OUTREACH

"We believe Outreach to the community-at-large is a fundamental and important aspect of our Christian community:  an integral part and natural outgrowth of our spirituality. Sacraments and service are inseparable parts of the whole of our commitment as Christians.  By reaching out to the larger community, following the examples of Christ our Lord, we reinforce the cornerstone of our spiritual community."

All parishioners are called to take part in Outreach.  Whether you bring a can of food once a month, cook for 35-50 men at St. Paul's shelter, drive a nail in a Habitat house or participate in a mission day field trip, it is our goal to make everyone active in Outreach. Project Champions in our parish provide leadership and funding proposals for specific projects.  Time commitments for champions need not be overpowering.  Any and all ideas are welcomed and encouraged by the committee chair, who provides contacts, support and the means to help you realize your visions.  Outreach projects are announced in The Evangel, after services, and on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.  You may also make suggestions for financial contributions to outside groups/events to the committee.  Our vision is to provide support and love in the need areas of poverty, incarceration, hunger, homelessness, education, disease, aging and community health in the same way Jesus did in his brief ministry on earth.  The geography can be local, diocesan or global.  We need your dreams and ideas as well as your hands and hearts.

St. Paul’s Men’s Shelter

For approximately fifteen years, St. John’s has fulfilled a monthly commitment to provide dinner for the St. Paul’s Men’s Shelter in Paterson where 25-35 homeless men are enrolled in programs to improve their lives. On the second Friday of each month at 5:45 PM, we meet at St. John's, with entrees, salads, vegetable dishes, and desserts that parishioners have prepared and travel to St. Paul's to serve the meal.  A sign-up sheet is posted in the Parish Hall. Families are encouraged to come serve together.

Human Needs Food Pantry

Parishioners are encouraged to make frequent donations to the wicker "Feed Me" basket in the church vestibule. Donations are given weekly to the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, Inc.  This is an emergency pantry providing free food to those in need. The Pantry serves over 1,100 clients monthly, including the elderly, unemployed, underemployed, single parents and the homeless. The majority of their clients are residents of Montclair.

Christmas Project

Each Christmas season, St. John's reaches out to those in need. Again this year, we will purchase Christmas gifts for mothers and children in a program called Choices, which allows mothers to live with their children while going through recovery from addiction.   The project also involves the Youth Group.