Ministries « Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish

Ministries

Ministry Feel the joy of being involved in St. Matthew’s community by participating in one of our Ministries. There really is something for everyone. From behind the scenes setup and decorating with the environmental committee, to being an Usher or Lector. There are so many wonderful people that make our Parish a great place to worship and grow. Come and join us.

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Parish Choir Member’s Page

History

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Unemployment & Poverty

“In our Catholic parishes, schools, charities, hospitals and other ministries, the poor, the underemployed and the unemployed are not issues, but people with names and faces. It is an essential part of our work as Catholics to build a more just society and economy. We feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate the young, welcome refugees and care for the sick and vulnerable. The Church serves and stands in solidarity with those who are poor and jobless, helping them break the cycle of poverty and act on behalf of their own families and communities. We will continue to urge our leaders to assist and protect the poor and jobless as they seek to promote economic growth and fiscal responsibility. The Catholic community will strengthen our work with others to address the economic, family, social and other factors which contribute to widespread poverty.” Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Sept. 15, 2011 Letter to Bishops on Economic Situation

USCCB Resources. Justice, Peace & Human Development

The Deficit “Super Committee” and Protecting the Poor at Home and Abroad

Bishops letter to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Supercommittee”)

2011 Labor Day Statement

USCCB Report on the Debt Ceiling Debate

Primer on Labor in Catholic Social Thought

Catholic Framework for Economic Life

A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God’s Children

A Pastoral Reflection of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Government Resources

US Census Bureau 2010 Poverty Report

- Official Press Release (Executive Summary). . .

Local Poverty Data from the American Community Survey. . .

- Enter a location on in the search bar on the right

Click Narrative Profile to download a summary of statistics

National Monthly Unemployment Report. . .

Nonprofit and Faith-based Resources

Circle of Protection. . .

Faith Advocates for Jobs. . .

Catholic News Service article on Poverty Report

Poverty USA (Catholic Campaign for Human Development)

Fighting Poverty with Faith (Catholic Charities USA)

Help Operation Backpack

St. Matthew’s parish youth will begin our annual Operation Backpack service project to help very needy families of Haiti receive school supplies for their children. We will begin collecting new school supplies after all the masses and at all the Religious Education classes now through mid-October. We are specifically asking for the following items: SCHOOL SUPPLIES- backpacks, note books, spiral or black marble, pens, pencils, and scientific calculators. These items will be sent along with our food drive donations to Haiti this fall. As you are shopping back to school with your own children, please consider purchasing a few extra items for those in need. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Watch your e-mails and the bulletin boards for reminders. Please e-mail Kathe Naddaff at knaddaff@optonline.net with any questions.

Samaritan Programs

5th Wednesday Meal – Cooking and serving food to the homeless at Trinity Lutheran Soup Kitchen in Dover about four or five times per year.

Food Pantry – Food drive the first weekend of every month at all masses and religious education classes. Food is distributed in Morris County.

The Giving Tree – An annual Christmas tree set up in the Gathering Space with gift tags for those in need. Gifts go to various social services.

Haiti Relief – An annual food and supplies drive held with four other churches. Everything is shipped to the Missionaries of the Poor in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

Interfaith Furnishings – In cooperation with ten churches and Catholic Charities four times a year a furniture delivery service located in Randolph for those in need in Morris County.

JT’s Kitchen – Cooking and delivering food to the homeless in Dover on the second Tuesday

Meals On Wheels – A meal delivery service to the elderly and infirmed in Randolph every Friday.

Mississippi Clothing Drive – An annual clothing and supplies drive with Resurrection Parish. Everything is delivered to St. Anne’s Parish in Carthage, MS.

New Orleans Reconstruction – A collaboration with Resurrection Parish and Episcopalian Ministries – a one week service trip to rebuild homes in areas destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Thanksgiving Turkeys – An annual cooking and delivery of turkeys and pies for the homeless at Trinity Lutheran Soup Kitchen in Dover on Thanksgiving Day.

Want to be an Alter Server?

Children ten and older and who have made their First Communion are invited to join us in this special ministry. A minimum of three one hour training sessions are required before serving. Altar Serving is a wonderful way to participate in the Mass and serve our Lord and our Parish. Please contact the office for more information

St. Matthew’s “Hope Builders” complete Kentucky mission!

St. Matthew's Hope Builders arrive in Kentucky!

A group of more than 40 teens and adults from St. Matthew’s recently completed a mission trip to rural Kentucky where they spent 5 days with the local “Good Neighbors” ministry completing various home repairs for local residents. The mission was funded through the fund raising efforts of the teens who also paid their own expense for the trip.

Click here for more photos of their wonderful journey.

Volunteer Locally – Repairs for Seniors

Hope House’s Operation Fix-It program assists elderly, low income homeowners with home safety assessments as well as minor carpentry, masonry, electrical and plumbing home repairs. If you are a skilled handyman and would like to volunteer your time with the Morris County aging population Monday thru Thursday; we would like to meet you. Volunteer hours are flexible within those days and the experience will be rewarding. Give back to your community and show support to the senior population in Morris County! Interested volunteer candidates must be 18 years and older with a valid drivers license and a passion for helping others! Contact Community Support Services (Senior Services Dept.) at 973-361-5555, ext. 130.

Teens Looking for Service Hours

Hope House in Dover is in need of a few people to stuff “Back to School” backpacks during the first and second weeks of August 2011. All supplies and packs will be provided. Please call Kelly Staiger at Hope House 973-361-5555.