PRAYER TO REDUCE POVERTY POVERTY

Good and Gracious God, we pray for your assistance in alleviating the pain and needless struggles of our brothers and sisters in need.

Working together and with your grace, we know that each person deserves and should have affordable housing, adequate food, health care, and economic security.

Loving God, we know that “whatever we ask, in your name, it will be granted to us.”

So help us in trying to alleviate poverty, and may our efforts give you praise and be a sign of your kingdom on earth.

Amen.

OUR MISSION . . .

The Social Concerns Committee supports the social issues and goals of the Catholic Church by coordinating the strengths and talents of our parish community to make a difference. We offer ongoing support to help provide for the earthly needs of individuals in distress.

WHAT WE DO. . .

Thanksgiving baskets

Once a year, the Social Concerns Committee with the youth of St. Paul of the Cross meet to put together some baskets for needy families for Thanksgiving. These baskets are then brought to St. Nicholas to be added and to be tagged and distributed on a specified date.
The Social Concerns Committee not only received the help of our parishioners but also works with the Jersey City Fire Department in collecting food.

Thanksgiving Canning

Once a year, the Social Concerns Committee with the youth of St. Paul of the Cross and St. Nicholas go out canning on Central Avenue. The money collected helps our Food Pantry buy turkies, and food towards our Thanksgiving baskets.

Giving Tree

Once a year, the Social Concerns Committee decorates the tree with tags naming gifts for the needy.  Our parishioners buy the suggested gifts and return them to the parish to be distributed to the needy in our community.  Food baskets are also given to the families. The Social Concerns Committee not only receives the help from our parishioners but also receives the support from Jersey City Police Department - North District in helping collecting items for the needy in our community. We also work with the Sheriff's Department in receiving some help on the evening we distribute the gifts and food to those who are in need.

Christmas Food baskets

Once a year, the youth along with the Social Concerns Committee meet to put together some baskets for needy families for Christmas. These prepared baskets are then brought over to St. Nicholas where they are added to other prepared baskets and tagged and distributed on a specified date.

Gift Wrapping

Once a year, the Social Concerns Committee with the youth from the Religious Education program get together to wrap Christmas gifts for other needy children.

Christmas Caroling

Once a year, the Social Concerns Committee along with the youth of both parishes of St. Paul of the Cross and St. NIcholas, come together to go Christmas caroling on Central Avenue to sing Christmas carols to the Community of Jersey City to brighten spirits and to bring Christmas joy to all.

St. Joseph's Home for the Blind

Once a year, members of the Social Concerns Committee of both parishes along with volunteers who are children and adults go to St. Joseph's Home for the Blind in Jersey City to sing some Christmas songs and give out some presents.

Social Concerns articles

Each weekend the Social Concerns Committee at St. Paul of the Cross team up and put together articles relating to social issues that are used as inserts in our Parish bulletin. This dedicated committee also staples these articles when there are multiple pages and inserts them into the bulletin for the coming weekend.

HOW TO JOIN . . . .

Join the Social Concerns Committee and channel your talents into action for social justice.

New volunteers bring experience from their former parishes and fresh ideas. Our Social Concerns Committee is a place where you can belong to and share and volunteer your time and talents. Come help assist us in a social project. We meet every second Thursday at St. Nicholas Church at 4:15PM where we stock the pantry shelves and share ideas.
Your hlep, your ideas and interests are most welcome!

The Sheriff Department worked together with St. Paul of the Cross and St. Nicholas Church on December 18, 2008 along with other volunteers to distribute gifts to the needy of our community. Thank you for a wonderful job!

 

	NEW ENERGIES SOCIAL CONCERNS GIFT DISTRIBUTION New Energies Social Concerns Committee distributed Christmas food and gifts to families with hardships on Monday December 19, 2011. St. Paul of the Cross and St. Nicholas pause for a picture on a busy evening. Thank you to all volunteers from both parishes who took time out to help lend a hand in doing good deeds. s   Picture taken by Peter Najdzinowicz who was present volunteering. Thank you Peter!
	CHRISTMAS CAROLING AT HARBORVIEW HELATHCARE CENTER The youth from St. Paul of the Cross sang for residents at Harborview Healthcare Center in Jersey City. We were joined by staff and the house cat as we filled the room with Christmas cheer for all. Even Santa came for a visit.
TOY DRIVE HELD BY HARBORVIEW HEALTHCARE CENTER Cheryl Bogusz pauses with Mr. Kevin Woodard of Harborview to express her appreciation on behalf of the Partnered parishes and pastors for holding a toy drive for the parishes.	Staff and residents join Mr. Kevin Woodard and Cheryl in taking a photo from the successful toy and food drive that Harvorview held. Thank you to all Harborview staff who donated food and toys towards this drive. Every little bit counts!
	CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE SPONSORED BY FAMILY FITNESS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Family Fitness Mixed Martial Arts (419 Central Avenue) sponsored a Toy Drive for the New Energies Social Concerns. The toy drive ran for three weeks and was open to the public as well. FFMMA also sponsored a food drive in November for Thanksgiving for the New Energies Food Pantry. Cheryl Bogusz is pictured here with Master Vinh Dang while holding a certificate of appreciation on all the years they have been lending a hand. Thank you to Master Vinh, Master Mike and the staff of Family Fitness Mixed Martial Arts as well as students, parents and the public who donated towards this drive and making it the most successful one so far. With this drive we were able to put smiles on childrens faces.
	FAMILY FITNESS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS DONATES PIZZAS TO NEEDY FAMILIES Family Fitness Mixed Martial Arts (419 Central Avenue) donated dozens of pizzas to help feed those families in need. Pizzas were delivered to the families houses by Food Pantry Facilitator Cheryl Bogusz with the help of Peter Najdzinowicz. Families were suprised and very much grateful. Thank you Famiy Fitness Mixed Martial Arts for your continued support, effort and dedication!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEIGHTS BUSINESS HOLDS TOY DRIVE FOR NEW ENERGIES SOCIAL CONCERNS 2010

December 2010.......Family Fitness Mixed Martial Arts, located at 419 Central Avenue held a toy drive for St. Paul of the Cross, St. Nicholas and St. Annes Social Concerns. Their contribution helped us distribute toys to needy children in the Heights. On behalf of the Social Concerns Committee we thank you for your help in giving back to your community.

left to right:
Cheryl Bogusz of St. Paul of the Cross, Mr. & Mrs. Dang of the Family Fitness Martial Arts along with their daughter Sky.