Founded in 2002 as a volunteer program of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Metuchen, the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team (CCST) -- in response to our Gospel call to love God, neighbor and creation -- works to reduce injustice and suffering facing the poor and vulnerable overseas and here at home in the Metuchen Diocese.

We apply prayer and Catholic Social Teaching to selected justice and development activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, especially Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, along with the Justice for Immigrants campaign.
 
We support the model of integral human development (IHD), a holistic concept which encourages the flourishing of potential, aspiration and dignity for every human person.  
 
We have committed - as a group of Central New Jersey volunteers linked to various parishes and other Catholic institutions - to focus on direct, personal, committed and mutually-enriching relationships with those we serve in the Archdiocese of Palo, Philippines, the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Guatemala, the Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya and Caritas Lebanon, as well as the hungry and marginalized in central New Jersey.  We strive for steadfastness, kindness, compassion and commitment in all we do. Solidarity - “the firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good” (St. John Paul II) -- informs us constantly.
 
Our responses include emergency relief, along with development projects that span health, agriculture, water. economic development, food security, education and community-building.
 

In 2020, CCST is organized around the following priority areas:

1. Prayer and Spirituality

   1. Diocesan formation on Global Solidarity Issues

2. Guatemala Community-Based Projects

   1. Water Projects
   2. Scholarship
   3. Microfinance
   4. Health Clinics (6)

3. Catholic Relief Services

   1. Rice Bowl
   2. Local Food Grants (from Rice Bowl)