Bishop O’Connell wanted someone to serve the diocese and its mission in areas relating to Catholic social services.

So, as Bishop O’Connell’s “point person” in this area, I set out to learn about the ministries in the diocese that address the issues of those in need. The past seven months have been an interesting journey as I began to learn about the outreach that exists in our four counties.  I started with visits to our Catholic agencies and organizations that provide a myriad of services to some of our most vulnerable population.  And while I am still discovering other agencies, organizations and services, I am impressed with the depth and breadth of the services provided by so many agencies and their dedicated staff. Together, they back up and complement the service and outreach done in every parish of our diocese.

Parishes are on the ground level, meeting people where they live their faith and their lives.  Parishes provide not only pastoral service to their parishioners, but they reach out to those in need in whatever way they can.  The way that parish ministry to those in need is organized in our diocese varies, but the mission of service is the same. It is part of our mission as Church to help care for those in need (the corporal works of mercy). We are a Church which uses the talents of parishioners to be innovative in addressing needs, like parishes that developed  programs to help those out of work to “re-tool” their skills and to re-enter the workforce. 

This dimension of our Catholic identity and mission is deeply rooted in our respect for the human dignity of every person. We will always have the poor, the vulnerable and those in need in our midst and it is not possible for any one parish or agency to do everything. As one pastor said to me, “We do so much.  But it is never enough.”

Many parishes collaborate with each other or with other denominations or civic groups to provide for the needs in their town or section of a city.  They also collaborate with and help support our Catholic social service agencies financially, with donations of food or clothing or as volunteers.

We are blessed with agencies that operate as grass roots organizations and have emergency assistance as part of their mission.  But we also have amazingly innovative and professional programs that address needs that are beyond the scope of parish social service.  We have nursing programs that provide services to the frail elderly in their homes; programs that address the nutrition needs of persons with HIV/AIDS; professional counseling services to those suffering from mental illness and/or substance abuse; programs for victims of domestic violence; programs that include shelters, transitional housing and permanent housing for youth, adults and families; job training programs; programs for homeless pregnant women; programs for the immigrant or those seeking legal help with asylum.  We have youth programs that provide pre-school, before and after-care, athletic programs and summer camps.

These are only a few of the extraordinary ways that we as a diocese reach out to serve those in need.  To widen the lens, we as the Diocese of Trenton also join other dioceses in addressing national and international disasters.

I really like the segment on one nightly news program that is titled “Making a Difference.”  They have captured the reality that with all we hear about things that are wrong in our society today, it is also important to see what is good and right.  Hopefully, this snapshot of what I have seen in these past months will encourage us to continue to grow in our awareness of those in need and to do whatever we can to address those needs.  Together we serve!