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 $750,000 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. “M.” is a 65-year-old male served by Hope House in Dover. He has been part of the Hope House family for many years. He is HIV positive and has been diagnosed with a spinal injury. His parents are living in Florida with severe health conditions. He travels a couple times a year to visit and helps to take care of them. Sitting on an airplane causes him severe pain. He is in need of a gift card to be able to purchase himself a carry-on suitcase and backpack. Your support will help Michael and those served at Hope House.

17. Catholic Charities has been able to assist thousands of individuals through their Emergency Support programs since the start of COVID-19. It has given out more than $3 million to those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless to assist with emergency hotel placements, rent, and utilities. Many of these individuals would also benefit from Shoprite or Walmart gift cards so they could purchase food, clothing, and personal hygiene products. Can you help by making a donation?

18. Straight & Narrow’s Residential Treatment Program for men in Paterson, an agency of Catholic Charities, provides up to 135 beds for men in recovery. Recently, a new agriculture and nutrition group was added to the clinical schedule to help incorporate physical wellness into their clients’ recovery. Your donation will allow them to purchase food, cook- ware, and learning materials for this important group for Christmas and beyond.

19. Fitzpatrick House is a group home in Pompton Lakes, where four individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live. During the pandemic, staff and the residents enjoy being creative with trying out new recipes. The residents would really enjoy having an ice cream maker to increase their skills in dessert making. Your donation to the Christmas Sharing Fund will make this possible.

20. At Columbus House in Jefferson Township, a group home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one resident is an 84-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who loves to go on train rides. Due to the pandemic, she has been unable to enjoy this activity. For Christmas, she would love a virtual reality headset (possibly compatible with a smart phone) to be able to virtually take a train ride anywhere in the world. Can you make a donation to make her Christmas wish come true?