Community Life
Commission Ministries and Organizations (updated
9/10/2007)
Boy Scouts/Cub
Scouts
The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide an
educational program for boys and young adults to build character,
to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship,
and to develop personal fitness.
Boy Scouts get away from it all by camping, hiking, and fishing
in the great outdoors. Boy Scouting is available to boys who
are 11 through 17 years old, or to Cub Scouts who have earned
the Arrow of Light Award, or have completed the fifth grade.
Boy Scouts have an exciting program led by the Scouts where
we go camping every month or have one-day activities. We also
have an active advancement program, attend Kittatinny Mountain
Scout Reservation Summer Camp and participate in District
sponsored events such as the Klondike Derby in February and
the Aqua Camporee in June.
Schedule: Tuesday evenings in the school
cafeteria at 7:00 PM.
Contact: Chris Rath carath1@patmedia.net
Click here to view Boy Scout Troop 195 http://www.geocities.com/bsat195/
Cub Pack 195 Cub
Scouting is a family program designed for boys who are in
the first through fifth grades. Parents, leaders, and organizations
work together to achieve the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting:
Character Development, Respectful Relationships, Spiritual
Growth, Personal Achievement, Good Citizenship, Friendly Service,
Sportsmanship and Fitness, Fun and Adventure, Family Understanding,
and Preparation for Boy Scouts. The Cub Scouts participate
in fun and educational events such as: East Franklin Fire
House Tour, Hiking, Bunker Hill Environmental Center, Halloween
Party, Boy Scout/Cub Scout Overnight, Christmas Caroling at
Lyons VA Hospital, Bowling Tournament, FTPD Police Station
Tour, Pinewood Derby, Overnight on the Battleship NJ, New
Jersey Statehouse Tour, Klondike Derby, Cub Scout Olympics,
Memorial Day Parade, Rocket Night, and Summer Camp
Schedule: Monday nights from 6:30-7:30
September through June at St. Matthias School
Contact: Ralph Pugnet rpugnet@yahoo.com
or Randy Szabo rszabo@telcordia.com
Click here to view Cub Pack 195 web site:
Cub Pack
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St
Matthias Carnival Committee
The St. Matthias carnival is an annual fund-raising
event that was first held in 1988. Rides, games, food and
fun are provided during the carnival by 900 parishioners working
together and giving of their time and talent. Click
here to go to the Carnival Page.
Schedule: The St.
Matthias Carnival is held in May of each year around the feast
day of St. Matthias (May 14th). The 2007 Carnival will be
held May 15 to May 20.
Contact: Erika Marold
Volunteer Chairperson emarold@patmedia.net
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Evangelization
Core Team
Members are representative of all welcome initiatives in the
faith community. The Team meets bi-monthly to pray and network
to further infuse evangelization efforts within all parish
ministries. The core team supports evangelizing initiatives
throughout the faith community, especially reaching out to
those seeking a reconnection with their Catholic Faith and
those who are unchurched.
Contact: Sr. Anita Kuchera, OSF, 732-828-1400
akuchera@stmatthias.net
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Filipino-American
Association of St. Matthias (FAASM)
FAASM is an active ministry dedicated to bring our ethnically
diverse community together by promoting the Filipino culture
through sharing of time, talent and treasure.
Our goals are:
To witness and live out the Good News of Jesus Christ through
prayer, volunteering throughout the community and actively
participating at all parish events and functions. To share
our Filipino heritage to the parish community as a contribution
to the cultural diversity of our parish
Activities/projects:
FAASM sponsors several social activities throughout the year
including holiday caroling to raise funds for parish projects.
FAASM also hosts the Filipino booth at the St. Matthias Carnival.
Both Filipinos and non-Filipinos are welcome to join this
group.
Schedule: Meetings are held on the third
Monday of the month. All are welcome to attend. Please let
one of the officers know if you are planning to attend.
Website: www.faasm.org
email: officers@faasm.org
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Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts is committed to empowering all girls from every
background to develop the confidence, determination and skills
needed to thrive in today’s world. Girl Scouts discover
the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Whether
you're a girl who wants to be a Girl Scout, a college student
working on a community service project, a parent ready for
an outdoor adventure with your daughter's troop, or an adult—female
or male—looking to make a difference in a girl's life,
there's something for you in Girl Scouts.
Program Goals
The Girl Scout program can change the way girls see the world
and their place in it. Girls learn the importance of personal
responsibility, the value of goal-setting, the spirit of teamwork,
and the thrill of accomplishment. The Girl Scout program is
based on the Girl
Scout Promise and Law and four fundamental goals that
encourage girls to:
- Develop their full potential.
- Relate to others with increasing understanding, skill,
and respect.
- Develop a meaningful set of values to guide their actions
and to provide for sound decision-making.
- Contribute to the improvement of society.
Scouts are divided into (ages 5-6), Brownie
Girl Scouts (ages 6-8), Junior
Girl Scouts (ages 8-11), and STUDIO
2BSM for girls ages 11-17.
Contact: Kim Hadley
732-873-6488 kimspouse@aol.com
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Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a family-oriented men’s organization
based on the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and
patriotism. The Knights sponsor numerous family, church, youth,
community, and council activities. They volunteer their services
at the St Matthias carnival, Church picnic and the Technology
Trot.
Schedule: Business meetings are held first
Thursday of the month. Social meetings are held the third
Thursday of the month.
Contacts:
Grand Knight: Charlie Hicks chh@dcx.com
St. Matthias Council #9925
Site: http://www.stmatthias.net/knights
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Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary members visit and share prayers at homes,
hospitals and nearby nursing homes including McCarrick Care
Center and the Somerset Manor, and assist parish social outreach
programs.
Schedule: Meetings are held Wednesdays,
7:30 - 9:00 PM in the vesting room in the rear of the church.
Contact: Mabel Arinzeh (732) 247-9587 marinzeh@yahoo.net;
Wynes Roga 732-873-9156
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Moms, Infants &
Tots (MITS)
Members gather weekly to meet other moms and let children
socialize. Childcare volunteers play with, read to, and do
simple crafts with the children (infant through preschool
age) while moms meet in the next room. Refreshments are served
and there is an open discussion of the weekly topic in a very
casual atmosphere.
Schedule: MITS meets weekly on Fridays from
9:30 - 11:30 AM Through out the school year (2006 Sept 15,29-Oct
6,13,20,27-Nov 3,17-Dec 1,8,15,22 - 2007 Jan 5,12,19,26-Feb2,9,16,23-March2,9,16,23,30-May4,11,25-June1,8,15).
Contact: Jen Squeri, 732-940-0676,jenilee@patmedia.net
OR Christine Taylor, 732-873-3438, christaylormail@gmail
for more information
Visit our webpage for latest events:
moms and tot
Picnic Committee
A group of parishioners that organizes the annual parish picnic.
This is open to all Parish families held annually on the Church
parking lot. Music, games, drinks and food is provided.
Schedule: Meetings are planned and held close to the September
picnic date.
Contact: Anne Marie Francis afrancvis@rci.rutgers.edu
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Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA provides an atmosphere of prayer, support and sharing
on the journey towards initiation for those seeking membership
in the Catholic Church and for those seeking full communion
with the Catholic Church. This process is also adapted for
children and teens who are seeking membership in the Catholic
Church. Groups meet on Sunday mornings, and we gather for
the Liturgy of the Word with the community at the 9:00 Mass.
After the homily, catechumens, candidates, sponsors and catechists
are sent forth by the community to break open the Word and
reflect on Catholic teachings. Sessions are usually over by
11:30 AM. Sponsors and catechists are needed as well as are
members for our Hospitality Committee.
Contact: Sr. Anita Kuchera, OSF, 732-828-1400
akuchera@stmatthias.net
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RCIA
Hospitality
This group provides breakfast refreshments every Sunday for
those in the RCIA process. Volunteers set the table in the
dePorres Room in the lower level of the Parish Office between
8:00 – 8:15 AM.
Contact: Rhonda Harper, 732-572-6114
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Rosary Altar Society
The Rosary Altar Society meets on the first Wednesday of each
month to recite the rosary and discuss various yearly functions,
including speakers, fundraisers, and social outings. The Society
hopes to inspire women (18 and older) to devotion to the Blessed
Mother and dedication to God. Aside from meetings, the Rosary
Altar Society sponsors First Saturday Devotions and Saturday
prayers following the 9 AM Mass each week. Members of the
Society volunteer their time on many necessary occasions.
Contact: Wendy Ritchick, 732.873.3275 wmritch@hotmail.com
President: Wendy Ritchick 732.873.3275; Cell 732.718.0964
wmritch@hotmail.com
1st Vice President: Ellen Junas 732. 247.2445
2nd Vice President: Barbara Collins 732.560.9711
Secretary: Amie Gallagher 732. 873.9232
St.
Martin De Porres
St. Martin de Porres Society promotes unity in Christ within
and among the entire Parish community by encouraging dialogue,
understanding and awareness of Black Catholic cultural differences
and contributions. The Society provides a unique cultural
diversity to special liturgies throughout the year, such as
the celebration of the Feast of St. Martin de Porres in November
and the Black History Month Mass in February. In keeping with
the mission of St. Martin de Porres, the Society is also committed
to serving God, the infirmed, the poor, and orphans, and in
doing so devotes its time, talent and treasure to activities
that underscore His mission.
Schedule: The Society conducts its general
meetings at 7 PM on the second Wednesday of every month in
the St. Martin DePorres room.
Contact: Phyllis Stone 732-873-1495 phyllis
stone@merck.com
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Twelve
Step Groups for AA
Schedule: Meet Wednsday and Friday at 8:00PM
in the School Cafeteria
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Welcome/Home
Re-Membering Sessions
These sessions are held for those who have been away from
the Church for a while are invited to come back and ask questions,
share their stories, and learn about current Church thought.
The sessions are held three – four times a year.
Contact: Marilyn Parente 732-764-9715 pax2u_mbp@verizon.net
Welcome Inquirers
This group meets with those inquiring about our faith. We
meet every Thursdays. Our meetings are from 7:30 – 8:45
PM in the Parish Office.
Contact: Sr. Anita Kuchera, OSF, 732-828-1400
akuchera@stmatthias.net
Anne Marie Francis 732.828.3376 afrancis@rci.rutgers.edu
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Welcome Neighbors
This committee tries to locate new residents and match them
to someone in our faith community who lives on the same street
or nearby. Visiting and extending a warm welcome to new people
and letting new residents to the area know about our Catholic
community.
Contact: Dotty Slymam: 732-873-2270 dottysly@aol.com
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Welcome Luncheon
This committee is composed of a group of parishioners who
plan a luncheon in the spring and fall to welcome new parishioners.
New parishioners are invited to attend the Noon Mass followed
by a luncheon in the parish meeting room.
Contact: Hildegard Scheurle: 732-249-6280
hscheurl@oddus.jnj.com
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Care Support Ministry
Nursing Homes
With Disabilities