MISSION The mission of the Seton Ministry is to provide for women opportunities to grow in their Catholic faith and to live that faith in community and service to other women.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton once said,” God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him.” This quote captures the mission that our group has undertaken for many years—to bring us nearer to God and each other.
HISTORY In 1982, Saint Charles Borromeo became the first parish founded in the newly created Diocese of Metuchen. The early years of the parish saw the formation of many ministries, with the “Women’s Club” being the most notable. The Women’s Club was established in 1986, under the patronage of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, to provide spiritual and social programs for the women of the parish, and to serve those in need. Over the years, the many projects, events, and activities sponsored by the Women’s Club have provided opportunities for women of the parish to come together, and have helped Saint Charles become the vibrant parish community that it is today.
In 2010, the Women’s Club took on a new name as part of a fresh response to the evolving needs of our parish. Looking to our patron, the group is now known as the Seton Ministry for Women. Our new name reflects both the spirit of the group and our important work as a parish ministry, centering on three important areas:
1. Spiritual activities for women (communion breakfast, annual retreat, Seder supper)
2. Fellowship and cultural gatherings (movie/theater outings, book discussions)
3. Outreach to, and advocacy on behalf of, women and children in need.
All women of the parish, and their guests are welcome to participate in our gatherings and activities.
2011-2012 Activities- October 9th, Communion Breakfast/Informational Social - November 19-20, Fundraiser (TBD) - March 10, Lenten Retreat - March 20, Seder Supper - May 8, Steering Comiittee Meeting/Crowning of Mary (Additional gatherings will be added during the year.)
STEERING COMMITTEE 2011-2012
Co-chairs: Rose Kowalczyk, Irma Perez-Johnson, and Carol Piccinini
Treasurer: Kathy Faillace
CommitteeMembers: Nancy Bueschen, Anne Marie DeMarco, Amy Irwin, Debbie Rockwell,
and Pat Scott
Moderator: Msgr. Greg Malovetz
Men of St. Charles
Social Spiritual Service
These three words are what drives the purpose of a Men’s Ministry here at St. Charles. Over the years there have been many different opportunities for the men to gather, get to know one another and experience the presence of Christ in their lives.
Currently John Sudol, Pastoral Council Liaison for Community Formation, is gathering men over the summer for time of companionship and communication. .
If you would like to learn more about how you can participate in activities please contact John Sudol either by phone: (609) 462 – 6522 or by email at jjsud@aol.com.
You may also contact our staff member Darrin Nelson in the parish staff office at (609) 466-0300 at extention 29 or email him at dnelson@borromeo.org.
St. Charles Borromeo Married Couples
"An opportunity to strengthen this great gift of Love"
Please click one of the titles to view information
Starting in November married couples will have the opportunity to have dinner in the Arona Hall a few times through out the year. The dates for the gatherings are listed below. Please email Darrin Nelson at dnelson@borromeo.org if you would like to receive a reminder of the upcoming events.
All dinners are a Saturday night and start at 7:00PM with half hour cocktail
The Catholic Community of St. Charles Borromeo is committed to parish social ministry as an expression of our faith. Our outreach and charity efforts speak to the message of Christ to serve the least among us. Further, in recognizing the solidarity of the human family, we commit ourselves to advocacy work and justice education.
The Catholic Community of St. Charles Borromeo is committed to parish social ministry as an expression of our faith. Our outreach and charity efforts speak to the message of Christ to serve the least among us. Further, in recognizing the solidarity of the human family, we commit ourselves to advocacy work and justice education.
Current Events/News
(updated 12/23/09)
Celebrate National Migration Week
January 3 – 9, 2010
This year’s theme of “Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice” calls Catholics to not only lend a helping hand to those who are suffering, but also to work against oppression and injustices that do not promote the dignity of individuals in their homeland.
This year’s theme also focuses on Migrant and Refugee Children. Children are perhaps the most vulnerable people in our midst. For various reasons, there are many migrant and refugee minors without a parent or guardian to watch over them. The Department of Migrant and Refugee Services of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops has been doing much to serve this population, but there is always more that we as individuals can do. Please go to their website at
(See the Outreach page for contact information for each ministry.)
Loaves and Fishes – January 23
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
Once again, we are preparing 800 servings of our “Thanksgiving meal” of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, and dessert to our neighbors in Trenton. We are also preparing our bagged lunches at the Night of 1,000 Lunches on Thursday, January 21.
Cook, purchase, drive, serve, assemble bag lunches, pray – help us in any way that you can! Please stop by the tables in the Gathering Space after Masses throughout January to become involved with this ministry.
Our work is guided and shaped by our Catholic social teaching--a body of principles and values that draw upon the Gospel and biblical traditions. The U.S. Bishops have arranged these principles under seven main themes:
The Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Rights and Responsibilities
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities--to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Solidarity
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
For questions contact: questions@borromeo.orgAll rights reserved. Material from faithHighway may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without consent.
