Social Concerns

Social Concerns strives to understand the human needs and social injustices in the parish and wider community. Its focus is to support the spiritual, emotional, material, and physical needs to alleviate suffering and promote justice.

Volunteers

Support Groups

Awareness & Education

Counseling Services

Individual, couple and family counseling is available for members of the parish through a new parish-based counseling program. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Parish Office. All calls will be kept confidential.

Homebound and Nursing Homes

Ministry to the sick and the homebound is one of greatest importance here at St. Matthias. It is a ministry based on the peace of Christ in all of its dimensions. Every Sunday a team of ministers brings Eucharist to those who are unable to come to Church. They go to individual homes and to the nursing homes. Mass is offered at each nursing home once a month on Fridays.

Hospital Visitation

Sr. Marie Therese visits St. Peter’s Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson Hospital weekly and more frequently when the need arises. Sister visits our St. Matthias parishioners who are listed on the hospital’s computer list. Very often the names are not listed at Robert Wood, so parishioners are encouraged to call the parish office if a family member is in the hospital and would like a visit.

Lazarus Ministry

Lazarus ministers assist those mourning the loss of a loved one by attending the viewing and through prayerful participation at the Funeral Liturgies held in our parish. Their presence helps to make these liturgies beautiful tributes to those who have completed their earthly journeys. They try to follow up with a “Thinking of You” card and a phone call. Members of the committee wear a small white ribbon with a little cross to identify them as Lazarus Ministers. Compassionate people are needed as volunteers.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society

The Society was established in 1998 to assist those in need not only in our parish, but also in the wider community. The goal is to provide assistance to low-income financially distressed individuals and families in the form of rent, food, utilities and medicine. Concerned parishioners are welcome to help us serve those that call our hotline for help.

Social Justice Committee

The Social Justice Committee is called to serve as a resource and catalyst to empower our parish community to work for peace and justice. We operate as a committee of the Social Concerns Commission under the pastoral council of the Catholic Community of St. Matthias. Our activities are based on the biblical and theological foundations of Catholic social teaching.

Meetings held every Third Thursday of the Month at 7 PM in the Parish Office
"Friday Night at the Movies" - Second Friday of the Month at 7 PM in the Parish Meeting Room

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Social Concerns