To help bring Christmas joy to servicemen and women stationed abroad, Catholic Charities staff prepared care packages in the agency’s Camden center that also included handmade cards prepared by South Jersey Catholic Schools students. “I know it’s hard being away from family this time of year,” wrote one fifth-grader from Saint John Paul II Regional […]
Your gift will directly serve the poorest and most vulnerable individuals in Southern New Jersey. At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, we provide social services to, advocate for, and empower the poor, oppressed or vulnerable. We do this on a non-discriminatory, non-sectarian basis throughout the six southern New Jersey counties. From our humble roots when […]
Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden recently honored the Knights of Columbus with the Saint John Neumann Award, which was presented for their generous contributions to Catholic Charities and other relief agencies throughout the pandemic. James Stoever, the Knight’s New Jersey State Council state deputy, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Before and during […]
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden is proud to honor and recognize this year’s Disciples of Mercy honorees – individuals or small ministry per deanery who exemplify mercy by reaching out to those who are poor and vulnerable on a local level in South Jersey. “Our Disciples of Mercy make me think of Pope Francis’ reflections […]
Melissa Hruska remembers the first time she truly felt that she was beginning to understand the mission of Catholic Charities. “I was nervous and brand new and just left the for-profit world, so this was something different,” she said, recalling one of her first days on the job – visiting Catholic Charities’ Cape May County […]
By Sister Mary Cronin, D.M.Prison Ministry Coordinator, Catholic Charities At present, there are approximately 2.3 million men and women incarcerated in correctional facilities in the United States. The majority of the incarcerated have had some major trauma that led them to the criminal justice system. Ninety-seven percent of incarcerated women in the United States have […]
Throughout September, six Masses were celebrated across the Diocese in recognition of National Recovery Month, a time during which parishes acknowledge those who have achieved recovery and continue to support those still working toward the goal. These Masses were coordinated by Jo Anne Farrell, RN, MSN, CDCES, CPRS, Catholic Charities’ Addictions Healing Services coordinator. “Each […]
National Recovery Month promotes and supports new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible. Throughout September, Recovery Masses will be offered throughout our diocese in each county. Come […]
Catholic Charities joins in mourning the passing of Mr. Martin McKernan Jr., and we also remember his life and his legacy. Among many roles, he was a faithful and dear friend to Catholic Charities for many years, living out the Gospel as a dedicated and tireless servant and advocate, touching countless lives with his kindness, […]
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, will be honoring the Knights of Columbus at the agency’s 17th annual Justice for All Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 14 at Resorts Hotel in Atlantic City. The annual dinner honors those who have been exceptional in their works of charity and mercy and serves as a fundraiser, with […]
For Said Baha, leaving his homeland of Afghanistan was not a gamble or a choice. It was the only course of action that would keep him and his family alive. They came to America after being granted a Special Immigration Visa — a visa only issued to Afghani and Iraqi refugees who provided valuable aid […]
“Ending Hunger Together” was a most appropriate contest theme for the annual ShopRite Partners In Caring Cheerios Contest, sponsored by ShopRite and General Mills. The pandemic did not stop ShopRite associates from carrying out this annual campaign during “Hunger Action Month” in September, when they rallied to collect donations from customers to support the fight […]
by Sister Mary Cronin, DM Catholic Charities already has an established diocesan-wide prison ministry of volunteers who go inside the jails and prisons to meet the needs of the incarcerated. But what about those who are newly-released into society after doing their time? On Nov. 8, 2019, Pope Francis addressed the participants who were attending […]
It is #AlcoholAwarenessMonth, and we want to remind you of Catholic Charities’ Helpline (856-342-4057) – A first line call support focused on helping family and individuals with alcohol use or other substance use disorders. Why is Alcohol Awareness Month important? Alcohol is the most used substance by youth and adults in the United States. According […]
By Sister Mary Cronin, Catholic Charities’ Prison Ministry Coordinator Pope Francis has always held prison ministry very dear to his heart and he has visited prisons all over the world. After all, the Catholic Church was founded by a criminal. Jesus was arrested, imprisoned, sentenced and executed. In Matthew 25:36, Jesus speaks of himself as […]
This Lent the small Christian communities of Saint Thomas More Parish, Cherry Hill, worked in collaboration with the Catholic Charities to provide assistance to a refugee family from Afghanistan. These small parish communities are dedicated to prayer, learning, faith sharing, support and outreach in service to their neighbor. Patrick Barry — Director of Immigration, Refugees […]
This year, the eighth annual diocesan-wide FaithFULL food drive will be held on Sunday, March 21. To avoid large gatherings, parishioners are encouraged to bring donated items to their parishes on this day. Parishes may either keep collected food for their own ministries, and/or donate food items to Catholic Charities by calling to arrange an […]
As thousands of families face eviction by the end of December, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) and the Felician Sisters of North America joined forces to create the “CCUSA Francis Fund for Eviction Prevention.” Each organization contributed $1 million to seed the emergency fund. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, will be receiving a portion of this […]
Studies suggest that within the first seven seconds of meeting someone new, people will form a solid impression of who that person is — and some research suggests a tenth of a second is all it takes to start determining traits like trustworthiness. One can imagine that when people are in a state of crisis, […]
Despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Parish of Saint John Neumann in North Cape May, under the guidance of Father Ernest Soprano, pastor, was in full force to carry out their semi-annual food drive, collecting over 3,600 pounds of food. This food drive is one of two major campaigns that the parishioners and volunteers hold […]
When Miguel Rivera woke up intubated in the Intensive Care Unit at Jefferson Hospital, he had no memory of what happened or why he was there. When he became conscious, he learned the devastating news that his life, quite literally, had gone up in smoke. While he was sleeping, the apartment building where Rivera had […]
Missed the ceremony? Watch it here or on Facebook! For the first time in the 17-year history of the Justice For All Awards Ceremony, it was presented virtually on October 8! Though we could not meet together this year, the work of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Camden continues, and so does this showcase […]
Begun during the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden’s Disciples of Mercy Awards recognize outstanding individuals and ministries who exemplify mercy by reaching out to those who are poor and vulnerable on a local level here in the Diocese of Camden. Each year, they are presented at the agency’s largest […]
A loved one falling ill or passing away. Children unexpectedly out of school with no childcare. Coping with physical distancing. Daily routines interrupted. Life milestone celebrations cancelled. Adjusting to working from home, or worse, not being able to work at all. Many have faced these stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic, but for those with substance […]
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden announces that the agency will be honoring Bishop Dennis Sullivan at this year’s Justice for All Awards Ceremony on Oct. 8. The event, which has historically been celebrated in the form of a dinner and awards ceremony, will be held virtually to comply with safety guidelines. The importance and significance […]
The New Jersey Judiciary has launched an initiative to provide landlords and tenants with information about court operations as well as available services and community resources during the COVID-19 health crisis. Read the full statement here. Joining the webinars will be Catholic Charities’ staff member, Cynthia Lebron, Housing Division Director and Regional Coordinator of Cumberland […]
Pablo Hernandez was one of the 61 individuals who came to Catholic Charities’ office in Penns Grove on July 24 to pick up food, undeterred by the heatwave and intermittent drizzling. Hernandez had first contacted Catholic Charities when he was living out of motels. “I got hurt on the job and can’t work now with […]
Bursts of laughter echoed around the entrance of Collingswood High School, where Maram Ali gathered with her group of friends a few days before their official graduation, laughing and chattering excitedly as they took turns snapping photos of each other in their caps and gowns. Maram proudly posed in her golden graduation garb, beaming with […]
As many individuals and families are spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing carb intakes and hoping up with healthy recipes can be difficult! Join us for a deeper look at how carbohydrates affect your body and the relationship between carbs, sugar, and energy. Enjoy us for free on ZOOM for a […]
New Jersey SNAP recipients will be able to use their benefits card to order groceries from Amazon starting on May 27. Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers that provide online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits starting on May 28. If you need free assistance with applying for SNAP, please call us […]
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden is continuing to provide assistance with electric bills for those who are Atlantic City Electric customers. This funding will assist those in financial need with their electric bills, allowing Catholic Charities to continue to carry out its mission to help the most vulnerable individuals and families in South Jersey. The […]
CAMDEN — Outside of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden’s headquarters in Camden on May 12, individuals and families were greeted with waves and welcomes from the agency’s staff and volunteers. One by one, cars pulled up to the agency’s food distribution site along Haddon Avenue. According to Jose Sanchez, one of Catholic Charities’ program directors, […]
Originally reported in the Catholic Star Herald. The Knights of Columbus is making a sizable donation to the Diocese of Camden to help its charitable works as demand grows because of the financial strain of the pandemic. The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council is providing an emergency $25,000 contribution to the diocese’s Catholic Charities food […]
The dreary rain did not stop Catholic Charities staff from running drive-through food distributions in four counties of South Jersey on Friday, April 24. And it did not stop more than 300 individuals from making their way to the distribution sites to pick up much-needed groceries for themselves and their family members. At each site, […]
At the height of World War II, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, was in its infancy. Despite the enormous challenges, neighborhoods flourished and the economy boomed in support of the war effort. But even then, not all residents of the community were thriving. Before the establishment of public health and social service agencies that exist […]
ANNOUNCEMENT: New Jersey is now providing supplemental benefits to SNAP recipients. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly, food stamps) provides food assistance to families with low incomes to help them buy groceries through a benefits card accepted in most food retail stores and farmer’s markets. Call Catholic Charities at 856-281-0025 for help applying for benefits […]
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are not seeing clients who do not have an appointment until further notice. If you do not have an appointment and are in need of help, please follow the below steps. Click here & fill out the form with your information & what you need. The form is simple […]
To all Parishes & Schools, Due to the virus and Governor Murphy’s latest directive, the FaithFULL food drive is cancelled this year. We are asking parishes to store any food they have already collected. You may either keep the food for your own pantries or wait for a future announcement from the Diocese with information […]
Kimberly Van Hook moved excitedly around her new apartment, pointing out each and every detail — the view of the trees from the window, the food items neatly arranged on the shelves in her refrigerator, the smooth counter-tops in the kitchen. Every few moments, she’d pause and say, “I can’t believe I finally have a […]
A group of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) who currently work at the Center For Family Services, volunteered their time and efforts at Catholic Charities’ headquarters in Camden. There, they organized and sorted through items in preparation for the upcoming Camden Diocesan FaithFULL Food Drive on March 22. After the drive, Catholic Charities […]
The Camden Diocesan-wide FaithFULL Food Drive will be held on Sunday, March 22, and Catholics throughout South Jersey have already begun collecting food items in their parishes, schools and homes. Through this annual charitable event, Catholic Charities and other local food pantries will be able to fill their shelves once again, especially after donations stagnate […]
At our Catholic Charities office, we offer FREE tax filing services! The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income […]
They may be small in size, but the four girls in Girl Scout Troop 51023 proved that their hearts are big. At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden’s office in Vineland, these young helpers fastidiously filled backpacks with collected donated items to be given to the homeless in Cumberland County as part of the annual Point-in-Time […]
Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. Their disaster response team – along with the knowledge and expertise of their member agencies – mobilizes quickly and effectively to aid those experiencing or recovering from disasters. The recent Puerto Rico Earthquakes have left many people in need of help, […]
When Pope Francis addressed the jubilee audience for volunteers at Saint Peter’s Square in 2016, he said that volunteers are “among the most precious things the church has; you who every day, often silently and unassumingly, give shape and visibility to mercy.” This statement is borne out locally for those who give their time and […]
VINELAND — “I didn’t really even think about people in prisons until I had a family member who ended up behind bars,” said one of the attendees at the Camden Diocesan Prison Ministry Conference, held at the Saint John Paul II Retreat Center in Vineland on Sept. 21. Deacon Seigfried Presberry, director of the Prison […]
ATLANTIC CITY — When Bishop Dennis Sullivan addressed the more than 550 attendees at Catholic Charities’ 2019 Justice for All Dinner at Resorts Hotel here on Oct. 3, he pointed to two initiatives that are highlighted by the annual fundraising event. The first, he said, is Pope Francis’ call to “educate the faithful on how […]
Begun during the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015, Catholic Charities’ Disciples of Mercy Awards recognize outstanding individuals and ministries who exemplify mercy by reaching out to those who are poor and vulnerable. In addition to the event’s main honoree, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, they will be honored at the Justice for All Awards Dinner […]
June 26, 2019 WASHINGTON—The cry of a father and his baby daughter who drowned crossing the Rio Grande reaches heaven itself. This unspeakable consequence of a failed immigration system, together with growing reports of inhumane conditions for children in the custody of the federal government at the border, shock the conscience and demand immediate action. […]
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, will honor a figure whose words and actions are heard and felt around the globe, providing hope for the church and for people of all faiths: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, Philippines, and the president of Caritas Internationalis. Cardinal Tagle is an international advocate and driving force of […]
“I have never witnessed in my career in social services an employment fair that has reached this many people. So many seeking work were hired on the spot or scheduled for follow-up interviews,” said Lynsey Reyes, a case manager for Catholic Charities’ Welfare to Work program. “I am still on a high from all the […]
Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Camden had a strong advocate in Bishop Joseph Galante. While ordinary of Beaumont, Texas, Bishop Galante wrote in a newspaper column that Catholic faith and the work of social justice are inseparable. “Social justice issues are not merely at the fringe of our faith, nor is social justice an […]
Churches across the Diocese of Camden bustled with activity on April 7, as parishioners partook in the annual FaithFULL food drove. The drive is held each year in attempt to fight food insecurity across southern New Jersey. Following the drive, donated items are then distributed to Catholic Charities’ Family and Community Centers in each county, […]
When Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Vatican in early March, he criticized Christians who self-righteously boast about fasting and feel superior to others. Focusing the day’s first reading from the beginning of Isaiah 58, the pope said the corporal works of mercy are the kind that fasting that God wants most. “When you share […]
We are deeply grateful to all of our volunteers at Catholic Charities. Your time, compassion, and generous spirit make a real difference in the lives of the families and individuals we serve each day. Through every act of service—big or small—you help bring hope, dignity, and comfort to those in need. Thank you for being […]
Help babies and families in need! During the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we especially remember and honor mothers, and we prayerfully invite you to support our Diaper Drive. The drive is ongoing, and all donated diapers will be distributed to families facing financial hardship throughout our communities. We are collecting diapers of all […]
