 In the Parishes

Mount Holly parish feast day commemorated with prayer vigil for peace

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

There were two reasons why Ann Putnam wanted to participate in the June 24 prayer vigil for peace in Sacred Heart Church, Mount Holly.

Between the war in Ukraine, the civil unrest in other parts of the world and hearing news reports of gun violence occurring almost daily, Putnam said she wanted to join fellow parishioners for something that “would connect us in prayer and as a faith community.”

It was also important for her 10-year-old twins, Nathan and Zofia, to attend the prayer service, she said, “because they want to see an end to all the violence” and they know that prayer can help to make that happen.

“Tonight is important because we’re praying for all people who lost family members to violence,” Nathan said. “Along with praying for them, we are remembering them,” he said.

The evening prayer vigil, held in the form of a Vespers service, was part of the parish’s commemoration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus which the Universal Church celebrated that day.

Over the past months, “we have shared sorrow over the many injustices occurring throughout the world – an unprovoked war in Ukraine; tragic mass shootings in markets, schools and neighborhoods; attacks on places of worship during services, and inexplicable violence toward relief workers and medical personnel assisting in areas devastated by drought, famine and civil wars,” said Teresa S. Redder, a parish music ministry member who helped to organize the event.

“Sometimes, we hear people say, ‘Where is God in all of this?’ “The answer is God is with us and waiting to be loved. … We witness to God through our faith, hope and love,” she said.

Upon entering the church, participants saw the lit Paschal candle in front of the sanctuary next to an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The prayer vigil was led by a mix of parishioners – adults, teenagers and children -- who proclaimed various Scripture Readings and read excerpts of spiritual reflections from Pope Francis during the pandemic and the Jubilee of Mercy, as well as from St. Teresa of Kolkata.

Voices were raised in a medley of hymns offering hope and healing through the love of Christ.

Parishioner Dar MacDonald said she didn’t know what to expect when she first heard about the prayer service, but “when I saw there would be singing and reading, I knew I wanted to be part of it.

“The world is filled with so much violence, hatred and despair,” MacDonald continued. “Anything we as Christians can do to promote peace, is what we need to do.”

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The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities. Ann Putnam, center, and her two children, Nathan and Zofia, join in singing a hymn during the prayer vigil for peace. Mary Stadnyk photo

Women’s conference sounds a call to Church leadership

BY LOIS ROGERS 

Correspondent

Collectively, the featured panel of three speakers at the “Women Leaders of the Diocese” Conference brought more than 60 years of experience within diverse segments of the Catholic Church with them to the table June 25 in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven.

By the time the nearly five-hour event concluded, it was clear the insights of Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor, Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, and Mercy Sister Rosemary Jeffries, former president of Georgian Court University, Lakewood, left listeners uplifted and inspired by their examples and encouraged to follow their lead into Church leadership.

ENERGIZING DAY

The conference was inspired by the recent Synod ’23 listening sessions where consistent mention from participants reflected the desire to see more women in roles of Church leadership. Nativity’s pastor, Father James Grogan, responded to those requests with the event which highlighted the presenters as among the many women demonstrating leadership today in the Catholic Church.

In compelling individual presentations to the multi-generational gathering of women, they shared observations about the importance of answering the call to mission. Each encouraged attendees to develop skills that would enable them to meet requirements for the tasks ahead and keep a clear focus on fostering a collegial, collaborative atmosphere in the greater Church community.

Urging listeners to “pay attention to the call from a person you know and trust...Be willing to give your yes,” said Ginther, who thought back to saying yes to a number of such calls over the years, including that of parish pastoral associate, while honing skills that would eventually lead to her being named Diocesan Chancellor by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

All acknowledged they did not originally anticipate the call. “It was the furthest thing from my mind,” said Lao-Collins, who grew up in a “typical Catholic family” where her mother and father were “very active in responding to the needs of the community.”

Following their example, she joined the Aspira Foundation “to help the community” and earned a degree in business management from Rutgers University with no inclination it would eventually lead to her working for the New Jersey Catholic Conference. There she learned how to “speak the language” of building alliances that would become so necessary for her role with Catholic Charities. Sister Rosemary, eighth president

 “Pay attention to the call ... Be willing to give your yes.”

Continued on 55

Father James Grogan, pastor of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, poses a question to the three presenters during the conference. From left are Mercy Sister Rosemary Jeffries, Marlene Lao-Collins and Terry Ginther.

Mary Stadnyk photo

Above, surrounded by priests of the Diocese, Bishop O’Connell celebrates a 50th anniversary Mass in St. Mary Church, Colts Neck. Hundreds of parishioners, right, gathered for the special

Mass. Courtesy photos

Colts Neck community celebrates 50 years of permanency, growth

BY MARY STADNYK 

Associate Editor

Aparish anniversary usually commemorates the year that the parish was founded or the church was dedicated, but on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the community of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, for a unique golden jubilee Mass that focused on, as Father Jeffrey Lee, pastor, described it, “the parish as we know it today.”

Though St. Mary Parish traces its roots to the 1850s and was served by a succession of clergy from various parishes throughout most of it first 100 years, the evolvement of the current parish that includes the building of the present church on Phalanx Road and Route 34, and having a resident pastor and parish staff, dates back to 1972.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell, principal celebrant of the Mass, explained that the number 50 has great spiritual significance. “Today, as we celebrate this Eucharist on Pentecost Sunday, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary in St. Mary Parish, we should open ourselves to the Spirit so that we too, like those first Apostles, might learn the new language of the Pentecost and speak it boldly, in word and action, to a waiting world.”

St. Mary Parish has witnessed substantial growth in the past five decades. Along with witnessing an increase in the number of parishioners, there has also been a significant growth in ministries, including religious education offerings for children and adults, social justice, and outreach efforts. The parish has also undertaken various building and property renovations and expansions.

In addition, reflected Father Lee, having a full-time resident pastor “who lives with the people, prays with the people, dreams with the people and serves with the people is important for creating community in a parish. Through the years the pastors assigned to serve the parishioners have each in their own way worked hard to build a solid foundation on which the Catholic community rests.” Since 1972 there have been five pastors, including Father Lee.

Among those with longtime ties to St. Mary Parish is Deacon Jim Knipper who recalled being 17 years old when his family relocated to Colts Neck from North Jersey and joined St. Mary Parish in 1976. Deacon Knipper attributes his experience in the parish and the leadership of then-pastor, Father William Bausch, as inspiring him for his future vocation as a deacon.

“Living in a vibrant parish, with incredible leadership under Father Bausch and hearing each Sunday, a well-structured and insightful homily opened my eyes to my own gifts and how to best use them,” said Deacon Knipper, who now serves in St. Paul Parish, Princeton. “For me, it was very powerful and more emotional to come back some 46 years after I first walked through the doors of St. Mary. Never did I think when I was 17 that I would return as a deacon to serve the 50th anniversary Mass. It meant a great deal to be there.”

Parish trustee Roger Zurro recalled how inspired he and his family were by the spirit of the parish when they joined in 1978. “It seemed to stand out,” he said, noting that the anniversary commemorates “the starting points of a permanent community in the area,” and the presence of a resident pastor “who becomes the anchor of the parish.”