Social Concerns Ministry:
Mission Opportunities for Teens and Adults
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Guatemala
Catholic HEART Workcamp

Guatemala

Mission trips to the Diocese of Santa Rosa and our sister parish in Guatemala, San Juan Tequaco, are part of a larger Solidarity Partnership between Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen and the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala where Monsignor Ray spent 8 months of his sabbatical in 2008/2009. Those who participate in this trip are following in the footsteps of many others in the diocese who have been involved in previous trips to Guatemala. Since Monsignor Ray returned, there have been 5 mission trips from St. Joseph Parish and 2 to follow in May 2011 (adult trip) and August 2011 (youth trip).

If you decide to go to Guatemala and join Msgr. Ray, you will experience the culture and the Guatemalan people first hand. You will be part of a long term relationship between our parish and the people of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. You will bring back important information and experiences that will help our parish plan for long term development programs so the people can help themselves in the future. These programs include among others, the establishment of better water delivery and distribution to the villages, and books and educational supplies for the village school children.

A typical day includes visiting a village in the mountains, interacting with the people who are very welcoming, happy and friendly, and time for reflection and discussion with Msgr. Ray. During the trip you can expect to see historical sites and amazing scenery.

Your personal growth and spirituality will be challenged and viewed with renewed appreciation. You will help to strengthen the solidarity that is building between our two dioceses. As we continue to visit and help the people through encouragement, material goods and better water and agricultural methods, we strengthen them to live their lives safely and strongly.

So, if you are looking for a unique way to share your experience of God, then experience God’s presence in the lives of others in a different culture by joining Msgr. Ray on one of his trips to San Juan Tequaco.
If interested, contact the parish office. Trips for our youth and adults are forming regularly throughout the year. Numbers of participants per trip are kept at a minimum.

If you are not able to participate in a trip to Guatemala, there are other opportunities to share your talents to this mission both on a parish level as well as the Diocesan level. For further information contact our Guatemala Parish Coordinator, Pat Lambow, at (908) 526-3305.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen works to reduce injustice and suffering facing the poor both overseas and at home in our Diocese. At present, there are four major areas of activity: Guatemala, India, Food Security and Diocesan Formation. To gain further insight about the Metuchen Diocese Catholic Charities Solidarity Teams, go to: www.ccsolidarity.org

Catholic HEART Workcamp
** CHWC **

Catholic HEART Workcamp is all about
SERVICE, CONNECTION AND LOVING OTHERS.

CHWC, headquartered in Florida, partners with social agencies in selected cities of the United States. Youth and adult leaders restore and paint homes, clean yards, revitalize neighborhoods, feed the hungry, bring joy to the elderly and disabled, lift the spirits of children, and restore hope.

It is a youth-friendly Christ-centered week of caring for others working alongside youth from parishes across the U.S.

For many, many years hundreds of our St. Joseph youth (9th – 12th grade) and our adult leaders have traveled to various cities to participate in CHWC.

To find out more, go to www.heartworkcamp.com to read their mission statement.

To find out more about St. Josephs involvement, contact Chrystal Gibson, Director of Youth Ministry at:
cgibson@stjosephsparish.com
(908) 874-3141, ext. 228
or go to the Youth Ministry website.

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