Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral Monitor Special Supplement

‘Created for the Glory of God’ A Celebration of the newly-elevated

St. Robert Bellarmine ONITOR M Co-Cathedral THE

Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.

M ONITOR M ONITOR

February 19, 2017 THE

Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.

A special supplement to

THE

Newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

THE

A Milestone for the Diocese

A Moment in History

T

he process of elevating St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Freehold to the dignity of a cocathedral, which began in April 2016 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., comes to fruition with the signing of the “acta,” or official document of elevation, during Mass Feb. 19.

The final step formalizing the new status will have been witnessed by more than a thousand of the faithful, along with priests of the Diocese and visiting Church leaders.

The St. Robert Bellarmine Parish community, notified on Christmas Eve 2016 of the honor and responsibility that it was being given, has been diligently preparing for the next chapter of its spiritual legacy that dates back to 1971. In its 46 years of existence, the parish has grown in response to a burgeoning Catholic community in western Monmouth County, eventually building its own church, which will now serve as the secondary spiritual home for the Diocese.

Fewer than 10 co-cathedrals in the United States have been approved by the Vatican. Co-cathedrals are established to supplement the mission and ministry of the cathedral of a diocese. In this Diocese, St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral will support St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton.

Diocesan events will be scheduled in one of the two churches, according to the specific needs.

The administration and staff of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, already known for their warm hospitality, have opened wide the doors to their beautiful church and put out the welcome mat for the diocesan family.

From the Cover The title of this keepsake booklet, “Created for the Glory of God,” is based on a phrase from St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621): “If you are wise, then, know that you have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation. This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.” (SRB, “On the Ascent of the Mind of God”) Photo of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral by Craig Pittelli

C2 • Celebrating

A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Co-Cathedral known for central location, architectural beauty and spirit of hospitality Excerpted from original announcement, published Dec. 28, 2016

A Place of Tradition, Community

I

n the early and mid 1970s, the area of Central New Jersey was experiencing a steady settling by professionals who worked in New York and Northern New Jersey and wanted to provide a wholesome life for their families in the more affordable suburbs.

The already thriving churches in the area became insufficient to serve the people of God in this area.

“

The large gathering area offers a place for the faithful to greet one another.

”

When the parish of St. Robert Bellarmine was established in 1971 in the budding suburb of Freehold, a parish worship space, which doubled as a parish hall and gathering space, was constructed with a “family” parish community in mind. This worship space provided for the needs of the parish for 30-plus years, but as the parish grew and events and ministries became more numerous, it was clear that a new church building was necessary.

Having had a good financial foundation from which to draw, the new space was to be built with an eye toward beauty, function and growth; housing definite ecclesial designs. The parish church of St. Robert Bellarmine was dedicated in 2002 with a seating capacity of 1,100 congregants. As one enters the gathering area, he/she is drawn in by double rosette windows – one at the entrance of the church and another at the entrance of the nave. The large gathering area offers a place for the faithful to greet one another, for ministers of the Mass to assemble their procession and ample space for various ministries of social Continued on • C3

Inside: Welcoming Presence • C7 The Making of a Co-Cathedral • C10-C11 The Story of St. Robert Bellarmine Church • A1-A4 (center) Our Mother Church • C15-C16 A Community Celebrates • C18 & C22

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. preaches his homily during the 2016 Chrism Mass that was celebrated in St. Robert Bellarmine Church. The new Co-Cathedral will work in cooperation with St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, in serving as as a site to host diocesan events and liturgical celebrations. Craig Pittelli photo

Continued from • C2

outreach to function.

Although the building is a new construction, it contains many traditional elements that make the nave and sanctuary warm and welcoming. A clear story (high walls with windows) along with rose windows of clear glass allow ample natural lighting in the church and draws attention to the sanctuary. The clear rose windows bring a sense of transparency and a flow between the life of the church and the life of the community. Within the nave the stained glass windows honor the Mysteries of the Rosary, Saints of the Americas and the patron of the parish, St. Robert Bellarmine.

The white marble platform holds the major appointments of the sanctuary: a deep green Carrera marble of the altar, tabernacle pedestal and ambo. The striking beauty of these appointments has a profound effect on those who gaze upon the sanctuary. The marble-covered back wall of the sanctuary, in effect, acts as a reredos.

The nave of the church is built in such a manner that there is no need for pillars, giving the congregants a clear view of the liturgical action in the sanctuary and throughout the body of the church.

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish is located very close to the geographic center of the Diocese and is easily accessed by major highways north, south, east and west. This reality along with the accessibility of all buildings has made St. Robert Bellarmine a central location for liturgical, social and educational efforts of the Diocese.

The faithful of the parish take seriously the ministry of hospitality to their brothers and sisters from around the Diocese, and our mission to receive all who come together in Christ’s name. In recent years, certainly since my arrival as Bishop in 2010, the Diocese of Trenton has been blessed by the easily accessible availability of St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Numerous days of recollection, spiritual programs, liturgical events, opportunities for pastoral training and countless other meetings have been held in the parish facilities there.

From Vision to Reality Two years ago, I moved the annual Chrism Mass from St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton to the centrally located St. Robert Bellarmine Church to more easily accommodate the priests of the Diocese for our yearly Holy Week dinner together, our liturgical renewal of priestly commitment and the blessing and distribution of holy oils used in the sacraments for the year ahead.

Having attended so many events there and having read about all of the other diocesan activities that used St. Robert’s as their chosen venue, I considered the possibility of seeking its

A look at St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine Feast day: Sept. 17

B

orn Oct. 4, 1542, in Monepulciano, Italy, St. Robert Bellarmine was one of 10 children of Cinzia Cervini and Vincenzo Bellarmino. He entered the novitiate of the newly formed Society of Jesus (Jesuit order) in September 1560, remaining in Rome for three years to study philosophy before going on to teach humanities in Florence and Mondovi.

He became famous for his Latin sermons, gaining a reputation as a professor and preacher, and drawing to his pulpit both Catholics and Protestants. In 1576, he was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Roman College, becoming rector in 1592, going on to become provincial of Naples in 1594 and cardinal in 1598.

Exemplary of his devotion was St. Robert Bellarmine’s defense of the Apostolic See against the anti-clericals in Venice and against the political tenets of James I of England. He composed an exhaustive apologetic work against the prevailing heretics of his day. Regarding the relationship between Church and state, he proposed a democratic ideal: authority originates with God but is vested in the people, who entrust it to fit rulers.

St. Robert Bellarmine was the spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, promoting his cause for canonization. He helped St. Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order, opposed severe action in the case of Galileo. He has left a host of important writings, including works of devotion and instruction, as well as controversy. He died in 1621.

St. Robert Bellarmine was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930, and declared a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1931. His remains are displayed behind glass under a side altar in the Church of St. Ignatius, the chapel of the Roman College, next to the body of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, as he had wished.

St. Robert Bellarmine is the patron saint of catechists.

Sources: www.catholic. org, www.newadvent.org.

St. Robert Bellarmine, right, is seen with St. Aloysius Gonzaga in this stainedglass window which is located near the choir section in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold. Craig Pittelli photo

Continued on • C26

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C3

Congratulations to

ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE

Elevation to Co-Cathderal and to Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Pastor

God’s Blessings upon St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral

Congratulations to all!

From the Priests, Staff and parishioners of

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART Bay Head

We offer our sincerest

congratulations and prayerful best wishes to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral!

•

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

We are so proud to be part of the Parish Family of St. Robert Bellarmine

Monroe Twp. • www.abcarpetnj.com

from all at WHITING

Rev. Pasquale A. Papalia, Pastor

Walt & Chris Ganz

Congratulations and Blessings to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral From

The Parish, Priests, Staff and Students of

St. Rose of Lima Church and School Freehold

C4 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

In Thanksgiving to God, The Holy See and The Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D. The Parish of St. Robert Bellarmine Church is ready to embrace the opportunity to serve the Diocese of Trenton as its Co-Cathedral.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C5

The Parishioners and Staff of Incarnation-St. James Parish Congratulate The Parishioners and Staff St. Bellarmine Parish TheRobert Parishioners and Staff of of on Your Elevation toParish Incarnation-St. James Incarnation-St. James Parish Congratulate Co-Cathedral Congratulate St. Robert Bellarmine Parish

St. Robert Bellarmine on Your Elevation to Parish on Your Elevation to Co-Cathedral Co-Cathedral

Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Church Maple Shade, NJ

Congratulates

St. Robert Bellarmine as

1545 Pennington Road Ewing, N.J. 08618 1545 Pennington Road Rev. Thomas Augustine Morris, O.SS.T., Pastor Ewing, N.J. 08618 Rev. Thomas Augustine Morris, O.SS.T., Pastor

Co-Cathedral

1545 Pennington Road Congratulations to the Parish Ewing, N.J. 08618 of St. Robert Rev. Thomas Augustine Morris, O.SS.T., Pastor Bellarmine

on your Elevation to Co-Cathedral!

“Charity is that with which no person is lost, and without which no person is saved."

- St. Robert Bellarmine

Grace, Peace and Blessings to you!

The Catholic Community of St. David the King Princeton Jct., NJ 08550 Very Rev. Timothy J. Capewell, V.F., Pastor

C6 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Pastor sees Co-Cathedral as resource to wider diocesan community Story by Mary Stadnky, Associate Editor

L

ong before St. Robert Bellarmine Church was established as a co-cathedral, it had been an active and vital parish community, serving as the spiritual home to more than 4,000 households and offering a variety of ministries that numbers more than 40. In addition, the parish, in recent years, had also become the chosen location to host numerous diocesan workshops and liturgies primarily because of its central location within the four counties of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean, and facilities that are accessible location-wise and can accommodate large numbers of people.

In this 2014 photo, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrates Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Church for catechetical leaders who were attending a daylong workshop. At left is Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. Jeff Bruno photo

to solicit feedback from parishioners on how they felt about their parish obtaining co-cathedral status.

While the community had recognized the prestige that would come with being named a co-cathedral, Now that the Freehold Township church has been Msgr. Sirianni assured the Bishop that with or without dedicated a co-cathedral by Bishop David M. O’Connell, the co-cathedral title, “We here at St. Robert Bellarmine C.M., Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, who now serves as rector, would continue to do what we can to help the Diocese said he envisions the mission of the Co-Cathedral will in any way.” be to work in close cooperation with St. Mary of the “The parishioners are used to hosting various diocAssumption Cathedral, Trenton, “the Mother Church of esan events,” Msgr. Sirianni said, referring to the nuthe Diocese, in serving the Diocese.” merous workshops, the Chrism Mass that’s traditionally “I believe as a parish and as a co-cathedral, St. Robheld on the Monday of Holy Week each year and the ert Bellarmine is now being called to serve a variety Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass for couples from of communities – the parish community, the diocesan Monmouth and Ocean Counties who are observing community and the wider community of Freehold and milestone wedding anniversaries: 25, 50 or more years western Monmouth County,” said Msgr. Sirianni. of marriage.

Msgr. Sirianni smiled as he recalled more than a year Now with its official status as a co-cathedral, Msgr. ago when Bishop O’Connell “asked me if I would mind” Sirianni, along with his staff and parishioners, will his investigating the process involved in establishdo everything possible to be of service to the ing St. Robert Bellarmine Parish as a co-calarger diocesan community. It’s his hope thedral. The process, he said, would inthat the major renovations that are curclude the Bishop’s collecting data on the rently underway in the parish center parish, such as its history, demographwill be completed in a timely fashion ics and ministries, and submitting and that the building will soon “be a formal request to the Vatican for fully operational.” The renovations review and approval. Additionally, the include repairs to the floor, converting Bishop had also asked Msgr. Sirianni the kitchen into more of a catering pantry to accommodate the myriad events the parish hosts, renovating the space where the offices are set up as well as sgr. Sam A. Sirianni was born in 1954 in Long Seminary, Darlington. the foyer area to create Branch and is the son of Marie and the late Msgr. Sirianni was ora more welcoming and Anthony Sirianni. A native of Holy Trinity dained a deacon Dec. 4, 1983, useful area.

Parish (now part of Christ the King Parish), Long and served his transitional The Co-Cathedral Branch, he is a graduate of Long Branch High School; diaconate year assignment in now has the responsibilJuniata College, Huntingdon, Pa., where he earned a St. Gregory the Great Parish, ity of being of service to bachelor’s degree in history, and Indiana University of Hamilton Square. the larger diocesan comPennsylvania, where he earned a master of arts degree Following his Nov. 10, munity, Msgr. Sirianni in student personnel services.

1984, priestly ordination reiterated. Most imporMsgr. Sirianni worked for the Long Branch Dein Holy Trinity Church by tantly, our community of partment of Recreation for 18 months and, in August then-Auxiliary Bishop Edfaith continues to strive 1979, became director of parish ministry in Holy ward U. Kmiec, Msgr. Sirianto fulfill its mission “to Trinity Parish, where he established senior and youth ni’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of Our Lady proclaim Christ in a very programs before entering Immaculate Conception Continued on • C26 active and concrete way.”

“

The CoCathedral now has the responsibility of being of service to the larger diocesan community.

”

A Welcoming

Presence

Meet the Co-Cathedral rector

M

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C7

With great joy the parish of

St. Clement Church, Matawan congratulates the Parish of

St. Robert Bellarmine Church on being elevated to the dignity of a

Co-Cathedral within our Diocese!

Congratulations!

Msgr. Sam Sirianni and the Community of

St. Robert Bellarmine From

...from your friends at St. Joseph’s

Fr. Cesar Rubiano; the staff and parishioners of

Rev. G. Scott Shaffer, Pastor 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753 732.349.0018 www.StJosephTomsRiver.org

Our Lady of the Angels Parish Trenton

The Parish of St. Raphael-Holy Angels share in the joy of the Diocese of Trenton in the elevation of the Church of St. Robert Bellarmine to the status of Co-Cathedral.

From Pastor, Fr. Genaro Daguplo; Parochial Vicar, Fr. Jason Parzynski; the Deacons, and Parishioners of St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton C8 • Celebrating

Congratulations and warmest wishes to Msgr. Sam Sirianni and our dear friends at St. Robert’s on the honor of your elevation as Co-Cathedral for the Diocese of Trenton.

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Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith wishes to congratulate the Great Diocese of Trenton …

Along with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Msgr. Sam Sirianni and the parishioners of

St. Robert Bellarmine on this great honor of being elevated to the dignity of Co-Cathedral.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C9

Local craftsman incorporates faith, tradition into Bishop’s new chair Story by Mary Morrell, Correspondent

I

n the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, stands the Cathedra Petri, the Chair of St. Peter, an ancient oaken relic that tradition says was used by St. Peter as he instructed the early Christians and fulfilled his role as the first Bishop of Rome. The chair, wrote Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, “is a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his successors to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity.”

“

This symbol and tradition were to find their way to St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Freehold, Feb. 19, when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., would celebrate a special diocesan Mass, becoming the first occupant of the newly-installed cathedra or chair. The Mass marked the formal recognition of the elevation of the church to the dignity of Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Trenton.

Making plans for the cathedra was one of the first tasks that Msgr. Sam Sirianni, St. Robert Bellarmine pastor, turned his attention to when the parish first received news about the Co-Cathedral in a letter from Bishop O’Connell sent Christmas weekend.

A cathedral gets its name from the cathedra, as the place where the bishop’s chair resides, explained Msgr. Sirianni. “The cathedra is a symbol of the bishop’s role in imparting the Gospel, giving direction to the Church and teaching the faith,” he said.

I was delighted and honored to be asked.

”

Labor of Love Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, was able to recommend someone who could build this important piece of liturgical furniture – John Hans M. Martini.

“My connection to Msgr. Tom dates back to numerous pieces of liturgical furniture I made for Our Lady of Sorrows about eight years ago. My connection to

C10 • Celebrating

A cathedra crafted by John Hans M. Martini will occupy the space atop the two-tiered platform behind the ambo of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral. The seat is reserved only for the Bishop in liturgical celebrations. Craig Pittelli photo

Our Lady of Sorrows itself dates back to the late ‘60s and the ‘70s in that I attended grammar school there and served as an altar boy, as well,” said Martini, who came up under the tutelage of his Austrian-trained father, Adam, at the renowned furniture-making company of George Nakashima, New Hope, Pa. “This is indeed my first cathedra,” Martini said. “I was delighted and honored to be asked. I have found few other types of woodwork as satisfying as that which is done to enhance places of worship,” expressed the seasoned woodworker who has also built furniture for several other parishes including his own, St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square, as well as St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; Queenship of Mary, Plainsboro, and the chapel at Princeton University, where he is employed.

The design, Msgr. Sirianni said, recreates that of an 1880s bishop’s chair he saw “modified to meet our needs.”

Martini said the chair is made of American Black Walnut because of its inherent beauty and outstanding woodworking characteristics.

“Walnut has long been considered America’s premier wood and is widely sought after around the world,” he said.

“This particular walnut was harvested from the local area and is from trees salvaged after a storm many years ago.”

Msgr. Sirianni had favored that choice of materials. He explained, “Wood is alive

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

and warm, and the colors cooperate with other elements in the church, integrating it as part of the environment.”

Tying It All Together A principal consideration for the cathedra, Msgr. Sirianni said, was finding the appropriate place in the sanctuary to place the chair. Fortunately, the only change that had to be made was to move the credence table and seating for the altar servers.

It was decided that the Bishop’s chair would be permanently affixed behind the ambo, at the back of the sanctuary, to a two-tiered platform built by parishioner Mike Alberts, which will elevate the Bishop so he can see, and be seen by, the congregation. Behind the chair, a deep green Carrera marble backdrop, matching the altar, ambo and tabernacle pedestal, will provide a place to affix the Bishop’s coat of arms.

Coincidentally, as preparations were being made for the cathedra, the closing mechanism on the 15-year-old tabernacle door broke. It was sent out for repair to Ryan’s Distribution, Inc., Spring Lake, experts in repair, restoration and refinishing religious items.

Upon evaluation, it was decided that the yellow-and-white gold-plated tabernacle would benefit from restoration.

In the interim, a replacement tabernacle was loaned to the parish by Father

Continued on • C11

The Making of a

Co-Cathedral

Coat of arms for Co-Cathedral rooted in Church, diocesan history Story by Jennifer Mauro, Associate Editor

I

n Catholic tradition, a coat of arms is typically composed of a shield bearing symbols with geographic, religious and historical relevance. For the faithful who will now pass through the doors of St. Robert Bellarmine CoCathedral, Freehold, those meanings will have local roots, too.

As one of the aesthetic additions for the Co-Cathedral, a new coat of arms has been approved by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. A printed version of the coat of arms will reside in the Co-Cathedral until work is completed on the permanent plaque.

The coat of arms, says Father Jason Parzynski, parochial vicar in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, represents the City of Trenton, as the diocesan See and home of the Mother Church, and its relationship to the Catholic community as well as unites all four counties of the Diocese.

“We wanted to bring together the symbols to represent the unity of the Diocese and teaching authority of the Bishop,” said Father Parzynski. Bishop O’Connell expressed his gratitude to Father Parzynski for working on the project.

The shield consists of a gold-colored mitre (the hat worn by popes and bishops) sitting atop a horizontal red strip adorned with four brown pinecones. A blue background pictur-

Building of the cathedra nears completion.

Photo courtesy of John Hans M. Martini

Continued from • C10

John C. Garrett, pastor of Resurrection Parish, Delran.

“We greatly appreciated having this tabernacle to use while ours was out for repairs,” said Msgr. Sirianni, who added that they are, however, delighted to have their newly restored tabernacle back.

Excitement was high at the parish, relayed Msgr. Sirianni, as preparations continued for the installation of the new cathedra, but especially as parishioners grasped the honor of their parish becoming a co-cathedral.

“When parishioners ask what it really means for us, I explain it as cooperating with the Mother Church in Trenton, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, to serve the liturgical needs of the Diocese,” Msgr. Sirianni said.

We wanted to bring together the symbols to represent the unity of the Diocese.

”

ing a Moline Cross and crescent moon makes up the shield’s body.

The design ties together symbols found within the Diocese of Trenton, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and St. Robert Bellarmine’s coats of arms.

The coat of arms has the principal background color of deep blue. This is to honor Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption and patroness of the Diocese. The Diocese’s original coat of arms, which can be seen in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, also has this Marian blue.

The Moline Cross, often associated with the order of St. Benedict, is colored in gold, symbolic of the virtue of faith. It serves as a reminder that Jesus is Lord and Savior FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

in addition to representing the industry of Trenton in that the cross gets its name from its shape, that of a millrind, or the crossshaped iron clamp used on the upper part of a millstone, moline being a French term for a mill. This nod to industry recognizes the City of Trenton, which financially supported the Diocese at its founding and is thus the principal symbol representing the Diocese.

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral is again indicated by a heraldic crescent moon in silver overlaying the Moline Cross. The crescent is often used to represent Our Lady and emphasizes her spiritual role as Mother of the Church.

The brown pinecones in the red portion of the shield are taken from the coat of arms of St. Robert Bellarmine, who became co-patron of the Diocese with the Co-Cathedral’s elevation. The Co-Cathedral is indicated by the pinecones. The four pinecones also represent the Diocese’s four counties – Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean. The red background signifies the infinite love of the Father who sent the Son to shed his blood for humanity.

Crowning the shield is the mitre, worn by bishops as a symbol of their authoritative role in the Church. Taken together on a single shield, these symbols representing the Bishop’s teaching authority, Cathedral and Co-Cathedral are meant to signify unity within the Diocese.

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C11

The Parish of of The Parish

Our Lady Our Lady of of SorrowsSorrows-St.Anthony St.Anthony Hamilton Hamilton

The Community of

The Community of St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, NJ

St. Aloysius Parish, Congratulates

Jackson, NJ

St. Robert Bellarmine

rejoices rejoiceswith withthe the Clergy and Faithful of the

Clergy and Faithful of the

Congratulates on being elevated to Co-Cathedral St. Robert Bellarmine foron thebeing Diocese of Trenton elevated to

Co-Cathedral

February 19, 2017 Co-Cathedral

of

for the Diocese of Trenton

of st. Robert bellarmine

February 19, 2017

co-cathedral

st. Robert bellarmine

Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time Proclaiming the Greatness of God in our Time

Compliments of Compliments of the parish of saint mary the parish of NJ saint mary Colts Neck, Colts Neck, NJ www.stmaryscoltsneck.org www.stmaryscoltsneck.org C12 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

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Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C13

From The Parish Community of Saint Gabriel’s Church Marlboro, New Jersey We offer our heartfelt congratulations and prayerful blessings for the Parish Community of St. Robert Bellarmine on the elevation to Co-Cathedral for the Diocese of Trenton

With great joy and prayerful best wishes the “shore” community of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, offers our sincerest congratulations to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on the honor of the elevation to Co-Cathedral for the Diocese of Trenton!

We offer our prayerful best wishes and congratulations to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral!

280 Route 35S, Red Bank, NJ 07701 • (732) 201-3820

Congratulations to

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on your elevated status to

Co-Cathedral

of the Diocese of Trenton

Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Congratulations St. Robert St. Bellarmine Robert Bellarmine St. Robert Bellarmine onRobert the elevation to St. Bellarmine on elevation onto elevation on elevation to to

on elevation to Co-Cathedral Co-Cathedral Co-Cathedral Co-Cathedral Co-Cathedral

Sincerest Sincerest Blessings Blessings and Well Wishes andWishes Well Wishe Sincerest Blessings andWell Well Wishes Sincerest Blessings and St. Mary’s Parish St. Mary’s St.Mary’s Mary’s Parish St. Parish Parish

Rev. David S. Swantek, staff and parishioners of the

Church of St. Martha Point Pleasant

Rev. Msgr.Msgr.

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Kenard Rev. Tuzeneu Kenard Rev. Msgr.

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St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church St.Barnegat Mary’s Church St. Mary’s Church Barnegat Barnegat Barnegat

C14 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

St. Mary of the Pines

St. Mary of the St.Pines Mary of the P St.Manahawkin Mary of the Pines Manahawkin Manahawkin Manahawkin

For more than 135 years, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral a witness to faith, change

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

Story by Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor

S

t. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, a spiritual home for generations of Catholics in the Diocese, has stood as a witness to God’s love and the dedication of his people since its inception in 1871.

As the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, the Cathedral is where great and significant moments in the life of the Diocese’s faithful have been marked, namely the life-giving ordination of priests and deacons for service among the people and the solemnities and liturgies that are celebrated in all their beauty and splendor.

For the thousands of people who journey to the Diocese’s Mother Church each year, the Romanesque-style Cathedral reflects a magnificent vision of grace and beauty with its principle exterior featuring the 98-foot tower and façade that is highlighted by a large rose window and a Celtic Cross sculptured with liturgical symbols.

Our Mother Church

The façade also has statues of the Twelve Apostles, and at the peak of the gable above the rose window is a lifesize statue of the Blessed Mother. Inside, the Cathedral is 217 feet long and 78 feet wide through the transept and has a seating capacity for nearly 1,000.

Remarkable History

Even before the Diocese of Trenton was established in 1881, a priest by the name of Father Anthony Smith, in 1865, had purchased the property, and ground was broken for the foundation of St. Mary Church on April 23, 1866.

The parishioners had contributed much of the labor to building their parish church, which took almost five years to complete. St. Mary’s Church was dedicated by Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley of Newark Jan. 1, 1871.

The land on which the church was built holds historic significance, given that it dates to the American Revolution. Part of the Battle of Trenton was fought at this site, and it is where Hessian Commander Col. Johann Gottlieb Rall was mortally wounded and died Dec. 27, 1776. A historic marker on the façade of the Cathedral rectory identifies the site.

After the Diocese of Trenton was established and St. Mary Church was designated to be the Mother Church, the Cathedral set out on its mission to nourish people in their Catholic faith and give them strength during life’s challenging times.

The Diocese and Cathedral parish community faced a devastating challenge of its own, however, when tragedy struck March 14, 1956, and the first Cathedral church was destroyed by fire, claiming the lives of Msgr. Richard T. Crean, Cathedral rector, and two housekeepers, Mary Brennan and Mary Donnellan.

Through God’s grace and the generosity of many people, a new Cathedral church was built. The new Fire consumes the original Cathedral structure March 14, 1956, claiming the lives cornerstone was laid March 13, 1959, of Msgr. Richard T. Crean and housekeepers Mary Brennan and Mary Donnellan.

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The Romanesquestyle Cathedral reflects a magnificent vision of grace and beauty…

”

Msgr. Richard T. Crean

Continued on • C16

Monitor file photo

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C15

Upcoming Diocesan Events Scheduled in …

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton Rite of Election Sunday, March 5, 3 p.m.

Blue Mass Tuesday, April 18, 10:30 a.m.

Transitional Deacon Ordination Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.

Priesthood Ordination Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.

Scheduled in …

St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold Catechetical Conference Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m.

Chrism Mass Monday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.

About Msgr.

Joseph L. Roldan, Cathedral rector

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Continued from • C15

and the following day, the Cathedral was solemnly blessed by Bishop George W. Ahr. The first Mass in the new Cathedral, a Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving, was celebrated by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland of Newark.

In his remarks at the dedication, Bishop Ahr, who was the seventh bishop of Trenton, encouraged parishioners, the people of Trenton and visitors to find in the Cathedral “an inexhaustible wellspring of divine grace and a fruitful source of spiritual blessing, strength and consolation. In very truth, it will be a House of God and a Gate to Heaven.”

Our Mother Church

sgr. Joseph L. Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, since 2011, was born in 1962 in Newark, one of five children born to Fernando and Juanita Roldan. He attended St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold, and Freehold Borough High School before attending the Society of the Divine Word College Seminary, Epworth, Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1987.

Upon graduation, Msgr. Roldan took a period of discernment and worked as a counselor Msgr. Joseph L. Roldan for the N.J. Department of Labor’s Division of Rehabilitative Services in Monmouth County for 11 years.

Msgr. Roldan decided to become a Trenton diocesan priest and entered Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. He was ordained a priest May 18, 2002, by Bishop John M. Smith, who assigned him as parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown.

In June, 2004, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank. Msgr. Roldan was appointed administrator of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Mount Holly, in November 2005; in January 2007, he became pastor there.

Msgr. Roldan remained in Mount Holly until he was named rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

C16 • Celebrating

Cathedral marks varied celebrations

Prominent Place of Faith

For six decades, the “new” St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, which is located less than a mile from the State House, has served as the site of scores of significant, annual liturgical celebrations. In addition to ordinations of priests and deacons and the Rite of Election, other diocesan observances held in the Cathedral include the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass for married couples marking 25, 50 or more years of marriage, and the Chrism Mass.

Since arriving to the Diocese in 2010, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has inaugurated the Catholic Schools Mass in which he invites students from Catholic grammar and high schools to join him for Mass at the Cathedral.

Among the major milestones held in the Cathedral that have dotted diocesan history include its 100th anniversary in 1981 and its 125th in 2006; the funeral A view from the St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral choir loft shows the crowd gathered in March 2009 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “new” Cathedral’s dedication.

Monitor file photo

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Masses for Bishop Ahr in 1993 and Bishop John C. Reiss, eighth bishop of Trenton, in 2012, and the Mass of Welcome for Coadjutor Bishop John M. Smith on Feb. 22, 1996. Many will recall June 18, 1995, when thousands of people flocked to the Cathedral to see Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was invited to attend a Mass celebrated by Bishop Reiss and have an opportunity to speak on vocations. More than 1,000 worshipers were packed into the Cathedral proper; hundreds watched the Mass on a closed-circuit TV in the Cathedral undercroft, and hundreds more stood outside and listened on the public address system.

The Cathedral proper was once again filled to capacity with an overflow in the undercroft some 15 years later by the thousands who gathered to witness the episcopal ordination of Bishop O’Connell in July 2010. With the advancement of technology, those who were not able to journey to Trenton for the Mass had the opportunity to view live-stream coverage on diocesan media sites.

History was made once again in the Cathedral on Aug. 14, 2013, when during a ceremony, the Blessed Sacrament was transferred from a place of temporary repose that was positioned in a side altar to the newly installed tabernacle in the center of the sanctuary, placing emphasis on the centrality that the Eucharist has in the life of the faithful. Other changes made in the sanctuary included the Continued on • C17

Construction on the new St. Robert Bellarmine Church began in late 2001 and was dedicated a year later on Dec. 7, 2002.

Monitor file photos

The story of St. Robert Bellarmine Church

Co-Cathedral status follows a history of service to the Gospel Story by Lois Rogers, Correspondent

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he last thing newcomers to the area probably expect to see as they traverse the pastoral byway of Georgia Road in Freehold Township is a co-cathedral of monumental and classic proportions gracing the landscape.

“Father O’Connor had a black belt in frugal and wanted something on a smaller scale,” Louro said of the beloved, late pastor whose tombstone in an Irish churchyard is nonetheless engraved with a rendering of the future Co-Cathedral he did build.

The architectural outcome was determined by diocesan planners in the late 1990s under the direction of then-Bishop John M. Smith and Msgr. Richard Brietske, who was chairman of the diocesan building commission at the time, Louro said. They foresaw that when it came to new construction, the impending decline in the number of priests would translate to a need for larger, if fewer, churches.

“They knew in the future that if there were going to

But since Christmas Eve, that is exactly what they would experience driving along the road with its pleasant mix of residences and recreation areas. On that holy night, appropriately enough, it was announced that the solid and spectacular structure of St. Robert Bellarmine Church would become elevated to the dignity of a co-cathedral, an honor bestowed thus far by the Holy See in fewer than 10 U.S. churches.

As the Feb. 19 date of the ceremonial elevation neared, Msgr. Sam Sirianni, parish pastor, and Joe Louro, a longtime parishioner who steered the building committee that brought the church from the drawing board to reality early 1971 Parish was founded June 18 by the Most Rev. in the new millennium, George W. Ahr, seventh Bishop of Trenton, talked about the structure. with Father Thomas Dentici as the founding Louro enjoyed sharing pastor. The parish census included 564 regisdetails of the church’s tered families, and Masses were celebrated in history, disclosing that as various locations around the area. originally conceived by Father Thomas J. O’Connor 1974 Groundbreaking for construction of Parish – pastor from 1988 until Family Center. his death on June 11, 1975 On Sept. 14, Bishop Ahr blesses and dedicates 2008, in the mid-1990s, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish family center. when plans for a new church began to surface – 1987 Parish census climbs to 1,300 registered famithe idea was for a smaller, lies – 131 percent growth in 16 years! less-imposing building 1988 Arrival of Father Thomas J. O’Connor as fourth capable of seating about pastor at St. Robert’s.

700 faithful.

Continued on • A4

The newly-built church was dedicated during a Mass celebrated by then-Bishop John M. Smith Dec. 7, 2002. Here, as part of the dedication ceremony, the Bishop consecrates the altar table with Sacred Chrism. At right is Father Thomas J. O’Connor, parish pastor at the time.

A history timeline for St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold 1996 Plans begin to construct a new parish church.

1997 In September, 17 new classrooms, which were added to the parish center for religious education, are dedicated by the Most Rev. John M. Smith, ninth Bishop of Trenton.

2001 Construction begins on St. Robert Bellarmine Church.

2002 New church is dedicated by Bishop Smith.

2009 In July, Father Sam A. Sirianni is installed by Bishop Smith as the fifth pastor.

2011 40th anniversary of St. Robert Bellarmine • 4,100 families registered – 627 percent growth in 40 years!

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • A1

Place of Prayer and Worship

St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral’s brick and clear glass exterior evokes both light and invitation to visitors and parishioners alike.

Photos by Craig Pittelli

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ith the formal elevation of St. Robert Bellarmine Church to Co-Cathedral status by Bishop David M. O’Connell,

C.M., on Feb. 19, the vast Freehold Township

A sign identifying St. Robert Bellarmine Church greets the faithful as they find a parking space in the ample lot.

Catholic worship site – with its warm and welcoming environment, stunning stained-glass windows and design that incorporates traditional elements – now begins a new phase of service to its parishioners and the wider diocesan community. As a co-cathedral, St. Robert’s, which can seat about 1,000 worshipers, will work in cooperation with St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and serve as the host site for various diocesan liturgical celebrations. It also will continue to provide for the daily pastoral and spiritual needs of its parishioners who hail from Freehold and the surrounding area.

A2 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

The stained-glass circular window above the Crucifix and altar of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral depicts the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

The two-story entrance window of the Co-Cathedral allows light to pour into the gathering area.

The cornerstone of St. Robert Bellarmine Church, just to the right of the front entrance, marks the 2002 dedication by then-Bishop John M. Smith.

The story of St. Robert Bellarmine Church

The seating in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral accommodates about 1,000 people, making it an ideal location for many diocesan events.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • A3

The story of St. Robert Bellarmine Church Joe Louro, a longtime parishioner who steered the building committee for the new church, and Father Thomas J. O’Connor, pastor, stand outside the building that went from being a vision to a reality.

Shown are interior and exterior photos as construction progresses on the new 19,000-squarefoot St. Robert Bellarmine Church, which was to have a seating capacity of 1,000 in the nave with standing room for an additional 300. Photos courtesy of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish

“

Much love, vision went into building the new St. Robert’s Continued from • A1

be, say, five weekend Masses in a parish” and major liturgical celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, any new churches would have to be capable of seating 1,000, Louro said.

That being the case, the 19,000-square-foot church, designed by the late architect Vincent Riggi, seats 1,003 faithful in the nave with standing room for 300. The chapel/parish hall can further accommodate 650.

Father O’Connor and the design committee hired Riggi after a long and exhaustive search of newly constructed church buildings along the Eastern seaboard, which all too often looked, Louro said, like fast food restaurants. In addition, the parish initiated a capital campaign in order to raise funds toward the $5.2 million project.

As the original worship space had been an all-purpose building, the team wanted something exceptional, something that lent itself to the glory of the liturgy, Louro said.

Between Riggi’s talents and Father O’Connor’s great liturgical sensibility and attention to the needs of the community, they found it.

With the basic design, Riggi “was able to give us everything we wanted,” including a round setting and the clerestory

We wanted every detail of the church right.

”

A4 • Celebrating

– the row of windows between two layers of roofs, which allows a great amount of light to fall from the ceiling onto the nave, Louro said.

There were hurdles to overcome, especially setting the foundation, since the soil in Freehold is clay.

“We had to excavate a hole four-feet deep to remove the clay,” Louro said, and then layer various sizes of stone as fill.

“We wanted every detail of the church right. This was going to be the only Catholic Church in Freehold Township.”

Practically speaking, “every detail” ranged from ensuring that the building would be as accessible as possible, which included a ramp that enables priests who use wheelchairs to celebrate Mass. There’s a “backup sacristy” for major celebrations and “more than enough restrooms” to accommodate the scores who worship there.

With Father O’Connor leading the way, the committee and the architect were “very aware of the [Church] liturgical directives that the sanctuary be very open and accessible for the celebration of the different Sacraments, of which the Mass is paramount,” Msgr. Sirianni said.

Great care was taken with the appointments such as the marble altar and ambo and the placement of the tabernacle, which Msgr. Sirianni said, is “in keeping with the General Instruction [of the Roman Missal]. Everything is made of material that is beautiful, noble and very simple.” All are placed in a manner that keeps

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

the focus on Christ throughout, he said.

Msgr. Sirianni spoke of the windows, including two large rondels and the stained-glass panels that highlight not only the saints of the New World, but the great mysteries including the Annunciation, Nativity and Assumption; the Baptism of the Lord, and Jesus surrounded by children as offering uplifting opportunities for prayer and reflection.

The gathering space is another remarkable feature of the Co-Cathedral, he said. Reflecting the direction of the Second Vatican Council on Liturgy, it is not only a “place where people can stand comfortably” at times when the nave is at capacity, it is also often used as a devotional space.

“At Christmas, it is where we place our Nativity. On civil holidays, such as Fourth of July, we set up holiday displays to stress the call to pray for our country,” Msgr. Sirianni said.

And because Father O’Connor did not believe in cry rooms, the wide expanse has served since its Dec. 7, 2002 dedication as a place where “when a toddler is having a bad day, parents can be with their little ones [and] the children can run around.

“I think that really gives a testament to the love Father O’Connor had for children,” Msgr. Sirianni said. “It speaks of the man who built the church as well as to the ongoing approach of how the parish welcomes all.”

Many will never forget June 18, 1995, the day when Mother Teresa of Calcutta attended Mass celebrated by Bishop John C. Reiss in the Cathedral.

St. Catharine– St. Margaret Parish Family Spring Lake, NJ

Sends Prayers

Monitor file photo

and

Cathedral’s remarkable history Continued from • C16

installation of a new altar table where the tabernacle would sit, extending the altar of sacrifice and moving the cathedra – which had been in the middle of the sanctuary, directly behind the altar of sacrifice since the 1960s – to the front left side of the sanctuary.

The relocation of the tabernacle was part of a modest, longterm restoration project that is still underway in the Cathedral.

Other much-needed improvements included work on the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and the roof; future upgrades planned are renovations

to the dining hall and restrooms and installing an elevator.

Like most cathedrals in the United States, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral is also a parish church, with its own local community of Catholic faithful including a new wave of immigrants, the majority of whom are Spanish-speaking and hail from various South American and Central American countries including Costa Rica, Honduras, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and Chile.

There are also a handful of folks from other countries including Haiti, Jamaica and Africa.

Best Wishes To

St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral St. Catharine– St. Margaret Parish 215 Essex Avenue Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-449-5765 www.StCatharine-StMargaret.org

St. Catharine School 301 Second Avenue Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-449-4424 www.StCatharineSchool.net

The Monitor is pleased

to present this special publication celebrating

St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral And joins the many voices around the Diocese of Trenton in congratulating this wonderful parish community that has always made us feel at home.

To access the digital version of this keepsake, as well as photo galleries and video from the elevation of our new Co-Cathedral …

Go to TrentonMonitor.com Not yet a subscriber? Sign up today for only $25 and get a full year of our print and digital editions!

Contact our Business Desk at (609) 403-7131 or Monitor-Subscriptions@dioceseoftrenton.org … or subscribe online at TrentonMonitor.com>ABOUT>SUBSCRIBE.

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C17

Faithful praise parish for its years of warmth, welcoming community Story by Lois Rogers, Correspondent

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hether they’re longtime parishioners, recently arrived faithful or staff, those connected to the newly-elevated St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral agree that service and community lie at its heart.

Just ask Mercy Sister Rosemary Jeffries, who served the parish for six years, arriving in 1972 to help establish many of the ministries that flourish today.

“It’s a real testament to the folks who started the parish,” Sister Rosemary said of the Co-Cathedral’s designation. “I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be there.”

Sister Rosemary was one of four Mercy Sisters looking to get involved in parish ministry in the early 1970s, which she says, was a new concept at the time. The sisters took up residence at the invitation of Father Thomas Dentici, the founding pastor.

The small parish of 564 families welcomed the sisters as they presided over initiatives, including religious education programs, Sacramental preparation, adult education and youth ministry.

At the time, the parish buildings simply consisted of the rectory and convent, so the majority of community

A Community

Celebrates

Father Thomas Dentici and Mercy Sister Phyllis Riddle stand on the grounds of the future St. Robert Bellarmine Parish family center in the early 1970s. Courtesy photo

meetings took place in the sisters’ residence.

“It was a hopping little place on Schanck Road,” Sister Rosemary said of the site where 90 percent of the community meetings occurred. “Many a night, the dining room, living room and chapel” were all occupied with those planning parish activities and programs.

In 1975, the new parish family center and chapel opened, but Sister Rosemary remembers those years as some of the happiest in her life.

“It was a great experience of parish community,” said Sister Rosemary, a former president of Georgian Court University, Lakewood. “Everyone had a role in that family. There was very palpable family spirit.”

A History of Helping

Like Sister Rosemary, founding parishioner Dorothy Avallone, a reader who attends daily Mass, treasures memories of when the parish was founded by Bishop George W. Ahr in 1971.

So bare bones was the operation at first that Avallone, with a group of Freehold Township women, decided to give a shower to outfit the four priests in residence at the new rectory with household items.

The occasion, she said, he said, is a reflection of the “wonderful people inspired Father Dentici to who built a young church” into a thriving parish say time and again, “If you of nearly 4,500 families, whose caring approach need something, all you to the needs of all lend a “very dynamic Catholic have to do is call, and somepresence” to the wider community. one will help.”

Indeed, Rabbi Melinda Panken, spiritual leadThat kind of response er of Temple Shaari Emeth in nearby Manalapan, never diminished over the was among the religious leaders who acknowldecades, said Avallone, who edged what the elevation means to the area sees the spirit of collaborawhich has a large population of people of varying tion as an important factor faith traditions. in St. Robert Bellarmine “We’re all kvelling [joyful] over here,” said Parish receiving the honor Rabbi Panken, a member of the Freehold Minof becoming Co-Cathedral. isterium, who participates in a number of outTo her, as to so many reach programs with St. Robert Bellarmine as in the parish communiwell as the innovative, ongoing Three Faiths ty, it signals “that we can Panel involving members of Christian, Muslim do more, give more, help and Jewish traditions. more. We already have had “It’s an honor to us all that St. Robert’s will diocesan meetings and the have this recognition,” she said. “We are looking Chrism Mass here,” she forward to [participating] in more programs said, adding that the fact there. The elevation in status makes it more that there is more to come exciting, even symbolically, as a place to be.”

See St. Robert’s • C30

Co-Cathedral shares place of prominence in Freehold’s history, outreach with other faith traditions

By Lois Rogers, Correspondent

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rom an historical and interreligious perspective, it would be hard to find folks in the greater Freehold area or those who research the Catholic heritage of New Jersey uninterested in this change in status, said Father Edward M. Jawidzik, St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral’s parochial vicar.

Father Jawidzik, a member of the Freehold Township Historical Commission, writes on history, and two of his recent articles appear in the current issue of The Recorder, the recently relaunched newsletter of the New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission.

St. Robert Bellarmine first made history by becoming not just the only Catholic church in Freehold Township, but also one of 11 Monmouth County Catholic parishes descended from its mother church – St. Rose of Lima, also in Freehold, which was founded in 1871.

As parish and Co-Cathedral, St. Robert Bellarmine stands in the heart of an area rich in religious tradition that dates to Colonial times, said Father Jawidzik.

The great honor bestowed on St. Robert Bellarmine,

C18 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

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                         to all of the           clergy and staff            www.visitationrcchurch.org www.visitationrcchurch.org

Congratulations of

St. Robert Bellarmine Church

Lynnwood 730730 Lynnwood 730 LynnwoodAveAve www.visitationrcchurch.org www.facebook.com/VisitationRomanCatholicChurch www.facebook.com/VisitationRomanCatholicChurch AveBrick, www.facebook.com/VisitationRomanCatholicChurch Brick, 08723 new.flocknote.com/churchofthevisitation NJ NJ 08723 new.flocknote.com/churchofthevisitation new.flocknote.com/churchofthevisitation Brick, 08723 730NJLynnwood www.visitationrcchurch.org (732) 477-0028 (732) 477-0028 (732) 477-0028 730 Lynnwood Ave., Brick, NJ 08723 • (732) 477-0028 Ave www.facebook.com/VisitationRomanCatholicChurch

as it is elevated to Co-Cathedral.



Brick, NJ 08723 (732) 477-0028

new.flocknote.com/churchofthevisitation

The Parish of Holy Family Church, Union Beach & Hazlet, Sends Prayers & Congratulations to St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Trenton

May God continue to bless you and shine his light upon you as you minister to his flock.

Parish of

St. Thomas More Church

The Parish Family of St. William the Abbot offer our sincere congratulations to

Manalapan

Our Lady of Mercy Church

The Parish Communities

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, V.F. and the people of

Saint Thomas More

of the Cathedral of

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish

Saint Mary of the Assumption

on your Church’s elevation to Co-Cathedral.

and Saint Joseph’s Church

May God’s blessing fill you all with great joy on this occasion. Be assured of our prayerful best wishes and solidarity with you.

Congratulate the Parish

SAINT WILLIAM THE ABBOT PARISH 2740 LAKEWOOD-ALLENWOOD RD. Howell, NJ 07731 Parish Office; (732) 840-3535

Community of Saint Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Trenton.

Thank you for your dedication and faithful service to God and the Diocese of Trenton. ¡Dios les Bendiga!

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C19

Thank you to the parish family of

St. Robert Bellarmine

Get to know your Cathedral history ….

for opening your church to all of the Diocesan people of God as the

Co-Cathedral.

Congratulations!

The parish family of

AN HISTORIC DAY • In an image from the documentary, Mother Teresa is shown standing in front of then-Bishop John C. Reiss on the day of her visit to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton. File photo

Did you know that St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton was once visited by a future saint? Learn about the 1995 visit of St. Teresa of Kolkata to the Mother Church of the Diocese of Trenton by going to TrentonMonitor.com and clicking on NEWS>ST. TERESA OF KOLKATA.

Congratulations St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral JKR@JKRENGINEERING.COM NJ -- 732-780-4108 732-780-4108 JKR@JKRENGINEERING.COM -- FREEHOLD, FREEHOLD, NJ JKR@JKRENGINEERING.COM - FREEHOLD, NJ - 732-780-4108

Prayerful best wishes to the Co-Cathedral of JKR@JKRENGINEERING.COM - FREEHOLD, NJ - 732-780-4108 St. Robert Bellarmine on- this most joyous occasion!

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL JKR@JKRENGINEERING.COM FREEHOLD, NJ - 732-780-4108

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & PLANNING ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING & PLANNING PLANNING Since ENGINEERING & ENGINEERING &PLANNING PLANNING Since 1988 1988

Since 1988 Since 1988 CivilEngineering Engineering Civil Land Planning Land Planning Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Land Planning Land Planning Subdivisions Civil Subdivisions Engineering Site Plans Subdivisions Land Planning Site Site Plans Subdivisions Site Plans Plans Subdivisions Environmental Studies Environmental Studies Feasibility Studies Site Plans Feasibility Studies Environmental Studies Feasibility Studies Environmental Studies Feasibility Studies Environmental Studies Feasibility Studies

Holy Innocents Church 3455 West Bangs Avenue, Neptune Fr. H. Todd Carter, Administrator

Holy Innocents School Jersey Shore University Medical Center Chaplain St. Vincent dePaul Society Mary’s Child Pro-Life Ministry

INTO THE INTO THE INTO THE INTO THE Prayerful best wishes and blessings upon INTO THE INTO THE INTO THE THE INTO THE THE INTO THE THE St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral!

THE BREACH BREACH BREACH INTO THE BREACH THE BREACH INTO THE BREACH INTO THE BREACH INTO THE THE INTO BREACH BREACH INTO THE BREACH BREACH BREACH BREACH BREACH BREACH

20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE

20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN JESUS CHRIST 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FORFOR JESUS CHRIST CON 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CON 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFER 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – 3 PM 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 8CON A 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR CHRIST 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 •JESUS –CHRIST 3•CONFEREN PM 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC FOR JESUS 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 AM ––8 33AM PM 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN FOR JESUS CHRIST SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 8• AM 20TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC JESUS CHRIST CONFERENCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 ••MEN 88CONFERENCE AM PM (DOORS OPEN AT 8MEN AM FORFOR BAGELS ANDOPEN COFFEE; INCLUDED) (DOORS AT 8 LUNCH AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUD SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – 3 PM OPEN AT 8BAGELS AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) (DOORS (DOORS OPEN AT 8SATURDAY, AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 A SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – 3 PM (DOORS OPEN AT 8 AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – 3 PM (DOORS OPEN AT 8 AM FOR AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – 3 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 • 8 AM – 3 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 •AM 8AVENUE AM –|PM 3•COFFEE; PM .349.0018 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY ••INCLUDED) 8 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 •–NJAM 80875 A3 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH | OPEN 685 | 25, TOMS NJ––INCLUDED) 08753 |2017 732 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 AM 33732.349.0018 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 ••RIVER, 8 3 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 3 PM (DOORS OPEN AT 8HOOPER FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH SAINT JOSEPH PARISH | |ATLUNCH 685 TOMS RIVER, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2017 •25, 8|PM AM –8LUNCH 3349.0018 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 ••TOMS AM PM (DOORS AT685 8AM AM FOR AVENUE BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) (DOORS OPEN AT 8HOOPER AM FOR BAGELS AND LUNCH INCLUD SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 •88NJ AM –––INCLUDED) 3 .AM SAINT JOSEPH PARISH 685 AVENUE |BAGELS TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 ||NJ SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |OPEN RIVER, 08753 |RIVER, 732 (DOORS OPEN 8COFFEE; AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2017 808753 AM (DOORS OPEN AT AM FOR AND LUNCH (DOORS OPEN AT AT 8HOOPER AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; INCLUDED) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 88LUNCH AM 3COFFEE; PM AT8HOOPER 8BAGELS AM FOR BAGELS COFFEE; INCLUDED) (DOORS OPEN AT 8FOR AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) SAINT PARISH |2017 685 AVENUE TOMS NJ | 7 (DOORS OPEN AT AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) SAINT JOSEPH PARISH || (DOORS 685 AVENUE |AVENUE TOMS 08753 732.349.0018 (DOORS OPEN AT 8HOOPER AM BAGELS AND INCLUDED) (DOORS OPEN ATAND 8RIVER, AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) (DOORS OPEN AT 8FOR AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUD (DOORS OPEN AT 8HOOPER AM BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) (DOORS OPEN 88JOSEPH AM FOR AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) (DOORS OPEN AT 8 AM FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) .

SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |88SAINT 685 HOOPER AVENUE | |TOMS RIVER, NJBAGELS 08753 |AND (DOORS OPEN AT FOR BAGELS AND COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |AT685 685 HOOPER AVENUE TOMS RIVER, 08753 |732.349.0018 732 349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |AT 685 HOOPER AVENUE |732.349.0018 TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 (DOORS OPEN 8685 AM FOR COFFEE; LUNCH INCLUDED) JOSEPH PARISH | TOMS HOOPER TOMS RIVER, NJ| 732.34 0875 (DOORS OPEN AM FOR BAGELS AND LUNCH INCLUDED) SAINT JOSEPH PARISH HOOPER AVENUE |AVENUE TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 ||NJ 732.349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |685 685 HOOPER AVENUE |RIVER, RIVER, NJ 08753 |RIVER, .349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH 685 HOOPER AVENUE | TOMS TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 ||TOMS 732.349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |AM HOOPER TOMS RIVER, NJ |RIVER, .732 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH 685 HOOPER AVENUE | RIVER, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 | ||732 349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |COFFEE; HOOPER AVENUE |AVENUE NJ 08753 732.349.00 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH ||| 685 AVENUE |PARISH NJ 08753 732.349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH | 685 685 AVENUE |08753 TOMS NJ| 08753 | 7 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH ||| 685 HOOPER AVENUE |AVENUE TOMS NJ 08753 732.349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH | ||HOOPER 685 HOOPER AVENUE TOMS RIVER, NJ 0875 .349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH 685 HOOPER AVENUE TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 ||NJ 732.349.0018 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH |HOOPER 685 HOOPER TOMS RIVER, 732 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH | 685RIVER, HOOPER AVENUE |08753 TOMS |RIVER, NJ 08753 | 7 SAINT JOSEPH PARISH | 685 HOOPER AVENUE || TOMS NJ 08753 732.349.0018

130 St. Maximilian Lane, Toms River, NJ 08757 Parish Office - 732-914-0300 Pastor: Fr. Stephen M. Piga Parochial Vicar: Fr. Philip Ruggiero

•••

“Congratulations St. Robert Bellarmine Parish from your friends at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish!”

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL BISHOPofDAVID M. O’CONNELL Diocese BISHOP DAVID M.Trenton O’CONNELL Diocese of Trenton BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL Diocese of Trenton Diocese of Trenton

CHRIS SMITH SMITH U.S.CHRIS House of Representatives CHRIS SMITH U.S. House of Representatives CHRIS SMITH U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives

JOSEPH MARIEMARIE JOSEPH Executive Director, Legacy Executive Director, Legacy MARIE of JOSEPH Life Foundation MARIE JOSEPH of Life Foundation Executive Director, Legacy Executive Director, Legacy of Life Foundation of Life Foundation

TIM STAPLES TIM STAPLES Catholic Apologist and Catholic TIMApologist STAPLES and Evangelist TIM STAPLES

Evangelist Catholic Apologist and Catholic Apologist and Evangelist Evangelist

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Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Congratulates

St. Robert Bellarmine on being elevated to

Co-Cathedral

w w w. c l e a r f a i t h p u b l i s h i n g . c o m

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All are Welcome • Light Refreshments will be Served FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C21

Elevation to Co-Cathedral important to faithful around Diocese and wider community St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral has become the chosen site to host Baccalaureate Masses for graduating seniors from St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel. This photo shows the school’s 2015 graduating class and their families. Ken Falls photo

A Community

Celebrates

Story by Lois Rogers, Correspondent

T

he elevation of St. Robert Bellarmine Church to Co-Cathedral is meaningful on many levels, say a host of faithful from around the Diocese and members of the community at large.

More than a few offered their insights on the positive impact the change in status would translate to, especially for Catholics on the eastern side of the Diocese.

Among them were Father Garry Koch, pastor of Holmdel’s St. Benedict Parish; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Agnes Ryan, diocesan director of Catechesis; and Mercy Sister Donna M. D’Alia, director of religious education in St. Rose Parish, Belmar.

All three pointed to the central location of the parish as an asset.

Having St. Robert Bellarmine as Co-Cathedral reflects “the reality of shifting demographics,” Father Koch said.

The population has altered significantly from urban centers when the Diocese was founded in 1881, moving eastward along the coast, he said, adding that a co-cathedral in this geographic region “will enable more people to feel like they can participate” in diocesan events. He said he was looking forward to taking his parish Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults candidates to the Chrism Mass there this year.

Sister Donna sounded a similar note about the geographic location of the Co-Cathedral, saying, “It makes a lot of sense to have [events] that are close to that population center.”

Ample and accessible parking was high on the list of attributes noted by Sister Mary

“

What a blessing this will be for our Diocese.

”

C22 • Celebrating

Agnes, whose department has held its spring formation day for catechists and catechetical leaders in St. Robert Bellarmine Church for three years.

So many Diocese-run events were already being held there, she said, that to “have them in a co-cathedral adds dignity to the site. It’s an honor for the parish, and they are happy to consider themselves of service to the Diocese.”

Mary Dauden, parishioner in St. Paul Parish, Princeton, agrees that the location of St. Robert Bellarmine was a good choice for a co-cathedral.

“I think it’s a great idea and a smart strategic decision to offer a geographically centralized location in our Diocese that spans across four large counties,” she said. It will provide “easier access to many of the Diocesan administrators, ministerial offices and parishioners.”

“It’s highly likely that our family would make the trip going forward,” Dauden added.

“St. Robert Bellarmine has always been a warm and welcoming parish whenever I have had the opportunity to visit for a Retreat day or special Mass,” said Rose O’Connor, parishioner in St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, and marketing director in Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton. “The church and parish facilities are beautiful and accommodating. I look forward to attending diocesan events at both the Cathedral in Trenton and at St. Robert Bellarmine. What a blessing this will be for our Diocese.”

O’Connor’s husband, Robert, a teacher in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, and Bob Dunne of St. David the King Parish, Princeton Junction, echoed her enthusiasm.

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

“The central location of St. Robert Bellarmine makes it accessible to people from all around the Diocese,” Robert O’Connor said. “With St. Robert sharing some of the diocesan responsibilities, hopefully, more people will be able to participate in diocesan-level events and Masses.”

“I think the designation of St. Robert Bellarmine Church as a co-cathedral, because of its central location among other reasons, has the potential to draw together people from all over the Diocese for services, celebrations and special events,” said Dunne, who has served 10 years on the diocesan finance council and is currently the chairman.

“This in turn will give all of us the opportunity to identify ourselves as not only local parishioners but also common members of the Diocese of Trenton as we strive to build God’s Kingdom here on earth.”

Joseph Deroba, principal of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, and a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in neighboring Freehold Borough, opined that the elevation makes sense. “Doing this shows that [the Church of Trenton] is going in the right direction.”

The cooperation already offered to the wider Catholic community by St. Robert Bellarmine will only increase, said Deroba, who noted that being able to hold SJVHS’ Baccalaureate Mass there annually has been a boon to parents and students.

The size and scope of the building allows parents and graduates to attend, said Deroba, who added that last year, more than 1,000 people came out for the event. “I can’t say enough of how it accommodates the needs of our people.”

Congratulations St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral May God Continue to Bless You as you elevate to Co-Cathedral for the Diocese of Trenton Rev. Garry Koch Rev. John Michael Patilla Staff & Parishioners stbenedictholmdel.org ­ 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, NJ

Congratulations St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral Best Wishes and God's Blessings, Saint John Vianney High School The Lord walks with you every step of the way.

He will help you accomplish even greater things!

FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C23

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Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Congratulations to Bishop David O’Connell FREEHOLD, NJ Congratulations FREEHOLD, NJ J N , D L O H E E R F NJ on having and Msgr.FREEHOLD, Sam Sirianni to ongratulations to Bishop David O’Connell St. Robert Bellarmine Church Parishioners FREEHOLD, NJ The Parish of St. Robert Bellarmine FREEHOLD, NJ J N , D L O H E E R F Rev. NJ Msgr.

A. Sirianni & Staff and Msgr.FREEHOLD, Sam Sirianni onSam having On the elevation of Co-Cathedral elevated to the status of Co-Cathedral in the The Parish of St. Robert Bellarmine status in the Diocese of Trenton Diocese inofthe Trenton. evated to the status of Co-Cathedral Diocese of

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Co-Cathedral helps meet needs of Diocese of Trenton faithful Continued from • C3

elevation as a co-cathedral for our vast Diocese. I was aware that other dioceses – recently, the Diocese of Brooklyn – had pursued a similar route. I spoke about his rationale to the Bishop of Brooklyn and sought his advice.

I consulted with the priests of the Diocese of Trenton about this idea and the reaction was largely supportive.

Some few raised objections which I also considered.

In April 11, 2016, I presented a proposal to the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Bishops in Rome. With his encouragement, I followed his directions and submitted a formal request.

Cardinal Oulette responded with further questions, which I answered.

On December 3, 2016, the Congregation for Bishops approved my proposal and wrote on December

19. The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre transmitted Cardinal Ouelette’s letter on December 23 and I informed the pastor and the parish in writing on Christmas Eve. In addition to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, which remains the Mother Church of the Diocese, St. Robert Bellarmine Church has been elevated to the dignity of a Co-Cathedral in recognition of the role it has played and will continue to play in meeting the needs associated with the life and activities of the Diocese of Trenton. A seat or “cathedra” for the Bishop will be placed in the sanctuary, reserved only for the Bishop in liturgical celebrations. Certain diocesan events will be scheduled annually in the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, while others will remain in the Cathedral in Trenton.

The signing of the “acta” or official

St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, FREEHOLD

AT A GLANCE:  Registered families: 4,400  Children enrolled in religious education: 1,122  Communions: 126  Confirmations: 150  Baptisms: 130  Marriages: 34  Funerals: 97

document of elevation, during our liturgical celebration in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral February 19 serves as the final step in this historic process for the Diocese of Trenton.

From left, top row: Sharon West, Lisa Clarke, Frank Estremera, Monica Ettore and Eileen Kane. Bottom Row, from left: Father Ed Jawidzik, Msgr. Sam Sirianni and Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry. Not pictured are Lois Steindl, Fran Nielsen, Edward Kane, Martin Mulligan, Judith Burner and Bob Burner, Renee Weber, Bob Stasiak, Carol Lippin, Father Michael Brizio, Deacon Frank Weber, Deacon Andy Smith, Deacon Rolf Friedmann and Deacon Henry Cugini.

Courtesy photo

 Other Ministries: more than 40, including various music groups, liturgical ministries and prayer groups, as well as social and outreach ministries such as Faith Journeys, Christmas Carol Festival, Father Benedict Ministry Meals, Respect Life, Winter Homeless Care, SRB Help Center, Holiday Food and Gift Drives, Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus • Numbers reflect 2016 reports

Ready to Serve: Your Co-Cathedral Staff

Staff members of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral Parish are ready to take on the double-duty of coordinating events and ministries between parishioners and the Diocese.

Msgr. Sirianni brings wealth of experience to new role as rector Continued from • C7

of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown. He then went to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (now part of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish), Hamilton, where he served intermittent terms as parochial vicar and administrator. After serving as administrator of St. Catherine Parish, Middletown, Msgr. Sirianni was named to his first pastorate in Holy Angels (now part of St. Raphael-Holy Angels) Parish, Hamilton. Subsequent appointments as pastor include St. George Parish, Titusville; Holy Trinity, Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. John the Baptist, all Long Branch, and St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, to which

C26 • Celebrating

he was named pastor in December 2008.

In 1992, while he was parochial vicar of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, then-Father Sirianni was appointed by Bishop John C. Reiss to become director of the Office of Liturgy, a position which he held until 2015, although the office has since been renamed to the Office of Worship.

Msgr. Sirianni has held a host of additional assignments including as an Engaged Encounter team priest; spiritual director of an AIDS ministry; dean of the Southern Mercer Deanery; a member of the steering committee for the diocesan Millennium observance; a member of the reconstituted

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Council of Priests; vice rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and assistant chancellor of Worship and Special Events, and co-chaplain of the Trenton Serra Club.

In December, 2010, Msgr. Sirianni was named by Pope Benedict XVI as a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor.

On Nov. 23, 2013, he was invested as a Knight in the Equestrian of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

With St. Robert Bellarmine Parish’s being elevated to Co-Cathedral status, Msgr.

Sirianni serves as pastor of the parish community and as rector of the Co-Cathedral.

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May God continue to bless the parish for your faithful service to the community and the diocese!

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488 Monmouth Road • Clarksburg • 609-208-1818 • Fax: 609-208-2145 FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C27

Congratulations to Msgr. Sam Sirianni, ® clergy, staff & friends of the Glen Eagle Advisors, llcllc Glen Eagle Advisors, Parish Family of St. Robert Bellarmine ® on the honor of your elevation to Kathy Lo Bue Bue Kathy Lo Kathy Lo Eagle Advisors, llc As firm, we believe therethere is aa higher higher purpose Co-Cathedral for the Diocese ofGlen Trenton.

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Glen Glen Eagle Eagle Advisors, Advisors, llc

Faith Faith Family Family Firm

•

A Blessed Christmas A Blessed Christmas Congratulations, Prosperous NewNew Year & Prosperous Year St. & Robert Bellarmine

Congratulations & Blessings to All! Co-Cathedral!to All! to A Blessed Christmas & Prosperous New Year St. Robert Bellarmine to All! Co-Cathedral!

20 Center Street Freehold, NJ

ABlessed Blessed Christmas Christmas A Prosperous New Year &&Prosperous All! toto All!

MEMORIAL HOME Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC

Funeral Directors

J. Nolan Higgins, Manager, NJ License No. 3469

732.462.0895

20 Center Street Freehold, NJ

The community of

Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC PinhoProfessional ProfessionalCenter Center Pinho 57 Schanck Rd., Suite C-4 57 Schanck Rd., Suite C-4 Freehold, NJ 07728 Freehold, NJ 07728

Ascension Church

congratulates in Bradley Beach,

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on their elevation to the status of

Co-Cathedral.

Rev. Jerome M. Nolan, Pastor

Office: Office: 732-866-6660 732-866-6660 klobue@gleneagleadv.com klobue@gleneagleadv.com www.gleneagleadv.com www.gleneagleadv.com

SEC Registered Investment Advisor SEC Registered Investment Advisor

Congratulations on your Co-Cathedral designation

St. Robert Bellarmine

5

And thank you to all the volunteers of the parish who contribute to helping CentraState service our communities.

5

C28 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Congratulations to our friends

Especially For You Florist congratulates Rev. Msgr. Sam Sirianni and the Church of St. Robert Bellarmine on its being elevated to Co-Cathedral of the Diocese of Trenton.

at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on the honor of your elevation to Co-Cathedral for the Diocese of Trenton!

Join Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Fr. Daniel Peirano & Fr. Anthony Sirianni, on a trip to the

HOLY LAND

November 12-20, 2017 For complete details please join us for a meeting

March 27, 2017 at 7:00 pm St. Robert Bellarmine

61 Georgia Road, Freehold NJ 07728 or contact

Graycar Travel: 800-214-6723

39 West Main St., Freehold NJ 07728 732-431-0099 • www.efyflorist.com

Congratulations to the Co-Cathedral ofRobert St. Robert Bellarmine!

Congratulations to the Co-Cathedral of St. Bellarmine!

C

layton &

M

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FUNERAL HOME

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1860

Robert C. McGirr, Owner & Manager, NJ Lic. # 3273

100 Elton-Adelphia Road·Freehold Township·NJ·07728 (One Block East of Route 9)

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FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com •

Celebrating Our Co-Cathedral • C29

St. Robert’s known for service

God’s Choicest Blessings Upon St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on Being Elevated to the Status of Co-Cathedral

Reverend Daniel F. Swift, Pastor Reverend Carlos A. Flores, Parochial Vicar Deacon Joseph Tedeschi Deacon Kenneth Motylinski Staff and Parishioners Reverend Daniel F. Swift, Pastor

Reverend40 Daniel F. Road Swift, Pastor Jackson Reverend Carlos A. Flores, Parochial Vicar Reverend Deacon Carlos Flores, Parochial Vicar Medford,A. New Jersey 08055 Joseph Tedeschi Deacon Joseph Tedeschi (609) 654-8208 www.smlparish.org Deacon Kenneth Motylinski LikeStaff us onKenneth Facebook! @smlparish Deacon Motylinski and Parishioners Staff and Parishioners 40 Jackson Road Medford, New Jersey 08055 40 Jackson Road (609) 654-8208 www.smlparish.org Medford, New Jersey 08055 Like654-8208 us on Facebook! @smlparish (609) www.smlparish.org

Like us on Facebook! @smlparish

C30 • Celebrating

Continued from • C18 “is very exciting to me as a Catholic.”

Like Avallone, parishioners John Toutounchi and Fernando Machado say the change in status affirms the hard work the parishioners have done to make their church welcoming to all.

Toutounchi, a parishioner for 31 years who currently serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, usher and part of the Faith in Our Future Committee, said that he invites people who have left the Church to attend Mass because he hopes they will feel welcome in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. He also looks forward to having “more visitors who will be called family” at the Co-Cathedral.

Machado and his wife, Paula, have been active parishioners for about 15 years. Recently, they joined the Pre-Cana ministry at the invitation of Father Edward H. Jawidzik, parochial vicar.

“To have the parish elevated means a lot,” Machado said. “My first thought is that it is humbling that the [Bishop] will have his co-residence in our church – not to live in but to teach in.”

Being Co-Cathedral, he said, “comes with great responsibility and blessing ... and we need to be stewards of something very precious.”

Marge Golden, parish coordinator of outreach ministries, and her husband, John, joined the parish 21 years ago along with their sons, Billy, now 31, Thomas, 28, and John Patrick, 26.

“It’s the most dynamic parish I’ve ever belonged to,” said Golden.

From helping to support the Open Door Ecumenical Food Pantry to the after-school program for families in need and the overnight program for the homeless, there are many ways to be of service, she said.

Staying on Target Looking forward, parish staff say they will strive to find a good balance between taking care of parishioners and the activities of the Co-Cathedral.

“We will continue to make the parishioners a priority, listening

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017

to their needs as we [also] work with the Diocese,” said Eileen Kane, parish business manager.

“We’ll be offering hands-on support when events are held,” she said, adding that a priority will be communicating with the parish family. “We will keep things posted so that families can take advantage of them.”

She also said there will be a strong focus on staying organized, a priority set by Msgr.

Sam A. Sirianni, rector of the Co-Cathedral.

“We’ll be juggling a lot, coordinating with ministries and the diocesan Office of Worship,” she said. “We want to make sure that we are running in sync, welcoming and showing our love for the people of the Diocese.”

“

We need to be stewards of something very precious.

”

Regarding the possible new scope of staff duties, Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry, parish pastoral assistant, said, “Everyone is looking forward to the challenges of helping to instill a greater awareness of God’s presence on a diocesan-wide level.”

Schlameuss-Perry, who earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, and a master’s in pastoral ministry from Boston College, has experience in helping to prepare for worship in parishes.

She said she expects the planning that will accompany the Co-Cathedral is likely to produce a “more intentional” approach to parish programming, which she sees as a plus.

“We are working with the diocesan [Department of Evangelization and Family Life] to try to make our parish programs more accessible to families as we minister to different groups within the Diocese,” she said.

Congratulations and best wishes as we honor the Parish Family of P.O. BOX 393, RT. 79 & NOLAN ROAD MATAWAN, NEW JERSEY 07747 PHONE: (732)591-1125

St. Robert Bellarmine Church on its elevation to

FAX: (732)591-8739

EMAIL: office@WoodwardConstructionCompany.com

Co-Cathedral

The Knights of on Columbus Congratulations to St. Robert Bellarmine being elevated to Co-Cathedral for the for the Diocese of Trenton! on Diocese. We are proud to have builtofthis beautiful church.

Freehold Council 1672 70 East Main Street Freehold, Jersey C. BrettNew Woodward Congratulates the Parish of Shawn Reilly Saint Robert Bellarmine on the elevation to the status of Co-Cathedral

Best wishes from Woodward Construction Company

General Contractor • Construction Management • Design/Build

Mercer County • 609.586.1513 • rm@rmassociatesinc.com Ocean/Monmouth County • 732.280.0696

February 19, 2017

www.rmassociatesinc.com

Congratulations to St. Robert Bellarmine Church on being elevated to Co-Cathedral for the Trenton Diocese.

Best Wishes from your friends at

We are proud to have built this beautiful church.

P.O. BOX 393, RT. 79 & NOLAN ROAD MATAWAN, NEW JERSEY 07747 PHONE: (732)591-1125

FAX: (732)591-8739

EMAIL: office@WoodwardConstructionCompany.com

Richard Saker, President

Best wishes from Congratulations to St. Robert Bellarmine on being elevated Co-Cathedral the YourtoWorld Classfor ShopRites Woodward Construction Company Trenton Diocese. We are proud to have built this beautiful church.

C. Brett Woodward Shawn Best wishesReilly from Woodward Construction Company P.O. BOX 393, RT. 79 & NOLAN ROAD P.O. BOX 393, RT. 79JERSEY & NOLAN ROAD MATAWAN, NEW 07747 C. Brett Woodwardhop MATAWAN, NEW JERSEY 07747

s

Shawn Reilly

PHONE: (732)591-1125 FAX: (732)591-8739 PHONE: (732)591-1125 FAX: (732)591-8739 EMAIL: office@WoodwardConstructionCompany.com

EMAIL: office@WoodwardConstructionCompany.com

Many

thanks for voting

rite “Best superMarket”

Asbury Park Press, Home News Tribune, Courier News and Trentonian Readers’ Choice Awards

www.WoodwardConstructionCompany.com ons to St. Robert Bellarmine on being elevated to Co-Cathedral for the ions toproud St. Robert Bellarmine being elevated We are to have built thison beautiful church. to Co-Cathedral for the We are proud to have built this beautiful church. FEBRUARY 23, 2017 • TrentonMonitor.com • Celebrating

from Woodward Construction Company from Woodward Construction Company C. Brett Woodward

Our Co-Cathedral • C31

On Behalf of the

2017 Freehold Township Committee Mayor Lester A. Preston Deputy Mayor David M. Salkin Anthony J. Ammiano Thomas L. Cook Barbara J. McMorrow

Congratulations St. Robert Bellarmine on your elevation to Co-Cathedral

Not paid for with taxpayer funds.

Sir Ives Catering

Impeccable Cuisine & Customized Menus • Full Service Catering & Events Company 732•521•1108 • www.SirIves.com

It is with sincere appreciation and gratitude the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine wishes to thank Chris Ives of Sir Ives Catering for his generosity and support on this special occasion.

C32 • Celebrating

Our Co-Cathedral • The MONITOR • FEBRUARY 23, 2017