Ministries
Being involved in our parish ministries is so important to serving our community and helping to spread the Word of God. We encourage you to explore the many options and get involved today!
Description of Ministry – Significant Advent Giving Tree activities include making ornaments, decorating trees, wrapping, sorting, and distribution of gifts to senior citizens, children and families in need in the greater Summit area. In addition, over $20,000 in monetary donations is collected to benefit various social service organizations and schools in need. Volunteer opportunities abound for individual adults, kids, scouting troops, CCD classes, etc. A wonderful sense of giving and helping those in need can be achieved during the Christmas Season.
Volunteers needed in late November to mid-December.
Contact:
Margaret Strong
Description of Ministry – The St. Teresa of Avila Apostolate of Mary ministry encourages the faithful to have a deeper, more intimate devotion and love for Our Lady by praying the rosary, living the Fatima message, and learning more about her and her role in these times. The apostolate has regularly scheduled events to help us live the Fatima message which are the First Five Saturday devotion (8am every first Saturday in the church), the 33 days of Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary (November-December), and other Rosary-based events. These include Candlelight Living Rosaries, Investiture of the Brown Scapular, Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows, Rosary Rallies, and The Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Novena.
Contact:
Marcia Reina
Description of Ministry – The Baptism workshop is held monthly for all first time parents. Parents wishing to have their child Baptized at Saint Teresa of Avila Parish must be registered parishioners and actively support the parish for at least three months. The Baptism workshop instructs first time parents on the RITE OF BAPTISM. To register for the workshop, please contact the parish office at 908-277-3700.
Contact:
Deacon Kevin and Marcia Reina
Description of Ministry – Support Group for those who are experiencing pain due to the death of a loved one.
Contact:
Ann Marasco
Description of Ministry – This ministry plans and oversees the Red Cross Blood Drive held at St. Teresa’s every Good Friday. Our mission is to recruit as many donors as possible in order to alleviate the urgent need for blood, ultimately supporting patient care in our area and saving lives. The drive also provides our parishioners with a strong sense of sacrifice, commitment, and community on this holy day.
Volunteers needed to help recruit donors a few weeks before Good Friday. Donors always needed.
Contact:
Gloria Ron-Fornes
Description of Ministry – Boy Scout Troop for boys who have finished 5th grade through age 18. Scouts meet once a week to learn scout skills, earn merit badges and plan camping trips. Troop participates in one camping trip per month and sponsors one or two week long summer camp opportunities each year. Program emphasizes the value of scouting and teaches boys leadership skills and self-reliance.
Contact:
John Detweiler
Description of Ministry – The Charismatic Prayer Group meets weekly for praise, singing, scripture sharing, teaching, intercessory prayer and healing prayer. All are invited to join.
Contact:
Joy Calabrese
Description of Ministry – The Christ Child Society of Summit is a non-profit association of volunteers dedicating their love of the Christ Child by personal service to needy children. Volunteer activities include shopping for and packing baby clothes for layettes, knitting or sewing blankets for babies, and collecting and distributing school supplies for Summit students.
Volunteers and new members always welcome.
Contact:
Margaret Strong
Description of Ministry – Contact us to learn more and get involved!
Contact:
Roy Vella
Description of Ministry – Classes are held on Thursday evenings to help those who are preparing for their citizenship interviews with USCIS. Students should either have (or be close to having) the required number of years of holding a green card (5, or 3 if married to a US citizen). The classes review the requirements, procedures, language skills, application, interview experience and 100 civics, history, and geography questions needed to become a citizen. A small fee of $10 is charged solely to cover printing expenses. The weekly instructions, reviews, and mock interviews have proven to be helpful, especially to students whose native language is not English, and so far 35 students have gone on to successfully pass their USCIS interview.
Contact:
Pat Bennett
Description of Ministry – This ministry schedules dates for our parish to volunteer at the Community Food Bank of NJ, located in Hillside, NJ, in order to serve those in our community who are hungry and in need. Parishioners can come by themselves, with a group of friends, or with their families. Anyone 12 years and older is welcome. Volunteers usually sort and repack donated food for distribution to non-profit charities, such as soup kitchens and food pantries.
Contact:
Donna Groskoph
DETAILS:
GAME LOCATIONS – Home games played in Summit, location TBD. Away games are at the opposing team facility, typically in Union County.
GAMES – Games may be scheduled for Friday night or Saturday or Sunday afternoon/evening. There is a minimum of 12 games plus playoffs.
PRACTICE – One weeknight practice will be scheduled.
ELIGIBILITY – Program is open to all 5th through 8th grade boys and girls that are enrolled in a Catholic school or attending religious education program at St. Teresa or a nearby parish that does not have a CYO program (E.g., St. Rose)
TEAM FORMATION – There are two levels of teams that may be formed for both boys and girls. One level is for 4th/5th/6th graders and one for 7th/8th graders. The number of teams on each level for both boys and girls will be determined by registrations. Tryouts will be needed if the number of registrations for any team exceeds the number of spots.
COST – $200 per player plus practice jersey and uniform (jersey + shorts) available at Thompson’s Sporting Goods. Players can use the practice jersey and uniform from previous years. Registration cost will be returned if player is selected for another travel team.
REGISTRATION – For player sign-ups complete and return the following with your payment:
- Permission Release Form
- Code of Conduct Form
All forms can be found on the Union County CYO Basketball League website or by clinking the following link:
Deadline for registration is Friday, Oct 18
Description of Ministry – ESL is a ministry that benefits the Summit community by offering people the ability to learn English. To further their understanding of a new language to individuals who either have been residents of our country for awhile or who are just coming for the first time. We welcome everyone. We want to grow our community. We meet every Wednesday from 6:30 -8 pm at the St. Teresa’s preschool building on the third floor. We charge a small fee of $40.00 to learn English. We would love to have everyone be a part of this lovely ministry.
Contact:
Celeste Kaitsa
Description of Ministry – Our Parish is in need of lay people to assist the priests in distributing Holy Communion at Mass and / or to bring Communion to the sick and homebound. Periodically participants are called to a practice to review procedures and logistics.
Contact:
Nancy Piraneo
Description of Ministry – Through prayer, apostolic activity and education, the mission of the Faith and Life Society is to serve as a resource to the parish community of Saint Teresa of Avila and our neighbors on the moral issues of faith and life. Guided by the doctrine and wisdom of the Catholic Church and our religious leaders, we draw from the talents and energy of our parish community of Saint Teresa. We offer a parish wide variety of programs that inform and support a pro-life family centered lifestyle. Our events include: Eucharistic Adoration, Respect Life Sunday, Annual March for Life in Washington DC, pro-life speakers, Divine Mercy Sunday, crisis pregnancy support, catholic books and videos, and pro-life articles.
Contact:
Louise Biunno
Description of Ministry – Meeting a need for emergency housing, congregations in Union County offer overnight shelter and meals, on a weekly rotation, for homeless women and families with children. St. Teresa’s co-hosts at the Summit United Methodist Church (UMC) four weeks throughout the year. Volunteers are needed to host overnight at the UMC or to provide a part of a dinner meal.
Volunteers needed during scheduled host dates – TBD.
Contact:
Carey Elias
Description of Ministry – St. Teresa’s Homebound Ministry visits people who have difficulties with mobility outside of their home, who are convalescing, or who are in nursing homes. They provide parishioners with social visits, the parish weekly bulletin, small forms of assistance, and can make arrangements for individuals to receive Holy Communion at home. Training is provided to all volunteers.
Contact:
Peggy Burke
Description of Ministry – Loaves & Fishes is a long-standing outreach at St Teresa’s to help the local needy. We maintain a food pantry in the basement of the church and stock non-perishable food items for weekly distribution to approximately 50 local families.
The food comes from donations from our parishioners as well as the many local food drives that take place throughout the year. Needed items include:
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Canned Tuna or Chicken
Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Hearty Soup like Progresso
Rice
Canned veggies
Instant coffee
Oil
Dried beans
Cake Mix or a Pre-Made Dessert
Donations can be brought to the vestibule of the Main Church, or brought to the 9:30 AM and 12 Noon Mass in Memorial Hall on Sundays.
Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis to pack the bags of food, distribute the bags, oversee the pantry, stock the pantry, and qualify the patrons.
Volunteers are needed on a weekly basis.
Contact:
Patricia Bell
Description of Ministry – Catholic men of all ages are invited to be part of our exciting new ministry “Men For All Seasons” – equipping men to be spiritual leaders for their families, church, work and community. Through fellowship and community we evangelize, educate, pray, encourage and strengthen Catholic men to live out their call as sons of God, enabling them to grow in holiness and to lead their families and others to Christ. We meet monthly on Saturday mornings, immediately following the 8:30 am Mass (90 minutes).
Contact:
Deacon Kevin Rein
Description of Ministry – The Mexico Mission serves our two parish families (St Teresa’s Parish of Summit and the San Martin Caballero Parish of Iztapalapa, Mexico) through various inter-parish missionary outreach programs and prayer ministry. These Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy include: Somos Familia, a student sponsorship program; Annual pilgrimage; Fundraising/donations for clothing, school supplies, construction projects, a health clinic, and food programs; Pastor’s Discretionary Emergency Fund; and prayer.
Please contact Vinny Candela at vcandela@singletreetech.com or 908-277-3580 if you would to sponsor a child or go on the pilgrimage.
Support our Mexico Mission Fall Fiesta Fundraiser!
Click on this form for event information, to reserve tickets and to make a donation
Description of Ministry – We welcome adult singers to join the choir and be part of our music ministry each Sunday! Contact Matthew Still for more details.
The Children’s Choir is made up of young parishioners from 3rd to 8th grade. They receive training in liturgical choral music and provide our parishioners with music at the 9:30 Children’s Liturgy as well as special Masses in the Main Church. They also participate with other choirs in the Archdiocese for special events.
For more information, please visit the Music Ministry page on our website, listed under "Service" on the menu bar.
Contact:
CHOIR
Matthew Still
Description of Ministry – Shawls are begun with prayers of peace and blessing for the recipient and these intentions are continued throughout the shawl making process, then, blessed by a priest. The shawls are a tangible reminder of the mercy, peace and compassion found in God’s loving embrace. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn.
Contact:
Delma Puttress
Description of Ministry -SHIP (Summit Helping Its People) was founded in 1991 by the citizens of Summit to serve the homeless and at-risk homeless in Summit New Jersey.
Contact:
Terence Pillay
Description of Ministry – The Social Concerns and Justice Committee carries on a long tradition at St. Teresa’s of helping the less fortunate and standing up for the rights of all God’s children. The committee manages several outreaches each year. Join us at one of our meetings to see how you can lend a helping hand to those who need it.
Contact:
Vinny Candela
Description of Ministry – This ministry coordinates the delivery of excess bread from a local grocery for the sandwiches to be made for the St Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth. Drivers are needed. Volunteers needed to make deliveries on a daily basis.
Volunteers needed to make deliveries on a daily (bread) or weekly (sandwiches) basis.
Contact:
Kathryn Colao
Description of Ministry – This ministry coordinates the sandwiches made by volunteers for the St Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth. Sandwich makers are needed. Volunteers needed to make deliveries on a weekly basis.
Volunteers needed to make deliveries on a daily (bread) or weekly (sandwiches) basis.
Contact:
Ilda D’Onofrio
Description of Ministry – WALKING WITH PURPOSE is a Catholic Faith study for women, that aims to bring us to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through individual study and small group discussions, we link our everyday challenges with solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.
Contact:
Jill Joseph