The Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD), a part of Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese, recognized volunteers for the love and care they provide its developmentally disabled residents and clients on April 25 during the Jubilee of Volunteers Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson Township.
DPD’s annual volunteer appreciation event was called the Jubilee of Volunteers Mass this year. It was part of the diocese’s many celebrations for the Jubilee of Hope 2025, which the Universal Church is celebrating. Corinne Kilkeary, DPD pastoral care director, and Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor, delegate for religious, and co-coordinator of the diocese’s jubilee observances with seven committees, worked together on the Jubilee of Volunteers Mass.
About 80 volunteers; DPD staff, including Joanna Miller, the agency’s executive director; residents of the group homes the volunteers serve; and Catholic Charities’ administration attended the Mass. The liturgy was also part of Catholic Charities’ events for Volunteer Appreciation Week.
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“We thank our volunteers, who are like family at DPD. They give their time, talents, and treasure. They are the hands and feet of God for our residents,” said Kilkeary, noting that many volunteers have served DPD for several decades.
Bishop Sweeney was the main celebrant of the Mass and thanked the volunteers in his homily.
Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of St. Thomas and St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston Township; Father Marcin Bradtke, providing pastoral assistance to St. John’s; Father Martin Glynn, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Denville and Catholic Charities Board president; and Paulist Father John Sean Foley concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. Deacon Peter Cistaro of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany assisted with the Mass.
St. Thomas is considered the DPD’s parish. Father Williams allows the agency to use the parish Social Hall for events such as its monthly Catholic Adult Religious Education (CARE) program, other meetings, and Christmas parties. The parish also includes DPD residents on its Christmas-giving tree. Confirmation candidates often volunteer at CARE meetings. Father Williams also celebrates Masses in the church for special occasions. Father Foley celebrates Mass at the Gruenert Center in Jefferson.
A luncheon was held in the Social Hall following the April 25 Mass.
“The reason for volunteering isn’t recognition but to share time with those we love. They [the DPD residents] become extended family and are part of our lives,” a volunteer wrote in an email to DPD in appreciation for the Jubilee of Volunteers Mass.
