Migrant Ministry

Ministry Overview

The Migrant Ministry is a volunteer outreach ministry to the Hispanic immigrant population of the Sparta-Andover- Newton area. It operated in conjunction with a diocesan effort to provide a spiritual base with Spanish Masses and fellowship dinners as well as advocacy and support in the areas of non-emergency, acute medical and dental care and English as a second language education. You do not need to speak Spanish to volunteer in this ministry.

There is a growing community of migrant workers in the Patterson diocese that has been recognized by Bishop Rodimer as the Community of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. A pastoral plan for the diocese has been developed and is being implemented. Blessed Kateri has been named as the host parish for Sussex County and provides leadership and support as part of this plan in the activities described below.

Liturgy and Spiritual Outreach:

A Mass in Spanish is held the 4th Monday of each month at Blessed Kateri. A meal and fellowship is then shared among the community following the Mass.

Health Care:

Several area doctors and dentists volunteer their time and talent by providing medical services at their office locations for acute care to the migrant workers and their families. Community clinics in Newton and Dover are available to provide longer-term care.

English Language Skills:

 Free English classes are provided via Sussex County Community College at the college in Newton at Blessed Kateri

Other Services:

 Furniture and clothing donation are coordinated on an as-needed basis. Limited inventory is kept at a rented storage site. Volunteers Needed - Helpers to coordinate donations, trucks and muscles to pickup and deliver furniture

Ministry Goals

Migrant Worker Ministry Mission Statement To help create Communities of Faith, Welcome, and Services adapted to the particular needs of sisters and brothers from other Countries temporarily working and living in the Diocese of Patterson

Romero Clinic Mission Statement We the Parish community of Blessed Kateri come together through the recognition of the health needs of the Migrant Community of Morris-Sussex County in order to provide wellness promotion and healthcare.

Contact information 

Pam and Ed Madzy - Coordinators 973-726-0789

Javier Ramirez - Hispanic Network Hotline 973-726-9443 

Hispanic Hotline - 1-877-724-5112

Ministerio de Migrante-Servicio de assistencia - 1-877-724-5112

Diane Leiher - Food

The Hispanic Hotline is an assistance line answered by a bilingual volunteer. Anyone needing assistance can call the above telephone number and leave a message and someone will contact the caller during the same day. It is not an emergency line. The telephone service has been established to provide assistance for the Hispanic community not yet comfortable with the English language to inquire about services - primarily Medical and Dental care. However, the hotline volunteer will attempt to direct each caller's message to the appropriate coordinator of services no matter what the question may be.

Meeting Information

Migrant Ministry Team meetings are held at the Parish center on the 1st Monday of every month at 7:30 unless there is a specific need to change the date and time. Minutes are e-mailed after each meeting.

3 Month Event Schedule

August 21, 2005 - annual picnic

 December 12, 2005 - Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass celebrated by the Bishop

Spanish Masses are celebrated by Fr. Odel Medina on the 4th Monday of every month with dinner and fellowship following in the downstairs gathering room. The Ministry also supplies bus transportation as well as individual car transportation by volunteers.

English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are held in conjunction with Sussex County Community College during the Fall and Spring Semisters on Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 9:10 in the upstairs meeting room. The Ministry supplies transportation for people in need.

The Migrant Ministry also supplies transportation for several Hispanic Students attending evening ESL classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Community College.

Medical and Dental Appointments, Translators and Transportation and advocates are obtained for patients from the Hispanic Hotline on an as needed basis. Doctors from the community supply their services in their office. Patients are also seen at the Newton Memorial Adult Clinic and the Public Health Well Baby Clinic.

Time Commitment

Time commitment is as much or as little as you would like to give. When driving, we try to ask a person to commit to driving at least one way.

Current Members

Current Projects

On - going

Help Needed

Liturgy and Spiritual Outreach
Drivers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Musicians, Food Preparation, Serving and Cleanup

Health Care
Doctors, dentists, daytime drivers, translators, advocates

English Language Skills
Drivers