"To love our neighbor in charity is to love God in man."

St. Francis de Sales

The St. John Neumann Samaritan Ministry offers some short-term financial assistance to needy individuals. It was initiated at the behest of parishioners, and authorized by Fr. Robert Brown, paster, as part of the St. John Neumann Strategic Plan and its commitment to Catholic Social Teaching.

The Heart of the Ministry

Our ministry embodies tenets of Catholic Social Teaching by:

• Recognizing the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

• Respecting the Life and Dignity of the Human Person; and 

• Responding to the Call to Family, Community, and Participation.

The role of a Samaritan is to support these teachings through direct engagement with those requesting assistance by understanding their needs, offering encouragement, and serving as an advocate.

The Samaritan Role

Each month, a volunteer Samaritan assumes responsibility for handling those cases that come to the parish during that month. They provide a personal, compassionate, and appropriate response, while also striving to understand the requester's actual circumstances and needs. The task involves assessing the nature and scope of the request and evaluating whether SJN may be able to help with financial assistance.

In many cases, especially when larger monetary requests are submitted (e.g., rent), the Samaritan will typically contact other nearby communities to try to assemble an adequate financial package.

The SJN Samaritan Ministry has some similarities to the broader St.Vincent de Paul Ministry found in other parishes, as well as to Catholic Charities within the Diocese. We work with these organizations as well as with Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP).

The work of the Samaritan is both challenging and rewarding, providing a meaningful service to our neighbors in need.