OPERATION CHILLOUT

Operation Chillout is an interfaith coalition founded in the year 2000 by concerned volunteers to help a group of homeless Vietnam veterans living in the open under a railroad trestle in northern NJ. The organization believes in the inherent worth of every homeless man, woman and child and provides emergency supplies and survival gear to the most vulnerable members of our communities wherever they are encountered.

St. Jude Parish provides bottled water to Operation Chillout during the summer months, and the St. Jude Stitchers knit scarves and hats for the organization to provide warmth during the winter season.

For more information about Operation Chillout, click this link.
 

FOOD DRIVE

Our monthly food drive takes place the first weekend of each month. We ask that parishioners bring canned and non-perishable foods with them when they come to Mass. Food is sent to Hope House in Dover and the Mount Olive Food Pantry. Church doors remain open until 6:00 PM on Sunday. 
Note: Because food pantries are not permitted to spend money on pet food, we have decided
to collect pet food for the Mount Olive Food Pantry. By doing this, we will be helping people on food assistance to keep their companion animals, while also helping to keep pets from being abandoned at shelters. Cat and dog food, both canned and dry, can be left in the church at any time.

In addition to the above, all parishioners are invited to put a grocery store or CVS gift certificate in the collection basket during ANY weekend liturgy.
 

GIVING TREE OUTREACH

Each November/December, St. Jude Parish wholeheartedly embraces the season of giving and gratitude with our annual Giving Tree project. Our Christmas trees are decorated with the wishes of the children of El Mundo de Colores Preschool and St. Agnes Parish in Paterson, as well as with gift card requests for local families in need of a helping hand. Parishioners select tags and then return their gifts to the tree within two weeks. Generosity translates into Christmas joy for our neighbors, as we help to shine the light of the newborn Christ into our world.

Additionally, our Confirmation candidates participate in Christmas in a Box, whereby each class adopts a family from El Mundo de Colores Preschool. As a team, candidates work together to provide presents, gift cards, and Christmas dinner for their adopted family, wrapping up their gifts in a giant box decorated with bows of love and partnership. In building these boxes of Christmas presents, our students learn the value of Christian service and build up the Body of Christ. For more information or for ways that you can help, please contact the Parish Office at 973-691-1561.