Beacon Sharing Fund

The Beacon is the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. We are blessed to be part of this great Diocese and thank the team at the Beacon for their continued support of our important ministry. 

With the Christmas Season upon us, the Beacon will once again be hosting the Christmas Sharing Fund. Over the more than three-decade history of the Christmas Sharing Fund, more than $770,000 in donations and gift cards have come in from individual readers, parishes, community organizations and businesses from the Diocese’s three counties of Morris, Passaic and Sussex. Last year, over $20,000 was given to help those most in need! 

Each Week the Beacon will be publishing a list of stories/scenarios from Catholic Charities' programs and service recipients.  To contribute you may make a donation below or:
Make Check Payable to:
Catholic Charities c/o The Beacon Christmas Sharing Fund
Mail Form with Check to:
Catholic Charities c/o The Beacon Sharing Fund
777 Valley Road
Clifton, NJ 07013

You may donate to all of Catholic Charities or to a particular scenario which will be earmarked and used for an individual program, person or family. 

Along with the screened Catholic Charities scenarios, updated lists of contributions will also be published in the Beacon.  Requests for anonymity will be honored.  

Scroll down to see the list of this weeks scenarios or to make a donation.  You may also view archived scenarios here.  These lists will be updated weekly. 

Merry Christmas! 

This Week's Scenarios:
16. A. is a 3 year old student at La Vida Too, which is one of Catholic Charities’ 4 Early Learning Programs. A. has special needs and lives at home with his single mother in Paterson. Catholic Charities not only provides a learning experience for A. but also supports A. and his mother with aftercare, social-emotional programming, language development tutoring and support through their food pantry. A. and her mother are both in need of winter coats this Winter Season.  Can you help provide them with warmth for Christmas?

17. Straight and Narrow helps over 1,000 women and men in recovery each day. It is the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center in the entire country. With the leadership of their kitchen staff, Straight and Narrow serves over 1,000,000 meals each year. The women and men receiving help at Straight and Narrow during this Christmas Season are from throughout all of our Diocesan communities. Can you help this vital program continue to provide hot meals for all their clients by making a donation to purchase new kitchen equipment?  Your support will make a difference in the lives of many!

18. J. is an 88 year old woman helped by Catholic Charities’ Senior Activities Program. She does not have family members who live near nearby. Catholic Charities helps her by providing activities, support and friendship. She also loves going to the program for her 3 daily hot cups of coffee with milk and sugar! Can you make a donation to allow Catholic Charities to purchase J. a Keurig Coffee Machine? Staff will be sure to train her on how to use it!

19. Catholic Charities Veterans Services proudly gives back to those who have served our country. The program provides case management, outreach, financial assistance, employment opportunities, legal aid assistance, and advocacy to support the Veteran household. B. is a 45 year old veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has fallen on hard times and Catholic Charities has been there to provide him with interview preparation, employment opportunities and a new suit.  Can you provide a monetary donation for Catholic Charities to help pay B.’s and other veterans heating and utility bills over the winter season?

20. The Department for Persons with Disabilities Basile Apartments provides help and creates hope for men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Wayne. S. is a 40 year old man with Down syndrome who loves to cook and bake. Can you make a monetary donation for new bakeware and cookware for Basile Apartments?  This will brighten S.’s Christmas Season!