Deacons’ Table donates funds to Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen during Covid-19

In the Ordination Rite of Deacons, the Bishop prays the following prayer. "Oh God, who taught your ministers of the Church to seek not to be served but to serve their brothers and sisters".  That prayer solidifies the ministry of service as a major pillar in the ministry of all deacons.  With that service objective in mind, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Deacon Sam Costantino founded the Deacons' Table during the latter part of 2013 and began serving dinners to brothers and sisters in need of a nourishing meal beginning in 2014. 
 
With the help of a nucleus of devoted deacons and wives, the Deacons’ Table provided meals on Wednesday evenings in the parish hall of Holy Spirit and subsequently moved to Good Shepherd parish. During the 2014-2018 time-period, the Deacons’ Table served thousands of meals to community members  that consisted of salad with tomatoes, pastas such as ziti, penne or fusilli meatballs or sausage, various cakes and pies for dessert, coffee/tea and candies. In addition, several stores provided an assortment of breads and bagels that were given to our guests at the end of the dinner to take home.  Deacon Peter Barcellona was responsible for providing most of these menu items.
 
One evening a woman approached Deacon Sam Costantino and said, "Deacon Sam, I am alone every night of the week and I am happy all of you are here to give me an opportunity to socialize with other people".  It was then he realized that the "fellowship" experience for many of the guests was as important as the meal they were providing.
 
The funding to support the financial needs of the Deacons' Table came directly from the deacon community, various parishes and local government agencies.  After the closing of the Deacons' Table in 2018, some of the funds remaining in the account were used to help several deacon families and some charitable organizations.  With the onslaught of Covid-19, it was soon realized that a great need existed among those less fortunate in our diocese.  Deacon Sam directed the diocesan finance department to terminate the Deacons' Table account and to issue a check to Catholic Charities in the amount of $4,429.28 to be used to assist where they think it will be most needed.
 
“We serve the most vulnerable among us,” said Acting Executive Director Julio Coto. “Families, who struggled prior to the Covid-19 crisis, are even more vulnerable now.  Through its donation, the Deacons’ Table will continue to serve and unite its community in love and service through food insecurity programs provided by Catholic Charities throughout the Diocese of Metuchen.”