Last year, 12 members of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Marmora visited the US-Mexico border on a solidarity pilgrimage led by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, to work with immigrant aid groups and witness the situation firsthand. Shared experiences from their trip resulted in the desire, by many parishioners, to continue the impact of the mission on a local level. Since then, working with their pastor, Msgr. Peter Joyce, and the Office of Life & Justice Ministries of the Diocese of Camden, the parish Life & Justice ministry was formed.
The formation of the ministry in January 2020 presented an opportunity to revitalize the Three Kings’ Day celebration in the parish and, in collaboration with Catholic Charities provide furniture, housewares, and other basic needs to help multiple immigrant families. With the outbreak of COVID-19, members of the ministry conducted a phone outreach and, most recently, assisted with Civilize It — a webinar to help Catholic voters, co-sponsored by SMK and the Diocese of Camden Life & Justice Ministries.
The group also launched the first New Jersey Chapter of Catholic Relief Services through the guidance of the CRS Northeast Mid-Atlantic Region Community Engagement Manager. The first directive of the SMK CRS Chapter helped to bring awareness to the importance of health and education of children by urging state officials to pass legislation supporting the Global Child Thrive Act. Participation in monthly, national CRS conference calls helps members stay informed about national and global advocacy issues.
Anyone interested in working with the SMK Life & Justice Ministry and/or the SMK CRS Chapter, please contact either Ann Dunphy at annd3344@yahoo.com or Sister Connie Trainor at ctrainorssj@gmail.com.
To learn more about Catholic Charities’ Immigration, Refugees, and Migrant services, contact program director Patrick Barry at: Patrick.Barry@camdendiocese.org
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