News - December 2021

A typical day for many village children in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala consists of waking up at dawn to accompany a parent to work each morning or being sent to the village plaza to sell items in order to bring home income for their family. At a young age, these children are faced with the reality of the demands of work. The Guatemala Scholarship Program has become a game-changer for these children, providing them with an opportunity to receive an education. As part of a comprehensive partnership between the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala and the Diocese of Metuchen, the Guatemala Scholarship Program provides school supplies, books, medicines, and other basic necessities, as well as promotes service to the community and the active participation of parents supporting their children’s education.

Recently, graduation celebrations took place in the LifeSet Program as LifeSet Specialists, Krista Merola and Diana Mandel both celebrated earning their master’s degrees in social work. Both graduates completed their degrees at Rutgers University School of Social Work during the Covid-19 pandemic with Krista graduating in May 2020 and Diana graduating in January 2021. Due to safety concerns during the pandemic, Krista and Diana were unable to walk in a formal graduation ceremony. However, their long-awaited graduation ceremony was held at the Rutgers Gardens in October, and the LifeSet Program celebrated the Specialists’ achievements over brunch that followed.

As Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen celebrates those employees who have achieved milestones in their employment at the agency, Catholic Charities’ Child Care says goodbye to Deborah Vitale. Miss Debi (as she was always called) has been with the Child Care program for over 28 years. Debi began her employment on September 7, 1993, at the Triangle Elementary School in Hillsborough School District, Somerset County. As she departs from the agency, she is proud to look back on all the memories she has collected in her scrapbook from her time at Catholic Charities.

On November 08, 2021, the Edison Health Department held a Flu Shot Clinic event at the Ozanam Family Shelter. The vaccines were offered to both clients and staff at the Shelter. A total of 11 clients and 4 staff members received their flu shot.

Bridgewater Fun! Door decorations! Everyone had a great time decorating for the holidays. Click on the link to see all the pictures!

YES Early Learning Centers in New Brunswick got into the Christmas Spirit!