St. Catherine's Cares About Our Military as New Veteran Apostolate Ministry Is Formed

At Masses on Veterans Day weekend Nov. 9th and 10th, St. Catherine of Siena Parish embraced all Veterans by launching the Veteran Military Apostolate a brand new ministry introduced in May 2013 by the Diocese of Metuchen.

The community celebrated the return of two parishioners fresh from their tour in Afghanistan: Specialist Thomas Ruvo and First Lt. Andrew Baker, who participated in Mass in full dress uniform. The Liturgy also included Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Color Guard in recognition of the dedicated service to God and country by those Veterans who continue to serve.

St. Catherine's is one of only two churches in Hunterdon County to launch this ministry (the other is St. John Neumann in Califon). The Apostolate mission is "to provide supportive outreach ministry and the fellowship of Christ to Veterans and active service members and their families, striving to be doers of the word and not hearers only; to be firm in faith made one in hope, and constant in charity and guided by the Holy Spirit."

The Veteran Military Apostolate provides parishioners with an opportunity to be led by Christianity to grow spiritually in this Year of Faith through charitable works, prayer, and guidance to all Veterans -- especially those wounded morally and spiritually by war.

The Apostolate has subcommittees that are in need of help: Visitation: letting soldiers and Veterans know they are not alone; Communication: letter-writing, prayer chains to military and their families; Specialized Outreach: organizing collection of needed items to send overseas or to local shelters and VA hospitals; and Health & Welfare: participating in monthly outreach meetings, a place of trust and good listening.

If you're interested in helping out with this new ministry, please contact Patricia Dziubek at (908) 735-8875 or email: patriciadziubek@embarqmail.com.

For a diocesan newsletter with more information on this new ministry, click hereand see photos from the Mass in the gallery below.