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May 16, 2022PHILLIPSBURG – Nestled on South Main St. in Phillipsburg, in buildings 387 and 383 respectively, the Catholic Charities’ run food pantry and thrift store are in the business of carrying out the works of mercy, expectedly feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.
The people who staff the operations, a mix of employees and volunteers, said that while their work is fulfilling, it is also fulfilling the works of mercy.
“I’ve been a Sister of Mercy for 60 years,” said Sister Michaelita Popovice, who serves as the program director for the Phillipsburg Social Service Center and Warren County Thrift Store. “Our foundress is from Ireland and her name was Catherine McAuley. The most important thing she told her Sisters was to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and I am so privileged to be with Catholic Charities so I can carry that out.”
Open five days a week, Monday through Friday, the thrift store and food pantry work hand in hand to assist individuals and families suffering from food insecurity, also outfitting them with essentials like bedding, weather-appropriate clothing and job interview attire.
When a client comes through the door, whether English- or Spanish-speaking, they are immediately greeted, their needs assessed, and they are offered ongoing case management, so they are best served now and into the future. According to Sister Michaelita, the staff and volunteers make every effort to get to know each individual, to hear their clients’ stories and to learn how they can help them, with many clients opting to continue the relationship.
She assured that while special care is taken with clients in need of assistance, the same special care is provided to general public shoppers in the thrift store, which sells a variety of goods, including gently used clothing, household items, shoes, accessories, jewelry, books, toys and more. In turn, the proceeds are used to provide assistance for the Warren Basic Material Needs Program.
“Encounter is a very important piece here,” she said. “We ask how they’re doing and so on. One important thing is when they return, we remember their names and that’s very, very important. We remember their names and we remember what they said previously. It’s more about the person’s life.”
The works of mercy being carried out in the two locations, and through the many other services provided by Catholic Charities, have a large impact on the lives of those they touch, though are just a microcosm of the works of mercy being carried out across Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, the four counties of the Diocese of Metuchen served by Catholic Charities.
In special recognition of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diocese – and heeding the call by Bishop James F. Checchio in his second pastoral letter, “Answering the Lord’s Call Through Prayer, Works of Mercy and Vocations,” “to pray and to consider how God’s gracious love and mercy has impacted your own life, and then go out and do the same for others” – Catholics in the diocese are more intentionally carrying out the works of mercy in parishes, schools and organizations.
“A ‘work of mercy’ is something that every baptized member of the Church can readily do, and it does not necessarily need to be a part of our formal ministry,” the bishop wrote in his pastoral letter. “Each day, we, as committed disciples, are offered opportunities to act in the name of Jesus, wherever we may find ourselves.”
Sister Michaelita said she is grateful her work with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen provides her with ample opportunities to carry out the works of mercy but echoed the bishop, emphasizing that every person has opportunities to do the same, something she said she sees regularly through the generous donations they receive.
While the donations the food pantry and thrift store receive go a long way in helping the staff and volunteers clothe the naked, feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, some of the more tangible works of mercy, Sister Michaelita said the efforts of the food pantry and thrift store extend far beyond.
“We not only feed the hungry or give drink to the thirsty, but we comfort people, those who are grieving,” the Sister of Mercy said. “I feel our most important work we can do is carry out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. I think that’s how we’re going to be judged of how we treat other people, so I’m happy to be here to be able to carry them out.”
If you are in need of assistance and can benefit from the help of the food pantry and thrift store – services offered through the Warren Basic Material Needs Program – please call the staff at 908-859-5447. If you would like to make a donation, please visit 383 South Main St., Phillipsburg, where donations of usable and functional articles are graciously accepted during regular store hours. Clothing should be tear, rip and stain free. Small appliances must be in complete working condition with no needed repairs.
To learn more about the corporal and spiritual works of mercy being carried out in the Diocese of Metuchen, and how your 40 acts can have an impact, visit: diometuchen.org/worksofmercy. All are invited to share their impact by using the hashtag #FortyActImpact on social media or by sharing their photos and stories via email with communications@diometuchen.org.
Workman is the Communications Specialist in the Office of Communications and Public Relations
