The Monitor Magazine: October 2020

MONITOR

THE

Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

Vol. 2 • No. 1 • OCTOBER 2020

MAGAZINE

Abundant

HOPE In personal daily devotions and national virtual novenas, the faithful are turning to God, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, to pray for a nation burdened with grievous problems. During these critical days, we pray for the protection of all human life; for all those who have suffered because of COVID-19; for an end to hatred, racism and violence, and for the exercise of faithful citizenship in the coming presidential election and beyond.

 INSIDE… FROM THE BISHOP: Voting conscientiously; pray the Rosary often; respecting life in all its stages IN FOCUS: Celebrating our religious men & women HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE: Open Houses gear up EL ANZUELO: la vida, las devociones y las misiones

GREAT NEWS. YOU CAN AFFORD IT! When it comes to affording college, we’re in this together.

See for yourself at our virtual Open House where you can learn more about automatic consideration for merit scholarships, financial aid and more. Register today at georgian.edu/events Questions? Call the Office of Admissions at (732)-987-2700.

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSES SAT., OCT. 17–1 pm Wed., Nov. 11–3 pm THURS., DEC. 3–6 pm

Georgian Court University does not discriminate in its recruitment and admission of students, regardless of gender, race, creed, color, religion, age, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

We’ve all been through a lot … and we may have more hardship to endure.

BUT WE ARE STILL THE CHURCH and

OUR MISSION NEVER STOPS.

In spite of the pandemic’s restrictions, the Diocese, under the leadership of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has remained dedicated to supporting the parishes and serving the pastoral needs of the faithful. We are working in different ways through the use of technology and special programming to keep our community connected, informed and inspired. Guided by our mission to proclaim God’s love, we will not be deterred from reaching out to families, youth, the elderly, and all those in need of spiritual and material sustenance throughout our four counties.

Visit your parish website or DioceseofTrenton.org/catholicappeal to set up a safe and convenient giving program that you can customize for your parish or other needs.

2 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Italian painter Simone Cantarini’s (1612-1648) Madonna del Rosario (Madonna of the Rosary) finished this work around 1640. In the piece, the Holy Mother sits on a throne of clouds with her child, Jesus, in her lap and a Rosary in her left hand. Art scholars have determined that he painted the piece for display in someone’s home. wikimedia commons

Courtesy photo

ON THE COVER

47-50

Contents 6-8  From the Bishop

Guidance from USCCB, Bishop O’Connell on voting as Catholic citizens with well-formed conscience, 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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PRODUCTION Production/Graphic Designer • Clara Baumann • ext. 7176

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.

9-17, 45  Lives of Faith Annual celebration of religious anniversaries recognizes ministries of order priests, brothers and sisters

47-50  World Mission Sunday Witness the beauty of Catholic missions across the globe, impact of financial support

51-54  El Anzuelo Mensaje para Mes Respetemos la Vida; Devociones espirituales alimentan la fe, el pueblo; el llamado a misionar

63  Family Life Online resources and dedicated Holy Hour planned for couples celebrating milestone anniversaries

REGULAR FEATURES 18  Viewpoints 28  Pope Francis 32  World & Nation 58-60  Insight from

Sports 

68-69

Fathers Koch & Doyle 70  Puzzles Staff photo

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 3

Readers’ Corner A message from

National novena to lead up to presidential election

Associate Publisher

A Message from BISHOP

RAYANNE BENNETT

What a year it has been!

W

ith this October issue, we mark the first anniversary of The Monitor Magazine and the end of our inaugural year. This would normally be a modest milestone to note and move on. But this year has been far from normal for the Diocese’s new publication and the community that it serves.

Being able to reach this milestone despite the pandemic is something for which we are profoundly grateful.

Though we have had to conduct much of our work these past six months under ue iss al Cover of inaugur less-than-ideal conditions, we were blessed with great support from our colleagues in the Chancery and wonderful cooperation from our local parishes and schools.

I have been extremely grateful for the diligence of our team members, who never wavered from their responsibilities, even if they were sitting at laptops on kitchen tables while wearing pajamas and slippers. Their professionalism and dedication have been remarkable.

On behalf of our team, I want to thank Bishop O’Connell for all of his support and willingness to contribute to this publication so consistently. I also would like to thank the pastors and other parish leaders who have helped us get this new magazine into the hands of their people.

A special thank you to our readers who have been so generous in their affirmation of our work. We look forward to the post-pandemic day when The Monitor Magazine can again be distributed in our churches.

Until then, we will strive to keep our readers informed, inspired and connected as we continue to tell the Good News of the Diocese of Trenton.

A

DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.

s Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I invite and encourage all the clergy, consecrated religious and lay faithful to join together with me in praying this “Novena for the United States of America” from Monday, October 26, through Election Day, November 3, 2020.

NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (RECITED EACH DAY): God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people.

Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders and citizens. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany respecting and protecting human life and religious liberty. Help us to bring an end to racial injustice, violence and all the evils that divide us. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Make us instruments of your peace!

Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death” and lead us always to respect life in all its stages and circumstance. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

THEN, RECITE AN OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY AND GLORY BE EACH DAY FOR OUR NATION (individual intentions for each day of the Novena will be posted on our Monitor and Diocesan websites and social media beginning Wednesday, October 21.)

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT CIRCULATION The following statement, required by act of Congress, August 12, 1970, was filed with the U.S. Postal Service on October 1, 2020, and is printed here in accordance with the provisions of the same law.

Title of Publication: The Monitor Magazine. Frequency of issue: Monthly. Location of Headquarters: 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648. Publisher: Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., 701 Lawrenceville Rd., NJ 08648. Associate Publisher: Rayanne M. Bennett, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648. Managing Editor: Jennifer Mauro, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648. Owner: The Monitor, Diocese of Trenton, a nonprofit organization in the State of New Jersey. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders, owning or holding one percent or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages and other securities: None. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the previous 12 months.

Extent and nature of circulation: A. Total number of copies printed: Average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months: 10,171; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 5,497. B. Paid circulation: 1) Average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months: 6,381; 2) Number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 5,212. C. Total paid distribution: Average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months: 6,628; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 5,212. D. Free or nominal rate distribution: average 3,512, latest 284. E. Total Free or Nominal Rate distribution: 1) Average: 3,512, latest: 284; F. Total distribution: average 10,141; latest: 5,496. G. Copies not distributed: Average: 31, latest: 1; H. Total: Average: 10,171, latest: 5,497. I. Percent paid: 85%; latest: 95%.

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Bishop’s Scrapbook

Here is a look back on some of the people and places Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was able to visit and celebrate with during the past month.

For more on these stories and dozens of photos, visit TrentonMonaitor.com.

John Batkowski photo

Jeff Bruno photo

 Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrates his first public Mass since the beginning of the pandemic on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, Middletown. The Sept. 11 Mass kicked off the three day “God, Country, Family” parish revival. Concelebrating were Father Jeff Kegley, parish pastor, left, and Father Richard Osborn and Father Jordan McConway, O.P., parochial vicars. See story, page 66.

 Bishop O’Connell waves as he arrives to bless the new warehouse and new St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Conference for the Vincent’s Legacy furniture ministry. Dozens visited the Wall facility Sept. 27 – which was also the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul. Bishop O’Connell himself is a Vincentian. See story, page 64.

John Batkowski photo

 The Bishop celebrates Mass for members of the Jersey Shore Chapter of Legatus Sept. 17 in St. James Church, Red Bank. Legatus is an international organization of Catholic professional and businessmen and women. Knowing they could relate, he said, “I sometimes wonder if the Lord Jesus was always on the job? Did he ever ‘take a break’ from his ministry?” The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Joseph Rosie, pastor; Father Daniel Kirk, local Legatus chapter chaplain, and the parish parochial vicars.  Bishop O’Connell poses for a photo Sept. 14 with students from Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, after presiding over an outdoor prayer service and ribbon cutting ceremony for the school’s new athletic training facility. The facility, which was transformed from a vacant house, is fully equipped for weight training, strengthening and conditioning.

Mike Ehrman

n photo

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 5

From the Bishop

Catholics Vote:

‘Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship’

B

aptized Catholic citizens of the United States of America have a “dual citizenship,” one within the nation and one within the Catholic Church. Although distinct, they exist jointly in each baptized American Catholic citizen.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds American Catholics that, as citizens of this country, we vote and, as Catholic American citizens, we vote conscientiously because we are people of faith.

The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith (USCCB, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” 2020, no. 9).

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation is a moral obligation … rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do (ibid., no. 13).

Earlier this year, Pope Francis spoke to a gathering of American bishops in Rome and advised them: Teach your people discernment by you stepping back from the “sheer politics” of it. If you try to step back and say “but here are the major moral issues that we face,” that is what is most important (Pope Francis to USCCB Region X, Ad Limina, Jan. 20, 2020).

That advice is certainly consistent with the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law and with Church practice in the United States. Bishops and ordained clergy clearly have a right to their own personal opinions in political matters and a right to express them. They should not preach their opinions from the pulpit, however, or any other official forum and should refrain from taking an active part in political parties which includes the public endorsement of particular candidates for political office.

So, what is the role of the ordained clergy as election time rolls around?

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. Bishops (and ordained clergy) do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote. Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God’s truth. We recognize that the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election (USCCB, “Forming Consciences . . .,” 2020, no.7).

Bishops and ordained clergy as their collaborators participate in the three-fold mission of the Catholic Church “to teach, to govern and to sanctify” the People of God. Insofar as political matters or issues concern aspects of faith, morals and the common good, bishops and ordained clergy have a proper responsibility to exercise their teaching office in their regard both in the Church and “in the public square.”

That is not the same as participating in political activity or endorsing particular candidates for political office “in the name of the Church.”

Since, as noted above, American Catholic citizens – bishops, ordained clergy and lay faithful – are called to “vote conscientiously because we are people of faith,” and since bishops and ordained clergy participate in the Church’s teaching mission, it is their proper role to help Catholics develop their consciences and understand what the Church teaches in matters of faith, morals and the common good so that they

6 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

can make decisions consistent with their Catholic faith.

Clergy and lay people have complementary roles in public life. We bishops have the primary responsibility to hand on the Church’s moral and social teaching. Together with priests and deacons, assisted by religious and lay leaders of the Church, we are to teach fundamental moral principles that help Catholics form their consciences correctly, to provide guidance on the moral dimensions of public decisions, and to encourage the faithful to carry out their responsibilities in political life. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Church’s leaders avoid endorsing or opposing candidates. As Pope Benedict XVI stated in Deus Caritas Est (no. 28): “The Church wishes to help form consciences in political life and to stimulate greater insight into the authentic requirements of justice as well as greater readiness to act accordingly, even when this might involve conflict with situations of personal interest.

“The Church cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible. She cannot and must not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice” (no. 15).

Our consciences do not simply appear

From the Bishop

In his message about faithful citizenship in this election season, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., writes that Catholic citizens are “called to vote conscientiously because we are people of faith.” CNS photo/Eduardo Munoz, Reuters when we are born. They need to develop, grow, mature and be formed as an individual goes through life. For the Catholic, such formation is a lifelong process and the Church’s official teachers play a critical part in that process. It takes time, learning, prayer, experience and conversation so that Catholics can make well-reasoned judgments about real-life situations and be prepared to make good decisions with well-formed consciences when opportunities present themselves.

For Catholics, such preparation begins with a desire to know the truth about what is right and wrong. “Do good and avoid evil” is a fundamental human moral principle that should undergird decisions and actions for all human beings and not only Catholics. Combined with the revelation of Sacred Scripture and authoritative Catholic teaching, Catholics specifically form their consciences so that, while examining facts and information in life’s situations as they confront them, they can then prayerfully discern the will of God “in the public square.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers guidance to American Catholics – again, including all the baptized (ordained clergy as well as the

lay faithful) – in its document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States” (“FCFC”), which is updated and published regularly before every national election.

It is a “voters’ guide” only in the sense of presenting rational human and doctrinal principles inherent in Catholic moral and social teaching while not in any way endorsing political parties, political platforms or agendas, or particular candidates for political office.

 Preparation begins with a desire to know the truth about what is right and wrong.  While there are many human moral issues before us and that surface especially in every election cycle, it is important to note that not every moral issue is of equal significance. Using “FCFC” as source material, here are some of the most important moral issues that the Church believes and teaches and that, in accordance with a good and well-formed conscience, every

Catholic should seriously consider and take into account in decisions they make: 1. Issues that directly affect human life. Every human life is sacred, from conception to natural death. That has been and remains firm Catholic teaching based upon sound human reasoning and is, therefore, our most basic principle as Catholics. “FCFC” asserts that “The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed. At the same time, we cannot dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty. Our efforts to protect the unborn remain as important as ever, for just as the Supreme Court may allow greater latitude for state laws restricting abortion, state legislators have passed statutes not only keeping abortion legal through all nine months of pregnancy but opening the door to infanticide.

Additionally, abortion contaminates many other important issues by being inserted into legislation regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide, embryonic stem-cell research, immigration, care for the poor, and health care reform (Introductory Letter). The Catholic Church teaches that all these practices have profound moral consequences.

2. Religious liberty. The United States Constitution protects religious liberty in its First Amendment. It includes not only our freedom to worship but also our freedom to believe in and practice our faith as Americans … or not to believe!

The Church teaches that every effort should be made to preserve and support religious liberty. Individuals and communities of faith should not be subject to religious persecution.

3. Traditional marriage and family life. There has been and continues to be a growing movement in our country to “redefine marriage.” The Church teaches that the faithful union of one man and one Continued on 8

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 7

From the Bishop

Faithful citizenship Continued from 7

woman is the foundation of the family and, as an essential core element of a flourishing society and Church, traditional marriage and family life must be protected and preserved.

4. The disparity between rich and poor. Most of the world’s resources are in the hands of a small percentage of its people. Federal budgets have moral implications and should prioritize the poorest and most vulnerable among us. Unemployment, homelessness and inadequate housing are evident throughout our nation, especially in major population centers, and need to be confronted and addressed to ensure economic justice for all.

5. Immigration reform. Undocumented persons in the United States deserve respect and human compassion. There has been and remains an ongoing immigration problem in our country that requires a humane solution by our elected government leaders.

6. Racism and inequality. The Declaration of Independence affirms that “all men are created equal” and “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Church opposes “all oppression and all injustice.” The elimination of racism, bigotry, discrimination and inequality is a goal to be achieved in our lifetimes.

7. Violence, hatred and crime. Society has a duty to protect and defend its members against violence, hatred and crime.

“Violence cannot be overcome by violence. Violence is overcome by peace! By peace, by working with dignity to help your homeland move forward (Pope Francis, “Remarks” at Phoenix Center, Bethlehem, May 26, 2014).”

8. Protection of the Environment. Pope Francis has declared stewardship of the earth, our “common home,” a contemporary moral imperative. “Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years. We are not God. The earth was here before us and was given to us. The idea of unlimited growth, which proves so attractive to economists, financiers and experts in technology … is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods and leads to the planets being squeezed dry at every limit. Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good and making a new start (Pope Francis, encyclical “Laudato Si’: Care for Our Common Home,” 2015, no. 53).” Progress in protecting the environment lies in our hands but especially in the hands of those who govern us.

The preceding headings do not represent an exhaustive list of moral issues of major concern to the Catholic Church in our country, clergy and lay faithful alike. War and peace, international relations, educational choice, health care reform, use of print, broadcast and electronic media and a host of other moral and social concerns warrant our attention as Catholics. Careful study, civil dialogue and prayerful reflection should accompany our decision making as we consider our support for political 8 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Franciscan Brother Sam Nasada holds a sign inviting citizens to vote in Douglas, Ariz., in 2018. Careful study, civil dialogue and prayerful reflection should accompany one’s decision making when it comes to political candidates, Bishop O’Connell says. CNS photo/Octavio Duran parties and candidates for political office.

As American Catholics, we look to the Church and its official teachers for clear, careful and consistent presentation and application of principles that undergird, support and protect our Catholic moral and social teachings so that the common good, truth, justice and peace are enhanced, preserved and advanced in American society. We should not expect bishops, ordained clergy or other Church leaders to tell us for whom or against whom to vote.

May God in whom we trust bless the United States of America, and may we, as Catholics, form our consciences for the exercise of faithful citizenship!

FOR FURTHER REFERENCE AND STUDY: United States Conference for Catholic Bishops, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” USCCB: Washington, 2020 (digital: usccb.org). The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, USCCB: Washington, 2016 (digital: usccb.org). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, USCCB: Washington, 2005 (digital: vatican.va). Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2004 (digital: vatican.va). National Catholic Bioethics Center, Handbook on Critical Life Issues, third edition, National Catholic Bioethics Center: Philadelphia, 2010.

In Focus

Lives of

Faith

Celebrating our religious women and men

Blessed With Mission

Drawn by faith and community, religious celebrating milestone anniversaries reflect on their witness to the Gospel

BY LOIS ROGERS  Correspondent

L

iving and serving among Catholic faithful has brought joy and fulfillment to religious sisters who are marking special anniversaries of their ministry this year – Marianite Sister of Holy Cross Margaret Conley and St. Joseph Sister of Philadelphia Pat McGinley among them.

Taken together, they have devoted 135 years to their vocations.

“I think of two quotes,” Sister Pat said. “One from St. Catharine of Siena: ‘Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire,’ and another from St. Francis de Sales, ‘Be who you

are, and be that well.’

When you are in ministry,” following those examples “highlights the fullness in life,” she said.

‘ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS’ Sister Margaret and St. Pat have served for decades in the Trenton Diocese – their ministries impacting lives in parishes, schools and hospitals. Sister Margaret is celebrating her 75th anniversary this year; it’s the 60th anniversary for Sister Pat. Sister Margaret retired from active ministry after decades as a teacher, principal and provincial superior, as well as working in Continued on 10

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 9

In Focus Marianite Sister of Holy Cross Margaret Conley, 94, smiles as she stands with her friend Msgr. Vincent Gartland in St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville.

Filled with joy

Encouraging vocations “means reaching out to young women and saying, ‘This life could be for you,’” says St. Joseph Sister of Philadelphia Pat McGinley, seen here with Lauren Borowick from Lawrenceville’s Center for FaithJustice.

Continued from 9

the diocesan Office of Vocations and as a sacramental secretary in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville. Both sisters said they were attracted to their religious orders by personal witness as young women.

Moved by their “example and authenticity” in serving others, Sister Margaret entered the Marianites in New Orleans after observing them working in a hospital in her native Manhattan in 1945 – during World War II. Words are not adequate, she said, to “express what it means to be a Marianite of Holy Cross.

I loved my life. It was unpredictable, ever-changing, constantly challenging.”

Sister Pat, who has devoted the past six years of her ministry to serving as pastoral associate of the Lawrenceville parish, sees the highlights of religious life as being “all about relationships with God and others as you share the journey of faith along the way.”

 “It takes courage to step into new places every time we are called.”  She has served in a variety of ministries, including teaching, administration and pastoral leadership, and remembers her time in each as an opportunity to “share the faith the way it is meant to be shared.” It’s an overall vision, she said, inspired by “the beautiful document ‘Lumen Gentium,’” the central document of the Second Vatican Council that teaches how the call to holiness is not limited to any one state in life but is universal, embracing all baptized Christians.

And religious life is the holy ground “where we meet each other and help each other in our relationship with God,” Sister Pat said.

Sister Pat entered the Sisters of St. Joseph right out of high school at the end of senior year. “They were women generously serving others. They knew Jesus, they were full of joy. I could tell it was

Courtesy photos

very real.”

In answering the call to vocation, she said, “It’s all about people and the variety of ministries. It’s always new. It’s always a challenge.”

She and Sister Margaret expect that will be especially true for religious today, as the Church continues to meet the needs stemming from the coronavirus. “It takes courage to step into new places every time we are called, to be creative, to focus on how we respond in the way God wants us to respond,” Sister Pat said.

Sister Margaret looks to modern technology to help with keeping communities connected during COVID-19. Every Thursday, sisters in New Orleans and New Jersey get together online “and talk,” she said. “We reflect and say what we find challenging and sit and listen. It’s a way of communicating. It keeps us in touch.”

“Did I ever imagine such a thing? No,” she said.

ABUNDANT HOPE When the National Religious Vocation Conference published its 2020 Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life earlier this year, it did so with conviction that the “endless call” to serve God will be answered, even during today’s unsettled times.

It found that women and men continue to respond to the call to religious life and that they are drawn by prayer, spirituality, charism, community life and

10 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

mission. Culturally diverse, they embrace intercultural, intergenerational living, are committed to living simply and in solidarity with the poor and perhaps, most importantly, that they are filled with abundant hope for religious life amid changing demographics.

Both sisters are hopeful that the “endless call to serve God” will indeed be answered, and they encourage faithful to lend their prayers and their support to make this happen. Sister Margaret advises Holy Hours for vocations and support for vocations in the home.

“Vocations come from prayer, family life,” she said, as well as the example and authenticity of the religious in the diocese.

Pondering the coronavirus, Sister Pat said she is unsure whether the pandemic will bring about a surge of vocations as disasters have in the past. However, she touted the importance of vocation directors in all communities.

“As difficult as life is, we need to see beyond the present. It means reaching out to young women and saying, ‘This life could be for you.’ When we come back [from the coronavirus] we need new ideas.”

In Focus

Lives of

Faith

Religious orders bring variety of gifts, experiences to Diocese of Trenton

SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD

www.fscdena.org photo

St. John Baptist de La Salle founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools in the late 17th century. Since his death in 1719, Lasallian schools have been founded in more than 80 countries worldwide, educating more than one million students.

With a focus on the Trinity and the Incarnation, the Lasallian charism embodies both a spirit of faith and a spirit of zeal which desires to make the presence of Jesus Christ a reality, both personally and in the worldwide community.

In the Rule of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, the Institute states its ultimate mission: “The purpose of this Institute is to give a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.”

The Brothers have served the Diocese of Trenton since Bishop George W. Ahr approved the founding of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, in 1959.

In 1980, Bishop John C. Reiss also dedicated De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, built for the care of retired, elderly and infirm

Founded in 1875 in Steyl, Holland,

by St. Arnold Janssen, the Society of the Divine Word focuses on missionary work, serving worldwide wherever people are in need, and becoming part of their communities.

The Society, also referred to as Divine Word Missionaries, arrived in the U.S. in 1895, with this year marking their 125th anniversary. In 1941, Bishop William A. Griffin invited Divine Word Provincial Francis Humel to send priests and brothers to minister to the Poor Clares in Bordentown, and to serve African-American Catholics, particularly in Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish, Trenton, followed by ministry in a smaller parish, St. Peter Claver, to be founded in Asbury Park.

www.divineword.org photo

S

ince its founding in 1881, the Diocese of Trenton has been blessed with the presence of faith-filled, courageous and inspired religious men and women whose unique ministries bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lives of the faithful during rapidly changing times.

“Each of these religious orders, congregations and societies are blessed with a sacred charism, a gift of the Holy Spirit given over to their founders to share and enrich the Church and continue its ministry through services of prayer, missionary activity, education, health care or social service,” said Sister of St. Joseph Rose McDermott, who serves as diocesan delegate for religious.

“The witness of the members of these institutes coupled with their devoted service assures the Church that, indeed, our Lord has fulfilled his promise, ‘I will not leave you orphans.’ Truly, the work of the Holy Spirit continues in the Church through the lives of these priests, sisters and brothers in these institutes,” she said.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C. M., is among those religious serving the Church today, having been ordained as a priest of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as Vincentians, in Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, Pa., on May 29, 1982.

The Vincentian spirit and those of numerous orders are alive and well in the Diocese. Here are some of the many communities whose religious currently serve in the Church of Trenton.

BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

Christian Brothers. The offices for the Brothers of the Christian Schools District of Eastern North America are located in Eatontown.

Today there are 10 brothers in ministry for the Diocese, eight in CBA, one in religious education in Holy Spirit Parish, Asbury Park, and one with the Missionaries of Charity, Asbury Park, serving in the soup kitchen.

For more information, visit fscdena.org.

Bishop Griffin also gave permission for a Divine Word seminary to be built.

This became a reality when, in 1941, the Society purchased the former Joseph Bonaparte estate in Bordentown. When a disastrous fire destroyed the estate in 1983, the seminary was closed.

Bordentown has become home to both retired members of the Society and those involved in apostolates, including parish pastoral service, retreat and prison ministries and a continued presence for the Poor Clares. Though the current residence will close at the end of 2020, a Continued on 12

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In Focus

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number of priests will continue to serve the Diocese. Currently, Divine Word priests serve the parishes of Mother of Mercy, Asbury Park; St. Ann, Browns Mills, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lakewood.

For more information on the order, visit divineword.org.

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF PHILADELPHIA

daily encounters.”

The ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in the Diocese of Trenton has been extensive, with sisters staffing multiple schools and serving in a wide variety of apostolates, including pastoral roles in numerous parishes.

Today, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia minister in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach; Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro, and Georgian Court University, Lakewood.

For more information visit osfphila.org.

The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia were founded in 1855 by Bishop John N. Neumann, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Philadelphia, after following the advice of Pope Pius IX to establish a congregation of Franciscan sisters in his own diocese.

Bishop Neumann began the order with three women, one of whom, Anna Maria Boll Bachmann, was a German immigrant who became a widow with three children while expecting a fourth when her husband was killed as the result of antiimmigrant bias.

Anna Maria became Sister Mary Francis, leader of the new congregation.

By 1869, the sisters were serving in the Diocese of Trenton, teaching in St. Francis of Assisium Catholic School. That same year, with the consent of Bishop James Wood, Philadelphia, and Bishop James Bayley, Newark, Franciscan Sister Hyacintha and two companions founded St. Francis Hospital in Trenton.

The sisters describe themselves as “Catholic women who commit their lives to God as followers of Sts. Francis and Clare. We strive to live in loving relationship and service with all people and creation. We are dedicated to bringing hope and joy to those in need by promoting justice and peace with emphasis on human rights and environmental concerns in our

With the approval of Pope Innocent III, the Conventual Franciscans were founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209 as a community of friars who lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ through obedience, poverty and chastity.

Francis named his community of brothers Friars Minor, which meant “lesser brothers,” inspiring them to model the humility of Christ, to serve one another, to be in solidarity with the most marginalized of society, and to foster peace. According to their history, the earliest friars rebuilt chapels, ministered to the lepers and preached penance.

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CONVENTUAL FRANCISCANS

The ministry of these Franciscans quickly spread outside Italy and by the 15th century, they had moved west, as well. The breadth of their ministry expanded according to the needs of society at the time, and has continued to do so in new times and places.

In 1852, the Conventual Franciscan Friars arrived in the United States, and spent time working among the immigrant communities. In 1883, Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, the first bishop of Newark, asked the Franciscans to care for German immigrants living in the Trenton area.

Over the course of the next 100 years,

12 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

at the invitation of and with the support of Diocese of Trenton bishops, the Conventual Franciscans would minister in numerous parishes, establish a friary, and serve in Trenton Catholic Boys High School, which was staffed almost entirely by friars before its close in 1962. Friars also served St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton.

Today, the Conventual Franciscans, both priests and brothers, serve in St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, and St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach.

To learn more about the Conventual Franciscans, visit franciscans.org.

FRANCISCAN FRIARS HOLY NAME PROVINCE

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Faithful service

Soon after St. Francis of Assisi received papal approval in 1209 to form the community he called Friars Minor in Italy, their rapid growth led them to form provinces, a network of brothers grouped into friaries, providing friars with a home for common prayer and belonging, and opportunities to engage in ministries allowing them to bring the Gospel to the world.

Holy Name Province, which was established in 1901, traces its roots to Franciscan missionaries who arrived in the Eastern United States in the mid-1800s to minister to an influx of immigrants, and is characterized by a diversity of ministries born of the charism of St. Francis.

Its mission statement describes Holy Name Province as “an evangelical and missionary fraternity called to minister in the Eastern United States and abroad. Rooted in the Catholic and Franciscan tradition, we are disciples of Christ who seek to bring the Gospel into the everyday experience of all people through Franciscan witness, popular preaching, teaching, and pastoral leadership. We foster Christian discipleship by collaborating with those whom we serve and by standing in solidarity with all people, especially the alienated, the immigrant,

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The Missionaries of Charity were founded by Mother Teresa in 1950, in India, four years after she received the inspiration to create the order in response to Christ’s call that she make him known to the poorest of the poor through humble, loving service.

She said that the congregation would care for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

As a religious family sharing the charism of Mother Teresa, The Missionaries of Charity include active and contemplative sisters in one congregation, with religious brothers and priests in three separate congregations.

The Missionaries of Charity have served in the Diocese of Trenton since 1999 when they responded to an invitation from Bishop John C. Reiss to begin their ministry working among the poor in Asbury Park.

Four years earlier, in 1995, then Mother Teresa visited the Diocese and attended Mass celebrated by Bishop Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. It was there that Bishop Reiss presented a formal letter to Mother Teresa inviting the Missionaries of Charity to establish a residence in the Diocese.

Mother Teresa was canonized a saint Sept. 4, 2016 by Pope Francis.

Today, the Missionaries of Charity reside in the Asbury Park convent and their work has included visiting shut-ins and area nursing homes, teaching religious

ORDER OF ST. CLARE Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, the Order of St. Clare, also called the Poor Clares, was founded in 1212 by St. Clare in Assisi, Italy, as a cloistered, contemplative order which follows a Gospel way of life, centered on intercessory prayer for the world because of a great love of God and others.

In 1875, two Poor Clare nuns came from Italy to establish a Poor Clare monastery in the United States, successfully founding a monastery in Nebraska in 1878.

In 1909, Bishop James A. McFaul invited the Poor Clare nuns to come to the Diocese of Trenton, explaining the Sisters of Mercy had vacated their motherhouse in Bordentown, which the Poor Clares could obtain. A pioneer group of Poor Clares arrived in Bordentown in the summer of 1909. The monastery was dedicated on Thanksgiving of the same year.

By the late 1980s, the Bordentown community began to see a decline in the number of sisters and their convent facilities became too large for their needs. Though it took considerable time, their search led them to find new, smaller and more manageable quarters in Chesterfield. The sisters moved to their new home Nov. 12, 2001.

As the Poor Clares of New Jersey mark 111 years since their arrival to the Trenton Diocese, they proudly share how they are a diverse group of women from all over the United States, and note that their monastery “is not ‘apart’ from the Church; rather, it is our part in the Church. It places us in the heart of the world. It is within the proper distance and the proper closeness of the cloister that we can find God for others that will become a reality for the good of the Church and the world of today.”

The nuns support themselves mainly through the distribution of altar bread to

the parishes of the Diocese. They bring one of the charisms of St. Clare to their manual labor – a deep trust in Divine providence when concerned about one’s livelihood.

For more information visit poorclaresnewjersey.com.

ORDER OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY The Trinitarian Order was founded in 1198 by John de Matha and Philip of Valois in France with the intention of ransoming ph rg Christians held caps .o i an r a t i w w w.trin tive during the time of the Crusades. Soon after the order’s establishment their mission was incorporated into the order’s title: Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of Captives.

Since then, Trinitarian priests, brothers, sisters and laity have dedicated themselves to works of mercy and redemption with a special concern for those who suffer persecution for the faith. They may be recognized by the distinctive red and blue cross worn on their habit.

When United States bishops appealed to Europe for missionary priests, Trinitarians responded to the need. Trinitarians from Italy arrived in the United States in 1906.

In 1911, at the invitation of Bishop James A. McFaul, the Order was entrusted with the care of Italian immigrants at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Asbury Park. Parishes in Long Branch and Trenton were to follow.

Trinitarians describe themselves as “committed to works of mercy and redemption around the world. Our priests and brothers serve the poor in remote areas and in cities,

o

MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY

education in Mother of Mercy Parish, distributing food at the train station, assisting the poor as needed, serving in the convent soup kitchen, and simply being a presence on the streets of Asbury Park.

For more information on St. Teresa of Kolkata and the Missionaries of Charity visit https://issuu.com/dioceseoftrenton/docs/ saint_teresa_monitor_special_issue or motherteresa.org/missionaries-of-charity.html.

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and the poor.”

Today, Franciscans of Holy Name Province serve in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach, providing a ministry of Franciscan hospitality and reconciliation extended through four churches and a regional community center.

For more information visit hnp.org.

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In Focus

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we educate those whose faith is in peril, and when necessary we minister undercover in places where it is illegal to practice the faith. Whether we are serving in parish ministry, schools, prisons, or the missions, we strive to imitate the unity and love of the Most Holy Trinity.”

Today, Trinitarians staff the parish of Incarnation-St. James, Ewing.

For more information visit Trinitarians.org.

RELIGIOUS TEACHERS FILIPPINI

duty. With the mandate to “go and teach the Word of God” their mission statement calls them to make “the life and teachings of Jesus and his Church relevant in the lives of our students, so that they come to know and experience their true identity as sons and daughters of God, and be empowered to be Jesus for others, nurturing them to life in the Lord, enabling them to help build a world where justice and peace prevail.”

Currently, Religious Teachers Filippini serve in Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton; St. Jerome School, West Long Branch; St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, Mantoloking, Morning Star House of Prayer, West Trenton and Seabrook Retirement Community, Tinton Falls.

For more information visit filippiniusa.org.

The Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini was founded by Lucy Filippini in 1692 in Italy, with the support and encouragement of Cardinal Mark Anthony Barbarigo, who asked Lucy to direct the schools he had established for the education of young girls.

Both founders believed that Catholic education, undertaken with faith and charity, could be a transformative agent for many of the cultural and socio-economic problems that existed at the time.

The community grew and spread beyond Italy, into other parts of the world, including the United States.

In 1910 the Religious Teachers arrived from Italy to St. Joachim Parish, Trenton, to serve the Italian immigrant population.

The sisters stayed on to eventually staff schools for children of all races, nationalities and creeds, beginning more than 100 years of educational ministry in the Diocese of Trenton.

Today’s Religious Teachers Filippini remain faithful to the original inspiration of their founders regarding the ministry of the Christian education of youth and of adults, especially women, as their principal

Inspired by the life of Jesus and by their founder Catherine McAuley, an Irish Catholic laywoman, the Sisters of Mercy are women of faith, committing their lives to God and their resources to serve, advocate and pray for those in need around the world.

The Mercy charism flows from Catherine’s personal spirituality which embraced God’s love and mercy for all people, leading Mercy Sisters to live the values of contemplation and action, service and prayer. www.sistersofmercy.org photo

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SISTERS OF MERCY

Sister Catherine opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin in 1827. Encouraged by the Archbishop of Dublin, she founded religious congregation in 1831. By 1843, the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in the United States, with the sisters’ work spreading quickly across the country, founding schools and hospitals and branching into health care, pastoral and social services.

Mercy Sisters were already serving in St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, and St. Paul Parish, Princeton, before the Diocese of Trenton was formed in 1881. The first Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Michael J. O’Farrell, suggested the Sisters open

14 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

a motherhouse in Bordentown, which they later expanded on acreage in the Watchung Mountains.

The Mercy Sisters have ministered in more than 25 parishes in the Diocese, as well as in numerous schools and social services. Currently, Mercy Sisters serve in St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish and St. Catharine School, Spring Lake; Red Bank Catholic/St. James Parish, Red Bank; Mercy Center, Asbury Park; Upper Room Spiritual Center, Neptune; Georgian Court University, Lakewood, which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy, and St. Ann Parish, Keansburg, including Bayshore Senior Center and Project Paul.

For more information visit sistersofmercy.org.

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF PHILADELPHIA www.ssjphila.org photo

Unmatched ministry

When a devout group of six women living in 17th century France sought to live holy lives in service to others, Jesuit Father Jean-Pierre Médaille founded the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1650 in LePuy, France. Referred to as the “Congregation of the great love of God,” their ministry and mission spread across France.

Under the patronage of St. Joseph, whom they recognize as having an inconspicuous holiness and “hidden virtue,” they dedicated themselves to “the practice of all spiritual and corporal works of mercy of which woman is capable and which will most benefit the dear neighbor.”

During the French Revolution, their communities were dispersed. A number of sisters were imprisoned, others were guillotined. But heroic women of the communities continued their work, continued to press forward and eventually travelled to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia in 1847.

By 1924, the Sisters of St. Joseph had traveled to the Atlantic Highlands to serve in St. Agnes School, the first Catholic school in that part of New Jersey. From Continued on 29

In Focus

75 years

Marianite Sister of Holy Cross Margaret Cronley Marianite Sister of Holy Cross Margaret Cronley, who marks her diamond jubilee as a Marianite of Holy Cross, was born in Manhattan and was the youngest of four siblings. She journeyed south to New Orleans, La., to enter the Marianites of Holy Cross in 1945, a decision made as the country was still feeling the impact of the conclusion of World War II. Eventually earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fordham University, New York City, Sister Margaret lived, taught and served as principal in numerous states along the East Coast.

She was a teacher in Louisiana and Connecticut, as well as a principal in schools in New York and Massachusetts. In the Diocese of Trenton, she served as provincial superior of the Marianites of Holy Cross in Our Lady of Princeton (now the Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart,) and worked many years in the diocesan Office of Vocations.

Upon her retirement from the Chancery office, she spent more than 10 years as sacramental secretary in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, before moving to her current residence in St. Mary’s Assisted Living on the campus of Morris Hall and St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, Lawrenceville.

Redemptorist Father Eugene Grohe Redemptorist Father Eugene Grohe was born in Fairview Park, Ohio, where priests at the local parish saw the love of Christ in him from a young age. He left for the minor seminary upon his eighth-grade graduation, professed his vows in

1945, and was ordained a priest at Mount St. Alphonsus, Esopus, N.Y., in 1950.

Father Grohe’s first assignment was as a missionary in the central part of Brazil, where he rode horseback to visit some outposts. In an interview for Liguori Magazine, the 95-year-old priest recalled, “I loved going out into the country.

You’d do 15 or 20 baptisms, and 10 or 12 marriages on a Sunday. It was very apostolic.”

At the end of his second year in Brazil, he contracted tuberculosis and was sent back to the United States to recuperate. He had surgery to remove part of his right lung.

After about a dozen years serving a parish outside Erie, Pa., Father Grohe arrived at Sacred Heart Parish, Esopus, where he remained for 50 years. He retired to the Redemptorists’ San Alphonso Retreat House, Long Branch, in 2019.

70 years

Dominican Sister Patricia Flynn Dominican Sister Patricia Flynn is a native of Paterson who earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. Over the course of her career as both an elementary and secondary teacher, she served in the (arch)dioceses of Trenton, Camden, Paterson, Newark and New York.

While in the Diocese of Trenton, Sister Patricia worked as a history teacher in St. Joseph High School, Toms River (now Donovan Catholic High School) from 1964 to 1965, and later as the elementary school principal of St. Mary School, Deal

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F

ollowing are the religious men and women who have made it their mission to teach what it means to love and serve like the Creator. These religious who serve or have served in the Diocese of Trenton are marking anniversaries of special note in 2020, and are featured here as a tribute to their valuable ministry to the Church.

Religio

Lives of Dedication

(now closed), from 1975 to 1984.

In 1972, she earned a master’s degree in American history from The Catholic Annive University, Washington, and s u continued her teaching career.

Over the years, she served as administrator of the Mount Saint Mary Convent in Newburgh, N.Y., and was coordinator of volunteers for the Literacy Volunteers of America organization in Elizabeth. She retired in 2010.

2020

Resurrection Sister Antoinette Nowosielski Sister Antoinette Nowosielski was born in Albany, N.Y. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Fordham University, N.Y. She completed advanced studies in speech education at The Catholic University of America, Washington. She holds teaching certification both in New York and the Trenton Diocese.

Sister Antoinette entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1946 in Castleton, N.Y. – the Provincial Home and House of Formation for the Province of St. Joseph. She made her final profession on Aug. 15, 1955, at the Congregation’s Generalate Home in Rome, Italy, after which she returned to her home Province in New York.

Sister Antoinette began teaching in 1954, and tutored students in St. Veronica School, Howell, through 2020. Much of her 60-year teaching career was spent with first-grade students in New York.

From 1982 to 1997, she was principal of St. Veronica School as well as superior of the local community. Sister retired to the Resurrection Sisters’ Provincial Home at the end of September.

Mercy Sister Maria Cordis Richey The daughter of Joseph and Florence Richey, Mercy Sister Maria Cordis Richey was born and raised in Princeton. She attended Continued on 16

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 15

In Focus

Religious share many gifts the town’s St. Paul School and Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, both staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. She earned an associate’s degree from Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood, and entered the religious order in 1950.

Sister Maria continued her education at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y., earning master’s and doctoral degrees in medieval and Renaissance literature. Meanwhile, she Anniv taught for five years in St. e us Mary High School, Perth Amboy.

Her assignment to Georgian Court College in 1957 began her collegial teaching ministry, which lasted more than five decades. As a teacher, she became a professor and chairwoman of the English department, a position she held for 33 years; in 1974, she was appointed president of the Mercy-run university.

Following her term as president, Sister Maria continued to teach courses in the English department until her 2011 retirement to Mount Saint Mary. She received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Georgian Court University in 2016.

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65 years

Conventual Franciscan Father Richard Rossell Father Richard Rossell, 85, grew up in Trenton, the son of Marcella and Ralph Rossell and one of five brothers.

He graduated from Trenton Catholic High School, going on to enter the Franciscan order in 1952 at the St. Francis Friary, Staten Island, N.Y. He completed his novitiate in Middleburg, N.Y., in 1955, and professed his first vows as a friar the same year. Father Rossell’s solemn procession followed in 1958. After completion of studies at the friars’ seminary, St. Anthony-on-Hudson, Rensselaer, N.Y., he was ordained on May 27, 1961, at the Cathedral in Albany, N.Y. Father Rossell’s first assignment as friar-priest

was in his alma mater, (now Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton) as high school teacher. He also taught in Canevin High School, Pittsburgh, Pa. “My favorite assignment was and is right here at St. Peter Parish and Friary in Point Pleasant – a wonderful town and such good people,” Father Rossell reflected of his current assignment in retirement as Guardian of the friary.

60 Years

Sister of St. Joseph Pat McGinley Sister Pat McGinley was born and raised in Philadelphia, and has ministered in schools and parishes throughout the country as well as the Diocese of Trenton.

Her areas of ministry have included teaching first grade; director of religious education in Marlton; director of the Department of Small Christian Communities, Newark; International office of Renew, Newark; pastoral associate in Wayside, Princeton Junction and Hainesport parishes; vicar for Ministry and Faith Formation, Diocese of Las Vegas; special executive assistant to the president of Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y.; and pastoral associate for St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville.

In addition to ministerial duties, Sister Pat served as consultant for Sadlier Book Company and National Propagation of the Faith, both Washington, D.C. She was a Mount Carmel Guild honoree in 2016.

Conventual Franciscan Brother Stephen Merrigann Conventual Franciscan Brother Stephen Merrigan made his first profession Sept. 24, 1960.

For 18 years, he was in the Provincial Satellite Offices in Rensselaer, N.Y., where he worked with the lay staff members.

He is currently retired to St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, where, he says, “I now have started

16 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

my new ‘career.’”

“As I look at 60 years as a professed Conventual Franciscan friar, I realize that time sure flies,” he said. “I look at every day as a 78-year-old and think of my many brother friars I have met and with whom I have lived.

“I have served in many different jobs, in several friaries and cities. When I think of what I have done, I know that I could not have done any of it without the support and good examples of all of the friars who have helped me when I needed them,” he said.

55 Years

Sisters of Charity Margaret Conlon Sister Margaret Conlon entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 6, 1965. She is presently the program director at Emmaus House, Ocean Grove.

She also ministered at the Academy of St. Aloysius High School and St. Aloysius School, both in Jersey City, and the College of Saint Elizabeth (presently Saint Elizabeth University), Convent Station.

Franciscan Father Andrew Reitz Father Andrew Reitz was born in Olean, N.Y., later moving to Allegany, where his family worshipped at St. Bonaventure Church.

During his sophomore year in the city’s St. Bonaventure University, he began considering religious life, joining the Order of Friars Minor soon after. He attended St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and was received into the Franciscan Order in 1964. He professed his first vows as a Franciscan friar July 15, 1965, the Feast of St. Bonaventure.

Father Andrew, a member of Holy Name Province, received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1967 from St. Bonaventure University before he professed final vows in 1969. He earned a master’s in theology in 1972 from Augustinian College.

Following his ordination in 1971, he was

assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach, and stayed 13 years. After several years of formation work, he returned to the parish as pastor in 1996 for another nine-year assignment.

In 2005, he was assigned to Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, Fla.; he was the first Franciscan pastor of this parish. Six years later, Father Reitz became pastor in St. Francis of Assisi in New York City. He returned to the Jersey Shore’s St. Francis of Assisi Parish as a parochial vicar in September.

50 Years

Mercy Sister Catherine C. Darcy Mercy Sister Catherine C. Darcy grew up in Red Bank, where she attended the town’s St. James School and Red Bank Catholic High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Georgian Court College, now University, Lakewood, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University of Chicago.

Sister Catherine, a canon lawyer, earned her doctor of cannon law (JCD) degree from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; a doctoral degree (PhD) in canon law from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and a licentiate in canon law (JCL) from The Catholic University of America, Washington.

Sister Catherine entered the convent as a 20-year-old in 1970, professing perpetual vows as a Sister of Mercy in 1978.

In the Diocese of Trenton, Sister Catherine served for five years as a judge of the diocesan Tribunal and was a canon law instructor in a training program for permanent deacons from 1994 to 1995. She served in various parishes of the Diocese, including some as a pastoral associate, and as a consultant to the diocesan synod implementation committee from 1992 to 1996. She also taught religion and mathematics in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.

Over the course of her ministry, she has served as chancellor, judge and administrative director of the tribunal in the Diocese of Las Cruces, N.M., for eight years, and as an adjunct professor of canon law in Georgian Court University, Lakewood, where she was also the director of the Office of Service Learning. She was named as vice chancellor of the

Diocese of Camden and a tribunal judge in 2009.

In 2017, she was named director of mission integration at Mercy Hospital Ada, part of the Mercy network of hospitals and clinics.

Sister Catherine has also served on several social justice committees in both her religious congregation and diocesan assignments, including working on migration concerns at the U.S./Mexico border.

Conventional Franciscan Brother Jim Moore Brother Jim Moore grew up in an Irish-Italian family in Syracuse, N.Y., with four siblings.

He credited the influence of elementary and secondary school teachers – the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet – for inspiring his own call to the Franciscan community.

Brother Jim entered the Conventual Franciscan Friars on Sept. 5, 1968, as a religious brother, accepting the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. He made his first profession of vows in 1970.

He currently serves in St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, and is friary guardian.

He has served as a high school teacher, vocation director, formation director, university campus minister and spiritual director. Brother Jim also served on his Franciscan community’s leadership team.

“I was also fortunate to be the founder of a yearlong, nonprofit volunteer service program for young adults (FrancisCorps),” he noted.

“God has certainly been good,” he continued.

40 Years

Christian Brother Frank Byrne Christian Brother Frank Byrne grew up in Shrewsbury, the son of Richard and Clair Byrne, and one of five children.

He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1975 and went on to receive a bachelor’s of business administration in accounting from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind., in 1979. After graduation,

Brother Frank began working with the Brothers of the Christian Schools in St. Raymond High School, Bronx, N.Y., and later in La Salle Academy, New York City.

From 1989 to 1992, he worked as the vocation director for the New York Province, and then returned to St. Raymond’s as principal from 1993 to 2002. Brother Frank was elected as the head of the New York Province of Brothers in 2002, and served in this position for seven years. In September 2009, Brother Frank began his term as president of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft.

Brother Frank received a master of science degree in religious education from Fordham University, New York City, and a professional diploma from Manhattan College for school administration. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Calvert Hall, Manhattan College, Christian Brothers Academy, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore.

He is a member of the Manhattan College Pipes & Drums and the Christian Brothers Academy Pipes & Drums.

25 Years

Franciscan Father Scott Brookbank Father Scott Brookbank, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary since his first profession as a Franciscan friar, grew up in Rochester, N.Y., as part of a devout Catholic family active in their parish.

The youngest of three sons, Father Brookbank graduated with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and a master’s degree in special education, both from Nazareth College, Rochester.

He served as a public school special education teacher in upstate New York for five years, leaving the field in 1993 to enter the Holy Name Province’s postulant program at St. Francis Friary in Rye Beach, N.H. In formation with the order from 1995 to 1998 at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Maryland, he decided not to seek ordination and instead obtained a degree in pastoral counseling at nearby Loyola University.

He completed a one-year internship as director of guidance at Paterson Catholic High School, N.J., Continued on 45

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 17

Viewpoints

The tomb of St. Francis of Assisi is pictured in the crypt of the basilica named after the saint in Assisi, Italy. CNS

New encyclical: a critical roadmap for the world

photo/Paul Haring

GUEST COMMENTARY Catholic News Service

The following unsigned editorial was first published Sept. 17 on the website of The Catholic Register, the Toronto-based national Catholic Canadian newspaper. It is provided here through Catholic News Service.

T

he Pope’s first official trip outside Rome in more than seven months couldn’t come at a better, or more critical, time.

On Oct. 3, Pope Francis [will have made] the 110-mile journey to the central Italian town of Assisi, birthplace of his papal namesake St. Francis, to sign his encyclical titled “Fratelli Tutti.” (In English, that’s literally “Brothers All,” though Vatican insiders are quick to point out it

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is obviously meant to cover all humanity – the St. Francis-inspired title is, by encyclical tradition, simply drawn from the first words of the text.)

It is the third encyclical of Pope Francis’ papacy and the first since “Laudato Si’” in 2015. Whether by design or not, it is perfectly timed for a world that is desperately trying to release itself from the clutches of COVID-19. We don’t know all the content of the encyclical, of course, but Vatican officials say the theme is “fraternity and social friendship.”

That’s a pretty broad description, but if you want details, we probably need only to look at recent speeches given by the Pope, laying out our responsibility to uphold Catholic social teaching and, simply put, take care of one another. That comes in many forms, but in essence it is building a world of social and economic equality.

The Pope has spoken many times during the pandemic of how this virus has exposed so many of the world’s social ills, never mind the fragility of the human race. As economies and social institutions, and even our churches, shut down and isolation became a new norm, we saw the devastating results on populations already marginalized, from the poor and elderly, to the migrants and refugees and displaced persons. The vulnerable became even more vulnerable.

As we’ve discovered, without solidarity, without equality and dignity for all, we all suffer. The Pope, time and again in refer-

18 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

encing the pandemic, has been challenging us all to rethink our world and how people and countries deal with one another on every level. The Vatican itself is taking on the challenge with a task force looking at the Church’s role in response to the pandemic and the post-COVID world.

The impact of this encyclical has yet to be determined, of course, but if his last one, “Laudato Si’,” is any indication, “Fratelli Tutti” is the road map the world could use at this critical juncture.

There’s no question that the 2005 encyclical on care for our common home was of landmark status, hailed as one of the most important papal documents of the last century. Just as “Laudato Si’” cast the environment in a new light, indications are “Fratelli Tutti’s” themes will emphatically draw our attention to the human condition.

Fittingly, the Pope will [have signed] the document at the Assisi convent where St. Francis is entombed. Father Mauro Gambetti, custodian of the convent, says the encyclical “will indicate to the world a style for the future and will give the Church and people of goodwill the responsibility for building it together.”

One thing is certain – it will be a “must-read.”

The views or positions presented in this or any guest editorial are those of the originating 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.

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October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 19

Diocese

Father Thomas J. Triggs, former pastor, remembered as faithful servant

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

F

ather Thomas J. Triggs, the retired pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, who died Sept. 17 on his 73rd birthday, was remembered as a priest who lived out his saying ‘yes’ to God through his preaching and service.

“It was how God made him,” Father Francis “Hank” Hilton, said in his homily during the Sept. 22 Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Victories Church, Sayreville, which was Father Triggs’ home parish.

Funeral services began Sept. 21 with calling hours in Maliszewski Memorial Home, Sayreville, during which Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and a contingent of priests from the Diocese paid their respects to family and bid farewell to the priest, who served the Diocese of Trenton for 45 years.

At the funeral Mass, four priests from the Trenton Diocese joined Father Hilton at the altar as concelebrants: Msgr.

Casimir Ladzinski, a retired priest of the Diocese; Father John K. Butler, pastor of St. Michael Parish, West End; Father Jeffrey Lee, pastor of the Colts Neck parish, and Father John Chang, parochial vicar of St. Veronica Parish, Howell. Deacon Fred

Sorrentino, a retired deacon who formerly served in Colts Neck, assisted.

Reflecting on the Readings that were proclaimed, Father Hilton, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, likened Father Triggs to the “just man” in the Book of Wisdom saying, “Tom labored to make the world the way God wants it to be.”

Turning to the Second Reading from the Acts of the Apostles when Jesus commissions his disciples, Father Hilton said that “Tom said ‘yes’ to God by accepting the commission to preach God’s Good News to God’s beloved.

“And like the crucified Christ who said ‘yes’ to the repentant thief, Father Triggs said ‘yes’ to God and to others even in his last years, when his physical condition had failed him,” Father Hilton said.

Father Triggs was born in Perth Amboy to Joseph Sr. and Emily (Hozeny) Triggs. He attended Our Lady of Victories Grammar School, Sayreville, and was a 1965 graduate of St. Mary High School, South Amboy, and a 1969 graduate of Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind., from where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He prepared for the priesthood in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, earning a master of divinity degree in 1975. He was ordained a priest May

Father Francis Hilton celebrates the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Thomas J. Triggs, a retired pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, who died Sept. 17. The Sept. 22 Mass in Sayreville was concelebrated by priests from the Diocese of Trenton.

John Batkowski photo

20 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

17, 1975, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

His first assignment as a priest was Father Thomas as parochial vicar in J. Triggs St. Francis Parish, Metuchen. Subsequent assignments as parochial vicar followed in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown; St. Mary Parish, Middletown, and St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor. He was named to his first pastorate in St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, remaining there for 15 years until he was named pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, in 2007. Father Triggs retired from active ministry in 2015; in retirement, he lived in Sayreville until his recent move to St. Joseph Senior Home, Woodbridge.

Father Triggs is survived by his brother, Joseph Jr. (Elizabeth) Triggs; a niece, Maureen (Richard) Nemshick; a nephew Timothy (Deborah) Triggs, and a great-grandniece, Sarah Nemshick, all of Sayreville.

Burial was in New Calvary Cemetery, Parlin. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.

Diocese

bishop letter page

Continuing efforts to reach ACA goal will help parishes with local projects

Thank you for your generosity.

BY PHONE: Call our Department of Development at 609-403-7197 with your credit card information.

Diocese of Trenton PO Box 70170 Newark, NJ 07101

we, together, may continue the work of strengthening parish and family life, evangelizing our community and our world, and reaching out to those in need with love and compassion.”

In St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, the rebate from the 2019 Appeal was utilized for projects both inside and outside its campus: LED lighting was installed in the parking lot; the sound system was upgraded both in the church and parish hall, and supplies necessary to livestream Masses over Facebook

Your donation is important in building up our Church. Gifts of cash, check, money order, credit card or electronic transfers from your bank account are gratefully accepted. Gifts of stock, IRA distributions, bequests and charitable annuities can be coordinated by contacting the Department of Development at 609-403-7197.

Your Gift Matters!

BY MAIL: Send a check or money order to our processing center, made payable to AnnuAl CAtholiC AppeAl:

ONLINE: Access our secure website at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal to easily make a pledge, payment or outright gift.

Three Ways to Make Your Donation

DIOCESE of TRENTON

R

aising funds for the work of the Church in the midst of a public health emergency and its accompanying financial crisis presents serious challenges by any measure.

However, those administering the Annual Catholic Appeal for the Diocese of Trenton know that people will respond as they are able when they fully understand the needs and the benefits of making a financial gift.

Key to that understanding is knowing how the Appeal supports local parish needs through its rebate program. In fact, an estimated $500,000 each year is awarded back to the parishes from the donations to the Appeal.

The 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal, which was introduced in February in all parishes of the Diocese, drew its theme from the words of St. Augustine: “God gives where he finds empty hands . . . So should we.”

For the first time, the Appeal was organized to allow for donors to select the specific ministry or ministries they wish to support. Individuals may choose between such needs as seminarian formation and support of retired priests; teaching the faith through evangelization and communications, and helping the poor and marginalized through community outreach, to name but a few.

According to Stephen J. Nicholl,  “We are so director of the Diocese’s Department of Development, the response to the grateful that ACA has been hopeful, despite the parishioners many challenges facing all those in the diocesan family resulting from the have greatly pandemic. Looking to engage more prospective donors, he explained, supported the efforts must continue to reach the $7 million goal of this year’s campaign.

ACA.”  “Of the people who gave to last year’s Appeal, 3/4 gave to the 2020 Appeal at the beginning of this year (before the pandemic hit),” Nicholl said. However, he continued, “nearly 7,000 of those who gave last year have not yet given this year. We have $5 million in pledges, but donations are down about 10 percent from a more typical year, and that is resulting in a shortfall of about $600,000.”

To address that concern, a letter from Nicholl has just been sent to 29,000 members of the Diocese asking that they re-examine their circumstances and consider a donation to the ACA. “Acknowledging that many of you may be facing financial strain at this time,” the letter reads, “if your means allow, I ask that you consider a gift to the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal so

2020 Annual Catholic Appeal

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

“God gives where he finds empty hands.”

- St. Augustine

...So should we 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal

DIOCESE of TRENTON

and on YouTube were purchased. Parish business manager Eileen Kane noted the ACA rebate “lets the parishioners know their contributions do matter, and we put them to good use at the parish.”

According to parish ACA coordinator George Loder of St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, the pastor, Conventual Franciscan Father Pedro de Oliveira, used the rebate to solve a longstanding problem.

“The money we received was used by Father Pedro to buy one new window as part of the stained glass improvement project,” Loder said. “It was the last window needed to complete the project that used monies from the ‘Faith to Move Mountains’ capital campaign. All windows in our church have been replaced.”

“We have used the ACA money for some of the COVID-19 expenses,” said Msgr. Edward Arnister, pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, “primarily … right at the beginning of the pandemic, to put in the livestream capability in our church. This was quite costly, over $25,000, but very well appreciated by the parishioners and others! We livestream daily Mass and weekend Mass. … We are so grateful that parishioners have greatly supported the ACA!” In his follow-up October letter, Nicholl reminds prospective donors that their work is crucial to the spiritual life of the Diocese and its churches.

“Although we have been through a lot,” the letter states, “we are all truly blessed. We may have more hardship to endure, but we are still the Church and our mission never stops! Please continue to support your parish and the Diocese as we all work together to serve the spiritual and material needs in our communities.”

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 21

Diocese

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced assignments of the following religious order priests to parishes in the Diocese of Trenton:

Staff photo

Clergy Assignments Ministrare Non Ministrari

 Rev. Francis J. DiSpigno, OFM, pastor, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Beach Haven, effective Sept. 8, 2020  Rev. Andrew Reitz, OFM, parochial vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Beach Haven, effective Sept. 8, 2020  Rev. Stephen E. Kluge, OFM, parochial vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Beach Haven, effective Sept. 8, 2020  Rev. Jan Stanislaw Pastuszczak, SVD, parochial vicar, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Lakewood, effective Sept. 8, 2020  Rev. Brandon Help Nguyen, SVD, resident with diocesan faculties, Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park, effective Aug. 15, 2020

WEBINAR FOR PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADERS TO FOCUS ON ENGAGING FAMILIES The annual convocation for parish catechetical leaders in the Diocese will take place as planned Oct. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, participants will attend via computer.

The convocation will focus on how to engage families through faith formation in their parishes. The featured speaker will be Paul Canavese, director of the Pastoral Center, a family-owned business and ministry that assists colleagues in the pastoral ministry field.

“Paul will give some practical tools to engage families now and past the pandemic,” according to Denise Contino, director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis, the host of the convocation along with the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Canavese will also discuss resources that the Diocese had purchased for all parishes.

Another highlight will be the presentation of the Chick McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Leadership. The award is named after Rosemarie “Chick” McGinty, director of the diocesan Office of Catechesis from 1986 to 2003.

Registration details and more information on the webinar may be found at dioceseoftrenton.org/ PCL-Convocation or by contacting Debbie D’Agostaro at ddagos@dioceseoftrenton.org. ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor 22 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Bishop to celebrate Catholic Schools Mass via video available Oct. 15

E

ach fall for nearly 10 years, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has brought Catholic school students from around the Diocese together for the annual Catholic School Mass.

This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Mass is being celebrated by Bishop O’Connell and a few priests in advance and made available to the schools and general public via video recording. It will be posted for viewing as of midnight Oct. 15 on youtube.com/trentondiocese.

Bishop O’Connell would “never let anything stop him from being with the children of our Catholic schools,” said Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. “I think we made the best of what is considered to be the ‘new COVID world.’” ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor

MASS FOR VENERABLE FATHER MCGIVNEY, KNIGHTS’ FOUNDER, SLATED FOR NOV. 14 Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will be the principal celebrant and homilist of a Mass to celebrate the beatification of Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.

The Mass, set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, is expected to be attended by a limited number of Knights and their spouses due to COVID-19 restrictions. It also will be livestreamed on youtube.com/trentondiocese.

At the Mass, Bishop O’Connell will bless a portrait of Father McGivney he has commissioned as a gift to the Knights of the Diocese, and it will be installed in the Co-Cathedral in honor of the fraternal organization’s members.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications and Media at dotcomm@DioceseofTrenton.org.

Diocese

Guadalupe Torches, Tribute Wall to invite prayers for All Souls

T

he fifth annual celebration of Las Antorchas Guadalupanas – Torches of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “A Season of Remembrance” – will take on new meaning in this year of the coronavirus.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had such a harsh impact on our community, especially families that have had to grieve the death of a loved one,” said Josue Arriola, director of the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life. “Our faith indeed provides the strength and light we need at such times. We are also confident that we can turn to Mary, our Mother, as an advocate and sure comfort.”

Kicking off the monthlong traversing of torches throughout the Diocese of Trenton, a remembrance service and lighting of the torches will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold. The event will be streamed live online at www.youtube. com/trentondiocese. Attendance will be limited to five people per parish due to pandemic restrictions. To reserve a space, call the Department of Evangelization and Family Life at 609-403-7151.

“This year, the procession with the Torches of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be dedicated to the memory of those who have succumbed to the coronavirus or any other illness or circumstances, and their grieving families,” Arriola noted. “It is fitting that we do this during November, the month dedicated to the faithful departed. As they make their way throughout the Diocese, the torches will be a vivid reminder to implore Our Lady to intercede for the departed members of our diocesan family and to keep all who grieve close to her heart.”

As in prior years, each torch will make its way through various parishes, schools and Catholic service organizations, where it will be “an opportunity for parish ministers and groups to pray the Rosary of Our

Craig Pittelli photo

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Lady of Guadalupe for the holy souls each day that week,” Arriola explained.

The closing Mass in December will be livestreamed from St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Similar to years’ past, there will be a procession through the streets of Trenton. However, due to the pandemic, faithful are invited to the Cathedral only. The procession will consist of a select few with the Blessed Sacrament and a statue of the Blessed Mother. Once it reaches the Cathedral, those gathered can process around the Cathedral square with social distancing and face masks required.

For 2020, a Tribute Wall Memorial – available at dioceseoftrenton.org/tribute-wall – will allow faithful to enter the names of those who have died this year.

“Tributes and memorials are a wealth of healing and support for those who have

just lost a loved one,” Arriola said. “We are encouraging everybody to add the names of their deceased loved one on the diocesan Tribute Wall Memorial, and dedicate a message to those who, because of the COVID-19 virus or any other illness or circumstance, have lost their lives.”

During the Oct. 31 remembrance service, the names on the Tribute Wall will be called out individually, initiating the month of prayer for All Souls in November, Arriola said.

“It is our human nature to want to remember those who have gone to be with the Lord,” he continued. “It symbolizes acknowledgment and closeness, and sometimes the road to healing, acceptance, and peace begins with remembrance.”

For updated information, visit www. dioceseoftrenton.org/guadalupe.

CHAPLAINS FOCUS OF PASTORAL CARE WEEK OCT. 25-31 Pastoral Care Week will take place Oct. 2531, with the theme “Collaborative Health Care: Chaplains Complete the Picture.”

Celebrated annually in October since 1985, Pastoral Care Week (or Spiritual Care Week) provides an opportunity for chaplains, pastoral care counselors, educators and providers to share their story and celebrate various ministries. Objectives of the week include expressing appreciation for pastoral care practitioners and to promote continuing education for clergy, laity and institutional employees regarding the value of pastoral care.

This year’s theme is based on the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words,” encouraging professionals and constituents throughout health care environments to “view the work of chaplains through a lens whereby they collaborate to provide holistic interdisciplinary

care that otherwise would not be complete if the chaplain were not included,” explained The COMISS Network: The Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings, which hosts the annual observance.

Caring for the spiritual needs of a patient, Catholics recognize, is essential – and having the presence of a chaplain as part of an interdisciplinary health care team makes them “visible and regarded as an integral part of patient care,” the organization says. ​For more information, visit www.spiritualcareweek.org.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Ministry during pandemic is time of blessings, challenges for chaplains in Trenton Diocese.

Visit TrentonMonitor.com>Faith&Culture

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 23

Respect Life

‘I have come that they may have life and have it to the full’

I

am convinced, after almost 65 years on this earth, that all of the problems impacting us in this world of ours derive from a single root cause: the failure to “respect life in all its stages, from conception to natural death.”

Abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment; acts of terror and war; escalating crime; violence and wanton killing of innocents; domestic and sexual abuse; drugs and gang crimes; the immigration crisis; poverty and inequality; discrimination and injustice; racism and hatred; breakdown of the family; blatant disregard for the environment — these are all “life issues” because they tear at the most basic obligation of every human: to respect life.

Think about it for a moment.

Of all these failures to respect life, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have declared in their regular, pre-national election statement, “Forming Consciences for  The Church invites Faithful Citizenship”: The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priorus all to consider ity because it directly attacks every means at our life itself, because it takes disposal to advocate place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the on behalf of every number of lives destroyed.

At the same time, we cannot human life.  dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty. Our efforts to protect the unborn remain as important as ever, for just as the Supreme Court may allow greater latitude for state laws restricting abortion, state legislators have passed statutes not only keeping abortion legal through all nine months of pregnancy but opening the door to infanticide. Additionally, abortion contaminates many other important issues by being inserted into legislation regarding immigration, care for the poor, and health care reform. … Human life is sacred. The dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Direct attacks on 24 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.

innocent persons are never morally acceptable, at any stage or in any condition. In our society, human life is especially under direct attack from abortion, which some political actors mischaracterize as an issue of “women’s health.”

Other direct threats to the sanctity of human life include euthanasia and assisted suicide (sometimes falsely labelled as “death with dignity”), human cloning, in vitro fertilization, and the destruction of human embryos for research.

The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith recently released a letter addressing another assault on life, euthanasia and assisted suicide, in which the CDF states: “Euthanasia, therefore, is an intrinsically evil act, in every situation or circumstance. In the past the Church has already affirmed in a definitive way “that euthanasia is a grave violation of the Law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written Word of God, is transmitted by the Church’s Tradition and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium. Depending on the circumstances, this practice involves the malice proper to suicide or murder.” Any formal or immediate material cooperation in such an act is a grave sin against human life: “No authority can legitimately recommend or permit such an action.

For it is a question of the violation of the divine law, an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life, and an attack on humanity.”

October is “Respect Life Month” in the Catholic Church in the United States. Beginning on the weekend of October 3-4, all Catholics are called to celebrate our Church’s commitment to

Respect Life

For More Information Respect Life Month materials – including action and study guides, reflections, prayers, photos/graphics and more – are available from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at www.respectlife.org/2020.

respect life in all its stages. Taking as our theme “Live the Gospel of Life,” the Church invites us all to consider every means at our disposal to advocate on behalf of every human life.

To believe in God as Creator requires that we must believe that God is the author of life, all life, every life. It is not merely the logical conclusion of that belief: it is the only conclusion.

And if that is what we believe; if that is the only conclusion that we can derive from our common human experience, how can anyone reasonably not respect life in all its stages?

Even those who do not believe in God as Creator have to admit that respect and care for life must be the thing that differentiates us, as human beings, from everything else that exists.

The survival of the human species depends on it. It is not only a

religious conviction, and it is certainly that. Respect for life is a profoundly human conviction, a dictate of human reason that, when joined to religious faith, elevates respect for life to the level of what is truly sacred about human existence.

One need not be a philosopher or theologian or even particularly intellectual to draw this conclusion. One need only to open one’s eyes, to draw a breath, to get out of bed in the morning, to hear another’s voice, to grasp another’s hand, to love another to know that life is worth living and a gift to be cherished.

And if one is not able to see or to breathe easily or to get out of bed or to hear or to grasp – for some reason known only to God our Creator – to love and to be loved is still possible and defines the purpose of our existence in this world.

Even God himself chose to take on flesh in Jesus Christ, to be born, to be loved by his family, to grow, to laugh, to cry, to make friends, to feel loneliness, to be understood by some and misunderstood by others, to be happy, to be sad, to give himself to others, to suffer for them out of love – in essence, to be fully human while fully divine – and in all of this, to show that human life is sacred, a gift of God, and worthy of respect without exception from conception until natural death.

We who follow Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life, cannot do otherwise than respect life in all its stages. To do less, regardless of any circumstance or situation that we can conceive of or experience, is to be less human, rejecting what God has created, rejecting what Jesus has redeemed in his own human body, rejecting what the Holy Spirit has sustained. On this earth, only the human being can truly respect life and know what that means and requires.

There is no other human choice but to do this.

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 25

Respect Life

A patient smiles as Dominican Sister Agnes Mary plays the piano at Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, N.Y., where the nursing home staff provides palliative care to people with incurable cancer. CNS photo/ Gregory A. Shemitz

Vatican reaffirms Church teachings on end-of-life care

BY CAROL GLATZ  Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY • With the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia in the United States and around the world, and questions concerning what is morally permissible regarding end-of-life care, the Vatican’s doctrinal office has released a 25-page letter offering “a moral and practical clarification” on the care of vulnerable patients.

“The Church is convinced of the necessity to reaffirm as definitive teaching that euthanasia is a crime against human life because, in this act, one chooses directly to cause the death of another innocent human being,” the document said.

Titled, “Samaritanus bonus, on the Care of Persons in the Critical and Terminal Phases of Life,” the letter by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was approved by Pope Francis in June, and released to the public Sept. 22.

A new, “systematic pronouncement by the Holy See” was deemed necessary given a growing, global trend in legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide, and changing New Jersey attitudes and rules that legalized assisted harm the dignity of suicide in 2019, vulnerable patients, said allowing terminally Cardinal Luis Ladaria, ill adults to obtain congregation prefect. self-administered Cardinal Ladaria medication to said it was necessary end their lives. It is to reaffirm Church currently legal in teaching regarding the nine states and the District of Columbia. administration of the

Did You Know?

Sacraments to and pastoral care of patients who expressly request a medical end to their life.

“In order to receive absolution in the Sacrament of Penance, as well as with the Anointing of the Sick and the viaticum,” he said, the patients must demonstrate their intention to reverse their decision to end their life and to cancel their registration with any group appointed to grant their desire for euthanasia or assisted suicide.

In the letter’s section on “Pastoral discernment toward those who request euthanasia or assisted suicide,” it said a “priest could administer the Sacraments to an unconscious person ‘sub condicione’ if, on the basis of some signal given by the patient beforehand, he can presume his or her repentance.”

The Church’s ministers can still accompany patients who have made these end-of-life directives, it added, by showing “a willingness to listen and to help, together with a deeper explanation of the nature of the Sacrament, in order to provide the opportunity to desire and choose the sacrament up to the last moment.”

It is important to carefully look for “adequate signs of conversion, so that the faithful can reasonably ask for the reception of the Sacraments. To delay absolution is a medicinal act of the Church, intended not to condemn, but to lead the sinner to conversion,” it said.

However, it added, “those who spiritually assist these persons should avoid any gesture, such as remaining until the euthanasia is performed, that could be interpreted as approval of this action.”

Euthanasia involves “an action or an omission which of itself or by intention causes death, in order that all pain may in this way be eliminated.”

26 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Bishop stresses importance of Church’s stance on palliative care From a message to the faithful Sept. 22 from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.: “Samaritanus bonus” (The Good Samaritan), a newly published letter by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by the Pope, reiterates the condemnation of any form of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and advocates support for families and health care workers.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide, the Congregation teaches, constitute “an intrinsically evil act in every situation or circumstance” under whatever title is used (eg., “Death With Dignity”) and “any formal or material cooperation (cf. definitions in The Catechism of the Catholic Church) in such an act is a grave sin against human life.” This is especially significant for us in the state of New Jersey, where euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legalized.

The CDF considered the release of its letter important not simply to repeat the Church’s teaching that euthanasia and assisted suicide are gravely immoral – which could have been done in one or two sentences – but rather to address a spiritual crisis in Christianity and Catholicism, which leaves the final weeks or days or hours of life without meaning or purpose, without the spiritual sense present in the Church of a prior time that the final interval before death is a spiritual opportunity for both the sick person as well as those who care for him/ her to be more perfectly configured to the Lord Jesus Christ by sharing in his sufferings in expectation of his resurrection.

It is the absence of that spiritual sense that prompted the CDF’s letter more than simply the reassertion of the immorality of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

We Believe

‘Pray the

Rosary

A stained glass window of Our Lady of the Rosary in Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel in Morris Hall, Lawrenceville.

often, every day,’ Bishop says Following is a message from Bishop O’Connell on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Oct. 7.

I

was born and raised in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in Our Lady of Grace Parish in Penndel. Our parish school was served by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Dressed in traditional long blue habits, white wimples and black veils, the Sisters who taught us wore rosaries at their side.

I owe those Sisters a great deal as my vocation matured.

My earliest “Catholic memories” include praying the Rosary with them in school, a habit of prayer that I continue to the present day. I must confess that something deep inside of me takes real spiritual comfort as I “pray the beads” each day. The Rosary serves the purpose that Mary intended when she revealed it to St. Dominic in a legendary apparition in the early 13th century: It leads me to her Son by reflecting on the mysteries of his life.

Knotted prayer ropes were part of the spiritual life of the Desert Fathers, dating back to the fourth century. Originally used to recount the 150 psalms, these knotted ropes gradually took on the recollection of other common Christian prayers, including devotion to the Mother ONLY ON TRENTONMONITOR.COM:

• St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River, holds Rosary for Peace that united 80-plus parishioners and neighboring parishes.

• Altar-Rosary Society in St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Joe Moore photo

of God over the centuries since the Middle Ages. Popes and saints throughout the history of the Church developed their Marian focus and mentioned the Rosary in their writings and homilies.

Through repetition, touching the knots and beads of the Rosary became a means of prayerfully, reverently considering the life of the Lord Jesus through the eyes of Mary. In the 16th century, Pope Pius V organized the Rosary prayers into the three groups of mysteries we still use: the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the

 Devotion to the Mother of God is a distinctive element of the Catholic spiritual tradition.  Glorious Mysteries. Pope St. John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary in 2002.

Devotion to the Mother of God is a distinctive element of the Catholic spiritual tradition. As she was the human channel and means through which the Son of God entered the world, the Rosary has become the spiritual channel and means through which generations of priests, consecrated religious and lay faithful have come to know and prayerfully reflect upon his life and the mysteries of our faith and salvation.

This beautiful prayer accompanies

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.

our growth as we pursue our Catholic Christian life. It has become a prayer of our common memory and our rich spiritual heritage as sons and daughters of the Blessed Mother and as brothers and sisters of her Divine Son in the Church he has given us. She is, as the Second Vatican Council proclaimed, “Mother of the Church, Mater Ecclesiae.”

My brothers and sisters, it is difficult to imagine any progress in our spiritual life without her grace-filled presence, her powerful intercession, her loving maternal embrace.

In a general audience of Pope Francis, he once asked those gathered, “How many of you carry the Rosary?” Most of the crowd raised their hands. He then asked, “How many of you pray the Rosary?” I invite you to answer his questions.

As we celebrate this Eucharist, the last decade of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, on this Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, we participate in the life of Mary and the purpose and focus of her life, the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray the Rosary often, my brothers and sisters, every day. And say with trust and confidence, “Ave Maria ... pray for us now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 27

Pope Francis

CNS photo

MORE FROM POPE FRANCIS ONLINE:  Conversion is a daily battle that relies on God’s patience, Pope says

Church becomes sick when not proclaiming Gospel

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY • If the Church fails to go out and proclaim the Gospel to those who are lost or forgotten, it risks falling ill to the evil that is committed by its own members, Pope Francis says.

Just as God “calls everyone and calls always,” the Church must also “offer everyone the word of salvation that Jesus came to bring,” he said. “The Church needs to be like God: always going out; and when the Church does not go out, it becomes sick with the many evils we have in the Church.”

“And why are these illnesses in the Church?” he continued. “Because she does not go out. It is true that when someone goes out there is the danger of getting into an accident. But it is better a Church that gets into accidents because it goes out to proclaim the Gospel than a Church that is sick because it stays in.”

In his Angelus address Sept. 20, the Pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading in which Jesus recounts the parable of the landowner who goes out

several times a day to hire laborers for his vineyard. The Pope said that the image of the landowner going out repeatedly to look for workers was “touching” because it represents God who “acts this way.”

God, he said, “continues to call anyone, at whatever hour, to invite them to work in his Kingdom. This is God’s style, which we in turn are called to receive and to imitate. He does not stay shut in within his world, but ‘goes out.’”

The Pope also emphasized how the landowner paid all the employees the same no matter how long they had worked.

Pope Francis reminded the faithful that those who use human logic and complain that God’s compensation is not based on merits would do well to remember the first saint.

“Let us remember who was the first canonized saint in the Church: the good thief,” the Pope said. “He ‘stole’ paradise at the last minute of his life: this is grace. This is what God is like, even with us. Instead, those who try to think of their own merits, fail; those who humbly entrust themselves to the Father’s mercy, from being last – like the good thief – find themselves first.”

28 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

 Pope: Compassion for earth is vaccine against epidemic of indifference  Peacemaking needs versatile skill in light of Gospel, pontiff says

Pope Francis addresses the 75th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Sept. 25. CNS photo/Vatican Media

 The #GospelOfTheDay questions the way of living a Christian life, which is not made up of dreams or beautiful aspirations, but of concrete commitments. 

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October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 29

Church

Archbishop John J. Myers serves as co-consecrator at the episcopal ordination of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in this July 30, 2010, photo. Craig Pittelli photo

Archbishop John Myers, 79, helped calm N.J. Catholics after 9/11 attacks

BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE OTTAWA, Ill. • As Archbishop John J. Myers was installed to lead the Archdiocese of Newark in 2001, he inherited a faith community that was reeling from the 9/11 terrorist attacks on neighboring New York City.

Recognizing the difficulties people were facing, Archbishop Myers within two days of his installation released a pastoral message seeking to assuage the pain and suffering of families who had lost loved ones, provide spiritual guidance and counsel, and reinforce the Church’s teaching on God’s divine mercy.

Titled “If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us? Reflections on Faith and Terrorism,” the document offered words of condolences that illustrated the prelate’s concern for a flock shaken by the tragic events.

Archbishop Myers, who died in his t was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Most hometown of Ottawa Sept. 24 at age 79, Revered John J. Myers, Metropolitan Archbishop Archbishop John officiated at numerous funerals and services emeritus of the ecclesiastical province of Newark and for those who died in the World Trade J. Myers Archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Newark. Prior to Center attacks. his appointment to the See of Newark, he served as Bishop of Peoria Bishop Daniel R. Jenky announced the death of his Peoria, Illinois. predecessor “with deep sadness and yet with confidence in the A fellow alumnus of the School of Canon Law at The power of Christ’s Resurrection.”

Catholic University of America, Archbishop Myers was an Meanwhile, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark offered active member of its Board of Trustees and Finance Comprayers and condolences to Archbishop Myers’ family after mittee for many years. It was there that we first became learning of his death. acquainted. Over the years, we became good friends and “Let us thank God for Archbishop Myers’ service and his love collaborators. of our Church. I entrust him to the loving arms of our Blessed Taking as his episcopal motto “Mysterium Ecclesiae Mother Mary, and I pray that our Lord grant him peace,” CardiLuceat (let the ‘Mystery of the Church Shine Forth’),” Archnal Tobin said in a statement released by the Archdiocese. bishop Myers was well known for his staunch support of Archbishop Myers arrived in Newark from Peoria, where he Catholic Church teachings. He was an active canon lawyer had been appointed co-adjutor bishop in 1987. He acceded to and a consultor to the Holy See on legislative texts. the seat of Bishop of Peoria Jan. 23, 1990.

I invited Archbishop Myers to serve as co-consecrator He served in Newark for 15 years before his retirement at age at my episcopal ordination in St. Mary of the Assumption 75 in 2016. The archbishop guided the Archdiocese through two Cathedral in Trenton July 30, 2010, and we participated initiatives that focused on parish and community participation together in the New Jersey Catholic Conference along with that served to strengthen the presence of schools and churches in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. their locales and allowed parishes to adapt to demographic shifts Archbishop Myers had a great sense of humor and a keen in northern New Jersey. interest in literature, especially science fiction. He himself Born July 26, 1941, in Ottawa, Ill., John Joseph Myers was the was an author. In more recent years, due to steadily declinoldest of seven children of Jack and Margaret Myers. He attending health, Archbishop Myers returned to his native Peoria ed Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, originally intending to be a to be with his family. lawyer. It was during a retreat in his freshman year that he began May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed to seriously consider the priesthood. through the mercy of God rest in peace.

After earning a political science degree from Loras, Peoria Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D. Bishop John B. Franz sent him to Rome to attend the seminary Bishop of Trenton Continued on 65 Ministrare Non Ministrari

I

30 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Bishop O’Connell issues statement on death of Archbishop John J. Myers

Church  Visitors look at a Caravaggio painting titled “St. Jerome Writing” during an exhibition at the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Pope Francis released “Scripturae Sacrae affectus” (“Devotion to Sacred Scripture”), a new apostolic letter on the Bible, Sept. 30, coinciding with the 1,600th anniversary of St. Jerome’s death. CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters

POPE RELEASES APOSTOLIC LETTER ON SACRED SCRIPTURE VATICAN CITY  In an apostolic letter dedicated to Sacred Scripture, Pope Francis said that even today, Christians can learn new things from the countless translations of the Bible that exist. The variety of translations of the Bible in the world today “teaches us that the values and positive forms of every culture represent an enrichment for the whole Church,” the Pope said in his new apostolic letter, “Scripturae Sacrae affectus” (“Devotion to Sacred Scripture”). Pope Francis signed the letter Sept. 30 on the 16th centenary of the death of St. Jerome, the “great doctor and father of the Church, who put the Bible at the centre of his life.” Pope Francis writes, “The different ways by which the word of God is proclaimed, understood and experienced in each new translation enrich Scripture itself since, according to the wellknown expression of Gregory the Great, Scripture grows with the reader, taking on new accents and new resonance throughout the centuries.”

VATICAN PROPOSES RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON BISHOPS’ APPOINTMENTS VATICAN CITY  The Vatican has proposed to the Chinese government that they extend an agreement signed in 2018 regarding the appointment of bishops. The agreement, the details of which have never been made public, is set to expire Oct. 22. “By October, a decision is expected regarding the Vatican proposal to extend the provisional agreement ‘ad experimentum’ (on an experimental basis),” wrote Andrea Tornielli, of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication. The pandemic slowed negotiations over extending the agreement, Tornielli said, but “the results have been positive, although limited.”

“God gives where he finds empty hands.”

- St. Augustine

...So should we 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal The power to choose the ministries you want to support.

FIND OUT MORE...

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October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 31

World & Nation

PRO-LIFE LEADERS WELCOME ‘BORN ALIVE EXECUTIVE ORDER’ ANNOUNCED BY TRUMP

Federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th Circuit is has been nominated to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat left vacant by the Sept. 18 death of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters

Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination gives spotlight to Notre Dame Law School WASHINGTON • Eight days after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Donald Trump announced Sept. 26 that Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a judge on the Chicago-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, is his nominee to fill that seat.

If she is confirmed to the Supreme Court, she will be the first Notre Dame Law School graduate to sit on the bench of the nation’s highest court and the only sitting justice with a law degree not from Harvard or Yale.

Notre Dame Law School, in South Bend, Indiana, is not just Barrett’s past but very much still a part of her life now since she continues to be on its faculty while serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. She began working at the law school in 2002 as a law professor focused on federal courts, constitutional law and statutory interpretation. She has been named distinguished professor of the year by three of the law school’s graduating classes.

Marcus Cole, the law school’s dean, described Barrett as an “absolutely brilliant legal scholar and jurist. She is also one of the most popular teachers we have ever had here at Notre Dame Law School.”

And on a personal note, Cole said Barrett “is one of the most thoughtful, open-minded, considerate and kind people I have ever met. She lives a life of humility and grace, devoted to her family and community. Judge Barrett has served our nation with true distinction from the bench and would continue to do so if she were confirmed.”

32 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

WASHINGTON • The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee applauded President Donald Trump’s signing the “Born Alive Executive Order” to ensure babies born alive receive care.

The order, which Trump signed the evening of Sept. 25, means “babies born prematurely or with disabilities receive a basic medical assessment and appropriate care as required by our federal laws,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. “In addition to our laws, basic human rights demand that no baby born alive should be abandoned and left to die due to being disabled or premature.” Trump’s action orders the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to make certain federally funded facilities comply with current law to provide life-saving medical care for infants who survive abortions, are born prematurely or are born with disabilities. The order also calls for more funding for research “to improve outcomes” for these babies.

CATHOLIC OFFICIALS URGE CONGRESS, TRUMP TO ADOPT NEW COVID-19 AID BILL WASHINGTON • Top officials at seven nationwide Catholic organizations called on congressional leaders and President Donald Trump to unite behind a new legislative package to “address the public health and economic crisis facing our country and the global community” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saying that the pandemic is causing widespread economic challenges to families and the unemployed as well as their respective agencies, the officials urged Congress and the White House to “put aside partisan politics and prioritize human life and the common good” by advancing talks on a new aid bill.

Their plea came in a letter to Republican and Democratic congressional leaders and the president as negotiations on the bill came to a standstill. The text of the joint letter was released midday Sept. 28 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other groups that signed on to it. Disagreement in Congress has emerged over the size and extent of the relief package.

USCCB’S JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS CAMPAIGN MARKS 15 YEARS OF ADVOCACY WASHINGTON • The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is marking the 15th anniversary of the Justice for Immigrants campaign “to unite and mobilize” Catholic organizations and individuals “to welcome, protect, promote and integrate immigrants and refugees coming to and living in the United States.” In that time, the campaign and the Catholic Church as a whole have accomplished much “to advance the humane treatment and legalization for immigrants,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the USCCB, and Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington, who is chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration.

But “that work is far from done,” the prelates said. “Our efforts are rooted in the Gospel and the need to recognize the face of Jesus in every person. We will continue our work to educate Catholics about the Church’s teaching on promoting the human dignity of every person, including the immigrant and the refugee.”

Courtesy photo

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

In person or online, open houses geared to give families the full high school experience

BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

atholic high schools in the Diocese of Trenton have been working diligently to ensure that their annual open houses – whether in person or online – convey a crucial message.

“We want parents to see the hard work our students put in to not only their academics, but also their faith,” said Maryanne Bedford, director of admissions for St. Rose High School, Belmar.

With groups of people limited for safety reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic, schools are

C

Continued on 34

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 33

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

Catholic schools move forward with Open Houses Continued from 33

Gugai/Freepik image

making use of smaller, in-person open house tours or streaming technology to show what their Catholic schools have to offer.

“Catholic educators continue to persevere even when faced with the challenges of the pandemic. Our primary purpose is to teach students, guided by the Gospel values and Roman Catholic traditions,” said Margaret Kane, principal of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel.

As part of its open house season, the school is holding in-person tours by appointment, limiting the number of tours per day.

“Catholic schools have been able to open this fall because we are driven to give students the best learning experience possible in the safest environment,” said Kane, stressing the importance of keeping the student body and visitors healthy. “Students will always come first in Catholic schools.”

Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, decided to hold on-campus open houses, taking the one large annual event and splitting it into three. Families must pre-register for the onehour blocks, with no more than 10 families allowed on campus at a time.

“Every family who attends will receive a private tour of campus, led by a student, before having the opportunity to speak with faculty, administration and parents to address any questions they may have,” said David Moffa, assistant principal and director of admissions. “We are also offering private family tours after school hours during the week.”

He continued, “While the events are certainly different, the new setup pro-

34 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

vides a more intimate, personalized experience for each family.”

Bedford explained that she has been available for daily in-person tours after school at St. Rose, as well as phone and video chats. “We will be opening up more in person events as soon as we can safely have groups of visitors on campus,” she assured.

All three schools also have virtual tours planned – pre-recorded as well  “We are as live phone or video calls.

“Our Virtual Open Houses prodriven to give gram will begin Oct. 9. We will run several live, and pre-recorded events,” students the Bedford said, noting, “With virtual best learning events, sometimes it is hard to get a real feel for the school community, experience but parents should know that, even though things are different right now, possible.”  we are still helping to guide students on their faith journey.”

Moffa said Holy Cross Prep is holding virtual admissions meetings for people who feel more comfortable speaking from home. “Our students are also putting together videos to document their student experience so that eighth-graders may get an idea what a school day is like from the student perspective.”

Kelly Meany, SJVHS alumni and public relations coordinator, said the school will have a virtual tour available Oct. 8. “This will be located on our website for those interested in seeing the inside of SJVHS,” she explained. “We will also have more specific videos from different departments available on our website. We are [also] offering parents the opportunity to speak with members of the SJVHS administration via Zoom calls.”

Above all, Catholic high school representatives want parents and prospective students to know that the whole person is recognized and educated at their schools.

“Our hope is that parents walk away with the understanding that each and every student is valued,” Moffa stressed. “Our community is a tightly-knit family, where students get to know their teachers and classmates on a more individual level. We want to ensure that our students grow not just academically, but also spiritually and socially, so that they are prepared for their future careers and the challenges ahead.”

Kane agreed, “Staff who work at our schools choose to be there for the students and their families. I am proud to be part of a Catholic school community as we stand apart from other educational institutions. We stand together to create lifelong learners who are united by faith.”

Virtual Tour will be available October 8th!

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL

Virtual Conversations with SJVHS Administration and In-Person Tours are available by appointment

VISIT US ONLINE OR CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.sjvhs.org 732-739-0800, ext. 155 or 252 540A LINE ROAD, HOLMDEL

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October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 35

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

2.

DIRECTORY PARISH AND DIOCESAN SCHOOLS 1. DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Co-ed International Baccalaureate World School 711 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753 donovancatholic.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 15, 6 p.m. and Oct. 18, 2 p.m. Pre-registration required.

CONTACT: Tara Mulligan , 732-349-8801 x 2425, tmulligan@donovancatholic.org

5.

2. NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Dynamic, diverse Catholic community Co-ed / college preparatory 601 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 ndnj.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 5, 7 p.m. / Virtual CONTACT: Laura Sarubbi, 609-882-7900 x 130, sarubbi@ndnj.org

3. RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL A vibrant Catholic co-educational institution 112 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701 redbankcatholic.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 18 / Virtual CONTACT: Angelica Rocco, 732-747-5113, roccoa@redbankcatholic.com

4. ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL

College prep private high school, motto: “Knowledge Commitment - Involvement” 540A Line Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733 SJVHS.com OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 8 / Virtual tour video. In-person by appointment.

CONTACT: Patti Gilmartin, 732-739-0800 x 155, gilmartin@sjvhs.org

1.

5. ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Co-ed Catholic high school 607 7th Avenue, Belmar, NJ 07719 srhsnj.com OPEN HOUSE: Begin Oct. 9 / Virtual. Information at srhsnj.com/openhouse CONTACT: Maryanne Bedford, 732-681-2858 x: 709, mbedford@srhsnj.com

6. TRENTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY UPPER SCHOOL

3.

4.

36 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Co-ed High School providing innovative and relevant curricula rooted in the Catholic faith.

175 Leonard Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08610 trentoncatholic.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 6, 13, 20,27 / Call to schedule an appointment CONTACT: Renee Rogers, 609-586-3705 x 119, rrogers@trentoncatholic.org

7.

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INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

8.

7. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY

An outstanding Catholic day school for boys on the high school level 850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 cbalincroftnj.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 6, 8, 13-14, 7 p.m. / Virtual.

Pre-registration required.

CONTACT: Jennifer Maccarella, 732-747-1959 x 217, admissions@cbalincroftnj.org

8. HOLY CROSS PREPARATORY ACADEMY

The only independent co-ed Catholic preparatory school in Burlington County 5035 Route 130 S., Delran, NJ 08075 hcprep.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 3, Oct. 24; Nov. 14 / Times vary.

Pre-registration required.

CONTACT: David Moffa, 856-461-5400, dmoffa@hcprep.org

9.

9. MATER DEI PREP

A co-ed independent, faith-based college preparatory high school 538 Church Street, New Monmouth, NJ 07748 materdeiprep.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in-person / Oct. 7, 6-7 p.m. and 7:15-8:15 p.m., virtual CONTACT: admissions@materdeiprep.org

11.

10. STUART COUNTRY DAY

A Sacred Heart girls independent preschool – grade 12 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 stuartschool.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 18, 1-3 p.m. / Virtual. In-person by appointment at stuartschool.org/openhouse CONTACT: Joseph Petitto, 609-921-2330 x 4115, jpetitto@stuartschool.org

11. VILLA VICTORIA ACADEMY

10.

An academic environment that develops girls intellectually and spiritually 376 W. Upper Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 villavictoria.org OPEN HOUSE: Oct. 17, 1-3 p.m. / Virtual CONTACT: Colleen White, 609-882-1700 x 419, cwhite@villavictoria.org

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 37

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

 DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH

SCHOOL, TOMS RIVER

Donovan Catholic High School’s 2020-2021 school year is underway! Donovan Catholic appointed a Reopening Plan committee and successfully opened our doors to all students on Sept. 11, 2020. A Hybrid Learning Plan was designed so all students are educated five days a week.

In addition to the Hybrid Learning Plan, WEdays, which are Wednesday Engagement Days, were designed. WeDays will offer an engagement for our students that will nurture the spiritual, social, emotional and academic well-being of our students. Each grade is assigned a designated Wednesday for retreats, community building and Mass as they gather with their classmates. Donovan Catholic will accommodate students that do not wish to attend in person with a virtual option.

The Donovan Catholic Community Pledge has evolved as we navigate COVID 19 and continue our academic journey. All faculty, staff and students have committed to the pledge that instills: BE DONOVAN

COMMITTED • BE DONOVAN CONNECTED • BE DONOVAN CATHOLIC The Donovan Catholic Community Pledge is displayed throughout the building and in each classroom.

Donovan Catholic Fall Virtual Open House is Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. The presentation for Open House will include our administration, curriculum coordinators, student services, athletic director and students. The presentation will provide all the information regarding the 2020-2021 school year. To register, go to donovancatholic.org and choose your session. A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event. For additional information, email admissions@donovancatholic.org.

The Class of 2019 was an historic year for our graduates. Donovan Catholic students were awarded over $25 million in academic scholarships to attend college, and 63 percent of Donovan seniors received at least one merit scholarship that exceeded the cost of their tuition at Donovan Catholic High School. Donovan Catholic offers AP, Honor classes and the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Donovan offers clubs, sports, a performing arts program and

many activities for you to get involved in. All students find a home at Donovan Catholic.

Donovan Catholic … It Makes a Difference.

 NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL,

LAWRENCEVILLE

In our first weeks of school, the Notre Dame administration, faculty and staff have communicated to our students the vital importance of a “Culture of Health and Safety” on our campus. They explained the four pillars of keeping Notre Dame open in a hybrid model will require: wearing masks, hand washing, social distancing, and the daily use of the pre-screening form. Students have taken a “Keep our Community Safe Pledge,” sharing in the responsibility that we all have to keep the Notre Dame Community safe.

Students have become acclimated to the physical safety protocols established for their protection including: socially distanced classrooms; plexiglass barriers in the student center, library and gym; signage throughout the building indicating one-way hallways and proper social distancing, as well as technology that will amplify their experience in the classroom and at home via livestream.

Most importantly, we have addressed the topic of social and emotional learning with our students. As we all navigate these challenging times together, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking care of our mental and spiritual well-being.

As our president, Mr. Jennings, and principal, Mrs. Barlow, have said many times, “Our number one goal is to ensure the health and well-being of every member of the Notre Dame family.”

The faculty, staff and students are happy to be able to be together again. The smiles behind the masks are proof!

 RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH

SCHOOL, RED BANK

Red Bank Catholic is a vibrant, beloved, Catholic co-educational institution with a storied history, an extraordinary spirit and a record of achievement in the classroom, on the athletic fields, onstage and beyond.

RBC was founded in 1927 in the heart of the city of Red Bank.

38 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

With 166 courses offered, including 17 AP, 39 honors, 12 dual-enrollment college-level courses and capstone project opportunities, each student’s schedule is tailored around their individual strengths and interests, and 100 percent of our graduating senior class continues on to higher education post-graduation.

The vast array of extracurricular opportunities offered at RBC includes our 28 competitive varsity sports, our award-winning performing arts programs, over 60 clubs and activities, and our semester-long internship program, which 42 seniors participated in during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Red Bank Catholic’s 710 students come from over 50 towns and 70 schools. They are young men and women of competence, compassion, commitment and curiosity, and together with over 14,000 alumni, they make up the “Casey Family.”

Find out why your student belongs here by visiting the campus at an upcoming Admissions event! To submit an application for admission, or to schedule a visit to Red Bank Catholic, visit: www.redbankcatholic. org/admissions.

 ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH

SCHOOL, HOLMDEL

St. John Vianney High School focuses on educating the student’s mind, body and spirit. The academic programs offered include dual enrollment courses for grades nine through 12. Dual enrollment courses are offered in business, social studies, science, English, theology, art and physical education. These courses are taught on our campus by our faculty members who are adjunct professors for the participating colleges.

SJVHS has an extensive list of Advanced Placement courses taught yearlong under our block schedule, and we offer college preparation and honors Continued on 40

HOLY CROSS

Visit us on Tuesdays during the month of October!

PREPARATORY ACADEMY www.hcprep.org

TRENTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY

Open House Dates

Three educational opportunities. One school.Â

Sat. October 3rd Sat. October 24th Sat. November 14th *must register in advance online

TRADITIONAL

BLENDED

ONLINE

College Credit Program (60+)

Visit us online for more information www.trentoncatholic.org

Robust Alumni Network Innovative Curriculum

To schedule an appointment for a tour this October, call (609) 586-3705 ext. 119 (Upper School) or (609) 586-5888 ext. 141 HAMILTON (Lower School).

856-461-5400 admissions@hcprep.org 5035 Rt. 130, Delran, NJ 08075

WE GIVE YOU THE SPACE TO

SPREAD YOUR WINGS

Save the Date for our Fall Open Houses In-Person Open House Sunday, October 4 th 9:00am-4:00pm

20 minute private tours

Virtual Open House Wednesday, October 7 th

6:00pm-7:00pm and 7:15pm-8:15pm Zoom Panel Sessions

Visit our Virtual Admissions website page for up-to-date information and the forms to register for a Fall Open House.

Class of 2025 and transfer students can register now on our website for the Fall Open Houses! Mater Dei Prep has a rolling admissions process, anyone still interested in enrolling in the Class of 2024 or transferring can apply online now!

At a Glance: Our freshmen students will a end in-person instruction four days a week with one day of enhanced live remote learning.

The upperclassmen will follow a hybrid-plus schedule with both in-person instruction and enhanced live remote learning.

∙ Live teaching delivered in-person and remotely every period 5 days per week ∙ Catholic faith-based learning environment ∙ Nurturing and accessible teachers

538 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748 | 732.671.9100

admissions@materdeiprep.org | www.materdeiprep.org

October 2020  ď‚Ąâ€ƒ THE MONITOR MAGAZINE   39

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

Continued from 38

courses in all subject areas. SJVHS has the Advanced Placement Academy and the Early College Academy.

We have a fully certified guidance staff as well as two academic advisers to assist students with the academic journey.

St. John Vianney has more than 35 clubs and activities that meet during the lunch period and more than 30 sports programs. The majority of our athletic games are played on campus with parking for students and visitors. We have a newly renovated theater and a growing television studio, which wirelessly transmits morning announcements to all classrooms. All of our classrooms have been updated to interactive conference rooms; this allows students to be part of the class when they are not in the classroom.

Students at SJVHS are dedicated to serving the community. Our National Honor Society, Catholic Athletes for Christ, Heroes and Cool Kids members, and Athletic Leadership Council are active participants in the surrounding community, often working in soup kitchens, collecting donations and serving the poor.

Our senior Christian Service program allows students to serve others. The students and faculty at SJVHS are always striving to live the Gospel values and promote Catholic identity in the community.

 ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, BELMAR

People love St. Rose because we are more than just a school – we’re a vibrant community of students, teachers, administrators, parents and friends, with shared beliefs and values, working toward a common goal. At SRHS, we appreciate each other and respect the qualities that make us all unique. From the day a student enters as a freshman, they are known, valued and challenged to be their best. We are St. Rose!

The Campus Ministry department seeks to bridge the gap between class and Mass by providing opportunities for students to encounter God in personal and profound ways. The Campus Ministry department offers a variety of clubs, groups and programs to engage the students in dialogue about the Catholic Church and its teachings.

At St. Rose High School, our community of expert teachers and caring adults provide each student with an unparalleled educational experience. Students are known.

Surrounded by peers with the same aspirations, students feel safe to take risks, own their learning and aim for their

personal best. With the new rotating drop schedule, the sky is the limit! Students have elective options starting freshman year, and can build on their experience through all four years. From Project Lead the Way Engineering, to AP, to Project Acceleration for credit courses with Seton Hall University, you can discover your passion through your academics.

In 2020, two seniors, Brendan Dwyer and Elena Valiaveedan, were honored by being named National Merit Commended Scholars. These students joined a group of 50,000 students across the United States who scored highest of the over 1.5 million students who took the 2019 PSAT. Sports and clubs play an integral part in the educational program at St. Rose. Under the direction of its dedicated coaching staff, athletes are taught a formula that can be applied to real-life situations: they learn to plan, prepare, perform, evaluate, and give full effort in everything they do. One hundred percent of our students participate in clubs each year, and over 80 percent participate in a sport, and we offer at least one non-cut sport each season.

At St. Rose High School, there truly is something for everyone.

 TRENTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY,

HAMILTON

At Trenton Catholic Academy, our students receive an education that meets the diverse needs of the 21st century learner, and we are proud to announce our partnership with Catholic Virtual for the 2020-2021 school year.

This year, in addition to our traditional classroom instruction, students in grades six through 12 have the opportunity to pursue online learning exclusively through Catholic Virtual. We have selected Catholic Virtual from among the many different virtual learning platforms as it is consistent with the mission and vision of Trenton Catholic Academy and provides an innovative and relevant curriculum rooted in the Catholic faith. Blended learning opportunities are also available for students in the Upper School.

Now more than ever, we know the way our students learn has changed. We also know students learn best when they are supported and encouraged throughout the process. Online learning will provide both the flexibility and individualization that is vital

40 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

for student development during these uncertain times.

Through participation in online courses, our students will also gain invaluable 21st century learning and life skills to prepare them to be lifelong learners.

We invite prospective families to come and see why “It’s a Great Day to be an Iron Mike!”

 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

ACADEMY, LINCROFT

Christian Brothers Academy has built a reputation rooted in excellence, basing our educational philosophy on the Lasallian tradition. We focus on developing every aspect of our students through unique activities both in and out the classroom. Our faculty is committed to a rigorous academic curriculum, while helping each student reach his full potential.

The principles of faith and service remain ever-present in our community, always giving our students a chance to help those who are less fortunate.

Over the past five years, each graduating class has averaged over 100 hours of service per student, which greatly exceeds the 50 hours required for graduation.

Meanwhile, our championship-winning athletics and dynamic extracurricular activities allow for our students to foster an unparalleled brotherhood during their time at the Academy.

For over 60 years, CBA has developed young men of faith, character and action who are prepared to serve the Church, world and society as leaders and innovators.

 HOLY CROSS PREPARATORY

ACADEMY, DELRAN

Holy Cross Preparatory Academy offers a truly unique college preparatory experience. Our collegiate-style block schedule ensures students feel comfortable when they step into their first college classes. Courses are single-semester, utilizing extended periods and an accelerated curriculum to mirror what students will experience at the collegiate level. Each student is provided a laptop, allowing them access to class material online to enhance the learning process.

Through partnerships with Rowan College of Burlington County and Seton Hall University, South Orange, HCPA offers dual-credit courses totaling up to Continued on 42

P a u l VI H I g H S c H o o l

Scholarship Test

WE INNOVATE. WE ADAPT. WE ARE ST. ROSE

Choose Sat. Oct. 17 or Sat. Oct. 24

Updates and additional information available at www.pvihs.org.

Virtual Tour

Visit www.pvihs.org for our new immersive experience!

Tours at 2:30 Available most school days.

Please contact jregina@pvihs.org for details.

Open House Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

Visit www.pvihs.org for updates.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis after October 1st.

Please visit www.pvihs.org to apply For more information please contact: Mrs. Kathleen Stewart, (856) 858-4900 ext. 336, kstewart@pvihs.org

BELMAR

excellence

responsibility

freedom

901 Hopkins Road • Haddonfield, NJ • 856.858.4900 • www.pvihs.org

6086_PVI_Monitor.indd 1

9/24/20 1:19 PM

OU R TR A D I TI ON ⁠

YO U R J O U R N EY

⁠

L e ar n h o w y o u r s o n can e x ce l at C B A w i t h o u r V i r t u al A d m i s s i o n s Hu b ⁠

CB A Lincr oftNJ.or g/admis s ions Virtual Open House Sessions

Three Entrance Exam Dates

Weekend In-Person Tours

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 41

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

Continued from 40

46 college credits. Our Guidance Office utilizes Naviance to help students through the college application process, and provides students the opportunity to meet with college admissions counselors during the school day via our annual College Fair and regular visits from universities.

Outside of core course offerings, students can take a variety of specialized classes including engineering (STREAM), forensic science, graphic design, and accounting. Visual and performing arts allow students to explore their talents in our studio, inside the dark room or on the stage. The proud athletic history at Holy Cross is visible in the numerous sectional and state titles lining the walls of our gymnasium. No matter what sport you play, Lancer Nation always shows up to support our teams.

The HCPA community ensures that positive values and our shared faith are integrated throughout all activities. Teams and clubs regularly participate in group service projects, Masses or prayer services to bring our faith to light in every aspect of the HCPA community.

provides in-house instructional accommodations and strategies to ensure each student’s academic success is nurtured and met. In addition, this program comprises a variety of educational support programs for all students, including a writing center, math center, study skills center, and a peer tutoring program for underclassmen.

Mater Dei Prep offers a large variety of college-level courses through the Mater Dei Prep College Advantage Program. The program gives students the opportunity to earn college credit through our partnerships with Rutgers University, Seton Hall University and Brookdale Community College.

Prospective families are invited to attend Mater Dei Prep’s Fall Open Houses! The in-person open house will be Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 20 minute private tours led by Seraph student ambassadors. Virtual open houses will be Oct. 7, 6-7 p.m. and 7:15-8:15 p.m. via Zoom panel sessions. For more information or to register for an open house, visit materdeiprep.org or email admissions@materdeiprep.org.

 STUART COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

OF THE SACRED HEART, PRINCETON

 MATER DEI PREP, MIDDLETOWN

Mater Dei Prep is a private, Catholic high school located on an expansive 32-acre campus in Middletown. For over 50 years, Mater Dei Prep has attracted talented students who recognize the unique learning opportunities the school provides.

Mater Dei Prep’s relatively small size – coupled with its myriad and varied opportunities for academic, physical and spiritual growth – means all students have the opportunity to pursue their own interests and dreams. Individuality is encouraged and supported by an engaged and interested staff.

Mater Dei Prep continues to recognize the learning needs of all students including those with unique learning abilities. The Center for Achievement

For over 200 years, Sacred Heart education has been educating women through challenging times, and as the stewards of this tradition, Stuart is committed to developing the confident and courageous leaders the world needs now more than ever. With this tradition as our guide, Stuart confidently opened their doors this fall five days a week with the option for families to attend school in person, remotely or with a hybrid model. We accomplished this through: Safety. Our facilities, our values, our community ensured that our students had a safe environment to become all she can be.

Resources. With our expert faculty who know girls well, extensive investments in technology over the past 10 years, and facility upgrades to ensure and verify the school’s air quality, we made a commitment to deliver the Stuart experience for each child. We have what it takes to get it right. And we have not missed a beat – just ask our parents and students.

Commitment. We opened in the fall with fantastic programming, unparalleled teachers and a great deal of fun and excitement – educating the next generation

42 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

of women leaders no matter what the shape of the pandemic recovery is.

We invite families to learn more about the allgirls’ advantage at a Discovery Day. Register at www. stuartschool.org/openhouse. We are now offering Saturday and evening tours. Contact the Director of Admissions Joe Petitto at 609-921-2330.

 VILLA VICTORIA ACADEMY,

EWING

Villa Victoria Academy, established in 1933, is one of the oldest, allgirls Catholic schools in New Jersey. The mission of Villa is to respect the inherent dignity of each individual, to educate the whole person and to empower young women to reach their full potential and influence the world in a truly Christian manner.

Villa is owned and operated by the Religious Teachers Filippini. Faculty and staff include laymen and women and our religious sisters. Within the past three years, Villa has added all new wiring for improved WiFi throughout our building, a state-of-the-art dance studio, and a strength, training and conditioning room.

Located on a beautiful 44-acre campus on the Delaware River, Villa Victoria Academy draws students from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Villa Victoria Academy offers a middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Financial aid is available to all students, and scholarships are available to those girls entering ninth grade. Villa offers small classes and individualized attention to all students. For Fall 2020, Villa is in-person four full days and remote one full day each week for all students and faculty. Villa has a traditional schedule of eight class periods per day.

Villa’s Virtual Open House for prospective students and their families will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 17. Registration is required. Registration is available on our website at https://villavictoria.org/admissions/ open-house/.

For information on Virtual Parent Information Sessions, the application process and timeline, and the Scholarship Exam for incoming high school students, call the Admissions Office at 609-882-1700 ext. 2 or email Villa’s director of admissions, Mrs. White at cwhite@villavictoria.org.

With its small classes and individualized attention, Villa Victoria Academy instills character and confidence in its girls, so that each has the ability to achieve success. Visit www.villavictoria.org for more information.

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 43

CATHOLIC

High School

SHOWCASE

CHERRY HILL, NJ

INSPIRED BY MERCY. EMPOWERED BY LEARNING. ENERGIZED IN SPIRIT.

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS October 8, 13 & 22 @ 6:30 & 7 PM October 16 Arts Open House @ 6:30 PM

SCHOLARSHIP & HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST October 31 at 9AM (Check In 8:30 AM) *Pre-Registration Required for events & test

TUESDAY TOURS

offered by appointment

CLASS OF 2025 APPLICATION now open!

www.camdencatholic.org/admissions

44 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

ONLY ON TRENTONMONITOR.COM:

Mount Carmel Guild's Virtual Gala

The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM

–

Mount Carmel Guild's Virtual Gala Bishop of Trenton

A FREE Event Featurin :

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

1920 2020 and Beyond

A FREE Event Featurin :

1920 2020 and Beyond

The Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, CM Bishop of Trenton

Judith Persichilli, RN, BSN, MA Commissioner of the New Jerse& Department of Health

The Guild’s

–

Sister Lesley Draper, originally from Audubon, attended Holy Savior School, Westmont, and Paul VI High School, Haddonfield. It was at Paul VI where Sister Lesley met the Filippini Sisters. She entered the community in 1993, and she received her habit in 1995. Sister Lesley ministered at St. Peter School, Merchantville; Holy Spirit School, Pequannock, and Villa Victoria Academy, Trenton, where she currently serves.

Sister Lesley graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth (now St. Elizabeth University), Morristown, with a bachelor’s in secondary education, a major in English, a major in Education K-12 and religious studies. She also received a master’s degree in education leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University, South Orange. She is certified as a principal and a supervisor in the state of New Jersey.

Sister Lesley began her ministry at Villa Victoria Academy in 1999 when she was missioned there as a teacher. In 2006, she was assigned as the assistant principal, and in 2010 Sister Lesley was named principal of the academy.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

Judith Persichilli, RN, BSN, MA

Religious Teacher Filippini Sister Lesley Draper

Department of Health Commissioner of the New Jerse&

2020

Father Stephen Kluge marks the silver jubilee of his first profession of vows as a Franciscan Friar of the Holy Name Province. He grew up in Point Pleasant, attended St. Rose High School, Belmar, and graduated from St. Francis College, Loretto, Pa., with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After stints as a teacher and in retail, he became a nurse’s aide at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital.

In 1984, he entered the Franciscan postulant program in Holy Cross Friary in N.Y.; he left to work first back in Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, then as an elementary school teacher for seven years. Upon his return to the novitiate in Providence, R.I., in 1994, he made his first profession of vows in June 1995, and his final vows in 1999. He was ordained a priest in May 2001. While earning his master’s degree in divinity from Washington Theological Union, he volunteered at a local hospital and St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring, Md. Father Kluge received his first assignment in June 2001 as parochial vicar in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach. In 2007, he became pastor. He served through 2013, shepherding faithful through 2012’s Superstorm Sandy.

In 2014, he served briefly as guardian and pastor in St. Joseph Church, Anderson, S.C., before becoming parochial vicar in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Raleigh, N.C. He was also one of the Holy Name Province’s regional vocation directors for the South. This September, he returned to Brant Beach as a parochial vicar.

The Guild’s

in preparation for his solemn vows, which he professed on Sept. 25, 1999, at St. Francis Church in New York City. His first assignment was at the counseling center at St. Francis Chapel, Providence, R.I., a three-year run that ended in August 2002 with a transfer to St. Bonaventure University.

Father Brookbank was ordained to the priesthood May 24, 2008, and received a master’s degree of divinity from Washington Theological Union, Washington, D.C., that year. He served as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Church in Providence, until 2012, when he was assigned to the Annive friar team at the Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate in us Burlington, Wisconsin.

Seeking a return to pastoral work, he was assigned in September 2015 to the University of Georgia in Athens as the associate director of campus ministry – and where he also served as a spiritual assistant for the Secular Franciscans at the UGA Catholic Center. In 2017, he moved to his current assignment at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Brant Beach, where, he is quoted as saying, he was drawn to the counseling services offered at St. Francis Community Center, the parish’s outreach and social services facility.

He put his counseling background and experience to use by obtaining certification in professional counseling from the state of New Jersey. His certification license has him counseling victims who have been traumatized by criminal acts, domestic violence, sexual assault, and vehicular accidents, as well as people battling depression and anxiety.

a ri e s rs

Religio

Continued from 17

and more!

25 Years

Franciscan Father Stephen Kluge

Volunteers & Parish Supporters Care-Receivers & Staff

Religious milestones

Care-Receivers & Staff Volunteers & Parish Supporters and more!

October 16, 2020 7:00 p.m.

R E G I S T E R

N O W !

mtcarmelguild.org/gala

 Divine Word Fathers leaving Bordentown property, but their ministry in Diocese continues. Visit TrentonMonitor.com>Diocese

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‘Mission is a free and conscious response to God’s call’ Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A Message from

I

wish to express my gratitude to God for the commitment with which the Church throughout the world carried out the Extraordinary Missionary Month last October. I am convinced that it stimulated missionary conversion in many communities on the path indicated by the theme: “Baptized and Sent: the Church of Christ on Mission in the World.”

In this year marked by the suffering and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the missionary journey of the whole Church continues in light of the words found in the account of the calling

| Tanzania

of the prophet Isaiah: “Here am I, send me” (6:8). This is the ever new response to the Lord’s question: “Whom shall I send?”

This invitation from God’s merciful heart challenges both the Church and

POPE FRANCIS humanity as a whole in the current world crisis. “Like the disciples in the Gospel, we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other (“Meditation in Saint Continued on 50

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 47

World Mission Sunday

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

T

he annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration of World Mission Sunday, which emphasizes our shared baptismal call to mission, is celebrated on October 18th this year.

Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Sunday, implores us, “In this year marked by the suffering and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the missionary journey of the whole Church continues in light of the words found in the account of the calling of the prophet Isaiah: “Here I am, send me” (6:8). This is the ever-new response to the Lord’s question: ‘Whom shall I send?’ This invitation from God’s merciful heart challenges both the Church and humanity, in the current world crisis.”

During the Mission Month of October, Pope Francis reminds us that, as baptized Christians, we are called personally to mission – especially at this time – to bring Christ’s love to those most forgotten around the world. Jesus is God the Father’s own Missionary; He asks us to respond to this call to mission, this invitation to “step out of ourselves for love of God and neighbor.”

What will your answer be? “Here I Am, Send Me” is the response we will all endeavor to live out this World Mission Sunday, through prayer, participation in the Eucharist, and generosity to the collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Through the Pope’s own missionary society, you, too, can be sent out to all the ends of the earth – sent through your support of missionaries and those they serve. Your gifts sustain priests, religious and lay pastoral leaders in more than 1,100 mission dioceses in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe as they proclaim the Gospel, build the Church, and serve the poor. With them, you answer, “Here I Am, Send Me.” This year, in response to the challenges to the Mission Church from the pandemic, I invite all of us in this Diocese to respond in the most generous way you are able. As you do, I offer my sincere personal gratitude for your kind missionary heart, reaching out in love throughout Mission Month.

Respectfully yours in the Lord,

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D. Bishop of Trenton

48 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

2020 Awards

C

Per Capita Contributions

ongratulations to the following parishes and schools who have the highest contributions to the missions this year. This is based on the amount they gave as reflected on the number of enrolled students.

Thank you for your help and support.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: First place: St. Jerome School, West Long Branch Second Place: St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold Honorable Mention: Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS First Place: St. Gregory the Great Religious Education Program, Hamilton Square Second Place: St. Rose Religious Education Program, Belmar Honorable Mention: Our Lady of Hope Religious Education Program, West Long Branch

following Father Alindogan t ee gr n re ild ch A group of . Courtesy photo Tanzania in 2019 his mission trip to

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brated du the Mass he cele

DIOCESAN WORLD MISSION SUNDAY MASS The diocesan observance of World Mission Sunday will take place Oct. 18 at the 11 a.m. Mass to be celebrated in St. Jerome Church, 254 Wall St., West Long Branch.

Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Veronica Parish, Howell, and diocesan director of missions, will be the principal celebrant of the Mass. All are welcome to attend, in adherence to pandemic guidelines.

World Mission Sunday

Dear Friends of the Missions,

In this photo taken by Father Peter James Alindogan, diocesan director of missions, during his visit to East Timor earlier this year, he asked the youngsters to smile and wave to the people of the Diocese of Trenton. Courtesy photo

ANNUAL REPORT

for 2020 Monitor for year ending 12/31/19

CASH RECEIPTS Personal Donations $1,850 Legacies $750,000 Bination Stipends $20,325 Mass Stipends $8,980 Missionary Cooperation Plan $470,864 Interest $1,496 Mission Sunday Collection $216,148 Refunds of Expense $410 $1,470,073 DISBURSEMENTS The Society of the Propagation of the Faith Missionary Childhood Association Mssionary Cooperation Plan Mass Stipends Catholic Near East Welfare Association

$922,571 $72,788 $331,979 $9,970 $4,393

$1,341,702 FOR A REPORT OF PARISH DONATIONS TO THE MISSIONS, go to TrentonMonitor.com and click on NEWS>DIOCESE.

P

eace and health to you and your loved ones!

Our annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world, commonly referred to as World Mission Sunday, falls this year on the weekend of October 17-18. Our Diocesan celebration will take place in the Church of St. Jerome, Parish of Our Lady of Hope in West Long Branch on Sunday, Oct. 18 at the 11 a.m. Mass. All are welcome to attend.

Two students from St. Jerome’s School won the National Christmas Card Making Contest of the Missionary Childhood Association. It will be an honor for me to present the awards to Frank and Nina. This is the first time in our Diocese that we have two student-winners coming from one school. Their entries bested other 2,000 students in the national level.

As Bishop O’Connell has shared in his message, participation in this annual Eucharistic celebration helps us to respond to our individual call to mission, answering “Here I Am, Send Me.” I ask your own joyful participation in the Church’s worldwide moment for prayerful and financial support for the Church’s Missions, in particular to the collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Through this collection, you provide for more than 1,100 mission dioceses in territories covering more than half the globe. Your prayers and sacrifices will support priests, religious, and lay pastoral leaders who are proclaiming the Gospel, building the Church, and serving the poor and most vulnerable. Their work and witness to Christ brings both practical help and God’s love, hope and peace.

I thank you as well, for all you do for the missionary work of the Church each October and especially this year during these troubling times.

Gratefully in the Lord,

Rev. Peter James Alindogan Diocesan Director Father Alindogan poses with a group of Catholic school students during his visit to East Timor earlier this year.

Courtesy photo

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 49

World Mission Sunday

Mission is about giving to others Continued from 47

Peter’s Square,” March 27, 2020).

We are indeed frightened, disoriented and afraid. Pain and death make us experience our human frailty, but at the same time remind us of our deep desire for life and liberation from evil. In this context, the call to mission, the invitation to step out of ourselves for love of God and neighbour presents itself as an opportunity for sharing, service and intercessory prayer. The mission that God entrusts to each one of us leads us from fear and introspection to a renewed realization that we find ourselves precisely when we give ourselves to others.

In the sacrifice of the Cross, where the mission of Jesus is fully accomplished (cf. Jn 19:28-30), God shows us that his love is for each and every one of us (cf. Jn 19:26-27). He asks us to be personally willing to be sent, because he himself is Love, love that is always “on mission,” always reaching out in order to give life.

 “Are we willing to be sent forth at any time or place to witness to our faith?”  “In the mission of evangelization, you move because the Holy Spirit pushes you, and carries you” (“Senza di Lui non possiamo fare nulla: Essere missionari oggi nel mondo. Una conversazione con Gianni Valente,” Libreria Editrice Vaticana: San Paolo, 2019, 16-17). Our personal vocation comes from the fact that we are sons and daughters of God in the Church, his family.

Life itself, as a gift freely received, is implicitly an invitation to this gift of self: It is a seed which, in the baptized, will blossom as a response of love in marriage or in virginity for the kingdom of God. Human life is born of the love of God,

www.ivetanzania.org photo

grows in love and tends toward love. No one is excluded from the love of God ... for God, evil – even sin – becomes a challenge to respond with even greater love (cf. Mt 5:38-48; Lk 22:33-34).

Mission is a free and conscious response to God’s call. Yet we discern this call only when we have a personal relationship of love with Jesus present in his Church. Let us ask ourselves: are we prepared to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to listen to the call to mission, whether in our life as married couples or as consecrated persons or those called to the ordained ministry, and in all the everyday events of life? Are we willing to be sent forth at any time or place to witness to our faith in God the merciful Father, to proclaim the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, to share the divine life of the Holy Spirit by building up the Church? Are we, like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, ready to be completely at the service of God’s will (cf. Lk 1:38)?

This interior openness is essential if we are to say to God: “Here am I, Lord, send me” (cf. Is 6:8). And this, not in the abstract, but in this chapter of the life of the Church and of history.

Understanding what God is saying to us at this time of pandemic also represents a challenge for the Church’s mission. Illness, suffering, fear and isolation challenge us. The poverty of those who die alone, the abandoned, those who have lost their jobs and income, the homeless and those who lack food challenge us.

Being forced to observe social distancing and to stay at home invites us to rediscov-

50 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

er that we need social relationships as well as our communal relationship with God. Far from increasing mistrust and indifference, this situation should make us even more attentive to our way of relating to others. And prayer, in which God touches and moves our hearts, should make us ever more open to the need of our brothers and sisters for dignity and freedom, as well as our responsibility to care for all creation.

The impossibility of gathering as a Church to celebrate the Eucharist has led us to share the experience of the many Christian communities that cannot celebrate Mass every Sunday. In all of this, God’s question “Whom shall I send?” is addressed once more to us and awaits a generous and convincing response: “Here am I, send me!” (Is 6:8).

The celebration of World Mission Day is also an occasion for reaffirming how prayer, reflection and the material help of your offerings are so many opportunities to participate actively in the mission of Jesus in his Church. The charity expressed in the collections that take place during the liturgical celebrations of the third Sunday of October is aimed at supporting the missionary work carried out in my name by the Pontifical Mission Societies, in order to meet the spiritual and material needs of peoples and Churches throughout the world, for the salvation of all.

May the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization and Comforter of the Afflicted, missionary disciple of her Son Jesus, continue to intercede for us and sustain us.

“Aquí me tienes, mándame a mí” Mis queridos hermanas y hermanos en Cristo,

N

la

Sociedad para la propagación de la Fe

Domingo munDial De las misiones

os unimos a través de la celebración mundial eucarísti18 de Octubre de 2020 ca del Domingo Mundial de las Misiones el 18 de octubre este año, un día que enfatiza nuestro llamado compartido de ser enviados a servir.

El papa Francisco nos implora en su mensaje para el Domingo Mundial de las Misiones, “En este año, marcado por los sufrimientos y desafíos causados ​​por la pandemia del COVID-19, este camino misionero de toda la Iglesia continúa a la luz de la palabra que encontramos en el relato de la vocación del profeta Isaías: ‘Aquí estoy, mándame’ (6,8).

Es la respuesta siempre nueva a la pregunta del Señor: ‘¿A quién mandaré?’. Esta llamada viene del corazón de Dios, de su misericordia que interpela tanto a la Iglesia como laS obraS MiSionaleS pontiFiciaS a la humanidad en la actual crisis en loS eStadoS UnidoS crédito FotográFico: www.ivetanzania.org | tanzania mundial”.

Durante el Mes de las Misiones  “Nosotros pacíficas, y partes de Latinoamérica de octubre, el papa Francisco nos recuerda de que nosotros, como cristianos bautizados, estamos llamados personalmente a misionar, y Europa mientras ellos proclaman estamos el Evangelio, construyen la Iglesia, especialmente Mensaje del y sirven a los pobres. Juntos con durante este tiempo, enviados a OBISPO DAVID M. ellos, cada uno de nosotros podemos a llevar el amor de los fines de la O’CONNELL, C.M. responder, “Aquí me tienes, mándame Cristo a los más para el Domingo Mundial a mí”. olvidados de todas tierra - a través de las Misiones Este año, como respuesta a los partes del mundo. desafíos por la pandemia frente a la Jesús es el Misionero de nuestro Iglesia misionera, yo invito a todos de Dios Padre; él nos pide responder a este llamado a misionar, apoyo.”  esta invitación a “salir de nosotros mismos por amor de Dios y del nosotros en esta Diócesis a responder de la manera más generosa que prójimo”. podamos. Al hacer esto, les ofrezco mi gratitud personal sincera ¿Cómo responderemos? “Aquí me tienes, mándame a mí” es por su corazón misionero cariñoso, alcanzando en el amor de por la respuesta que anhelaremos vivir este Domingo Mundial de todo el Mes de las Misiones. las Misiones, a través de la oración, participar en la Eucaristía, y la Respetuosamente suyo en el Señor, generosidad en la colecta para la Sociedad de la Propagación de la Fe. A través de la sociedad misionera del papa, nosotros también, estamos enviados a los fines de la tierra – enviados a través de nuestro apoyo por los misioneros y quienes sirven. Nuestras El reverendísimo David M. O’Connell, C.M. donaciones sostienen a sacerdotes, religiosos y líderes laicos Obispo de Trenton pastorales en más de 1,100 diócesis en Asia, África, las islas

AQUÍ ME TIENES, MÁNDAME A MI

Octubre 2020  LA REVISTA MONITOR 51

El Anzuelo

Ejemplos de fe:

La Virgen de Guadalupe y El Señor de los Milagros REFLEXIÓN POR NIXON FLORES 

Feligrés de la Parroquia Santa Ana, Browns Mills

C

omo cada año el 12 de diciembre, el pueblo mexicano se prepara para venerar a la Patrona de las Américas, la Morenita del Tepeyac, la Virgen de Guadalupe. Millones de hombres, mujeres y niños, no solo de origen mexicano, demuestran su fe y devoción a través de caminar en procesión pidiendo favores y agradeciéndole a Madre de Dios por todo su amor y compañía en la vida.

Nosotros los católicos, tenemos nuestros diferentes santos según nuestros costumbres y países natales. Semejante a esta gran celebración, tenemos en el Perú en el mes de octubre la celebración en honor del Señor de los Milagros, también llamado el Cristo Morado o Cristo de Pachacamilla. Lima, la capital peruana, es el centro de devoción y fe. Los cuatro domingos de octubre, millones de católicos de diferentes partes del mundo acompañan la procesión. Van orando y cantando por las calles, planificadas con las mismas creencias. La costumbre es ver a los devotos vestidos de habito color morado; los hombres con camisas blancas, y corbata y pantalón morados.

El enfoque de la devoción es la imagen del Señor Jesús pintada milagrosamente en una pared de adobe ubicada en el Altar Mayor del Santuario de la Nazarena de Lima. En el mes de octubre, los fieles cumplen con el rol de venerar la imagen por quienes es considerada milagrosa.

Todas estas costumbres que tiene nuestro pueblo tienen

En esta foto del 2015, los capitanes de las Antorchas Guadalupanas representaron condados: Efraín Angón, Mercer; Olga Villa, Monmouth; Nixon Flores, Burlington; y Tina Dinolfo, Ocean. Foto pescadora | Craig Pittelli origen hispano (España). Por una gran parte, se debe la llegada de la religión católica a este hemisferio a Francisco Pizarro quien conquistó América y el padre Hernando de Luque, sacerdote católico. En modo de ilustración, nuestros antepasados en el Perú, los incas, veneraban al sol como dios.

Con gran pena, este año por el Coronavirus (COVID-19) que se está viviendo a nivel mundial, no se podrá venerar, como es la tradición, a estas dos grandes celebraciones; pero desde donde nos encontremos, siempre diremos que la Virgen de Guadalupe y el Señor de los Milagros son costumbres transformadoras de muchos siglos pasados. Están presentes en nuestros corazones para guiarnos para que reine el amor y la paz en el mundo. ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! ¡Viva el Señor de los Milagros!

Se ve la devoción al Señor de los Milagros a través de las costumbres, la procesión, los cantos, la hermandad. Foto cortesía de Elena Flores

52 REVISTA EL MONITOR  Octubre 2020

El Anzuelo

Antorchas Guadalupanas en el Tiempo de Recuerdos JOSUE ARRIOLA 

Director de Evangelización y Vida Familiar

L

a pandemia del COVID-19 ha impactado nuestra comunidad increíblemente, especialmente a las familias están de luto por haber perdido a algún querido durante estos meses.

Nuestra fe nos provee la fuerza y luz que nos hace falta en momentos así.

Tenemos la confianza de que podamos acercarnos a María, nuestra Madre, como intermediaria y confort seguro. Este año, el recorrido de las Antorchas de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe será dedicado a la memoria de quienes fallecieron por el coronavirus y de sus queridos que ahora están de luto. Es muy apropiado hacer

 Todos pueden participar en añadir los nombres de sus queridos en el muro y dedicar un mensaje memorial .”  esto durante el mes de noviembre porque es el mes que se dedica a los difuntos queridos. Al recorrer por la Diócesis, las Antorchas servirán como recuerdo brillante de implorar la intercesión de Nuestra Señora por los miembros de nuestra familia diocesana y mantener

a todos que sufren cerca de su corazón.

Será una oportunidad para los ministros y grupos parroquiales orar el Rosario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe por las almas cada día de la semana.

Este año, también incluimos un muro memorial de tributos.

Los tributos y memoriales proveen mucha sanación y apoyo a personas de luto. Todos pueden participar en añadir los nombres de sus queridos en el muro diocesano de tributos y dedicar un mensaje memorial a aquellos que fallecieron por el COVID-19 o cualquier enfermedad o circunstancia. Se puede ver el muro y añadir nombres al enlace: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/ tribute-wall) En la ceremonia para encender y bendecir las Antorchas de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en un Tiempo de Recuerdo, llevaremos a cabo un servicio memorial con todos los nombres puestos en el muro de tributos. La ceremonia será el 31 de octubre a las 11 de la mañana en la Co-Catedral San Roberto Belarmino, Freehold.

Se conoce al mes de noviembre como el Mes de Todas las Almas. Nosotros iniciaremos este mes de oración leyendo la lista de nombres en el muro. Vivimos

En este tiempo de la pandemia, el pueblo de la Diócesis de Trenton aún celebrará y se dirigirá a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe durante este Tiempo de Recuerdo. Foto pescadora | Craig Pittelli con la esperanza de que nuestros queridos estén con el Señor y oremos que sea así.

Simboliza un reconocimiento y cercanía con ellos, y puede llevarnos a la sanación, aceptación y paz que empiezan con el acto sagrado de recordar.

Octubre 2020  LA REVISTA MONITOR 53

El Anzuelo

No hay otra que

Gráfico cortesía de la USCCB

respetar la vida “Yo he venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia” (Juan 10:10).

D

espués de casi 65 años en esta tierra, estoy convencido de que todos los problemas que nos asaltan en este mundo se deriven de una sola causa: la falta de “respetar la vida en todas sus etapas, desde la concepción a la muerte natural”.

El aborto, eutanasia, pena de muerte; actos de terror y guerra; más crimen; la violencia y la matanza de inocentes; el abuso doméstico y sexual; las drogas y pandillas; la crisis migratoria; la pobreza y desigualdad; la discriminación e injusticia; el racismo y odio; el colapso familiar; el descuidado del medio ambiente – todas estas cosas son “temas de vida” porque atacan la obligación más básica que cada ser humano tiene: respetar la vida. Pensemos en eso un momento.

Se conoce al mes de octubre como el “Mes Respetemos la Vida” en la Iglesia Católica en los Estados Unidos. Empezando

Las marcas principales que vendemos son Exmark, Stihl, y RedMax. Se vende y se arregla otras marcas de equipo.

Se puede financiar todo tipo de equipo.

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54 LA REVISTA MONITOR  Octubre 2020

Extractos del mensaje del

OBISPO DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., para el Mes Respetemos la Vida 2020.

Mensaje completo en PecesdeTrenton.org.

el fin de semana del 3-4 de octubre, todos los católicos están llamados a celebrar nuestro compromiso eclesial al respeto por la vida en todas sus etapas. Bajo el tema, “Vive el Evangelio de la Vida”, la Iglesia nos invita a todos nosotros considerar cada manera disponible para defender a cada ser humano.

Creer en Dios como Creador requiere que creemos que Dios sea el autor de la vida, toda la vida, cada vida. No es ninguna conclusión lógica llegar a esa creencia: es la única conclusión y punto. Y si creemos en eso; si esa sea la única conclusión que podemos derivar de nuestra experiencia humana común, ¿cómo podríamos no respetar la vida en todas sus etapas?

No hace falta ser filosofo ni teólogo llegar a esta conclusión.

Solo tenemos que abrir los ojos, respirar, levantarnos de la cama en la mañana, oír la voz del otro, tomar la mano de otra persona, amar a otro y vemos que la vida vale la pena vivir.

Nosotros quienes seguimos a Jesucristo, el Señor de la Vida, no hay otra que respetar la vida en todas sus etapas.

No importa la circunstancia ni situación, hacer menos es ser menos humano. Hacer menos significa rechazar a lo que Dios ha creado, rechazar lo que Jesús redimió a través de su propio cuerpo humano, rechazar a lo que el Espíritu Santo ha sostenido. En esta tierra, solo el ser humano puede respetar la vida y comprender plenamente lo que eso significa y requiere.

No tenemos otra opción humana que respetarla de verdad.

In Memoriam

Soldier, Brick parishioner lauded for being ‘peacemaker’

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

T

he late Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta exemplified the core values of the U.S. Army, observed Father Edward Blanchett during a Mass of Christian Burial Sept. 18 in Visitation Church, Brick. But Sgt. Marketta also remained faithful to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit he received during his Confirmation in that same church 19 years earlier.

 “He served God and country faithfully as a soldier.”  Father Blanchett presided at Marketta’s funeral Mass before an estimated 200 family members, friends and fellow soldiers.

Marketta died in an Aug. 27 Black Hawk helicopter crash during aviation training on San Clemente Island, Calif. Because of social distancing protocols, congregants were present for the Mass in the church proper as well as the lower church hall, where they viewed a live video stream.

Marketta, 33, of Clarksville, Tenn., was born in Old Bridge. After residing in Germany for a brief time, the family settled in

The casket of Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta is carried out of Visitation Church, Brick, following the Sept. 18 Mass of Christian Burial. Joe Moore photo Brick in 1996. A pivotal moment occurred May 16, 2001, the day of his Confirmation.

“In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are called to be a personal witness, become soldiers in Christ,” Father Blanchett said in his homily. “Vinnie took that teaching to heart. He served God and country faithfully as a soldier.”

“The U.S. Army holds seven core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage,” he continued. “There is no coincidence those values mirror the values we are all called to by virtue of our Baptism in Christ: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. This is how we are called to live in the Light of God.” Marketta graduated from Brick High School in 2005. On Sept. 11, 2011, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served in the Special Ops Aviation Regiment (SOAR).

He received multiple awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air

Medal with “V” for valor, the Army AchieveStaff Sgt. Vincent P. ment Medal and Marketta the Meritorious Service Medal. He deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Marketta is survived by his parents, Rich and Mary; his wife, Danielle, and their daughter, Gianna; siblings, Nicholas A., Dominick A. and Anthony J. Marketta; paternal grandmother, Barbara Marketta, and maternal grandmother, Esther DeLeo; in-laws, Albert J. and Debbie Bonavita; sister-in-law, Janine Marley and husband, Thomas, and their two sons. He is predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Richard M. Marketta, and his maternal grandfather, Paul DeLeo. Burial was at Brigadier Gen. William C. Doyle N.J. Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. Donations may be made to mealtrain.com/2yw9nq.

Young grandson of Princeton parish’s Deacon Knipper remembered

BY DEACON JIM KNIPPER  Special Contributor

I Deacon Jim Knipper and his grandson, Julian. Courtesy photo

t is with great sorrow that we announce the Aug. 31, 2020, death of our beloved Julian. Julian Tao Knipper died in a tragic accident on his family farm in Crampagna, France.

He was born on April 29, 2017, to parents Jonathan Knipper and Eugénie Baudon. His family, on the farm and in the United States, was large and loving.

Living next door to his grandparents Papé and Mamie, he would excuse himself from the dinner table and run next door for the chance of enjoying a second dinner and to sit and read comic books with Papé at their table.

Julian was smart. From walks around the farm with his Papé, he learned the names of all the plants and grasses – with a keen eye for his favorite, edible champignons. With his Mamie, he would eat Continued on 56

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 55

In Memoriam SISTER BERNARD HELENE MCGUIRE, FORMER EDUCATOR IN HAMILTON SCHOOL Franciscan Sister Bernard Helene McGuire died Aug. 26 in Assisi House, Aston, Pa. She was 92.

A professed member of the

Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years, Sister Bernard Helene entered the congregation in 1945 and professed her first vows in 1948. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa., and a master of physical science degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington.

She ministered primarily

Love outweighs grief in death Continued from 55

all the strawberries, raspberries, raw green peppers and edible flowers. He peered into the stars and the universe with his mom on his bedroom balcony wrapped in a blanket at night.

He loved helping his dad on the farm, riding together in his tractor and feeding the cows. He was very proud that he could speak both English and French with his parents and would

Our family greatly thanks Bishop David

along with the clergy of our Diocese, the clergy and staff of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, and especially the beautiful people of this parish for all of your love, prayers and support given to our family during these past few weeks.

Julian, Deacon Jim and Teresa Knipper 56 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

N REMEMBRANCE, a listing of priests and deacons of  Ithe Diocese of Trenton who have died can be found on

TrentonMonitor.com>News>Obituaries

in secondary education and parish ministry including Holy Angels School, Hamilton. She also served in the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Harrisburg and Allentown, both in Pa.

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

take joy in testing his teachers at the Creche (nursery school) on how well they knew English!

Julian also had a love for music and knew Bach, Vivaldi and Beethoven, whom he preferred to Tchaikovsky, but also listened, on repeat, to “Despacito,” and most recently Paw Patrol. He was curious about everything, open and loved meeting new people. He showed us that if we didn’t impose adult limitations on a child’s speech, it was possible for him to give us insight into life’s most complicated questions.

Even separated by the Atlantic and with no travel possible due to COVID, he loved his father’s parents and would look forward to their video calls, enjoying puppet shows, reading books and sharing laughter and love. For indeed, Julian was loving, kind and gentle to everyone in his life – but especially to his younger sister, Bloom, who just  “I love you so turned one. One of his first English phrases he used regularly with his much, forever family was “I love you so much, forever time.” time.”  Julian leaves behind his parents and sister; his maternal grandparents, Doris Leuenberger and Sylvain Baudon of Crampagna, France; his paternal grandparents, Deacon James and Teresa Knipper of Washington Crossing, Pa., and Barbara Beaumont and George Newton of Somerset, N.J.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. A private family funeral service celebrating his life, his light and his love was held in France.

The family has established the Julian Knipper Memorial Fund at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital, which will go to supporting their Child Life Services for their pediatric patients with cancer and/or bone marrow transplantation and thus ease the pain and suffering of many children for years to come. To make a donation, visit http:// get-involved.uvahealth.com/goto/Julian.

For more information about Julian’s life and/or to leave a message for the family, visit www.forevermissed.com/julian-tao-knipper/about.

Deacon Jim Knipper serves in St. Paul Parish, Princeton.

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Spiritual Life

Obliged to love all OCT. 4  JESUS GIVES LEADERS A FORETASTE OF WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN Readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 5:1-7; Phil. 4:6-9; Mt. 21-33-43

W

hen we are reading the Scriptures, especially as we listen to Jesus, context always matters. It is especially important when reading the Gospels to consider the specific audience to whom Jesus addresses parables, aphorisms or when he performs a miracle. Often it is knowing the audience that helps us to more fully understand what Jesus is teaching at that moment.

 The Kingdom of God belongs not to the self-righteous ... but to all who are willing to take the risk and come to the banquet.  The Gospel for this 27th Sunday on Ordinary Time is another well-known parable in which Jesus is addressing “[the] chief priests and the elders of the people.”

The setting for this Gospel is immediately following Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday. We are, therefore, just days before his Passion and Death. At this point, everything appears to be going well for Jesus. The crowds welcomed him enthusiastically, and now he is in the Temple precincts speaking to some of the most influential members of the religious society of the city.

THE WORD

Father Garry Koch

Jesus delivers not only a foreshadowing of what is about to happen to him, but also a foreshadowing of the destruction of the very city and Temple precincts in which they are seated. While likely none of them were alive to witness the end of Jerusalem some 40 years later, this warning from Jesus lived on in the memory of his disciples.

OCT. 11  WE NEED THE RIGHT DISPOSITION TO SHARE IN THE KINGDOM Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 25:6-10A; Phil. 5:12-14, 19=20; Mt. 22:1-14 or 22:1-10

C

ontinuing his dialogue with the chief priests and elders of the people in the Temple precincts, Jesus tells another poignant parable to highlight what is about to happen.

In this parable, Jesus employs the imagery of a wedding banquet given for the son of a king. The wedding banquet theme is always an important one as it evokes Old Testament imagery of the Kingdom of God. Again, it is important to note that Jesus is still addressing the chief priests and elders of the people.

The king who throws the wedding banquet for his son learns, to his disappointment, that the invited guests choose not to come. When he sends his servants out to remind them of the banquet they are ignored and in some cases they are mistreated. Here Jesus is making not-so-subtle allusions to the prophets of the past.

Finally the king sends troops to destroy the city and put the murderers to death.

58 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

This is again a clear reference to the destruction of Jerusalem some 600 years prior. The people rejected the invitation of the Lord to renew the covenant and to place their trust in him. Ignoring the pleas of the prophet Jeremiah they lost the city and were forced into exile.

The king then invites people from the towns and villages to come to the feast.

This is no longer a feast for the nobles and the upper class, but open to everyone. Jesus here emphasizes that the Kingdom of God belongs not to the self-righteous or those who have standing within the community, but to all who are willing to take the risk and to come to the banquet.

OCT. 18  IN THE END, EVERYTHING COMES FROM AND RETURNS TO GOD Readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 45: 1, 4-6; 1Thes 1:1-5B; Mt. 22: 15-21

H

aving listened carefully to the parables that Jesus used to instruct the chief priests and elders in the Temple precincts, they seem to have understood

Shutterstock photo

 TO READ expanded versions of Father Koch’s columns or TO LISTEN to Podcast messages on Catching The Word, visit TrentonMonitor.com

his teaching, and yet at the same time they seem to ignore what he has been saying.

We have heard Jesus call out the priests and elders for their history of misjudging and mistreating the prophets that the Lord sent to them from the earliest of times. It never goes well for Israel to ignore their prophets, and Jesus has warned them that it will not go well this time either.

Now these elders decide that they need a ruse to trap Jesus so that they have an excuse to have him arrested. Perhaps lacking confidence in their own ability to bring him to a religious trial, they take the approach of attempting to trick him into speaking against the Roman authorities.

Jesus does not fall for the trick.

In one of the most oft-cited remarks from Jesus – when asked about paying taxes to Rome, Jesus adroitly states: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Left with no way either to counter or to further trap him, they walk away. However, they are not finished. In just a matter of days he will be hanging on a Roman cross; they will

have achieved their end; they will have also secured their own demise.

This is a challenging and very difficult teaching on the part of Jesus. In contemporary society, it is often employed as an endorsement from Jesus for us to adhere to what has come to be known as a wall of separation between Church and state. This was certainly not Jesus’ intent, and such a wall was unimaginable in the Roman world. Yet now, as we face another election season, and certainly one of the more contentious in our history, this teaching from Jesus is swirling about in all of its applications, yet again.

OCT. 25  LOVE OF NEIGHBOR MUST BE GROUNDED IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD Readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Ex 22:20-26; 1Thes 1:5C-10; Mt. 22:34-40

T

here is one more dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees at the Temple precincts that is not included in this cycle of Readings. It is where Jesus is asked to address the question on the Resurrec-

tion from the dead. Not surprisingly, they were not successful at trapping Jesus then either. Not to be outdone, the Pharisees decide to pick up this week where the chief priests and elders had failed. They also take the route of challenging Jesus on his teaching, focusing particularly where Jesus stood on the precepts of the Mosaic Law. On one level it seems to be what we might call a “softball” question – which Commandment is the greatest? While the Jews acknowledged 613 laws in the Scriptures, the Shemah generally stands as the all-encompassing commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Although Matthew abbreviates the formula as found in Deuteronomy, it is the familiar prayer recited daily by observant Jews. The Pharisees would nod approvingly at this response as Jesus delivers the answer that any faithful Jew would have. However, and without prompting, Jesus quickly adds: “The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law

 Our obligations to God and our obligations to our neighbor mirror each other.  and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Here Jesus takes a more radical approach to the nature of the Law. When Christians think of the Commandments, we tend to focus on the Decalogue where the first three outline our obligation to God and the other seven define our relationship to our neighbor. Jesus offers a total summary of the Law in two simple Commandments grounded in love. Here now we see that our obligations to God and our obligations to our neighbor mirror each other.

Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 59

Spiritual Life

Sacraments for divorced and remarried?; concern for grandchildren A divorced Catholic who has remarried outside the Church cannot receive Holy Communion without an annulment of the first marriage. Can they receive other Sacraments – such as the Anointing of the Sick or a Mass of Christian burial? (City and state withheld)

Q

A Catholic who is divorced and remarried without an annulment is surely still a member of the Church. In “Familiaris Consortio,” an apostolic exhortation that he wrote in 1981, St. John Paul II highlighted this truth. He said: “I earnestly call upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced, and with solicitous care to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church, for as baptized persons they can, and indeed must, share in her life. They should be encouraged to listen to the Word of God, to attend the sacrifice of the Mass, to persevere in prayer ... to bring up their children in the Christian faith, to cultivate the spirit and the practice of penance and thus implore, day by day, God’s grace” (No. 84).

A

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Specifically to your question, the QUESTION CORNER Father Kenneth Doyle person you ask Catholic News Service about may receive the Anointing of the Sick in danger of death and may have a Catholic funeral Mass and be buried in a Catholic cemetery.

I am the grandmother of two beautiful children – ages 4 and 16 months. My son, the father of these grandchildren, no longer practices his faith and is married to a non-Catholic.

When I approached our priest and asked him to baptize our grandchildren, he declined to do so – because my son no longer attends Church and was not married in the Catholic Church. When I told the priest that I have the children two days each week and am willing to instruct them in the faith, he said that was not my responsibility, but their parents’.

I cannot believe that God would ever turn a child away from our faith, nor deny them the graces from the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism, especially when there is an adult in their lives who is willing to raise them in the faith. Can you help me understand the Church’s position on this issue? (Port Royal, Virginia)

Q

You are to be commended for your concern for the children’s development in the faith. One thing you haven’t told me, though, is this: Does your son want his children to be baptized? (Or does he even know that you have asked a priest to do so?)

The Church’s Code of Canon Law provides that for an infant to be baptized licitly “the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent” (Canon 868).

Now supposing that you are able to get your son to agree, there is still a further issue. That same canon goes on to say that “there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion.” Granted that you have the care of the children two days a week, but where are they on weekends and is your son willing, as the children grow, to take them to Mass?

I suggest that you have a quiet conversation with your son.

Tell him of your deep desire that the children be baptized and raised as Catholics and of your willingness to assist with that.

If he does not agree, then I think you are best off entrusting the children, with prayer, to the Lord. God, after all, created them out of love and cares about their spiritual welfare as much as you do and even more.

And by the way, the fact that your son was not married in the Church does not restrict his right to have his children baptized.

A

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60 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@ gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, New York 12203.

Spiritual Life Micheile Henderson photo

Insights from

a Jewish philosopher and a koi pond THINGS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME Mary Clifford Morrell

W

hen book lovers are stuck at home for the better part of six months, it’s likely one of their favorite ways to pass time is to organize their books. Or maybe I should describe it as investigating their books because, inevitably, taking down a book from the shelf means stopping to leaf through and read, never knowing what you are going to find to distract you from organizing.

My unexpected find this morning was a paper copy of a column written many years ago, tucked into the pages of a wellworn copy of Jewish philosopher Martin Buber’s book, “I and Thou.”

My column, written about the experience of looking into a koi pond, seemed an odd choice for a bookmark, but when I sat down at my desk to think about it, I began to remember the connection discovered so very long ago.

While visiting a garden store, I was attracted to a lovely koi pond, and when I leaned over to get a better look at the koi, what I noticed most was the reflection of my face. I recalled the ancient myth of Narcissus, a young man who had gone to the stream to drink, only to fall in love

with his own reflection in the water.

Every time he tried to drink, the image would be broken, as would be his heart at having lost the focus of his love. So Narcissus would not drink. Eventually he died of thirst – and self-love. Legend has it that the narcissus flower bloomed where he died.

Buber’s philosophy in the slim, poetic volume, “I and Thou,” suggests that human beings have two approaches to others, either as an I-Thou relationship, or an I-It relationship. My copy of the book is wellworn because I had to go back so many times to reread parts of it to understand what he was proposing.

 It is incredibly difficult to live up to the ideal Jesus set for us.  This should not be surprising considering the depth of the questions Buber was asking: How do we find God? What is the meaning of life and personhood? There are no pat answers for these questions, but Buber did believe we should keep asking, and could gain insight through relationships.

While I still struggle with some of what Buber writes, I can say I learned enough to know that Narcissus would

always have an I-It approach, treating others as objects to be used for benefit, as separate, different, while Jesus always had an I-Thou encounter with others. Buber would refer to Jesus as “him who, nailed lifelong to the cross of the world, dares that monstrous thing – to love all men.”

Certainly in our own daily lives, it is incredibly difficult to live up to the ideal Jesus set for us. We are only human, after all. But we are called to drink from the wellspring of love that God pours into the world, and interrupt the image of our own face that appears in the water so we don’t die of thirst – or self-love.

Through the words of Scripture, God teaches us that to really be free, to fully actualize our potential as human beings, we must live in authentic relationship with others – a relationship that allows one heart to be reflected in the heart of the other “as water reflects a face back to a face.”

Such authentic relationships, those “I-Thou” relationships, are the times, stressed Buber, when we encounter God, the “eternal Thou.”

That’s something I can understand.

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.”

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 61

Young Catholics

Mater Dei Prep seniors Khalil Elamin and Alexis Lombardo were part of a virtual United Nations conference on the International Day of Peace. Courtesy photo

Mater Dei seniors address U.N. panel to promote peace

BY JENNIFER MAURO  Managing Editor

P

rimatologist Jane Goodall has advice for young people wanting to make a change in the world: Ask yourself, “What am I passionate about?”

“Think what you can do locally.

Get together with friends. Roll up your sleeves. Get out there … see that you’re making a difference. Then realize that in other countries, other towns, other cities, there are young people doing exactly the same thing,” Goodall said for the United Nations’ International Day of Peace observance Sept. 17.

 “I am going to take this experience with me for the rest of my life.”  The famous scientist was part of a U.N. online student conference panel discussion that included cellist Yo-Yo Ma, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres – and two students from Mater Dei Prep’s Emerging Global Leaders Institute. Established in 1981, the conference theme for this year was “Shaping Peace Together.”

Khalil Elamin and Alexis Lombardo, seniors in the Middletown high school, were among the few youth from across the

world selected to present their ideas on making the world a more peaceful place.

“I need the U.N. to take concrete measures to promote justice and inequality and make sure that institutions are strong and accountable so that I and other youth can thrive without fear of injustice or discrimination,” Elamin said in addressing the secretary-general.

In response, Guterres said he believes young people have been at the forefront of some of the most important mass movements in recent times, such as intergenerational justice, and violence against women and girls.

“I fully count on your generation … and encourage the youth movements in your country to be on the front lines, fighting for gender equality, the end of racism and for climate protection,” he said.

Lombardo, herself a musician, wanted to speak to Yo-Yo Ma about how music influences people in their daily lives, especially during COVID-19 since people have been isolated.

“As a performer, what do you believe

are the key elements in using music for peaceful change in society, and how can we make this message universal?” she asked.

“I think so much about the purpose and meaning of music,” the internationally known cellist said. “One of the things I think that music does – it convenes people. You give music to your friends, ‘Here’s my favorite song; I like you; I would like you to listen to this song.’ It starts a one-on-one communication.”

Lombardo said she could relate, explain that during the coronavirus, she has been delving more into writing music and playing guitar. “I have been tapping into my emotions more through music, and realized it is really helpful to everyday life.”

Both students said they were grateful and honored to be youth representatives for the Emerging Global Leaders Program and Pathways to Peace, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that often partners with the school’s program.

Mater Dei students have a long history of presenting with PTP at the U.N. in New York.

“Being picked to do something like this truly gives me the confidence that I will be able to take on everyday tasks,” Lombardo said. “Being a part of it [U.N. outreach] gives me the faith to work harder and to try to impact the world for peace.”

Added Elamin, “I am going to take this experience with me for the rest of my life. I’m just glad that we got to voice our opinions to people in power. My mom has always told me my voice is a tool. I’m glad I got to use my voice today.”

DID YOU KNOW? According to the United Nations, today’s times hold the largest generation of young people in history – 1.8 million.

To watch the Mater Dei Prep students address the U.N. panel, visit the online version of this story at TrentonMonitor.com >Youth&Young Adults

The Diocese of Trenton and The Monitor would like to thank GALLAGHER INSURANCE for their sponsorship of this page.

62 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Family Life

Freepik images

To take part in the livestream Holy Hour for Marriage, visit youtube.com/ trentondiocese or facebook.com/ TheCatholicDioceseofTrenton To check out the weekly Facebook postings for milestone anniversaries, visit facebook.com/dotfamilylife and all other resources at BuildingStrongMarriages.org.

Holy Hour for Marriage, special web

resources planned for couples celebrating milestone anniversaries

BY MARY STADNYK 

of the Blessed Sacrament, and liturgical music, praise and worship. Prayers will COVID-19 may have forced the be read by selected married couples from cancellation of the annual Bishop’s Anniaround the Diocese who represent each versary Blessings Masses, but a number of the milestone years. There will also be of marriage-related activities are taking Intercessory Prayers offered for the differplace in the coming weeks to recognize ent stages of marriage – engaged couples, couples celebrating one, 25, 50 or more newly married, parents and those who years of marriage in 2020. have been married most of their lives.

Throughout October, the diocesan “When I prepare couples for marriage, Department of Evangelization and Family I speak with each one about the potential Life will be posting special resources on for an ‘extraordinary marriage,’ which inits Facebook and diocesan volves three ‘demands’ made webpages, each geared toby the couple,” Father Grogan  “Making ward first, 25th and 50-plus said. First, couples must take anniversary couples. These the wedding it upon each other to achieve celebratory posts and web“extraordinary”; then they pages will culminate Oct. must make the “demand” anniversary 25 with a livestreamed Holy upon God in prayer to give a priority Hour for Marriage broadthem the grace to grow into cast from Nativity Parish, an extraordinary marriage. is good for Fair Haven.

For the third, he said, “I tell The Holy Hour, which marriages.”  them they should make deruns from 3 to 4 p.m., will mands of the Church for the be held outdoors, weather support and tools to make permitting, with Father James Grogan, extraordinary their reality.” pastor, presiding. Anniversary couples as “This Holy Hour is one of those tools, well as those from Nativity and Cohort and it is something that our Church needs parishes are invited to attend, though by way of encouraging prayer as central in most are encouraged to take part virtually the nurturing of marriage,” he said. “It is due to social distancing and safety protogood to invite couples to return to some cols. All married couples in the Diocese of our older rituals, such as Eucharistic are invited to prayerfully participate onAdoration and Benediction, and this Holy line, with special acknowledgement being Hour will do exactly that for anniversary given to the milestone anniversaries. couples.”

The Holy Hour will include exposition Concerning the special web resources Associate Editor

that will be posted during October, Peg Hensler, associate director of the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life, explained that three new webpages have been created – one each for first, 25th and 50-plus anniversaries. Each page, which is geared toward Catholic marriage, includes ideas for celebrating the particular anniversary; a “walk down memory lane” that depicts what life was like the year the couples were married; “Inspiration and Tools for the Journey” books, articles, videos and websites on various marriage-related topics, and “A Note on Catholic Marriage” that focuses on what is unique about each stage of marriage and suggestions on getting involved in the parish. All information can be found at BuildingStrongMarriages.org.

“It’s a way for couples to take time out of the daily grind and be intentional about reliving and recalling all the hopes, dreams and wonders of their wedding day,” Hensler said.

Starting Oct. 4, posts on the department’s diocesan Facebook page will feature images and quotes directed toward first-year anniversary couples. Similar posts will be made on Oct. 11, geared for 25th anniversary couples; Oct. 18 for 50th, and Oct. 25 for anniversaries 51 years and more.

Hensler also reiterated that all couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020 will be invited to next year’s Anniversary Blessings Masses.

October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 63

Community

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., commissions the new St. Vincent de Paul Special Works Conference’s members, including its president, Margaret More, and vice presidents in the background. Jeff Bruno photo

Bishop blesses SVDP furniture ministry, commissions new conference

BY JENNIFER MAURO Managing Editor

M

argaret More couldn’t hide the ear-to-ear grin behind her face mask as her eyes lit up during the blessing and commissioning ceremony tied to the St. Vincent de Paul furniture ministry she began 10 years ago.

She didn’t have to, either, as she pushed her mask down, saying “I do” to the question put before her by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. “Margaret, as you begin your term of leadership as president of this outreach conference … are you prepared to reach out with compassion and love to the poor and to all those whom you lead?” the Bishop, a Vincentian himself, asked on the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul.

Bishop O’Connell was joined by priests of the Diocese and dozens of SVDP parish conference members Sept. 27 in Wall Township as he blessed the new warehouse for Vincent’s Legacy and commissioned a new, independent SVDP Special

WHAT YOU CAN DO Visit Vincent’s Legacy at vincentslegacy.wixsite.com/ furniture. The ministry could use more volunteers, donations and a box truck to make deliveries. To donate a handbag or for more information about Handbags to Help, email handbags. to.help@svdptrenton.org. For furniture and other household donations in Monmouth and Ocean counties, email furniture@ svdptrenton.org. To seek assistance from SVDP, call 609-557-7837.

Works Conference and officers.

“This gives me a great opportunity to meet so many wonderful Vincentians,” Bishop O’Connell said. “St. Vincent said one thing that has always stayed with me.

‘Don’t try to preach the Gospel until you feed their bellies.’ There’s so much truth in that. When the poor are served and their needs are met, it’s then that they’ll be attentive to what you have to say.

“So, my fellow Vincentians, I offer you the spirit of St. Vincent. Tap into that spirit as you do your good work,” he said, moments later stepping into the new Vincent’s Legacy warehouse and blessing it with holy water.

‘IT’S ABOUT HOME’ The Vincent’s Legacy furniture ministry was approved by the Trenton Council Board in 2016 and collects gently used furniture donations and pairs them with needy families. Volunteers visit the homes of individuals in Ocean and Monmouth Counties to help select the best items to fit each family’s style and needs. It is an expansion of the Selective Seconds home décor and furniture store in Belmar, launched in 2010 under the direction of the SVDP conference in St. Rose Parish and More, who was a parishioner at the time. The store’s proceeds benefit the working poor in the community.

With Vincent’s Legacy’s revenue needs going beyond any one individual conference, it was decided this year to launch the SVDP Special Works Conference, which is independent of any parish – a first in the Diocese of Trenton. It is in the process of becoming an official 501(c)(3).

“Vincent’s Legacy, the first time I saw

For more photos, visit

TrentonMonitor.com> Photo Gallery

it, I was so amazed. It’s not just about furniture; it’s about home,” said Brenda Rascher, diocesan executive director of Catholic Social Services. “They help the family recognize that you just don’t need a bed, you need a bed and a dresser or a lamp. I think families are hesitant to ask for all of what they might need. Whereas this program goes and helps identify what they need, even if they haven’t asked for it.”

 “Vincent’s Legacy, the first time I saw it, I was so amazed.”  Joan Olden, president of the diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society, said she was pleased to see Vincent’s Legacy move from a SVDP Trenton Council outreach to its own SVDP conference.

“When you become a conference, it goes beyond a special project. You encompass other things – spirituality, friendship, home visits. That Vincentian charism is being lifted – I’ve seen it already,” Olden said, speaking of its eight core members.

“It’s the same group of people involved before it was a conference, but now it’s really become theirs, seeing their project grow.”

Without the support of any one parish, all involved are hopeful that Vincentians around the Diocese and others will help support the Special Works Conference and consider joining or volunteering.

Read expanded coverage at TrentonMonitor.com>Diocese.

The Diocese of Trenton and The Monitor would like to thank GALLAGHER INSURANCE for their support and sponsorship of this page.

64 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

Has the Covid Recession steered your investment strategy off course?

Archbishop Myers dies at age 79 Continued from 30

at the Pontifical North American College and study theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, from which he received his licentiate in 1967. He obtained a canon law degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington. He was ordained a priest Dec. 17, 1966, in Peoria. In 1977, he began a series of administrative posts, including a decade as vocations director and chancellor.

He was vicar general of the Peoria Diocese from 1983 to 1990.

Archbishop Myers was active in national and international Church affairs. He was an early and avid supporter of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, which is now the St. John Paul II National Shrine. He also served on the board of governors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center; the Seminary Committee and board of trustees of The Catholic University of America; the Papal Foundation; and various committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ including the Committee on Hispanic Affairs and the Committee for Aid to the Church in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

His funeral services were held in Peoria.

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October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 65

In the Parishes

1,000 faithful attend 9/11 Mass with Bishop Faithful stand as “God Bless America” is played by the parish band during the “God, Country, Family” revival Sept. 11 on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, Middletown. John Batkowski photos

BY JENNIFER MAURO  Managing Editor

N

ineteen years ago, Ruslan Bykovets got off the 8 a.m. train to get to his job in lower Manhattan. An hour later, he was watching people running out of a cloud of smoke.

“I didn’t know what was going on until my wife called,” Bykovets said of the Sept.

11, 2001, terror attacks on New York City, Washington and Shanksville, Pa. The parishioner of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, was not injured when the Twin Towers fell, but memories of that day, the sadness felt in the community and the unease of today’s political climate and social unrest are among the reasons he and his wife, Linda, attended the parish’s “God, Country, Family” parking-lot revival on the anniversary of Sept. 11.

“We need spiritual help. People are

MORE ONLINE View dozens of photos at TrentonMonitor.com>Multimedia>Photo Galleries Check out videos of the Mass with Bishop, as well as interviews on hope with the weekend’s speakers at https:// dioceseoftrenton.org/stories-of-hope. Want to watch the livestream video of all three days? Visit St. Mary Parish’s YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/c/SaintMaryMotherofGodChurch

Bishop O’Connell holds up a cross made of rebar from the Twin Towers that fell on 9/11. still dealing with this 19 years later,” Bykovets said, reflecting on how the Middletown community lost 37 residents in the attacks. “Plus, I just think the country needs to get some peace of mind right now. People who have been friends forever don’t speak to each other anymore because of what is going on. Nobody is cordial to each other. It has to stop.”

The Bykovets were among the roughly 1,000 faithful who gathered for Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on the first evening of the three-day, outdoor retreat.

“For those of us who witnessed and yet survived that fateful day, that 9/11 of 19 years ago, our national memory, our parish memory, our personal memory endures,” the Bishop’s voice echoed across the church parking lot as faithful listened on

66 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

their radios inside their vehicles or sat on lawn chairs at the foot of their bumpers.

“Painful though those memories may still be, they have not blinded us to the Lord Jesus’ Gospel message and his light that alone illumines all darkness, to the comfort that his love alone brings, to the hope that he alone can offer, to his truth that alone removes the splinters in every eye,” he said.

 “This not the first time in history that the world has been confronted with division and challenges and plagues.”  Addressing the faithful, Bishop O’Connell held up a metal cross, explaining that it was given to him by a stranger just days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The man was a first responder from New York. “This piece of rebar from the Twin Towers, to me is a relic,” he said. “And each year at this time, I bring it to the celebration of Mass wherever I am.”

Concelebrating the Mass were Father Continued on 71

In the Parishes

Faithful pray for racial unity during outdoor procession

BY MARY STADNYK 

Father Joseph Jakub, parochial vicar in St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, leads a prayer for the dignity of all persons. Staff photo

Associate Editor

T

he flickering of flashlights, cell phones and glowsticks illuminated the way as faithful walked the grounds of St. Catharine of Genoa Church to offer their prayers for what “all of society needs to remember, and that is the dignity of all people.”

Though the Gospels offer guidance on combating racial inequality, society often fails to hear the message, Father Patrick McPartland, pastor of the Holmdel parish, continued during the outdoor Prayer Service to Promote Racial Unity the evening of Sept. 9.

“We can have respectful, reasonable, prayerful conversa-

tion on sensitive topics that are informed by Church teachings,” which can add a dimension to what it means to have peace and love of neighbor, Father McPartland said.

During the prayer service, coordinated by Father Joseph Jakub, parochial vicar, and Kathy Dalton, parish music director, faithful processed around the church, stopping at crosses adorned with images of saints who encountered racial injustice. At each point, Scripture passages from the First Letter of St. John and from St. Matthew’s Gospel were proclaimed, and musicians led the singing of hymns. Father

McPartland played guitar, and the names of saints who experienced racial or ethnic injustice were remembered in the Litany of Saints.

Father Jakub, in his homily, reflected on the tragedies and triumphs that seem to be “the story of our country, the story of the world and, at the end of it all, the story of salvation.”

Among those tragedies: the sin of racism, the history of slavery and segregation, and those who continue to be at a disadvantage today due to the color of their skin or where they live.

The triumphs, Father Jakub noted, include the abolition of slavery, the legacy of social

THOSE IN WORKPLACE ASKED TO BE MINDFUL OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., addressed Catholic businessmen and women Sept. 17, pondering a question – one to which they could relate. “I sometimes wonder if the Lord Jesus was always on the job?” he preached during the Mass celebrated for members of the Jersey Shore Chapter of Legatus in St. James Church, Red Bank. “Did he ever ‘take a break’ from his ministry?

Did he have any ‘down time,’ and if so, what did he do to relax?”

Legatus is an international organization of Catholic business and professional women and men that was started in 1987. The Jersey Shore chapter has about 40 members who hold monthly meetings, which include recitation of the Rosary, Confessions, Mass, and a speaker.

Father Daniel Kirk, chapter chaplain, said, “Legatus builds up these men and women with the expectation that they will go into the workplace and the world and make it a place where Christ is known.” Read expanded coverage at TrentonMonitor.com. ~ By Mary Stadnyk, associate editor

For more photos, visit TrentonMonitor.com> Multimedia>Photo Galleries

justice activists, and the continued awareness of and praying for racial unity and an end to violence.

“We must look at our past and present and see the tragedy we have endured in our country. We must look at our past and present with gratitude at the triumphs that overcame those tragedies,” he said. “We must look at our past and present to see how love has conquered hatred and violence, and we must be those agents of love.”

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October 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 67

Sports

Back in

the Game

Students, coaches take COVID-19 precautions as high school sports returns

BY RICH FISHER  Contributing Editor

A

fter months of uncertainty, Catholic high school athletes who play fall sports in the Diocese of Trenton are taking the field again.

Countless students lost their spring campaigns and faced altered summer practices due to COVID-19, but the good news came in August that their sports seasons would take place.

“It feels amazing to actually be able to play this year,” Notre Dame senior field hockey goalie Brennan Pinto said. “Last year, I was extremely upset to miss my junior year of lacrosse and even more upset wondering if I would even get a senior season for field hockey.”

St. Rose girls soccer player Jenna DeFazio was going through those same fears.

“Senior year is a big deal for our team,” the Belmar high school student said. “We do a bunch of different things to honor the seniors at our big Senior Day celebration.

Since freshman year, I have been

“It feels amazing to actually be able to play this year,” Notre Dame senior field hockey goalie Brennan Pinto says of the fall season.

Staff photo

68 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

looking forward to finally celebrating my senior year with the team, and to think that could have been taken away from all of us was very nerve-wracking.

“The news that we would actually be starting tryouts and real practice was a total relief,” she continued. “Even though it’s not going to be like it was the past years, it’s still  “They seem very exciting to get out and play for to understand St. Rose for my final year.”

It is indeed quite different as their role and teams prepare to open their regular seasons in late September and early responsibility October. Protocols in place require: as studentdaily COVID-19 pre-screenings and temperature checks; coaches to wear athletes.”  masks at all times; and players to wear masks entering and leaving the practice field. Other precautions include no sharing of equipment or water bottles – which, student-athletes say – is a small price to pay.

With pre-season beginning in mid-September, football was an obvious concern with players in close contact, but Red Bank Catholic coach Mike Lange noted things are going well.

“We’re definitely doing less tackling and less full pads,” Lange said. “We’re working smart. After practice, the coaches are spraying [disinfecting] everything. We keep the spacing and distancing on point. I think our kids are getting accustomed to it.”

RBC did not make the final decision to play until late August.

“We were practicing and collectively praying in the background,” Lange said. “I didn’t know how I was going to handle telling them if it wasn’t a go. All that made practice in the sum-

Sports

Student-athletes from Red Bank Catholic High School practice during midSeptember. Staff photo

mer very edgy because of the unknown. You try to spin it [positively] to the kids while not even knowing yourself.”

Field hockey coach Cheryl Harris of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, said the teams remained hopeful and optimistic over the summer.

“We knew nothing was for sure, so we just prayed and did our part,” she said.

“We had the greatest turnout this summer for our workouts. It was obvious they wanted to get back to some type of social interaction and normalcy.”

Practice, however, doesn’t look the same.

“I pay more attention to spacing in drills and warm-ups,” Harris said. “ We need to keep the girls six feet apart, especially when they are waiting their turn to engage in an activity. Thankfully, this summer coach [ John] McKenna helped train them to be conscious of the distancing in drills.”

Pinto said the restrictions don’t affect her play once the action starts. “I’ve been cautious about COVID, but when I’m in the goal, the main thing going through my mind is stopping the ball and making the save. I also know we are outside and that our coaches do everything they can to keep us safe.”

Ken Oliver, Donovan Catholic High School’s boys soccer coach, said he was pleasantly surprised when he heard there would

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be a fall sports season. His practice sessions include social distancing and more spacing during set-up drills and water breaks.

“Our players are very mature, and we have some strong leaders on our team,” Oliver said of the Toms River school athletes.

“The boys have handled everything really well so far and have adapted nicely. I think they’re just happy to be together as a team and excited that the season is going to take place.

“We asked them to commit to following the protocols and to focus on doing everything that they can to stay healthy,” he said. “I feel like they’re highly motivated to play this season, and they seem to understand their role and responsibility as student-athletes in making that happen during this pandemic.”

St. Rose girls’ soccer coach Zack Savacool noted that the summer sessions were non-contact.

“It was odd being unable to run any contact drills, but I have been coaching for several years and there are a lot of technical and fitness drills I’ve done in that time that I was able to utilize this summer,” he said, admitting those drills were a bit tedious.

Now, he said, the girls are “excited to get back on the field and finally just get to play.”

DeFazio agreed that the summer technical drills got somewhat monotonous but that things have changed for the better in the fall sessions. “Most practices now are all business. I think the team is just trying to make this season as normal as possible.”

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Fun & Games  

 SCRIPTURE SEARCH

  Gospel for October 11, 2020  Matthew 22:1-14  Following is a word search based on the Gospel  reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A:

TEST YOUR CATHOLIC KNOWLEDGE Answers on back page.

1

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3

4

5

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 shadows of heavenly judgment.

The words can be found

 in all directions  in the puzzle.      HEAVEN A KING HIS SON  

TELL THOSE INVITED READY    FARM MISTREATED ENRAGED    TROOPS DESTROYED BURNED   CITY  STREETS GATHERED    FOUND GUESTS FRIEND DARKNESS TEETH CHOSEN  

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15 17 20

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 

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ACROSS 3 Mary, Stella ___ 9 Spanish city associated with Teresa 10 Vatican ___ II 11 Grandmother of Timothy 12 Type of knowledge that is a condition for mortal sin 13 Abraham’s grandsons 15 Perfume the altar 16 Chant, as a monk 17 An Apostle 20 Kind of reverend 22 “Fort” diocese in Indiana 23 ___ and Omega 25 Make a father of 26 Catholic United States Chief Justice Taney 29 David is their patron saint 31 Jesus shared this with his apostles the night before he died 32 “for whatever a man ___, that he will also reap.” (Gal 6:7) 35 Characteristic of God 36 “___ you destroyed our death…”

37 One of two names in a Catholic book publishing company DOWN 1 Vocation 2 Beatific ___

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3 Mary ___ Killop, saintly founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph 4 Mass for the dead 5 Australia’s first Catholic prime minister 6 Commit a deadly sin 7 Priest who founded of the Knights of Columbus 8 “…the spirit indeed is willing, but the ___ is weak.” (Mk 14:38) 14 Direction from the Jordan to Bethlehem 15 ___ of Ars 18 Liquid used in some sacraments 19 Advent through Ordinary Time 21 Mary Magdalene mistook the Risen Jesus for this (Jn 20:15) 22 The other one of 37A 23 Noah took them into the ark 24 Element of the Sacrament of Reconciliation 27 Mass part 28 The ___ Room 30 Ishmael and Isaac, to Abraham 33 A sacrament is an outward ___ 34 “Can any of you by worrying ___ a single moment to your life?” (Mt 6:27)

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70 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  October 2020

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12

Jeff Kegley, parish pastor, and Father Richard Osborn and Father Jordan McConway, O.P., parochial vicars. It was Bishop O’Connell’s first public Mass since the pandemic began, and many in the crowd said they were happy to hear the Bishop preach.

“The message I’m hoping to receive is one of peace,” said Leslie Dyer, as her husband, Kevin, and two young girls sat beside her in the bed of their pickup. The St. Mary parishioner explained that earlier that day, she had been reading Psalm 91. “I was reading about how the Lord is my refuge and how I’m protected with him. I feel like our country and the whole earth need to be protected with the love of God. There is so much going on that’s not of the love of God.” Jim Tortorici, theology teacher in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, and the featured speaker on the retreat’s final night, said the weekend’s theme was about how the faithful can respond to God, seek his wisdom, be rooted in Scripture and know the Lord’s promises.

“This not the first time in history that the world has been confronted with division and challenges and plagues,” he said. “We have a Biblical precedent, and the same Jesus, the same Lord that was with Israel, with the early Church throughout history is with us – and he

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asks us to respond through faith.”

Darlene Line, a retired senior agent with the Department of Homeland Security, gave a similar witness talk before the Sept. 11 Mass.

Comparing the insecurity of 9/11 to current times, she said, “Aren’t we facing today, in the pandemic chaos, uncertainty and loneliness? I’m here to tell you today, just like in the days of 9/11, Jesus still sits on the throne. In Christ, we place our hope,” she said to the sounds of applause and car horns honking.

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The Parish Administrator maintains a warm, welcoming, orderly atmosphere for parishioners, staff, and others who call or visit the parish. The parish administrator is the primary person responsible for the supervision and management of all financial activities, administrative functions, human resources, parish facilities, and all related processes and systems for the parish. The role is intended as support to the ministry of the Pastor and the other parish ministries.

The parish administrator directs these efforts within a framework of shared ministry and Catholic values consistent with the mission and purpose of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church. This position is responsible for managing the parish office and Parish needs. The Parish office is a setting in which pastoral, educational and spiritual outreach occurs. The person who fulfils this position must be a practicing Catholic with mid to executive level administrative work experience, and must be proficient in Microsoft Software Applications.

If interested, please forward resume to MsgrMarucci@churchofstandrews.org and Kemrich@churchofstandrews.org

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