Visitation of the Sick
Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion meet the needs of those who cannot attend the Mass because of age, illness or infirmity in pastoral care visits and bringing the Blessed Sacrament. In bringing Holy Communion those serving in this ministry represent Christ and manifest faith and charity on behalf of the whole community toward those who cannot be present at the Eucharist. Our ministers bring Holy Communion not only to our homebound parishioners but also to Catholic patients and residents of Care One at Oradell Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. In addition to bringing Holy Communion, as a representative of our parish community, our ministers also bring the prayers, support, care, and concerns of the parishioners to those they visit. For more information, contact Fr. John at [email protected].
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry was formed as part of Saint Joseph Parish social interaction. We are a dedicated group of Lay Ministers who knit and crochet prayer shawls and lap robes which are subsequently blessed. The ministry then provides these items to those who are sick, suffering, or losing hope. Many shawls are distributed in the spring when the parish celebrates the Anointing of the Sick Mass. The prayers of the entire ministry go forward with these gifts so that the recipients are comforted and made aware that they are part of a larger community. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Ministry of Motherhood
This ministry started as a small group of mothers to meet monthly and pray together. It has grown into a larger group where moms support and encourage one another while deepening their personal relationship with God. It is aimed to all mothers (expectant, new, experienced and grandmothers) with opportunities to grow in faith and friendship and to be consistently renewed in the love of Christ. We use our Catholic feasts, seasons, prayers and devotions as gifts to draw us closer to God throughout the year. This is a flexible group, understanding the many demands on mothers today. For more information, contact [email protected].
Respect Life
Recognizing that all human persons are our brothers and sisters, we promote respect and reverence for human life from conception to natural death. We pray the rosary for the voiceless unborn, for their parents and for those who work in the industry as part of the “40 days for Life” campaign, maintaining a prayerful presence outside a local abortuary. Our message is not judgment but the love of Christ and His love for each and every person. We work with the Archdiocese to promote pro-life laws by educating voters and contacting legislators. We provide local pregnancy resource centers with diapers, clothing and other needed items for moms and their babies. In addition, we disseminate information about healing retreats for those who are recovering from an abortion. For more information, contact [email protected]
SPECIAL NOTICE: Please participate in our spiritual adoption prayer journey! Click HERE for more information.
Click here to view and listen to parishioner Dan Young’s beautiful pro-life song: https://youtu.be/euuV5J17o5A
Visit these websites if you’d like to learn more about how to respond to family and friends who are not pro-life:
https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/abortion/respect-for-unborn-human-life
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-catholics-cant-be-pro-choice
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/5-pro-abortion-arguments-and-how-to-beat-them
https://media.ascensionpress.com/video/responding-to-pro-choice-arguments/
Advent Giving Tree
The Giving Tree brings our parish together to help bring the joyous Spirit of Christmas to families in need. In the recent years we have worked with our sister parish, Saint Joseph’s in Jersey City, families supported by Catholic Charities in East Orange, adolescent residents of the Covenant House in Newark, disabled senior residents of the Towers of Linden, and the Several Sources Shelter in Ramsey. Our generous parish helps our Catholic brothers and sisters ranging in age from infants to senior citizens. In the past, we provided wrapped gifts (clothing, boots, books, toys and crafts), but our current focus is gift cards. For more information, email [email protected].
Catholic War Veterans
The Catholic War veterans is a non-profit veterans organization dedicated to nourishing returning veterans in their love of country and their Catholic faith. We are dedicated to a program of united action to promote the wellbeing of all veterans, joining forces with other veteran service organizations whenever and wherever possible, to influence public opinion, promote good laws, and to improve the lot of the veteran, especially those in most need. The CWV offers camaraderie with other veterans and other Catholics to help sustain active duty and veteran members. An applicant for membership in the CWV must be a citizen of the United States of America, a practicing Catholic, and a former, retired, or active duty member of any of the branches of the United States Armed Forces, including their respective Reserve and National Guard components. If someone is not eligible for membership, he or she may qualify for the Auxiliary. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Knights of Columbus
Saint Joseph Council #3814 of the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1954. Our council hosts many activities throughout the year for the church, youth, family and our community. For more information check out our website.
Saint Joseph Care Corner
Saint Joseph Care Corner (SJCC), located in the basement of the Retreat House, provides “Helping Hands for Health and Home” to organizations who require essential household and personal care items not covered by food stamps. Items include: laundry detergent, paper towels, lunch bags, storage bags, paper napkins, shampoo, conditioner, diapers, etc. During the year we collect, stock the SJCC, and distribute. We are always in need of volunteers to work with the surrounding communities to get the word out! For more information, please contact Peg at [email protected].
All donations are greatly appreciated. To donate at any time, please leave your items in the bin marked “SJCC”, which is located on Grand Street behind the church next to the Parish Retreat House. Currently the most needed items are Diapers – sizes 4, 5, 6, & pullups and laundry detergent. Any questions please contact Peg Kohli – [email protected] or 201-391-0224.
For an article about Peg Kohli and her work with SJCC, please click HERE.
it’s all about lending a hand…
Food Drives
Saint Joseph’s has two Food Drives each year providing food for the pantries at:
-Ascension Church, New Milford, NJ
-Father English Food Pantry, Paterson, NJ
Contact: Felecia Braun
E-mail: [email protected]
Eva’s Kitchen
Eva’s Kitchen was founded by Msgr. Puma in 1982 to address homelessness and hunger. Located at 393 Main Street in Paterson, Eva’s Kitchen serves 3 meals a day, every day of the year to those in need. St Joseph’s volunteers help set up, serve lunch, and clean up once a month on a Tuesday. Volunteers ride together from the rectory parking lot in 1-2 cars and the approximate time commitment is 10:30am-1:30pm. For more information, or if you are able to help, please call Tom Kelly at 201-657-4352.
Bereavement
This program is designed to provide healing to those who have lost a loved one through death. It is a safe place where people can share their grief with others. The program lasts 8 weeks with sessions held in the Spring and Fall.
Contact:
John Furhman
E-mail: [email protected]
SJC Office (201) 261-0148
Harrison House
Harrison House in Paramus is a safe and secure home for people living with HIV/AIDS. Our parish donates meals to Harrison House on the first Monday of each month. If you like to cook and would be willing to donate a meal, please reach out to Jane Kiernan at [email protected] to be put on the schedule. Not a cook? We will gratefully accept monetary donations or supermarket gift cards to help offset costs.