Social Outreach in the Parishes during the Pandemic

Today, as we contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Metuchen are providing light in the darkness for their parish communities.   Now, more than ever before, parishes are playing an integral role in the corporal, spiritual, moral and psychological fabric of their people.  Thankfully, the “parish,” which is defined as the stable community of the faithful, is able to provide calm and stability in a time of fear and uncertainty.  

Fr. Hank Hilton, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Hillsborough says, “God is moving and shaking, even more than usual, in the hearts of our extraordinary staff members and God is at work in our parishioners, clearly.”  Fr. Hank explains that the social outreach at St. Joe’s emphasizes three areas: Prayer, Service and Community-Building which corresponds to our Baptismal anointing to remain “forever a member of Christ who is Priest, Prophet and King.”
 
Prayer:  While the live-streaming of Masses, praying of the rosary and other services has been a true blessing for a large number of parishioners, especially during this Easter season, many senior citizens do not have access to a computer or iphone.  “Prayer Pals” is a program at St. Joseph’s which connects these folks with someone who can help them join the services over the phone by placing their own phone next to the computer. Parishioners have also organized a  Rosary Collection for those who are hospitalized.  Rosaries are donated at a drop off location in the church parking lot and then sanitized before being delivered to nurses who will then distribute them.  

St. Joe’s is one of many parishes who now include a  Litany of Front-Line Workers and Stricken People at the end of every Mass. Daily prayer requests are accepted for those working as front line nurses, doctors, EMTs, and for those who have contracted the virus. Each name is read aloud and the virtual congregation replies “Lord Hear Our Prayer.”
Service:  In addition to prayer initiatives, St. Joe’s has come up with creative ways to serve their parish family, including,  “Greetings for the Quarantined.”  Over the past few weeks, over 400 handmade cards were delivered to those people who are isolated in the three local nursing homes.  Each card included an invitation to continue a relationship with the parish as circumstances allow.  

Jeanine Cavanagh, social ministry director at Immaculate Conception (IC) Parish in Somerville, reports that the week prior to the “shelter-in-place” order, parishioners donated over 250 trays of frozen ziti for their  “Ziti for the Needy” program and other food donations helped to pack their parish food pantry.  Thankfully, this surplus has helped to feed those in desperate need during the last few weeks. Another service program at IC is the  St. Joseph Ministry which involves the youth of the parish helping the elderly by doing chores around the house, like taking out the trash or gardening.
St. Andrew’s Parish in Avenel is one of a number of parishes who have developed a  “No Contact Shopping” program.  At St. Andrew’s, parishioners and others can pick up a $20. bag of produce in the church parking lot on designated days, an effort which helps those who want to avoid the large supermarkets and also supports local farmers.

Community-building can be challenging during a pandemic, however, solidarity is needed now more than ever before. At St. Joe’s,  “ Phone Checkers” volunteer their time to regularly call a list of about 200 parishioners to see if they need anything or just want to chat during lonely days.   Also, in a gesture of solidarity for families who are losing loved ones, whether to the virus or to other illnesses, and cannot have funerals, St. Joseph Parish is helping with  Consolation Meals. In order to help express their concern for the bereaved, the parish has arranged a deal with a local caterer to provide each household with some prepared meals.  At St. Ambrose Parish in Old Bridge,  personal notes are mailed out to all those who contact the parish with prayer requests, special donations and/or words of encouragement for the parish priests and staff.  All of these efforts have led to amazing connections and, hopefully, lasting relationships.

As members of the Body of Christ, we, the lay faithful, along with our priests, are called at our Baptism to go and serve Christ wherever life takes us.  We now find ourselves in a global pandemic. When we look inside our parishes, however, it is clear that parishioners, equipped with faith and grace, are stepping up by offering themselves and their gifts to bring Christ to their families, their towns and to the wider culture.  As He continues to call us to holiness, God is also working in our mission at this troubled time, offering renewal and new life when and where it is most needed.