JACKSON — A local pastor and his parish will receive statewide recognition this month when the Diocese of Trenton holds its Catholic Charities’Guardian Angel Dinner Dance.
The Church of St. Aloysius, Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, will be presented with the Light of HopeAward for Ocean County on Sept. 23 in recognition of its continuing community service.
“[This award is] a thank you for work that so often goes unnoticed,” the Rev. Scott Shaffer said. “It is an affirmation to the parish that they are part of something that is doing the work of the Gospel and doing something for the less fortunate.”
To be held this year at the Westin Princeton Hotel, Princeton, the Guardian Angel Dinner Dance is an annual fundraising event that honors individuals and corporations that contribute to the Catholic Charities organization.
St. Aloysius is one of seven honorees this year, representing Ocean County at the event.
“It is an honor to be chosen because it says that people are taking note of the work we do,” Father Shaffer said. “We have so many parishioners here who are so giving of themselves and thinking of new ways to reach out to people.”
In 2004, Father Shaffer helped create the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the St. Aloysius/St. Monica Conference with founder Olive Taylor. According to the Catholic Charities of Trenton, about 1,400 people receive assistance through the organization yearly.
Last year in conjunction with Catholic Charities, about 100 volunteers collected and distributed 814 Thanksgiving dinners to 15 local charities. In addition, parishioners donated gifts for children at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood.
“Between Kimball Medical Center and Catholic Charities, we distribute well over 3,000 gifts to needy children,” the pastor said.
The emergency services of Catholic Charities in Lakewood also receives help with food collection and back-to-school drives.
St. Aloysius was established in 1964, and Father Shaffer estimates about 5,300 households are registered parishioners.
“I think this [recognition] helps the morale of the parish. People like to know that we are doing good, and we are,” the priest said.