Monitor Magazine June 2020 by Diocese of Trenton

MONITOR Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

THE

Vol. 1 • No. 9 • JUNE 2020

MAGAZINE

Way Home The

 INSIDE

 ALSO…

Twelve weeks ago, each member of the diocesan family was asked, in the words of St. Luke, to ‘take up his Cross daily’ as the coronavirus forced the suspension of in-church Masses. After bearing that burden faithfully, they are now able to again receive “the bread of life,” as parishioners flock to limited incar, in-church Masses, the first steps on the journey home.

IN FOCUS: A tribute to this year’s graduates BISHOP ON RACIAL PREJUDICE: ‘Why do these situations repeat themselves?’ EL ANZUELO: Momentos de luz, esperanza, celebración en medio de pandemia

“God gives where he finds empty hands.”

- St. Augustine

...So should we 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal Acknowledging that many of you face financial strain at this time, if your means allow, I ask that you prayerfully consider a gift to the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal so we, together, may continue the work of the Diocese in service to the people of God. – Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Power to choose the ministries you want to support!  The Ministry where it is needed most • Donations allocated to ministries most in need  Priests, Deacons & Religious • Finding & Forming Priests (Vocations recruitment & Seminary Preparation)• Retired Priests Care • Preparation of Deacons • Support of Religious Women & Men  Community Outreach • Families, Youth & Young Adult Ministries • Catholic Social Services (The Guild)

• Pastoral Care (Prison, Respect Life, Grief) • Special Events and Programs • Outreach to the Poor and Vulnerable  Teaching the Faith • Evangelization and Communications Outreach • Religious Education, Rite of Election of Adults & Children • Catholic School Programs (ie: Catholic Athletes for Christ) • Tuition Assistance • Professional Development for Educators

Please give generously.

Find out more...

DIOCESE of TRENTON

dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal

609-403-7197 • develop@dioceseoftrenton.org The Catholic Diocese of Trenton, c/o Annual Catholic Appeal, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Trenton, NJ 08648 Make a gift online using one of these secure forms of payment:

2 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Gifts to the Appeal are used to support the ministries listed and will not be used to defray legal fees or to fund the Victim Compensation Program.

Father Joe Noche, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, administers the Eucharist to parishioner Kevin McConnell during morning Mass June 10. Faithful expressed relief and joy at being able to return to in-church weekend Masses, albeit in limited number, starting June 13-14. Special coverage begins on page 38. Staff photo

Courtesy photo photo Rich Hundley

ON THE COVER

Contents 7-23  Creative Celebrations

Schools, students around the Diocese make the most of graduation season during the COVID-19 pandemic COVER PRICE: $3

MONITOR Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

THE

MAGAZINE

Business and Editorial Offices • 701 Lawrenceville Rd. P.O. Box 5147 • Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 • 609.406.7400

www.TrentonMonitor.com Publisher • Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Associate Publisher • Rayanne M. Bennett • ext. 7188 EDITORIAL

Monitor-News@DioceseofTrenton.org Managing Editor • Jennifer Mauro • ext. 7135 Associate Editor • Mary Stadnyk • ext. 7172 Social Media Coordinator • Matthew Becker • ext. 7137

EL ANZUELO Editor • Matthew ‘Mateo’ Greeley • ext. 7212 peces@dioceseoftrenton.org

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE (ISSN#0746-8350) is published 14 times a year by THE MONITOR, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, 08648. Periodicals’ postage paid at Trenton, NJ, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to The Monitor, P.O. Box 5147, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08638-0147. The acceptance of advertising by The Monitor for print or online publication does not constitute an endorsement of any product or service. The Monitor reserves the right to reject any advertising considered objectionable.

For the latest news, scan this QR code with your mobile device and visit The Monitor’s mobile site.

25-28  ‘The Sin of Racism’ Local, national faith leaders say humankind can’t turn blind eye to racial prejudice

30  Faith in Our Future Through merger, new trilingual parish seeks to expand Catholic presence in Lakewood

52-55  El Anzuelo Bendiciones para promoción 2020, servicio y generosidad durante pandemia, graduados brillan mientras miran hacia futuro

REGULAR FEATURES 46  Pope 48-49  World & Nation 56-58  Insight from Fathers Koch & Doyle 66-67  Sports 70  Puzzles June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 3

Readers’ Corner

Honoring those who shine without fanfare

e always knew how hectic and busy May and June have traditionally been with their seemingly endless stream of Communions, weddings, graduations, ordinations, etc., etc. But now that we, as a society, are struggling to commemorate these milestones without the benefit of our customary celebrations, we have an even clearer, unvarnished view of the many joyful things that are unfolding in our communities that deserve our attention. As we continue to walk this  There is embattled journey of COVID-19 and come to terms with all the ways it no shortage has affected our lives, we are witnessof love ing a cascade of decisions, adaptations, postponements and creative surrounding problem-solving so that the many people who deserve recognition or you.  remembrance are able to receive it. It is the effort to not let accomplishments and life-changing transitions go unrecognized that is a main subject of this issue of The Monitor Magazine. To begin, we have directed our focus

UPDATE ON THE MONITOR’S PUBLISHING SCHEDULE This month, because of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on graduation celebrations and events, the two issues of The Monitor Magazine originally scheduled for June have been consolidated into this one publication. A special tribute to the Class of 2020 will be published online as a complement to this print edition tribute. A second scheduling change will occur in July, when one issue of The Monitor Magazine will be published instead of the two that were originally planned. The special Religious Anniversary issue, “Lives of Faith,” will be consolidated into the main July issue, which should be received by subscribers on or around July 10, and supplemented by a special online tribute. Again, this change has been necessitated by the way that current pandemic restrictions has impacted The Monitor’s ability to produce this tribute. Because of the June and July consolidations, two extra issues will be added to every active subscription period. If you have any questions about your subscription, please write to Monitor-Subscriptions@DioceseofTrenton.org. If you have not yet subscribed to The Monitor Magazine, you may do so at dioceseoftrenton.org/tm-special-times-special-rate. 4 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

on the members of A message from the Class of 2020, RAYANNE BENNETT whose ceremonies Associate Publisher are either postponed or scaled back to drive-by status, as well as the senior athletes who were counting on their final season to cap off their high school records. We recognize in a special way the men who will be ordained to the priesthood and the diaconate without a church full of loved ones to witness their embrace of this new life dedicated to God. We remember, too, the many parishioners who have died during this pandemic shutdown and their families who could not grieve their loss in the customary ways that bring a sense of community and comfort. This issue also acknowledges the closing of two Catholic schools – Pope John Paul II Regional in Willingboro and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade – whose graduating classes will be their last. There may not have been farewell gatherings to mark this change. But we recognize the contributions of these two communities to the mission of Catholic education and we offer our prayers for the faculty and families as they transition to a new chapter. To all of these folks on whom we focus in this issue . . . you deserved more than you were able to receive, but there is no shortage of love surrounding you. You have not been forgotten.

Online tribute to the Class of 2020 Visit our website, where we have prepared a supplemental tribute to this year’s graduates. Be sure to look for these special pieces:  Messages and graduate lists posted by many of our schools  A video of the Diocesan Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.  A video message from the Bishop featuring images of some of our smiling graduates You’ll find it all at TrentonMonitor.com/ GRAD2020

From the Bishop

EDITOR’S NOTE: Traditionally, Bishop O’Connell celebrates Baccalaureate Masses for a number of Catholic schools each graduation season. Due to this year’s COVID-19 restrictions, the Bishop celebrated one special diocesan Mass, customized videos of which were sent to Catholic high schools in the Diocese to be used on their media sites. The Mass, taped May 12 in St. Dominic Church, Brick, can be viewed on the diocesan YouTube channel, youtube.com/trentondiocese. Following is Bishop O’Connell’s Baccalaureate Mass homily:

With faith, future looks bright, Bishop preaches in Baccalaureate Mass homily

his is not the high school graduation celebration you expected when you began your senior year back in September. Who could have imagined then what you are experiencing now and how your senior year would end?

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted your plans and those of your parents and schools to mark this special occasion with and for you in the traditional ways. Disrupted, yes. Cancelled, not at  Whether all. Here we are, though at a distance from one another, still celebrating you go to this milestone in your lives, in a different way, still recognizing all college or the accomplishments that this great some other occasion represents. You are graduating from high path, take school – your high school – and moving on from the place and people your faith that have been so familiar to you into with you.  a new and exciting set of experiences. As your Bishop, I am so happy and honored that I can be with you, your parents and families, your classmates and teachers, your administrators, coaches and staff at your Baccalaureate Mass. Yes, this year’s celebration is not the

way you expected your graduation to be, but Bishop David M. nothing can take away the meaning of this moO’Connell, C.M., ment and the joy you should feel. You’ve made celebrates a it! And we are all so proud of You! special diocesan Today we celebrate a great part of your Baccalaureate Mass Catholic education, of your graduation, and that was recorded we begin with Holy Mass, the most importdue to COVID-19 ant prayer of our faith. Although we cannot restrictions. be together, we are never far apart because of Staff photo the faith that unites us. We as your administrators and teachers, your parents and families, repeat the words of St. Paul from our First Reading: We “give thanks to God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift.” You are about to graduate from high school, my young friends. In all the excitement that surrounds this great event in your lives, the Lord has put so much before your minds and hearts to celebrate. Throughout your lives, the Lord has spoken to you often, as he did to his own disciples: through your parents, your teachers, your friends and your Church. You have been told what to do and have been given many words of instruction and advice how to do it. Now it is up to you. Yes, we will all continue to be a part of your lives, and we will continue to give you advice. Continued on 6

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 5

From the Bishop

Bishop urges graduates to move forward in faith Continued from 5

Now you must take responsibility for the things that are most important in life. When you were born, your parents brought you to Church for your baptism, to become a member of a larger family, the Christian family of faith that is the Church. Stay close to that family and all that it offers you … and all that it asks of you. As you celebrate your graduation from a Catholic high school, don’t lose sight of all the things that have made your life possible and beautiful, especially the great sacrifices your parents made to bring you to this moment. Be grateful, be thankful first to God, who gave you to them and them to you, and know that the Lord will remain with you always and will help you take your faith deepened in the

experience of Catholic high school into a happy, healthy and wonderful future. And continue to believe that the Lord is with you always. The world is a big place, and the future is uncertain. But your faith is NOT uncertain. It is true, and it will carry you through all the uncertain moments that the future puts before you. God goes with you, and your faith will make you strong, able to handle whatever comes your way. Do not forget God. Do not forget your faith and all that you have learned about it. Do not abandon for any reason what the Lord has spoken, offered, promised and fulfilled in your lives so far. Whether you go to college or some other path, take your faith with you. Go to Mass. Receive the Sacraments of Confession and Communion. Remember your

Confirmation promises to God and his Church. Do all these things, even though there is no one who tells you to. Do all these things, even though you will meet people who tell you not to bother. Don’t believe them. They do not know the truth or, worse, they don’t care about it. Believe that the Lord is with you always. The 19th century American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once observed: “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” That is where your faith lives; that is the home of hope; that is source of the love that lasts forever. Your graduation will mean many things. But, most importantly, it means that it is now up to you. Go forth with God as your guide and your faith and hope and love as your path through life.

Congratulations Class of 2020

Christian Brothers Academy Donovan Catholic High School Holy Cross Academy Mater Dei Prep Notre Dame High School Red Bank Catholic Saint John Vianney Regional High School St. Rose High School Stuart Country Day School Trenton Catholic Academy Villa Victoria Academy Visit us to learn more about Georgian Court, our programs, our values, and our Catholic Mercy mission.

georgian.edu/visit 6 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

In Focus

Class of Resilience Pandemic leads to many teaching moments for 2020 graduates BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

hen students of the Class of 2020 pictured their graduation year, it included class trips, traditional senior proms, and final sports seasons. Eighth-graders looked forward to school dances, play performances and saying goodbye to teachers they’ve known for nine  “If any group of years or more – anything but people could tackle what has transpired since March. a chaotic future Though none would have elected for

with optimism … it’s the Class of 2020.”  Notre Dame High School senior Quentin Autry found graduating during COVID-19 to be “a period of self-reflection.” Mike Ehrmann photo

social isolation during this milestone year, many have grown and met challenges of school during COVID-19 in unexpected ways.

LESSONS FROM HOME Forced to adjust to a new way of learning and interacting in a virtual environment, high school seniors and eighth-graders faced an additional challenge: to make the best of a year that should have been filled with memory-making outings and traditions. Senior Quentin Autry, student government president of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, found that the past few Continued on 22

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 7

In Focus

A salute to the graduates of the Class of 2020

t is a pleasure to celebrate and salute the graduating Class of 2020!

This school year has been filled with unanticipated experiences and a discontinuation of all that was routine. Many milestones that define the rites of passage of A Message from senior year were not to JOANN TIER materialize. Superintendent Yet as students, you of Catholic Schools relied on your faith, personal grit, persistence and self-discipline as the future became apparent month by month. We live in a complex world that needs healing on many levels. Health issues dominate the world as we search for a cure for COVID-19. Racism, rebellions, refugees and starving children across the globe are becoming commonplace. Our environment has been abused and stripped of natural resources. Threats appear to our economy and to national security. How will these problems be addressed? Who will be called to solve them? With graduation, it is likely that you look to the future and ponder questions such as: “What will be my path in life? How will I contribute?” “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” As you reflect, consider these aspects: Realize that we cannot improve and still stay the same. Growth means change. Change requires challenging the status quo. If we want greater possibilities, we can’t settle for what we have now. We must become a possibility thinker. Your generation is called to think differently, to explore your creativity, to work in concert with others to find solutions to problems that cannot be resolved by the same minds that created them. Use your knowledge, your

8 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

education, your resolve to direct change to benefit our world. Reflect on the wisdom of St. John Henry Newman: “God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission – I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.” As you graduate, I wish you wisdom that transcends knowledge.  Growth Wisdom to know that you matter as a fellow traveler on this journey on means change. planet earth – a journey filled with life experiences of joy and disappointChange ments; of failure and regret; of exhilrequires aration and confusion. Through it all, you matter, because you are a miracle challenging the created by God. In his infinite wisdom, he knew that you are integral in status quo.  the lives of others. You have a purpose in this world that only you can fulfill. As you graduate, enjoy being you – find joy in each day of your life. Work as part of a team. View challenges and disappointments as part of living – like breathing – all part of the experience. May your life be guided by faith. May it be lived with respect for all, recognizing the dignity of your own being and the dignity of others. May it be lived in such a way that you use your talents to benefit our world. We are proud of our graduates, young men and women. Congratulations and God’s blessings, graduates of the Class of 2020.  A look at JoAnn Tier’s legacy as she prepares to retire from the Diocese. Page 31

On behalf of our Publisher, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the Diocese’s Department of Catholic Schools, The Monitor Magazine asks for God’s blessings upon this year’s graduating seniors and eighth-graders from the following schools:

BURLINGTON COUNTY Our Lady of Good Counsel • Moorestown Our Lady of Perpetual Help • Maple Shade Pope John Paul II Regional School • Willingboro Sacred Heart • Mount Holly St. Charles Borromeo • Cinnaminson St. Joan of Arc • Marlton St. Mary of the Lakes • Medford St. Paul • Burlington

MERCER COUNTY Notre Dame High School • Lawrenceville Our Lady of Sorrows • Hamilton St. Ann • Lawrenceville St. Gregory the Great Academy • Hamilton Square St. Paul • Princeton St. Raphael • Hamilton Trenton Catholic Academy • Hamilton

MONMOUTH COUNTY

May you always rise above adversity and challenge, supported by God’s grace and the knowledge that you are beloved! Be sure to visit TrentonMonitor.com for a special tribute from many of our schools to the Class of 2020!

Holy Cross • Rumson Mother Seton Academy • Howell Our Lady of Mt. Carmel • Asbury Park Red Bank Catholic High School • Red Bank St. Benedict • Holmdel St. Catharine • Spring Lake St. James • Red Bank St. Jerome • West Long Branch St. John Vianney High School • Holmdel St. Leo the Great • Lincroft St. Mary • Middletown St. Rose • Belmar St. Rose High School • Belmar St. Rose of Lima • Freehold

OCEAN COUNTY Donovan Catholic High School • Toms River St. Dominic • Brick St. Joseph • Toms River St. Mary Academy • Manahawkin St. Peter • Pt. Pleasant Beach June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 9

In Focus

A Graduation Like No Other

s graduation for the Class of 2020 neared, educators and administrators planning farewells for Catholic school students around the Diocese had much to consider, with COVID-19 restrictions still in place. It didn’t take long for a variety of graduation scenarios to emerge in schools throughout the four-county system. Spurred by technology and ingenuity, virtual baccalaureate, graduation and award ceremonies began taking shape. Drive-by parades were held, billboards were displayed in the state capital, videos and social media shout-outs were posted online, and congratulatory lawn signs were delivered by the hundreds, marking a year for the Diocese’s graduating 1,411 high-schoolers and 1,105 eighth-graders like no other. VIRTUALLY INCREDIBLE

Class of 2020 departs with creativity, faith BY LOIS ROGERS  Correspondent

Graduates’ photos line the parking lot at Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, during a drive-through ceremony. Rose O’Connor photo

10 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

“Even though the graduates had to wear face masks, you could tell they were smiling,” Michael Knowles, Trenton Catholic Academy president, said of the Hamilton school graduates who received diplomas during drive-through festivities May 27 and 28. Students were applauded by faculty and staff, all of whom wore masks and practiced social distancing. TCA aired virtual graduations for seniors and eighth-graders both days as well – the dates and times the ceremonies would have been

held in person. As at many of the schools, lawn signs were handed out so TCA students could post them in their yards, and graduation billboards were posted throughout Trenton and Hamilton. These were the gift of TCA alumni Paul Pennacchi and Vincent Cuilule. Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, and Ewing’s Villa Victoria Academy released videos May 21 and May 31, respectively – their originally scheduled in-person commencement dates. CBA honored its 58th graduating class with special commemoration videos that recognized the academic, athletic, service and extracurricular achievements of the students and their “resilience, fortitude and unity” in weathering the circumstances created by the COVID-19 shutdown. The academy plans to hold an in-person ceremony when each student will be awarded his diploma, but in his salute to the graduates, Principal Ross Fales urged them to focus on the fact that “although we are not able to experience this moment as we traditionally would, remember that CBA is more than just a place; it is a community and a brotherhood you are part of for life.” That sentiment was echoed by senior Jonathan Abadir, who praised the school for making “me the person I am today.” “When something like this happens, a virus practically shutting life as we know it, we have to keep marching forward through life,” he said. “The only thing we can control is our reaction to life’s absurdity. Shakespeare said life is a play, and we all play a part in that. If life is truly a play, then the show must go on.” Villa Victoria Academy posted a teacher sendoff video that included a poem by a Trenton author, a song sung by the teachers, and personal goodbye messages from the teachers to the graduates. The academy’s Facebook page offered a cavalcade of videos and posts about activities, including the “Senior Drive” through the campus which this year, replaced the traditional

Senior Keara Reilly takes part in the Purple Pride Parade, one of the many creative ways St. Rose High School, Belmar, celebrated its graduates. Courtesy photo

“Senior Run” graduation event on school grounds. In Lawrenceville, Notre Dame High School’s virtual graduation ceremony June 7 followed three days of photo-ops May 30-31 and June 1 with seniors and their families. Signed up in groups of 10, the students received their diplomas during the photo sessions at the high school grotto. Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton, held a virtual graduation June 6. MEETING THE CHALLENGE When it came to finding new ways to celebrate “all the final things seniors look forward to,” efforts quickly got underway, said Dr. Edward Gere, principal of Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River. He noted that many of the seniors have been part of the school community – which includes St. Joseph School – since kindergarten. “They looked forward to senior prom and graduating in St. Joseph Church,” Gere said. So, for Donovan’s seniors, the buildup to graduation included weeks of video and livestream programs and ceremonies, including an Awards Night and the annual closing Mass, where the class is traditionally blessed by Father G. Scott Shaffer, director of Donovan Catholic and pastor of St. Joseph Parish. These Continued on 12

 “We have to keep marching forward through life.” 

RBC seniors Robert Gonzalez and Brayden Kiel, pictured pre-COVID, are seen in this congratulatory slideshow created by the high school. Courtesy photo

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 11

In Focus DYLAN OSWICK, Monmouth County Caring Award recipient, St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel • “It took a global pandemic to show us it’s good to take time and slow down. We go through years of education sometimes wishing for school days to end, yet once we were all given a few months off … seniors wanted just one more day to see everything one last time.” ISABELLA VILARELLE, Eighth Grade, St. Paul School, Princeton • “This quarantine has really brought my family and I closer than ever. Before, because of work, school and sports occupying us, we barely got to see each other. But with this quarantine and all it has taken from us, it also gave us the luxury of family time.”

MARK FINNEGAN, Salutatorian, Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River “Since I’ve been home the past few months … I’ve especially spent time immersing myself in nature, appreciating God’s beautiful earth even more than ever. I don’t take the small things in life for granted anymore. You don’t realize how enjoyable those small things are, like getting food with a friend or two after school, until they are gone.”

GRADUATES REFLECT

on their unconventional grad year MARISSA VIZZONI, valedictorian, Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville • “[Prayer] helped me cope with the fact that senior year was suddenly cut short, and that I didn’t even know my last day of high school was my last day until after it happened.” CHRISTOPHER PFIRRMAN, Mater Dei Prep, Middletown • “My faith in God has helped me during this difficult time. My senior year was taken by the coronavirus, but I am happy everyone I know is healthy.”

Principal Kim Clauss of St. Paul School, Princeton, right, joins staff, clergy – and a special guest – in delivering lawn signs to its eighth-grade graduates in May. Photo courtesy of Kim Clauss 12 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Grad plans get creative in COVID Continued from 11

were set to culminate June 15. PLANS IN MOTION When Gov. Phil Murphy announced May 22 that schools could begin holding outside graduations in July, a number of school administrators crossed their fingers and began planning. Margaret Kane, vice principal of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, said the school is determining the date for an in-person ceremony. The school did record a Baccalaureate Mass and is streaming it with a Senior Awards Ceremony. “We want to do as much as we can to celebrate our seniors and all of their achievements over the past four years. … They have left their mark on our community, and we look forward to celebrating them in July,” she said. Following suit was Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, which postponed its graduation ceremony until Aug. 1, when it plans to hold commencement on campus. Middletown’s Mater Dei Prep also plans to hold its graduation on the school campus July 24. The school was scheduled to celebrate with a caravan drive-by June 12, where seniors and their families could receive the applause of faculty and staff, who had dropped off Class of 2020 lawn signs for the seniors and snapped their photos at the time for a commemorative video. The Red Bank Catholic High School community was carefully monitoring Gov. Murphy’s statements on graduations, too. “Our virtual graduation was taped and ready to go and aired on June 1,” said Principal Robert Abatemarco. A drive-by-diploma pickup and photo event is planned for July 8. “Hopefully, the students will be able to see each other and celebrate.” That’s a hope shared by the community of St. Rose High School, Belmar, where the virtual graduation scheduled for June 2 is now scheduled in-person July 6 with keynote speaker St. Rose alumni James Murray, director of the U.S. Secret Service. Senior Christian Riozzi-Bodine hopes he will be able to attend with his class before leaving July 8 for the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. “Having a pandemic in your senior year is not what you imagine. My expectations of senior year were just enjoying a normal sendoff and closure with my class. The school tried its best in this very challenging time to do that.”

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June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 13

In Focus

CONGRATULATIONS,

Dominic!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Ethan Brandt on your graduation from

We are so proud of all you have accomplished and the incredible young man you have become!

St. Dominic School, Brick.

Through the milestones of life, you are about to embark on the next journey through high school. We are here to guide and support you every step through that journey. The future is yours and embrace the experiences you will encounter.

Good luck at SJV! DOMINIC LAMBUSTA St. Benedict School, Holmdel

We love you, Mom and Dad

Love Always, Mom, Dad and Ava CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS

Ali (Nooks)

Eugenia Isabella Craggan

Let your unique awesomeness and positive energy inspire confidence in others. Wherever you go always bring your own sunshine. If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shinning.

on your graduation from St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel

Mommy & Daddy are proud of you and we love you very much... CONGRATULATION

Emil Jagielski on your graduation from Trenton Catholic Academy We are always so proud of you, We love you and wish you all the best.

Mom, Dad and Maria 14 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Ali Xavier Pompey Trenton Catholic Academy

Love Mom CONGRATULATIONS

Caitlin Clayton

Brick Memorial High School Parish of Saint Martha

We are so proud of you! May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Love, Mom, Dad and Kristen

In Focus

CONGRATULATIONS

Vanessa Nicole Rose Dix

as you graduate from Delran Middle School.

We are so very proud of your Confirmation at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and all your accomplishments in eighth grade!

Love, Nana and the Dix Family CONGRATULATIONS

Jordan Lynn Katharine Dix as you graduate from Marlton Middle School.

We are so very proud of your Confirmation at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and all your accomplishments in eighth grade!

Love, Nana and the Dix Family CONGRATULATIONS

Samantha Ryan Charlotte Dix as you graduate from Delran Middle School.

We are so very proud of your Confirmation at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and all your accomplishments in eighth grade!

Love, Nana and the Dix Family CONGRATULATIONS

Brian Jason Stuart

on your graduation from Saint John Vianney High School.

We are so proud of you and can’t wait for you to start the next chapter of your life at High Point U. Remember you can’t miss a shot you don’t take!

Love Mom & Dad

Ali Xavier Pompey Trenton Catholic Academy

Congratulations!! Never a doubt, go hard or go home!

Love Dad and Takeisha CONGRATULATIONS

Timothy James Skelton on your graduation from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville Go IRISH! Love, Dad, Mom, Kenny, Christopher & Ella

Logan Prussack St. Rose Grammar School

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments.

Soar high and follow your dreams on your next successful journey.

We love you to the moon and back, Mommy, Billy, Yiayia, Crystal & Tigger. Daddy, Kim, Grandpa and Uncle Jay

CONGRATULATIONS

Giavanna Rose Caltabilota on your graduation from St. Rose Grammar School! We are so proud of you and love you very much! From your loving family June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 15

In Focus

CONGRATULATIONS

Isabelle Cattelona

on your graduation from St. Rose Grammar School, Belmar!

We are so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments.

We love you so much. Mom and Dad CONGRATULATIONS

Zarrin Stephens on your graduation from St.John Vianney High School, Holmdel.

We are so proud of your accomplishments. Good luck with your future endeavors. Keep God first in your life!

Love Mom, Jevin and the entire family! XOXO

Congratulations

Manuel Montero, III

on your graduation from Trenton Catholic Academy-Upper School. We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. May God continue to bless and guide you on this new chapter.

Love you, Mom, George and Daniel Congratulations

Keara Barkalow on your graduation form St. John Vianney High School.

We are so proud of you!! Love Always, Mom, Kayley, and Ashlyn

CONGRATULATIONS,

Matthew Kerins

on your graduation from Our Lady of Sorrows School. Your achievements have only just begun ... Wishing you all the best of success and the happiest of times in High School.

CONGRATULATIONS

on your graduation from St. Rose Grammar School, Belmar! We are so proud of you and love you so much!!

So happy to share in the excitement of your graduation day, and so very proud of you, too!

Samantha Lewis!

Love, Mom, Dad, Sara and Tyler 16 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Ali Xavier Pompey

Trenton Catholic Academy

Congrats we love you, Nana, PopPop, Andrea and Smooth

In Focus

Maximilian John Lindung St. Rose Grammar School

Congratulations Max! We are so proud of you. Best of luck at St. Rose High School.

Karly Rae Walsh

on your graduation from 8th Grade from Thorne School.

Love, Mom, Dad and Nicholas

Love, Grandma & Grandpa

Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Daniel L. Montero

on your graduation from Trenton Catholic Academy-Lower School. We are so proud of you. May God bless and protect you.

We love you, Mom, George and Manny Congratulations

Sophia Ulrich

on your graduation from St. Benedict School, Holmdel. We’re so proud of your accomplishments & look forward to your bright future at SJV. Always be the amazing girl God made you to be!

We love you, Mom, Dad, Olivia & Sienna

CONGRATULATIONS

Matthew Arnold Paderon

Connor Patrick Walsh

on your graduation from 8th Grade from Thorne School. Love, Grandma & Grandpa

Ali Xavier Pompey Trenton Catholic Academy

To our nephew and cousin Ali, your family is so proud of you and all of your accomplishments through out your 4 years of HS! We love you and know you will continue on to Greatness!

Love Aunnie(Kandy), Uncle Shy, Sharonda, Jessica, Aaliyah, Justin, Ariana

CONGRATULATIONS

Brenna Kiley Borgstede

on your graduation from St. John Vianney High School!

on your graduation from St.John Vianney High School, Holmdel

We love you very much and we are proud of you!

Good luck as you follow your dreams and succeed in your goals. We are very proud of you and your accomplishments.

God bless, Mom, Dad, Joseph, Elizabeth, Lola Rhoding and Grandma Belen.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

We love you, Mom, Dad, and Bill June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 17

In Focus

Elizabeth Italia!

Congratulations on your 8th grade Graduation from St. Paul School, Princeton, and all your accomplishments!

We are so proud of you! Love, Mom & Dad & Thomas Congratulations

Jack MacCutcheon

on your graduation from Saint John Vianney High School, Class of 2020! We are all so proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad and Family

Ali Xavier Pompey Trenton Catholic Academy

Congratulations!!! We are so proud of everything you have accomplished and wish you the best in the future.

Love, Liyah and Rose

CONGRATULATIONS

Abel A. Reyes on your graduation from Trenton Catholic Academy. We are very proud of you and will always love you. Follow your dreams and keep God in your heart.

Love Mom, Dad, Genesis & Sofia

WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK 18 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

CONGRATULATIONS,

Anna Primerano on your graduation from Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton.

We are so proud of you! Mom & Dad CONGRATULATIONS

Isabel Armstrong

on your graduation from St. Benedict School, Holmdel

I’m so proud of you and look forward to all that lies ahead.

Love you most, Mom

Madison Fitzgerald

St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel

What an amazing 4 years at SJV - I am so very proud of you! Take pride in how far you’ve come, and have faith in how far you can go, but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you - the best is yet to come!

Love, Mom CONGRATULATIONS

Louis Anthony Cajas

on your graduation from Manasquan High School, Manasquan. We are very proud of you and wish you a successful future as you follow your dreams.

Love, Mom, Dad, Joseph and David

In Focus

CONGRATULATIONS

Nico Giovanni Holliday! We are so proud of you today and always!

Our Lady of Sorrows School

We love you!

Mom, Art, Cali, Louie, Grandma & PopPop Rossi and all your Aunt’s, Uncle’s and cousins. CONGRATULATIONS

Melissa Kelly on your graduation from Mater Dei Prep!

We are incredibly proud of you & know you will do great at Worcester Polytechnic Institute! #AerospaceEnginerring

Love, Mom, Dad & Thomas CONGRATULATIONS

Thomas Kelly on your graduation from Saint Mary School!

We are so proud of the person you have become. Keep reaching for the stars and may the next 4 years at St. John Vianney High School be your best years yet!

Love, Mom, Dad & Melissa

Congratulations

Ali Xavier Pompey! Trenton Catholic Academy

Grandma is so very proud of you and your accomplishments. Keep being GREAT!

Love, Grandma

Catherine Carmeen Rowe Brick Memorial High School

Congratulations Catherine we are so proud of you! Love Mom, Dad & Jonathan

Congratulations to all the

2020 Graduates

of the Diocese of Trenton

•

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 19

In Focus

Senior service projects

transcend social isolation, pandemic BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

he long-standing tradition of Catholic school students performing service projects as their school year draws to a close may have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, but resourceful seniors and their teachers didn’t let current circumstances change that expression of faith. “We had to adjust to activities the students could do from the safety of their homes,” said Dina Fisch “We are etti, coordinator of Christian service in Donovan Catholic High School, Toms the future River. “Some of our students were in full isolation but wanted to know they could generation make a difference.” One outreach that gained momen… We have tum was the exchange of handwritten to be used cards and letters. Donovan Catholic’s performing arts club, a mix of seniors to helping and younger, hosted a luncheon for 110 local veterans last November. Realizing others.”  the servicemen and women could use another boost, they sent cards or letters of appreciation. Seniors and younger students also pen-paled with Ugandan students, working with the Yamba Uganda nonprofit in Toms River. “One student shared a family recipe and asked the Ugandan student to do the same,” Fischetti said. A group of Villa Victoria Academy graduates brightened up the lives of senior citizens with their “#MyDearFriend” campaign. The 20 girls in the Ewing school’s “GlamourGals” chapter, once dedicated to giving the elderly makeup and manicures,

Annmarie Donachie of Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, right, pictured with her sister Bridget, was among the seniors who helped feed the hungry during the pandemic. Courtesy photo

20 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

focused their talents on letter-writing during social distancing. “During the pandemic, we all feel powerless and isolated,” said graduating senior and chapter president Skyler Kellers. “It must be worse for seniors in nursing homes.” She contacted the administration of Preferred Care, Hamilton, and learned that upward of 110 residents could benefit. “I told them I missed them ... and that we will visit them as soon as possible,” said Kellers, who plans to attend Cabrini University in Radnor, Pa., in and start a chapter there. Skyler Kellers and fellow gradCommunity service was uates of Villa Victoria Academy, also present in Delran for seEwing, helped keep more than nior Annmarie Donachie and 110 senior citizens company by her fellow Holy Cross Prepawriting letters. Courtesy photo ratory Academy graduates. Donachie, the school’s National Honor Society president, participated with her classmates in numerous service activities, including sandwich-making and delivery to Camden’s Cathedral Kitchen, creating a video thanking local first-responders, and utilizing the school’s new 3D printer to create personal protective equipment for workers at Temple Health, Philadelphia. “When our second blood drive of the year was canceled,” Donachie explained, “we decided to hold a canned food drive. We set up bins in the school’s carport ... then brought it [food] to the St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry in Burlington.” The senior, who is headed to The Catholic University of America, is proud of the Lancers. “We are the future generation who will run the world. We have to be used to helping others.” Mater Dei Prep senior Christopher Pfirrman aided both his birth and faith families, assisting his parish, St. Mary, Middletown, by altar serving during livestreamed Masses. “I also reached out to my grandparents often to check on them and to lift their spirits, and connected often with my friends virtually [to] talk and support each other,” he said. Pfirrman, bound for Steubenville, Ohio, to attend Franciscan University in the fall, continued, “My faith in God has helped me during this difficult time. My senior year was taken by the coronavirus, but I am happy everyone I know is healthy.”

Congratulations

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June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 21

In Focus

Grads share

unique year Continued from 7

months were some of the most difficult to date. “I have never experienced so much loss in a short amount of time, and at times, it was difficult to cope,” he admitted. “However … I learned so much about myself and the people around me. The most vital lesson … was the importance of my classmates … I always had the support of my friends, even if it had to be through a computer screen.” “It is still hitting me hard, that I will never return to Holy Cross [Preparatory Academy] as a student,” Matthew Zeimba said of his Delran high school. The school student president said that he has “learned to cherish … the memories I have made at Holy Cross, with my closest friends, my classmates and my teachers … I will remember [them] for the rest of my life.” Marissa Vizzoni, class valedictorian at Notre Dame High School, learned that “patience is truly a virtue, how to stay connected socially and how to learn remotely … everyone was adjusting to the times, and I had to as well … I also learned how to keep myself focused on school while at home with a million distractions.” “Throughout this whole pandemic, I was reminded of the value of family,” noted Paula Narvaez, a senior at Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton Township. “Despite the circumstances, the time spent at home allowed us all to grow closer.” Madison York, eighth-grader in Holy Cross Academy, Rumson, found that learning from home stretched her abilities. “I’ve never been great at learning on computers, but I’ve

learned how to adapt more with virtual learning,” she explained. “The teacher has always helped me more [in person], but being on the computer … I think we’ve done well.” Sacred Heart School eighth-grader James Polashock also found the online format a challenge. The Mount Holly valedictorian said, “I learned to rely on my own thoughts a lot more, because the

22 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

teachers are not right there to answer your question.” At Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton, senior Aditi Mehndiratta said the most important lesson she learned was that “I have wasted way too much time fretting about things that truly just have no impact on longterm happiness. At the end of the day, people are all that matter.” Senior Bexy Duarte found that “support from our schools is so important, and my Trenton Catholic Academy family did an amazing job … I believe that without the support of my teachers and school family, I would have struggled a lot more than I actually did during COVID-19.” UPENDED PLANS For many graduates, the coronavirus has altered their college and high school plans for the fall. And it some cases, it has reinforced them – as was the case for Duarte. Though unable to participate in campus summer activities for new incoming students, “COVID-19 and the effects it had on our schools actually increased my desire to become a high “Throughout this whole pandemic, I was reminded of the value of family,” said Paula Narvaez, graduate of Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton. Courtesy photo

In Focus

James Polashock, eighth-grade graduate of Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly, believes online learning led to more critical thinking. Courtesy photo

school teacher, because I want to be able to help young adults in the future the way that my teachers have helped me.” York had hoped to try out for the cheer team at Red Bank Catholic High School, where she will be a freshman in the fall. In spite of tryouts being postponed, she remains optimistic. She said she’s curious for when she’s older, what she’ll tell people about all she learned during the pandemic. “It’s going to be interesting to tell this story to people who haven’t been through it,” she said. Mehndiratta’s father was one of the earliest serious cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey – and as she watched her father cling to life for two months, the college acceptance letters she had been so eagerly awaiting became secondary. “My dad was rapidly deteriorating at the hospital, and I could not remember what it felt like to care so much about something that mattered so little,” she said. Her father survived, and the entire experience has left her hopeful. “We face even more uncertainty as some of our college campuses may open in the fall while others will not – but … if any group of people could tackle a chaotic future with optimism and resilience, it’s the Class of 2020.” FOCUS ON THE FAITH Along with keeping up with their studies, many in the Class of 2020 used their time in quarantine to deepen their prayer

life and learn more about what it means to have total reliance on God. Vizzoni admitted to questioning her faith after learning about the sudden death of Carolyn Graham, a beloved teacher at Notre Dame. “After many prayers, I was able to accept that I do not know what God has in store, and that I should trust in him,” she recalled. “I had many long talks with my grandmother, who kept reminding me that God was looking out for us and that he listened to our prayers.” Narvaez also used the quarantine time to foster her prayer life. “I was inspired to grow closer to God and to dedicate more time in my relationship with him. Doing so allowed me to find comfort and peace whenever I felt uneasy about something.” She also became more motivated as a student, Narvaez said. “I plan on pursuing a career in nursing, and after seeing how challenging yet incredible it is to be a healthcare provider, I am devoting myself even more.” For Autry, the past few months have been a period of self-reflection in which he “learned a lot about myself and what I am

capable of … I saw a level of resilience in myself I never had to reach before … I’ve also learned how important leadership is during difficult times. Being the president of the school, I focused on relieving the stress my fellow classmates were enduring … As a student government, we dedicated ourselves  “After many to bringing joy back into the Notre prayers, I Dame community.” Polashock was able to said that he “grew accept that I spiritually because when I was strugdo not know gling … there was only one person to what God has talk to – God. I also in store ...”  grew educationally because I learned to analyze problems more in depth.” Duarte said she aimed to rely on faith “that everything would turn out fine,” and she acknowledged how the Trenton Catholic Academy teachers and counselors played a large role in making themselves available to share comments, questions and concerns, and saying prayers at the beginning of each virtual class. “It set a great mood for the rest of our virtual time together,” Duarte said. “Checking up on one another motivated us all to keep working hard, and to continue to take our classes and education seriously.” “I feel like I have grown a lot because of the [pandemic],” Ziemba reflected. “Being stuck in quarantine, not being able to go places or see friends, has really affected me and others mentally. However, overall I believe … I became more of an optimist. I have grown spiritually as well; I have been praying much more frequently … I pray that we all get through this Madison York of Holy Cross Academy, Rumson, wonders extremely painful and difficult how she will relay graduating during COVID. Courtesy photo time together.” June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 23

Viewpoints

It’s time for the Church to lead by example The following commentary first appeared May 19 on on the website of Our Sunday Visitor, a national Catholic newsweekly based in Huntington, Ind. It was written by the editorial board and is provided here though Catholic News Service. GUEST COMMENTARY  Catholic News Service

new kind of front line is emerging on the scene of the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States: that of workers and security guards in retail establishments that have reopened to the public. And it’s seriously disturbing. Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many businesses are requiring that customers don masks to help stop the spread of germs by anyone who may have the disease and not know it. But – usually for a reason that, bizarrely, splits along political lines – not everyone wants to follow the rules, and some of those who don’t are demonstrating their resistance in shockingly violent ways. We’ve all seen the headlines that already have resulted from the “mask en-

forcement,” if we have been paying attention. A Target employee in California had his arm broken; a cashier in Pennsylvania was punched three times in the face; a bus passenger in Texas was shot and hospitalized; a security guard in Michigan – a father of nine – was shot and killed. These are just the major incidents. There have been plenty of minor disturbances, too, and as we get deeper into the summer, there will be many more of both. In times like these – reading these stories, reflecting on these incidents – things can feel pretty bleak, if we let them. What kind of society have we become where some feel justified in harming those who simply are trying to keep others safe? At the risk of being preachy, we’ll answer our own somewhat rhetorical question: one in which we are less concerned for others than we are for ourselves. This, of course, is where we come in. As Catholic Christians, we know that it is love that bears, believes, hopes and endures – not self-centeredness. And we know that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This means that the only way forward for Catholics at this time is a way paved with great love, which encompasses patience, understanding, mercy and humility. As parishes and dioceses resume public liturgies now and in coming weeks, we will be faced with a lot of rules. To some, they may seem extravagant; to others, they may seem lacking. The wearing of Communicants attending daily Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hainesport, wear masks in compliance with diocesan and parish requirements. This month’s guest editorial urges Catholics to use this time to “grow in virtue” even if we don’t agree with the restrictions. For Catholic Christians, wearing a mask in public and protecting others is a way to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” Staff photo

24 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

masks, the keeping of a safe social distance and the manner of receiving Communion will all be points of contention. If you happen to disagree with any rules – or lack thereof – put in place by Church leaders, it is OK. It is OK, too, to express any concerns to your pastor or to your bishop. But a line is crossed when a private disagreement becomes a public dispute. This is not a time for either “side” to stage a protest. This is the time to grow in virtue. If we find ourselves getting frustrated with our brothers and sisters in Christ – including our pastors and/  “Let us, or bishops – remember that we are as a working through this together. Have Church, patience and mercy. Be understanding. lead by Embrace humility. example.”  Lead with charity. Christians can be great witnesses to the Gospel during this time, if we don’t let our sinful natures get in the way. The COVID-19 fight has actual front lines. Medical professionals and emergency workers are leading the charge, working day and night to care for the sick. Other heroic men and women – including our priests – are putting themselves at risk to minister and tend to the needs of the vulnerable or the homebound. We can honor their great and important work by keeping our own selfish inclinations in check. As our nation continues to map out a strategy for moving forward during this next phase of the pandemic, let us, as a Church, lead by example. In our churches, let us set aside our selfish desires in order to navigate challenges, disagreements and uncertainty with grace and, above all, with love. The views or positions presented in this or any guest editorial are those of the individual publication and do not necessarily represent the views of Catholic News Service, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese of Trenton or The Monitor.

Special Report

Protesters in Minneapolis gather at the scene where George Floyd, an unarmed black man, was pinned down by a white police officer before later dying in a hospital May 25. CNS photo/Eric Miller, Reuters

It should not have happened

ll of us in our Diocese, in our nation, indeed, throughout the world looked with horror at the video depicting the May 25 death of George Floyd, an African American citizen of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. That video has been played over and over again on television news broadcasts, the internet and social media. The ghastly image of this black man in handcuffs, gasping and begging for breath  “Black lives under the knee a policeman matter,” no of as several of human being, his fellow law enforcement regardless of officers looked engendered race, can or on, a gut-wrenchshould deny.  ing reaction on the part of its viewers. I still do not understand what circumstances could ever possibly have provoked this horrific action in those moments. Neither can I imagine what could ever have justified it. Something deeply wrong occurred. Something deeply wrong con

tinues to occur as the reaction of people in many cities throughout our country over the last several days and nights has erupted in anger and outrage and pain. Peaceful protests in the name of justice have, in many places, given rise to rioting, looting and volatile destruction. Citizens in our nation have the right to lawfully and peacefully protest those things that disturb their consciences and sense of right. And so they should. Racism, a profoundly sad and all too often demonstrated part of American history, is one of those shameful things whenever, wherever, however it rears its ugly head. Rioting, looting and volatile destruction, however, are neither lawful, just or peaceful ways to respond to social wrongs. Instead of an honest outcry that justice be done, violent destructive behavior only serves to compound injustice. George Floyd did not deserve to die, and no one should ever have to die the

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. way he did at the hands of the men who caused it. It simply should not have happened. “Black lives matter,” no human being, regardless of race, can or should deny. Life, every life, is a precious gift from the Creator who, alone, determines its destiny. Why can’t we “get” that fundamental truth of human existence? Why can’t we get it right? Why do these situations repeat themselves so often and tear apart human society, time and again? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought our country to its knees. Before we could even begin to struggle back to our feet, another national tragedy has heaped upon us yet another sad realization of our human frailty which, in turn, has knocked us down again and torn us apart. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us one command: “love one another.” Will humanity ever take him seriously enough to simply do what he asks?

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 25

Special Report

One Voice

The sin of racism as violation of justice addressed in 2018 pastoral letter

Bishops â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sickenedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Floydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death, urge racism be met â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;head-onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

FROM STAFF REPORTS

BY JULIE ASHER ď&#x201A;ž

fter the May 25 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the widespread protest and unrest that have followed, Catholic leaders throughout the nation, including Bishop David M. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell, C.M., here in the Diocese of Trenton, have issued clear condemnation of the systemic racism that has sometimes led to injustice at the hands of law enforcement against members of the black community.Â In many cases, these statements have echoed the teaching that was expressed in the 2018 document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.â&#x20AC;? The U.S. bishTO READ the full pastoral letter ops overwhelmingly online, visit TrentonMonitor.com/ approved the pastoral open-wide-our-hearts. letter against racism during their fall generof bishops are rare, few and far between. al meeting in November of that year. But at key moments in history, the bishSpurred by a number of high-profile ops have come together for important cases where unarmed black men were pronouncements, paying attention to a shot and killed by police, the document particular issue and with the intention of offering a Christian response, full of ď&#x201A;&#x2C6; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Racism still infects hope, to the problems of our time. This is such a time.â&#x20AC;? our nation.â&#x20AC;?Â ď&#x201A;&#x2030; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Despite many promising strides made in our country, racism still infects our has been a foundation for the statements that are being made now in support of the nation,â&#x20AC;? the pastoral letter says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Racist acts are sinful because they violate justice. message that â&#x20AC;&#x153;black lives matter.â&#x20AC;? At the time of the documentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passing, They reveal a failure to acknowledge the human dignity of the persons offended, USCCB leaders involved in drafting and promoting it, explained,Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;The entire body to recognize them as the neighbors Christ calls us to love.â&#x20AC;? of bishops felt the need to address the Two years later, the letterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relevance has topic of racism, once again, after witgrown stronger as the anguish borne from nessing the deterioration of the public racial injustice in the United States takes discourse, and episodes of violence and on more urgency. animosity with racial and xenophobic overtones, that have re-emerged in FOR MORE NEWS on the topic or American society in the last few years. racism and the death of George â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pastoral letters from the full body Floyd, visit TrentonMonitor.com

WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;˘ The U.S. Catholic bishops say they â&#x20AC;&#x153;are broken-hearted, sickened and outraged to watch another video of an African-American man being killed before our very eyes.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the latest wake-up call that needs to be answered by each of us in a spirit of determined conversion,â&#x20AC;? they said in a statement about the May 25 death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. In recent weeks, Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old African American man in Georgia, was fatally shot, and three white men were arrested and are facing murder charges in his death. In March, Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African-American woman, died at the hands of white police officers when they entered her apartment in Louisville, Ky. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Racism is not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue to be bandied about when convenient,â&#x20AC;? the bishops said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a real and present danger that must be met head-on.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy wrongs of indifference,â&#x20AC;? they said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy and justice.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indifference is not an option,â&#x20AC;? they emphasized and stated â&#x20AC;&#x153;unequivocallyâ&#x20AC;? that â&#x20AC;&#x153;racism is a life issue.â&#x20AC;? The statement was issued by the chairmen of seven committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Floyd, 46, was arrested by police on suspicion of forgery. Once he was handcuffed, a white officer pinned

Catholic News Service

đ&#x;&#x2014;&#x17D;

26â&#x20AC;&#x192;â&#x20AC;&#x192;â&#x20AC;&#x192;THE MONITOR MAGAZINEâ&#x20AC;&#x192; ď&#x201A;Ąâ&#x20AC;&#x192;June 2020â&#x20AC;&#x192;

Continued on 28

Special Report

Catholic leaders in Diocese discuss division BY LOIS ROGERS  Correspondent

n the weeks following George Floyd’s death, protests and calls for racial justice and equality have been taking shape across New Jersey, including throughout the four counties of the Trenton Diocese. The current scenes of protest have brought back memories to those who witnessed the racial discord and riots that swept through Newark, Trenton and other New Jersey cities in the last half of the 20th century. Msgr. Joseph Roldan is rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, and Father Dennis Apoldite is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, the oldest parish in New Jersey. They were both in their Trenton rectories on Pentecost night, June 1, when the aftermath of a peaceful protest morphed into a looting spree in the state capital. While neither church was harmed, the situation kindled recollections of earlier riots they experienced.

 “It’s a horrible feeling when you see what 2020 is bringing.”  For Msgr. Roldan, it brought back childhood memories of the Newark riots in the summer of 1967. Back then, over four days, 26 people died and hundreds were injured in conflicts stemming from frustrations of poverty, unemployment and systematic denial of employment opportunities. “I was born in Newark, and my family moved after the riots. I remember specifically, martial law in place and the National Guard,” Msgr. Roldan said. “I remember so clearly they were working the streets with bullhorns and telling us to stay inside and stay away from the windows.” “My father was very fearful by what had happened, and we moved soon after that,” he said.

Demonstrators take to the streets of Trenton June 1 to peacefully protest the death of George Floyd. Rich Hundley photo Father Apoldite was a student in Cathedral High School when civil disturbances broke out in Trenton following the murder of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. He remembers being sent home from school because of riots in the city. “We stayed in one classroom for two hours and then were told to go home,” said Father Apoldite, who remembers that he didn’t know what to expect. With such memories in place, Msgr. Roldan and Father Apoldite said they were saddened by the June 1 violence in Trenton. The daytime demonstration, they agreed, was peaceful. What happened later was not. “People parked on the street earlier and went to the rally and left. In the evening, people were running, there was evidence of looting, carrying boxes. There was no damage to the Cathedral,” Msgr. Roldan said. Father Apoldite said the looting wasn’t part of the peaceful protest earlier in the day. Though he didn’t personally attend, he heard that it was well-organized.

“People in this neighborhood are good, struggling, hardworking people. They take care of their families. The organizers came back the next day to help clean up. I feel very badly for them,” he said. Both Msgr. Roldan and Father Apoldite received multiple phone calls checking on their safety and offering help and safe harbor if needed. Though relieved for their safety, the priests were sad, too. “This all brings more division,” Msgr. Roldan said. “Yesterday everything seemed to be OK and today, businesses are putting up plywood. It’s a horrible feeling when you see what 2020 is bringing,” Father Apoldite said. Msgr. Roldan said he hoped people will learn from the experience that “what has happened affects us as the whole body of the Church. We have to learn that what we do affects us all.” RELATED NEWS: How Catholic families can discuss current events, racial prejudice. Page 62

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 27

Special Report

Pope calls racism a pro-life issue BY CAROL GLATZ  Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY • Observing with great concern the social unrest unfolding in the United States, Pope Francis said no one can claim to defend the sanctity of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion. Addressing all “dear brothers and sisters in the United States,” the Pope said, “Today I join the Church in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd A man walks past an anti-racism mural June 2 in Peterborough, England. CNS photo/Joe Giddens, PA Images via Reuters and of all those others who have lost their lives as a same time, we have to recognize that ‘the result of the sin of racism.”  “We cannot tolerate or violence of recent nights is self-destruc“Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and turn a blind eye to racism tive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost,’” he said, let us implore the national reconciliation and exclusion.”  quoting Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of and peace for which we yearn,” he said in Los Angeles, president of the U.S. ConferItalian. in Minneapolis pushing down on his neck ence of Catholic Bishops. The Pope said he has “witnessed with The Pope prayed for the intercession great concern the disturbing social unrest with his knee May 25. Floyd was later pronounced dead. of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of in your nation in these past days, follow“My friends, we cannot tolerate or America, to assist “all those who work ing the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd,” turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion for peace and justice in your land and a 46-year-old man, whose last moments throughout the world. May God bless all of life were recorded on a widely dissemi- in any form and yet claim to defend the of you and your families.” nated video showing a white police officer sacredness of every human life. At the

Bishops decry racial violence, pray for victims Continued from 26

him down on the street, putting his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes. A now widely circulated video shows Floyd repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.” He appears to lose consciousness or die and was later declared dead at the hospital. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been fired and charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The three

other Minneapolis police officers involved in the death have been fired and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. The federal Justice Department has promised a “robust” investigation into the circumstances surrounding Floyd’s death. Protests and riots have since erupted in cities across the United States, including Minneapolis, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Los Angeles.

28 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

In their statement, the USCCB committee chairmen called for an end to the violence taking place in the wake of the tragedy in Minneapolis but also said they “stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged.” They joined with Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis in praying for the repose of the soul of Floyd “and all others who have lost their lives in a similar manner.”

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Diocese

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish prepares to serve Lakewood faithful MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

here’s a lot of hope and positive energy being shared about the coming together of St. Mary of the Lake and St. Anthony Claret Parishes and what it could mean for the Catholic community in Lakewood.

“The whole thing about the merger,” said Divine Word Father Bou, “is about unity.” “I believe we can become more dynamic and stronger and be more of a witness to our community,” said Father Bou, pastor of both parishes. With the signing of a decree June 1, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., officially declared that the two Lakewood parishes will be merged into one community – the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The decree marks the final change resulting from Faith in Our Future, the eight-step pastoral planning process that was commissioned  “We are in 2015 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, rich in C.M., and designed diversity.”  to strengthen and enliven parishes in the Diocese. “There’s a lot of faith, talent and devotion among parishioners,” Zulma Mercado said of the two parishes, which are set to merge July 1. Mercado, a St. Anthony Claret parishioner, served on the FIOF Communications Committee. As the parishes transition, some of the logistics that were defined in the decree include the name of the community; the geographical boundaries; the use of worship sites; the disposition of goods and debt currently belonging to the two separate parishes, and the retention of sacramental records from each. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish will

Clergy Assignment Ministrare Non Ministrari

serve the needs of those who reside in the parish territory. However, the parish has also been designated as a Center for Ministry and will provide outreach to both Hispanic and Polish Catholics. The parish will be under the care and leadership of the Divine Word Missionaries with Father Bou as pastor. Clergy and staff members from both parishes are working on logistics such as determining Mass schedules, which will also include Polish and Spanish Masses, and the use of what Father Bou calls “three very beautiful buildings we can share to build upon and make something great.” Those buildings are St. Mary of the Lake Church, Holy Family Church and school building, and St. Anthony Claret Church.

MORE ONLINE Implementation phase of Faith in Our Future process comes to a close. TrentonMonitor.com>News>Diocese

For the merger to be effective, both communities realize that sharing of resources and collaboration is needed. That’s a point to which Cori Scotti, music minister in St. Mary of the Lake Parish, can attest. Saying “we are ahead of the game,” she cited as an example how the two parish music ministries have been collaborating for about four years. Keeping in mind that Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish will have more than 4,600 families, Father Guilherme Andrino, parochial vicar, said both parishes “have a lot of good things to share.” “There are three church buildings and three language groups [English, Polish and Spanish] worshiping in those churches. We do not even count how many different cultures/countries there are, because we are rich in diversity – however, united in one faith,” he said.

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Read the full story online, visit TrentonMonitor.com >NEWS>DIOCESE

In this 2016 photo, Cori Scotti, music and liturgy director in St. Mary of the Lake Parish, directs the combined choirs from her parish and St. Anthony Claret Parish in singing during a BlueClaws baseball game. The two Lakewood parishes are preparing to merge July 1. John Blaine photo

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced the following appointment: Father Zachary Swantek of the Archdiocese of Newark has been appointed Catholic chaplain of the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Life at Princeton University, effective July 1, 2020.

30 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Diocese JoAnn Tier, at the podium, celebrates with the Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown, community upon learning that the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for 2015. Joe Moore photo

Happy to Teach, Humbled to Learn Retiring superintendent of Catholic schools reminisces on 40 years in education

oAnn Tier can recount dozens of heartfelt moments from working in Catholic education for 34 years.

“It is the little things in life that touch the heartstrings,” said Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools, as she recounted one memory from four years ago – an act of kindness during a high school graduation ceremony. “The names of graduates were beginning BY JENNIFER to be called, and a young man, a graduate, MAURO  stood up and went to the front to help a Managing Editor young lady as she mounted a series of steps. He saw the need and held out his hand to assist,” she said. “It’s that lived experience that melts your heart, that touches your life. The kindness, the sensitivity to others underscores the faith life that is lived each day, often in small but meaningful ways. Our faith is rooted in daily interactions.” Tier is retiring this summer after 20 years in the Chancery, 11 of which were as superintendent. Originally set to leave at the end of June, she will continue in her position until Aug. 1, which will see the arrival of Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt. Though her tenure is coming to a close, she’s not looking at retirement just yet. “I want to be there supporting our schools until the very end. I have the greatest admiration for our administrators, faculty and staff and will walk with them during this time of uncertainty and change. As long as I’m in the seat, I’ll be working,” she said. ROOTS RUN DEEP Tier grew up attending All Saints School in Burlington – the same school to which she would send her children. She later became a teacher at her alma mater and then served as its first lay principal. “Prior to accepting the position of principal, a great deal of soul-searching and reflection ensued,” Tier said. “I was following the Bernadine Franciscan Sisters, who were leaving the school community after 65 years of service. I was a graduate of

the school and a teacher. Enrollment had declined significantly. I did not want to be the first lay principal to close a school that I loved. “I wanted to make a difference, but was goodwill, energy and commitment going to be enough?” she recalled thinking. When she started, 120 students were enrolled. Ten years later, that number had grown to 225. She credits the growth to a collaborative working relationship with the pastor, teachers, and parents. “Over time, we grew, and it was always due to the responsiveness to the needs of the students and the support of the pastor, parents  “The and parish community,” she said. “It was a special time. It contributed to my relationships knowledge base as I became a member really are at of the Department of Catholic Schools in the Diocese.” the core of this Her arrival at the diocesan Chancery in Lawrenceville was due, in part, experience.”  to one of the people she most admired: St. Joseph Sister Dorothy L. Payne. Sister Dorothy, who was president of Trenton Catholic Academy in Hamilton at the time of her death in 2019, was then serving in the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools and encouraged Tier to apply for an open administrative position. Accepting a role at the Chancery, Tier said, “was a matter that demanded personal reflection [and asking] ‘Where am I supposed to be right now?’ I believe God calls us and plants us where we are supposed to be. With the support of others and with a belief in what can be, positive outcomes can be realized.” Tier took on various responsibilities in the Chancery – from working with the Catholic Urban Schools Program, to government programs and marketing initiatives, all of which, she said, provided many networking and learning opportunities. Some of her proudest moments, however, come from seeing the successes of the Catholic schools in the Diocese during her Continued on 71 time as superintendent. June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 31

Diocese

For Love of Learning Associate superintendent proud to have had impact on Catholic schools in diocese BY JENNIFER MAURO  Managing Editor

hen Dr. Margaret Boland looks back on her career in education, she admits that she has been blessed. “This has been my life. The good Lord has been very good to me. Not everybody gets the opportunity to do what they love to do, want to do and feel called to do. And I have, and that’s a gift,” she said. Boland, associate superintendent in the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools, retired this year after more than 35 years in the Diocese. “Nothing can be compared to our Catholic schools,” Boland says with pride. “Catholic education has the greatest freedom in the world – the charism of Catholic education itself is freedom.” SETTING HIGH STANDARDS Boland arrived in the Diocese of Trenton after working in New York City public schools for 12 years. She taught eighth-grade math and science in St. Joseph School, Toms River, and developed an algebra and pre-algebra program for eighth-grade students in partnership with Donovan Catholic High School. She served as principal of St. Benedict School, Holmdel. She arrived as associate superintendent in 1995. “I loved being a principal, but also I’m a researcher – I like to do research and professional development and writing,” she said. “In the 25 years I’ve been here, there’s

“This has been my life,” says Dr. Margaret Boland, who has retired as diocesan associate superintendent of Catholic schools. John Blaine photo been a lot accomplished. “I wrote a lot of curriculum, and had a lot of curriculum published for the Diocese – but I worked with committees, because I believe in collaboration. I do not believe it should be written at my desk alone; it should be written together, with the teachers, the principals – and we did.”

 “No matter the transition, keep your faith.”  During this time, Boland completed her doctorate in educational leadership at Seton Hall University, South Orange. She wrote a dissertation on “The Leadership Role of an Associate Superintendent in a Catholic School Office,” some of which was published in academic journals. Also among her accomplishments: guiding curriculum development for Catholic schools in the Diocese; presenting on leadership and assessment at National Catholic Educational Association conventions and other dioceses; serving on a national committee that designed the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Elementary and Secondary Schools, and participating in a roundtable educational research program in Oxford, England.

32 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

“I was the only Catholic school representative there,” Boland said of the Oxford roundtable. “It was an incredible experience for me to bring the Catholic environment to the table, and at the same time listen to the public environment from all over the world.” ATHLETES OF FAITH In the midst of the research, curriculum writing, marketing, collaborating with schools and diocesan staff, and serving on a number of diocesan high school boards, a new opportunity came along – one in which Boland expresses great pride. In 2011, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and his then-secretary Father Alberto Tamayo, approached Boland about researching and implementing the National Catholic Athletes for Christ program in the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop O’Connell, who had experience with the college-specific program during his presidency at The Catholic University of America, Washington, wished to bring CAC to Catholic high schools around the Diocese. The Diocese of Trenton went on to become the first diocese in the country to implement the CAC program on a secondary school, diocesan-wide level, and hold yearly leadership symposiums (held in the Continued on 61

Ordination

HEART of

Service

Rev. Mr. Sansevere looking forward to many ‘firsts’ in priesthood BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

s far back as he can remember, all Stephen Sansevere ever talked about while growing up was wanting to be a cop or a priest. He never expected the “or” would become an “and.”

That will be the case June 27, however, when the retired Jersey City police sergeant will be ordained a priest by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during a 10 a.m. Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Between his time as a police officer and pursuing the priesthood, he said, “I was Rev. Mr. Stephen married to the best Sansevere wife ever.” Susanne Sansevere died on  “I am Christmas Day really 2017. “We were blessed in married 39 years, eight months and my life.”  10 days. But who’s counting?” he said. “I couldn’t ask for any better. I am really blessed in my life.” With humor, confidence and an unwavering faith in the plan that God has

for his life, Rev. Mr. Sansevere, 66, reflected on the “alternate route” he’s taken to becoming a priest. SERVING LAW, CHURCH The Jersey City native was born on All Souls Day, Nov. 2, 1953. He is the son of the late John and Joan Sansevere. His younger brother, Lawrence, is his only sibling. His family worshiped in the city’s St. Nicholas Parish, and he is a product of Catholic education, graduating from St. Nicholas Grammar School and St. Anthony High School. It was in St. Francis Hospital, Jersey City, where he met his future wife. He was a security guard, and she was a nursing supervisor. They married on April 15, 1978, in St. Aedean Church, he said, joking how “it would not be a good thing” if he ever forgot that April 15 was his wedding anniversary and the date income taxes are due. On Oct. 1, 1979, Rev. Mr. Sansevere followed in the footsteps of his father, uncle and cousins when he joined the Jersey City Police Department. He spent

Rev. Mr. Stephen Sansevere proclaims the Gospel during a Mass Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated for seminarians of the Diocese in St. John the Baptist Church, Allentown. Joe Moore photo 25 years on the force, a time in which he also experienced a number of personal milestones. He and Susanne moved to Monmouth County and joined St. Gabriel Parish, where he discovered his calling to be a permanent deacon. He also pursued an education, receiving an associate’s degree in criminal justice in 1997 from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. He earned a bachelor’s degree in adult religious education in 2008 and a master of arts degree in pastoral theology in 2014, both from St. Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, Maine. In retirement, he earned a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral care and counseling in 2018 from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Oklahoma. Rev. Mr. Sansevere said his diaconate vocation was inspired by his uncle, Anthony Sansevere, who was ordained in the Trenton Diocese’s first class of deacons in 1977 and was assigned to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (now Co-Cathedral), Freehold. He also witnessed Continued on 37

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 33

Ordination

CALLED to

SERVE

Bishop to ordain six men to diaconate June 20

ix men will receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and be raised to the Order of Deacon when they are ordained by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during a 10 a.m. June 20 Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Of the six candidates, five will be known as permanent deacons. They come from a variety of backgrounds and professional careers, and are

Ballacillo sees upcoming diaconal ordination as ‘great blessing’ BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

joy Ballacillo believes having a strong relationship with God is what lies at the heart of his wanting to become a priest. “God extends his great love and compassion to all of us, and I wanted to be a channel of his love and compassion to his people as well,” he said. After 15 years in the seminary, Ballacillo will reach a milestone in his journey to the priesthood June 20 when he is ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. “It’s a great blessing,” the 25-year-old Ballacillo said, reflecting on highlights of his vocation experience, which included entering San Joseph High School Seminary in his native Philippines at age 11, followed by college studies in San Pablo Seminary, also in the Phil-

34 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

ippines, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He was 21 when he decided to relocate to the United States and prepare to serve as a priest for the Diocese of Trenton. His formation has included earning a master of divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa.; serving summer parish assignments in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Wanaque, and St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, and his current pastoral assignment in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown. Ballacillo said he was inspired to become a priest after seeing his two older brothers, Rex and Roy, choose a priestly path. Because of COVID-19 and travel concerns, Ballacillo’s family, including parents Fernando A. and Marilyn B., brother Rex, and sister Honeylet, won’t be able to attend the Mass of Ordination, set to begin at 10 a.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Though he will miss their physical presence, Ballacillo said he is

Ordination married with families. Their formation has included completing a five-year program with studies that are consistent with the intellectual norms established in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. The sixth candidate is a seminarian, and as such, will be referred to as a transitional deacon as he continues his formation and prepares for the priesthood in the Diocese of Trenton. Once ordained, all of the new deacons will assume responsibilities such as preaching and presiding over weddings, Baptisms, wakes and committals. Following are the profiles of the men who have answered God’s call to serve the Church.

JOHN EDWARD BARRETT Ministering Parish: St. Martha, Point Pleasant Place of Birth/Age: Queens, N.Y.; 51 Family: wife, Sherri; children, Megan, 23, Bonnie, 21, Kaitlyn, 20; parents, John and Irene Barrett (both deceased); siblings, Eileen, Anne (deceased) Employment: owner, P.M. Consultants, LLC, Brick Education: St. Sebastian School, Queens, N.Y. (1975-1983); Archbishop Molloy High School, Briarwood, N.Y. (1983-1987); Queens College, B.A., accounting (1987- 1994); Georgian Court University, Lakewood, M.A., theology (2015-2019) Certificates, Honors, Technical Training: certified municipal finance officer; certified county finance officer, member of Theological Honor Society

heartened to know that come 10 p.m. Filipino time, his family will be logged on to Trenton diocesan websites to watch the livestream coverage. “Pray for me,” Ballacillo humbly requested, as he noted that following his ordination, he will serve a diaconal year assignment in St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor. RJOY “This is something that I’ve been BALLACILLO preparing for since I was a kid. Pray for me that I will be faithful to God and serving God, his Church and the ministry to which I have been called.”

Ministries: lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, baptismal preparation, marriage preparation, finance council Why the Diaconate? Deacons have played an important role in my life, including the deacons at St. Martha Parish. I wanted to help my pastor, Father David Swantek, serve our parish community. I have been blessed with the love and support I have received along the way through the formation process. Vesting Priest: Father David Swantek, pastor of St. Martha Parish

RUSSELL DAVID GREINER Ministering Parish: St. Joseph, Toms River Place of Birth/Age: Clermont, Fla.; 52 Family: wife, Rita; children, Joshua, 24, Rachel, 18, Kristina, 15; parents, Russell (deceased), Shirley (mother-deceased), Kay (stepmother); siblings, John, Michael, Deane (stepbrother), Adele (stepsister) Employment: director, Exelon Nuclear LLC, Kennett Square, Pa. Education: Mary Bryant Elementary School, Kissimmee, Fla. (1974-1977); Osceola High School (1980-1983) and New Smyrna Beach High School, (1984-1985), both also in Florida; Georgia Military College, A.S., nuclear science (1993- 1995); Rensselaer Polytechnic University, B.S., nuclear engineering (1995-1998); Georgian Court University, Lakewood, M.A., theology (2015-2019) Certificates, Honors, Technical Training: Licensed senior reactor operator; member of several collegiate national honor society groups (Theta Alpha Kappa (theology), Alpha Nu Sigma (nuclear power), Phi Beta Kappa Ministries: St. Joseph Parish (religious education, 2000-2015; extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, 2000-present; reader, 2000-present; Veritas Men’s Faith Sharing Group, 2010-present); St. Mary Parish, Ballston Spa, N.Y. (extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, 1995-1998); Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, St. Mary’s Ga. (extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, reader 1993-1995) Why the Diaconate? The calling to service has been a lifelong journey for me. Starting as a youngster in Scouts and then helping my mom volunteer in nursing homes as a teenager, I have always served people. As an adult, I started working with youth groups and teaching religious education. A deacon approached me about the diaconate in the early 2000s, and after attending a retreat and much prayer, I knew that I was receiving the call to pursue the diaconate. Once the program restarted in our Diocese, I was fortunate to be among the first men to be selected. Vesting Priest: Father Scott Shaffer, pastor of St. Joseph Parish Continued on 36

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 35

Ordination

Preparing to serve as deacons Continued from 35

MARK D. McNULTY Ministering Parish: St. Catharine-St. Margaret, Spring Lake Place of Birth/Age: Newark; 65 Family: wife, Elizabeth M.; children, Daniel E., 37, Mark C., 37, James P., 32; grandchildren, Luan, Maris, Cassidy; parents, Daniel and Genevieve McNulty; siblings Cynthia, Stan Employment: Staff member in St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish; retired from Newburgh Moire Co. Inc. Education: Our Lady of Lourdes School, West Orange (19601965); St. Joseph School, West Orange (1965-1969); West Orange High School (1969-1973); Seton Hall University, South Orange (liberal arts, 1973-1977); Georgian Court University, Lakewood, certificate in pastoral ministry (2015-2019) Certificates, Honors, Technical Training: Diocese of Trenton Certificate Program for Parish Coordinators of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Trenton Virtus Facilitator, Georgian Court University Certificate in Pastoral Ministry Ministries: Usher, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, sacristan, religious education teacher, youth minister Why the diaconate? My life has been a rich tapestry, and a strong and vibrant thread moves through it. My faith is that thread, my lifeline. From my altar boy days to my first day as a lay minister, and as a husband, father and friend, I have lived to serve the Lord. I pray that with the wisdom and intercession of the Holy Spirit, that I may offer my service through the sacraments to all who wish to live and practice their faith and to all who have yet to know him. Vesting Priest: Father Damian McElroy, pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish

JOHN SENKEWICZ Ministering Parish: St. Leo the Great, Lincroft Place of Birth/Age: Kearny; 64 Family: wife, Deirdre; children, Stephanie, 36, Timothy, 33; grandchildren, Ricky, 5, Wesley, 2; parents, John and Joan (both deceased); siblings, James Employment: retired as manager of Energy Services at Public Service Electric & Gas Co., Newark Education: Bayview Elementary and Bayshore Junior High, Middletown (1961-1969); Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft 36 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

(1969-1973); Stevens Institute of Technology (bachelor in engineering, 1973-1977); M.S., management (1980-1982); Georgian Court University, Lakewood, M.A., theology (2015-2019) Certificates, Honors, Technical Training: Tau Beta Pi National Honor Society for Engineering Studies (1975), Theta Alpha Kappa, National Honor Society for Religious Studies Theology (2018) Ministries: social concerns ministry coordinator; bereavement ministry; lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion Why the diaconate? Six years ago, I felt I was called by God to join the diaconate. Vesting Priest: Father John Folchetti, pastor, St. Leo the Great Parish

EDWARD WORAM Ministering Parish: St. Joseph Parish, Toms River Place of Birth/Age: Brooklyn, N.Y.; 56 Family: wife, Patricia; children: Nancy, 32, Kacey-Ann, 29, Elizabeth, 27, Steven, 26, Stephanie, 24, Matthew, 23; grandchildren: Gabrielle, 8, Nico, 2, Robert, 2; parents, Herbert and Elizabeth Woram (both deceased); siblings, Patricia, Kathleen, Joann, Michael (deceased), Thomas Employment: Retired from Consolidated Edison of New York (34 years) Education: Public School 207, Brooklyn, N.Y. (1970-1976); James Madison High School, Brooklyn (1980-1982); Brooklyn College, B.S., business administration (1986-1990); New York Institute of Technology, M.S., energy management (19931995); Georgian Court University, Lakewood, M.A., pastoral theology (2015-2019) Ministries: reader, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, St. Joseph Council, Knights of Columbus (Toms River), St. Vincent de Paul Society Why the diaconate? Twenty years ago in prayer, I felt God place the call to the diaconate in my heart, but there was a definite mutual understanding, “not yet,” this is not the right time. Since that moment, the call to the diaconate never left my heart. There were no specifics, just “Deacon.” Vesting Priest: Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel

O God, Father of all mercies, provider of a bountiful harvest, send Your graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor; preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of You.... humbly hear our prayers and grant Your Church’s needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen. – excerpt USCCB

Ordination

Soon-to-be priest eager for new path Continued from 33

how the deacons serving in St. Gabriel Parish at the time carried out their ministries. “They were the ones who brought me along,” he said of Deacons Gerald Henwood, Les Owens and Jim Russo. He also credited his wife, who fully supported him and accompanied him to evening formation classes at the diocesan Chancery in Lawrenceville. Following his diaconate ordination in 2000, Rev. Mr. Sansevere and Susanne served together on the parish’s pre-Cana and marriage prep teams. Susanne was an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, while her husband carried out his diaconate responsibilities assisting at Mass and in other sacramental duties. He also was involved with the liturgy committee and went on to become the parish’s pastoral administrator and business manager. He considered himself blessed when he could combine his background in law enforcement with his duties as a deacon, such as when he was chaplain to all faiths in Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, New Brunswick. He said he was also privileged to assist for Blue Masses in both the Newark Archdiocese and the Diocese of Trenton. He continues to serve as the chaplain for the Jersey City Police Department.

“I’ve heard confessions before, but that involved my writing them down and then handing it over to the Prosecutor’s Office,” he said. “But the idea of celebrating the Sacrament – and to think that I’ll be the one relieving someone of their sins, their worries and concerns – I pray that God grants me the ability to do that.” Rev. Mr. Sansevere said he is deeply appreciative to many people for their support, guidance and insight. Those include Father Eugene Roberts, pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, whom he refers to as a good friend and who he asked to be his vesting priest at ordination; Father James Grogan, pastor of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, who was also widowed when he was ordained a priest; and the priests of St. Theresa Parish, Father John Large, pastor, and Father Mick Lambeth, pastor emeritus. Then there is Susanne, who “always believed in me and was always behind me,” he said, adding that “she wouldn’t be the least bit surprised by my decision to become a priest. She would be thrilled.”

NEW BEGINNINGS Rev. Mr. Sansevere smiles as he admits that becoming a priest “was not my idea.” It was a priest-friend who first broached the subject during a conversation in August 2018, about eight months after Susanne’s death. Initially, he resisted the idea, honestly thinking that “at 64 and quickly going on 65, my age would come into play. I was happy … as a deacon in St. Gabriel,” he said. But further conversations – including with Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan episcopal vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians, and Bishop O’Connell, who gave his approval  “The idea – “is what led me to this point,” he said, “for which I am very grateful.” of celebrating Because of his academic background, Rev. Mr. Sansevere was not the Sacrament required to pursue further seminary studies. However, he was given a pasto... I pray that ral assignment for a year in St. Theresa God grants me Parish, Little Egg Harbor, where he experienced parish life as a transitional the ability.”  deacon. Upon ordination, his first assignment as a priest will be as parochial vicar of St. James Parish, Pennington; St. George Parish, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell. As his June 27 ordination date nears, Rev. Mr. Sansevere said there are two “firsts” he is especially anticipating – celebrating Mass and elevating the host and chalice at the Consecration at his first Mass. “That is the biggest thing I look forward to.” He is also humbled at the thought of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Coverage of Ordination Days Follow live coverage as Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., ordains the Diocese’s newest priest and six men to the diaconate later this month. Look for:  Livestream video, 10 a.m. June 20, and 10 a.m. June 27 from St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, for ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood, respectively, on TrentonMonitor.com and YouTube.com/trentondiocese  Check Facebook and Twitter for live postings on both Ordination Days  Reporting and dozens of photos will be posted to TrentonMonitor.com beginning June 20  Don’t forget the July print issue of The Monitor for full ordination coverage! Not a subscriber? Contact: monitor-subscriptions@dioceseoftrenton.org or visit dioceseoftrenton.org/monitor-subscriptions

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 37

Covid

With care, caution, parishes of Diocese welcome faithful back to in-church Masses

‘Happy to Be Back’ BY LOIS ROGERS  Correspondent

aithful across the Diocese of Trenton were tearfully grateful to once again receive the Eucharist at Mass after nearly three months away from their parish pews.

“I don’t think anyone in their wildest dreams thought we would have a pandemic that would cause everything to crash for all these weeks,” said Barbara Carton-Riker, a daily Mass-goer of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, for 35 years. Carton-Riker was among the thousands of Diocese’s Catholics who returned to in-church Masses the week of June 8 and weekend of June 13-14, as approved by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. “It was wonderful that there were online Masses and parking lot Masses, but it was really nice to get back into church,” Carton-Riker said. SACRED RETURN The outdoor, in-car Masses were part of a multiphase plan for parishes in the Diocese to reopen. Bishop O’Connell suspended public Masses in late March, which was soon followed by the closing of churches for private prayer over COVID-19 concerns. Since that time, livestreamed Masses and various technology such as podcasts, social media, YouTube and more have been utilized by both the Bishop and parish priests. Reopening has progressed in careful steps with input from the Post-Pandemic Parish Task Force of Pastors established by Bishop O’Connell. Churches began to reopen May 13 for private prayer only, with social distancing and other safety measures in place. In-car Masses were allowed beginning

May 18, according to good pastoral judgement. The Diocese consulted with public health officials throughout the entire process. Kevin McConnell, an active member of Our Lady Queen of Peace, describes his involvement and service in the Hainesport parish as “my passion.”

 “It was peaceful and nice to be able to have the presence of God.”  “Everyone has things in their lives to do,” he said, “but I try to go to Mass every day. I just really enjoy it. When you are used to receiving the Body and Blood of Christ every day and are shut out, it is frustrating.” The beginning of the lockdown was the most difficult for parishioners, he said, because their pastor, Father Joe Noche, was unable to return from a visit to his native Philippines for a month and a half. “Watching Mass on television when Father was away was nice. But when Father got back, and we had livestreaming … it was familiar. Now that we can attend daily Mass, it is awesome,” said McConnell, who attended in-church Mass June 10.

38 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Said, Carton-Riker, “The most important thing was being able to receive the Eucharist again.” The second – to reunite with a group of Red Bank Catholic alumni from the class of 1951 who have attended Mass together on weekdays for years. “I love the Mass, the community … being in church again,” she said. Maricarmen Buckley made it her mission to view livestream Mass every day from Holy Cross Church once the pastor, Father Michael Manning, had it up and running. “I was thankful and happy to have a Mass every day. It was solidarity. … It was peaceful and nice to be able to have the presence of God.” But Buckley did miss the Eucharist and says having the church closed was upsetting. “I understand why it was necessary,” she said. “But I am so happy to be back.”

View more photos on

TrentonMonitor.com

Before entering Our Lady Queen of Peace Church for Mass June 10, a parishioner has her temperature checked by Kevin McConnell, who is active in various ministries in the Hainesport parish. Staff photo

SIGNS OF THE TIME Father Noche and Father Manning have the distinction of being priests and physicians who bring scientific and spiritual gifts in these times of coronavirus. Both focused on keeping their parishioners engaged by way of technology and personal outreach. Father Manning said that, as a priest, he found that the inability to distribute the Eucharist to his parishioners “struck a grievous blow. It felt very strange to be saying daily Mass alone,” he said. “Having to close the doors of the church even for private prayer was another blow to priestly hospitality.” But Father Manning kept in close touch with his parishioners by way of virtual technology and ran one poll during the closure in which they could voice their concerns.

The survey, he said, was helpful in planning for likely Mass attendance, especially in the parking lot Masses. “We also heard from parishioners in the chat room during Mass, the parish email and the phones, when staffed,” he said. “Quickly becoming informed about the technology with which to reach out to parishioners so that Mass could be heard, whether online or in parked cars, became very important.” Daily Mass was livestreamed in Our Lady Queen of Peace as soon as Father Noche was able to return, and those who have attended the first daily Masses in church have found things running smoothly and according to the Bishop’s pastoral directive, he said. Among them, limited admittance, no holy water in which to dip their fingers, nor will there be an exchange of peace among parishioners or a chalice with the Blood of Christ from which to drink. Six feet of separation between parishioners adheres to social distancing regulations. He understands that some parishioners may be concerned about stepping inside

Parishioners wearing face masks kneel in prayer during Mass in the Hainesport church. Staff photo church even with limited admittance and other precautions. He is planning to accommodate those concerns by continuing the livestream according to the Bishop’s instructions and holding the Saturday vigil Mass inside on Saturday and Sunday Mass outside in the parking lot. “It’s important to go to church,” he said. “At the same time, it is a scary time, and we have to be cautious.”

Holy Cross, Rumson, parishioners attend morning Mass June 8, which marked the return to in-church Masses since March. Rich Hundley photo

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 39

Covid

Liturgical-Pastoral Directives in a

Time of Pandemic Limited Public Celebration of the Mass and Sacraments in Church

OVID-19 is still a virulent contagious virus communicated between people. Everyone should remain conscious and alert that risks to either contract or spread the disease remain possible at any gathering of people, indoors or outdoors. The risk is considered by public health experts to be especially significant indoors at prolonged, sedentary gatherings where coughing, sneezing and even talking/singing could easily communicate the coronavirus.

Those who are frightened, those with a COVID-19 diagnosis or symptoms, those who may be asymptomatic carriers, those not feeling well, those with underlying health conditions or those in a high-risk category should avoid public gatherings of any kind whether indoors or outdoors. As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I have been entrusted by the Church with the responsibility to exercise care for the spiritual needs of the faithful. I cannot do that effectively if I ignore their physical health and well-being or put that health and the common good at risk. For that reason, heeding the advice of public health officials and other scientific data, I directed the clergy and faithful of the Diocese to follow the courses of action we have

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. pursued for the past several months. The Catholic faithful, however, need the Eucharist for their spiritual health and well-being. It is an essential part of Catholic life, and we cannot continue to do without the Eucharist and other Sacraments indefinitely. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced temporary yet necessary sacrifices into our lives as Catholics. The faithful have carried the accompanying spiritual burdens heroically. Our clergy and I have shared those burdens, too, deprived as we have been of the opportunity to exercise many of the pastoral

40 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

and liturgical ministries for which we have been ordained as bishop, priests and deacons. It has been our common goal during this pandemic to minister as best we could in the hope that the gradual restoration of full Catholic life would occur as soon as possible. A dispensation from Sunday/Holy Day obligation has been granted so that the faithful could “stay home” in good conscience. Masses and pastoral messages have been livestreamed by our priests to

 The faithful have carried the accompanying spiritual burdens heroically.  keep our Catholic faith consistent and strong. Churches have been re-opened for private prayer. Outdoor, “in car” Masses have been provided wherever safely and worthily possible, giving the faithful who were/are able the opportunity to be nourished again by Christ’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

Covid

Diocesan Advisory on a Safe Return to In-Church Masses

Staff photos

edia reports have indicated significant spikes in coronavirus cases in 21 states that have reopened or relaxed restrictions. To avoid any confusion as the Diocese approaches the first weekend of public in-church Masses, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reminds the faithful of the established directives:

Balancing the physical, public health precautions deemed necessary with the spiritual good of the faithful, I have decided to resume limited opportunities for the faithful to return to their parish churches, while maintaining the necessary, required public health precautions present in the CDC Guidelines, as the Diocese gradually and safely moves toward the full restoration of Catholic spiritual and sacramental life. The Post-Pandemic Parish Task Force of Pastors (P4) that I established on May 3, 2020, under the leadership of Monsignor Thomas Gervasio, vicar general, has developed the following “Directives” that I am mandating to be observed for participation at “in-church” public Masses and Sacramental administrations throughout the Diocese of Trenton. I have maintained contact with the Governor and his chief counsel regarding these directives. Visit dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus for the full diocesan directives concerning in-church Mass and administration of the Sacraments.

1. COVID-19 is still extremely contagious, especially indoors or in closed settings; 2. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday/Holy Day Masses remains in effect so that all Catholic faithful, in good conscience, are not required to be physically present in church; livestreamed Masses will continue in most parishes; 3. Anyone who is sick or at risk should not come to church; that is not punitive but, rather, common sense and an act of charity toward your neighbors; 4. All parishes are expected to abide strictly by occupancy limits/restrictions and other regulations of the Diocese with care; 5. Masks must be worn (no exceptions), physical contact of any kind must be avoided, social distancing must be practiced, proper sanitation must be observed at all public in-church Masses; 6. Before attending public, in-church Masses, the Catholic faithful are asked to consider any possible health and safety risks involved.

To view the full set of directives on limited public celebration of the Mass and Sacraments in Church, please visit: DioceseofTrenton.org/coronavirus.

Check out the video about returning to in-church Masses in the Diocese of Trenton at youtube.com/TrentonDiocese.

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 41

Covid Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli delivers a report May 1 during Governor Murphy’s daily press briefing on COVID-19. Pool photo/Thomas Costello, Gannett

Diocese helps parishes, schools find revenue, including PPP funds, amid pandemic BY JENNIFER MAURO Managing Editor

A CONVERSATION WITH JUDITH PERSICHILLI

New Jersey’s health commissioner and member of Diocese reflects on the battle waged against COVID-19 BY RAYANNE BENNETT Associate Publisher

efore the arrival of 2020, one could have looked at the arc of Judith Persichilli’s life and easily found it extraordinary. Personally, she and her husband were blessed with 49 years of marriage before his death in 2019. She has been an active Catholic and strong supporter of faithbased institutions and charities. Professionally, the ICU nurse-turned hospital administrator was tapped in 2019 for the position of New Jersey State Health Commissioner, a capstone of a long career dedicated to healing and helping others. But nothing in Persichilli’s remarkable life could have foretold of the day when she would be responsible for leading the critical effort to save the lives of all New Jerseyans from the deadly pandemic that had come to U.S. shores. Persichilli is now widely known as “the woman who needs no introduction,” a standing description used by Governor Phil Murphy during his regular press briefings on the coronavirus. It is Persichilli’s role to update the vast briefing audience of the numbers of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Off-camera, the Commissioner has been engaged in a grueling, life-and-death battle to ensure that those sickened by the virus have the care they need, that health care workers are safe in delivering

that care and that the general public takes necessary precautions to stop the spread of the virus. The Department of Health, which she oversees, is the lead agency combatting COVID-19. Persichilli is the chairman of the Coronavirus Task Force, which was promulgated by the Governor and includes all commissioners in state government. In the Diocese, Persichilli is a long-time member of St. James Parish in Pennington; board member of Georgian Court University in Lakewood, and donor and supporter of Catholic Charities. She also is a founding member of the Catholic Foundation of Philadelphia. Before being named to the state position, Persichilli was the CEO of St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton and Catholic Health East, and later president of CHE Trinity Health, a Catholic health ministry consolidation. The Commissioner shared with The Monitor Magazine the progress and ongoing needs in her work against COVID-19: TMM: What priorities have you and your team had to address, and what has it been like to lead this battle? CP: It has been 24/7. We’ve had to bring up additional beds; set up field medical stations; reopen closed hospitals; obtain hard-to-find personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, and work with all of health care facilities throughout the state to care for residents. TMM: What in your Catholic faith

42 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Continued on 45

ith Sunday Mass offertories declining during the coronavirus pandemic, dioceses have been helping their parishes tap into revenue sources to help keep one crisis from becoming a second one. One such revenue source has been the Paycheck Protection Program loan from the federal Small Business Administration. Nearly $700 billion in loans were made available in two separate laws passed in Washington since mid-March, when the coronavirus was deemed a pandemic and a national emergency was declared by the White House. In the Diocese of Trenton, 64 parishes and Catholic schools and organizations – 60 percent – successfully applied for loans and were approved, for a total of $18.2 million. In addition, another seven parishes are in the process of applying. “It has secured us for the year,” said Filippini Sister Elizabeth Seton Dalessio, principal of St Jerome School, West Long Branch. “Let’s face it – all of us have been affected somehow by this pandemic. But this makes us strong again.” Michael D’Angelo, director of the diocesan Department of Finance, said that as the threat of a pandemic became reality, it became immediately apparent that parishes, schools and organizations would be looking for financial guidance, especially since COVID-19 was bound to affect collections and fundraisers. “Anything we could do to help defray costs and keep the parishes and schools going, that was the motivation to invest as much time as needed,” he said. Joseph Bianchi, diocesan chief administrative officer, admitted that due to the Continued on 45

Covid

Bishop to pray for the beloved departed during Mass set for June 17 FROM STAFF REPORTS

ome of the precautions put in place in March to protect the public from the spread of the coronavirus meant that individuals who died – whether from the virus or another cause – could not be remembered and mourned in the customary manner. For much of that time, churches were closed, Masses were prohibited and access to the burial was restricted, leaving family members without a faith-based experience in which to express their grief and pray with one another for their loved one. In the absence of these rituals, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will seek to bring some solace to the bereaved through the celebration of a Mass of Requiem, or Memorial Mass, which can be viewed on YouTube.com/ trentondiocese beginning June 17 at 2 p.m. Taking place in St. Anne Cemetery and Mausoleum in Wall, the Mass will remember in a special way those in the Diocese who died after March 1 from COVID-19 or any other cause. The Bishop will pray over a list of more than 1,100 names submitted by 65 of the parishes across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Bishop O’Connell will offer words of comfort to the bereaved during his homily, which will reflect on grief as “the price we pay for love,” and examine the true meaning of death for those who believe in Jesus Christ. He will speak on the importance of remembrance and the “immortality of memories.” When announcing this Mass, Bishop O’Connell explained that he will lead the faithful in gathering up all of the grief and sadness that surrounds the deaths of their loved ones and present it to God. Go to TrentonMonitor.com for full coverage of the Mass of Requiem after June 17.

Names of those who died in the Diocese during pandemic will be remembered in special Mass

he names of more than 1,100 beloved departed who died during the pandemic shutdown were submitted by 65 parishes of the Diocese to be prayed over by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Mass of Requiem. They include:

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Christ the Redeemer, Mount Holly Corpus Christi, Willingboro Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Beverly Mary, Mother of the Church, Bordentown Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade Our Lady Queen of Peace, Hainesport Resurrection, Delran St. Charles Borromeo, Cinnaminson St. Joan of Arc, Marlton St. Katharine Drexel, Burlington St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford MERCER COUNTY

Incarnation-St. James, Ewing Our Lady of the Angels, Trenton Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Trenton Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton Sacred Heart, Trenton St. Alphonsus, Hopewell St. Ann, Lawrenceville St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown St. David the King, West Windsor St. George, Titusville St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square St. Hedwig, Trenton St. James, Pennington St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton St. Paul, Princeton St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton MONMOUTH COUNTY

Christ the King, Long Branch Holy Cross, Rumson Holy Family, Union Beach Holy Innocents, Neptune

Mother of Mercy, Asbury Park Our Lady of Hope, West Long Branch Our Lady of Fatima, Keyport Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes, Atlantic Highlands St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank St. Benedict, Holmdel St. Catharine, Holmdel St. Catherine of Siena, Farmingdale St. Catharine-St. Margaret, Spring Lake St. Clement, Matawan St. Denis, Manasquan St. Leo the Great, Lincroft St. Mark, Sea Girt St. Mary, Colts Neck St. Mary, Middletown St. Michael, West End St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold St. Rose, Belmar St. William the Abbot, Howell OCEAN COUNTY

Epiphany, Brick St. Aloysius, Jackson St. Barnabas, Bayville St. Joseph, Toms River St. John, Lakehurst St. Justin the Martyr, Toms River St. Luke, Toms River St. Martha, Point Pleasant St. Maximilian Kolbe, Toms River St. Monica, Jackson St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Lavallette St. Pius X, Forked River Sacred Heart, Bay Head Visitation, Brick

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 43

Covid

Families flock to weekend in-car Masses STORY BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

PHOTOS BY RICH HUNDLEY

long with his priestly vestments, Father Caesar Rubiano wore a fitted facemask May 23 as he greeted each vehicle of parents, grandparents and children that pulled up for the in-car Mass at St. Joachim Church. “Our parish community is a community of families,” Father Rubiano, pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, said of the in-car Masses he celebrated in the Trenton church’s parking lot Saturday afternoon in English and early evening in Spanish. “I am so proud to have mothers, fathers and their children, and youth coming to Mass,” Father Rubiano said. “We are one family here.” May 23-24 was the first weekend in-car Masses and the distribution of the Eucharist were allowed in the Diocese since the March 16 suspension of Mass amid COVID-19 concerns. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., approved the start of in-car Masses beginning May 18; the decision was part of a gradual, multiphase plan for parishes in the Diocese to reopen. “I feel like we’re seeing the light at the end of a very dark tunnel,” said Maritza Albarran of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, who attended in-car Mass with her two children, Esmeralda Bodon, 16, and

This drone photo shows the 6 p.m. incar Mass celebrated on the grounds of St. Joachim Church.

Father James O’Neill, pastor of St. John Parish, Lakehurst, elevates the Eucharist during the 8 a.m. in-car Mass he celebrated May 24. the people’s cooperation,” he said. As active parishioners in various liturJoel Bodon, 13. gical ministries, Cathy DiCostanzo and “I felt happy, joyful, emotional and Barbara Sanna of Our Lady of the Angels blessed to be at the Mass,” she said. Father James O’Neill, pastor of St. John Parish have had occasions to be on Parish, Lakehurst, said he was happy with  “People the number of cars the parking lot Masses the parish campus since Masses drew over the weekend and throughout are really the week before. There were about 75 cars were suspended, hungry especially during present for the 8 a.m. Mass May 24. the Holy Week and “People are really hungry for the for the Eucharist,” he said, reflecting on those who Easter liturgies, all of which were received Holy Communion for the first Eucharist.”  livestreamed. time since March. Sanna, who is also the parish catecheti“There’s gratitude, wonder and fear of the Lord,” he said, noting that a few parish- cal leader, reflected on how she would walk into the church, look at the tabernacle and ioners had tears in their eyes. “The people are really entering into the Sacred Myster- think, “Jesus is there, I’m here, but we can’t meet. Spiritually we met, but we couldn’t ies. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit and meet physically. I couldn’t receive him.” With the in-car Masses, she said, “It Deacon Guido Mattozi administers was wonderful to receive Holy Communion, and the parishioners were happy to the Eucharist to a parishioner receive as well.” during an outdoor, in-car Added DiCostanzo, “It was challengMass celebrated May 24 on the campus of St. ing not being able to see people who I am Joachim Church, used to seeing three or four times a week, and that’s because we’re like a family here. Trenton. We’re a very close tight-knit group.” For more photos from both in-car Masses, visit TrentonMonitor.com> Multimedia>Photo Galleries

44 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Covid

Continued from 42

has helped you to manage the challenges you have been facing? CP: I have always subscribed to this statement of the late Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin (Archdiocese of Chicago): “Our job as leaders is to bring hope in the midst of chaos.” I remind myself of that every day. I also spend time in the early mornings in reflection. It’s my quiet time. TMM: What successes would you point to that have sustained your sense of hope and perseverance, and that of your

Relief for parishes under PPP Continued from 42

legislation’s quick passage, there wasn’t much time to prepare for the application process. With D’Angelo mastering the legislation and other diocesan financial and human resources staff swiftly taking calls and emails, “We made it work on the run. The success was a real tribute to everyone’s dedication,” Bianchi said. For the PPP loans, over 24 weeks, businesses/organizations must use 60 percent of the funds for payroll, which includes employer benefit and retirement costs, with the additional 40 percent going toward mortgage interest, leases and utilities. If used as outlined, the loan can convert into a grant and be forgiven. Any amount not forgiven will remain as a five-year loan with a 1 percent interest rate. The monies come at a critical time for parishes, which have seen a bit more than 50 percent decline in collections for April and May. “The parishes’ costs didn’t go away just because of the pandemic – they still exist,” said Kevin Cimei, diocesan chief financial officer. “Parishes still have to pay for utilities, pastors, repair costs, etc. Parishes are livestreaming and trying to provide services.” He thanked the parishioners who continue to give, as they are able. “It’s been very positive and reassuring to see the support that many of the faithful have provided their parishes.”

Mass of Requiem Remembering our beloved departed from throughout the Diocese who died during the pandemic Celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

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team’s? CP: I know that due to the work that we did and the organization, there is no one in New Jersey who did not get the care they required, and we never had to make a decision about allocation of scarce resources. TMM: What has been the most difficult aspect or darkest moment that you have experienced since this began? CP: The tragedy of the mortalities in long-term care is the one that stays with me. The only way I can work through it is to commit to make it better for the future. This crisis shows the vulnerabilities of our systems and long-term care, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. TMM: What do you want Catholics to know about the impact that their sacrifices have had in the effort to control this virus? CP: Their sacrifices have saved lives. Social distancing, washing your hands several times a day, staying at home — all have been shown to curtail the spread of this deadly disease. TMM: What is the single most important message that you want to deliver to the public at this time? CP: Our lives as we know them have changed. COVID-19 will be with us until an effective vaccine is developed. Continue to stay safe; stay healthy and stay connected. To read more about Commissioner Persichilli’s health care career and involvement in the Diocese, go to TrentonMonitor.com/coronavirus.

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2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 45

Pope Francis Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. CNS photo/Vatican Media

Prayer saves us from ourselves BY CINDY WOODEN  Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY • Prayer is powerful not because it changes God or God’s plans, but because it changes individuals and communities, one heart at a time, Pope Francis said. “Prayer is powerful because it attracts the power of God, and God’s power always gives life, always,” the Pope said May 27 during his weekly general audience, which was livestreamed from the library of the Apostolic Palace. Continuing his series of audience talks about prayer, Pope Francis looked at the Bible’s accounts of how sin entered the world and seemed to spread like “an oil stain,” sowing violence and death in the world. “God’s plan for humanity is good, but in our daily lives we experience the presence of evil,” he said. “It’s an everyday experience.” With the sin of Adam and Eve, Cain murdering Abel and countless other biblical accounts of murder and mayhem, the Pope said, “one has the impression that prayer is the bulwark, the refuge for human beings against overwhelming waves of evil that are growing in the world.” And, he said, “when you think about it, we also pray to be saved from ourselves. It

is important to pray, ‘Lord, please, save me from myself, from my ambitions, from my passions.’” By calling upon the power of God to change human hearts, “prayer cultivates seedbeds of rebirth in places where human hatred is able only to enlarge deserts,” the Pope said. “In the first pages of the Bible, those who pray are peacemakers,” he said. “In fact, prayer, when it is authentic, frees one from the instinct for violence and is a gaze turned toward God so that he would once again take care of the human heart.” Even when the world seems to be overcome by evil and evildoers, he said, there always have been and will be people who pray, “attracting God’s power.” “Prayer is a chain of life, always. The many men and women who pray sow life,” he said. Even the smallest prayer, even the Sign of the Cross, is a statement that God is in charge. God acts in the world thanks, in part, to this “remnant of humanity that has not adapted to the law of the strongest, but asks God to do miracles and, especially, to transform our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh,” Pope Francis said. Summarizing his talk for Arab speakers, the Pope said that “prayer does not change God but changes us and makes us more docile to his holy will.”

46 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

MORE FROM POPE FRANCIS ONLINE:  Pope urges faithful not to ‘look the other way’ about environment  Crises offer fresh opportunity for growth, Pope says  Pontiff: Church united by Spirit, not personal beliefs

Pope Francis is seen in a screen grab from a prerecorded YouTube video speaking to teenagers, parents and teachers meeting online to celebrate World Environment Day June 5. CNS photo/YouTube

 “There are two Christian responses to escape the spiral of violence: prayer and the gift of self.”  @PONTIFEX JUNE 9, 2020

Church

‘Our Common Home’ ‘Laudato Sí’ anniversary year calls on all to find ways to safeguard the planet VATICAN CITY • The Vatican is commemorating the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment with a yearlong series of initiatives dedicated to the safeguarding and care for the Earth. The “Special Laudato Sí Anniversary Year” began May 24, 2020, and will continue to May 24, 2021, and will emphasize “ecological conversion in action.” As the world continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the encyclical’s BY JUNNO message is “just as prophetic today as it was AROCHO in 2015,” according to a statement from the ESTEVES  Catholic News Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Service Development. “Truly, COVID-19 has made clear how deeply we are all interconnected and interdependent. As we begin to envision a post-COVID world, we need, above all, an integral approach as everything is closely interrelated and today’s problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis,” it said. Among the events set to take place throughout the year are prayer services and webinars dedicated to environmental care, education and the economy. The dicastery also detailed the rollout of a “seven-year journey toward integral ecology”

Sun shines upon the sand on Long Beach Island during a 2019 beach cleanup day. Jeff Bruno photo

for families, dioceses, schools, universities, hospitals, businesses, farms and religious orders. The dicastery said that amid the current pandemic, “Laudato Sí” can “indeed provide the moral and spiritual compass for the journey to create a more caring, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world.” “We have, in fact, a unique opportunity to transform the present groaning and travail into the birth pangs of a new way of living together, bonded together in love, compassion and solidarity and a more harmonious relationship with the natural world, our common home,” the dicastery’s statement said. “As Pope Francis reminds us: ‘All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.’” Recalling the fifth anniversary of his encyclical, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the message of “Laudato Sí” will encourage people to take upon themselves the shared responsibility of caring for the Earth. “In these times of pandemic, in which we are more aware of the importance of caring for our common home, I hope that all our common reflection and commitment will help to create and strengthen constructive behaviors for the care of creation,” the Pope said.

‘LITTLE CONTRIBUTIONS,’ BIG DIFFERENCE Ideas to celebrate ‘Laudato Sí’ year can be done individually or as a group, such as:  Treat people with dignity and respect  Have honest discussions about the environment  Plant a tree in your yard, school, community  Recycle and compost

 Don’t litter, take part in cleanups  Go car-free once a week  Plant a garden, donate your veggies  Be attentive to nature’s beauty

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 47

World& Nation

Access to broadband may be one of the defining issues of our time BY MARK PATTISON  Catholic News Service WASHINGTON • About 25 years ago, the World Wide Web was becoming a “thing.” By the time of the new millennium, growing numbers of Americans were sending e-mails (with a hyphen) over the capital “I” Internet. Today, a great deal of the United States is connected online via more powerful devices than were even thought of a couple of decades ago, tapping into speedier networks with greater capacity to transmit information and data. As many people may be reading this story online as may read it in a newspaper. However, far from all in the United States enjoy the access to broadband that hundreds of millions take for granted, and the deepening digital divide may turn out to be one of the defining issues of our time. Want a job? What if you have to apply for it online, and you can’t? The coronavirus pandemic showed the yawning gaps in the U.S. digital infrastructure, as millions of students just faded away from their teachers’ virtual classrooms because they had no broadband access. Sure, there may have been weekly activity packets that parents could pick up from school, but it was a modern-day recurrence of the “separate but unequal” school policies that were supposed to have been swept away by the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision – in 1954. The U.S. Conference of Catholic  “A Bishops and the National Catholic smartphone Educational Association were just two of 60 national organizations that asked is not what top congressional leaders in late April to back a bill, the Emergency EducaI consider tional Connections Act, that would sufficient to do appropriate $4 billion for an emerconnectivity fund administered homework.”  gency through the Federal Communications Commission’s “E-Rate” program, for schools and libraries to support distance and remote learning for millions of students without home internet access, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 emergency. Corey Williams, who had advocated for tech-equity issues prior to her current job as a lobbyist for the National Education Association, said estimates showed 8 million-12 million students from kindergarten through 12th grade were unable to participate in online learning. She added her hopes that the $4 billion may be appended to the HEROES Act, a stimulus bill that was passed by the House but now awaits action in the Senate. The $4 billion, she said, could cover about 8 million students. 48 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

What’s more, according to Williams, the money can be accessed by both public and nonpublic schools. Williams is the co-chair of an informal “homework gap” coalition that includes the 60 organizational signatories as its members. Under E-Rate, the school district or individual school applies for funds, but it – not the FCC – makes decisions at the local level as how to best close the homework gap. Sometimes it’s devices, sometimes it’s hotspots, sometimes it’s a simple internet connection that the family couldn’t have afforded. “In some places, the only solution is satellite,” Williams said. “A smartphone is not what I consider sufficient to do homework,” she added. “It’s tough to write a paper or do research on a mobile phone.” “I’m from rural Iowa,” Williams told Catholic News Service. “My brother and my four nieces live eight miles outside of town and they don’t have broadband to their house. They cannot get it. ... They can use a hotspot, use a mobile phone to turn it into a hotspot. Then there are others who can’t even get hotspots, no service whatever, because it hasn’t been built.” “For our members, I would say a third” of them lack broadband access, said Layla Soberanis, a senior government relations representative for the National Farmers Union. “A lot of them have to walk to a certain point (to get access). Either they have to go to their local drugstore in their area, or walk all the way down

World & Nation

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Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, Senior SeniorCare Care in a June 3 letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, asked if the FCC could Communities Communities accelerate its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction, Morris Hall Senior have havebeen beenserving serving set for October, which will distribute Care Communities $20.4 billion over 10 years to support broadband deployment in unserved our our community community have been serving areas. oursince community Hazeline Panditaratne The FCC estimates 18.3 million to since completes her math as- 21 million Americans lack access to since . sessments on her com- fixed broadband. “I have heard from a Morris Morris Hall Hall • •One Bishop’s Drive, Lawrenceville,NJ 08648 08648 Morris Hall •One OneBishop’s Bishop’sDrive, Drive,Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville, NJNJ08648 puter May 29 in her Bro- number of Mississippi broadband pro609-896-0006 609-896-0006 •www.morrishall.org •www.morrishall.org Morris Hall One Drive, Lawrenceville ward County, Fla., home. viders that are ready to begin deploySt. St.609-896-0006 Mary’ St. Mary’ St. Mary’ St. Mary’ St. s•s •Mary’ Mary’ St. s•www.morrishall.org St. s Mary’ Mary’ sBishop’s s Grace Grace ssGrace Grace Garden Garden Grace Grace Garden Garden Grace Grace Garden Memory Garden Memory Memor Garden Memo Garde Me M Students throughout the ing in unserved areas, but cannot act Morris Hall One Bishop’s Drive, Lawrencevill •www.morrishall.org St. Mary’ St. Mary’ St. s609-896-0006 Mary’ St. s Mary’ s Grace s Grace Garden Grace Garden Grace Garden Memory Memory Garden Mem Assisted Assisted Assisted Assisted Assisted Assisted Living Living Assisted Living Assisted Living Living Living Living Living Care Care Assisted Assisted Care Care Care Care Assisted Assisted Living Living Assiste Assist Li L Care Care Assisted Assisted Living Livin world were required to until they receive this critical support,” 609-896-0006 •www.morrishall.org Care Assisted Living Assisted Assisted Assisted Living Assisted Living Living Living Care Assisted Care Care Assisted Living Assisted Liv finish up their school year Wicker told Pai. “This situation is not in their homes, making it unique to Mississippi.” 9 Lamont Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08619 • 609-890-9400 more difficult in margin“We’re in a world where it is so alized communities and much harder to get by without the  One bedroom & studio apartments rural areas that have lim- web. And yet the digital divide won’t  55 and older community ited broadband internet disappear once this crisis is over. The  Convenient to shopping, restaurants, access. ever-quickening march to digitization bus line & Hamilton Train Station has become a sprint,” said Sir Tim Ber 24 hour emergency maintenance ners-Lee, co-founder of the World Wide Web Foundation, in an essay in The Guardian, a British national daily newspaper.  Heat, A/C and hot water included in rent Worldwide, “we must make sure those currently in the slow  On site social programming lane have the means to catch up. Otherwise billions will be left  Income restrictions apply behind in the dust.” Berners-Lee said. “As COVID-19 forces huge change to our lives, we have an opportunity for big, bold action YOU’LL FEEL RIGHT AT HOME AT ANY OF OUR SENIOR COMMUNITIES! that recognizes that, as with electricity in the last century and MODERATE INCOME MANAGEMENT CO., INC. postal services before that, the web is an essential utility that gov“Solutions to your property management issues” P.O. Box 3709 Princeton, NJ 08543 609-989-8500 ernments and business should combine to deliver as a basic right.”

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June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 49

Missions Father Peter James Alindogan, diocesan missions director, seated second from left, meets with Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B., of Dili, Timor-Leste, seated left, and other bishops of the province. Photos courtesy of Father Alindogan

Diocesan director of missions visits East Timor amid coronavirus EDITOR’S NOTE: Following is a reflection from Father Peter James R. Alindogan’s visit to East Timor earlier this year. Father Alindogan visits a mission country each year as part of his role as diocesan director of missions. BY FATHER PETER JAMES R. ALINDOGAN  Special Contributor

he Communion line seemed endless that Sunday at a church in Dili, East Timor. It had been almost 10 minutes since I began distributing the Body of our Lord. “Where were these people coming from?” I thought to myself. The church was small. Another 10 minutes passed, and I had the last communicant. Dili is the capital city in East Timor. It is also called Timor-Leste, its Portuguese name. Two decades ago, East Timor became an independent country. On Sept. 11, 2019, Dili was elevated as an archdiocese with two suffragan dioceses, Baucau and Maliana. Poverty is a big problem, with half of the population unemployed and living

on less than a dollar a day. It took us more than six hours to visit the Diocese of Maliana when we visited in February. We had to drive through winding valleys and climb steep mountains to reach the seminary, which is situated in a co-ed campus for high school students. We visited schools and orphanages along the way, and I was moved by the appeals for help. Their needs are very basic – a library and a laboratory for one school, a concrete fence for one orphanage. Some of the schools have thatched roofing. Others have galvanized iron. The day before we left for Maliana, we visited a two-room building for preschoolers. The children had desks and chairs made of plastic. They barely had any educational toys. The threat of being infected

with the coronavirus when I visited was real. But I wanted to see how they practiced their faith. I was impressed. The East Timorese Catholics, which comprise more than 90 percent of the country’s population, are very religious and faithful. Seldom do they miss a Sunday Mass. So, where did those people at Communion time come from when I celebrated that Mass? Apparently, they had gathered around the church perimeter; they brought their own plastic stools. Somehow, our continued efforts, as part of the universal Church through the missions, are coming to fruition in the churches being built, in the Catholic schools and orphanages, and in the scores of seminarians following the command of Jesus to spread the Good News of his love. It was the crown of Jesus’s love that the parishioners of East Timor received for Communion that Sunday. It was, and is still, God’s mission. Students from a Catholic school and their teachers take a photo with Father Alindogan.

Read the full version of this story on TrentonMonitor.com> News>Diocese 50 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

We Celebrate

Bishop reminds faithful they are the eternal beneficiaries of

God’s promises BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

haring a message of hope on the day the Universal Church commemorates the birth of the Church, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reminded faithful of the Diocese that Pentecost “is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises and we are the eternal beneficiaries.”

Bishop O’Connell consecrates the Sacred Chrism by blowing over the vessel, which signifies the presence of the Holy Spirit. Vic Mistretta photos

ed without a For more photos, visit congregation TrentonMonitor.com> but was livesMultimedia>Photo Galleries treamed on diocesan websites and social media platforms. After the homily, Bishop O’Connell consecrated and blessed the three Holy Oils to be used in parishes throughout the year during the conferral of Sacraments – the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of the Catechumens and the Sacred Chrism. While the Holy Oils are usually consecrated and blessed during the Chrism Mass, which in the Trenton Diocese is traditionally celebrated on the Monday of Holy Week, this year’s Chrism Mass, however, was not celebrated publicly because of COVID-19 restrictions. The Bishop blessed the Oil of the Sick, used to anoint the sick, and the Oil of the Catechumens, used to strengthen those preparing for Baptism to avoid sin and grow in their faith. The Sacred Chrism, which the Bishop consecrated, is used for the conferral of Baptism, Confirmation, ordination of priests and bishops, and the consecration of altars and churches. “On this ‘birthday of the Church,’ Pentecost, we should be grateful for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and should strive to show anew and always, by the way we live our Christian lives, the ‘love of God poured into our hearts,’” said Bishop O’Connell, who was joined at the altar by Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general; Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Co-Cathedral rector, and Father Arian Wharff, Co-Cathedral parochial vicar. In addition, Father Jason Parzynski, diocesan director Bishop O’Connell celebrates Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost in St. Robert Bel- of vocations; Father Michael Hall, director of the larmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Joining the Bishop at the altar are, from left, Msgr. diocesan Office of Worship, and Father Christopher Sam Sirianni, Co-Cathedral rector, Father Arian Wharff, parochial vicar, and Msgr. Dayton, parochial vicar in St. Rose Parish, Belmar, Thomas Gervasio, diocesan vicar general. served as masters of ceremony to the Bishop. “The Holy Spirit continues to make God’s presence felt in the Church in all the moments of our lives, giving his Gifts, empowering the community of faith. Pentecost is a ‘forever experience’ that touches us deeply, guiding us to ‘all Truth’ as we make our way through life,” Bishop O’Connell said in the homily he preached for the Solemnity of Pentecost Mass May 31 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Pentecost is liturgically celebrated 50 days after Jesus’ Resurrection and 10 days after his Ascension into Heaven. It recalls when the person of the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered in the Upper Room. The Mass was celebrat-

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 51

2020

Bendiciones a la promoción OBISPO DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.  Homilía de la Misa Bachillerata para la promoción 2020

E  “El mundo es grande y el futuro, incierto. Pero su fe no está incierta”. 

sta no es la celebración de su graduación que esperaban ustedes cuando empezaron su último año de la secundaria en septiembre. ¿Quién se imaginará lo que estamos viviendo ahora y cómo terminaría su último año? La pandemia del coronavirus ha molestado todos los planes tradicionales para marcar esta ocasión especial, los de ustedes, de sus padres y de sus escuelas. Molestado, sí. Cancelado, para nada. Aquí estamos, aunque a la distancia, celebrando este hito de sus vidas, celebrando de una manera diferente, pero todavía reconociendo todos los logros que esta ocasión representa. Se están graduando de la secundaria – de su secundaria – y pasando de un lugar y de personas muy conocidos a nuevas y emocionantes experiencias. Como su obispo, estoy tan feliz y honrado poder estar con ustedes en esta Misa bachillerato, sus padres y sus familias, sus compañeros y maestros, sus administradores, sus entrenadores y personal escolar. Sí la celebración de graduación de este año no es como la esperamos, pero nada puede quitar el significado de este momento ni la alegría que ustedes deben sentir. ¡Lo han logrado! ¡Estamos tan orgullosos de ustedes! Nosotros, como sus administradores y maestros, sus padres y familiares, repetimos las palabras de San Pablo de nuestra primera lectura: … nosotros siempre damos “gracias a Dios por ustedes, pues él, en Cristo Jesús, les ha dado su gracia. Unidos a Cristo ustedes se han llenado de toda riqueza, tanto en palabra como en conocimiento. Así se ha confirmado en ustedes nuestro testimonio acerca de Cristo, de modo que no les falta ningún don espiritual mientras esperan con ansias que se manifieste nuestro Señor Jesucristo”. Están a punto de graduarse de la secundaria, mis amigos jóvenes. Por toda la emoción que rodea este gran evento de sus vidas, el Señor les ha dado tanto mucho que celebrar. Por sus vidas, el Señor se ha comunicado con ustedes a menudo, como se comunicaba con sus discípulos: a través de sus padres, sus maestros, sus amigos y su Iglesia. Los han enseñado

52 REVISTA EL MONITOR  Junio 2020

lo que tienen que hacer y han recibido muchas instrucciones y consejos de cómo lograrlo. Ahora depende de ustedes. Sí, seguiremos como parte de sus vidas y seguiremos aconsejándolos. Ahora ustedes deben asumir la responsabilidad por las cosas que son las más importantes de la vida.

Obispo O’Connell celebró una Misa bachillerata para la promoción del 2020 transmitida virtualmente. El mundo es grande y el futuro, incierto. Pero su fe no está incierta. Es cierta y los llevará por todos los momentos de incertidumbre que tienen por delante. Dios los acompaña y su fe se les fortalecerá, les hará capaces de manejar lo que les afronte. No se olviden de Dios. No se olviden de su fe y todo que han aprendido sobre ella. No abandonen por cualquier razón lo que el Señor les ha dicho, les ha ofrecido, les ha prometido y se les ha cumplido en sus vidas hasta ahora. Sea seguir con los estudios o algún otro camino, lleven la fe con ustedes. Asistan a Misa. Reciban los sacramentos de Reconciliación y Comunión. Recuerden sus promesas a Dios y su Iglesia cuando se confirmaron. Hagan todas estas cosas, aunque no haya nadie de recordarles ni impulsarles. Hagan todas estas cosas, aunque haya gente que les diga no preocuparse. No se la crean. Ellos no saben la verdad, o peor aún, no les importa la verdad. Crean que el Señor siempre está con ustedes. El escritor del siglo 19, Ralph Waldo Emerson, una vez observó: “Lo que está delante de nosotros y lo que está detrás es poco importante comparado con lo que reside en nuestro interior”. Ahí vive la fe; es el hogar de la fe; es la fuente del amor que dura por siempre. Su graduación significará muchas cosas. Pero, más importantemente, significa que ahora todo depende de ustedes. Sigan adelante con Dios como su guía y con su fe, esperanza y amor como su camino por la vida.

El Anzuelo

Alimentos de cuerpo y alma Restaurante local responde a pandemia con generosidad BY MATEO GREELEY  contribuidor

“

iempre era sueño mío” tener restaurante propio. “Siempre quería tener un negocio propio”, compartió Liz Pérez, servidora y feligresa de la Parroquia San Marcos, Sea Girt. Liz Pérez y su esposo, Diego Ángel, abrieron su restaurante, Mi Comida, en Main St., Manasquan, hace poco más de medio año. Sirviendo comida típica mexicana, Pérez dijo que las recetas son de su madre. “Mi mamá siempre tenía muy bien sazón. A mucha gente le gusta cómo cocina mi mamá”. Nunca tuvo su propio negocio, pero “vendía su comida desde la casa”. Pérez recomienda las enchiladas. ¿Quién supiera que una pandemia golpeara el mundo y que su negocio tendría que cerrar? Para muchas familias, la pandemia ha estresado un sistema que ya era delicado. “Vi mucha necesidad”, dijo Pérez. “Cuando cerraron las escuelas, vi a nuestros propios hijos, y me di cuenta de que habría niños que contaban con comida en la escuela. La mayoría de sus padres habían perdido su trabajo” por lo de la pandemia. Pérez y Ángel son muy activos en la Parroquia San Marcos. También, habían conocido al pastor de la Iglesia Primera Bautista en Manasquan, el reverendo Joe Gratzel. El pastor Joe puso las

pilas rápidamente para responder a la necesidad. El pastor Joe “me pidió 30 comidas para familias” para empezar. También tuvo la idea de poner una nevera afuera del restaurante para que personas pudieran pasar si necesitaran comida. “Empezamos a preparar cajas de comida. Pusimos latas de arroz y frijoles, un pollo entero congelado, pedazo de carne, huevos y cereales y sopas”. El equipo generoso de Ángel, Liz y pastor Joe entonces entregaban las cajas a domicilios. Después de empezar este servicio comunitario, la comunidad de San Marcos y el párroco, el monseñor Sean Flynn, se enteraron. “Es extremamente generoso de ellos”,

Diego Ángel (arriba) y Liz Pérez, dueños de Mi Comida en Manasquan, responden con generosidad para ayudar a alimentar a famlias y hogares durante la pandemia. Fotos de cortesía de Mi Comida on Main en su perfil de Facebook

dijo el monseñor Flynn. Es un signo de que la Iglesia local está respondiendo a las necesidades”. La comunidad parroquial empezó a colaborar económicamente donando dinero y comprando comidas para familias. El esfuerzo ha sido una oportunidad para la colaboración. El restaurante está abierto de nuevo y Pérez lo deja claro, “Comprar un plato o comida ayuda directamente a personas en nuestra comunidad”. Ángel añade, “Lo hacemos con cariño y voluntad para ayudar a los demás”. “Siempre hay que compartir lo que uno tiene”, dijo Pérez, Ella también quiere que ese mensaje quede claro para sus hijos. Puede estar segura que sí. Su hijo ya le dijo a Pérez, “Mamá, estás haciendo good job”. Junio 2020  REVISTA EL MONITOR 53

El Anzuelo

Orgullo muy merecido Alcanzando metas académicas, graduados celebran MATEO GREELEY  contribuidor editorial

legar a los últimos días de un programa bachillerato es un logro tremendo en sí, pero el fin del año escolar, y para los graduados, la culminación de años de estudio y trabajo, este año conlleva mucho más. Con el hecho de tener que terminar este semestre completamente remotamente por la pandemia del COVID-19, los universitarios han tenido que contener mucha de la alegría que se sienten porque las celebraciones y ceremonias tradicionales no han sido posibles. Para algunos alumnos de Georgian Court University, llegar a este momento de su aventura escolar significa aún más todavía porque son las primeras personas de la familia de graduarse de la universidad. “Estoy muy emocionada e increíblemente orgullosa, especialmente en medio de todo lo que está pasando”, dice Ariana Mezquititla quien se gradúa ahora de Georgian Court University con su título en diseño gráfico. Mezquititla siguió que no le gustaba tanto tener que terminar el semestre de manera remota y que le costó. “Me encantan todas las conexiones que tenía con mis amigos, profesores y consejeros. Fue difícil, pero con los valores que nos enseñaron, podía persistir y avanzar”. Los valores que Mezquititla menciona son los valores misericordiosos fundamentales de las Hermanas de la Misericordia quienes fundaron Georgian Court University, conocida por sus cifras en inglés, GCU. La escuela se esfuerza a instilar los valores del respeto, integridad, servicio, justicia y compasión en todas Cristian Mendoza es un paso más cerca a ser psicólogo al haberse graduado de GCU. Seguirá en el mundo académico para lograr su maestría. Foto de cortesía

54 REVISTA EL MONITOR  Junio 2020

áreas de la institución. Para Lourdes Rodríguez, madre de Logro familiar Mezquititla, ha sido un momento de mucho Ariana Mezquititla orgullo. sonríe con sus “Ella (Ariana) es la primera de mi padres y hermanos. Foto de cortesía familia y de la familia de mi esposo de ir a la universidad. Ella se esfuerza bastante”. Siguió que está “muy agradecida a la escuela. He podido confiar en el personal de GCU. Agradezco tanto las oportunidades que le dieron de crecer. “En mi corazón, quiero que ella sea buena mujer, buena hija”. Y ya la es, añadió la madre orgullosa. Las costumbres tradicionales que acompañan el logro graduarse apoyan para expresar la alegría que los alumnos se sienten. Aun así, la ausencia de ellas no puede contener todo lo que significa este logro para Cristian Mendoza. “¡Mi familia está super emocionado y orgulloso de mí! Es un logro que no todos tienen la dicha. También es ir, poco a poco, tumbando los prejuicios de que los mexicanos solo trabajan en el campo, porque este mexicano no solo terminó la carrera en tres años, pero también, ¡ya va para su maestría! “Aprendí como ser líder para la comunidad de GCU, como ser el ejemplo de seguir y como siempre tener los brazos

El Anzuelo abiertos a la comunidad”. También, Mendoza aprendió a poner en práctica el pensamiento crítico y la perseverancia. “Como todo en la vida, tienes que enfrentarte con los obstáculos”. Un alumno de psicología, Mendoza explicó que servir como líder le enseñó que “desarrollas esta sensibilidad de tu alrededor. Siempre hay que estar atento a lo que los demás necesitan”. El logro de cumplir con los académicos tampoco es algo propio celebrado solamente por el joven. “Mi mamá ha sido mi pilar y mi fuerza de seguir adelante en los momentos difíciles y ha estado allí para ver cada triunfo y logro en mi carrera universitaria”, compartió Mendoza, notando que reconoció mucho desarrollo personal durante sus años en GCU. Para Dawn López, terminar su bachillerato en contabilidad ha sido un camino duro, pero lleno de éxito y muchas oportunidades. López viajó a los Estados Unidos con su madre cuando tenía 9 años del Perú. Madre de dos y con el apoyo y consejo de su madre, decidió arrancar estudios en contabilidad en Ocean County Community College. Al terminar ahí, López ingresó a GCU donde sacó su bachillerato en contabilidad. Ya consiguió empleo con Ernst and Young, una de las compañías financieras más grandes y conocidas en el mundo. “Nunca digo esto, pero me siento muy orgullosa de mí misma, ya que es difícil estudiar y trabajar desde casa y con dos niños pequeños. El momento que me enteré de que la situación cambiaría nuestra López celebra graduarse de la forma de estudiar, me propuse a continuar hasta universidad con sus dos hijos, Lucas y Liam, y su hermana, en la puerta de graduarme a pesar de la Georgian Court University. situación”. Fotos de cortesía

López compartió, “Si no fuera por el apoyo de mi madre, no hubiera podido lograr todo esto. Ella siempre ha estado ahí apoyándome lo tanto que podía”. Como institución católica, Georgian Court University también anhela  “Como todo facilitar una conexión entre Dios, la en la vida, comunidad universitaria y el mundo. Para López, ser católica es algo tienes que importante. “Sé que hay un Dios que lo ve todo enfrentarte y ve mi esfuerzo y sacrificio y lucha con los constante del día a día desde que me levanto hasta que termina mi día. La fe es obstáculos.”  lo último que se pierde y yo tengo mucha fe que podré continuar con mis planes para así poder ofrecer un buen futuro a mis hijos”. Mendoza está de acuerdo. El graduado dijo, “Siento que cada paso que llevo, Dios me está guiando hacia la misión que tiene para mí que es servir a mi comunidad en un aspecto psicológico”. Estos líderes tienen mucho por delante, armados con una educación sólida, el conocimiento de que pertenecen a una familia más grande y que tienen un Dios que nunca los abandona.

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Junio 2020  LA REVISTA MONITOR 55

Spiritual Life

Fulfilling the desire to receive our Lord throughout the ages JUNE 14  CHRIST IS TRULY PRESENT WITH US Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: Dt. 8:2-3, 14B-16A; 1Cor10:16-17; Jn 6:51-58

ver the past three months, Catholics throughout the world were largely deprived of the privilege of sharing in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This lack happened on the two significant levels in which we have understood the Body of Christ from time immemorial: the assembly celebrating the Mass and the SacTHE WORD rament itself. Despite the prohibiFather Garry Koch tions, we experienced two distinct longings: on the one hand for the community of which we are a part. Whether or not we know the names of our fellow worshippers, there is a comfortable reality in knowing that we are with them and recognize them each week as we assemble for Mass. The second awareness of absence happened on two levels: the recognition that we were separate from the presence of Christ in the Eucharist – whether at Adoration or while attending Mass, and then also the lack of receiving the Eucharist. As a result many experienced various levels of spiritual longing. In our time, and really just over about the past 150 years, we have taken the regular  When we are reception of the Eucharist for granted. It is an ordinary part of our lives. We expect to unable to be with receive the Eucharist each time we attend – whether it is once a day, once a someone whom Mass week, once a month or even once a year. Yet, we love, we can for centuries, it was uncommon to receive Communion with frequency. Although daily develop a real Mass attendance was very common, and worship was normative, most did physical pain.  Sunday not dare to receive the Eucharist. As such, the Church mandated what we know as the “Easter Duty:“ the obligation to receive Communion at least once a year. A sense of longing is a distinct emotional experience. When we are unable to be with someone whom we love, we can develop a real physical pain that aches for an encounter with the beloved. Often, we easily take for granted those who we see each and every day. While Christ has not abandoned us or his Church, the period of being bereft of sharing in the Eucharistic 56 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

presence should lead us back to that presence with a renewed sense of awe and reverence. No longer is it possible for us to take the Eucharist for granted. As with anytime we are deprived of a food we enjoy, returning to the Eucharist should have brought us a sense of satisfaction on the deepest level of our souls. Christ is truly with us. It was only when we could not share in that presence, that he became fully present to us. JUNE 21  JESUS TEACHES THAT NO SECRET KNOWLEDGE IS NEEDED TO BE HIS DISCIPLES Readings for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jer. 20:10-13; Rom. 5:12-15; Mt. 10: 26-33

s we return to the Readings for the Sundays in Ordinary Time, we pick-up in the context of an on-going sermon that Jesus is preaching to his disciples. In the midst of their concerns for the consequences of discipleship, Jesus emphasizes the intimacy of the Father’s relationship to them and to us. To one extent, Jesus allays the fear of what might be called hidden things. While our days seem rife with conspiracy theories, the same was certainly also true at the time of Jesus. Some feared hidden laws or commandments, or perhaps hidden teachings that the Pharisees and Sadducees knew but were unavailable to the ordinary believer. Such a hidden knowledge would leave ordinary persons unable to adequately fulfill the demands of the law, thus jeopardizing their legacy and promise of those commandments. Likewise, they were not to be afraid that Jesus held back what he also taught to his disciples. While the disciples might have had more access to Jesus, the life and the law that Jesus preached and promised was available to all. Although we think of Gnosticism as a heresy emerging within the Christian community, the Gnostics predated Jesus by some four centuries. Their teaching emphasized this hidden knowledge known only to the initiates. A Christian form of Gnosticism emerged and tried to present Jesus as a teacher of hidden things. Condemned repeatedly, forms of the Gnostic religion

 TO READ expanded versions of Father Koch’s columns or Corp u

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flourish yet today in some Christian denominations. Jesus was anything but a teacher of hidden things. Jesus is the revelation of the Father – the Word that the Father speaks of at creation – the Word Incarnate. Jesus, the Gospels repeatedly tell us, spoke openly and plainly. Yes, he often used the parable to explain his message, a style of teaching common among the rabbis. But he also speaks in extended discourses, and also uses aphorisms. Jesus makes it clear that the Father, who knows every hair on our heads, does not speak to us in hidden ways. He reveals himself through the covenants and, in a particular way through the Son, Jesus Christ. There is no secret “word” or hidden pathway known only to the few. JUNE 28  THE LORD SETS UP OASES IN THE MIDST OF A HOSTILE WORLD Readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16A; Rom.6: 3-4, 8-11; Mt. 10: 37-42

n Dec. 20, 2015, Salah Farah was in a bus heading for Mandera a town in northern Kenya. En route the bus was attacked by a known terrorist group. The group generally separates passengers by faith, sparing those who are able to recite a passage in the Q’uran

from those who cannot. Those who do not know the passage are then shot. When the bus on which Farah was a passenger was stopped, female Muslim passengers gave their hajibs to the non-Muslims. Then Farah and other passengers refused to be separated, resulting in the deaths of two passengers with Farah being seriously injured. Farah died of his injuries a month later. He was posthumously awarded the “Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya” medal for his valor in protecting the Christians. Jesus knew that he was sending his disciples out as ambassadors to a hostile world. Yes, some, like Farah and untold millions over the generations, are willing to sacrifice their  Jesus was lives and their own status for the sake of the Christians in their midst even though they anything but are not themselves Christians. We saw that a teacher of same kind of sacrifice for the sake of the other during the atrocities in Nazi Germany and hidden Soviet Russia in the past century. It is the challenges of discipleship in a hosthings.  tile world that serve as a background for the seemingly harsh warning from Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel passage for this Sunday. Jesus said: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Jesus warned his disciples that if love for him and certainly for the Gospel they were sent to proclaim was not primary, then they were not worthy of him. If they loved their families more, if they loved the comfort of their lives more, if they loved their very life more, then they would be more inclined to flee in the face of danger instead of “carrying their cross” to its bitter – yet glorious – end. But Jesus also knew that there would be those – like Farah – who were willing to take risks to protect his disciples. Theirs is a vicarious discipleship. They share in the promise of Christ not because they chose a baptism by water, but rather they chose the baptism of blood. Let us continue to pray for all those who carry their cross in hostile lands, and pray also that others, like Farah, will bear witness to the faith around them, even when it is not their own. Father Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.

READ ONLINE

Due to later print deadlines this month, Father Koch’s reflection for June 7 has not been included in this issue. However, it is available online at TrentonMonitor.com>Your Faith June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 57

Spiritual Life

Did Jesus have to die for our sins?; waiting for the right partner This year during Holy Week, I was particularly troubled by the traditional teaching that Christ had to die that painful death to atone for our sins. This seems to me to contradict Jesus’ identity as a loving savior. Upon Googling the topic, I came across a column you did several years ago that seemed to give a straightforward and common sense answer. (I also benefited from reading a magazine article by the theologian Elizabeth Johnson, which explained that St. Anselm’s 11th century “satisfaction theology” was a product of the feudal society of his time; if you broke a law in those days, you had to pay something back to the feudal lord to restore order to society.) Do you have any further thoughts that could help comfort me on this issue? (Murphy, N.C.)

I couldn’t agree more with your discomfort at the view of St. Anselm. Anselm believed that the sacrificial death of Jesus was necessary to restore humanity’s communion with the Father, that the blood of Jesus was “payment” to God for human sin. This theory, though, has been challenged by other theologians

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58 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

QUESTION CORNER Father Kenneth Doyle Catholic News Service

over the centuries. In fact, one of Anselm’s contemporaries, the scholar Peter Abelard, insisted that Christ’s Death on the Cross had been an act of love, not payment. And even 700 years before that, St. Augustine had indicated his reservations about such a theory; Augustine asked, in his “De Trinitate,” “Is it necessary to think that being God, the Father was angry with us, saw his son die for us and thus abated his anger against us?” St. Thomas Aquinas, too, criticized Anselm’s theory, saying that it took away God’s freedom to be merciful. Theologians in our own day have also found difficulty with Anselm’s view. In the article you mention, Elizabeth Johnson speaks persuasively; she reminds us that, in the biblical story of the prodigal son, the father wouldn’t even let his son apologize, saying instead, “It doesn’t matter now. You’re home. Let’s have a party.” Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, wrote in his “Introduction to Christianity” that Anselm’s attempt to blend the divine and human legal systems can “make the image of God appear in a sinister light.” And so – thankfully – none of us is compelled to believe that God deliberately willed the suffering of his Son. I am 28 years old, and over the past 10 years, I have been in three serious romantic relationships, one of which reached the point where I became engaged. All three relationships ended for the same reason – the inability to find common ground on issues of faith. It is easy to move toward hopelessness, believing that I may never find anyone who will meet my standards (being Catholic, desiring an active faith life and willing to accompany me on that faith journey). I do still believe that God hasn’t forgotten me, that I can put my trust in his timing and persevere in the midst of doubt. But can you offer any words of encouragement for someone in my position? (Sioux City, Iowa)

Well, right off the bat here is one encouraging thing: I just looked up the average age of people getting married in the United States, and it’s your age or older. So, you still have time! But seriously, I am impressed and edified by the values you prize in a marriage; if the ultimate goal of each of us is to, one day, be with God in heaven, then we want every major decision in our life to lead us in that direction. And since you put such a premium on faith, I can’t believe that God does not have something good in store for you – and his timing is always better than ours! On a practical level, there are several dating services that invite users to comment on the role the Catholic faith plays in their life, and I have known couples who have found success in this way. Among such services are: CatholicMatch, Catholic Singles, Catholic Chemistry and Ave Maria Singles. Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, N.Y. 12203.

Spiritual Life

As the lights of the world go out,

our lesson is LOVE “W

hat are we going to do without Mike?” The words jumped off the page of a Facebook post. The writer was among the grieving following the death of a family member. As I read it, I felt a heavy emptiness, thinking of the thousands of Mikes who are missing from our lives because of this pandemic. Suddenly, the grief of hundreds of thousands of loved ones, friends, family members and acquainTHINGS MY FATHER tances, made me TAUGHT ME catch my breath in a Mary Clifford Morrell painful moment of awareness. Mike, like all those who have died, was more than just a number on a screen or data in a news report. A number doesn’t have a face. Numbers are so easily forgotten. Losing a piece of data doesn’t cause us to grieve. Numbers are easily tucked away in the back of our minds, but rarely find a place in our hearts. Our dead were people whose lives impacted others. Mike was described as a beautiful soul, the source of special joy, comfort and peace, someone who made everyone’s day better, a light to those who knew him, a light to the world. My God, I thought. As we argue over the accuracy of death toll numbers and face masks, and beat our chests, demanding our freedom to break free of quarantine, the lights of the world are going out. I recalled a trip to Montana where I had the graced moment of sleeping under a sky filled with so many stars they seemed to hide the black canopy of night from view. Now, in this moment of sorrow, I saw those glimmers of light dim and go out, one by one, until the darkness rolled over the light.

I thought about how blessed Mike’s family was to have such a bright light among them, bringing so much love and peace and joy to others. And I thought about all those others whose lives have been diminished in some way by the losses this virus has inflicted on them. But the loss is not just a loss for others. It is a loss for all of us. We, the collective community, have lost the minds and hearts and passions of more than 100,000 souls, each soul with a place and a purpose in the world. The loss is immeasurable. If we are going to beat our chests about anything, The grief of it should be this. hundreds Leo Buscaglia, an American author, psychologist and professor, reflected of thousands on what it means to lose a loved one: “I know for certain that we never lose of loved the people we love, even to death. They ones ... made continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their me catch love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing my breath. that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” He also reminds us of the need to live life with an awareness of a difficult reality: “Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time. It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.” Mary Clifford Morrell is the author of “Things My Father Taught Me About Love,” and “Let Go and Live: Reclaiming your life by releasing your emotional clutter,” both available as ebooks on Amazon.com.

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June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 59

Parish

In addition to its own outreach, the St. Vincent de Paul conference in St. Katharine Drexel Parish offers the All Saints Church campus parking lot to “Fresh For All,” which helps feed people in need. Staff photos

Parish food banks see increased need during COVID-19 in the pantry were increasing to about 350 people per month. Since COVID-19, we Associate Editor have increased to about 675 people monthhe impact of the coronavirus has ly,” she said of the ministry, which operates definitely had an impact on the out of the parish hall located on the corner number of people in need of basic of Herbertsville and Thiele Roads, Brick. necessities such as food – so say those who Helping Hands hosts a food drop-off on work close with such ministries. Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Faithful from Epiphany Parish, Brick, at the parish hall. Those wanting to help and St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlingare asked to remain in their vehicles upon ton, say they have seen an increase in the arrival and have donations in their trunks. number of people seeking assistance since Donors should pull up near the main doors, COVID-19 restrictions took effect in mid- and volunteers will remove the items. March. The St. Vincent de Paul conference in “There is definitely an increase in new St. Katharine Drexel Parish, meanwhile, clients who are in need of food and new has seen a slight increase in the number of to our Helping Hands parish food pantry, those seeking assistance, said Sharon Kenas well as our regular clients,” said Michele zler, food pantry coordinator. She noted Evans, administrative assistant for religious that the society assists about 150 clients education in Epiphany Parish, Brick. each month and distributes more than “Right before COVID-19, the numbers 12,000 pounds of food. In May, that increased to 361 clients and the distribution of 14,500 pounds of food,  Helping Hands is always in need of: boxed milk (non-perishable), panwhich includes dairy, cake mix, syrup, packages of meat and single-sliced cheese, eggs, juice, breads, desserts, canned cereal, oatmeal, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, dried beans, bags of and boxed foods, rice, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, tea, coffee, cookies, as well as canned cereals, juice, fresh fruits, pasta (ravioli) and beans and snacks for children. vegetables and fruits,  To donate, volunteer or seek food assistance from the St. Katharine eggs, canned fruits and personal items. MoneDrexel Parish SVDP conference, call (609) 386-3650 and leave a message. BY MARY STADNYK 

How You Can Help

60 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

tary donations are also collected. Kenzler noted that the conference food pantry is open every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. to both Burlington City and Township patrons. On Tuesdays, the conference offers the All Saints Church campus parking lot to “Fresh For All,” an outreach from Philabundance – the largest hunger relief organization in the Delaware Valley. The conference donates breads, desserts and extra canned goods to “Fresh For All,” which provides outreach to 80 to 120 patrons each week. Kenzler acknowledged that a host of faithful from the parish SVDP conference volunteer with “Fresh For All,” including conference president Jeff Robertson. “We are a strong team that work strongly together,” Kenzler said. “We are blessed to have such wonderful volunteers.”

Working with teachers, collaboration a joy for Boland Continued from 32

fall at the diocesan Chancery). Members of the diocesan CAC committee now serve on the national committee, and representatives from seven Catholic high schools sit on the diocesan CAC board. “It was a lot of work, but it was good work,” Boland said. “It has made an impact in our Catholic high schools, and for that I am very grateful, because our faith is the key of who we are.” SIGNS OF STRENGTH When it comes to education during the coronavirus pandemic, Boland focuses on the positives of remote learning, saying it has been an opportunity for introspection to ask, “What do they [students] need, what writing and research have they been doing, what books have they been reading?” Boland praises the dedication she has witnessed from school administration, teachers, students and families during virtual learning in the pandemic. “Students are emailing the teachers at 11 o’clock at night, and

the teachers are responding,” she said, lamenting on the adjustments some families have faced. “If you have a mother and father at home working and they have three students at home, how many computers can you have?” She continued, “For some parents, it must be hard, and I think parents of very young children have been really challenged, and they’ve tried their very best to teach the little ones – and keep them entertained!” One of Boland’s greatest joys, both during COVID-19 and the many years preceding it, has been working with teachers and principals, as well as the opportunity to educate, research and collaborate. “When you put it all together, it has been my pleasure and my joy to work with tremendously dedicated Catholic school leaders, and certainly in our diocesan office,” she affirmed. “To work with our pastors, to see people working hard to keep our Catholic faith alive, and to know how important our Catholic faith is … no matter the transition, keep your faith.” EmmaLee Italia, contributing editor, assisted in this report.

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June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 61

Family

How Catholic families can discuss what ‘love one another’ looks like BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor

etween protests over violence against people of color, and opportunists using the cause to riot and loot, the 24-hour news cycle has been filled with disturbing scenes. Add the powder keg of social isolation during a months-long pandemic, and suddenly the nation can feel upside down. How can parents discuss the current events of social unrest and racial prejudice with their children in a productive way, and instill God’s message of love for one’s neighbor? Dr. Ellieen Ancrum Ingbritsen addressed that very topic June 10, in both an interview with The Monitor and an afternoon panel with students and faculty of Ewing High School. “I think the primary focus needs to be active listening,” said Ingbrit “There is sen, a special opportunity ... resources teacher at the for a teachable high school in both English moment.”  and history. “A parent knows their child more than any other person, and listening to them with an open mind is extraordinarily important.” A member of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, Ingbritsen was former diocesan director of the Office of Black Apostolate and secretary for Ethnic Ministries under Bishop Emeritus John Smith. Currently she serves as an adjunct professor at Holy

The visual animosity being displayed in the news the past few weeks can be a teachable moment for families to discuss racial prejudice in a productive way. Shutterstock photo Family University, Philadelphia, in the School of Education. Another key piece to the puzzle, she says, is honesty. “We as adults have to work through our fears and anxieties. … So if your fifth-grader is asking you, ‘Mom or Dad, are you prejudiced?’ then we need to reflect back that question and answer honestly – because our honesty should bring us and our family to another level.” Ingbritsen recalled integrating in Holy Cross School, Rumson, in 1967 as the only African-American pupil. “The only people they knew who were black were servants or drivers,” she said candidly. “I had great experiences there. But many of those families had never encountered people of color before our family came there.” Many in the Diocese of Trenton may live in areas that are not diverse. “We need to examine, what do we know about someone who is not immediately in our purview? That’s a piece of loving. You love people that you know, and those you need to learn more about,” she said. Along with confronting the unfamil-

62 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

iar, Ingbritsen advised reflecting on one of the most prominent Christian calls. “What does Jesus say about loving one another?” she suggested parents ask their children – and each other. “‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ That means everyone. What does that mean in our family? Not just in our house, but when we go outside our house – how do we treat other people?” She compared current events and the treatment of people of color to the Passion of Christ, who endured unimaginable suffering only to be resurrected. “This is our human passion story, of sinfulness,” she explained. “I am hoping our resurrection as a human family comes about as a result. We now need to be resurrected in humanness, understanding, honesty, to see that we all fall short of the prize – but we can do better.” Finally, Ingbritsen said, reflection needs to move into action. “We have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. It’s a matter of not overthinking it. We as adults have to work through our fears and anxieties,” she continued, “so that we can ask our sons and

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Education

 “The halls of these schools hold Students joyfully return to a new school year in September 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Maple Shade. Due to declining enrollment and financial shortfalls, the school will close its doors permanently this month. Craig Pittelli photo

much history and memories.” 

Closing Willingboro, Maple Shade schools leave lasting legacies BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

une is bringing the closure of two elementary schools in the Diocese of Trenton, but their legacies will live on in the good works, faith-based learning and friendships fostered over the years.

“The halls of these schools hold much history and memories,” said JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. “The legacies are carried in the hearts of many as schoolteachers imparted the faith and provided an exceptional educational experience.” On Dec. 10 last year, it was announced that Pope John Paul II Regional School, Willingboro, which is overseen by the Diocese, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Maple Shade, which is sponsored by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, would be closing at the end of the current

school year. Significant financial shortfalls and declining enrollment were the impetus for the difficult decision of school closures. “Gratitude is expressed to pastors, administrators and faculty, past and present, and to all who have left their imprint on minds and hearts of children throughout the course of each school’s history,” Tier said. Pope John Paul II Regional School, adjacent to Corpus Christi Church, was established in 2006 as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan for Burlington County. Staffed by lay administration and faculty, the K-8 enrollment for 2019-2020

In this May 2014 file photo, eighth-graders in Pope John Paul II Regional School, Willingboro, crown a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary during a celebration in which they recognized the Holy Father’s devotion to the Mother of Jesus. Jeff Metzner photo 64 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

was 113 students – below the 220-student benchmark cited as necessary for financial sustainability. The four nearby sponsoring parishes of the school have experienced their own financial challenges and mergers, leaving them unable to continue with support, requiring diocesan sponsorship to take their place to the tune of nearly $2.5 million. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School was founded in 1928, serving the needs of kindergarten through eighth-grade Catholic schoolchildren in the Maple Shade area. Staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph it, too, has also experienced a continued decline in enrollment. Only 125 students attended during the current school year. The parish and school together have amassed a $4.8 million debt to the Diocese, which leaves the parish unable to cover the school’s financial shortfall caused by low enrollment. Over the past few months, the Diocese’s Department of Catholic Schools has been working with the schools to assist staff and families in the transition. “During this difficult time, sincere thanks are expressed to the administrators, Mrs. Cynthia Smith, principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and Mrs. Catherine Zagola, principal of Pope John Paul II Regional School, for their leadership through the years,” Tier said. “Appreciation is extended to Catholic educators who knew the story of each child, walked with them during their formative years, and provided instruction, guidance and investment that contributed to each child’s growth.” Check TrentonMonitor.com for a future in-depth look at both schools’ legacies.

Education

St. Leo the Great School earns National School of Character status BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

t. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, has been named a 2020 National School of Character, making it the first school in the Diocese of Trenton to earn the distinction. The honor was awarded by Character.org, a national advocate for character education that certifies schools and districts that display a dedicated focus on character development in schools, families, sports teams and the workplace. St. Leo the Great School was one of 84 schools from throughout the country to earn the title. “I am incredibly proud and honored to be part of a community that is committed to character education that positively impacts its students to be ethical and compassionate citizens,” said Cornelius Begley, St. Leo the Great School principal. “At St. Leo’s, we believe in the importance of character development and are committed to the continued spiritual, academic and personal growth of our students. Now, more than ever, it is our responsibility as educators to provide meaningful and impactful character education to our students.” To earn National School of Character status, Dr. Arthur Schwartz, Character.org president, said schools must demonstrate commitment to its “Eleven Principles of Effective Character.” The principles encourage school communities to promote core values; define character to include thinking, feeling and doing; use a  “Our comprehensive approach; create a caring students community; provide students with opportunities for moral action; offer a meaningmake us ful and challenging academic curriculum; foster students’ self-motivation; unite proud staff through collaborative learning; foster shared leadership; engage families and every community members as partners, and asday.”  sess the culture and climate of the school. In submitting their applications, schools are asked to supply evidence on how they meet each of the 11 principles in the form of test scores, behavioral statistics, school climate surveys, web links and videos. “Each of these schools has put in place a comprehensive approach to help their students understand, care about and consistently practice the core values that will enable them to flourish in school, relationships, in the workplace and as citizens,” Schwartz said. The National School of Character designation comes a few months after the school and St. Peter School, Point Pleasant Beach, were designated as State Schools of Character for 2020 by Character.org. They were among 81 schools and seven districts nationwide to be given the honor.

Students from St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, stand in front of the Character Word of the Week display earlier this year, before schools were closed over COVID-19. Courtesy photo At the time, Tracey Kobrin, St. Peter School principal, expressed her pride in leading “this strong and vibrant community.” “Our students make us proud every day. This designation is such an honor for all of us,” she said.

THE THE DIOCESE DIOCESE OF OF TRENTON TRENTON isis committed to committed to the the initiatives initiatives outlined outlined in in the the U.S. U.S. Bishops’ Bishops’ Charter Charter for for the the Protection Protection of of Children and Young Children and Young People People and and to to its its own own policies policies and and guidelines in regard guidelines in regard to to the the reporting and investigation reporting and investigation of of sexual sexual abuse abuse allegations allegations involving involving minors. minors. IfIf you you have have been been sexually sexually abused abused as a minor by a member as a minor by a member of of the the clergy clergy or or anyone anyone representing representing the the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, was, you you can can report report that that abuse abuse through through the the diocesan diocesan

ABUSE ABUSE HOTLINE: HOTLINE: 1-888-296-2965 1-888-296-2965

or or via via e-mail e-mail at at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org. abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.

The The Diocese Diocese of of Trenton Trenton reports reports any any allegations allegations of of sexual sexual abuse abuse to to the the appropriate appropriate law law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to to provide provide that that information information to to local local law law enforcement enforcement authorities. authorities.

We would like to thank TOSHIBA, exclusive provider of copier services in the Diocese of Trenton Chancery building, for their sponsorship of this page.

June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 65

Sports

Knowing the Score Senior athletes find acceptance through faith with spring sports season canceled BY RICH FISHER  Contributing Editor

he Donovan Catholic softball team had seven seniors returning from a 30-2 team that won the 2019 Tournament Champions.

After paying his dues for three years, Red Bank Catholic senior Tyler Birnbaum was ready to show the baseball team he could be a front line pitcher this season. These were just a few of the countless students who didn’t get the opportunity to round out their high school sports careers with a final spring season due to the coronavirus shutdown. “It felt like a punch in the face,” Birnbaum said. “Ever since I could walk, I just kind of fell in the love with the sport at a young age.” Unlike six other classmates who will play in college, this was Birnbaum’s last shot at scholastic sports – although he may try and play intramurals at West Virginia University. “It definitely hurts,” he said. “A bunch of my teammates are going on to play college ball. I was looking forward to having one last chance to just prove what I had and leave it all out there.” Donovan Catholic leftfielder Kait Wioland also planned on going away to school and figured this was her last year of scholastic softball – until the high school spring sports season was canceled. “When I first found out I started to cry,” Wioland said. “It was so devastating to see how much we’ve accomplished in the past three years. It was really upsetting this year that the seniors and everyone else on the team couldn’t prove that we could stay at the top spot. I had a good feeling.” Now, Wioland has decided to play for Ocean County College in Toms River. She credited her faith as a reason for that opportunity. “Throughout the whole quarantine, I’ve been saying prayers to God just hoping to get one last chance on the field,” said Wioland, who attends

St. Joseph Parish, Toms River. Then, she got a text from the OCC coach. “She was offering me a spot, and she wants me to play for her. I honestly felt very blessed.” Birnbaum credited his Catholic education for helping him through his senior year during a pandemic. “Yeah, 100 percent,” said Birnbaum, who attends St. Jerome Church, a worship site of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long

“It definitely hurts,” Red Bank Catholic senior Tyler Birnbaum, seen in this 2019 photo, says of missing his senior year baseball season. Courtesy photo

The Diocese of Trenton and The Monitor would like to thank GALLAGHER INSURANCE for their support and sponsorship of this page. 66 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Sports Donovan Catholic leftfielder Kait Wioland said it was devasting not to play softball her senior year. The Toms River team took its first state softball title last year, and she was looking forward to this year’s season. Courtesy photo

Branch. “Going to a Catholic school, you worship, and with all was finalized, but felt it was not the same as speaking in person. this happening, it just kind of makes me know … God has a She is hoping to celebrate their careers in some manner but is plan.” still working out the plans. Caseys baseball coach Buddy Hausmann feels turning to Hausmann stayed in touch through texts and did not have faith is an absolute necessity to get through such disappointmany group chats “because I didn’t want to go on there and give ment. them false hope, because I didn’t have the answers.” However, he “I think that’s just as important as anything,” Hausmann said. saw each senior face to face when he dropped graduation signs “You need to be able to believe in something. Things happen for off at their homes. a reason, we all know that, both good and bad. You need to kind “I just really feel for these kids,” he said. of learn from this. It’s an out-of-your-hands situation. You need to become a better person from this.” Griffins softball coach Debbie Schwartz feels that the Catholic faith was a huge factor in helping seniors deal with their loss. “I think their trust in God definitely helped them persevere. It’s a chapter closed, a new one opening,” Schwartz said, crediting their Catholic education with giving the students some understanding and acceptance of God’s will. While Schwartz was saddened not to coach this season’s “WhereYour YourFaith Faith Journey Journey Grows” “Where Grows” team, she was more upset at missing the culmination of her “Where Your Faith Journey Grows” seniors’ careers. “Where Your Faith Journey Grows” “Just the fact they’re not having the time on the field with Seek and you sshhaallllfifnindd ! their friends and not having closure,” Schwartz said. “Four years SSeeeekk aanndd yyoouush all find! ! S e e k a n d y o u s h a l l f i n d at Donovan Catholic High School, Wceacrarryrya addiviveerrssee vvaarriieettyy ooff ggifitfst!sfofrorfriferniedns,ds, W e W e ecacrarryrya adSidveievkresraesnevdvaaryrioeieuttyyshooaffllggfiiiffnttsds !ffoorr ffrriieennddss,, and now they don’t have their turn  “I was W family and clergy, such as: to lead a team. The things that I look We carryfaamdililyvyearan se vaclrelierergtg y of gu ccihcfhthsaassfa::osr: friends, fam ily annddd• cRosaries clergyyy,,,ss•usuArt Religious & Fine Jewelry • Religious Books looking at as a coach is watching them grow fJewelry aJewelry m ily an••d•Rosaries clergy, •s••uArt cArt h a••s•Religious : Religious Religious &&Fine Books Religious & Rosaries Books Religious Fine Jewelry Rosaries Art & Bibles • Imported & Domestic Statuary • Religious Chalices •Books Albs as leaders in our program and seeing forward to Religious &Imported Fine Jewelry • Rosaries • Art ••• Religious Bibles Imported & Statuary • Albs Albs •••Imported &&Domestic Domestic Statuary •Chalices Chalices • Albs what they’re capable of doing with &&Bibles & Bibles •Gifts Domestic Statuary Chalices •Books Stoles for Baptism • Communion Confirmation & Bibles • Imported & Domestic Statuary • Chalices • Albs Stoles Gifts ••Communion •• •Confirmation having one last the team. I give the seniors a lot of Stoles •• Gifts Baptism Communion Confirmation Stoles • Giftsfor forBaptism Baptism Communion Confirmation Weddings and so much more! control in terms of leadership. That’s Stoles • Gifts for Baptism • Communion • Confirmation Weddings Weddingsand andso so much more! Weddings and somuch muchmore! more! chance to just the thing I miss the most, seeing 50 HWeddings urleys Lanand e, Lso incmuch roft, more! NJ 07738 them grow and develop that way.” 050H HH urru(llPreelayy JeJ lJ0 7737838 ersyissshLLLaC ccrrwo prove what I Lco effrtft,t,L,N eN vN ) 7 550 u ananenenee,t,,eLrLLi,niinn roo 0 Wioland missed showing her 50 H(Pu(aPrrlaiersyihsshCLCeanennteet,err,L,iLnLoocwrwo f t , N J 0 7 38 erroLLreeevveeiln) for7m Please vis(iPtaoriusrh wCeebnstieter, fLoorwem ation coach and teammates how far she e r L e v e l ) had.”  (Parish Center, Lower Level) P l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e f o r m o r e i n f o r m atioonn has come as a leader. Please vis t our awnedbssittoerefohrom r. e i um roso P l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e f o r r e i n f o r m P l e a s e v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e f o r m o r e i n f o r m a tiaotnion “I’ve grown up looking up to some of the seniors as role modand.sdtslteso tortrheeehghoroeuuartrs.sc..om a n w w w els,” she said, expressing regret that she could not pay it forward aanndd ssttore hhoouurrss. . t7he0 egg-r1re9ea8at9t..ccoom m ww wwww.s9.ts0 ltel8eoo -t7h by being a role model to a younger student. w w w . s t l e o t h e g r e a t . c o m w w w . s t l e o g r e a t . c o m Schwartz called each player individually after the shutdown 198899 990088-7-77700--19

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June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 67

In Memoriam SISTER MARY SCHMIDLING, FORMER RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR Sister Mary Schmidling, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died May 17 in Our Lady of Peace Residence, Scranton, Pa. She was 75. Born in Morristown, she entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary congregation Sept. 1, 1968; made her temporary profession of vows June 20, 1970, and her final profession of vows Aug. 28, 1973. Sister Mary taught in schools in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, including Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, in the Diocese of Trenton, from 2002 to 2015. She also served as a resettlement volunteer at Catholic Social Services in Scranton from 2016 to 2017, and on the support staff at the IHM Center, also in Scranton from 2016 to 2018. Sister Mary received a bachelor of arts degree in social

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N REMEMBRANCE, a listing of priests and deacons of the Diocese of Trenton  Iwho have died, can be found on TrentonMonitor.com>News>Obituaries

science/secondary education and a master of arts degree in counselor education from Marywood College, Scranton. She is survived by two brothers and their spouses, as well as nieces and nephews and the members of the IHM Congregation. Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters, c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, Pa., 18509. MILDRED SHATT OLSHEVSKI, WIFE OF LATE DEACON Mildred Shatt Olshevski, wife of the late Deacon Stanley Olshevski and member of Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro, died May 16. She was 87. She was a graduate of Sellersville-Perkasie High School and worked in accounting. Mrs. Olshevski was predeceased by her husband, whom she married in 1956. He was ordained a deacon for the Diocese in 1991 and died in 2007. She is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law; six grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. She was entombed in St. Paul Mausoleum, Burlington. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Christopher’s Children’s Fund - Farm to Families initiative: scfchildren.org/ farm-to-families-initiative.

OBITUARY INFORMATION Additional obituaries will be posted to TrentonMonitor. com as information becomes available.

68 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

Bishop George Murry dies after two-year battle with leukemia YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (CNS) • Bishop George V. Murry, the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, died June 5 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York, after a two-year battle with leukeBishop mia, the diocese announced. He was 71. George V. Murry Bishop Murry had been admitted to Sloan CNS photo Kettering for in-patient treatment May 30, a few days after submitting a letter of resignation to Pope Francis. The bishop, who was receiving treatment for his illness from St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic, cited his limited stamina and the advice of his physicians for his decision to resign. Funeral arrangements are pending. Bishop Murry was appointed to the Diocese of Youngstown in 2007. During his tenure, he served in other capacities with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, including chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, the Committee for Religious Liberty and the Committee on Catholic Education. He also served as chairman of the board of the National Catholic Educational Association. He also was appointed in 2015 to serve on the Synod of Bishops on the Family in Rome. That same year, then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich named Bishop Murry to the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations.

Bishop James Murray dies at 87, served Michigan diocese for nine years KALAMAZOO, Mich. (CNS) • Bishop James A. Murray, the third bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, died of natural causes June 5. He was 87. He served the diocese as bishop from 1998 until his retirement in 2009. Bishop Paul J. Bradley of Kalamazoo announced his predecessor’s Retired Bishop passing, saying he had visited Bishop MurJames A. Murray ray June 4. “I was grateful to be able to visit CNS photo him yesterday and relay how grateful we all are to him for his leadership as the third bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, and since his retirement, for his wonderful priestly example of providing pastoral assistance wherever and whenever he could and for being such an exemplary priest and bishop of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Bradley said in a statement. A native of Jackson, Michigan, Bishop Murray was born to James and Clare Murray July 5, 1932. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. He held additional degrees in theology from St. John Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan, and from The Catholic University of America and a licentiate in canon law from that university. Bishop Murray was ordained a priest in 1958 for the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan. He served in parishes and other ministries in the diocese until his appointment in 1998 as Kalamazoo’s bishop by St. John Paul II.

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MONMOUTH COUNTY

Ely FunEral HomE 3316 Hwy. 33 Neptune, NJ 07753 732-918-6650

980 Bennetts Mills Road, PO Box 1326, Jackson, N.J. 08527

(732) 364-6808 www.hasslerfuneralhome.com Member of St. Aloysius Holy Name Society and K of C 6201

Manchester Memorial Funeral Home, LLC

Michael J. Ely 212 Ark Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 856-234-6900 • mountlaurelfuneralhome.com

George S. Hassler Funeral Home George S. Hassler, Owner, Dir., NJ Lic. No. 3193 Brian T. Hassler, Manager, NJ Lic. No. 4054

• Competent and Personal •

Manager

N.J. Lic. No. 4729

Thomas J. Tedesco, Mgr., N.J. Lic. No. 3131 Member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Holy Name Society

David J. Petaccio, Senior Director, NJ Lic. No. 3796 John P. Napoli, Funeral Director, N.J. Lic. No. 5054 Joseph M. Gigliotti, Funeral Director, N.J. Lic. No. 4834

(732) 350-1950 • 28 Schoolhouse Rd., Whiting, NJ

MERCER COUNTY

Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals

Brenna-Cellini Funeral Homes

Timothy E. Ryan, Founder •1951-2019•

Family Style Care And Comfort For All Faiths

2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS “Thoughtful service since 1891.” Maria E. Brenna, Owner/Manager, N.J. Lic. No. 4879 www.elyfuneralhome.com Hamilton Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home Freeman Funeral Homes 2365 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619 “A Catholic Family Serving Central NJ Since 1847” 609-584-8080 Parkside Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home 47 E. Main Street, FREEHOLD • 732-462-0808 Kevin Freeman, Mgr. • NJ Lic. No. 3745 1584 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638 344 Rt. 9 N., MANALAPAN • 732-972-8484 609-882-4454 Glenn Freeman, Mgr. • NJ Lic. No. 3662 Call Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home where you’ll be treated with care and compassion. Competitive pricing while being treated like family.

Farrell & Marino Monuments 609-392-0331 farrellandmarino.com 1603 N. Olden Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638

Located behind the Olden Ave. car wash

Serving Monmouth County with compassion and integrity for three generations.

Consider the Ryan Family

To Comfort and Care for Your Family

Peace of Mind and Heart before, during and beyond

Lavallette • 706 Rt. 35 N. • 732-793-9000 Seaside Park • 809 Central Ave. • 732-793-9000 Toms River • 145 St. Catherine Blvd. • 732-505-1900 Serving Holiday City, Silver Ridge Park and the Leisure Villages Toms River • 995 Fischer Blvd. • 732-288-9000 Serving East Dover, located next to St. Justin Church Bayville • O’Connell Chapel • U.S. Hwy. 9 • 732-269-0300 Jackson • DeBow Chapel • 150 W. Veterans Hwy. • 732-928-0032

Mark L. Sarin, Senior Director, NJ License No. 4134

Free information by phone or mail ◾ www.ryanfuneralhome.com

St. Gabriel ’s Mausoleum Expansion

St. Catharine’s Mausoleum named after the Holmdel Church formerly the Mission Church of St. Gabriel’s 549 Route 520 (Newman Springs Road) • Marlboro, NJ

62 Cedar Grove Road Toms River, NJ 08753 732-244-3008 www.StJosephCemeteryTR.org

“We make the monuments that we sell”

SPECIAL PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICES Albert D. Correnti, Jr., Manager • NJ Lic. No. 3538 John A. Oliveti, Director • NJ Lic. No. 4012 Albert D. Correnti III, Director • NJ Lic. No. 4886 Anthony J. Correnti, Director • NJ Lic. No. 5030 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542 609-924-0242

www.matherhodge.com

Payments can be made over 24 months with no interest charges.

Phase III Under Construction Opening Soon - 2020

Family Owned & Professionally Operated for Two Generations The Intelisano Family

Silverton Memorial Funeral Home

2482 Church Rd., Toms River, NJ 08753

732-255-6363 • www.silvertonmemorial.com

www.stgabrielsmausoleums.com | 908-208-0786

Paula De John, Manager, N.J. Lic. No. 3438 Gregory De John, Director, N.J. Lic. No. 4261

Burial & Cremation options • Prearrangement & Prepayment plans available

To place your ad here, email: monitor-advertising@DioceseofTrenton.org OR call: 609-403-7153 June 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 69

Fun & Games

SCRIPTURE SEARCH

TEST YOUR CATHOLIC KNOWLEDGE Answers on back page.

Gospel for June 14, 2020 • John 6:51-58 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Cycle A. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle. LIVING BREAD

COME DOWN

HEAVEN

EATS

LIVE

FOREVER

MY FLESH

THE JEWS

THEMSELVES

HOW CAN

THIS MAN

JESUS

UNLESS

SON OF MAN

DRINK

ETERNAL LIFE

RAISE HIM

LAST DAY

I IN HIM

DIED

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 3 Wages of sin, as described in Romans 9 President Johnson’s daughter who converted to Catholicism 10 One of the prophets 11 In the ___ of the Lord 12 Lenten foliage 13 Monks’ cowls 15 A queen from this country came to hear Solomon speak 16 Biblical river 17 Biblical animals 20 “___ in terris” 22 The ___ at the Well 23 Judah, for example 25 Diocese unit 26 Non-ordained members of the Church 29 First word in the Lord’s Prayer, in Paris 31 OT prophetic bk. 32 Rib-giver 35 ___ unction 36 Saint item 37 A deacon wears this over his left shoulder

DOWN 1 Biblical “kill” 2 Eight days of a holy season 3 Opus ___ 4 First patriarch 5 Types of monks 6 Fourth man 7 Chalice 8 “___ us, O Lord…” 14 “There is a ___ in Gilead” 15 Birth month of Mary (abbr.) 18 Hebrew for “son of” 19 One of the 7 deadly sins 21 Certain vow 22 Catholic bandleader, Lawrence ___ 23 Jesus was crucified between two 24 Hell 27 A papal dispensation permitting a deviation from church law 28 The ___ of Forbidden Books 30 Home of Adam and Eve 33 Abbr. for two OT books 34 Medieval Christian emp.

We would like to thank WILLIS TOWERS WATSON, Property/Casualty broker for the Diocese of Trenton, for their sponsorship of this page. 70 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  June 2020

RELATIONSHIPS KEY

Tier is quick to admit the blessings that stem from having worked with two bishops who support Catholic schools. “It was a pleasure to work briefly with Bishop Smith and to know the blessing of working with Bishop O’Connell for 10 years,” she said. “Both bishops provided commitment and investment in our Catholic schools. They valued the importance of passing on the faith and educating students to be responsible citizens. Their support and trust have been invaluable and cherished.” She also praises members of the Department of Catholic Schools, the pastors, principals, school faculty, diocesan PTA and diocesan coworkers for their time and passion for Catholic schools and being what she calls “great sounding boards for visioning and direction.” “The relationships really are at the core of this experience,” she said. “I have been surrounded by a group of amazingly talented individuals who work together to support our Catholic school students and schools.” Also at the center of her experience – the successes achieved by Catholic schools in the Diocese. Ten years ago, she and staff began looking into ways to promote the good works being accomplished by school students, staff and others. Since that time, diocesan schools have been designated as Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and Green Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, and been named N.J. Future Ready Schools, and State and National Schools of Character. This spring, the diocesan PTA took home a National Catholic Educational Association “Lead, Learn, Proclaim” Award. “Besides creating an exceptional Catholic school learning environment, principals realize the importance of marketing and telling their school’s story,” Tier said. “In gaining recognition for their schools, the leaders invest in their future.” FAITH DURING TOUGH TIMES

With more than 40 years in the educational field – 34 in Catholic schools, seven in the public arena – there are bound to be challenges, too. Tier doesn’t hesitate to name her most heartbreaking hurdle.

“Closing schools,” she said with a note of sadness. “No one wants to close a Catholic school. That has been the most difficult journey – walking with our principals and teachers as that happens. It’s a time of helping them realize they’ve done the best they can, but that there are times we need to let go and see what God has in store. It’s a time to rely on faith during much adversity.” Throughout both good and difficult times, Tier says working in Catholic education has helped her grow in faith and learn to trust in God – and others. “It’s having the confidence to take necessary steps knowing you can fail,” she said. “If we’re staying safe and secure, we’re not going to grow.” “Taking the position of superintendent was a risk,” she continued. “It was natural to wonder, ‘Am I up to this challenge, can I make a difference?’ It’s a matter of having that trust in God to guide you and say, ‘I’m giving my best. God, if there’s something more I need to know, help me out here.’”

BUSINESS

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