OUTREACH

Annulment Advocates — Annulment Advocates — The process for declaring a marriage null can be very difficult and confusing for a divorced Catholic, while the hurt and pain associated with it is overwhelming at times. Thus, our diocese provides an opportunity for healing and support through the Annulment Advocate Program, in which committed persons are trained to assist in the process. They help the petitioner in preparing appropriate materials and paperwork, and provide continuing support until the case is resolved. Individuals seeking information regarding the marriage annulment process or anyone wishing to become an annulment advocate should contact the Parish Office.

Baptismal Bibs Ministry — Saint Rose of Lima Parish community is fortunate to have many Baptisms each year. As part of the Baptismal ceremony each child is presented with a white garment. Women of the parish generously use their sewing talents to make the white garments in the form of a bib that becomes a keepsake for the child. This is a service that always needs more hands. If you sew and have some time to participate in this beautiful activity, please contact the coordinator. The pattern and material are provided and you can work at your own pace. 

Family Fellowship — This organization consists of men and women who want their families to be more involved in Christian service projects. The group strives to help support and enhance quality parish life. Today there are so many needy people. The Family Fellowship members are committed to reaching out to people and offering their support. As a special project during Advent, they provide a tree with ornaments describing Christmas gifts parishioners may donate for families in need. They also sponsor a baby shower in May to collect items for pregnant mothers who are in need of support. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information, please contact the chairperson.

Haiti Sister Parish Committee — St. Rose of Lima Parish companions a parish in Fond Pierre, Haiti, by way of a dedicated group of men and women who work together to educate our parishioners to understand the needs of the Haitian parishioners who live in one of the poorest nations in our hemisphere. Our twinning relationship has focused on keeping the schools in Fond Pierre functioning by collecting school supplies and supplementing the teacher’s salaries. The seeds of this parish’s generosity have helped to provide a working well, a parish center and the first primary education graduation. Some of the projects the committee undertakes are the annual collections of school supplies, medications, school supplies, other sundries and the Coffee House for Haiti fundraiser. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month in the teacher’s lounge of the School at 7:30 PM. Anyone is welcome to join this group at any time.

Hospital and Homebound Ministry — Teams of volunteer Extraordinary Ministers take communion to the Catholic patients at Centra State Hospital each Friday morning. Individual Extraordinary Ministers also volunteer to take communion to our homebound parishioners. Extraordinary Ministers are invited to consider this ministry. You may choose to take communion to a homebound person or join one of the volunteer teams that go to the hospital. Perhaps a one-year commitment to this ministry may enrich your service as a Extraordinary Minister. Please call the contact person for more information.

Parish Nurses — St. Rose of Lima Parish Nurses are a group of dedicated nurses who have joined together to assist in caring for the health and welfare of our community. The Parish Nurses assess the needs of the congregation to facilitate holistic health within the community and act as health resources. Parish Nurses are not expected to provide patient care. They are a source of referrals for services available in the community. Our Parish Nurses have become active in the community in a variety of ways, in particular, offering their services to the residents of Hudson Manor and hold a Blood Drive each Spring. They meet in the Parish Center on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. If you are a registered nurse and would like to offer your services, please contact the coordinator of Parish Nurses.

Prison Ministry — Mass is celebrated twice a week at the Monmouth County Jail by Father St. John and for Hispanic prisoners by Father Roman. In addition, parishioners of St. Rose visit the prisoners and offer prayer services and educational assistance. I f you are considering a volunteer ministry and feel you have the skills and desire to work with prisoners, please contact the Parish Office.

Residential Care Facility Ministry — Members of the Catholic Daughters, the Rosary Altar Society and the Legion of Mary assist our priests in preparing for the celebration of a monthly liturgy in four residential care facilities. In-between times, there are communion services, social gatherings and pastoral visits that take place. There are a limited number of dedicated volunteers who visit each of these places. More volunteers are needed. Perhaps you and a friend or a small group would want more information about what you might do to reach out to the elderly and disabled in these facilities.
Please call the contact person for more information.

  Saint Vincent de Paul Society — “There but for the grace of God go any one of us.” How many times have we said or thought this when reflecting on the unfortunate circumstances of others? In our helplessness to change those circumstances, we pray, first for a resolution of other’s difficulties, second, in thanksgiving that by the grace of God the problem is not ours to resolve. But we need not feel helpless, nor offer simply spoken or unspoken prayer. Our actions on behalf of those in need remain the greatest form of prayer and thanksgiving to God for the many gifts we have received. The St. Vincent DePaul Society is a group of men and women who turn their prayer into action, performing acts of service on behalf of the poor and needy of our community. The Society provides clothing, food, financial assistance and referrals to those who seek their help. Ministry to the poor is among the most rewarding of our Church. Blessed are you who show mercy and compassion, give generously of your time and talent on behalf of those in need. The St. Vincent de Paul Society operates from the lower level of our Parish Center on  Throckmorton Street . They are open to the public from  9 AM to  12 Noon on Wednesday mornings. The members meet on the third Wednesday of each month from  7 PM to  9 PM  in the  Parish Center . If you are interested in joining the St. Vincent de Paul Society or helping with special projects, please call the contact person.

St. Rose Job Transition Network - Amidst rapidly growing unemployment in May 2009, St Rose of Lima Parish began the ministry of tending to the unemployed. We have found that not only are there many without work, but that many of those out of work are not familiar with the ins and outs of current job search techniques.  The St Rose Job Transition Network is a support group facilitated by three professionals with Human Resources, C-level and recently "in-transtion" backgrounds. Together, we offer an opportunity for those experiencing the difficulty of job uncertainty, to share their experiences and learn modern search techniques in a casual, non-threatening, faith-based environment. We also encourage employed parishioners to tend to their unemployed brethren by offering their networking support and empathetic advice.  Please feel free to join us or invite someone you know to our meetings which take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, in the St Martin de Porres room of our Parish Center, located at 12 Throckmorton Street in Freehold, NJ. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact John Martin @ 609-468-6823 or Jeff Surgent @ 732-780-1048.