Men of Charity
CONTACT: Mark Balzarotti ♦ (908) 340-4117 ♦ mark@jettron.com
The Men of Charity was formed in 2008, inspired by Pope Benedict’s encyclical: Deus Caritas Est (God is Love.) As the group name implies, the mission is to engage in charitable service to both the Saint James community and the community at large. In addition to its direct activities, the group frequently partners with other ministries in the parish to promote Catholic values and to serve the people of Saint James.
Although the group is relatively new, its members have been engaged in numerous service activities and fundraisers, including a clothing drive for the Morristown Soup Kitchen; aid to the Interfaith Hospitality Network; chapel basement lattice repairs at Saint James; raffle to benefit NJ Right to Life; ice cream sundae bar at the parish picnic; assist with Saint James Men’s Ministry (retreat food service); Saint James Respect Life Ministry (baby bottles program); and the Saint Joachim & Ann Society (meeting set up).
Additionally, they have made donations to local groups and charities, including, Bethel Ridge, Brian’s Cancer Fund, Morristown Community Soup Kitchen, Ridge Oak Senior Village, Share Your Bread, Saint James Youth Ministry, and Saint James Respect Life Ministry. There have also been direct donations to local people in need.
In order to support their widespread activities, the Men of Charity have organized a number of fundraisers that have proved popular in the parish. These include a Wine Tasting Night, Chili & Chowder for Charity, and the Harvest Fest & Microbrew Night.
The Men of Charity invite all parish men to get involved. Their meetings are held monthly in the Saint James Pastoral Center. Annual dues are $20.
So faith, hope, charity remain, these three, but the greatest of these is charity.— 1 Corinthians 13:13
4th annual Chili & Chowder Cook-Off - January 28, 2012
for information flyer:
St. James Men of Charity will host their 4th. annual Chili & Chowder Cook-off for Charity on Sat. Jan. 28th - 6 PM at the St. James School Gymnasium. The proceeds of the event will benefit local acts of charity and service performed by the Men of Charity at St. James Church. There will be homemade chili's and chowders made by individuals and local professionals. Attendees will have a chance to taste many varieties of chili and chowder and vote on their favorite of each. Cricket Hill Brewery - Fairfield, NJ will be on hand to serve microbrews for the event and WMTR radio will play the oldies. A silent auction and along with a series of exciting raffles are planned. Donation/tickets are only $35 each. This includes all food and drink. The Men of Charity are a ministry group at St. James Church in Basking Ridge dedicated to performing acts of charity and service inside and outside the parish community. Past projects include: Morristown Soup kitchen, clothing drives, grocery gift cards donations, and Annual Harvest Fest & Microbrew Night among others.
