SERVICE & OUTREACH

SS Simon and Jude Parish offers many opportunities for volunteers and provides support groups. Help one another and minister willingly, compassionately, and generously to the poor and needy. Meeting times and contacts are listed on the information pages.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

A fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other so that they can solve their common problem of alcoholism. This group is open to everyone - not limited to parish members.
AA Meeting: Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)

APPALACHIA SERVICE TRIP

A team of Adults and students spend a week each summer in Appalachia performing service. Work involves service projects at homes and a school in the selected town. Registration information, requirements and forms are available on line. Check out our site for more information.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Support and fellowship of men and women who wish to network and share experiences associated with loss of jobs or desire to change careers. Assistance is offered in the preparation of resumes, job interviewing skills, and finding job opportunities. Call the Rectory Office for more information.

PARISH BEREAVEMENT GROUP

To provide emotional and spiritual support to all in the parish who have lost dear ones. The Bereavement Group is open to all members of the parish and their families. For more information, click here.

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED COUPLES

Call the Rectory Office for information

AID FOR FRIENDS

This group provides home-cooked meals to homebound and isolated people. Cooks make meals, package them individually in tins provided, and place them in the parish freezers for later distribution. Visitors then deliver meals to the shut-ins. In addition to cooks, drivers and visitors are always needed. All parishioners, young and old, are invited to participate.

BETHESDA PROJECT

The Bethesda Project is an Archdiocesan-wide service, which helps the homeless in Philadelphia by providing casserole meals, food, and personal care items. Any parishioner interested in contributing is asked to bring casseroles on the third Sunday of each month between 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. See Bulletin for details. Canned goods and personal items can be dropped off in the room off the church vestibule anytime.

BLOOD DRIVE

The Blood Mobile visits our parish twice each year, in late spring and late fall. Dates are announced in the Bulletin. This offers interested parishioners the opportunity to conveniently contribute the lifesaving gift of blood to their neighbors. In addition to blood donors, volunteers are needed to work for each visit. Please watch the Bulletin for updates.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Catholic Charities is an Archdiocesan effort on a parish level to support the many agencies and facilities that benefit the aged, the handicapped, the poor, the homeless, and the many different needs in the Archdiocese in response to Jesus' call. Any adult parish member interested in devoting time towards this activity, in a parish setting, is welcome. Several short meetings are held in April and May in order to process the forms and contributions.

ST. VERONICA'S PARISH

You have often heard us call St Veronica our "Sister Parish." This term has become common in our time for naming a relationship of cooperation between parishes.

11 years ago, Father Donald McNamara, who had worked in SS Simon and Jude Parish for 9 years, became pastor of St Veronica. Without his even asking, some of our fine parishioners, with Father Meehan's happy cooperation, warmly arranged a program of cooperation and kindness with St Veronica's. From then on, we have been blessed to be walking with them! Read more.....

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Vincentians endeavor through prayer and meditation on the scriptures to bear witness to the love of Christ in their exercise of the corporal works of mercy. If you would like to become a member please contact the rectory. Meetings are held regularly.

Among its other goals the St. Vincent DePaul Society also runs the parish clothing drive, which is held periodically throughout the year. A permanent drop-off site is at the Home Depot in Frazer.

ECUMENICAL GROUP

In an effort to share our various beliefs with members of other denominations, the Ecumenical group was formed. Not only will we learn from the practices of others, but we will also come to a better understanding of one another. Any adult member of the parish is welcome to join. Meetings are held periodically during the year as announced in the Bulletin.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization whose goals are to further the living out of the Gospel Message, and to be of service to the Church in the parish and in the community. All men parishioners are welcome to join. Meetings are held regularly as announced in the Bulletin.

PEMBROOKE NURSING HOME

The Pembrooke Nursing Home, which is located in our parish needs volunteers to accompany residents to their lounge when Mass is celebrated and when the rosary recited. It is an Apostolic outreach program that assists these senior citizens. Come and join a blessed and rewarding experience. Mass is celebrated on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Weekly rosary is recited every Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

PRO-LIFE

All members of the parish community and, in particular, teenagers and young adults are encouraged to participate in the Pro-Life organization. The organization helps to support and encourage our parish involvement in the Pro-Life movement by educating the parish community and by coordinating parish participation in national, state, and local Pro-Life activities, including the March for Life in January. Four quarterly meetings are held in the parish. See Bulletin for meeting dates. For more active participation, parishioners are invited to attend Chester County Pro-Life Coalition monthly meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 p.m. at alternating locations.

PROJECT HOPE

Any member of the parish may volunteer to be on call to assist other parishioners, who because of age or sickness, have a need for simple tasks to be done such as driving to a doctor or shopping. Call the Rectory Office for more information.

COMPUTER GROUP

This group is comprised of adult parish members who are interested in devoting time to data entry of census and contribution information. Any contributions made by parish members are recorded in order to mail quarterly financial statements. Any adult parish member with computer knowledge is welcome. Hours are flexible but members are expected to be available approximately 2 hours per month and 3 hours every quarter.