COMMITTEES and ORGANIZATIONS

Buildings and Grounds Committee — The Buildings and Grounds Committee of St. Rose of Lima Parish oversees building projects and renovations under the direction of the Pastor and the Parish Business Manager. The committee periodically reviews each building and property to determine what repairs and preventive maintenance needs to be performed. The advise and expertise of the committee members makes it possible to keep the properties, Church, Chapel, School and other parish buildings in good condition for the benefit of the whole parish community. Parishioners with special expertise in these matters are asked to make their talents known to the committee.

Catholic Daughters of America - The Catholic Daughters are the largest Catholic women’s group in the world. Their motto is “Unity and Charity.” The purpose of this organization is to participate in the religious, charitable, and educational Apostolates of the Church. The members engage in creative and spiritual programs, which provide its members with the opportunity to develop their God-given talents in meaningful ways that positively influence the welfare of the Church and all people throughout the world. Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives to embrace the principal of faith through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all. The Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Daughters provide many volunteer services, enjoy social events for the benefit of those in need, and foster the spiritual growth of their members. The women who participate in this organization form strong and lasting friendships among themselves and their families, as they pray together, work together and socialize together. Catholic women who are eighteen years or older are eligible to be members. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 70 East Main Street, Freehold, New Jersey at 7:00 PM.

Choirs
Adult Choir — The Adult Choir sings in four parts (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) at the 9:45 AM Mass on Sunday. The Adult Choir sings anthems according to the readings of the day. In addition to regularly scheduled Masses, the Choir sings on Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Confirmation. Choir practices are held on Wednesday or Thursday from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the Church choir loft. New members, especially men, are always welcome.

Children’s Choir — Our Children’s Choir is open to fourth through eighth
grade students of the parish. The Children’s Choir sings six times a year and at Christmas. Their repertoire has been expanded to include selections from “Hi, God!” and “Children’s Songs For Worship.” All children are encouraged to join the Children’s Choir. Practices are held on Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 to 5:00 PM in the Chapel. 

Angels Choir — Our Angels Choir is open to first& second grade students.    The Angels Choir sings twice a year on Christmas Eve and on Mother’s Day.    If your child or grandchild likes to sing, please encourage them to come and sing in the Angels Choir.  Practices are held Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM in the Chapel. The Angel Choir starts in November and continues until Christmas and again from April until Mother's Day. 

Adult Hand Bell Choir — Our Hand Bell Choir consists of high school students and adults who have developed their skills and learned the proper bell ringing techniques. The Hand Bell Choir plays approximately once a month during the Chapel Masses and for special occasions. New members are always welcome. Practices are held Tuesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM in the Chapel.

Junior Hand Bell Choir — Our Junior Hand Bell Choir consists of fourth through eighth grade students who wish to learn proper hand bell techniques and skills. No prior knowledge of hand bells is required. Juniors are taught an appropriate repertoire to match their skills and ensure their movement up to the Adult Hand Bell Choir. Practices are held on Wednesdays from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM in the Chapel.

Hospitality Committee — Through the year there are events that call for refreshments to enhance community spirit. On a Sunday morning or after an evening event it is good for people to gather together for conversation. Setting up refreshments for these events takes planning and volunteers. A group of interested parishioners is needed to assist with planning and encouraging volunteers to participate in providing the refreshments that will bring people together. Please call Sr. Claire if you are interested in forming or helping with this committee.

Knights of Columbus — The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization, Catholic in nature, whose membership includes men 18 years of age or older in good standing with the Church. The Knights, along with their families, derive a great sense of satisfaction from being able to develop lasting friendships with each other.  The Knights offer a variety of social, educational recreational, charitable and religious activities. They sponsor, through the State Council, a variety of activities for school children. They also sponsor various fundraisers to support a host of organizations. Joining the Knights for their fourth Sunday of the month breakfast buffet is a great way to get to know the Knights and their families. All eligible men interested in information about becoming a Knight are invited to contact the Membership Chairperson. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 8:00 PM in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 70 East Main Street, Freehold, New Jersey.

Legion of Mary — The Legion of Mary is a worldwide lay apostolate under the leadership of Mary, their Queen and Leader dedicated to the church's mission of evangelization through service.  The apostolic work done for our parish is Eucharistic and pastoral visits to senior citizens and disabled persons who are unable to attend Mass. Visits are made to nursing homes, residential care facilities, hospitals and private homes. All active work is done under the guidance of the pastor. Meetings are held each Monday at 9:00 AM in the Parish Center. Anyone with a devotion to Mary, a willingness to devote two hours to apostolic work each week and can attend the weekly meeting, please call the contact person for more information.

MOMS Group — MOMS is an acronym for Ministry of Mothers Sharing. It is a spiritual support and fellowship group for Catholic mothers with young children. Its goal is to encourage women in their vocation as mothers and growth in their relationship with God and one another. Each gathering provides a spirit-filled space for prayer, teaching, reflection, sharing and peace. The MOMS Group gathers on the a few Fridays of each month from September to June at 9:15 AM in the St. Rose Parish Center. Children who accompany their moms have space and time to play. All moms are welcome to join the group whenever they are gathering. Pre-registration is necessary. For more information, please call the contact person.

Respect Life Committee — This committee provides an educational focus for the parish pertaining to pro-life issues concerning the unborn, the aged, the infirmed and the physically challenged. Members proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must respect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.  Typical activities include providing educational literature and programs for the parish community, as well as assisting pro-life organizations, such as Birthright and the Trenton Diocese Office of Family Life. Anyone with an open mind and willing spirit concerning the respect for life cause may participate in Respect Life activities.  The group usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Parish Center. For more information, please call the Respect Life Coordinator.

Rosary Altar Society — The primary purpose of the Rosary Altar Society is to praise and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and to secure her patronage by the recitation of the Rosary for the spiritual benefit of all the members throughout the world. Entrusted with the care of the altar, their duty is to provide and maintain a suitable dwelling place for Our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Rosary Society is both spiritual and social.  The only obligation of the members is to recite the complete Rosary once a week, to attend meetings and to receive Holy Communion together at specified times. The meetings are held in the Parish Center at 7:00PM on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin with the recitation of the rosary and benediction, followed by a short business meeting or guest speaker. As an extension of their prayer, members of the Rosary Altar Society offer services to the parish community, in particular, caring for the linens used for our liturgies. Women, eighteen years or older, who are interested in membership information should call the contact person.

Scouting

Scouting Programs — St. Rose of Lima Church sponsors Cub Scout Packs, a Boy Scout Troop, a co-ed Venture Crew, Daisy, Brownie and Girl Scout Troops. The primary purpose of scouting is to help our youth be prepared for life and have fun. Scouting provides an effective program designed to build desirable qualities of character, citizenship, leadership and moral and personal fitness.

Coed Venture Crew 18 — Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens. Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of vocation or hobby interests. The group meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center on Throckmorton Street. Young men and women that are fourteen years old are eligible to join the crew.

Boy Scout Troop 18 meets every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM in the Parish Center on Throckmorton Street. Boys that are eleven years old or have completed the fifth grade are eligible to join the troop.

  Cub Scout Pack 18 meets the second Friday of each month in the school cafeteria. Boys that are seven years old and have completed the first grade are eligible to join the pack.

  Please call the contact persons for more information on the Boy Scouting Programs or the Venture Crew Program.

  Girl Scouts - Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouting in the United States in 1912. It has become the largest voluntary organization in the world for girls. Our parish recognizes the importance of scouting in the lives of its youth. The program here emphasizes four goals: developing self-potential, relating to others, developing values and contributing to our society. Girls in kindergarten may join Daisy Troops, grades first through third join Brownie Troops, grades fourth through sixth join Junior Troops and seventh and eighth may join Cadets Scouts. All the troops operate on the principle that girls grow and learn through experiences that involve making decisions and discoveries for themselves. There are several troop leaders for each age level and meetings are scheduled weekly throughout the school year. For more information, please contact the St. Rose of Lima School Liaison for Freehold Service Unit.

Welcoming Committee — When new members register at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, they are contacted by a parishioner who offers any assistance the new members may need in order to begin feeling at home here. Welcoming new members into the parish community also gives new parishioners an opportunity to know how they can become active in parish life. If you would like to become a welcoming member of our parish community, please call the Parish Office.

Youth Ministry — In accord with the United States Council of Catholic Bishops 1997 document, Renewing the Vision, St. Rose of Lima Youth Ministry strives to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus in the world, to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community, and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. To that end, St. Rose of Lima Youth Ministry offers a variety of spiritual, formational, service and social activities and programs throughout the year. A Core Team of high school teens collaborates with a Core Team of adults to plan and execute a calendar of events each year including regularly scheduled monthly meetings open to all high school teens, Living Stations of the Cross, Service to the Suffering, a diocesan sponsored service program held annually, the NJ Catholic Youth Rally at Great Adventure, retreat days, and trips. Parent/family participation is invited and encouraged.