ADULT MINISTRIES
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) introduces adults to the Catholic faith and tradition and serves as preparation for receiving the Sacraments or becoming Catholic. The OCIA process is one of study, exploration, faith sharing and faith formation. Whether you are ready to complete the Sacraments of Initiation, or simply wish to learn more about the Catholic life and faith, we welcome you to OCIA. Contact Jim and Susan Choma at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information or click here to learn more.
Cornerstone Retreats
Cornerstone is a 24hr. weekend retreat where you will spend time in a relaxed atmosphere with other women or men of faith to hear stories and testimonies from our leadership teams, form and grow friendships, multiply your joys and divide your sorrows. Most of all, it’s an opportunity to be spiritually uplifted and to revitalize your relationship with God! Click here for Women's Cornerstone and here for Men's Cornerstone.
Marriage Skills & Enrichment
We host a six-week marriage enrichment initiative to accompany couples in developing key marital skills and proven strategies that will enrich their marriage. Each skill is founded on best practices developed by renowned marital counselors. Whether you have been married for six months or fifty years, these sessions are meant for you!
Mom's Group
St. Bart's Moms' Group is for moms of all ages to grow in faith through education, fellowship, and service. We meet once a month to support each other in motherhood and faith. We understand the demands of a mom's schedule and we strive to make Moms' Group a refuge - not one more thing on your to-do list! For more information, contact Brooke Hamel at [email protected].
Womens Prayer Group
All women are invited to come together for prayer, discussion, and coffee as they explore the Sunday Scriptures. Women’s Prayer Group meets on the first Saturday of the month (typically October-June). Contact Joanne Guarnuccio at [email protected].
Prime Timers (Seniors Group)
Seniors and Grandparents of the St. Bartholomew community are welcome to join us for fellowship and formation. Our current ongoing event is our First Friday Mass and Luncheon - join us for Mass at 11AM followed by lunch and a guest speaker. Please click here for updates on Prime Timers events.
Parish Life
We offer a wide range of social opportunities that fosters fellowship among parishioners of all ages! With everything from monthly coffee socials after Sunday Mass, Easter Egg hunts, Valentine's Day Dances to Country Night with a live band, come be a part of a group that enjoys what they do and each other! Contact us at [email protected].
Young Adults Group
Our mission is to establish a place of belonging for young adults in the Church and to pursue continued growth in discipleship through community prayer, sacraments, and service. We welcome young adults age 21-35. Visit the Young Adults page here for upcoming opportunities.
Knights of Columbus
Our mission is to empower Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work and in their community through prayer, service and fellowship. Contact John at [email protected].
Bereavement Support Group
You matter: St Bartholomew Church offers a Bereavement Support Group for those who have lost a love one. Visit our Bereavement Support group page for information on upcoming events.
Separated or Divorced Support Group
St. Bartholomew Church has partnered with the Church of the Little Flower in Berkeley Heights to start our Divorced and Separated support group. Find comfort, hope, and healing before, during and after divorce. Contact [email protected].
LGBTQ+ Faith-Sharing Group
To build a more welcoming Church and discern how we can best welcome and walk with our LGBTQ+ brother and sisters we are offering bible study groups for LGBTQ youth. Visit our LGBTQ Ministry page for more information on upcoming events.
St. Bart's Food Pantry
The St. Bartholomew Food Pantry offers many ways to lend your time. You can assist with stocking the shelves, or aide in the distribution of the goods to families in need, or you can donate non-parishable food items to our stock. All you need is a desire to help those in need. Our Food Pantry has been in existence for over 30 years and helps families and individuals in our community who need assistance. Contact Patti Vignola at [email protected].
Community Food Bank of NJ
Everything we do at the CFB gets distributed to seniors, needy families that are struggling, food pantries that can't keep up with the demand and soup kitchens throughout New Jersey. Anyone 12 years or older is welcome to join. This is a very rewarding, uplifting experience and also an opportunity to meet your fellow parishioners. Contact Viv Del Prete at [email protected].
St. Mary's Soup Kitchen
On the 4th Sunday of every month, there is an opportunity to help out at a Soup Kitchen nearby. St. Bartholomew the Apostle partners with St. Mary's of Plainfield by staffing their soup kitchen on the 4th Sunday of every month. No experience is necessary to help out. This ministry is open to teens and adults alike. Contact Bob Giordanella at [email protected].
Prayer Shawls
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is open to teens and adults alike. The crafty members of this ministry work hard to knit or crochet prayer shawls, lap covers, and scarves for those in need of comfort and solace. No experience needed, as the members of the ministry will be happy to teach you how to knit! Contact Maureen Reilly at [email protected].
More Opportunities
We organize various collections, service projects and other opportunities throughout the year to give back. Check the bulletin or website (stbnj.org/outreach) for upcoming opportunities, or contact Richard Scannell at [email protected].
Emmaus Family Faith Formation
The Emmaus initiative for PreK to sixth grade families seeks to foster an encounter with God, connect you with other families, and empower you with skills to strengthen your family life. Each session begins with Mass, followed by sessions for children and parents that will explore different aspects of our faith and how to live it out, and conclude with a family activity. Click here for more information,
Noah's Ark Family Ministry
This group provides young families opportunities to grow their faith, connect with the parish, and help adults with their vocation as parents. Click here to visit the Noah's Ark webpage for information on upcoming events.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
CLOW assists all 6 to 9-year-olds during the 10:30AM Mass to encounter Jesus through the Word of God. The Sunday Mass readings of the day are read and a team of teachers lead music, activities and discussions that guide children in receiving the Gospel message at their level of understanding. No registration is required - children will be gathered at the beginning of the 10:30AM Mass just after the opening prayer. CLOW usually runs during the months of September through May.
Pray & Play
Pray and Play is a wonderful experience for preschoolers and kindergartners ages 3 to 5. Children should be dropped off in Room B1 in the parish school hallway just prior to the 10:30AM Mass. Here they will play, sing songs and enjoy other fun activities while they hear the Gospel at their level of understanding. No registration is required. CLOW usually runs during the months of September through May.
Joyful Sound Children's Choir
Joyful Sound Choir is open to all children of the parish of reading age and above. We will meet for practice every other Tuesday at 3:45PM in the Church and sing at one 10:30AM Sunday Mass each month, as well as various special occasions throughout the year. Contact Brooke Hamel for more information at [email protected].
High School Youth Group
St. Bartholomew Youth Group is open to all 9th through 12th graders in the Scotch Plains area. We usually meet weekly on Sunday evenings at St. Bartholomew Church to share fellowship, serve our community, grow in our faith, and have fun! All high schoolers are welcome, so feel free to come and bring a friend along! Contact Elizabeth DeAngelo at [email protected] or click here for more information on upcoming events.
Ignite Confirmation
Our Ignite Confirmation preparation initiative helps young people identify how the Spirit is at work in our lives and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. through learning, sharing, serving, fellowship, spiritual growth, and fun! Confirmation is a two-year process open to anyone in 7th grade or older. Contact our Confirmation Director, Carla Kelly, at [email protected] or (908) 322-5192 ext. 146 or click here for more information.
For all Liturgical Ministries, please reach out to Fr. Matthew Gonzalez at [email protected] with any questions or to sign up.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay people who, after having received special training, serve the parish by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. Some EM's may also be trained to bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound.
Lectors of the Word
Lectors are specially trained laypeople who come forth from the assembly each week during Mass not just to read but to proclaim God’s Word in the readings from the Sacred Scripture. Lectors should have a clear voice and be comfortable with public speaking.
Ministers of Hospitality
Ministers of Hospitality offer a friendly welcome to those who come through our doors on Sunday. They assist in creating a welcoming and well-ordered environment within the Church, assisting parishioners with seating, taking up the collection at Mass and other tasks as needed.
Choir
Our adult choir sings at the 10:30AM Mass each Sunday, September through June. Though it’s helpful to be able to read music and have a knowledge of your voice range, singers at all levels are welcome to join. Members must be able to attend weekly rehearsals and Sunday Mass. Contact Paul Milan at [email protected] with any questions.
Altar Servers
We invite and encourage all young people in grades 4 and above to join our Altar Server Ministry. As an altar server, you are serving God at the altar to make our worship at Mass more beautiful, prayerful and reverent. Contact Fr. Matt at [email protected].
The St. Bartholomew Pastoral Council invites and assists our parish in co-responsibly handing on the mission of Christ throughout our local parish community. The Pastoral Council are laypeople who help their fellow parishioners answer their baptismal call, while at the same time forming its members into active witnesses for the entire community. They foster collaboration and cohesion among the entire parish community. Ultimately, the pastor is responsible for the parish, but it takes all the faithful to accomplish the parish’s mission and drive the parish’s vision forward.
Our Pastoral Council is here to help! Members of the Pastoral Council can often be found in the Narthex before and after Sunday Mass. Stop by the Welcome Desk and say hello, or let us know if you have any questions about the parish and getting involved - we're happy to point you in the right direction!
Meet the Pastoral Council