T
he Church of Trenton is blessed to have among its number permanent deacons who share their gifts and talents with the parish communities they serve. Though their stories may be diverse, their goal is ANNIVERSARY the same: to aid and accompany the faithful on their heaven-bound journey. 🌾 YEARS 🌾
DEACON
25
Deacon Robert Armstrong
Lives of Faith Deacon Milestones
Deacon Robert Armstrong was born in 1953 in Orange. He attended Washington School and Union High School, both Union. Striving, in his words, to “bring Christ to the people of God,” he pursued the diaconate and was ordained May 11, 1996, by Bishop John C. Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Deacon Armstrong served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist and lector in St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, where he also conducted Communion services in local nursing homes. The deacon worked as a cemetery manager, then a pastoral associate in St. Elizabeth Parish, Avon. After its merger with Ascension Parish, Bradley Beach, to become St. Teresa of Calcutta, Bradley Beach, he continued on as pastoral associate there. “I have the opportunity to serve, not be served,” the deacon noted. Deacon Armstrong and his wife, Mary Susan, have three children and two grandchildren.
Deacon James L. Casa Deacon James L. Casa was born in New York in 1952. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Astoria, N.Y., and Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School, East Elmhurst, N.Y., before graduating from York College of the City University of New York, Jamaica, N.Y., in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. He was ordained a deacon May 11, 1996, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop John C. Reiss. Deacon Casa has ministered for Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, for his entire diaconate, assisting the faith community as a Rite of Christian Initiation instructor; bereavement minister, parish study team representative, pre-Cana team member (with his wife, Emmy); men’s spirituality program coordinator, chaplain for the Knights of Columbus council and Columbiettes council, and sacramental preparation. His community service has included chaplaincy for the Mount Holly Police Department; prison ministry at the Burlington County Jail; trustee for Continued on 50
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August 2021 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE
Lives of FAITH 49
