Saint John's Soup Kitchen News Feed | Newark, NJ

Thanks to the PSE&G Interns for all their Help this Summer!

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:24:00 -0400

-"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

― Benjamin Franklin

St. John's would like to thank the PSE&G interns for all their help this summer. Rosemary, Alex, Lauren, Javan and Shanee came every Tuesday afternoon to help prepare and serve lunch. We wish them the best in their future studies, and are sure they will excel just as they did here at St. John's. We are extremely grateful for all they did, and hope to see them in the future! Thanks again everyone!

Left to Right: Rosemary, Alex, Lauren, Javan, Shanee

Recognizing our Thursday Volunteer Group!

Sat, 21 Jul 2018 07:45:00 -0400

"The level of success you achieve will be in direct proportion to the depth of your commitment."

Every Thursday, like clockwork, the "Thursday Volunteer Group" comes in. They are here week in and week out, dedicated to making St. John's a better place. It is so pleasant to have individuals come down on their own accord, spending their time making the world a better place. They have become good friends with each other through their shared desire to help those around them. They are some of the friendliest people you could ever meet, and I have really enjoyed spending my Thursdays with them! I'd also like to thank Gerri and Dotty for the improvements and comforts they added to the men's dining hall. Small touches like flowers and candles make a huge difference for the men that dine with us. Thank you Gerri, Dotty, Peter, Lin, John, Tony, Jerry and Phiil!

(From Left to Right) Back: Tony, Peter D, John, Phil, Front: Peter S, Gerri, Lin

Thursday Volunteer Group!

Update: Repairs on the Convent!

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:24:00 -0400

Repairs are continuing on the St. John's convent.

The anchors are intended to stabilize the wall, and help prevent any further warping.

Thanks to all who donated, and helped make this critically needed repair possible. And to all those working hard to repair the convent.

Wall Stabilization Anchors

More Wall Stabilization Anchors

The wall is now secured!

Drywall Going Up!

Ceiling almost Completed!

Repairs Continue on the Convent!

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 13:35:00 -0400

Repairs are continuing here at St. John's, and we are thankful for all the support we have received! Here is a brief update from John:

Wall stabilization anchoring will be complete tomorrow. Removal of the 2 loose plaster ceilings is complete at the 2 front rooms. All demolition is complete at this time so the dirty work is done. We will begin the sheet rock installation and drop ceilings thursday and all work will be completed end of next week.

Roof being Repaired

Ongiong Repairs!

More Roof Pictures

New Hope Baptist Church Makes Pasta!

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 09:56:00 -0400

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

Early on Saturday morning, New Hope Baptist Church came in and prepared a fabulous pasta dish for the men and women of St. John's. Their meal made a huge difference in the lives of over 200 men and women. They provided for their fellow man, and they had a great time doing it! It is always a blast to be in the kitchen when everyone is smiling, laughing and being cheerful. That attitude of friendliness and comradery is the spirit of St. John's. We are so happy to have them with us, and the people who visit us for lunch and breakfast were certainly over the moon as well! Giving freely is a marvelous thing and they continue to inspire us with their message of hope. We cannot wait until October comes to see them again!

Being charitable and having a great time doing it!

For the men and women who visit St. John's

Cooking and having fun!

All the hard work was worth it!

Special Thanks to Ignite Youth Group!

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 09:18:00 -0400

Believe in something larger than yourself -- get involved in the big ideas of your time.

Ignite Youth Group joined us early Saturday morning to help prepare and serve breakfast. The group came in with energy and an eagerness to help out in anyway they could. It was lovely to have such an enthusiastic and positive group come in early on Saturday to help us out. We are happy to have them as part of our wonderful group of volunteers, and eagly await their next visit!

Serving Breakfast with a Smile!

First Baptist Church of Hillside serves up Thanksgiving in Summer!

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 10:24:00 -0400

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

More than 250 home-cooked thanksgiving style meals were served on June 30th. The men and women who joined us for breakfast left with high spirits when they heard that thanksgiving turkey would be served later in the day. More than a few men enthusiastically proclaimed, "I'll be back for that!" The meals were delicious and the portion sizes were extremely generous. It is always best to have an abundance, and we certainly had it on that day. The trays were heavy, and people ate happily despite the oppresive heat of the day. We are so happy and proud to be blessed with such lovely people, who can provide such a wonderful meal. The generosity of those in our community is always staggering, and we thank First Baptist of Hillside again for their time and support.

Special thanks to all those who helped!

All Smiles during Meal Prep!

It was delicious!

Repairs Begin on the Clinic Wall!

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 07:56:00 -0400

The repairs on the wall at St. John's Clinic building are underway. THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED TOWARDS THIS MUCH NEEDED REPAIR. Once this wall its repaired we will work in the clinic' bathrooms and Dental Clinic. Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you all in ours.

Fr. Bismarck Chau

Construction on the ceiling from the 1st floor

Exposed Brickwork being repaired

More repairs

Seperation of the wall and Floor

Scaffolding outside the Convent

Our Lady of The Lake Parishioners Lend a Hand!

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 15:59:00 -0400

"You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give."

Our Lady of the Lake Parishioners are a joy to work with, and it is with great pride that we recognize their contributions to help the hungry and destitute. Their help is gladly accepted in fighting the never ending war on hunger. They perform an admirable duty and it's important we recognize the amount of time that they donate to our common cause. We respect these great people among us who take action and do not just lie idle. The work they do is inspiring us all to do better and to do more. Thank you for all of your help.

Faith Lutheran of New Providence

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:19:00 -0500

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."

We here at St John's are so fortunate, we have been blessed with groups of exceptionally wonderful people. One of these exceptional groups is Faith Lutheran of New Providence. They are a cornerstone of the St John's experience, with over 33 years of faithful volunteer service. Faith Lutheran exemplifies the positivity and goodness that resides in the souls of all people. The vigor and passion with which they work is inspiring, they do not tire or grow complacent in their volunteering efforts. Faith Lutheran is motivated as ever, dedicated in their mission to give back to those that have less, or in some cases nothing at all. Whether it is cleaning the stockroom, handing out clothes, or cooking food they do it with joy in their hearts. This is because they know that their time at St John's Soup Kitchen matters. What they do here is important. Faith Lutheran can actively see the difference they make, and that is a special thing. And all those who come down to the kitchen realize this. The men, women and children of Faith Lutheran treat those in need with kindness, a kindness that they rarely receive. At St John's Soup Kitchen everyone is treated with respect and Faith Lutheran carries on that tradition. Those in need are welcomed with open arms and given a warm meal. In the tireless and seemingly never-ending battle against hunger, Faith Lutheran strives to make a difference in the world with a "hands on" approach. During the cold months fresh cornbread and chili are prepared, a hot meal to stave off the frigid cold. During the summer it's a BBQ, reminding those who are going through tough times of the relaxing and stress free moments in life. We are grateful for all Faith Lutheran does for us and our community. We look forward to their every visit, and anxiously await their return.

Handing out Scarves

Passing out the meals

Christmas Blessings

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:49:00 -0500

Peace to all friends of St. John's in this amazing season of love. What an outpouring of love we witness here daily in your support of our homeless and needy. We thank you for making St. John's Soup Kitchen the place it is for so many... a place of peace, comfort and joy. Without your generosity, this would not be possible and for that we are grateful.

Christmas won't be the same this year without our beloved Barbara but the assurance of what we celebrate at Christmas gives us comfort to know that Barbara will spend her first Christmas in heaven. What an amazing sight that might be!

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

Blessings,

Fr. Bismarck

Giving thanks to those that give back

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:01:00 -0500

Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior. It almost always makes you willing to be of service, which is where the joy resides.

We continue being thankful during this blessed holiday season by extending thanks to Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno. Marylou and Jerome volunteer in a different but equally impactful way. The music they play soothes the souls of the men and women who come to us in their hour of need. Whenever they come to play the atmosphere is more subdued and spirits are higher. They are local film makers in the Newark area who are very knowledgable about the conditions the men and women live in. I believe it is this knowledge that keeps them coming back and provides a burning desire to give back in anyway they can. Recognition of their fellow mans blight drives them to do more and be better. Newark and St John's are truly blessed to have volunteers who hold themselves to such a high standard. That is why we are continually thankful for their service, and look forward to every visiit they make.

A collage of their latest visit

St. John's is truly blessed

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 10:03:00 -0500

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

At this time of giving thanks, we wish to express our deep gratitude for the generosity and support extended to St. John's by so many in giving of their time and treasure. We were able to serve up a true Thanksgiving feast to those who come to us in need, and to the beautiful strains of live jazz from our good friends, the Bongiornos. From all of us at St. John's wishing a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

The seating prepared before the meal

Men receiving the Thanksgiving Meal

Partaking in the Thanksgiving Lunch

St John's Honored with an Award!

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 07:57:00 -0400

Soup Kitchen 411 hosted their 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala which honored the dedicated service of our beloved Barbara & St. John's Soup Kitchen with the inaugural "Heart for Hunger Award".

Friends of St. John's Soup Kitchen showing their support!

Scott Maran accepting the award on behalf of his wife, Barbara

Doer & Donor Mass of Thanksgiving

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:50:00 -0400

Join us for our Doer & Donor mass, an occasion that honors both our donors and volunteers.

Together we can do so much!

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:24:00 -0400

Our Medical Services Clinic has been featured in a recent edition of New Jersey Catholic. Only because of your abiding generosity are we able to meet the many needs of all who come to our door. We are blessed!

Click on the link below to read the story which begins on page 16.

http://faithdigital.org/Newark/NEW0617/#?page=16

A Happy and Blessed Easter to all!

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 15:46:00 -0400

With Easter, we celebrate life, and here at St. John's we celebrate the lives you enable us to touch each day. We are always grateful for you, for your kindness and generosity to all those in need.

Thank you!

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:09:00 -0400

These wonderful kids from Team Academy of Newark had a funraiser for St. John's and came to us today with $1,051 in hand. Fantastic work! They are helping so many in need. Thank you kids and teachers!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 13:44:00 -0400

What a wonderful celebration we had today at St. John's thanks to all our volunteers and to all our donors who made it possible. St. Patrick's blessings on all!

Attention all Veterans!

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 12:54:00 -0500

OUR HEARTS ARE ALWAYS WITH OUR VETERANS. OPEN TO ALL WHO ARE IN NEED ........

URGENT!

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 10:32:00 -0500

Our Women and Children's Center is in dire need of : -

Pampers, sizes 4, 5 and 6

Baby wipes

Maxi pads

Hand lotion

Socks

Gloves

Donations of these items may be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00am through 2:00pm. On behalf of all those we serve, THANK YOU!

Smiles ...

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 09:36:00 -0500

Looking back at 2016 brings a big smile to my face!

A smile of accomplishment because we were able to complete the Men's Dining Room, and install a canopy that stretches over 75 ft. long to protect our men from the elements as they gather to receive their meals. We continued to serve our women and children in their Center, and we were able to increase the number of nursing students that assist weekly at our Clinic.

A smile of joy because our men now have a warm and comfortable place to enjoy their meals. To hear the men express their appreciation lifts my heart.

A smile of gratitude for the outpouring of kindness from so many of you. You are responsible for all these accomplishments at St. John's. Without you, we would not be able to offer a place of comfort and love to the many who come to our door, even if it is only for a little while.

In this new 2017, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donation. May the Lord bless you always.

Fr. Bismarck

Christmas blessings

Fri, 23 Dec 2016 14:54:00 -0500

This is truly a season of grace and blessings. Holiday Express once again hosted our annual Christmas Eve celebration with a feast of food and song. They bring so much joy and hope to all here at St. John's. They inspire us with their kindness and generosity, as do all of you who give of your time and treasure all through the year. You are a warm hug to all who come here lonely and in despair.

Thank you for being part of St. John's family.

Wishing you all the blessings of the Christmas season.

Fr. Bismarck

Thanksgiving blessings

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 15:53:00 -0500

On Thanksgiving Eve here at St. John's we are so grateful for all our incredible volunteers and supporters who make this time of year so blessed for many who are alone or in need. Particular thanks to Senator Cory Booker who along with his mother and family, Councilman Carlos Gonzalez, and Chief of Staff Miguel Arce, helped us out today in serving a veritable Thanksgiving feast.

At St. John's we try our best to make all those we serve part of our family and indeed they are, and so are you. Thank you for making this possible, not only during the holiday season but throughout the whole year.

We are thankful for our doers & donors...

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:42:00 -0500

I was blessed to meet so many of you at our recent Mass of Thanksgiving and was especially delighted that you were able to experience our newly-opened Men's Dining Room, a realization of a long-held dream as a result of your kindness and generosity.

Again, thank you for all that you do to help us move forward in our service to the poor in our midst.

With a grateful heart,

Fr. Bismarck

Opening Day!

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 15:25:00 -0400

What a truly fantastic day at St. John's today with the opening of our Men's Dining Room! It was so well received by all and many of our men remarked how wonderful to be able to eat in such a place of peace. On behalf of all who will benefit from this place of refuge and rest, we send much love on this All Saints Day to the saints in our midst who made it possible!

Please join us!

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 13:34:00 -0400

Dearest friends,

It has been over a year since I was sent to St. John's to continue the labor of love that started many years ago with Monsignor Hourihan. I have been blessed to have met so many of you and be part of the force of love that drives this ministry. Thank you for all that you do to help us move forward in our service to the poor.

I would be honored if you would join us for our Mass of Thanksgiving , with luncheon to follow, on Sunday, November 13th at 10:30 a.m.. You will be able to take a look at our new Men's Dining Room!

I look forward to meeting you in person and continuing to work with you in this much-needed ministry.

With a grateful heart,

Fr. Bismarck

Almost ready!

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:50:00 -0400

A special blessing has been conferred by the Archbishop on the new St. John's Men's Dining Room and soon we will be ready to welcome our men to have their lunch indoors sheltered from the elements. Through the generosity of so many, we were able to convert a vacant annex in the church into this much-needed refuge which will allow our men to have their meal in a dignified manner in a safe and comfortable environment. It will offer them a similar experience to what has been available to our women and children in their own Center here at St. John's. We are so excited to be able to offer this place of respite to all those who come to our door.

Summer Work!

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 16:33:00 -0400

A wonderful group of teenagers took time out from their summer rest & relaxation to run a fundraiser for St. John's. They spent a day waiting on tables at Applebee's and donated their earnings via the Jack & Jill Foundation. We are grateful that these young people are so very inspired to help our homeless and needy.

Tempus fugit!

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:18:00 -0400

"May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far". - Irish blessing

Dear Friends,

This summer it is a year since I came to St. John's and honestly it feels as if it was yesterday. In evaluating my first year, I used the above Irish blessing. There have been many new ideas implemented at our Soup Kitchen. One was the Thanksgiving Prayer Service and sit-down dinner outside. That was awesome! This past winter, due to the brutal temperatures, we decided to open our Church and serve our meals inside. From that experience, another idea came forth, to open a new dining hall for the men since we already have one for women and children.

Seeing the men eat outside in all kinds of weather broke my heart and so we decided to take the Annex of the Church, fix it up and make it ready by September of this year to begin serving our meals indoors.

So this is where we were and where we are going at St. John's and all because of the generosity of our many doers and donors. In truth, we would not be able to accomplish all we do without their help.

We will let you know the date of the Grand Opening of our men's dining hall and hope you can join us.

Blessings,

Fr. Bismarck

Working together we can do so much...

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:11:00 -0400

Dear Friends ,

I want to share with you two stories that touched my heart. A few days ago I met a man, one of our regulars, whose face was bruised and his head wounded, and judging him quickly I asked, "Did you get into a fight?". He told me that after getting paid for working a few hours, two teenagers assaulted him with a 2x2 plank of wood and took the few dollars he had worked for. My heart broke at the injustice this poor man had suffered. I took him to our Clinic where our nurse Katie took care of him. As she cleansed his wounds with so much love and compassion, I was able to see God's love and care for this man. Yes, God is present even in the midst of cruelty in this world.

My second story is about a boy who for his birthday requested that instead of giving gifts to him, guests would bring gifts for poor children. The boy came in with his mother to our Soup Kitchen to drop off the gifts. What an incredible act of selfless love! I was able to see God's love and care for His children in this child.

This is the reason St. John's Soup Kitchen exists, to be a place where the injured and the blessed come together to help one another and at the same time reveal God's love for all peoples, regardless of race, social class, gender or religion. We are all in this work together.

Thank you for your continuous support.

Fr. Bismarck

Thank you East Side High!

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:05:00 -0400

East Side High School not only worked very hard to serve our poor but were also very generous to St. John's. Partnering with Comcast, they held a school fundraiser which yielded a sizeable amount of money to help us in continuing our Mission. Their eager bright smiles brought much cheer to all who came to our door!

Help from our neighbors...

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:44:00 -0400

In the spirit of Saint Queen Elizabeth of Portugal, renowned for her kindness to the poor, these wonderful men from the Açores Social and Sports Club in the Newark Ironbound brought a plethora of food for our many poor and infirm here at St. John's. As in the miracle attributed to Saint Queen Elizabeth, they truly came to us bearing "roses". The fresh chicken and vegetables included in the donation made for an abundance of tasty and nourishing meals for all who come to our door. On their behalf, we are truly grateful.

Remembering our homeless Veterans...

Fri, 27 May 2016 13:32:00 -0400

The rain has been splendid this spring. As the flowers bloom, unfortunately so too does our line.

One homeless Veteran gentleman that we have known for years came for breakfast in the pouring rain. He was drenched to the bone. This humble soul thanked us for being here in the rain.

I thank you, our doers and donors, for without you we could not be here to serve not only the many Veterans on our line but all who come to our door.

A little spring on our steps...

Mon, 16 May 2016 13:25:00 -0400

There is nothing more beautiful than spring. Memories of the harsh winter have faded in the extended light of the day and the beauty of new growth.

Thank you for being the light in the lives of our homeless and hungry all year round. Your generosity and kindness are the light that keep all of us going.

Teamsters Local Union 863

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 11:30:00 -0400

Al Rispoli, officers and staff once again came with their generous hearts to donate to our homeless and needy. These wonderful people arrived yesterday with a bountiful harvest of meat, vegetables, soup and so many pantry staples to keep us going. They also bring much laughter and joy to all here at St. John's!

Happy Easter to all!

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 10:58:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

When I first came to St. John's, I thought that feeding the hungry was the only charity we did here but how wrong I was. St. John's Soup Kitchen not only provides breakfast and lunch, but also assists with getting prescriptions filled when someone doesn't have the money to pay for it. We offer spiritual support to anyone who ask for prayers. We assist those in need of bus tickets to return to their loved ones or to relocate in the hopes of rebuilding their lives, and the list goes on.

The last amazing work of mercy we were able to do for two people who were connected for many years with St. John's was to find a place of rest for their remains. Yes, you read correctly. Two years ago one of our regulars, Jim, who was loved by many here at St. John's passed away and we took care of his funeral arrangements, but at that time we were not able to give him a proper burial due to finances. Last year a member of St. John's Deaf Community passed away also; her family took care of the funeral arrangements but refused to take her ashes and left them with us. I could not bear the thought of having the remains of two precious people in my office so in the spirit of this Jubilee Year of Mercy, I contacted the Cemetery Office of the Archdiocese of Newark and asked to help me fulfill the Corporal Work of Mercy "To Bury The Dead". The Office of Cemeteries accepted my request and gave us two places for Jim and Rebecca. We will be burying them after Easter, a proper time to lay them to rest with the dignity that every human being deserves.

As you can see, St. John's does not limit itself to feeding the hungry, but we go beyond according to the need presented and our ability, and all of this is possible thanks to the support of people like you!

Have a blessed Easter!

Fr. Bismarck

St. Vincent's Academy, Newark

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 11:13:00 -0400

As they have doing for many years, St. Vincent's girls spent their Service In Community week with us last week at our Women and Children's Center, under the guidance of our own Sr. Jane. There was nothing they weren't willing to do! Aside from serving our many women and children who look forward to this special week annually, they also did a little spring cleaning including washing windows and curtains! We are lucky to also have St. Vincent's girls volunteer with us regularly on a Tuesday. They bring so much joy to all those we serve.

Thank you Troop 31 Ramsey

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 12:02:00 -0500

What a wonderful group of boy scouts! along with terrific parents as leaders.

Last Saturday, they came armed with bags of food to stock up our depleted food pantry and served up breakfast to over 300 people on our line.

As an added bonus, they truly brightened the morning with their smiles!

Desperately Seeking Podiatrist!

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:44:00 -0500

Our Clinic is busier than ever. With the help of our dedicated nurse and 2 volunteer doctors, we make sure all who come to our door are cared for, meeting basic medical needs and making referrals, if necessary.

We are in dire need of a foot doctor at least once a month for approximately 2 hours to donate his or her time and energy to provide basic foot care to our homeless and needy who spend so much time on their feet, in all kinds of weather.

For more information, you can reach us via our Contact page, or call Katie, our nurse, at (973) 403-0527.

What would Jesus do?

Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:47:00 -0500

When I awoke this morning and being aware of the frigid temperatures coming upon us this weekend, I could not help thinking about our homeless brothers and sisters on the streets of Newark. As soon as I arrived at St. John's I noticed our friends bundled up rushing to get their hot chocolate and quickly dispersing into warm shelter (Newark Penn Station). What would Jesus do? I asked myself. I am sure Jesus would welcome them into his house, so I decided to open our church's doors and allow them to eat their lunch in Jesus' house. The staff and I quickly brainstormed how could this work best, and I have to tell you it made my heart happy. If you had been here, your heart would jump with joy as well to see our brothers and sister taking a break from the cold temperatures eating their lunch in a warm place and in good company, even if it was only for a little while. I think Jesus too was very happy to have had them as guests in his house.

Please continue to pray for our ministry, that we may find ways to better serve those most in need.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Because of your abundant generosity...

Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:28:00 -0500

We wanted to share this letter with all of you to thank you for making so much possible here at St. John's. During the recent snowstorm and bitter cold, we were able to assist the entire Newark community by sending food and care packages to the City's Warming Center. On behalf of all those we serve, we extend our sincere gratitude.

Soup's on!

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 09:47:00 -0500

Our steaming turkey soup loaded with vegetables to bring some warmth and relief from the cold today.

Time for Resolutions!

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:42:00 -0500

As this New Year begins, what resolutions should we make? Faith, Hope and Charity are good places to start.

Faith that God will help us see the light of Christ.

Hope that our needy will be remembered and taken care of.

Charity that we not only feed and clothe but recognize the good in all those we meet, and judge no one but ourselves.

Blessings to you this Christmas

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 17:10:00 -0500

It is moving to see how the world is transformed during the Christmas season, not only in the external sense with decorations, lights, songs of joy and peace playing on the radio waves, but also internally. Hearts are softened and moved with compassion toward others and as a result many lives are touched, leaving in us a desire for that spirit of love, peace, and joy to remain in the world.

Here at St. John's, we are blessed to live this experience year-round. We experience the spirit of love, joy, and peace when volunteers are preparing or serving meals, when families are given some of the basic needs a human being deserves, or when the heart of a volunteer is touched from a one-time visit and continues to offer his or her time over and again. The miracles are endless here at St. John's and all because of the love and compassion that emanate from this humble place.

St. John's is like a manger scene, humble, located on the outskirts of a city where the shepherds (the poor) come to find refuge and comfort. The Three Kings would be our donors bearing gifts to the poor with their financial support. The angels about the manger are our volunteers who faithfully assist. This manger reveals God's presence in the world. We are today's manger!

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

Fr. Bismarck

Voices of angels in our midst

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 17:02:00 -0500

Our men, women and children had a very special treat this week. University High School Chorus with their conductor and keyboard accompaniment entertained all during lunch. It was quite the sing-a-long at times with all joining in for the familiar Christmas carols. What a festive atmosphere!

The joy of serving!

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 14:44:00 -0500

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 12:44:00 -0500

Here at St. John's we try our best to make those we serve part of our family and indeed they are, and so are you. Thank you for making this possible, not only during the holiday season but throughout the whole year.

We are grateful ...

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:50:00 -0500

One of the many groups who keep us going over the holiday season arriving yesterday with a truck load of turkeys, fresh produce and canned goods. We will be especially putting it all to good use today at our special Thanksgiving Feast for our homeless and needy!

Thank you to all our Veterans...

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 12:13:00 -0500

John F. Kennedy said, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them".

Our Veterans have been sacrificing for our country since the days of George Washington at Valley Forge... and continue to do so to this very day. They deserve the best social and medical care. They have earned it!

God bless our Veterans, especially those we serve here on our line.

God bless America!

Happy Anniversary!

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 10:30:00 -0500

It's 7 years this month since we established our Women and Children's Center. It is thriving, having gone from serving 30 women and children in its early days to serving over 100 today, an unfortunate testament to the many people falling into poverty. Under the tireless and energetic leadership of Sr. Jane McKenna, a core group of volunteers serve up a healthy breakfast and lunch. The Center affords our women and children a secure place off the streets for their meals and basic needs. Once again in August, we supplied more than 40 children with school supplies and uniforms to start the school year. All Newark schools require uniforms and our needy families cannot afford them. We are now gearing up for our Christmas gift program with all incoming donations of turkeys, toys and gifts to be distributed to the many families who would otherwise go without. While it is a constant challenge keeping up with demand, we know that with the help of all those who donate their time, talent and treasure we will continue in our Mission. On behalf of the women and children who come to our Center, we offer our thanks.

You are invited!

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 09:29:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

Through the mercy and love of God, small miracles happen daily at St. John's. The greatest miracle is the service given by so many of you who support our Women and Children's Center, our Medical Clinic, and our meal program. I would like the opportunity to thank you personally.

I would be honored if you would join us for our Mass of Thanksgiving, with luncheon to follow, on Sunday, November 15th at 10:30a.m.

We will be honoring Fr. Neil at this Mass for his love and dedication to St. John's Soup Kitchen for the past 10 years.

I look forward to meeting you in person and working with you in this much needed ministry.

Peace,

Fr. Bismarck

Our NJ Devils aka NJ Angels!

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:47:00 -0400

Some members of the staff of the NJ Devils came to serve breakfast and lunch to our men, women and children. They were so helpful in getting our turkey luncheon prepared. While an extremely popular meal, it is also very labor-intensive. What a fun group they are too!

Thank you for all you do!

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 16:42:00 -0400

I don't know about you, but I am still savoring Pope Francis' visit and message to our country.

There is so much to do in our cities and in the world for the poor, the homeless, children, for young people, the elderly, for the family. Pope Francis left us with a question: "What about you? What are you going to do about it?"

I want to thank you because you already answered this question when you decided to support our work here at St. John's Soup Kitchen, when you volunteer and when you send us your donations.

I am sure that if Pope Francis had come to New Jersey, he would have stopped here at St. John's and would have been proud of you. I know, I AM!

Thank you for all you do.

Fr. Bismarck

More angels among us...

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 15:07:00 -0400

We were blessed yesterday with a brand new group of volunteers from K&L Gates, a local law firm. As it was the end of the month when our homeless and needy have used up all their resources, we were presented with a line stretching down McCarter Highway, and our Women & Children's Center filled to capacity. Our friends from K&L Gates got straight to work with a wonderful spirit of enthusiasm and served up a very tasty meal. They were impressed by our mission here at St. John's and we are forever grateful for our doers and donors who make it all possible. Our newest volunteers proclaimed they would most definitely be back!

A Garden for St. John's

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:01:00 -0400

If you live in Jersey you know there's nothing like a home-grown Jersey tomato! One of our donors with a surplus of vegetables from her garden was ready to resort to leaving the bounty on her neighbors' doorsteps until it occurred to her that the needy on our line might like a fresh salad as much as we do. So began the birth of her St. John's Garden! Next Spring, her garden will be planted with consecutive plantings in the hope of keeping our kithen supplied with salad vegetables all through the Summer months. In the meantime, our guests share the bounty of this year's harvest. We are blessed!

Last cookout of the summer

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:58:00 -0400

Last weekend we bade a farewell to summer under threatening skies with a cookout in our parking lot for over 300 of our homeless and needy. It was sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church of New Providence who provided burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, beans and soooooo many trays of homemade desserts. It was staffed by their parishioners who brought so much joy and comfort. A wonderful time was had by all!

Peace and rest to all ...

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:58:00 -0400

After an all too brief summer, Labor Day is upon us once again!

We pray for all of those who are employed that they may experience a restful weekend.

We especially pray for those seeking employment that God may grant them perseverance in their quest and hope for the future.

School bells are ringing in Newark...

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:27:00 -0400

Incredible to know that summer is soon coming to an end as TV commercials are promoting "Back to School Sales" and stores are bringing out fall-season clothing to greet students ready for a new school year. I ask myself, when less-fortunate children and their parents see these commercials, what goes through their minds knowing that they are not able to get those new sneakers, new backpacks, or cool clothes? We may not be able to supply these children with the most expensive shoes or clothes but I am happy to say that, as in years past, we will supply for this new school year approximately 100 needy chidlren with new uniforms and shoes that the Newark schools require, along with school supplies.

It has been a great summer here at St. John's, thanks to you! Your generosity makes it all possible. You are always in my prayers.

With a grateful heart,

Fr. Bismarck

Our friends at State Street Bank

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 09:25:00 -0400

Fr. Bismarck welcomed his first official group of volunteers yesterday! Several young people from State Street Bank gave up their lunch time at work and helped serve the midday meal to over 400 of our needy. They brought relief and comfort to all those on our line on an extremely hot day. We are grateful for all those who come to serve.

It takes a village...

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 09:18:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

As I walked around speaking to the men and women we serve, and meeting the volunteers here at St. John's, a popular saying among Youth Ministers came to mind, "It takes a village to raise a child". In truth, it takes the selfless dedication and kindness of our volunteers, staff, and the generous support of people like you to accomplish our mission. I cannot do it alone.

I feel blessed to be here and will do all in my power to continue this gallant mission.

Thank you for your continued generosity to our needy.

With love and prayers,

Fr. Bismarck

Our friends at Janssen

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:49:00 -0400

A group of volunteers from Janssen Pharmaceuticals chose St. John's Soup Kitchen for their day of service and outreach. They served a wonderful meal to our needy, with a helping of joy and compassion. We are so grateful for their time and effort and we hope they will be able to join us again. Thank you!

From the desk of Fr. Neil...

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:20:00 -0400

Dear friends,

As we age, a new rhythm enters our life. While it may be slower, it also can reveal a new kind of beauty. There comes a time to put aside many of the administrative responsibilities and listen more clsoely to the voice of God.

After 45 years as a priest, 25 years as pastor of St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, and 10 years as pastor of St. John's, I have requested that the Archbishop grant me retirement. He has graciously done so, but also blessed us with the appointment of a young, dedicated and inspirational priest, Fr. Bismarck Chau. I know you will support him with the same love and generosity you have shown me.

I will forever be in awe of God's blessings in my life. With your prayers and support, the great mission of St. John's will continue to be a beacon of light and hope!

Peace,

Fr. Neil

A rose grows in Newark

Fri, 22 May 2015 10:52:00 -0400

Amidst the suffering, a rose blooms at St. John's as a sign of hope and God's love for all.

God Bless our Veterans

Fri, 22 May 2015 10:42:00 -0400

From the desk of Fr. Neil...

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:05:00 -0400

Dear friends,

A gentle giant named Howard has lived on St. John's property for almost 25 years, sleeping behind bushes, under tables, on the pavement. Howard kept a silent watch on the world around him. Numerous effots to get him proper mental, social and medical care were always frustrated by Howard's return to the only home he wanted... St. John's. Now age and advancing illness have forced Howard to surrender to our efforts to find a nursing facility where he would have a real bed and loving care.

I am reminded of God's care for us in Isaiah's words (46:4), "Even when your hair is gray I will bear you; It is I who have have done this. I will carry you to safety."

You too have helped carry Howard.

Happy Easter!

Fr. Neil

Our friends at New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:56:00 -0400

Lucille and her wonderful crew from New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange served up a wonderful meal of spaghetti with meat sauce... and of course garlic bread! Our homeless and needy look forward to this tasty lunch which always comes served up with such joy and warmth. They are such a blessing to us all here at St. John's.

East Side H.S. holds Charity Champions Fundraiser to benefit St.John's

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:38:00 -0400

Optimum Community hosted a Charity Champions Check Presentation to East Side High School during the Peer Leadership Program's "Family Dinner Night". All proceeds from the fundraiser went to the soup kitchen at St. John's Church in Newark. The Peer Leadership students have chosen to raise money for the soup kitchen for the second year in a row, as they realize this local charity relies heavily on the assistance of volunteers and donations to help members of their own community. Over 200 students and parents attended the dinner, where the charity was presented with a $1,000 donation. Two representatives from St. John's Soup Kitchen, Richard Leech and Nicholas Calcado, were present to accept the donation. They spoke about the mission of St. John's Soup Kitchen and thanked the students and Optimum Community for their generosity. Senator Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Eliana Pinto Marin and Assemblywoman Grace Spencer were all also in attendance and recognized the students for their service.

"I would like to thank all of the students involved in the Charity Champions program," said Senator Ruiz. "Because of their commitment, St. John's Food Kitchen is making a difference in the lives of so many individuals in need in Newark. They provide hundreds of meals a day to individuals of all ages and from all walks of life who fell upon hard times. I also commend Optimum Community for this program that helps young people realize the importance of helping others."

Assemblywoman Pintor Marin noted, "I am so impressed with the young people here today and want to let you know that we appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication. Each of you is a wonderful role model. And thank you Optimum Community for bringing this program to our students in Newark."

"Hunger is a daily battle for so many children and families in our very own community. We are grateful for the ongoing efforts of our young people to help raise funds for a deserving charity like St. John's Soup Kitchen that provides nutritious food for those in need," said Assemblywoman Spencer. "I would like to thank Optimum Community for a program that engages students in such a positive way."

What can I say?

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 11:51:00 -0500

Since I have been at St. John's I have encountered so many people. They come into your life, and then one day they are gone.

I was in Washington, DC visiting this past weekend. Sunday was sunny and warm. We were walking down a very busy street and suddenly I hear someone calling my name. I turn around and this guy throws his arms around me and gives me a big hug! I recognized him immediately. It was Gregory, a man who ate on our line for a few years. He told me his family from Atlanta, North Carolina, and Washington came to St. John's and found him there. They took him home. Gregory told me he is clean and sober, working, and has his own place. He told me he would never forget me or St. John's, that he loved the food, and always felt welcomed. Gregory told me if not for St. John's he would not have made it. I cried. What can I say?

Without you, Gregory might not have been found. Thank you on behalf of Gregory, and all whom we serve.

Barbara

St. John's Feed the Hungry

Notes from Boy Scout Troop 31

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:22:00 -0500

This message is going out to both Barbara Moran and Mark Walker,

I have been involved with Boy Scout Troop 31 for about eight years now. I have been to St. John's soup kitchen each of those years. About 4 years ago the coordination of this event with the scouts was transitioned over to me. I must tell you it is one of the most rewarding events we conduct. Almost every scout that obtains their Eagle rank mentions in their ceremony how rewarding their time was volunteering at the soup kitchen. Barbara I thank you for allowing us to get involved each year. You are an amazing person and if the world had more people like you the world would be so much better. Mark each year you get a phone call from us and without hesitation you make it happen. You obtain the cold cuts and bread that we use to make sandwiches that morning. Your generosity can never be repaid. I wish you could see how gracious the people being served at the soup kitchen are when we hand them their sandwich. I also want to thank the Inserra family and ShopRite for constantly giving back to the community. Attached are some pictures from this year and more importantly some notes of gratitude from the scouts that attended.

Once again thank you both for all that you do. These are events that the scouts will remember forever, primarily because of your support. THANK YOU!

Notes from Scouts:

========================================

Note from Warren Trent (Scout)

Hi Mr.M

After the trip to the Newark soup kitchen, I really thought back to appreciate everything

I own and all the things I am able to do. I learned that when you want something for dinner and

your parents won't buy it that it is not the end of the world. There are people who have to dig

through trash to find something to eat. It really changed my perspective on people. Even though they

were homeless, they were some of the nicest and most thankful people I've ever met.

Next time I want something new, I will give away some old things. More importantly, I will think if it is a need

or want situation.

~Warren Trent

==================================

Note from the Telfer Family

Hi Manny,
Attached please find Aidan, Collin and Maura's Thank you notes.
Rick and I also want to add a great Thanks to Barbara for all she does each day. Please include our Thank You to Barbara! (See Below)
Thank you also to Mr. Walker and Shoprite for the generous donation and outreach to those in need in our nearby community.
I also want to Thank you Manny for arranging this special day and teaching the kids how important social responsibility is.
Lastly, Thank you for allowing us to experience this as a family.
Thanks,
Kathy

Barbara,
We know what we see and experience that day is only a tiny glimpse into all the great love-filled work you and the others that work with you do.
We also realize and appreciate that you go out of your way to welcome our scouts, take the time to explain how and what you do as well as teach them a few important lessons even though you are so busy. Barbara you are an amazing person giving so much to others as you also set a great example for us all!!!!
Thank you,
Rick and Kathy Telfer and Family

============================

Note from Collin Telfer(Scout)

This event made me realize that I should be more thankful for what I have. And it also showed the importance of helping other. We are all brethren in this world and we need to help each other through good times and the bad. People like Barbara Moran set examples for us as what we should do as fellow humans. Thank you to Mrs. Moran for the chance to help others and also thank you for teaching us the importance of helping others. Also Thanks to Mark Walker of ShopRite for the generous donation of food.

Thank you,

Collin Telfer

==============================

Note from Aidan Telfer (Scout)

Thank you Mr. Walker and Mrs. Moran for helping me to see and appreciate how much I have and how much people need. At the soup kitchen I saw how much some people were struggling. In a normal day I don't see such things and so I forget just how many people are without food and homes. Thank you for this reminder on why it is important to help people and just how lucky I am. – Aidan Telfer

===================================

Note from Maura Telfer (Scout Sister)

Thank you Mrs. Moran and Mr. Walker for helping me experience serving others who are less fortunate than me. The experience was eye opening. I was surprised to see how upbeat and smiley most of the men we served were despite all they have been through. They made me appreciate what I have. – Maura Telfer

====================================

Note from Jake Kaplan (Scout)

Dear Mr. Walker,

I would like to sincerely thank you for your donations to the St John's Soup Kitchen. While volunteering at the soup kitchen with my Boy Scout troop, Troop 31, I realized how harsh the homeless people coming to the soup kitchen's lives are. And, as they accepted their food and coffee, they were so grateful and thankful for what they were getting, no matter how little it was. Your donation has given these people the food they rely on every day. I would just like to thank you for all that you've done for these people.

Sincerely, Jake

===============================================

Note from Ryan Salvo (Scout)

Hi Mr. Morales!

I just want to say what a great experience the trip to St. John's Soup kitchen was. It was so nice to give back to the less fortunate and make their day brighter. Seeing their faces after giving them food and clothes made me feel warm inside and made my day as well. It made me realize we take a lot for granted and it's important to realize the small things and know that they are a gift. It was also very generous of Shoprite to donate the cold cuts and bread for the sandwiches we made because they definitely filled a lot of stomachs! Thank you for running such a great trip and I'm all ready looking forward to next year! See you soon!

Yours in Scouting,

Ryan Salvo

===============================================

Note from Karl and Martin Soll (Scouts)

Hi Mr. Morales,

We had a great experience today at the soup kitchen. I felt good to be able to help those less fortunate and to see how lucky we really are. The history of the church was also very interesting. Special thanks to Shop Rite for their generous donation.

Sincerely,

Karl & Martin Soll

============================================

Note from Ryan Engels (Scout)

I enjoyed going on this trip to help people less fortunate than myself. It made me really think about everything that I take for granted in my life that they don't have, things that they don't have ready access to. I liked being able to help them, if only this one time by making sandwiches and handing out bagged lunches for them. I'm glad that I was able to go down and help and I hope that I can help out again in the future in some way. Thank you to Mark Walker and ShopRite for donating all the supplies for the sandwiches we made, and another big thank you to Barbara Moran for letting a group our size come down all at once to help.

I hope this is everything, and I hope the trip runs again next year.

YIS

Ryan Engels

============================================

St. John's Health Services

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:31:00 -0500

One of the great blessings here at St. John's is our Medical Clinic. Through the generosity of our Head Nurse and volunteer physicians, we have been able to provide emergency care to a growing number of sick and destitute people. In a three-month period, 245 patients were seen. Additionally, we provided medication to a significant number of people. Often, if the situation is serious, we arrange for hospitalization.

We know that Jesus had an intense compassion for the sick. Through your generosity we have tried to follow His example!

Storm Juno

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:20:00 -0500

We were forced to close on Tuesday due to the weather but just beforehand we gave out over 300 bags containing three Cup Noodle lunches, protein bars, juice and candy to help our homeless and needy through the storm. Thankfully it was not as bad as forecast and we were back to our daily breakfast and hot lunch for all on Wednesday.

Happy Healthy New Year!

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 09:42:00 -0500

The New Year has started off with a frigid blast here in Newark. Our breakfast today of hot oatmeal, coffee and crumb buns was well received as you can imagine. As always, our lunch will start off with steaming cups of soup... today's special is kielbasa and cabbage!

Good health and all the happiness your hearts can hold for 2015 from all here!

A Very Merry Christmas

Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:12:00 -0500

We have been so blessed to have Holiday Express return once again to feed and entertain at St. John's for a festive Christmas eve meal. We wish you a very merry Christmas to everyone. God bless!

Feast... Italian style!

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:46:00 -0500

New Hope Baptist Church congregants served a delicious Italian dinner and homemade cakes to 300+ of our needy last weekend. They also served up the best garlic bread ever! What a nice change of pace for all as we were a little "turkeyed out" I think.

Angels amongst us...

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:28:00 -0500

Three ladies rang our bell on Saturday bearing 200 "goody bags" containing socks, gloves, hats and toiletries which they distributed to our homeless. They chose to remain anonymous. What a blessing in this cold weather.

Thank you!

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:13:00 -0500

Over the Thanksgiving period, many heart-warming things happened here at St. John's. Groups from many schools, churches and unions held food drives which will help carry us through the winter. Countless individuals dropped off turkeys and hams for our pre-Thanksgiving feast. On behalf of our homeless and needy, we thank you!

Honored guests at our table...

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:34:00 -0500

Governor serves up thanks...

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:13:00 -0500

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:41:00 -0500

Our Thanksgiving Feast for our homeless and needy on this snowy day was bountiful! We roasted 170 lbs of turkey which was served up with all the trimmings by our volunteers amongst whom was our Archbishop Hebda, Governor Christie and First Lady, Mary Pat, County Executive, Joseph Di Vincenzo, and our own Sheriff Armando. Pictured is Barbara, our Soup Kitchen director, with Governor Christie. We wish you, our doers and donors, who make it all possible an equally blessed Thanksgiving!

Good neighbors!

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:24:00 -0500

Thank you Bishop Mark Beckwith of the neighboring Episcopal Diocese of Newark building for being a true friend to all whom we serve here at St. John's!

Essex County Sheriff's Dept.

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:16:00 -0500

The blessings continue! Sheriff Armando, Jackie and officers came laden down with turkeys and cannned veggies. That they take the time to do this, considering how busy they are, is a tribute to all these officers and staff. God bless them!

St. Aloysius Caldwell

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:04:00 -0500

The parishioners of St. Aloysius in Caldwell who sponsor a homemade meatloaf dinner once a month ran their annual turkey drive and this morning showed up with 125 turkeys plus gift cards to buy veggies and pies for our soup kitchen. The goodness of these people is such a blessing to our homeless and needy.

Teamsters Local Union 863

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:48:00 -0500

The Teamsters arrived early this morning with a truckload of turkeys and all the trimmings, and cases upon cases of much needed canned vegetables and soups. They brought many men and women with them who helped unload the truck and stack the shelves in our warehouse. They will be back at Christmas! We are grateful.

Updates from the Kitchen

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:18:00 -0500

Our good friend, Bob Moynihan and his group of volunteers from Our Lady Mother of the Church in Woodcliff Lake, prepared and served a delicious meal of soup, lasagna, salad, buttered rolls... and to top it all off, the best homemade brownies! The meal was a resounding success in spite of the rain storm.

First Presbyterian of Caldwell are starting up their coat drive. God bless so many who donate a warm coat for our homeless. They also provided a bag lunch for all this week. What a treat!

St. Aloysius in Caldwell are running a paper goods drive and a baby formula drive. Special thanks to Sr. Justine Pinto, Director of Social Concerns, who is coordinating their efforts on our behalf.

Doer/Donor Mass a Success

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:56:00 -0500

What a wonderful turnout of our doers and donors at our annual Mass last Sunday, followed by a luncheon. The Motorcycle Ministry of the Knights of Columbus joined us this year. What an honor! It was such a grand celebration of our Ministry here at St. John's , made possible only by you, our doers and donors. Thank you!

Operation Stand Down helps to keep St. John's Warm for the Coming Winter

Sun, 02 Nov 2014 19:38:00 -0500

Last Saturday brought an extra measure of comfort and support to our homeless and needy. Operation Stand Down is a United States non-profit organization providing services to our homeless veterans. Carmen and Camacho, volunteers with Operation Stand Down, came laden with outdoor survival bags filled to the brim, and distributed them to our homeless. What a blessing with the forecasted impending bad winter. They also brought 1,000 pairs of Foster Grant (drug-store) reading glasses to be distributed to our needy through our Health Services Clinic.

Everybody then enjoyed the most wonderful dinner of chicken, rice, and collard greens. Once again, the entire meal was provided and served by our "anonymous" volunteer and donor.

We are so grateful for the angels among us!

Doer Donor Mass November 9, 2014

Sat, 25 Oct 2014 11:50:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

I would be honored if you would join us for our Mass of Thanksgiving, with luncheon to follow on Sunday, November 9th at 10:30 a.m.

I look forward to renewing our friendship and faith on that day.

Peace,

Rev. Msgr. Neil J. Mahoney
Pastor

New Glasses: A New Lease on Life

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 06:14:00 -0400

And so Ends Another Summer BBQ Season

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:16:00 -0400

Faith Lutheran Church, "faithful" to St. John's for over 20 years, had their last bbq of the season this month. What a fun time for all with wonderful bbq fare and the most amazing desserts, all home made by the parishioners of Faith Lutheran. Our homeless and needy truly felt the love!

Thanks to Dell’Italia and Friends

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:11:00 -0400

Thank you to John Dell'Italia, our Finance Council Chairperson, and to all his helpers and friends who sponsored and assisted in preparing and serving a bbq for over 300 of our homeless and needy on Saturday, September 6th. They were treated to a special recipe of Korean chicken from John's wife, Kathy, and to hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, potato salad, coleslaw... and an array of desserts. A feast for all!

Back to School

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:08:00 -0400

School bells are ringing in Newark. As in other towns, mothers are breathing a sigh of relief! Thanks to the generosity of our donors, 46 needy children were outfitted from head to toe (school uniforms, shirts, shoes... and backpacks too).

The smiles on their faces were priceless!

Share a meal with us!

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:04:00 -0400

We have been feeding the hungry for over 50 years.
Now we invite you to come and share a meal with us.

Saturday, September 6th, 2014
11:30 am - 1 pm

St. John's Soup Kitchen
871 McCarter Highway (Route 21 South)
Newark, NJ 07102

RSVP (973) 623-0822

No Donations Please

Summer Update

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:21:00 -0400

In this intense heat, we have had to send a few of our homeless to hospital suffering from heat exhaustion. We keep ice water out all day to help provide some relief.

Our Health Services Center held an eye clinic yesterday. They examined 30 people and we will be providing eyeglasses for the 12 people who need them.

Once again this year, we will be purchasing school supplies and uniforms for at least 50 needy children for back to school . Hopefully it will be a wonderful school year for them.

Bridges settles in after starting "Project Connect"

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:30:00 -0400

In March 2014, Bridges opened "Project Connect" at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark to provide case management services linking homeless to services that will lead to a continuum of care that will result in a healthier life with the ultimate goal of housing. Bridges' foundation is built on the trust between housed and homeless during more that twenty-five years of direct street outreach providing food, clothing, and seasonal necessities with compassion and respect.

Assisting people to obtain lost identification has become an important program at Project Conect. Without I.D. it is nearly impossible to access housing and social services. Clients do not have all, or sometimes any, of the six points of identification needed to obtain an I.D. Complications often arise as is the case with people born in Puerto Rico between 1931 and 2010. Due to excessive fraud, these birth certificates are not valid requiring several other points of identification to compensate for the birth certificate.

Although housing is the ultimate goal, meeting health and social service needs along with the continuum of care will lead to a healthier life for our homeless friends.

We are so grateful to the staff of Bridges for bringing even more assisstance to those we serve on a daily basis. We wish the every success.

The First BBQ of 2014!

Fri, 30 May 2014 16:31:00 -0400

Our first bbq of the season provided and served by Faith Lutheran Church of New Providence went off beautifully with sunny weather and delicious food including homemade desserts and crates of oranges. What this Church has done for us is beyond measure. A great time was had by all!

Our Health Services is Expanding

Fri, 30 May 2014 16:26:00 -0400

Kathleen McAdam, R.N. has expanded our Health Services Clinic to new heights. We are serving more and more people each week with HIV testing, cancer screening, eye check-ups, and regular visits from our volunteer foot doctor.

New Hope Baptist Donates Book Bags

Mon, 19 May 2014 13:37:00 -0400

Our friends at New Hope Baptist made a trip to St. John's this past weekend where they donated bookbags filled to the brim with goods.

Chicken and Rice from a Special Friend

Sat, 10 May 2014 20:53:00 -0400

Once again, a special friend of St. John's Feed the Hungry donated a wonderful meal of chicken, rice, potato salad, and collard greens, catered by King's Family Restaurant and served to our homeless by St. Raphael's Seniors volunteer group. We are blessed!

Lasagna from Our Lady Mother of the Church

Sat, 10 May 2014 20:49:00 -0400

Last Saturday, Our Lady Mother of the Church, Woodcliff Lake, provided the most wonderfuI Italian feast of lasagna, salad, peas and buttered rolls. Lasagna is not something we get to serve very often. It was a real treat for our homeless. They loved it!

Notes from the Kitchen - Spring 2014

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:13:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

I just loved this winter! Sounds crazy, but true.

It has been the most humbling time I have spent at St. John's. Working outside every day, in the cold and the snow, certainly puts things into perspective for me... how much suffering there still is, how much work ther is to do, and how wonderful you are. You never forgot our less-fortunate. Your generosity and prayers got us through this winter.

All whom we serve, as well as I, are extremely grateful.

Soon the flowers will be blooming again. May they continue to bloom in your heart all year!

God bless,

Barbara

First Baptist Church of Hillside

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:12:00 -0400

First Baptist Church of Hillside made a wonderful turkey dinner for our hungry and homeless last Saturday. Special thanks to Dolly and her crew for their meals over the years. Our prayers and best wishes go with Dolly as she begins her retirement. She will be greatly missed!

Eagle Scout Project

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:00:00 -0400

Pending Eagle Scout, Will Fitzgerald, built beautiful dining tables for our outside eating area. When the weather finally warms up, he will work on fixing our existing tables. He is the grandson of longtime volunteers, Joe and Dot Zoppi. They should be proud!

Boy Scout Troop 56

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:59:00 -0400

Boy Scout Troop 56 from Caldwell did an amazing job spring cleaning our basement and outside eating area. We are thankful!

Rob Returns For A Visit

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 10:57:00 -0400

Our longtime volunteer, Rob Narciso came back to our kitchen for a visit while on leave from Namibia, Africa. He will go back to continue his work there with the Peace Corps treating Aids patients and working on water purification. Rob's contribution to humanity grows everyday!

Bag Lunches Help Feed

Sun, 09 Mar 2014 16:25:00 -0400

Our guardian angels, Meals with a Mission, continue to supply us twice a week with bag lunches and once a month with hot lunches. On behalf of our homeless and needy, we are grateful.

Ash Wednesday at St. John's

Sun, 09 Mar 2014 16:24:00 -0400

We had a record turnout of over 500 people with a big representation from the FBI (who reside across the street from us) as well as many local business employees. It was an uplifting spiritual experience for all of us.

Sign-up to Join St. John's at a Devil's Game

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 11:56:00 -0500

St. Raphael's Youth Group in Action

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 11:56:00 -0500

St. Raphael's Livingston Youth Group brought a wonderful lunch last Saturday of mac & cheese, hot dogs, and chili. What a happy lunch crowd we had! On their behalf, thank you St. Raphael's!

Another Day at the Kitchen

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:57:00 -0500

"To love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely. And you are, dear brothers and sisters, the face of Jesus." (Pope Francis, Address during Visit at the Homeless Shelter "Dono Di Maria," 5/21/13)

St. John's Partners with Bridges Outreach, Inc.

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:42:00 -0500

We are partnering with Bridges, well known in the Newark Community for their outreach and social services. They will enhance our existing services and will also be providing a wide range of medical services, in addition to finding housing, and recovering I.D.'s.

Olympic Yogurt

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:40:00 -0500

Chobani , unable to deliver to the U.S. Olympic Team, decided to share with us and delivered 1000 containers of yogurt today. The athletes didn't get it, but a lot of very needy people will. It's going to make a great addition to breakfast tomorrow morning!

Go Team USA!

Prayer Request

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:54:00 -0500

We are assisting a single Dad who has full custody of his daughter due to tragic circumstances. He has been homeless but now has a full-time job and has been placed in an apartment. We are helping with necessities such as bedding, pots and pans, tableware, and food. Please keep both of them in your prayers.

We're Updating our Databases

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:53:00 -0500

Just to let you know we are working to improve our technology to serve you better. Fortunately, we found an angel in Mr. Robert Adler of Eagle Research Consultants who is guiding us in upgrading our database systems. Thank you, Robert!

Lamb for Lunch

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:50:00 -0500

Ss. Nicholas, Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church donated 100 prepared lamb shank dinners to our Women & Children's Center. One of our ladies started to cry with excitement. She hadn't had lamb in years! It was truly wonderful!

New Freezer for the Stock Room

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:54:00 -0500

As anyone who has ventured into the stock room at St. John's will tell you, our walk-in freezer has been in rough shape for quite some time. Well, thanks to the generosity of Kevin Cummings, President and CEO of Investors Bank, we are very fortunate to say that our freezer has been replaced.

Donations arrive from Our Lady of Peace, New Providence

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:07:00 -0500

Mike Savage and his crew at Our Lady of Peace, New Providence supplied us with 100 hoodies and 500 pairs of gloves. So desperately needed in this arctic weather.

Good Friends

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:05:00 -0500

A good friend of Saint John's donated a wonderful meal on Saturday from King's Family Restaurant that served 300 people. What a treat!

Polar Vortex No Match For St. John's and Archbishop Hebda

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 08:50:00 -0500

Despite single digit temperatures and a -5^o wind chill, the hungry of Newark made their way to St. John's this morning. Today patrons were fortunate to be served by recently appointed coadjutor Archbishop Bernard Hebda who braved the bitter cold as he, along with volunteers from the Seton Hall University DOVE program, handed out coffee and pastries. Their support in serving at St. John's is a reminder that it takes all kinds of help to keep this kitchen up and running.

At St. John's we rely on financial, physical, and spiritual support from all of our donors. Whether that is the donation of time, labor, money, clothes, food, or prayer, every little bit is what has allowed St. John's to become a beacon of hope in Newark. Archbishop Hebda talked about how Pope Francis spoke with him about showing compassion to the poor. He chose to volunteer his time at St. John's today because he sees how our family of doers and donors serves the poor in our community.

Today's lunch (1/23/14) will be salisbury steak, mashed potatos, gravy, corn, and chicken soup.

Update on our RSS Feed

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:36:00 -0500

Dear Friends,

We have been upgrading our computer system in order to be more responsive to your interest in our programs. Unfortunately, old postings were sent out this week wishing you all a "Happy Thanksgiving"! While I certainly hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one, we do wish you the best in 2014. Hopefully our computer system will be running smoothly this week. Thank you for your patience!

Peace,

Rev. Msgr. Neil J. Mahoney
Pastor

Happy New Year!

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 11:23:00 -0500

Thanks to Holiday Express for the joy they bring to our homeless and needy every year at Christmas. Over 600 meals were served and catered on Christmas Eve!

Over New Year, a young man arrived at our soup kitchen. He had been released from jail with nothing but the clothes on his back and a one-way ticket to Penn Station. We contacted his family who wanted him home but unfortunately didn't have the funds. Because of your generosity, we were able to send him home to Pennsylvania.

We are so grateful to St. Aloysius Church of Caldwell for 20 years of bringing homemade meatloaves to St. John's.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 18:31:00 -0500

Our Thanksgiving celebration is here. Even though it's pouring rain, it's a glorious day! Investors Savings, spearheaded by Kevin Cummings, came early to do all the prep work for our Thanksgiving feast and our local Hilton Hotel will finish off the meal with fresh roast turkey.

On behalf of our homeless and needy, we are truly grateful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Doer/Donor Mass in November

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 10:13:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

Everyday I give thanks to God for all the incredible people who gather at St. John's and care for those who are in such great need. I would like the opportunity to thank you personally for your great compassion and service.

I would be honored if you would join us for our Mass of Thanksgiving, with luncheon to follow, on Sunday November 17th at 10:30 a.m.

I look forward to renewing our friendship and faith that day.

Peace,

Rev. Msgr. Neil J Mahoney
Pastor

Week of October 20th-26th

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 13:33:00 -0400

As the weather grows colder, the hot meals we serve feed more and more hungry people each day.

This week the Men's Spirituality group from Our Lady of The Lake in Verona, NJ brought in pancakes and sausage.

Also, the Boy Scouts Troop #6 from Caldwell, NJ came in to serve and brought a much needed food donation as well.

This week was amazing with groups from all over coming to cook and serve. We were fortunate to have some amazing meals including: Pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes, Fireman's special (pasta with meat sauce), Salisbury Steak, and Meatloaf as our main courses this week.

We are so grateful for each and every donation we receive. We would not be able to help serve our sisters and brothers in Christ without the overwhelming generosity that we receive from you, our family of doers and donors. Your time, effort, and financial contributions have helped serve millions of meals over the years.

Thank You!

Coats for Cookies - This October

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:22:00 -0400

This month the Hilton Blue Energy Community Team will be collecting coats until October 30th.

Any gently used Adult and Children size coats can be donated in exchange for a delicious bag of cookies!
Chefs Mark and Christine will be collecting coats and any other donations.

Coats will be donated along with a Hot Lunch on the 30th. Thanks and God Bless to our friends at the Hilton!

A Young Person's Perspective

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 19:59:00 -0400

Before we got on the train, I was wondering what it is like to be on a soup kitchen line, waiting to be fed and having no place to go afterward. I felt lucky not to be on of those people. Then I hopped on the train and the ride seemed like hours. Every stop taking over one hundred hours for the people to get on. Finally, I heard the words, "Attention all passengers, we are arriving in Newark, New Jersey."

In my mind I thought "We're finally here!" I was so excited because I was the second one in my family to go. When we got off my back felt like 1,000 blades were stabbing it the whole way there. Also, I didn't have a single thing for breakfast so I was starving. I was chewing on my shirt without even noticing it. The first words I said when I entered the soup kitchen were, "Where's the food?" All I could smell was salt, chili, and vegetables. My nose was in good-smell heaven but all I could see was and old wooden stair case that led to my grandpa's office. However, when I entered the kitchen, I felt like I was in an actual restaurat kitchen. Technically, I was.

Then I heard the sounds of people cracking joke and talking about the game that was on last night, and how they are going on vacation over the weekend. Then I was introduced to the people who worked ther. I remember Nick, Matt, Eloy, Mike, Lou, Richie, and Barbara.

By the time I had eaten some breakfast, it was time to serve the homeless their breakfast. PB&J and bologna sandwiches. "Kind of a weird breakfast," I thought to myself. Truthfully, it's what the homeless people look forward to. I felt upset that those poor people not only have no money but the have no families to look forward to coming home to. They lost their jobs, their homes, and their money, everything you need in life. Their lives will never be the same. "What a bad way to have to live," I said out loud but to no one.

After breakfast I started sorting clothes out. The group were kids, adults, sizes and gender. That took me about one hour just to organize it all, and I'm not that good at organizing. I couldn't imagine what it must feel like to have to get your clothes from a pile of stuff the someone else has thrown out. I hope I never find out.

Then lunchtime came around and I got paired up with Dennis. He was probably the nicest guy there beside Nick and Richie. He helped me, told me what to do, and even told me joke. The food as St. John's soup kitchen is delicious. Even though the homeless people don't have anything, at least they have a good meal.

At the end of the day I learned that most of the people on the food line at St. John's are there because of drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and mental illness. I learned that one bad decision can change you whole life. Drugs are a terrible thing. Never do them. But you never know, will you make a mistake and say yes? Come to St. John's to realize why you should say no.

-Kenny Blake
October 3, 2013

Summer Reflection

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 15:35:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

I cannot remember a summer as hot as this one in all the years I have been at St. John's. As you know, when the heat goes up, tempers tend to flare.

One day in July, a few guys started arguing with each other. It soon escalated. My temper was short as well so I started yelling at them. Suddenly, everything went quiet. Dave, whom I have known for 13 years, walked up to me and said, "Please don't get mad at us." Then he extended his hand, I took it, and he said, "You are my only family." It was a very humbling moment. I know he was talking not just about me, but about you. He was talking about St. John's and the family you have become to all whom we serve.

Thank you for always being there. Thank you for not giving up on them.

God bless,

Barbara Maran
Feed the Hungry Program

This Week at St. John's

Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:36:00 -0400

We welcom the Don Bosco boys' Freshman Class! They'll be working with us all year.

The Korean Presbyterian Church will be here once again serving their homemade meal of dumplings, beef, and broccoli. Besides cooking, they also provide much needed haircuts for our homeless population.

Our favorite artist, Mary Pagana, will be premiering her new artwork here at St. John's on Saturday, October 26th from 1p.m. to 3p.m. Refreshments will be served. All are invited!

Thanks to Our Web Support!

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 14:18:00 -0400

A special word of thanks to our "tech genius", Mr. Rodney Calafati at Northern Pride! Rodney has been working with us on developing our website. He has been extremely generous with his time and commitment to our mission of caring for the poor. The site has provided us with opportunities to connect with a new generation of people with a compassion for God's poor. THANK YOU, RODNEY!

‏@Pontifex

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 09:25:00 -0400

At his inauguration, our new Pope Francis said we must all be protectors of the created world by "sharing loving concern for each person, especially children, the elderly and those in need who are often the last people thought of." I like this as a focal point because it highlights our mission for the past 50 years. Now fast forward to today... has he changed his stance on that? At World Youth Day, His Holiness tweeted: "@Pontifex: Dear young friends, it is worth wagering one's life on Christ and on the Gospel, risking everything for great ideals! #Rio2013 #JMJ." Living the Gospel means just what he expanded on at his inauguration. He also tweets: "@Pontifex: The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty." So, yeah I heard about the Pope. I heard and more importantly have seen by his example, a loving Shepard of the Church leading his children in a revival of charity and love.

Cook Out!!

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:02:00 -0400

For me, there isn't much that beats summer weather, good food, and great company... So, a good ole summer cook out?? Yes please!!! This Saturday, we will be having such a warm weather delight here at St. John's. This was only made possible by Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence sponsoring it for us! We are planning on having around 300 people to enjoy this cook out with and we couldn't be more excited! Please pray for good weather on Saturday for us!

Picnic Time!

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 08:51:00 -0400

Wanted to send out a thank you to our friends at Hillside Baptist Church for their help with the recent picnic at the YMCA. We helped sponsor it but they truly 'carried the team' if you will. Thank you so much for your gift of service and for putting on an awesome picnic! We really appreciate it!

Service on a SIlver Platter

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 08:37:00 -0400

We just want to take a moment to thank Chef Mark and the THE HILTON BLUE ENERGY COMMUNITY TEAM for their wonderful donation of food and service. It was quite a treat to have them come in and cook a five star meal for all of our friends on the line. In addition to providing a fantastic meal and their very precious time, they also brought in a huge donation of toiletries which were much needed! So, a huge thank you to our friends at the Hilton once more!!

Serving God's Children

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 08:28:00 -0400

Dear friends,

Recent newspaper articles have raised the alarm that from 2007 to 2011, the number of children in poverty has climbed 20%. We certainly have experienced this at St. John's.

Each day we see more mothers with their children seeking our help. Compassion helps us see their beauty even in the most dreadful situations. There can be only one response. Together we will reach out and offer a great meal in an oasis of peace.

Children have a knowledge that is intuitive. Like us, they know we are all God's children. (1 John 3:1)

God is where the poor are -- especially the children!

Peace,

Fr. Neil

Fresh Soup With a Dash Of Love

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:16:00 -0400

We recently got an email from a dear friend in Oklahoma. I don't say dear friend because 'we go way back' but because this friend is close to our hearts and deeply embedded in our prayers. He wrote us with his father in mind, who is not in the best health. The meat of his request from us? Barbara's Grandma's previously safeguarded recipe for turkey soup! Barbara, of course, gave our friend the recipe. And now, drumroll please, she has decided to share it with all of you, the rest of our dear friends. When she told me I could just write it out on the web and perhaps linguistically spice it up, I was forced to interrogate her on your behalf. Rest assured, this is the recipe in full with no exceptions, no withheld secret ingredients, or trickery of any kind. Just a road map to homemade goodness and a full belly!

Take a small turkey or chicken , boil it in a soup pot until cooked, about 2 hours. In the meantime, cut up celery, onions, and carrots, boil them in a separate pot for about 45 minutes. Bone the meat, and then put them all together in the soup pot, including the veggie water. Add salt and pepper and simmer for about 2 hours. The longer you simmer, the better the flavor. About 1/2 hour before you are going to serve, add fresh spinach, green beans, tomatoes, or any fresh veggies you have!

and last but not least and not to be forgotten dear friends, ENJOY!

note: soup may not look like photo because pictured is a tortilla soup of no relation....

The NAIL Grant Art Exemplars & Awards Exhibit Show

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 -0400

St. John's proudly hosted the NAIL Grant Art Exemplars & Awards Exhibit Show and dons the artwork of some amazingly talented, local students! We had a banquet for the awards reception, which was a blast. But the best is still here; the artwork! We invite you to stop by the gallery in the back of our church to see what these brilliant kiddos have created. Peace.

The Little Way

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:01:00 -0400

Summer has always been a joy-filled time for me. Full of leisure, time spent with family and friends, and good books. This summer is kind of new territory I must admit. There is less time for leisure with job searching and obligations. Time spent with family is for me, an import from Missouri; difficult to find yet anticipated as being a wonderful and precious gift. Time with friends is available at times and much appreciated of course. That being said, I'm truly clinging to the good reads. I recently started "Story of a Soul," St. Therese of the Child Jesus' autobiography. For a rather long time now, I've looked at St. Therese as my spiritual big sister and it was an immense blessing to me when my spiritual director asked me to read her autobiography that I had already hoped to add to my summer reading list. A dear friend lent me her copy and I've since started it. It is truly a gem of a book; beautifully composed by God's "Little Flower." Many things have struck me as I turn through the pages, but one seems to resonate with you in mind more than others. You, dedicated doers and donors of St. John's, follow very well the example of St. Therese's "little way." She had a deep love of the poor and readily found her niche in how to serve them, just as you. Even as a child, Therese would lovingly and excitedly do anything she could for her beloved poor. She understood her limitations and in a very intimate way their need. She knew that sometimes all she could offer them was her humble prayers, a small gift of money or love. Through your help and involvement with St. John's you exhibit that same understanding. What treasure has sincerely become mine to behold this in you! Every time I think about St. John's, I of course think of all the memories of people I've been blessed to serve and serve with. These are very fond memories; but what I can never wrap my mind around is the fact that the soup kitchen survives on donations alone. Donations of prayers, funds, time, needed items, and above all LOVE! Oh how my heart soars and my mind wanders at this perplexity. That you, and others like yourselves, would readily give so much of their own lives to those less fortunate than themselves; often without even knowing them! It is one thing to help out your friends and family but entirely different to help complete strangers, knowing that you may never even get the satisfaction of seeing your actions put food on someone's plate or a smile on their face. That unknown aspect is I guess what has consumed my thoughts in regards to you, the enigma that you are to me. It is also what makes me love you without knowing you. Yet, all of that does not make sense when I look at it with only my reason. Why do you do it? Why does it make me love you? The questions are endless but the answer is simple when I align my faith to my reason. Simply: love. God is love and your generosity reflects His love and thus His presence to me and those who encounter your kindness. So, thank you for being this example to me and others. I shall repay you all in prayers (my currency) and keep you in my heart. Peace.

Writer's Block

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:23:00 -0400

Hello again everyone. Today, I have some questions that I can't get out of my head so I'll subject you to them if you don't mind. What is something I most identify with? What would I feel lost or incomplete without? Well, my first answer would be The Lord of course but that could make for a boring read for you. What then, in regards to St. John's? Again, The Lord. This time with a little more focus by some divine stroke of luck. What would I go searching for, what do I go searching for, when here every week? The Lord. More specifically, I search for the face of Christ in every person I encounter here. It is so easy to find out on the line and in the kitchen. These faces which, like refined gold, are so valuable to me and reflect to me the presence of Jesus, are among the few things I think I would even have the ability to look for and latch onto. Now, we get to the part though where I am not too great with words so I will borrow some from a story someone shared with me... Mother Teresa was walking with two of her Sisters to see Pope John Paul II. One of the Sisters and Mother Teresa had tickets to his speaking event; the other was just walking with them. They came across a dying man on their way. The ticketless Sister, somewhat hesitantly, offered to stay with the man but Mother Teresa could tell she would not prefer this. So, she gave her ticket up to stay with this man dying on the street; dirty, desolate, starving, pathetic man. When the Sisters made it home that night, they were elated and sharing with everyone else about their adventure. "We were so close Mother, we could see the Pope's face clearly." Mother Teresa smiled and replied "that's wonderful... I saw the face of God clearly too, in His dying child." I hope this story explains better what I cannot. That sometimes our priorities are not quite in line with what they should be. We need to self evaluate and ask for a heart like Mother Teresa that we might be able to see Christ Jesus in the face of those we serve, serve with, and just encounter on a daily basis. God loved each of us and our neighbors into existance, if we can have but a spec of that love, we will be able to see this beauty and truly be satisfied. What joy will be ours when we have open hearts to His showing us of these things! I pray that all of you and myself may be open to God's inner workings in our lives this day and all that follow it, and that we are able to reap the benefits of doing so.

Do You Love Me?

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:20:00 -0400

For us Christians, this is a special time of year because we are an Easter people. As I heard last Sunday's Gospel reading, it kept resonating in my heart like a neverending echo. So, I thought I'd share why with all of you. In John's Gospel account of Jesus revealing Himself to the disciples on the sea shore, we get such a beautiful picture. First, we are invited to the beach! At the start of summer, this is a very welcome invite. Then, Jesus invites us to have breakfast and our day at the beach gets all the better. What happens next is what catches me most though. Jesus asks Simon Peter, and us, "Do you love me?" three times. Clearly He knows are hearts better than anyother, so really He has no need to ask even once. So why does He? I think the answer to this is quite simple really. If we look back at Our Lord's Passion, we see that Simon Peter denies knowing Jesus three times. This then is his redemption. For each time he denied Christ, he now gets to cover over that blemish with an affirmation of love. Simon Peter has been given an amazing opportunity for renewal, as are we. I know for me this brings great hope! I cannot number the times in which I deny Christ through my actions or inactions. In what I do or do not do, I project to the world at times that 'I do not know this Jesus fellow.' The Easter season for me then becomes an awesome chance to proclaim my love of The Lord and be restored as Simon Peter was, in my heart. But, when we delve further into this Gospel, we see that this redemption is not without price. After Simon Peter says he does love The Lord, Jesus responds with "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," and "Feed my sheep." Well, we know Jesus was a carpenter, so we are not talking about a flock of literal sheep here. He is asking Simon Peter to take care of His people, especially the vulnerable. This call for a response does not stop with Simon Peter, but eternally echoes to each of us. "Feed my lambs." Care for the weak, the meek, the poor, the lost; His little ones who need us. Feed them with whatever He asks of you whether it be through time in service, donations otherwise, or by keeping them tucked in your heart through prayer. Here at St. John's, it seems to be a call for us to, like Simon Peter, proclaim our love of The Lord by better serving and loving our poverty stricken neighbors who stop by for food and whatever else we can provide them with. So we challenge you, along with ourselves, to follow Simon Peter's example by jumping out of the boat and rushing to the shore to meet Our Risen Lord with a heart so open that He can teach us how to tend His sheep.

A Letter for all Our Friends

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:38:00 -0400

Dear friends,

Love is the most precious gift we have to give. We are blessed here at St. John's with volunteers from high school students to senior citizens, proving that you are never too young or too old to love!

Working together as a team, we try to see Christ in everyone. Sometimes Christ speaks back to us! Recently one of the women, after a great meal at the women's center, wanted to make an offering of a dollar saying: "Please take this to help. We get treated so much better here than at any restaurant!"

During these holy days, we reflect on God's great love for us. As God has poured out His love, may we gratefully give and receive that same love.

Peace,

Fr. Neil

A Pope for the Poor

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:35:00 -0400

This is long over due but... did you hear about the Pope?? There's quite the buzz amid the Catholic population right now about our first Pope from the new world. The buzz hasn't missed us here at St. John's in the least. What we really love about Pope Francis is his humility and of course his love for the poor! It makes us feel connected to know that the leader of our universal Church is just as passionate about helping the poor as we hope we are. We think this will be an exciting time in the Church and we hope that people will follow our Holy Father's example and cultivate in their hearts a deep love and charity for the poor. Viva il Papa!

Peace and prayers

From Our Family to Yours

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:29:00 -0400

A big thanks to everyone for prayers that Teena and Manu would have a safe delivery of their first baby. He was born to the proud parents around 1pm on March 6th weighing in at 4lb 14oz. Mother and son are now home, safe and sound and we here at St. John's could not be more proud or overjoyed at this new blessing to our family! And look at how handsome he is already; full head of hair and beautiful just like his parents. By way of common consensus it has been decided that he looks more like Teena than Manu. After many an exited "awww!!!" on our part, I'm finally getting around to sharing the first photo we have of him with you. So, without further ado, (drumroll please!) it is my great honor to announce to you the newest addition to our family, Mr. (Baby) John Gerard!

Real Talk

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:53:00 -0500

Throughout the years we've had loads of volunteers coming in and we love them to death. I'd really like to take a moment for some of what I like to call "real talk." What keeps us running is not the limited number of volunteers we have and can facilitate (because we cannot take as many as we'd like) but your prayers and donations. We're just like any family... it's always a joy to have more people around the house but you also need financial and spiritual stability to keep truly happy and healthy. Because we are a non-profit organization, we look to generous people like you to be our "bread winners". And oh how we greatly need the 'bread' both spiritually through prayers and financially through donations that you bring home to our family table. So, "real talk," we need you, we appreciate you, and we pray for you as well. You keep us going and each and every one of you is an integral part of our family. THANK YOU!

Behind the Scenes and On the Line

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:29:00 -0500

Just wanted to share about this morning at St. John's to give you a glimpse at our morning, which you can help support... First, as with any production, there's the behind the scenes action. This is where the "magic" happens, and by magic I mean chopping of vegetables, stirring of soup, clean up, etc; slicing and dicing essentially. I'm sure this is what you expected but I'd like to also share about what I would call our blooper reel times. There's always something going on with the volunteers and staff, today it happened to be a lot of banter and singing. The singing was, well, entertaining... it brought a lot of laughter so I guess a success. The volunteer "band" that we had today sings an interesting rendition of the popular song "Hungry Heart." Stop by on a Thursday morning and donate a coat this winter and they'll gladly share it with you I'm sure! They carried on with the singing out on the line where we hand out food which also brought great rounds of applause from the men we serve. And by applause I mean primarily laughter. I maybe should have mentioned before, they only sing about 3 lines of every song (10 seconds or so) and everything is to the tune of "Hungry Heart." So, when they asked one man his favorite song and promised to sing it to him, he seemed a little shocked to hear his beloved "Billie Jean" sung to the tune of "Hungry Heart" for the first time. Needless to say, the men preferred the coffee, pastries, and sandwiches to this singing and there were no requests for an encore performance. My point is, yes we have fun and like to put a smile on people's face by the simple things that we can but it is truly the contributions of generous people like you that keep us going and truly serving the physical needs of the men and women we get to meet. So, from behind the scenes, thank you! Bravo!

Bank of America

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:46:00 -0500

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation recently donated $15,000 to St. John's.

Mark Cremonni of Merrill Lynch presents the check to Barbara Maran, executive director of the soup kitchen.

The Christmas Season Is Upon Us!

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 09:33:00 -0500

Merry Christmas all!

This past few weeks has been wonderful. An incredible number of donations have arrived to bring our shelves from nearly bare to overflowing. Our soup kitchen is truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Yet again, this year we are excited to welcome Holiday Express who will continue their tradition of performing a concert for our clients as well as providing food and gifts to everyone who comes to the celebration. Headed by the talented Tim McLoone, Holiday Express plays 50 concerts between Thanksgiving and Christmas saving St. John's for the finale. They are a welcome joy to the cold winter weather.

They will be performing holiday classics between 11-1 on Monday while they serve lunch and handout gifts. There will not be breakfast on Monday morning and seating for the lunch will not begin until 11, however, the line for lunch tradtionally starts forming earlier in the day.

St. John's on the Cooking Channel

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:26:00 -0500

The Cooking Channel recently came to St. John's thanks to the generous efforts of Peggy Guiliani and St. Aloysius RC Church of Caldwell, NJ. Peggy was chosen to be the focus of an episode of My Grandmother's Ravioli hosted by Mo Rocca. It is a show centered around family recipes that only Grandma can make just right. Her meatloaf recipe was selected to be highlighted on the show and they included the work Peggy and her group do at St. John's.

The episode will air Saturday, November 17th @ 9:30 PM.

The Cooking Channel is available for the following services:

Verizon Fios channel 166
Cablevision channel 128 or 729
Direct TV channel 232
Comcast channel 123

If you have trouble check with your television provider to make sure you receive the Cooking Channel.

Wounded Warrior Project

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:25:00 -0400

Dear Friends,

Once again, we will be collecting new sweatpants, lounging pajamas, t-shirts, underwear, sneakers, and socks (men's and women's) for the Wounded Warriors at Bethesda Hospital.

We are also collecting new toys and new children's clothes for their dependants.

The cut off date for gift donations is December 1st, 2012. Any help you can give us would be a blessing.

Sincerely

Rev. Msgr. Neil J. Mahoney
Pastor

Good Deeds at St. John's

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:56:00 -0500

St. John’s Catholic Church, located at 22 Mulberry Street in Newark, founded in 1826, the first Roman Catholic Parish in the state of New Jersey, is a house of worship where many good deeds take place. Miss Barbara Maran, who is the Director of “St. John’s Feed The Hungry”, a soup kitchen, feels great fulfillment in her work that enables her to help others.

Before working at St. John’s, Miss Maran volunteered at St. Aloysius, her parish, in Caldwell. One day Vincent Smith asked her if she would like to help out at St. John’s in Newark. In 1992, she decided to volunteer at St. John’s and has been working at the soup kitchen for ten years. In February of 2001, she became a paid worker, and she currently works as the director of the soup kitchen.

“Since 1975, there was a soup kitchen at St. John’s,” Miss Maran said. “We started out just serving a cup of coffee and a sandwich, but now we have evolved to serving two meals.

“The soup kitchen is open from Tuesday to Saturday. Breakfast is served from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Lunch is served from 12PM to 1:00 PM,” Miss Maran said. “We feed five hundred to seven hundred people.”

In 2007, Sister Alma started a medical facility and expanded the charitable services at St, John’s. “We also have a small medical clinic that includes a volunteer emergency room doctor, a registered nurse, and a podiatrist,” Miss Maran said. “We give out toiletries to the needy.”
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, at St. John’s the true spirit of the holiday will be alive, for the less fortunate will be able to have a fine holiday dinner in good spirits.

“Our traditional Thanksgiving dinner is held the day before Thanksgiving beginning before 12 noon,” Miss Maran said. “We receive about 30 to 40 cooked turkeys from the Hilton Hotel in Newark Penn Station. Shoprite of West Caldwell is also very generous for donating bread, donuts, turkeys, and canned goods.”

During her entire life, Miss Maran has always felt the call to help others in her heart. “I am always thankful for everything that I have,” Miss Maran said. “I always want to give something back to whoever needs help.”

St. John’s Feed The Hungry is a charity that feeds the hungry all year long. Your help is appreciated for this good cause. For more information log on to info@stjohnssoupkitchen.org.

Soup Kitchen Patrons turned Ph.D. candidates and Marry

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:06:00 -0400

When you extend a hand,
you never know who will grab it.

This is a love story. A success story. A story for those who say there are no good stories in the newspaper. This is a good one. So good, it is too good to be true. But it is.

Manu and Teena got married Saturday at St. John’s in Newark, surrounded by friends who came up from Princeton, where Manu is working on a Ph.D in medical-related engineering, and Johns Hopkins, where Teena is doing the same.

But some only came up from the church basement, where just hours before they worked the daily soup kitchen line.

"We changed from our work aprons into tuxedos," said Vincent Smith, the parish manager, who gave away the bride.

Those friends had once served Manu and Teena. They fed the couple, gave them clothing, found them housing and embraced them into St. John’s family.

"When they came here, they were so desperate they were boiling the leaves off trees to make tea," Smith said.

That was four years ago. Saturday, Teena James wore an elegant white gown with a simple wine-colored sash and held a bouquet of white roses. Manu Sebastion-Manoor wore a classic three-piece charcoal tuxedo, with a wine tie. The church was filled with people who once fed the couple, then worked beside them to feed others.

"Their American dream was fulfilled by the people at St. John’s," said the Rev. Rijo Johnson, who performed the ring portion of the wedding Mass.

St. John’s is the oldest Catholic Church in Newark, built in 1826 from ship ballast stones by Irish immigrants. In 1967, after the riots, a rectory housekeeper made sandwiches for a few street people. From that simple act, the St. John’s soup kitchen has blossomed to feed between 500 and 700 people a day. All food, clothing and personal care items are donated and distributed by volunteers. There are health and housing referrals, and a special center for women and children.

Manu and Teena showed up on the line in the fall of 2006.

"These are two of the most brilliant people you’ll ever meet," Smith said. "But they didn’t have the street smarts to survive in a city like Newark."

Their story begins in the Indian state of Kerala, where Manu and Teena studied at the Government Engineering College in Thrissur. They fell in love but it was complicated. Caste systems and traditions got in the way.

"In this part of India, marriages are usually arranged," Manu said. "It is very bad to choose your own spouse, especially for the woman."

But love is love, and Manu and Teena were in it. They decided to come to America. Both were accepted into the master’s programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology, which had a "bio-MEMS lab," Manu explained. "This stands for bio micro electro mechanical systems, and this is what we were most interested in."

That, and being together.

The next part of the story is where the street smarts comes in. They came with partial scholarships, a month’s worth of rice and $1,500. The plan was to get jobs right away.

"We didn’t do a good job researching, I admit," Manu said. "We didn’t even know what the weather here was like, so we didn’t have proper clothing."

The basement apartment they found cost $450 a month. Just to move in — one month rent, one month security — left them with $600. And work was not easy to find. By the end of September, their rice and money was gone.

"The night Teena said ‘this is the last cup of rice’ we prayed. But I thought, ‘This is the end. We have to return to India.’ It would have been a disaster. Teena would have been disowned. Worse."

The next day, they walked a different way through town, and saw the line at St. John’s on McCarter Highway, a block from NJPAC. They joined the line.

Teena James, left, and her husband, Manu Sebastian Mannoor walk down the aisle after their wedding at St. John's Church in Newark.

Smith saw them, and asked them their story.

"I know our regulars," he said. "When I see new people, I ask what we can do. They stood out, frankly, because we don’t see many Indian couples."

Smith arranged housing for them in exchange for work, and the people at St. John’s rallied around this young couple with so much promise.

And they delivered, as Msgr. Neil Mahoney said during the wedding.

"God brought you to us, and you lifted us with the generosity of your spirit and sensitivity to people," he said. "We know the good you received here will be spread to humanity through your contributions to medical technology. Your gifts will touch so many people."

Mahoney called the wedding a new "chapter in Manu and Teena’s love story." And the moral of the story of this: when you extend a hand, you never know who will grab it.