Young Catholics BY LORI ULRICH Correspondent
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‘Service and Social’ brings young adults together to give back
n the morning of June 11, young adult volunteers weeded, tilled, and planted in the community garden, where fresh fruits and vegetables are grown seasonally and provided for free to registered families. The afternoon was spent doing inventory in the Seeds of Service thrift shop, a portion of which will be sold to achieve the objectives of the organization’s community outreach mission. The day, which saw volunteers from various parishes across the Diocese join together in service and fellowship, was part of a “Service and Social” event sponsored by the Diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and held in Seeds of Service, Brick. The faith-based organization assists and advocates for the sick, poor and needy while collaborating with other community partners. The Service and Social event was started four years ago to provide “a casual and relaxed event to serve God’s people and be who God wants us to be,” shared Dan Waddington, diocesan director, Youth and Young Adult Ministries. With various tasks like gardening, doing product inventory, and assisting in the thrift shop, Seeds of Service presents the perfect opportunity to give back to others in need, he said. “We can help clothe a family, help feed a family, it’s truly incredible. It’s so awesome to be a part of the process. It is truly great to participate in a small piece of giving to someone else, someone we will probably never meet,” Waddington reflected. Chaselyn Palumbo, 26, a member of St. Catharine - St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, shared her reasons for participating. “I wanted to meet other young adults in similar faith. I felt why not come out and give back to those in need in the community? It’s nice to be with others who share the same faith and beliefs,” she said. Palumbo hopes to start a Youth Ministry group for high schoolers at her parish. Shannon DesRochers, a second-grade teacher in St. Joseph School, Toms River, and member of Saint Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, acknowledged, “It’s hard to find those Continued on 43
2. 42 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE
July 2022
1. Young adults work in the garden on the campus of Seeds and Service in Brick. Lori Ulrich photos 2. A group of participants organize clothing items.
