St. Patrick Church - Chatham, NJ: Social Ministries

Social Ministries

Advocacy Ministries
Environmental Stewardship Committee
Recognizing that we are each called by God to be stewards of all creation, the Environment Committee strives to educate ourselves, our parish community, and the broader community regarding the interdependence of all living things and how to make informed choices to minimize the adverse impact of our activities on the environment.
Contact: Kathy Abbott 701-1753

Gardening Ministry
Volunteers meet to do annual planting and follow-up maintenance to enhance the parish grounds.
Contact: Nelson Hurt 635-1477

Samaritan Ministries

Forget-Me-Not Weekend (Monthly Food Collection)
Non-perishable food donations are collected at the Parish Center on the first weeked of every month. The St. Patrick Food Pantry supplies food to the Father English Center and our sister parish Our Lady of Victories, both located in Paterson, N.J. Both rely on the generosity of our parish to feed nearly 3,000 people each month. You can help by donating non-perishable food the first weekend of every month and at our special food collections for Thanksgiving and Easter. You can drop off your donation any time on those dates at the Parish Center. These are the collection dates for the rest of 2009. Your generosity is deeply appreciated!

2009 Schedule
April 4th and 5th
May 2nd and 3rd
June 6th and 7th
July 4th and 5th
Aug. 1st and 2nd
Sept. 5th and 6th
Oct. 3rd and 4th
Nov. 7th and 8th
Dec. 5th and 6th

Contact: Patrice Quinn 908-665-2952

Eva's Village
Volunteers prepare chili at home and deliver it to the Parish Center kitchen to be transported to Eva's Village in Paterson. Sign-up sheets are provided in church each month to participatae in this ministry. Don't forget the sign up dates for this summer. These are the weekends to sign up and pick up your pans at church:

The prepared chili needs to be frozen. Please place it in the freezer in the Parish Center on the following dates. No later that 9:30am. Drivers will pick up the chili to bring to Eva's Village by 10am. Thank you for your generosity!
Contact: Lisa Hart 635-0408

Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County
St. Patrick Parish is part of the Interfaith Network for the Homeles which is located at Stanley Congregational Church, Chatham four times each year. We welcome volunteers to provide food, childcare, and presence with the families.
Contact: Rosalie Park - 973-377-6127

Christmas in a Box and the Giving Tree
During Advent an opportunity is provided for individuals and groups within the parish to supply gifts for needy families.

Contact: Pat Mercadante 635-7089

Pastoral Care Ministries

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick
Adults in the community bring the Eucharist to the sick or homebound parishioner of St. Patrick. The Parish community wishes to visit all who are ill, whether at home or in the hospital. Please notify the Parish Office (635-0625) if you would like to have someone prayed for, visited, and/or receive the Eucharist.
Contact: Kay Kaiser 973-635-2781

Bereavement Ministry
This ministry is devoted to the healing process for those who have lost loved ones. Sessions are held throughout the year and information can be found in the parish bulletin.
Contact: Parish Office 635-0625

Ministry of Caring
The caring ministry assists parishioners who are in need of transportation and/or meals due to illness, infirmity, or emergency situations.
Contact: Sr. Margaret 635-0625, ext. 26

Parish Nurse Program
The Parish Nurse Program is a service of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson. This involves prevention of illness, alleviation of suffering, and the promotion of wellness. St. Patrick's has a Parish Nurse program, connected with the Diocese, which serves individuals and families.
Contact: Sr. Margaret 635-0625, ext. 26

Hospitality & Events
Sunday Morning "Meet & Greet"
This social gathering in the Parish Center, held on several Sundays after the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, offers an opportunity meet new parishioners and renew old friendships. Volunteers from varied parish organizations provide the service to make this happen.
Contact: The Parish Office 635-0625

New Parishioners Welcome
Newly registered parishioners are welcomed and invited to meet the parish staff and learn more about our parish. This welcoming event is scheduled at various times throughout the year after a sunday liturgy.
Contact: The Parish Office 635-0625

Parish Picnic
The Pastoral Council sponsors this annual event, usually held in the fall season. The picnic provides an opportunity for the entire parish and our sister parish, Our Lady of Victories, to gather informally for an afternoon of fun and relaxation for children and adults.
Contact: Parish Office 635-0625

Volunteer Thank You Event
Annually the parish staff invites the many, many people who have assisted with our parish ministries to an evening social event which includes a "wine and hors d'oeuvres" hour and a catered dinner.
Contact: Any member of the Parish Staff

St. Patrick's Day Celebration
One of the ways we celebrate our parish patron, Saint Patrick, is through an annual event such as an "Irish Breakfast" or an evening celebration -- of course, featuring the "lilt of Irish laughter!"
Contact: - 635-0625