Serving the Poor with Faith and Love

LAMP Catholic Ministries brings the spiritual presence of Jesus to those experiencing poverty in New York City

Note: LAMP is not accepting applications at this time.

Our Mission

Bringing Christ's compassion to the materially poor

LAMP (Lay Apostolic Ministries with the Poor) is a Catholic missionary community dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus with those experiencing poverty in New York City.

Founded in 1981 by Tom and Lyn Scheuring, LAMP invites practicing Catholic adults (ages 21-39) to commit to 9 months or longer of missionary service, living in intentional community with daily Mass and prayer.

Our missionaries serve through home visiting, youth education, Scripture sharing, sacramental preparation, and providing spiritual presence in shelters, hospitals, and nursing homes across NYC.

We believe that the deepest need of the poor is not material—it is spiritual. Through LAMP, missionaries grow in faith while bringing hope and God's love to those who need it most.

Tom and Lyn Scheuring - LAMP Catholic Ministries Founders

1 in 5

New York City residents live in poverty

120,513

Homeless people in NYC shelters (Jan 2025)

41,651

Homeless children sleeping in NYC shelters nightly

43+ Years

Dedicated service to NYC's poorest

Our Ministries

How we serve the poor across NYC

Home Visiting

Building relationships with families through regular visits, sharing faith and providing spiritual support in their homes.

Scripture Groups

Facilitating Bible study and Scripture-sharing groups that deepen faith and community bonds among the poor.

Youth Education

Working with young people in parishes, providing religious education and mentorship rooted in Gospel values.

Hospital & Shelter Ministry

Providing spiritual presence and companionship to homeless families in NYC shelters, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Sacramental Preparation

Preparing individuals for Baptism, Communion, and Reconciliation, deepening their relationship with Christ.

Parish Partnership

Collaborating with NYC parishes to extend their mission of spiritual care to the materially poor.

Missionary Stories

Hear from those living the LAMP mission

"LAMP is a place where I have become fully myself. I am fully alive here, thriving, and able to use all of my gifts to glorify God as I serve each day with my fellow missionaries."

Mary Louise Kohser

LAMP Missionary, 2023-Present

"Life as a LAMP missionary is a chance to leave behind every unnecessary burden in pursuit of the Heart of Jesus. Through LAMP He is healing me and teaching me how to love with His love."

Anna Murray

LAMP Missionary, 2024-Present

"Working with the homeless families we serve, I've encountered Christ in ways I never expected. The spiritual hunger in their hearts has deepened my own faith tremendously."

Community Member

LAMP Missionary

Ready to Make a Difference?

Support LAMP's mission to bring faith and hope to NYC's poorest residents. Your donation directly supports our missionaries' work in shelters, parishes, and homes across the city.

Donate to LAMP Today Contact About Giving

Contact Us

Connect with LAMP Catholic Ministries

Email

mission@lampcatholicministries.org

Phone

1-718-409-5062

Address

2704 Schurz Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465