Pastoral ministry provides assistance for families

EAST BRUNSWICK — Thanks to the support of the faithful for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, which funds Catholic Charities, individuals and families can turn to its Office of Parish Social Ministry for help with basic needs such as food, rent or utilities.

As director of the office, Maria Hunter’s main responsibility is to keep Catholic Charities’ services connected to parishes in the diocese, which can contact her to assist someone with a basic need.

“It is such a wonderful ministry because I work with so many dedicated men and women in Parish Social Ministry and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and we can help more by our collaboration,” Hunter said, adding, “I tell the bishop [James F. Checchio], ‘The Church is alive and well in this diocese because people are really dedicated to charity, to helping people in need.’”

The Office of Parish Ministry provides resources, referrals and case management when pastors, clergy, parish social ministers and members of Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences contact it. All have the program’s mobile phone number — (732) 387-1315 — that is available to parishes every hour of every day.

According to Hunter, the Diocesan Emergency Assistance Program (DEAP), funded by the “Together in Charity” collection taken every January, provided assistance to 323 households (with 505 adults and 424 children) in the amount of $155,685.62 the during fiscal year 2020 (July 1 to June 30).

Referrals for assistance came from 44 of the 90 parishes in the diocese. Recipients are kept in a database so Hunter will be able to tell a parish if they have been served. She said that funds are spent in a fair and prudent manner. For instance, when rent is needed, the name of the landlord and address are always verified.   

The Office of Parish Social Ministry provides opportunities for members of the parish to encounter those in need of help — directly. “It makes a difference when you see the face of someone in need and look into their eyes.” Hunter said.

“Social Ministry is different than social service agencies since we strive to help people in a pastoral way. Even if we can’t help with the money they need, we follow Catholic Social Teaching: treat every person with dignity and respect. Every person is a child of God and you realize — they are our brothers and sisters. I don’t use the word client,” she added.

Hunter said she is encouraged by the diocese’s recent creation of the Secretariat for Charity, which is intended to uphold the vision and integrate the Church’s essential mission of charity in all that it does. “It is good because it brings us together in one group. We could really work together and collaborate,” she said.

This ministry also helps evangelize because it serves people of all faiths. Recently, she read something she thinks is important to remember when serving others, “We are living proof of a living God.”

“We need to offer time or at least offer an ear,” she continued. “Sometimes I will say to someone calling for help that sounds so much in need, ‘I don’t know if you pray,’ and if they say, ‘yes,’ I tell them, ‘God is with you. Just say a prayer. Ask Him for help.’”

She noted that she has been inspired while reading Pope Francis’ book, “Fratelli Tutti.” In it, he speaks of a culture of encounter as a common goal, encourages people to be fearless in the ways they look beyond themselves to the needs of others. The pope wrote: “Faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others.”

“I think of the Office of Parish Social Ministry as a pastoral care office of Catholic Charities,” Hunter said. “I am so happy when parish staff members call me and say, ‘Maria, we have this situation,’ because they know I am connected with all the parishes, which connects us to all the services in those towns.”

For information or to contact the Office of Parish Social Ministry, visit the website CCDOM.org