God calls each of us to love and serve others in our day-to-day, right where we are. That call will look different for each of us – maybe He is calling you to serve your family members (a child, a parent, or grandparents), maybe He is calling you to serve your neighbors, or maybe He is calling you to serve in the greater community. When we take the time to pray and ask the Lord how we can serve Him, he will always respond. Ask the Lord how and where He wants you to serve. Consider praying with the following scripture to help you discern: Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 34-40
Join us on October 6th at St. Bartholomew’s Church for our Socks & Gloves Collection! Help us keep our community warm by donating new items with tags, benefiting the guests of St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen Sunday Dinner Program.
St. Bartholomew’s Mom’s Group Ministry will be collecting diapers and toiletry items for The Mercy House, a non-profit organization supporting families in need. A drop-off area will be set up at the church on October 20th to collect donations.
All are welcome to join us as we offer the gift of our time at the Community Food Bank in Hillside, NJ. The Community Outreach Ministry is looking for volunteers 12 years of age or older. The gift of your time to help those in dire need of food will make a difference in their lives. It is a very rewarding and inspirational experience!
What will volunteers be doing?
Our volunteers have worked on an assembly line to help fill boxes with needed food items. We also break down boxes by emptying contents inside so that foods can be sorted. In the pasta room we have filled hundreds of ziploc bags with pasta. Everything we do at the CFG gets distributed to our seniors, needy families that are struggling, food pantries that can't keep up with the demand and soup kitchens throughout New Jersey.
Who can participate?
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. At this time, even though the mandate has been lifted, masks will still be required as per the request of the CFB.
How do I sign up or learn more?
Please contact Viv Del Prete at 908-322-6912, or email [email protected].
Food Pantry News - the pantry is low on certain items as we continue to serve many in our community that are in need of help. Please help us stock the shelves with jarred or canned ready-to-use tomato sauce, coffee, cereal, canned fruit, body wash, snacks (cookies/crackers), Juice, Taco Kits, paper products such as individually wrapped toilet paper, individually wrapped paper towels, napkins and tissue.
Just buy a few extra things when shopping and drop off in the basket in front of the rectory any time. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Updated 9/20/24