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A ministry formed to feed the needy in the diocese that ended in 2018 is still helping people through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM).
In the Ordination Rite of Deacons, the bishop prays the following prayer. “Oh God, who taught your ministers of the Church to seek not to be served but to serve their brothers and sisters.” That prayer solidifies the ministry of service as a major pillar in the ministry of all deacons.
With that service objective in mind, Deacon Samuel J. Costantino, now retired but then serving at Good Shepherd Parish, Hopelawn, founded the “Deacons’ Table” Soup Kitchen in 2013. It began serving dinners to the needy in the basement of Holy Spirit worship site, Perth Amboy, in 2014.
With the help of a nucleus of devoted deacons and wives, the Deacons’ Table provided meals on Wednesday evenings at Holy Spirit before moving to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary worship site in 2015.
From 2014 to 2018, the Deacons’ Table served about 11,000 meals that consisted of salad with tomatoes; pastas such as ziti, penne or fusilli with meatballs or sausage; various cakes and pies for dessert, coffee/tea and candies.
In addition, several stores provided an assortment of breads and bagels for the guests to take home. Deacon Peter Barcellona, who exercises his ministry at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading, was responsible for providing most of these menu items.
One evening, a woman approached Deacon Costantino and said, “Deacon Sam, I am alone every night of the week and I am happy all of you are here to give me an opportunity to socialize with other people.”
It was then he realized that the “fellowship” experience for many of the guests was as important as the meal they were providing.
The funding to support the financial needs of the Deacons' Table came directly from the Diocese of Metuchen, Catholic Relief Services, deacon community, members of various parishes, local government agencies and corporations.
After the Deacons’ Table closed in 2018, some of the money remaining in the account was used to help several deacon families and some charitable organizations.
The arrival of the coronavirus pandemic or COVID-19 prompted additional challenges for the needy in the diocese. Because of that, Deacon Costantino directed the diocesan Finance Department to terminate the Deacons’ Table account and issue a check to Catholic Charities for $4,429.28 to be used where they think it is most needed.
“We serve the most vulnerable among us,” said Julio Coto, acting executive director, CCDOM. “Families, who struggled prior to the COVID-19 crisis, are even more vulnerable now. Through its donation, the Deacons’ Table will continue to serve and unite its community in love and service through food insecurity programs provided by Catholic Charities throughout the Diocese of Metuchen.”
