SERVICE ministries
Bereavement ministry
The Office of Family Life Ministries of the Archdiocese offers an eight-session program each fall and spring for those who wish to become facilitators for existing parish bereavement support groups or for those who wish to begin one. This program can also serve to enhance the general bereavement ministry services in our parish. Participants will explore the many faces of grief and will receive practical information about forming a parish-based ministry.
Caring Ministry
The Caring Ministry provides short-term support for our parish community in various forms including meals, home visits and running errands.
Filipino-American Community
We are an informal association of Filipino-Americans who worship at Immaculate Heart of Mary. We strive to keep and promote some of our traditions, and to expose our fellow parishioners to a different culture sharing the same faith.
Food Pantry
The Immaculate Heart of Mary parish food pantry began in 1980 by the Holy Name Society and remains in existence through the very generous donations of food and time of our parishioners. The pantry is located in the lower level of the church outside the Fr. Byrne Auditorium.
Buildings and Grounds
This ministry is responsible for the maintenance and seasonal decorations of the exterior of our Church, surrounding buildings and the parking lot.
Holy Name Society
The Holy Name Society helps in promoting the welfare of the men of the parish by encouraging and assisting them in observing the practices of the Confraternity of the Holy Name of Jesus. Members perform such special works as are assigned to it by the pastor. The Society meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month following the 7:45 am Mass.
Parents' Guild
The Parents' Guild was started as a parish group to promote the involvement of parents and children in the parish community through a variety of different activities including sports, social events, community service and volunteer work. In recent years, the Parents' Guild has become less formal and has focused mainly on sports, namely basketball. We organize and run a Friday Night PeeWee Basketball program for boys and girls in grades one through four. We also have a competitive Travel Basketball Program for boys and girls in grades four through eight. We are hoping over time to return to our original mission and expand our involvement in the parish community.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knitters and crocheters as well as those who want to learn are welcome to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry. The completed prayer shawls will be distributed to the sick of our parish. Meetings are once a month, usually the last Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass. Check the bulletin for the meeting schedule. All are welcome!
Rosary Altar Society
The primary purpose of the Rosary Altar Society is to praise and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and to secure her patronage by the recitation of the Rosary for the spiritual benefit of all the members throughout the world. We also provide the needs of the Altar of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and practice stewardship throughout the year to assist others.
Sick and Homebound
Please notify the Parish Office at (908) 889-2100 of sick at home, in hospitals and those who are unable to worship with us.
Social Concerns
IHM's Social Concerns committee addresses some of the same important social issues prevalent in our world today at a parish level. IHM is a covenant church with the Interfaith Council for the Homeless, and regularly hosts the homeless in the parish facilities; We maintain a family blood bank for the benefit of the parish and sponsor blood drives at least three times each year; We sponsor a number of holiday programs providing turkeys, Christmas presents, and Easter baskets to those less fortunate; We provide sustinance toiletry items to residents of the Park Hotel in Plainfield, a halfway house type of environment.
Thursday Prayer Group
The Thursday morning prayer group gathers to grow closer to God and to recognize Him in our daily lives. We meet at the Nazareth Center once a week on Thursday morning for a two hour session of faith sharing and prayer intentions from mid September until early June unless the schools are not in session. There is a small fee for materials and new participants are welcomed any time throughout the year. Reflecting on God's presence and His powerful love strengthens and nourishes us for our journey.