Christmastime Bright at Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson is proud to provide help and create hope for thousands of people in need throughout the year, especially during the Christmas and Thanksgiving Season. 
 
Over 10,000 presents were handed out to children, families, people with disabilities, seniors, and Veterans.  Hundreds of hours of volunteer service were provided by kind-hearted individuals from throughout the Diocese and Catholic Charities Staff.  Our food pantries handed out thousands of pounds of food during this special time.
 
Here are some of the acts of kindness that Catholic Charities was blessed with during this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season:
 

• Prior to Thanksgiving, Catholic Charities Food Pantries experienced a critical food shortage.  We reached out to the community for help and you quickly answered the call. Individuals such as Jason Werner (complete story on page 8) and community groups and local businesses such as Senator Buco’s Office, the Paterson Public Schools, the Brenner Foundation, and many more, held food drives and made donations to Catholic Charities Food Pantries.   Thousands of kind individuals helped stock our shelves just in time for the very busy holidays.  We feed more people today, then we ever have at our food pantries, and your continued support is much appreciated.

 

• Our Food Pantries gave out an astounding 2,000 turkeys and chickens to families and individuals in need, just prior to Thanksgiving!

 

• On Thanksgiving, the Lend a Hand for Harry organization fed all of the 100+ men and women served in our inpatient programs at Straight and Narrow.  They provided freshly cooked turkey and all of the trimmings.   Since 1988, this family-run rganization has been providing Thanksgiving meals for those in need, many of whom are in recovery.

 

• In November, Catholic Charities Trustee, Katherine M. (Karen) Lordi hosted the 47th Annual Christmas Concert to benefit Catholic Family & Community Services at Risk Youth Programs. An enthusiastic and generous crowd enjoyed the concert at a new venue, the College of Saint Elizabeth, Holy Family Chapel.   Over the past four and a half decades, this special event has raised approximately $500,000 to support various youth programs at Catholic Charities.

 

• Catholic Family and Community Services’ Christmas Blessings Project is a massive undertaking that begins in October with the dozens of Parishes and thousands of individual donors.  Kind Samaritans from our communities helped us give out thousands of gifts to children, Veterans, seniors, and families in need.  

 

• The DePaul Catholic High School Spartans Football Team hosted a Christmas party for individuals from the Barnet, Basile and Fitzpatrick Houses at DPD. This annual event features food, presents, dancing and Santa.  This event was started by the Dianne Macchia Hanson and her family and friends 10 years ago.

 

• On January 4^th Holiday Hope NYC held a Christmas Giving Event at the Department for Persons with Disabilities Wiegand Farm in Jefferson Township.   The group purchased nearly $10,000 worth of presents for many of the adults living at DPD.  

 

• The St. Thomas Children’s Choir (Jefferson Township) caroled at several of the Department for Persons with Disabilities group homes in Jefferson Township.

 

• The Delbarton High School Christmas Event was held at the Father English Center in Paterson.  Delbarton provided toys and joy for children and their siblings who are registered in CFCS’ programs. (For more information see page 4)

 

• The annual Angels project, led by Diocesan Parishes, provided over 2,000 presents to the individuals served at Straight and Narrow. This endeavor culminated with a party and visit from the Holiday Express, a nonprofit organization founded by Tim McLoone, that uses the healing power of music and friendship to improve the quality of life for those who are often forgotten.

 

• The Department for Persons with Disabilities Fight for the Right Community Service Group held their annual Christmas Party.  This group, helped numerous charitable causes throughout the year and most recently gave to those in need served by Catholic Charities Partnership for Social Services Food Pantry in Franklin.  

 

• The Parish Family of St. John Vianney, Stockholm; led by Pastor Fr. Matthew Twiggs, purchased and gift wrapped presents for all of the individuals served by the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD).

 

• Knights of Columbus Councils, #5563, Vernon; #6320, Succasunna; and #7784 Newton purchased gifts for 7 of the Department for Persons with Disabilities Group Homes.
•  
• Bishop Arthur Serratelli made a Pastoral Christmas visit to Straight and Narrow on December 22nd. .

 

• Numerous gift drives were held by community service groups and businesses for blankets, coats, hats/Scarves/Gloves, socks and boots.  Special thanks to State Fair Group, who is continuing to host a winter-wear drive through January.  For more information visit www.ccpaterson.org/SFG.

 
 

• Numerous families from the Jefferson Township area purchased gifts for all of the individuals served at the Department for Persons with Disabilities.

 

• Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Branchville, led by Father Edward Rama, purchased gifts for families and individuals served in Sussex County, including Veterans, people with disabilities and those in need.

 

• In lieu of purchasing gifts for each other, the L’Altrelli Family purchased presents for the individuals who live at Columbus House.  In addition, several other generous families were matched last minute to families in need of Christmas presents, just in time for Christmas.

 

• Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal and other year-end Christmas giving endeavors have helped raise over $80,000 for Catholic Charities this Christmas Season.

 
“The birth of Christ brings us great joy. Thousands of individuals volunteered, donated to or supported Catholic Charities this Christmas Season; a true sign of God’s love for all! On behalf of all of those helped at Catholic Charities, thank you to everyone who thought of us during this special time of year” said Scott Milliken, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, Chief Executive Officer.