BREAD FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN

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Williams asked her granddaughter, Brittany Busch, who graduated in 2022 with an art degree from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, to draw a prototype for a poster the Rosarians could use to promote the Bread for Life Campaign. Busch created two designs – the original based on the statue, and a second illustration that showed Mary holding a loaf of bread.

“We’re using both designs,” Williams said. “The one I asked her to create we are using for the posters, and the one she was inspired to draw for postcards.”

Williams took the designs to Father O’Neil and explained her campaign idea. “Like a surveyor who locates the right spot on the other end of a lot, I knew we were heading in the right direction,” she recalled. “I took the illustration prototypes for him to see, and asked permission to begin [the campaign]; with his blessing we started in October.”

She coordinated with Mary Ann Dempkowski, parish director of religious education, to have letter-sized reproductions of the campaign poster with an inspired mission prayer distributed to religious education students in September, so that they could pray for the campaign’s success. Williams also contacted several nearby parishes’ RAS presidents, asking them to consider starting the campaign in their parishes –and if they did, to share the prints with religious education classes for prayerful support.

“We’ve had great interest from other parishes,” she said, noting that the parishes contacted were St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Barnabas, Bayville; St. Aloysius, Jackson; St.

Luke, Toms River, and St. Mary of the Lake (part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish), Lakewood.

Thanks to the generous response of parishioners, some weekends the bread supply at St. John’s can run low.

“We started [at our RAS meeting before the first sale] by asking members to raise their hand if they could bake three loaves,” Williams explained. “Because I live near the church, if we start selling on Saturday after Mass, and at 8 a.m. on Sunday if I hear they’re low, I quickly whip up another batch.” That batch is Dolly Dillon’s Irish Soda Bread –her treasured grandmother’s secret recipe, and a bake sale favorite.

“Because it’s a campaign, we’re on a journey moving forward,” Williams added. “I just feel Holy Mother Mary is doing a wonderful work and the Holy Spirit is moving and energizing us … So many people prayed for this campaign; if we can get the word out, others will be inspired to do this – that’s my goal.”

To learn more about starting a Bread for Life Campaign, and for posters or postcards to reproduce, call Barbara Williams, 732-581-8817.

Pta Answers Call

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Joey’s Little Angels, he noted, has donated over 40,000 toys to hospitals nationwide, and has raised more than $250,000 for families with a child undergoing medical treatment.

Several representatives of the diocesan PTA board also spoke during the luncheon, reflecting on the collective calling to serve.

Landino noted. “Your efforts are very visible in our schools, which utilize our support to enhance children’s educational experiences.”

And that calling is often met with diligent and quiet hard work behind the scenes, noted Brianna Starkey, regent for Monmouth/ Ocean region.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been to one PTA event where the volunteers’ names are in gold,” she said, recalling the homily of a priest who described political figures being recognized with their names brandished above their sponsored projects. “You’re always there for others. It’s not about us, it’s about our Lord. Our name is in gold with him.”

Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent of Catholic schools, reminded the attendees that “most of us made the decision to be who or what we became … We are called to use the gifts we have, to make the most of every day; we are called … to make a difference in people’s lives.”

As regent for Burlington/Mercer region, and former PTA member of OLS since 2012, Cyndi Primerano served as emcee for the luncheon. She reflected on the necessity of PTA chapters to the success of Catholic schools in the Diocese, including offsetting tuition costs and funding activities and programs.

“My hope is that PTA members and principals recognize that they were called to serve our children of our Catholic schools; and they made a conscious decision to take action and say yes,” she said. “Their work is critical to keeping our communities thriving!” edged, “The need for assistance has been greater than previous years. These essential items are a must for mothers to take care of their children. CBA was proud to support this diocesan effort.”

Furthering that assistance was also Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, where the Catholic athletes collected more than 1,700 diapers from the school community for Seeds of Service, Brick Township, and the Open Door Pregnancy Center, Toms River. Additional diapers were donated to the St. Joseph Parish Food Pantry, Toms River.

In Mercer County, the Catholic Athletes from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, and the Celebrate Life Club partnered to collect almost 2,450 diapers through the donations of approximately 500 students. Diapers will be donated to Home Front and The Makers Place, organizations in Lawrenceville and Trenton respectively, that serve mothers and families in need.

Guida was proud of the schools’ participation in the service project that was instituted in the high schools by Dr. Vincent DePaul Schmidt, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, who started this drive during Catholic Schools Week. The Catholic Athletes have adopted this program as their own for the past two years.