statewide,
and locally in our community. Each level can receive donations
of
money and/or materials, volunteer-hours, meals, personal
attention and
a human touch, or simply phone calls and an arm of compassion.
Much of this outreach is through programs in which religious
education students, youth ministry, parishioner organizations
and volunteers
come forward to give of their time and talent to tackle an
issue of “mission work”.
Supported
Programs
From our weekend parish basket collection a small tithe is given
to the Social Concerns Ministry each month to support the
following programs, donate goods or help individuals and families.
Where our money has gone to help those situations-of-need in
the past:
- Programs
for IHN (The Interfaith Hospitality Network)
- Food/goods
for the homeless hosting week
- Necessary
items for the Flynn Center
- Diapers/wipes
for the babies of IHN
- Rent
and car repair for the transitional homeless program
- Payment
for books and tuition needs for mothers trying to move on
- Raritan
Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity
- NJ
Food Banks
- Somerset
Home for Displaced Youth
- Newark
Clean Air Fund for Summer Camps for City Youth
- Resource
Center for Women
- Elijah’s
Kitchen
- Rescue
Mission of Trenton
- Jail
Chaplaincy
- SHIP
Meals
- Operation
Shoebox
- Pregnancy
Aid Center
- ARC
and Special Needs Summer Dances
- Christian
Appalachian Project
- Sunshine
Club for the Parish
- Emergency
Meals Program for the Parish
- Christmas
Gift Giving
Drive
- Thanksgiving
Baskets
- Mission
Work
in
China
- Guatemala
Mission
Program
- The
Alternative Gift
Fair
- Confidential
Individual Needs
such as:
- Rent,
mortgage, or
utility payments
- Medical
and dental
needs
- Food
- Car
issues
- Clothing
Back to the Top On-Going
Local Programs
Respect Life
Provides education, information and activities supporting the full
spectrum of life.
Contact: Donna Jean Bodnar at (732) 940-8546
Homeless Housing
Working with 17 churches in the country, we provide overnight services
through the Interfaith Hospitality Network
(IHN) of Somerset County. Meals and overnight accomodations are provided
periodically throughout
the year.
Religious Education Service Projects
Ideas and programs provided for all students and their families
to become involved in social ministry service.
Social Justice Teaching
Provide guidance and curriculum towards the teaching of Catholic
social justice.
Elder Care Ministry
To coordinate supportive services for the elderly in our parish.
Caregivers Ministry
The Care Bears. Support networking and program sharing for caregivers
of the elderly. Call Diane Speronello at (908)
359-8795.
Emergency Meals
Whether facing a birth, death, hospital stay, or crisis, our meal
makers will provide nutritious meals to help
you and your family through a trying time. Call Terri Kwaitek for
arrangements at (908) 359-3264
Sunshine Club
For those who are homebound, this group sends out monthly holiday
and birthday cards to bring cheer. To place
someone on the list, please call Lois Jerzewski at (732) 873-2586
Food Bank/Pregnancy Aid Center Collection and Delivery
Each week in the coat room of the church food and diapers are collected.
Bring in one can or box of nonperishable food when you come to
mass each week. Food is delivered weekly to one of 4 area food
banks and the Pregnancy Aid Center.
Volunteering
All parishioners are invited to participate in any project or ministry
work. Check the bulletin for ongoing programs or call the Social
Concerns office for specific information. New idea, interests,
and questions are always welcome!
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