Volunteer Opportunities

There is the common misconception that volunteering necessarily implies a huge commitment of time--say every week for the rest of your life. Not so. We understand that you have a family, a job, other interests, but not a lot of free time. Even if you can only offer an hour or two once in a while, it can help.

Several of our ministries need volunteers and would be grateful for an occasional helping hand. If you can answer a phone, give someone a ride, or count money, you are needed.

Besides, St. Paul's parishioners are some of the brightest, wittiest, nicest and most interesting people around. Volunteering will give you the opportunity to meet some of these remarkable people.

Rel. Ed. Teachers
Rel. Ed. is in need of teachers including substitute teachers during the school year. Please call the Office of Religious Education Office (924-1743 x 118) if you can help even on an as-needed basis.

In addition, the program is looking for high school students who can work as aides in the classrooms of the younger children on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Shoppers and Drivers Needed
The Health Care Ministry needs volunteers who have time to go grocery shopping or to drive the elderly or infirm to medical appointments. This is a very flexible commitment. When rides are needed, they will call the volunteer. If it does not fit your schedule, we will find another driver and call you another time. Please call us at 921-8888 to volunteer or if you want more information.

Loaves and Fishes
The Loaves and Fishes Community of the Diocese of Trenton serves meals on the last two Saturdays of every month all year long at St. Mary's Cathedral in Trenton. Volunteers are needed from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Generally, those wishing to help can walk in any time. Advance notice is only required for those coming in groups of 10 or more. Call Barbara at 844-0766 if you wish to bring a large group.

The children of the homeless and those who live in shelters have a need in addition to food: art supplies. If you can occasionally donate art supplies during the year, we could feed the children's minds and spirits as well as their bodies.

Crisis Ministry/Food for the Hungry
Therese Lachance
The Crisis Ministry gives out more than 600 bags of groceries each month! Please bring an extra can or box of food and put it in the food containers in the vestibule of the church when you come to Mass on Sundays.

Food for the Hungry, which donates to the Crisis Ministry of Trenton and Princeton, also needs help to boost food collections. People are not aware that food is collected every week as well as during special food drives. But donations have dwindled at a time when the need has increased. This ministry needs help with advertising: sign-making, encouraging and motivating other groups to sponsor food collections, and implementing programs that increase awareness of the ongoing need to donate food. If you are part of a group that can sponsor a food drive, or have advertising and motivational talents, please get in touch with Therese Lachance (email her at drpal@aol.com) or leave a message with the Parish Office (924-1743). For further information about this ministry, click here.

Soup Kitchen
Vickie Coonan, Coordinator
St. Paul's provides four volunteers one day a month on the first Tuesday of each month, from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. Come join the parish team which has given 18 years of service to the Trenton Soup Kitchen and experience the joy of giving. For further information about this ministry, click here.

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Other Opportunities

Retrouvaille
The Office of Family Life/Respect Life is seeking couples that may be interested in joining the Retrouvaille team. If you have served on a pre-Cana, engagement or marriage-encounter team, your gifts and talents would be most welcome to this important ministry in supporting couples in troubled marriages. For additional information, call (609) 406-7400 x5556.

To Trust Again
The Office of Family Life/Respect Life is seeking couples that may be interested in joining the To Trust Again team. This is a pre-Cana program designed to meet the pastoral needs of couples in which one or both persons are marrying after the loss of a spouse through death or divorce. The program addresses specific issues these individuals face as they enter into a new relationship. If you are interested in sharing your gifts or talents, the TTA team would welcome you. Call (609) 406-7400 x5556 for more information.

Alpha Pregnancy Center
Any parishioner seeking a way to contribute to the pro-life movement in a significant way, Alpha Pregnancy Center in Lawrenceville needs volunteers of all types, including counselors, speakers, receptionists and events assistance. If interested, training sessions will begin in March. Please call (609) 989-1023 for more details.

Emergency Services
Become an Emergency Services Volunteer for the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton. Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5 pm. Especially needed are receptionists and waiting area attendants. Please call 609-394-8879 if interested.