Social Ministry… How we live our faith!

Parish Social Ministry is an extension of the public ministry of Christ. Social Ministry is not only the right, but the responsibility of all parishioners, and the calling comes directly from Christ’s teachings. He frequently reminds his followers to care for one another, to support those in need, and to give preference to the poor.

The American Bishops emphasize this point in their document titled “Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish”. It states, “Parish Social Ministry” is first and foremost a work of faith. Social Ministry is an expression of who we are and what we believe; it is anchored in the Scriptures and Church Teaching. It is part of what keeps a parish alive and makes it truly Catholic. Social Ministry helps the parish not only to do more, but to be more – more a reflection of the Gospel, more a worshipping and evangelizing people, more of a faithful community. It is an essential part of parish life. ”

John Carr, the Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, US Council of Catholic Bishops, writes “This social mission of the parish is not optional, but essential. The mission is not new, but as old as the Scriptures. It is not something for a few parishes, but for every parish. It is not a function of where the parish is or whom it serves. It is not trendy, but traditional, founded on the fundamentals of our faith. It didn’t come from Vatican II or recent papal encyclicals, though they advanced and strengthened our understanding of how we carry out this mission in our own times. It is not a product of a particular ideology or ecclesiology, but rather a defining element of what makes a parish truly Catholic.”

In James 2:14-26 it is said that, “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks food, and one of you says to them, ‘go in peace, keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply these bodily needs, what is the good of that?” James is a strong witness to the fact that faith alone does not change our hearts and behavior. Belief must be accompanied by deed. “Intellectual” love of God counts for little. This is what is expected — required — of us to be disciples of Christ. We must work on behalf of our faith. Jesus requires more than an intellectual agreement, a “Yes, I do believe.” Jesus calls us to show Him our belief. James’ words continue to challenge us with the words, “Faith without works is dead.” He does not say that faith without works is less meaningful, or faith without works is empty, but he speaks boldly and courageously when he says that “Faith without works is dead.” Social Ministry is the heartbeat of a living faith. It provides our parish with the opportunity to live our faith, and radiate the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ on the altar of our lives. It is what St. Augustine succinctly stated when he said, “We are called to be what we receive,” — the tangible love of Christ. Social Ministry in our Parish provides you with myriad opportunities to do just this. We invite you to explore the ministries listed by clicking on each one. Take some time to read, reflect and pray about where the Lord is calling you to serve and be served. The Social Concerns Ministry at St. Joseph is here to confidentially help our parishioners with issues of daily 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”.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his powerful first encyclical, Deus caritas est, God is Love, placed love of the poor at the center of Catholic life. He could not have been more clear or direct:

-“Love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind is as essential to her [the Church] as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel.”

-“The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the sacraments and the Word.”

-“[The Church] cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.”

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 HOME - Housing Outreach Multi faith Empowerment (formerly IHN)

• Food/goods for the homeless hosting week

• Baby and toddler items for Pregnancy Aid and Information Center

• 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

• Resource Center for Women - Safe and Sound

• Elijah’s Kitchen

• SHIP Meals

• Operation Shoebox

• Pregnancy Aid Center

• ARC and Special Needs Programs

• Appalachian Projects

• Sunshine Club for the Parish

• Meals Ministry

• Christmas Gift Giving Drive

• Thanksgiving Baskets

• Confidential Individual Needs such as:

  • Rent, mortgage, or utility payments

  • Medical and dental needs

  • Food

  • Car issues

  • Clothing

On-Going Programs and Events at Saint Joe’s

Social Ministry is the heartbeat of a living faith. It provides us with the opportunity to live our faith and radiate the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ on the altar of our lives. It is what St. Augustine succinctly stated when he said, “We are called to be what we receive” — the tangible love of Christ. Social Ministry in our parish provides you with myriad opportunities to do just this. We invite you to explore the ministries listed below and find more information AND explore the drop down under Social Ministry. Take some time to read, reflect and pray about where the Lord is calling you to serve and be served. 

 Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry:  Located in South Amboy, the St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry provides food for an average of 186 clients a week.  Volunteers manage the pantry every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm and our parishioners are a part of this volunteer base.

Becca's Friends:  Established by our parish in the spring of 2013 Becca’s Friends Ministry offers monthly social events for the adult special needs community of Saint Joseph’s and the surrounding Hillsborough area.  This social group welcomes new members on two levels: the parishioners who host and organize the group’s activities, and the adults who participate in the social activities.

HOME of Somerset County, Inc.:  Formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network, HOME serves at-risk families who are homeless or are housing unstable.  Volunteers are the backbone of the agency, providing shelter, meals, financial support, and resources. Our parish is a proud supporter and host of HOME here at Saint Joseph Church.

Appalachia Mission - Wayne County Work Camp:  This ministry provides a service experience for our parishioners who desire a “hands-on” opportunity to put their faith into action by serving those who are in desperate need. The Work Camp’s mission is to work to make homes warm, safe, and dry. We also run a Christmas Mission which donates gifts for the children as part of our Advent Giving Tree Ministry and organizes a party for the families of the children receiving the gifts.

St. Francis Inn - Mercy Mission:  Saint Francis Inn has been serving meals to the neediest individuals and families in Philadelphia since 1979. They rely on the generosity of local grocery stores and businesses, as well as churches and individuals, to donate food so that daily meals can be served. Volunteers from our parish travel to Philadelphia on two weekends each year to help cook, serve, and clean for the Mission of Mercy.

 Mobile Food Truck Ministry ~ Saint Joe on the Go!:  The food truck is a mobile soup kitchen that runs in conjunction with Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, SHIP.  The Saint Joe on the Go Mobile Unit is part of our ongoing effort to reduce hunger and homelessness by providing tangible emergency food relief, on an ongoing basis, to identified high-risk populations in our county. We provide nourishment on many levels, and great hope to the individuals served. All of the food served off of the Food Truck is prepared and donated by the people and community of Saint Joseph Church.

Respect Life Ministry:  This ministry gathers to promote life and raise awareness of all threats to the sanctity of life, especially to the unborn, to the aged, and to the infirm. Meetings are once a month, or more frequently when Right to Life issues are in the foreground. This may include times when pending legislation is a threat to the sanctity of life, or when public demonstrations, such as the Chain for Life or March for Life in Washington/Trenton are being organized, or when prayer services are being planned. In addition to raising awareness to respect life issues, they serve every other Wednesday at The Pregnancy Aid and Information Center in Raritan.

The Pregnancy Aid and Information Center:  This grass roots agency is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping women in crisis pregnancies.  Through pregnancy testing, medical referrals, housing, and financial help, as well as adoption information, clothing, and equipment, PAIC has helped many hundreds of women choose alternatives to abortion.

Meal Ministry:  This ministry provides meals to parish families and individuals going through a crisis or in their time of need. Our volunteers cook, wrap, freeze, or deliver pre-cooked, frozen, or fresh meals, depending on the circumstances and duration of need. Volunteers are called when a need is identified. Meals can also be prepared in advance and placed in the Emergency Meals Freezer in the Parish Center kitchen or delivered directly to the person or family in need. 

Giving Trees:

• Giving Trees schedule 2023-2024

• Advent Giving Tree:  This ministry collects Christmas gifts to be distributed to those in need, focusing on the gift of hope as much as practical gift giving.  Through the generosity of our parishioners we have been able to support the following agencies:  Visions and Pathways, Arc, Welcome Home, Caritas Food Pantry, Saint Peter’s University Health Care, Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, Ozanam Family Shelter, Centerbridge, Catholic Charities, as well as parish families in need, and our parish Christmas Appalachian Mission. From November through the beginning of December, volunteers prepare the gift tags for the Giving Tree, collect gift cards before and after Masses, and sort and wrap the gifts for delivery. The simple act of giving selflessly and joyfully is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Prayer Shawl Ministry:  This ministry creates handmade prayer shawls, afghans, lap blankets or baby blankets to bring comfort to someone after a loss, for strength while undergoing medical procedures, hospitalization, or to celebrate a significant birthday, marriage, new baby, or holiday.

Caregivers Ministry:  This ministry is open to all those who provide care on either a full-time or part-time basis.  While some provide care to a spouse or parent, others may be caring for a special needs adult or child.  Professional caregivers are especially welcome. Your involvement in this ministry can be on the receiving end or the giving end.  If you are a caregiver needing ministering to, we would love to hear from you and assist.  If you are a caring giver and would like to minister to a caregiver, we would love to have your help in this important ministry. 

Food Collection:  On an ongoing basis non-perishable foods are collected in the grey church van located in the parking lot of Saint Joseph Church. The food is delivered each week to Hillsborough Food Pantry. Countless parishioners contribute food each month;  and fifty to one hundred and fifty bags of food are collected on a monthly basis.  A special collection of food for Thanksgiving is distributed to three agencies: the Somerset Community Food Bank, Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, and the Somerville Welfare Office.

Sunshine Ministry:  The purpose of this ministry is to let parishioners in need of cheer, as well as their family members, know that the parish and the ministry are thinking of them and praying for them. The recipients of our cards and notes include those with medical conditions, those who are undergoing medical treatment or rehab, as well as those having difficulty dealing with a loss. Volunteers send cards once a month, as well as holiday cards, including

Social Concerns Emergency Relief:  This program provides those in most need of financial support by making a one-time payment of PSEG, rental assistance, security deposit or other basic living expenses. This charity work not only provides for basic need, it restores hope to the least of these.

Support to Parish Families in need:  This ministry assists families who are struggling financially and in need of advocacy managing poverty in its many forms.  Our hands on, relational assistance is modeled after the many ways in which Jesus served and provided for those on the margins. 

Poor Box:  Each month our parish supports a charity through our Poor Box contributions.  The charity is highlighted with information on their good works to serve the least of these and, in doing so, living the golden rule to love thy neighbor.

To get involved in any of our Social Ministries or for more information, please reach out to:  Victor Fung, Director of Social Ministries via email vfung@sjmillstone.com or call 908-864-0221

The Starfish Story

One day an old man was walking along the beach in the early morning and noticed the tide had washed thousands of starfish up on the shore. Up ahead in the distance he spotted a boy who appeared to be gathering up the starfish and one by one tossing them back into the ocean. He approached the boy and asked him why he was spending so much energy doing what seemed to be a waste of time. The boy replied, “If these starfish are left out here like this they will bake in the sun, and by this afternoon they will all be dead.” The old man gazed out as far as he could see and responded, “But, there must be hundreds of miles of beach and thousands of starfish. You can’t possibly rescue all of them. What difference is throwing a few back going to make anyway?” The boy then held up the starfish he had in his hand, threw it into the ocean and replied, “It made a difference to that one.” Adapted from “The Star Thrower” By: Loren Eisele