Knights of Columbus

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The Knights of Columbus (KofC) is the largest lay catholic men’s organization having chapters throughout the United States and in many countries throughout the world consisting of 15,342 councils and over 1.9 million Brother Knights. The organization is dedicated to the ideals of charity, fraternalism, and support of the global Church’s mission throughout the world.

Council 5903 “Prince of Peace” has its home at the John F. Carroll Columbian Club (JFCCC) and locally supports the activities of the Parish of St. Thomas More Church. The Council engages in fundraising activities which allows it to donate close to $15,000 annually back to local charities. Examples of this giving program includes: The Samaritan Center, Coats for Kids; ARC of Monmouth; Christmas Giving for Disadvantaged Children; Manalapan Exceptional Children and Young Adult Committee; Holy Cross Center for Learning; and supports seminarians as well as various prolife activities.

The Council also hosts social and fraternal activities promoting family, friendship and fraternalism. The KofC is the perfect organization if you are seeking an environment where practicing Catholic men can meet others of similar beliefs and have a vehicle for giving back to Church and Community.

For more information call (732) 446-8805 or come and visit with us on a Friday evening from 7:30pm-10pm at the JFCCC, home of the Prince of Peace Council 5903.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides assistance to the less fortunate, both in a material and spiritual way, through person-to-person contact. The Society is an international Catholic organization of lay persons, founded in 1883 by Frederic Ozanam and his companions. Placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul, the Society derives its inspiration from Vincent’s thinking and work. It seeks in a spirit of justice and charity and by person-to-person involvement of its members, to help those who are suffering. The Society is approximately one-million strong in 131 countries.

Person-to-person involvement is essential to Vincentian helping and can include any assistance that promotes human dignity and integrity. The Society is concerned not only with relieving need but also with redressing the situations that cause it, and serves persons regardless of creed, opinion, color, caste, and origin which might include immigrants, transients, orphans, the abandoned or rejected, or any who find themselves among others who are indifferent or hostile.

The Society often encounters situations where it could extend its financial resources if there were a bank of volunteers with special talents that could be called upon for help. Examples, not limited to these alone, include legal, medical, dental, financial, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, etc… Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month in the Adult Education Room at St. Thomas More.

Holy Name Society

The Society, a spiritual fraternity of laymen dedicated to the praise and veneration of the Holy Name of Jesus was established in the United States of America in the early 1800’s. “Called to lead lives of devotion and reverence centered on the Eucharist, its members are challenged to become models of hope and to make present in each individual the unique revelation of Christ.” Every practicing Catholic in the Parish is welcome to become a chartered member of the Society after due process and acceptance.

Cub Scouts

Cub Pack 157 has been chartered at St. Thomas More Church for over 30 years. Over the years the Cub Pack has been active in the St. Thomas More Parish and the Manalapan community. Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years of age.

There is a reason for everything boys do in Cub Scouting. Apart from the fun and excitement, the aim of Cub Scouting is to help boys grow into good citizens who are strong in character and personally fit. This is why we say that Cub Scouting is fun with a purpose.

Adults should express interest to the pack leaders, the Cubmaster, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee to participate as a pack leader. While there’s no guarantee that a specific role or position will be available, there is usually some way in which you can contribute, and most units are glad for any offer of help.

Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Pack 157 and Troop 157 have been chartered at St Thomas More for over 40 years, providing a fun and challenging program with many opportunities for our young men to practice communication skills, leadership, and have fun while working towards their Eagle Scout Award. This program is for young men entering 6 – 12 grades.

For more than a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

All our boys strive to live by the Scout Law, A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. If you have a youth interested in scouting or an adult that has some skills you would like to share with our youth, please contact the number above.

Ancient Order of Hibernians

Our organization is dedicated to uniting Irish Catholic men in friendship, unity, and Catholic charity. Division #16, Monmouth County – St. Oliver Plunkett, was chartered in September 2002. Division 16 consists of members from St. Thomas More, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Rose of Lima, St. Robert Bellermine, St. Gabriel, and several other parishes in the area.

In our short time as a division we have donated to several local charities including Freehold Area Open Door, St. Vincent dePaul Society, Birthright, Monmouth County Child Advocacy, and many state and national charities. We also support Project Children and non-sectarian programs that give an opportunity to children of Northern Ireland to spend 4 weeks with sponsor families in the United States.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic, Irish American Fraternal Organization. The Order can trace its roots back to a parent organization, of the same name, which has existed in Ireland for over 300 years. However, while the organizations share a common thread, the North American A.O.H. is a separate and much larger organization. The Order has also provided a continuing bridge with Ireland for those who are generations removed from our country.

Similarly, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America was founded May 4^th, 1836 at New York’s St. James Church, to protect the clergy and church property from the “Know Nothings” and their followers. At the same time the vast influx of Irish immigrants fleeing famine issues in Ireland in the late 1840’s, prompted a growth of various social societies in the USA – the largest of which was, and continues to be, the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church, with well over 3 million active members in almost every country of the world. It has been active in the United States since 1931, has been approved by the last six Popes, and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members.

Active members become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a balanced program of prayer and service. Active members meet weekly for about 90 minutes with their Spiritual Director to pray, and to report on and to receive a work assignment. A minimum of two hours work is assigned by the President and approved by the pastor. Active membership is open to all Catholic men and women. Those who are 18 years of age or older join a senior group, those under 18 years of age join a junior group.

For those who are unable to assume the duties of active membership, there is always a need for Auxiliary members. Auxiliary members , the praying wing of the Legion of Mary, are lay faithful, priests, or religious. They recite the prayers of the Legion and the Rosary.

If you are interested in becoming an active or auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary, contact Marianne O’Reilly at the number listed above. Presently, meetings are held every Friday at 9:30 AM in the Adult Education room at St. Thomas More Church.