Monitor Magazine July 2022

MONITOR

THE

Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

Vol. 3 • No. 11 • JULY 2022

MAGAZINE

GIFT AND

MYSTERY Faithful of the Diocese of Trenton came together for Masses, Adoration, processions and picnics to celebrate the June 19 launch of the National Eucharistic Revival. See highlights in WE BELIEVE.

INSIDE...

FROM THE BISHOP: A special way to honor the elderly in our communities IN FOCUS: Final Report issued following the Diocesan Phase of the worldwide Synod SPECIAL REPORT: The Church responds to the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade

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GOAL: $6.5 MILLION

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KNOW HIM • $2,500,000 • Evangelization and Communications Outreach • Religious Education for Children and Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults • Catholic School Programs • Tuition Assistance • Professional Development for Educators

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LOVE HIM • $2,250,000 • Finding and forming priests (Vocations Recruitment & Seminary Preparation) • Retired Priest Care • Preparation of Deacons • Support of Religious Women and Men SERVE HIM • $1,750,000 • Families, Youth & Young Adult Ministries • Catholic Social Services (The Mt. Carmel Guild) • Pastoral Care (Prison, Respect Life, Grief) • Special Events and Programs • Outreach to the Poor and Vulnerable

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July 2022

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Contents

ON THE COVER Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, and co-chair of the Eucharistic Revival for the Diocese, carries the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament in a Eucharistic procession June 19. The Diocese began its observance of the Eucharistic Revival with a Mass celebrated by Father O’Reilly in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro. Rich Hundley photo

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MONITOR

THE

Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

MAGAZINE

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

www.TrentonMonitor.com Publisher • Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Associate Publisher • Rayanne M. Bennett • ext. 7188 EDITORIAL Monitor-News@DioceseofTrenton.org Associate Editor • Mary Stadnyk • ext. 7172

Digital and Social Media Manager • Rose O’Connor • ext. 7135 ADVERTISING Monitor-Advertising@DioceseofTrenton.org Monitor-Classified@DioceseofTrenton.org Advertising Coordinator • Frances Koukotas • ext. 7153 SUBSCRIPTIONS Monitor-Subscriptions@DioceseofTrenton.org

Circulation Assistant • Laura Cortes • ext. 7169 PRODUCTION Production/Graphic Designer • Clara Baumann • ext. 7176 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE (ISSN#0746-8350) is published 14 times a year by THE MONITOR, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, 08648. Periodicals’ postage paid at Trenton, NJ, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to The Monitor, P.O. Box 5147, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08638-0147.

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

9-19  In Focus: Synod Final Report

With the completion of the Diocesan Phase of the 16th Ordinary Synod of Bishops, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has released the final report featuring information gathered in the Listening Sessions conducted around the Diocese. The report was submitted to the U.S. Bishops.

20-25  We Believe The three-year National Eucharistic Revival began in the Diocese of Trenton on June 19. Pictorial coverage of the Family Day; the Mass marking its official start, and of parish Eucharistic processions.

26-28  Special Report Local and national coverage of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, including a message from Bishop O’Connell, C.M., and the NJ Bishops; resources for the next steps.

42-43  Young Catholics Young adults participate in Service and Social event; youth gear up for Mission: Jersey.

44-47  Family Life World Meeting of Families includes address from Pope Francis; local presenter.

48-50  In the Parishes

48

Service for peace; women’s conference in Fair Haven; Colts Neck parish celebrates special anniversary.

Bishop O’Connell greets parishioners following the special anniversary Mass he celebrated in St. Mary Church, Colts Neck.

Courtesy photo

REGULAR FEATURES 38-40 ¡ Insight from Fathers 35 ¡ Pope Francis Koch & Doyle; Mary Morrell 36 ¡ Church 37 ¡ World & Nation 51 ¡ Fun & Games July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 3

Peces

1.

2.

Solemnidad de Corpus Christi

¡Lee más en línea! Visita https://trentonmonitor.com/peces para ver más historias en español de toda nuestra diócesis y del mundo.  Obispo O’Connell: MENSAJE SOBRE LA DECISION ROE v. WADE

L a Iglesia católica de Nueva Jersey está lista para ayudar a actuales y futuras madres en necesidad; Declaración conjunta sobre el fallo Dobbs v. Jackson  En la decisión anticipada de Dobbs, la Corte Suprema anula Roe  Miren al futuro, no al pasado, dice el Papa a las familias ¡Queremos saber de ti! Visita https://dioceseoftrenton.org/comunidadhispana para realizar una encuesta rápida que nos ayude a aprender la mejor manera de conectar contigo.

1. El sacerdote del Verbo Divino, el Padre Guilherme Andrino, párroco de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Lakewood, dirigió una de las tres procesiones eucarísticas celebradas en la parroquia del condado de Ocean en la solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, el 19 de junio. Foto de Facebook.

2. Doña Lili y Don Juan se unen con padre Walter Quiceno cerca del altar que prepararon en los terrenos parroquiales que se utilizaron durante la Procesión Eucarística, el 19 de junio en la Iglesia de Santa María, Manahawkin. Foto de Facebook

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July 2022

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Readers' Corner

A response to the times

T

hese early days of summer have been tumultuous, to say the least. So much is happening right now that it does not seem possible to keep up with it all.

This issue of The Monitor Magazine presents some of the most important developments that have occurred in recent weeks and months and provides information on how the Church and the faithful are adapting to new realities.

The Final Report for the Diocesan Phase of the worldwide Synod is one example of the Church’s response to shifting perceptions, experiences and identities of the Catholic community.

The Diocese, like its counterparts around the world, invited people to give their thoughts and listen to one another. We have published the entire document for you and offer it as our number 1 “don’t miss” recommendation in this issue.

There are many more examples in this July issue of celebrations, challenges and sadly, tragedies . . . and reporting on the many ways that the Catholic community is trying to find God in it all. We encourage you to spend some time with these stories and spiritually connect with our brothers and sisters

who are most impacted.

Of a much more mundane, but still important nature, are the changes that we are dealing with at The Monitor and the steps we are taking to manage them. As we all know, inflation and cost hikes have crept into every corner of daily living, and publishing The Monitor Magazine is no exception.

The economy has affected our printing and mailing costs, requiring us to make some adjustments so that we can continue to bring you this monthly publication.

 “We encourage you to ... spiritually connect with our brothers and sisters who are most impacted.”

First, to reduce our page count, we are continuing our efforts to move some content to our website, TrentonMonitor.com. Rather than run everything in print, we will instead give you brief recaps so you know what digital content we have posted for you.

One example of that is our Spanishlanguage content, which is mostly now

WATCH FOR THESE ISSUES OF THE MONITOR MAGAZINE LIVES OF FAITH: THE RELIGIOUS ANNIVERSARIES ISSUE – Honoring those priests, deacons and religious women and men who are marking milestone anniversaries this year. Coming late July HONORING GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY PLUS OUR ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL PREVIEW – Coming late August A focus on Walking with Moms in Need and ways to help pregnant women and young families in need – Coming in September

READ THIS COVERAGE ONLINE

TRENTONMONITOR.COM

Supreme Court sides with coach in public school prayer case Court: Tuition program excluding religious schools is unconstitutional Pope at pallium Mass: Church must go out to ‘meet the world’ Teen trauma, impaired brain development seen as factors in gun violence

A message from

RAYANNE BENNETT Associate Publisher

located on trentonmonitor.com/peces.

You will find a brief synopsis of that content on page 4 in every issue going forward. We also have reduced the length of other stories and features, and are running the fuller versions on our website.

In addition, as we prepare to mark our third year of publishing this magazine in October, we are announcing an increase in our PREMIUM subscription rates to help offset the higher production costs. The new rates, effective Oct. 1, 2022, will be as follows:

 PREMIUM one-year … $30 for 14 home delivery issues and full digital access for one year  PREMIUM two-year … $50 for 28 home delivery issues and full digital access for two years  PREMIUM three-year … $65 … 42 home delivery issues and full digital access for three years  Education/Ministry rate …. $20 for 14 home delivery issues and full digital access for one year  The Digital Subscription rate of $15 per year will not change.

We hope that you will agree that even at the slightly higher rates, a subscription to this magazine is still a great investment in yours and your family’s faith enrichment. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or needs in relation to this information.

You can write to us at MonitorSubscriptions@dioceseoftrenton.org.

May you all have a safe and relaxing summer season. Don’t forget to take The Monitor Magazine along for your summer reading!

July 2022

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The world-renowned Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale in concert!

WHY VILLA?

Saint Rose Church,Church, Belmar, NJ,Belmar, will be hosting Saint Rose Nthe J

Philadelphia Boys Choir & Choraleback in a Christmas season concert, welcomes the on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 3:00pm.

Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale

Established in 1968 and under the baton of Jeffrey R. Smith, Artistic Director, the Feast of St. Rose of Lima, in2004, a summer since the Choir concert, is known ason “America’s Ambassadors of Song”, proudly representing both the City of Philadelphia and the United States of America on its many concert tours across the globe. Renowned for their musicianship, intelligence and interpretive abilities, the Emmy-winning and Grammynominated Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has cultivated a devoted worldwide following for their highly-acclaimed concerts and performances.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 7:00pm

Tickets are available after all weekend masses, as well as at the St. Rose Parish Office, located at 603 Seventh Avenue, Belmar, NJ. Tickets are $25/General Admission.

For more information, please call the St. Rose Parish Office: 732.681.0512.

St. Rose Church is handicap accessible.

EWING

SEE WHY VILLA MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER.

Tickets would make a joyous Christmas gift!

Renowned for their musicianship, intelligence and interpretive abilities, the Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale has cultivated a devoted following worldwide for their highly-acclaimed concerts and performances. Established in 1968 and under the direction of Jeffrey R. Smith since 2004, the Choir is known as “America’s Ambassadors of Song”, having proudly represented both the City of Philadelphia and the United States of America on its many concert tours across the globe.

Visit us to learn more!

Various genres of music will be performed, including contemporary choral music, spirituals, sacred, theatre, and more!

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE after all weekend Masses, as well as at the St. Rose Parish Office, located at 603 Seventh Avenue, Belmar, NJ. Tickets are $25/General Admission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please call the St. Rose Parish Office: 732.681.0512, ext. 416.

ST. ROSE CHURCH IS DISABLED ACCESSIBLE.

Join us for a summer musical treat you are ‘shore’ to enjoy!

Now accepting applications for the upcoming school year.

Call Admissions at 609-882-1700 ext. 2 villavictoria.org

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July 2022

From the Bishop

World day for elderly to include support for ‘treasure’ of retired, infirm priests “In their old age, they still bear fruit (Psalm 92:15).”

T

Archive photo

his year, the Catholic Church throughout the world celebrates the second Annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on the weekend of July 23-24. Initiated by our Holy Father Pope Francis in 2021, this annual event is intended to lift up and honor those among us who have “borne the heat of the day” so to speak and have entered their “golden years.” In his 2022 message to commemorate this day, our 86-year-old Holy Father wrote: “Old age is no time to give up and lower the sails, but a season of enduring fruitfulness: a new mission awaits us and bids us look to the future. The special sensibility that those of us who are elderly have for the concerns, thoughts and the affections that make us human should once again become the vocation of many. … The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is an opportunity to proclaim once more, with joy, that the Church wants to celebrate together with all those whom the Lord – in the words of the Bible – has ‘filled with days.’ Let us celebrate it together!”

Here in the Diocese of Trenton, we will mark this special occasion with two Masses I will celebrate for Grandparents and the Elderly, one on Saturday, July 23, 4:30 p.m. in St. Denis Church, Manasquan, and a second, July 24 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson. Families and parishioners in both parishes are warmly invited and encouraged to partici-

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. pate and, wherever possible, to bring grandparents and elderly relatives and friends with them for Mass. As Pope Francis has urged, “Let us make sure that no one feels alone on this day.”

For many of us, this day will only bring fond memories of grandparents who have gone home to the Lord. We can pray for them still. For others, however, God has continued to bless us with the loving presence of our grandmothers and/or grandfathers. And, of course, we all know people Continued on 8

 “Let us make sure that no one feels alone on this day.”

July 2022

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From the Bishop

Reach out to the elderly, show they are loved Continued from 7

who are elderly. A call or conversation, a letter or card, a gift or, even better, a personal visit would go a long way in reminding our seniors that they are still loved, cherished and needed. As Bishop of the Diocese, I encourage the clergy and faithful of the four counties to reach out to some elderly person simply to let them know you care.

In this year’s Message for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, our Holy Father focused on a line from Psalm 92:15: “In old age they will still bear fruit.” When I first read that title, my thoughts immediately turned to a different group of elderly – folks with no children of their own but who have been no less fatherly and grandfatherly over the years:

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announces a SPECIAL COLLECTION for the first

Diocesan Retired, Elderly and Infirm Priests FUND To be held in all parishes of the Diocese of Trenton on

July 23-24, 2022 As a way to show our gratitude and care for our spiritual fathers and grandfathers

Please be GENEROUS This poster promoting Bishop O’Connell’s new collection for the elderly priests of the Diocese – the Diocesan Retired, Elderly and Infirm Priests FUND – is being distributed to all parishes this month.

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our retired, elderly and infirm priests of the Diocese. These good men who no longer carry the burdens or responsibilities involved in full-time parish or other diocesan ministries, “still bear fruit” by their “helping out” part-time with parish Masses or sacramental schedules. They “still bear fruit” by the active witness of their priestly lives. They “still bear fruit” by the prayers and sufferings they offer for their fellow Christians so in need of their prayers. These elderly priests are, indeed, our “spiritual fathers and grandfathers.”

We often speak in the Church about the “shortage of vocations” in our seminaries. We sometimes forget that there is a rapidly growing shortage at the other end of the vocational spectrum as our active priests steadily “age out.” Twenty-five years ago, there were 12 retired priests in the Diocese of Trenton. Today there are 75. Five years from now, there will be over 100 retired priests here. We face a shortage of resources to provide for the basic needs of this quickly growing group. It strikes me, as Bishop, that we need to do something significant to support these men who “still bear fruit.”

Currently, our priests’ retirement home known as “the Villa” is filling up fast. I am looking for other diocesan properties and unused facilities that I could renovate and restore to fittingly house our growing population of retired and elderly priests who need a place to live in their retirement. To keep our current Villa going, to create new and more available opportunities for our retired and elderly priests and to provide adequate nursing care for those who are infirm, I am establishing a new, annual collection to be conducted on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to specifically support our elderly priests – our “spiritual fathers and grandfathers” in the Diocese of Trenton – who “have borne” and “still bear fruit” for us.

This Diocese is so very generous with all the many external national and international collections asked of us throughout the year. Beginning this July 23-24, I am inviting the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to consider contributing generously to this new reserved diocesan fund I am creating to support our retired, elderly and infirm priests.

Grandparents and the elderly have seen so much, learned so much, lived so much, given so much, loved so much. They make the world a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer for us. Their love never grows old. So, too, with our “spiritual fathers and grandfathers” in the Church who have shared Christ’s loving presence and message so faithfully in Word and Sacraments, in counsel and comfort, in witness and example.

“In old age they still bear fruit.”

Grandparents and the elderly “are a treasure in the family (Pope Francis).” Retired, elderly and infirm priests are a “treasure” in God’s family, the Church. Let’s remember them all in the Diocese of Trenton.

To read this year’s message of Pope Francis, go to: www. vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/nonni/documents/20220503-messaggio-nonni-anziani.html

In Focus

Final Report for Diocesan Phase of Synod released

BY MARY CLIFFORD MORRELL  Contributing Editor

C

atholics in the Diocese of Trenton who took part in the months-long local phase of a worldwide Synod, shared honest and clear-eyed assessments of their relationship to their faith and the Church. Offered in a spirit of respect and love, the responses were often emotional and spoke of gratitude for the Church, but also, a sense of hurt, according to organizers.

Synods have brought together members of the Church around important themes throughout its history. The current effort began in 2021, when Pope Francis instituted what he called the “Synod on Synodality,” a two-year process in preparation for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in October 2023. As part of that process, the Holy Father invited the whole Church, the People of God, to engage in dialogue and reflection, stressing that “a synodal Church is a Church that listens.”

Responding to the Holy Father’s invitation, Bishop David O’Connell, C. M., opened the Diocesan Phase of the Synod with Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Oct. 17, 2021, taking steps to ensure “a systematic, welcoming approach to clergy and faithful of the Diocese” would encourage  “[They] sharing and listening.

On June 24, 2022, Bishop listened O’Connell submitted the Final Report for the Diocesan Phase of without the Synod, “For a Synodal Church: resorting to Communion, Participation and Mission,” to the United States ready-made Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The report notes that, from Jananswers ...” uary through April, the Diocese conducted more than 800 group listening sessions involving nearly 4,500 people, with 64 parishes, 70 priests and 156 deacons having actively participated.

The statistics, said Deacon Pat Brannigan, Synod co-chair, “show that from all four corners of the Diocese, people came together to listen to each other about their faith journeys. [They] listened without resorting to ready-made answers or judgements. In the selected summaries of participant comments people were deeply moved, many coming to tears as they listened to the stories of others and as they told their own faith story.”

The report, highlighting a mixture of joys, obstacles and challenges impacting the faithful, notes that most participants, “even those who were hurt, angry or disenchanted, expressed

The Diocese went about collecting responses and information from the faithful about the Synod in a number of ways that included holding Listening Sessions at the parish and diocesan levels as well as through online and bulletin surveys. a deep affection and love for the Church, her teachings, and traditions; especially those around the Eucharist, other Sacraments, and prayer. Some recounted episodes … when the Church had provided solace and guidance at important moments. For this constancy, there was a profound sense of gratitude expressed.”

Obstacles cited inevitably prevented communion, participation and mission. The report states that “participants shared many instances in which they or those they know were made to feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, marginalized, ridiculed,” as well as times when they experienced a sense of loss from school and church closures. Also of concern is the clergy shortage, the need for “a theology of welcome” missing in some parishes, clericalism and a polarization in the Church, evident in listening sessions among “those who are advocating for the Latin Mass and those who do not.”

In his brief reflections at the close of the report, Bishop O’Connell acknowledged, “I was not surprised by any of the results of the Synod discussions in terms of content. Positive experiences of ‘journeying’ with and in the local Church were affirming, especially the participants’ love for the Holy Eucharist and willingness to serve in various ministries. Similarly, challenges and obstacles to effective ‘journeying’ mentioned by participants were not surprising. The clergy sexual abuse scandal loomed large among peoples’ ‘hurts’ along with feelings of alienation by and among LGBTQ+ Catholics and Catholics who were divorced and remarried without an annulment.”

For Mary Liz Ivins, diocesan Synod co-chair, the experience was hopeful. “I was profoundly moved by the sincerity with which participants approached the sharing and listening Continued on 54

July 2022

 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 9

In Focus

Synod 2021 – 2023 | FINAL REPORT | Diocesan Phase

For a Synodal Church: Communion, SECTION I. REVIEWING THE SYNODAL EXPERIENCE On October 17, 2021, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., released a pastoral letter and issued a decree as he opened the Diocesan phase of the Synod with Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. He selected two Co-Chairpersons, Mary Liz Ivins and Deacon Patrick Brannigan, who, working collaboratively with the Chancellor and Executive Director of Pastoral Life and Mission Terry Ginther, would lead a small team of people to guide the process.

A pivotal first decision was made to base Synod work within parishes to involve the greatest number of people. The decision also included choosing the Jesuit “Spiritual Conversation Method” as the process that would best suit the work to be done.

The Diocese conducted two in-person and one online orientation sessions to brief all pastors and parish leaders on the Synod purpose and process. Seventy percent of parishes participated in these orientations. The Diocese contracted with Dr. Robert Choiniere of Fordham University to provide five online sessions to train approximately 400 facilitators and notetakers during December 2021 and January 2022.

Use of the “Spiritual Conversation Method” proved to be an excellent choice. It allowed a wide net to be cast with many facilitators in a short period of time. This process encouraged people to listen, to express themselves and to be vulnerable. It seemed to be an exercise of bringing Christ into the human situation. Like the woman at the well, the Trenton Church listened.

After carefully reviewing the Vademecum published by the Vatican General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops, the following questions were used for all sessions: 1. What have been the joys and the obstacles in your journeying together with the Church? Share a brief story that illustrates your experience.

2. What moved, touched or resonated with you as you were listening?

3. Reflecting on our conversation, how might the Holy Spirit be calling on you and all of us to improve how we are journeying together?

From January through April, the Diocese conducted more than 800 group listening sessions involving nearly 4,500 people. Groups ranged from 6 to 8 participants to smaller gatherings of 2 or 3. In addition, 83 people participated in individual interview sessions and 216 surveys were submitted. Most of these sessions were held in person. Some were conducted 10 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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July 2022

as “Zoom” sessions. There are no records delineating exactly how many participated in person and how many sessions were held virtually. These sessions were arranged by individual facilitators, and by parish teams. The Diocesan Synod team hosted one online and two in-person sessions under the heading “Have You Been Heard?” specifically for those who had not been reached by parish sessions.

Several additional strategies for reaching those on the margins were discussed and attempted, but these efforts had limited success. Some attempts were rejected outright; others simply failed to respond. Facilitators were successful at hearing from 365 Spanish-speaking Catholics (reached by training Spanish speaking facilitators), LGBTQ+ Church members (reached through parish-based prayer groups), and about 500 teens (reached through Catholic Schools, Youth Groups and Religious Education Programs). Facilitators also conducted 83 individual interviews that listened to those who have left the Church, those who have been hurt, or simply those who did not feel comfortable in a group setting. While there was some success in reaching people on the periphery, much work remains to be done. Facilitators did interview a few individuals who no longer believe in God. One of those said, “I just do not believe there is a God. However, I do believe that mankind has had a need for a God, and it spans time and culture and level of civilization. I am respectful of people who are believers.”

GOING FORWARD

The Synod Team suggests that all Diocesan communication channels be utilized to share Bishop O’Connell’s Diocesan Report to USCCB with the public. In addition, the Diocese may want to create a Synod video featuring Bishop O’Connell for use in parishes and on social media.

Some parishes kept and reflected on the notes from their parish sessions. A variety of responses are being crafted by local parishes and schools including the scheduling of additional listening sessions, a conference on women’s leadership in the Church, and new adult faith formation opportunities. There is a sincere hope that the “Spiritual Conversation Method” will continue to be valuable in future work in the parishes of the Diocese.

Additional observations on the process:  Participants were very moved by the experience of participating in the listening sessions. They consistently talked about how touched they had been by the experiences of others in their groups. This reaction of participants was more intense than expected by the Synod team. Some expressed

Participation & Mission ing sessions which were submitted to USCCB through their organization.  As the team read the notetaker reports, it became apparent that there was some confusion, at times, between what people themselves wanted to see happen and what the Holy Spirit might be asking. It was observed that in some cases people introduced their own agendas at the end of the conversation.

SYNOD – BY THE NUMBERS: GROUP LISTENING SESSIONS, INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS

how they had experienced healing in the listening sessions.

They perceived the time spent in the small group sessions as sacred and the working of the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t often about rules but about heartache. The listening sessions provided a place for participants to talk about pain they had experienced.  The Synod Team focused on providing lay people an opportunity to express themselves without concern for any consequences because of what they might say. We asked clergy to encourage and facilitate participation in their parishes. Sixty-four parishes, 70 priests and 156 deacons actively participated in the Synod. Comments made in the orientation attempted to cast all clergy as equal listening participants in conversations rather than leaders. Some clergy may have been hesitant to participate because they felt that they would stifle honest sharing.  Participants often commented that they felt honored and called by the Pope’s invitation to participate in this “Synod on Synodality.”  Among English speaking, people aged 65+ were 42% of all respondents. This reflects the demographic of people in the pews.  Note that Georgian Court University participated through the Association for Catholic Colleges and Universities. New Ways Ministries engaged some participants from within the Diocese of Trenton. Both shared their summary observations with the Synod Committee. The Trenton Chapter of the National Pastoral Musicians (NPM) also hosted listen-

884 group responses were received – (804 English/80 Spanish) 83 people were interviewed individually 216 people completed the last chance “Have You Been Heard” Survey Nearly 4500 individuals participated in one of the above interactions 4093 respondents participated in English / 370 respondents – Spanish (8%) 60% of respondents were women / 40% men 537 196 1886 1876

or 12% were under 18 or 4% were age 18 – 29 or 42% were age 30 – 64 or 42% were age 65+

Roughly 400 people participated in the Diocesan virtual training sessions on how to facilitate the “Spiritual Conversation Method.” Five such training sessions were offered in Spanish during December 2021 and January 1, 2022.

PARISH AND SCHOOL PARTICIPATION

 Two thirds or 66% of all parishes hosted group listening sessions of some kind from January to April 2022. Thirty-three parishes did not host sessions or provide group responses of any kind (1/3 or 34%).  Some did encourage parishioners to participate in diocesan sessions or the survey, or parishioners found neighboring parish’s sessions to join.  Notes and calls submitted after the period closed April 11 express disappointment that their parish did not provide any opportunity to participate.

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 Also one Catholic Campus Ministry, four Catholic high schools and three Catholic grammar schools held group sessions.

English Groups

# of Priests

Spanish Single Groups Interview Survey

Totals

60

4

4

2

70

Deacons*

148

2

1

5

156

Vowed Religious

56

5

0

5

66

3141

291

76

202

3710

Lay Persons

*Two listening sessions for deacons were held. One was led

by Bishop O’Connell at the annual convocation for deacons and one hosted by the Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley

SECTION II. CONTENT SYNTHESIS – HOW ARE WE JOURNEYING TOGETHER IN THIS LOCAL CHURCH? JOYS OF JOURNEYING WITH THE CHURCH

This first part of Section II lists things that people said were important to them on their journey with the Church. People expressed joys, consolations, and ways in which they thought the Church was doing well journeying together as Church.

From the participants’ comments, the Synod Team saw that these elements build up communion with the Lord and one another, support participation in the Church and cultivate a commitment to and sense of mission among the members of the Church. Each issue will have a statement, a brief explanation and - where appropriate – a few quotes to help convey the sense of what was heard during the listening sessions, interviews and surveys.

1. Serving and being involved in parish ministries Many participants shared how participating in parish ministries gives meaning and purpose to their lives. Being involved gives them a strong sense of connection to community. They find meaning in being able to help others and to share their faith. The invitation from the parish to get involved was pivotal.  “I have always loved serving in the church. I was a religious education teacher for nine years. I have started and led multiple Bible studies. I love my Church. The greatest joy I’ve had is in outreaches that created small faith communities….

Renew 2000 being one such experience. Participation in small faith communities has brought the joy of the gospel to others. One person in my group who DREADED coming, became a daily mass communicant.”  “Meeting Christ in the poor.”

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 “Ministry has taken me to unexpected places.”

2. Mass and the Eucharist Many participants shared how important Holy Communion is in their lives and mentioned with awe the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Some attended daily Mass and spoke lovingly of that experience. Some spoke of how grateful they are to have the Mass available in their native language. Others shared their relief to return to in-person Mass and devotions following the pandemic.  “Eucharist – The joys are moments of grace in my own spiritual life as well as in interacting with others on the same journey to Christ and the church.”  “The sacraments feed my daily life. We need the Church to help us get through life.”  “Attending (Mass) with my spouse supports our marriage, leads to better harmony between us.”  “Always having Jesus present.”

3. Sacraments and rituals, prayers and devotion Participants shared stories about the sacramental milestones they celebrated with children and family. These stories were associated most closely with the sense of journeying with the Church throughout their lives. They recalled times when these experiences have taught them to pray, helped them to open up to God, and find a safe space to become their authentic selves.  “The Church has been there for me and my family to share in our joys, Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Penance and without doubt and in all circumstances, The Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our faith! If these things are taken out of my life, I have no life within me.”  “Church is the heart of our family.”  “Powerful confession experience has stayed with me for years.”  “Confession after a long time away.”  “Love the sacramental life, the liturgical seasons and how it mirrors the seasons of life.”

4. Importance of Fellowship, beyond Mass, social and spiritual Participants often spoke of their parish having a sense of belonging, a sense of family and “home”. They told stories of friendships, memorable events, common experiences in which the people of the parish came together with a sense of common purpose.  “The secret at this parish is that you know God loves you.”  “I was welcomed as a newcomer after relocation.”

5. Opportunities to grow in faith with small group settings, Bible studies, retreats, RCIA process

Many participants shared stories about different ways they have grown in faith during their journey with the Church. All reflected with a sense of gratitude for these experiences and were enthusiastic about inviting others to participate in similar blessings. The value of small groups was mentioned frequently.  One convert through the RCIA process said that “faith came alive.”  “Franciscan Parish Mission brought me back to the Church.’  “Love the Bible in a Year podcast.”  “Seeing the Spirit of God bring healing.”  “Seeing the Work of God in my husband and in our marriage.”

6. Comfort and support during times of illness, struggle, loss, grief, infertility and adoption: This sense of having been accompanied through some time of trial was often shared in the stories that people told.

These stories were all personal and involved a leader or some members of the Church walking along with a person or family during a difficult time. In some cases, the impact these experiences had was transformative.  “l needed surgery and was in quite a state, not knowing if l would live or die. Father W. gave me the Anointing of the Sick and said, ‘You are strong. Keep up the good work.’ I felt peace, comfort, and refuge.”  “I walked away from the church once in the past.” She went on to say now she’s “back home” – like a “second home” and she’s glad to be back.  “One student participant said he had a tough time when his grandparents died. But when he saw how important God and the Church were to his mother during this period of grief – it was possible to see God’s presence in that difficult moment.”  “Strong respect for life sustained my family while my son was in a coma after a tragic accident.”  “A meal was on my doorstep every day during my illness.”  “Support during the death of my parents.”

7. Found good role models for living a Christian life; (priest, sister, teacher, etc.) really influenced my life:  “A twelve year Catholic education enabled me to live a productive life in a very secular society.”  “My parents were good role models.”

8. Preachers with the ability to connect the Gospel to daily lives in relevant ways have been key in people’s journeys.

9. Many found strength in being a part of Catholic organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus.

Many were proud of the good works of Catholic institutions such as colleges, hospitals, rehabilitation

centers, and senior living centers.

OBSTACLES / CHALLENGES / NOT JOURNEYING WELL

This second part of Section II lists the experiences that people found to be obstacles, disappointments, or challenges in their journey with the Church. They were expressed as concerns, frustrations, and areas that people hope can be improved in our journeying together as Church. From the participants’ comments, we can see that these elements are experienced as divisive, barriers to participation in the Church, and reasons given for why people have disengaged – the opposite of communion, participation and mission. Each issue will have a statement, brief explanation and where appropriate, a few quotes to help convey the sense of what was heard during the listening sessions, interviews and surveys.

1. Sadness and disappointment that their adult children and grandchildren do not practice the faith This was clearly the most prominent concern mentioned by participants. There is a dismay that the Church doesn’t know what to do to attract and keep young people. People are sincerely worried about the future of the Church.  “I don’t know how to talk with my kids who are questioning their faith.” She feels we as a Church lack the material to offer families who have some family members who are floundering or doubting their faith.  “I felt like raising my four children during the pre-teen and teen years there could have been a stronger support network from the church. Young people want to have a purpose and feel engaged and how powerful that would have been if those entities were coming from our Church. Now as a widow listening to other individuals from different faiths talk about the support network within their Church, I feel we are lacking in that area.”

2. Sexual abuse by priests The sexual abuse scandal continues to be a source of pain for many, not only for victims and their families, but also for average lay Catholics and priests. Participants mentioned – in some way – the scandal in most listening sessions.  This scandal remains an “open wound.”  Many described the scandal as a “betrayal of trust:” both the abuse and how the Church handled the scandal. Participants spoke of being angry and saddened by “what it has done to the Church.”  Concern was expressed for priests accused but not “proven guilty.”  A few people shared stories of being abused by clergy and feeling “re-victimized” in their experience of the reporting process.

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3. Crisis of credibility and authority due to the abuse crisis, instances of financial mismanagement, and lack of transparency in financial matters Participants expressed a lack of confidence in the way the Church is being led. This was echoed in many comments about rules, hypocrisy, incompetence. Synod participants were candid about the general disregard for Church teaching when the teaching seems out of step with their experience in the secular world.  “As a result of the sex abuse scandal and moving priests around, the Church has relinquished its moral authority to lead. The Church did not protect our children.”  “There are two churches – the parishes and the hierarchy.

They are different.”

4. Sense of loss from parish church and school closings There were some participants that shared how difficult the closure of their parish church or school has been for them personally. Others were concerned that fewer people would be served, or that so many closures send the wrong message about what is important.  “Parish merger affected me greatly and I felt like no one cared.”  “Disappointment in the expense and unavailability of Catholic schools.”

5. Individuals and groups that do not fit the “mold” are not welcome Participants shared many instances in which they or those they know were made to feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, marginalized, ridiculed. Among these were single Catholics, families of children with autism, single parents, LGBTQ+, divorced Catholics and immigrants. They spoke of the behavior of some Catholics “in the pews” toward them; and in some cases, this judgmental or prejudicial behavior was tolerated by the pastor, even deemed laudable.  “We need to balance between mercy and justice.”  “Don’t be like the Pharisees, who squabbled over the 613 rules and prohibitions, thus missing the ‘big picture’ of faith, mercy, and salvation.”  “Over the years, many things have come up that I felt bothered about. Non-Catholics condemned to hell, gay people condemned, divorced people condemned, etc. Sometimes there seems that there is no forgiveness, no sympathy, everything is cut and dry. There needs to be more understanding and compassion.”

6. LGBTQ+ individuals feel alienated/experience rejection for who they are The ability of the Church to journey with LGBTQ+ persons is, at best, limited. Our brothers and sisters find our teaching language of “intrinsically disordered” hurtful. LGBTQ+ persons worry about being fired from Church jobs or volunteer roles.

Their families and others who care for them cannot reconcile continued participation in Church when their loved one feels rejected. This single issue contributes greatly to disaffiliation among youth.  “Heterosexual members of the Church (who may be behaving sinfully) are not ‘rejected’ in the same way as homosexual members of the church. Are heterosexuals who have sex outside of marriage told that they are not able to be fully participating? This is perceived as being part of the hypocritical pastoral theology that causes many to leave the Catholic Community – or at least feel the need to live in a ‘don’t ask – don’t tell’ membership.”  “Assuming that all homosexual experience is sinful is not looking at the whole person, but as only one aspect of their humanity.”  “If the priest couldn’t accept my gay son, then I couldn’t accept the Church.”  “How could anyone not be welcome in God’s house?”  “My gay son is born in the image and likeness of God, but he doesn’t feel welcome in Church.”  “It’s my Church too.”  “I’m accepted as a transgender Catholic at local level but not in larger Church.”

7. Divorced persons and those who’ve been divorced and remarried Catholics who have divorced feel abandoned in their struggle by the Church community. Many believe they cannot receive Communion, even though divorce alone is not an impediment. One of the most frequent obstacles to journeying with the Church mentioned was from individuals who were divorced and remarried without an annulment and unable to receive Communion. They shared their feelings of being judged by the Church. The cost of the annulment process was also raised.  “I was divorced, remarried and denied annulment. I felt exiled from my Church with 5 children.”  “Murderers are forgiven, but a divorced abused woman cannot receive the Sacraments.”  “Annulment is a painful process.”

 “People criticize other people inside the Church.”

 “Rules are more important than people, especially with divorce. I felt like a second-class citizen.”

 “As a single woman, I volunteered but it didn’t feel like community. I felt pitied.”

 A divorced/remarried couple married in Lutheran Church and baptized baby Lutheran but would like to raise him

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Catholic as they were both raised. This means they cannot participate in Holy Communion with their son.  The shaming of one divorced and remarried mother sent the whole family away from Church; that pain passed onto the next generation and the next.

8. Exclusion of women from leadership roles and decision-making in the Church Almost every small group listening session included a call for an enlarged leadership role for women in the Church. The issue of women deacons and the ordination of women as priests was frequently mentioned by participants, with little or no resistance raised by others to the notion.  Women in their 20s and 30s have a sense of “disenfranchisement” from leadership and decision-making by the “patriarchal Church.”  One father expressed sadness that the Church lost a wonderful leader when his daughter left the Catholic Church to answer the call to become an Episcopal priest.  “Without women in the Church, you lose their children & the next generation of potential Catholics.”

9. Shortage of clergy and demands on their time Some participants were frustrated that priests are not accessible to people and cannot be available to accompany people through difficulties. Others note that priests seem overwhelmed by administrative tasks and financial concerns.

Priests do not get to know parishioners; both volunteerism and pastoral care suffer as a result.  “They don’t have time to talk to me.”  “The diocesan priest needs to be made more connected and accountable to each other. They are trained in pastoral ministry and then asked to do property management and human resources and business development. These are not skills they are trained in during formation.”

 “I no longer contribute to the parish because the pastor is always on ‘day off’ and he forgot to show up for wake service for my dad.”  “Priest had no time, showed no compassion for my father and me when my mother passed away.”  “The Hierarchy of the Church is too rigid. Priests are more concerned with donations and less with the fellowship in the community. Covid taught us all that we need to love one another, yet the Parish Priest refused to visit the sick. They do not have the time to minister to their flock. We should have married and female priests.”  “Often children have no regular interaction with priests or nuns; families not supportive of their children considering a religious vocation.”

10. “The way things are” does not make it easy to participate There was much sharing about poor service at the parish office, calls not met with generosity of spirit, responses differing from place to place, no flexibility, lack of communication, or lack of convenient office hours/Mass times for people who are working. Many participants said there are cliques, or that the same people in the parish do everything and make it difficult for others to get involved.  “I think that the Church has become too institutional and has lost the intimacy and compassion it should provide to people on their spiritual/faith journey.“  A Church staff member related her experience of seeing people coming in from other parishes hurt, frustrated, and unwelcomed by policies and non-policies. She wishes they all had the same experience she had. “Being a good Church is so simple – why can’t parishes just meet people’s needs; good, bad or ugly?”  “Also, a death in my family and the need to give a donation to one parish to be released so that the Funeral could be celebrated in the parish, in which I belonged to their Youth Group.”  “We as a Church are inconsistent in our approach to controversial topics. Example: A pastor refused to marry a couple living together unless they maintained separate residences prior to the ceremony. The couple went to another pastor who welcomed them with open arms.”  There is inconsistency about rules from one parish or diocese to the next. (i.e. eulogies).”

Participants engage in discussion during a Synod Listening Session in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton. Courtesy photo

 A person “left ritual to find relationship” when he left the Church.

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11. Polarization in the Church One obstacle to communion is the sense of polarization in the Church mirroring the division in society between conservatives and liberals. Perhaps the most evident such polarization in synod listening involved those who are advocating for the Latin Mass and those who do not. The feelings ran deep.

Both sides expressed their views with emotion.  “Over the past 9 years, the hostile takeover by the Latins has been the biggest obstacle. The continued attempts to indoctrinate us is very offensive and un-Catholic. We are condemned for having obeyed every Pope (including 3 Saints), Bishop and Priest since 1962. They are intentionally driving Parishioners away so they can have their own conclaves. In fact, if it weren’t for The Monitor, we wouldn’t know about the Synod. The Latins do not recognize the Bishop or Pope Francis. If you came to our Parish on a regular basis, you would think that Benedict is still Pope and that there is no Bishop or Diocese.”  “I was an Altar Server from 1962-1971. I served the Latin Mass and during the Vatican II transition. I used to love the Latin Mass, but I cannot accept the sanctimonious and condescending attitudes, nor the self-appointed moral superiority the current cult exhibits.”  Mass in the vernacular lacks the “reverence of the Latin Mass.”  “The Latin Mass has been our tradition and the origin of the faith while the Novus Ordo is a failed experiment.”  A few people noted that contemporary music contributes to the “Protestantization” of the liturgy.

12. Change of pastor has a big impact on a parish for good or not for good Many comments about obstacles to participation were related to the change of a pastor – some dreaded a change; others were hoping for one. The stories shared mostly indicate disappointment that the role of pastor carries such power and influence that a new pastor can radically change a parish. Some were asking if the voice or charism of the parish community over time/generation after generation means anything?  “Change of pastors changes everything.”  “I feel uncomfortable at my church. I feel it’s cliquish and I find Father intimidating and not often friendly. I went to [another] Catholic Church not long ago and I was shocked by the difference. People were so warm and friendly. And the priest made a point of saying hello to me and welcome.

Soooo nice. When Father leaves maybe the Church will change too if we get a warm and caring priest in.”  “A person spoke about “many silent departures” because of 16 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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A member of the Sacred Heart Council, Knights of Columbus, Willingboro, participates in the Mass to start off the Diocese’s participation in the Eucharistic Revival June 19 in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro.

Feedback in the Synod report cited that many parishioners “found strength in being a part of Catholic organizations,” such as the Knights of Columbus. Rich Hundley photo

a change in pastor.”  “My many joys of being Catholic for over 50 years have now been turned into sadness as I see my lifelong vibrant parish (name given) slowly dying from the obstacles imposed by the harmful and ineffective ministry of the new pastor.”  Expressed frustration that parishioners have no input during pastor changes 13. Clericalism and abuse of power by priests There were quite a few experiences shared of priests belittling and humiliating people, anti-women or anti-laity attitudes, shaming and intimidation, imprudent comments, even frightening experiences of confession.  “Young priests frequently demonstrate a sense of entitlement, that they are “above” the faithful, and they know more about practicing the faith than the layperson. This clericalism and emphasis on hierarchy is driving discouragement and abandonment.”  “At the seminary level, insist on seminarians reading How to Win Friends and Influence People, then apply the principles in this well-known book in their subsequent assignments.”  “While our priest loves Pope Francis, he described an upsetting conversation with a former pastor who said, ‘Obama is a racist pig.’ I felt there was no place for me in church anymore.”  “Priests should be trained to be more welcoming, positive and understanding. Meet the person where they are and then try to bring them to the church.”  “There is a hostility among clergy to new initiatives that involve lay people.”

 “At a funeral for a Catholic suicide victim that suffered from depression, he (the priest) told the deceased’s 4- and 5-year-old children that their father had gone straight to hell because of how he died …”

14. Difficulties related to our lack of receiving Holy Communion with Christians of other churches There were a handful of comments about the difficulty of receiving Holy Communion at funerals, weddings, when not all members are Catholic. Also, some participants expressed a desire for their Catholic parish to improve efforts to work together with other Christian churches in their area.  “Communion is not an open table for all who believe in Christ.”  “Not allowing Christians of other denominations to participate in Eucharist was hurtful for my family after I became Catholic through RCIA.”  “I feel called to be a minister of unity and reconciliation among Christians.”

SECTION III. CONCLUSIONS – HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT MAY BE PROMPTING US TO IMPROVE THE WAY WE JOURNEY TOGETHER? People participated in Synod Listening Sessions, Individual Interviews, or Surveys each for their own reason. Most – even those who were hurt, angry or disenchanted – expressed a deep affection and love for the Church, her teachings, and traditions; especially those around the Eucharist, other sacraments, and prayer. Some recounted episodes throughout their lives when the Church had provided solace and guidance at important moments. For this constancy, there was a profound sense of gratitude expressed.

For many, involvement in parish ministry is a rich source of blessing. Some expressed how, no matter where they travel, they have felt at home in a Catholic Church. Many observed that the older they get, the more the Church means to them; it’s like an extended family. Many indicated that they love the Church even with the flaws of its individual members.

Trenton Catholics clearly cherish the Mass, receiving the Eucharist, and the ability to serve in ministry. These practices are of central importance. They should be given careful time and attention. The Church can build on them. The contributions of lay ministers must also be validated.

It is abundantly clear: most participated in the Synod from a place of hope; a hope that the Holy Spirit would guide the Church to become better at journeying together. This is well-expressed by someone who said:  “Those of us who love the Church and our faith can continue to partake of the sacraments to strengthen us to continue to reach out. My life verse has become ‘always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within you.’”

I can continue to reach out, continue to invite others into groups that strengthen our faith, continue to study scripture and the CCC, continue to be a joyful witness to others of the hope that is within me, pray, pray, pray.”

It is in that spirit of hope that the following conclusions are offered. Please note that quotes from participants are shared to help elucidate the observations.  The Church must address issues of leadership Including: the shortage of priests and the availability of pastors to “pastor”  Maybe the administrative model needs to change to give priests more time to talk with their people, know their needs and care for them.  Utilize the gifts of the laity wherever possible.  Consider married priests.  Re-open discussion about women serving as deacons, and priests.  We need continued healing for the damage done by clericalism and abuse of power.  We need to continue to increase respect for women and their role in the Universal Church. The Trenton Diocese is a shining example not only with Terry Ginther as Chancellor but also with a number of other women in key leadership positions. The participant comments indicated that they were not aware of the significant role women are actually playing in the Trenton Diocese under Bishop O’Connell.  I mplement a renewal of evangelizing catechesis and adult faith formation that would lead to a maturing in the faith; help adult Catholics develop a deeper understanding of Catholic teachings  Across the board there was a discernible hunger to be closer to God, to be part of a community, and to know/learn/ understand more about the faith.  Flip the approach – instead of starting from rules, prohibitions and rejection, lead with the invitation “to come and see.”  “The Holy Spirit is prompting me to keep the name of Jesus alive by sharing him with others.”  “RCIA makes the best Catholics – what about an RCIAlike program for cradle Catholics?”  “I think it’s important to have an adult formation class available for young adults, parents, because spiritual growth is a journey and it doesn’t end after Confirmation, or like graduating college, we need to encourage and make available the need to be spiritually feeding our souls and intellect.  Engage teens and young people  Devote adequate resources to form catechists, teachers, youth ministers so that they can engage youth differently and Continued on 18

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In Focus Continued from 15

understand what’s happening in their lives.  Utilize contemporary music and focus on relevant preaching.  Offer teens more support, recognition, and opportunities to be included.  “Youth ministry and religious education are not given enough resources and attention. This is the feeder of the future church and where vocation would come from. Vocation and religious education in collaboration with the youth ministry could help jump start a new group of active and faithful Catholics.”  I am a volunteer catechist and find the youth are interested when the material is relatable. I think a Family Mass with youth friendly scripture and homilies would be MOST helpful.  “Get onto social media to show church being fun.”  Do something to promote healing and restore trust  People are still suffering, angry about the impacts of the clergy sexual abuse crisis, not only victims, but all of us (clergy and laity). We need ways to heal; to listen to this hurt/pain, share our wounds.  Hold an Annual Day of Prayer for victims of abuse (Universal Church);  Address the lack of transparency about payments.  Address the unfairness of process toward clergy who are accused but cannot clear their names.  Restore trust by creating a mechanism for recourse when people are having a hard time in a parish.

This report will be available in Spanish at: dioceseoftrenton.org/xvi-synod  “We need to reconnect with each other with humility – clergy & the people should not hesitate to say we are sorry – especially in how we go about healing the wounds caused by the sex abuse scandal.” ontinue the process of listening begun in the C Synod and discerning our direction using the ”Spiritual Conversation Method” we have learned  Parishes should each have a Pastoral Council attentive to this process.  More opportunities to pray outside of Mass, adoration before Blessed Sacrament, guided meditation to help to discern the call of the Holy Spirit on an ongoing basis.  Commit to having opportunities just for listening, be attentive to healing hurts and disappointments.  Focus attention on growing participation  Many people spoke of a faith journey in which they left the Church and later came back. Be intentional about ways to help 30–64-year-olds find their way back.  Be more sensitive to the time/hour we offer everything; not all people can come when we want them to come.  More effective communication to all parishioners, not only those attending Mass, including social media. Go deeper than on the surface because perceptions are not always in line with realities.  Create a plan of action to help more people to be involved.  Get beyond the cliques.  Parishes are missing the opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives. People participate in things that matter to them. Pay special attention to the “moments of return” and make the most of these. hurch needs to be welcoming to all, not only in C words, but in action

Msgr. Richard LaVerghetta, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, preaches the homily during Mass on Christmas Eve 2021. The Synod report indicated that “Preachers with the ability to connect the Gospel to daily lives in relevant ways have been key in people’s journeys.” Joe Moore photo

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Articulate a “theology of welcome” that is shared among Catholics that focuses on the whole person rather than the way they are different from the “norm.”

The Church accompanies people in time of tragedy, illness, grief (we can put aside all judgments and just be with them).

Find ways to do the same and walk with those who are different in their sexual orientation, mental capacity, marital status, etc.

In all things our movement needs to be from excluding to including.  “We do more to push people away than pull them in.”  “We need to love like Jesus and meet people where they are. Offer Holy Communion to the divorced, accept there are

same sex couples/families & welcome everyone.”  “God loves diversity. Look at all the flowers.”  “The Church needs to be more personal. There’s often an in-group. I can say that from experience with the ladies and many people feel they can’t break in and find a place.

Eventually they feel so uncomfortable, and they leave. It has nothing to do about God and everything to do about the nature of people.”  Find different ways to accompany the divorced  Support those who are trying to keep a family together and those who separate.  Pray publicly for those going through divorce.  Support custody arrangements and co-parenting.  Walk with an accurate understanding of Canon Law with those who are seeking annulment.  Support the divorced and remarried as they are part of the family. Encourage their practice of the faith at home and support the efforts of blended families.  Be attentive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit toward unity…not uniformity, but unity. The divisions in the church are harmful to communion.  “The Church should let liberal and traditional elements coexist to bring people closer to Christ.”  “The Holy Spirit will provide the way if you are open to possibilities in your own life and work cohesively with other people. You need to pray and trust in the Holy Spirit. Always have the courage to stand up for your beliefs and reach out to other people and lend a helping hand.”

The formal part of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod concluded at the Chrism Mass on Monday of Holy Week, April 11, 2022.

SECTION IV. BRIEF REFLECTIONS OF BISHOP When the Synod of Bishops 2021-20223 was first announced in April 2021 as a “Synod on Synodality,” I was not sure what to expect. I carefully read all the documents coming from the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and began to think about what “the Synod” would mean to, in and for the Diocese of Trenton. In many subsequent discussions with clergy and faithful of the Diocese, I wondered how best to engage the local Church. I appointed two individuals as co-chairs, an accomplished lay woman and an experienced deacon, to work along with the Diocesan Chancellor to develop a systematic, welcoming approach to clergy and faithful of the Diocese for use in the Synod process. They did an outstanding job, including the preparation of this report.

The notion of “journeying” together as a local Church was not difficult to conceptualize, understand and present within the Diocese. In general, people responded well. The emphasis

on simply “listening,” however, was a bit harder, at least for me.

Having spent my entire priestly career in works of Catholic education, I found the temptation to “teach” rather than to “listen” a strong one, especially when I encountered misperceptions or inaccurate ideas about what the Church actually believes and teaches. Fortunately, that temptation eased with time but never completely.

I was not surprised by any of the results of the Synod discussions in terms of content. Positive experiences of “journeying” with and in the local Church were affirming, especially the participants’ love for the Holy Eucharist and willingness to serve in various ministries. Similarly, challenges and obstacles to effective “journeying” mentioned by participants were not surprising. The clergy sexual abuse scandal loomed large among peoples’“hurts” along with feelings of alienation by and among LGBTQ+ Catholics and Catholics who were divorced and remarried without an annulment. The preceding Report identifies the more problematic issues felt by “people in the pews.”

The challenge remains for the Diocese to build upon the strengths and good experiences expressed by participants and to determine ways to address and minimize the hurts felt by people. Follow-up efforts are already being planned for the Fall 2022. This Report will be shared with the entire Diocese through appropriate Diocesan media outlets.

I was pleased by the extent to which clergy and faithful participated in the Synod as an expression of hope in the future.

I was disappointed that 1/3 of the Diocese’s 97 parishes did not participate in any meaningful way, despite a substantial push by the Diocese and those directly involved with leading the Synod efforts. That fact contributed significantly to the understanding and credibility of many of the negative comments by those who did participate about their experience of Church in their parishes. As Bishop, I often feel at a loss in knowing how to motivate a better response from the parishes.

The “takeaways?” The Diocesan Synod was worth the time and effort expended by those in the Diocese who participated and took it seriously. We have much to be grateful for. When the local Church “works” and the clergy and faithful have a real sense of “journeying” together, the local Church works well.

When the local Church is ineffective and unwelcoming, it fails in its fundamental mission. A number of the curious responses of the faithful reveal a need for much better catechesis throughout the Diocese among all age groups. Although the formal part of the Diocesan Synod has ended, its spirit work must continue. The Holy Spirit has opened the door for us to continue the “journey.”

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D. Bishop of Trenton July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 19

We Believe

1.

Body of Christ

O

Rich Hundley photos

n the day when the Universal Church marked the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, dioceses from around the United States officially launched the start of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival which has as its goal to reignite devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In the Trenton Diocese, the Eucharistic Revival opened with a Mass and Eucharistic Procession in Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro, with Father Martin O’Reilly, episcopal vicar of Burlington County; pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, and co-chair of the Eucharistic Revival for the Diocese, serving as principal celebrant and homilist.

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2.

3.

For a photo gallery and an expanded story, visit TrentonMonitor.com > News > Diocese 1. Corpus Christi parishioners Arnie Dumont, left, Gladys Dumont, center, and George Craft extend the Sign of Peace during the Mass.

2. Parishioners pray during the Mass to mark the start of the Eucharistic Revival in the Diocese.

3. Father O’Reilly blesses a young child during the distribution of Holy Communion.

4. F ollowing the Eucharistic Procession, Father Martin O’Reilly, left, Deacon Mike Hagan, center, and Father Stanley Lukaszewski, a weekend assistant in Corpus Christi Parish, kneel before the Blessed Sacrament.

4.

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We Believe

2.

O Sacrament Most

1.

P

arishes across the Diocese of Trenton embraced the launch of the National Eucharistic Revival June 19 on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi – with Eucharistic Processions. Accompanied by parishioners, parish clergy members gave public witness both outside and inside church buildings and around neighborhoods, displaying the Blessed Sacrament for all to see.

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4.

3.

Holy

1. In St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, hundreds of parishioners participate in its annual Corpus Christi procession on parish grounds June 19 – the first one held since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago. “It was a wonderful way to initiate the first year of the National Eucharistic Revival,” said Joe Sbarra, who worked with Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor, in coordinating the procession. Courtesy photos 2. Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Middletown, holds the Blessed Sacrament up to be reverenced following the parish’s Eucharistic Procession June 19.

3. Members of the Our Lady of the Angels Knights of Columbus council hold the umbrellina for the Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Trenton June 19, with hundreds of parishioners and ministry groups joining in.

4. In Spring Lake, a public procession of the Blessed Sacrament takes place following an outdoor Mass celebrated at St. Catharine School. Father Damian McElroy, pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, led the procession from the school to St. Catharine Church for Benediction on the building’s front steps. He was joined by Father Gregg Abadilla and Deacon Paul Vitale, and scores of parish ministry groups.

5. Father Daniel F. Swift, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, holds the Blessed Sacrament aloft in the monstrance to be incensed as part of the parish’s Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession.

5. For a photo gallery and an expanded story, visit TrentonMonitor.com > News > Diocese July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 23

We Believe

O

n June 18, the day before the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, families from the Diocese’s four counties had the opportunity to gather for an outdoor day of fun and reflection, and to learn more about the three-year Eucharistic Revival created by the U.S. bishops in order to renew devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. In Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold, faithful came together for Mass celebrated by Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, who is co-chairing the Diocese’s participation in the Eucharistic Revival. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration followed, as well as a picnic lunch, outdoor games and more.

2.

Renew your People, 1.

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John Batkowski photos

3.

O Lord 1. Deacon Jorge Valente of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, and attendees of the June 18 outdoor Mass and family picnic in Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold, kneel in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

4.

5.

2. Father Michael Hall, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and diocesan director of the Office of Worship, distributes Holy Communion to congregants during the outdoor Mass.

3. Altar servers lead the Eucharistic Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to its place of Adoration in the park setting following Mass.

4. During the outdoor Mass, congregants raise their right hands in blessing.

5. Families take time for a shared picnic meal following Mass. The afternoon celebration included games, face and rock painting and even a puppet show.

For a photo gallery and an expanded story, visit TrentonMonitor.com > News > Diocese July 2022

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Special Report

Welcoming Court’s decision, leaders say it’s time to build pro-life culture

freepik image

WASHINGTON (CNS) • Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops hailed the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision to overturn the Court’s 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide and said it is time for “healing wounds and repairing social divisions” with those who take opposing views on abortion.

The ruling marks a historic day for the United States after almost five decades during which “America has enforced an unjust law that has permitted some to decide whether others can live or die,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore.

The prelates issued a joint statement as USCCB president and chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, respectively.

The 5-4 ruling to overturn Roe came in the Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which was a challenge to a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks.

However, Chief Justice John Roberts, while agreeing with the opinion on the Mississippi law, disagreed with the majority’s decision that overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

The latter case affirmed Roe and prohibited regulations that created an “undue burden” on women seeking an abortion.

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“time to begin the work of building a post-Roe America.”

“We thank God today that the Court has now overturned this decision,” they said. “We pray that our elected officials will now enact laws and policies that promote and protect the most  “As a Church, vulnerable among us.”

The archbishops recalled the we need to lives of tens of millions of children who have lost their lives since 1973, serve those saying the USCCB mourns their who face loss and that their souls have been entrusted to God. difficult “Our hearts are also with every woman and man who has suffered preganancies grievously from abortion,” they said. ...”

“We pray for their healing, and we pledge our continued compassion and support. As a church, we need to serve those who face difficult pregnancies and surround them with love.”

Archbishop Gomez and Archbishop Lori also credited the people who for five decades have worked peacefully together “to educate and persuade their neighbors about the injustice of abortion,” to provide care and counseling to women, and to work for alternatives to abortion such as foster care and public policies that support families.

The Pontifical Academy for Life, under its president, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, joined the USCCB leaders in welcoming the Supreme Court’s opinion, saying it points the way for the world to follow.

“The Court’s opinion shows how the issue of abortion continues to arouse heated debate,” an academy statement said.

“The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world.”

“The protection and defense of human life is not an issue that can remain confined to the exercise of individual rights but instead is a matter of broad social significance,” it continued. “After 50 years, it is important to reopen a non-ideological debate on the place that the protection of life has in a civil society to ask ourselves what kind of coexistence and society we want to build.”

Archbishop Paglia added, “In the face of Western society that is losing its passion for life, this act is a powerful invitation to reflect together on the serious and urgent issue of human generativity and the conditions that make it possible; by choosing life, our responsibility for the future of humanity is at stake.”

The president of the Catholic Medical Association said the Continued on 29

Special Report

Bishop O’Connell:

Message on the Roe v. Wade decision

F

or almost 50 years, pro-life Catholics and people of good will in the United States have prayed fervently, lobbied hard, participated in marches and raised their voices consistently that the fateful 1973 decision of the Supreme Court “Roe v. Wade” would be overturned. Given the strident and unrelenting advocacy of those who have supported abortion over the years, it seemed an almost unreachable goal. Today, that goal has been achieved.

Since 1973, approximately 63.5 million babies have been sacrificed to the pro-choice, pro-abortion agenda. That is a horrific fact.

Writing for the majority of SCOTUS, Justice Alito has returned decision making re: the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives, writing that the so-called “right to abortion” is “not deeply rooted in the nation’s history or traditions.”

Here in New A Message from Jersey, which “boasts” of the most BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. permissive abortion laws in the country, pro-life Catholics and people of good will still have much work to be done. Our opponents are many and occupy the highest positions in the state. We must continue the good work that this decision represents and persistently proclaim the sanctity of every person in order to end the scourge of abortion and any attack on human life. We must persevere in our support of pregnant women and young families facing difficult circumstances so that they must never feel that abortion is their only option.

The innocent, vulnerable unborn — and their mothers — deserve no less.

In wake of Dobbs decision, NJ bishops call for healing, mercy A joint statement from the New Jersey Catholic Bishops on the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling

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e the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey express our deepest gratitude for the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. This decision ends a very dark chapter in American history and now is the time for our nation to move forward to heal wounds and social divisions.

As the largest, private social service provider in the world, the Catholic Church offers many life-affirming programs.

From pregnancy centers to numerous programs that provide clothing, food, housing services, and access to other basic needs, the Catholic Church stands ready to assist every mother, expecting or parenting.

Sadly, we know that some will use today’s ruling to further inflame and deepen the societal divide in our nation. While we must never waver from working to ensure that our laws protect the dignity of every human life, we cannot do so in a manner that vilifies and attacks the dignity of those who may

disagree with us.

Therefore, we call on all Catholics and people of good will to be instruments of peace and mercy and not of judgment, condemnation, and violence.

Trusting in the providential care of our Heavenly Father and through the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother, we ask for peace in our communities and the strength to build a society where every woman has the support and the resources she needs to bring her child into this world in love.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop, Diocese of Paterson Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., Bishop, Diocese of Trenton Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, Bishop, Diocese of Camden Most Reverend Kurt Burnette, Bishop, Eparchy of Passaic Most Reverend Yousif Havash, Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance of the Syriac Catholic Diocese June 24, 2022 July 2022

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Special Report

NJCC’s new video series to cover Respect Life, public policy issues

BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

S

eeking a new means of reaching advocates, the New Jersey Catholic Conference has just launched an interview-style video series to accompany its Town Square newsletter.

The public policy arm of the Bishops of New Jersey has already posted its first episode on its website, njcatholic. org, under the Town Square tab. As the Dobbs decision loomed in the Supreme Court, the NJCC chose pro-life issues as its first topic.

The Supreme Court voted June 24 to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v.

Wade decision legalizing abortion at the federal level; the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, was decided by a 6-3 margin, with Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and

Cheryl Riley, director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Mercy House, was featured in the NJCC’s inaugural Town Square video on pro-life issues. Video screenshot Elena Kagan dissenting.

NJCC’s first Town Square video episode features NJCC public relations director John Hardiman interviewing Cheryl Riley, director of the Archdi-

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NJCC’S JULY 14 PRO-LIFE WEBINAR Although abortion is no longer protected by federal law, that doesn’t mean the battle for the unborn has ended.

The June 24 decision of the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe in its ruling on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case has moved the legality of abortion back to individual states. And in New Jersey, where abortion remains protected by state law, pro-abortion advocates have doubled down on making it accessible for any reason, without restriction.

A Town Square webinar is planned July 14 at 6:30 p.m. by the New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Bishops of New Jersey. Titled “Analyzing the Dobbs Decision: Building a Culture of Life in New Jersey,” the webinar will take place on Zoom, and all who wish to attend may register at njcatholic. org. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will offer a pre-recorded opening prayer and message for the webinar.

“The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey recognize that now is the time for Catholics and people of good will to work together to build a society where every woman has the support and resources she needs to bring her child into this world in love,” stated the NJCC action alert on the webinar, which was emailed and posted online June 27.

“Here in New Jersey the SCOTUS decision won’t affect laws – but we are looking to change hearts and minds,” said James King, NJCC executive director.

“You can overturn laws, but it won’t mean anything unless people understand the horror of abortion on society.”

Continued on 29

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ocese of Newark’s Mercy House – a family-oriented resource and referral center with a focus on assisting pregnant and parenting women in need of a safe, supportive environment. In the interview, Riley discusses her past experience with abortion, her personal conversion and advice about how people can get involved in pro-life advocacy.

“This is something new for us,” said NJCC executive director James King.

“We’re really excited to be able to take [our communication] to the next level, in a medium that people are looking for, and are looking to improve it over time.”

King noted that while the organization will continue to make use of print media to disseminate information for topics of Catholic interest in New Jersey policymaking, the addition of videos and interviews will help increase awareness.

A second Town Square video, available shortly, will feature interviews with Jennifer Ruggiero, Diocese of Metuchen’s secretary, Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life, and Rachel Hendricks, Diocese of Trenton’s Respect Life ministry coordinator. The two diocesan pro-life leaders will discuss what Respect Life offices are doing to respond to the Dobbs decision and offer ideas about how people can continue to

Continued on 29

Come to us for

THINK OF UNBORN Continued from 26

Court’s decision “signals a long-awaited return to consideration of the most innocent and defenseless of American citizens: the unborn child.”

“We are filled with gratitude and relief, as Catholics, to know this heinous and medically unfounded law has been overturned,” Dr. Craig Treptow said.

“For too long it has influenced people to believe abortion is just, when in fact the truth is the exact opposite.”

He expressed satisfaction knowing that medical advances that indicate life from the moment of conception were considered by the justices.

“I want to thank each of my colleagues in medicine around the country and the world whose research and dedication to their practice helped make this possible,” Treptow added.

NJCC VIDEO SERIES TO ADDRESS POLICIES Continued from 28

support the cause in New Jersey.

The third video in the series, planned for mid-July, will focus more on advocacy, King said. “[The overturning of] Roe mattered in New Jersey because it presented an obstacle to further democratic debate,” said Hendricks, who was asked by King to be on the NJCC’s legislative subcommittee for pro-life issues. “Now we need to reorient and see where we can create better awareness for support to pregnant women under difficult circumstances.”

Future topics – particularly as election season approaches, King

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Three panelists for the webinar – Paul Linton, Charlie Camosy and Rachel Hendricks – will help provide legal analysis of the Dobbs decision, insights on establishing a culture of life, and tips and suggestions for concrete, actionable steps Catholics can take in their communities to help mothers, children and their families.

Linton, a private practice attorney engaged in the pro-life movement for 35 years, was general counsel for Americans United for Life, a national public interest law firm. He will provide legal analysis of the SCOTUS decision and how the ruling could impact further legislation at state and federal levels.

Camosy is professor of medical humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Neb., and spent 14 years in Fordham University’s (N.Y.) theology department. His talk will focus on the proactive support policies that help mothers, children and families obtain needed resources.

Hendricks is Respect Life Ministry coordinator for the Diocese, having served as president of a regional multi-parish pro-life committee and as director of her local Elizabeth Ministry. She will discuss how the Diocese of Trenton Respect Life Ministries is working to promote and develop programs to assist pregnant and parenting mothers and families, and how to mobilize efforts at the parish level.

- By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor

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Viewpoints

We are only just beginning to make abortion unthinkable

BY RAYANNE BENNETT  Associate Publisher

A

mid the sea of signs carried at the many rallies following the Dobbs vs. Jackson Supreme Court decision, one was particularly striking: “MAKE ABORTION UNTHINKABLE.” It is both an ambitious and admirable goal because it signals that this is not the end of the struggle, but in many ways, the beginning. It extends the effort to end abortion well beyond the question of legality, now pointing more to the conversion of hearts and minds.

Since the 1970s, the movement to change abortion laws has claimed much of the energy and resources among the pro-life community, which has now been successful in taking Roe vs. Wade down from its perch as the law of the land. But those legal battles were merely a means to an end. The ultimate goal has always been to protect the innocent life of the developing child in the womb. Making abortion unthinkable is essential if we are ever able to achieve the ultimate goal.

There is no one who considers herself pro-life who can’t have an impactful role in this effort. The most critical question is . . . are we each willing to do what it takes to make abor “We must tion unthinkable?

For instance, are we prepared affirm in our to assist the poor and marginalized, to serve them and help every action provide for their basic needs, that all human but also to advocate for an end to systemic and generational life is precious poverty?

Are we willing to confront and full of racism and the limits it places on potential.” families of color to have lives of dignity and value? Will we support paid family leave; adequate health care resources; equal pay for equal work, and early childcare assistance.

Will we send emails; make calls; take part in peaceful marches, and get involved in groups who tackle these challenges? Will we stand alongside those with whom we don’t agree, because we know that advancing the cause of protecting the innocent unborn is worth it?

Will we spend our personal time volunteering in programs where teens or women come looking for help with an unexpected pregnancy. Would we try to start programs of advocacy and support where they may be needed – our local parish or school, for instance? Will we come up with ways to 30 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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Pro-life demonstrators in Washington celebrate outside the Supreme Court June 24, 2022, as the court overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision. CNS photo/Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters support pregnant teens although their families might react violently or punitively to the news of a baby coming?

Are we willing to put aside judgement and criticism and just serve those in need?

Will we all come to recognize the unlimited value of building a truly pro-life culture in our homes, our communities, our institutional structures?

Because of the personal experience I had in my own family with my daughter and grandson, I am a fervent believer that each of us can make a powerful difference; each of us can save lives. From the example we set with our families, to the material support we give those in need, and the ways we advocate for pregnant women and newborns . . . there is so much we each can do.

Abortion was rejected as an option for my 16-year-old daughter when faced with a pregnancy for which she was not prepared. Though she was afraid, she knew her family would help her and always love her. Because of her family’s assistance and her own determination, she was able to finish high school, and then get her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

She became a teacher and is now a successful business owner.

In addition to her son, she has a husband, a step-son and a newborn baby.

There was nothing special about our family. There was nothing we did that can’t be done by every family, or those helping the pregnant woman when a family won’t. This is the message that needs to reach girls and women who think that abortion is their only option. We must affirm in our every action that all human life is precious and full of potential.

It is only then that we stand a chance to make abortion unthinkable. Let’s get started.

Diocese

CLERGY APPOINTMENTS

Ministrare Non Ministrari

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following appointments: Very Rev. Daniel F. Swift, appointed dean/vicar forane of Southern Burlington County, while continuing as pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford, effective July 1.

Father William Dunlap, from parochial vicar of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, to retirement, effective July 1.

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE PLANNED NOV. 12 Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will lead the diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12.

The pilgrimage will begin at noon and conclude at 3 p.m. with the celebration of Mass in the Great Upper Church. Throughout the day, participants will have an opportunity to visit the many shrines that are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her various titles; participate in prayer experiences such as the Angelus at noon and the recitation of the Rosary; visit the bookstore, and attend the 3 p.m. Mass the Bishop will celebrate in the Great Upper Church. More information on travel arrangements and other planned activities to come.

Folks enjoy a boat ride on a summer day. File photo

Summer Greetings from Bishop O’Connell

W

ith the July 4th holiday behind us, I offer my prayerful best wishes to all the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese. May the summer season be a time of well-deserved relaxation, enjoyable times with family and friends and more opportunities for growing closer to the Lord Jesus. As we continue to celebrate the diocesan phase of the national Eucharistic Revival, don’t forget to get to Mass and receive Holy Communion each Sunday throughout the summer months. Stop in church to pray while you have a little extra time. Life is always happier and better when we include the Lord Jesus in our plans. God bless you all!

A note of thanks

So many of our clergy, religious and lay faithful and staff wrote to express their prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery after my recent hospital stay. I was very moved by your care and concern and happy to get home and back to work. I plan to take some time off during July. Again, thank you so very much. God bless you and have a happy, healthy and safe summer 2022!

Gratefully in Our Lord, Bishop O’Connell July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 31

Diocese

Father Lambeth remembered as priest who loved to bring Christ to people

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

T

he number of people who turned out for Father K. Michael “Mick” Lambeth’s funeral services, and who shared messages of sympathy and fond memories on social media in the days that followed, offered a powerful testament to what he meant to those who knew him.

“He was wonderful, and everyone I knew loved him,” said Sue Eggart, as she entered St. Theresa Church, Little Egg Harbor, for Father Lambeth’s June 3 Mass of Christian Burial.

“When he gave his homilies, he talked to you and he was so caring and loving,” she said.

Father Lambeth, a retired priest of the Diocese and retired pastor of St. Theresa Church, where he served from 2008 to 2019, died May 29 at age 74.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant of the Mass that was attended by hundreds of people, including St. Theresa parishioners as well as those with whom Father Lambeth encountered in other parish and diocesan assignments and some 50 of his brother priests. Many more also paid their respects during Visitation services on June 2.

Father Lambeth’s demeanor as a man and as a priest was captured in the spirited homily given by his close friend, Father Joe Noche, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport.

“Mick lived life to the fullest,” he said, recounting that Father Lambeth was born and raised in Dallas, Tex.; served in the U.S. Navy, making four tours of duty in the Vietnam War on the Naval Destroyer Ozbourn DD-846, and later worked for two retail chains. It was after a long discernment that he entered St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, to begin studies for the priesthood for the Diocese of Trenton. He was ordained May 21, 1994, by Bishop John C. Reiss.

During his 28 years as a priest, Father Lambeth served in a number of diocesan and parish roles, including as

 “His love for the Mass and the Eucharist is unquestionable.” pastor of three parishes and as diocesan director of vocations and the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation in Trenton. It was there Father Noche first met Father Lambeth as Father Noche discerned his own vocation to the priesthood more than 20 years ago.

“Yes, Mick loved to bring Christ to people,” Father Noche said.

“His love for the Mass and the Eucharist is unquestionable,” Father Noche said, noting that his friend died on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, “the day that Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, and the place that Mick himself longed to follow.”

 Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. looks on as Father K. Michael “Mick” Lambeth’s casket is placed in the hearse, after the June 3 Mass of Christian Burial. Father Lambeth was buried in St. Catharine Cemetery, Sea Girt.  Bishop O’Connell incenses the casket of Father Lambeth during the June 3 Mass of Christian Burial. Mary Stadnyk photos

To read expanded story, visit TrentonMonitor.com> News>Our Diocese 32 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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July 2022

Diocese

AT 50 YEARS, CURSILLO REMAINS VIBRANT MINISTRY IN DIOCESE The 50th anniversary of the institution of Cursillo in the Diocese of Trenton was commemorated with a June 10 Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Father Edward Blanchett, the diocesan spiritual moderator of Cursillo, which focuses on developing lay leadership and has many facets including men’s and women’s retreats and small faith sharing communities, concelebrated. In his homily, Bishop O’Connell commented, “Joy and evangelization. Those are our celebrating words tonight on this 50th anniversary. These are the traits of the Cursillo movement. And the traits of the Cursillo movement that you have brought to life in the Diocese of Trenton.”

– By Jennifer Elsensohn, correspondent

Father Edward Blanchett, the spiritual moderator for the diocesan Cursillo, concelebrates Mass with Bishop O’Connell. Vic Mistretta photos

To view expanded stories and more photos, visit TrentonMonitor.com

HUNDREDS FIND OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT DURING PENTECOST CRUSADE “You feel it!” said Sandy Thuel. “You see the joy and the peace of the Holy Spirit in the people who came to this conference.”

Thuel, a member of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, was a first-time attendee at the Pentecost Crusade held June 2- 4 in St. Mary Mother of God Church, joining hundreds from across the Diocese of Trenton who attended the three-day conference seeking a deeper outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Crusade led up to the Solemnity of Pentecost celebrated by the Church on June 5, and included Eucharistic Adoration, a healing service, and Mass for the Vigil of Pentecost.

Hosted by the Diocese of Trenton Catholic Charismatic Renewal, with leadership from the Encounter School of Ministry’s New Jersey campus, the Crusade also featured keynote

Father Jeff Kegley, liaison to the DOT-CCR, celebrates the Pentecost Vigil Mass.

Participants engage in prayer experiences during the Pentecost Crusade held in Mary Mother of God Church, Middletown. Matt Marzorati photos

speakers Dr. Sean Tobin, director of the Encounter School of Ministry in Los Angeles, and Barbara Heil, a former Pentecostal minister who has traveled the world as a missionary, teacher and evangelist and was welcomed into the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults in 2013.

For Heil, the goal of speaking at the conference, “was to encourage the people to live Pentecost. It is not just a day on the calendar. We can experience the same Pentecost that the Apostles experienced and be governed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.”

Dr. Tobin, who is also a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Divine Mercy Clinic and Family Center, the Catholic mental health center for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, explained, “Through my message, I wanted the people to know that they can abide deeply in God. They can rest in the victory that He has already given us. We are living in a time of Eucharistic revival, and I wanted to teach about the connection of the Eucharist to the healing work of the Holy Spirit.”

– By Dr. Carly York, correspondent July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 33

Vocations

Special events focus on priestly vocations, spiritual growth

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

T

wo events held in the Diocese in June highlighted vocations to the priesthood, with one focusing on those men who are pursuing studies in the seminary and the other for men who are discerning a call.

The Diocese’s current 13 seminarians joined Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians for a weeklong retreat June 6-10 in San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch.

As the retreat theme centered on developing intimacy with Jesus, the Bishop conducted several presentations in which he asked the seminarians to read and reflect on the Gospels throughout the week, as well as search the texts for all the various scriptural “names of Jesus” and think about what those names revealed.

The Bishop also reflected with the seminarians on their “call to holiness” and spoke about the virtues of humility and obedience in their lives as well as the nature and purposes of celibacy.

On different days of the week, several priests from the Diocese participated in the retreat as presider and homilist at daily Masses.

“It is so important for a bishop to develop a close spiritual and supportive relationship with his seminarians as they prepare for the priesthood,” said Bishop O’Connell. “I am always happy when I can encourage them and contribute to their formation. They will be great priests for our Diocese.”

The following week, the Office of Vocations hosted a Discernment Mass and barbecue in St. John the Baptist Parish, Allen-

During their weeklong retreat in early June, seminarians of the Diocese pose for a photo with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., center, and Msgr.

Thomas Mullelly, right, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians, on the beachfront property of San Alfonso Retreat House, West End. Staff photos

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Young men considering a vocation to the priesthood, as well as current seminarians, attend a Discernment Mass hosted by the diocesan Office of Vocations June 16 in St. John the Baptist Church, Allentown. Joe Moore photo town, for young men considering the priesthood.

“When considering the possibility of a vocation, young men often ask me, ‘How will I know? How can I be sure?’” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily to some 30 men who attended, as well as to the dozen concelebrating priests and seminarians.

“Well, that is what the process of discernment is for. Thinking and praying about a vocation is not the same thing as making a permanent commitment as a priest. The process of discernment is just that: a process during which a young man thinks and prays about a vocation,” the Bishop said. “My brothers, we are here tonight to pray and to give some thought to the possibility that God is calling you to a special service in his Church.”

Following the Mass, the discerners gathered for an outdoor BBQ dinner and engaged in some fun activities and discussions about others’ discernment experiences.

Father Jason Parzynski, diocesan director of the Office of Vocations, regarded the Mass and barbecue as a “huge success.

“The vocations discernment BBQ, like all our events and gatherings, aims at providing an opportunity for men open to the priesthood and beginning their discernment process to recognize that they are not the only one,” said Father Parzynski. He added that such events provide the opportunity for young men discerning priesthood to have the opportunity to interact with priests from across the Diocese as well as the seminarians.

“I would just like to encourage people to keep praying for young men to be open to God’s will in their life,” he said.

Pope Francis

Amid war, reconciliation among Christians can foster peace Pope Francis addresses a delegation representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, led by Orthodox Archbishop Job of Telmessos, at the Domus Sanctae Marthae at the Vatican June 30. The delegation was in Rome to celebrate the June 29 feast of Sts. Peter and Paul at the Vatican. CNS photo/Vatican Medi

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES  Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY • Now more than ever, divided Christians must reconcile with each other and become signs of peace in a time of war, Pope Francis said.

Meeting with a delegation from the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople June 30, the Holy Father said that as war continues to rage in Ukraine, it is a time not for “talking and discussing, but for weeping, for helping others and for experiencing conversion ourselves.”

“Reconciliation among separated Christians, as a means of contributing to peace between peoples in conflict is a most timely consideration these days, as our world is disrupted by a cruel and senseless war of aggression in which many, many Christians are fighting one another,” he said.

Continuing a long-standing tradition, the delegation, led by Orthodox Archbishop Job of Telmessos, was in Rome to participate in the celebration of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

In turn, a delegation from the Vatican travels to Istanbul every year in November to commemorate the Orthodox feast of St. Andrew the Apostle.

In his address, the Pope said the

presence of the delegation at the June 29 Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica “was a source of great joy for me and for all present,” as well as a visible reminder of “the closeness and fraternal charity of the Church of Constantinople toward the Church of Rome.”

The exchange of delegations each year, he added, serves as “a tangible sign that the days of distance and indifference, when our divisions were considered irreparable, is long past.”

Recalling the words of the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, the Pope said that as “sister Churches, brother peoples,” Orthodox Christians and Catholics must unite in answering the call to help those suffering in war.

Pope Francis subtly alluded to support by leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church for Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“We also need to experience conversion and to recognize that armed conquest, expansionism and imperialism have nothing to do with the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed,” Pope Francis said.

It has “nothing to do with the risen Lord, who in Gethsemane told his disciples to reject violence, to put the sword back in its place, since those who live by the sword will die by the sword, and who, cutting short every objection,

MORE FROM POPE FRANCIS ON TRENTONMONITOR.COM:  Christianity has answer for those yearning for love  In face of rejection and injustice, do good

 “Everyday God passes by and sows a seed in the soil of our lives.

Making that seed grow depends on us, on our #prayer, on the open heart with which we approach the Scriptures so that it might become for us the Living Word of God.” @PONTIFEX JULY 6, 2022

simply said: ‘Enough!’” he said.

The long-sought goal of Christian unity, he continued, can become a reality when both Churches exemplify “a more fraternal humanity” and follow Jesus’ call “to be merciful and never violent, to be perfect as the Father is perfect, and not be conformed to the world.”

Pope Francis expressed his hope that the continuing theological dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Church will help to promote “a new mentality” that can help both sides “look together to the present and future, without letting ourselves be trapped in the prejudices of the past.”

“Let us not be content with an ‘ecclesiastical diplomacy’ that would allow us to politely maintain our own points of view, but instead journey together as brothers and sisters,” the Pope said.

July 2022

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Church Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (“Gaudium et Spes”).

Archbishop Fisichella, whom the Holy Father appointed to coordinate planning the Holy Year, said, “A series of userfriendly resources, written in appealing language, are being produced to arouse curiosity in those who have no memory” of the council, which was held 1962-65.

Details about the 2024 year of prayer and spiritual preparation for the jubilee are still being worked out, the archbishop said. The Vatican already had announced that Pope Francis chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as the theme for the Holy Year.

A priest holds the Eucharist in this CNS file photo. The “sense of mystery” and awe Catholics should experience at Mass is prompted by an awareness of sacrifice of Christ and his real presence in the Eucharist, Pope Francis said in a document released June 29. CNS photo/Bob Roller

CATHOLICS NEED BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MASS, POPE SAYS

truth and power of the Christian celebration,” the Pope wrote.

VATICAN CITY • The “sense of mystery” and awe Catholics should experience at Mass is not one prompted by Latin or by “creative” elements added to the celebration, but by an awareness of sacrifice of Christ and his real presence in the Eucharist, Pope Francis said. “Beauty, just like truth, always engenders wonder, and when these are referred to the mystery of God, they lead to adoration,” he wrote in an apostolic letter “on the liturgical formation of the people of God.” Titled “Desiderio Desideravi” (“I have earnestly desired”), the letter was released June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The title comes from Luke 22:15 when, before the Last Supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

In the letter, Pope Francis insisted that Catholics need to better understand the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council and its goal of promoting the “full, conscious, active and fruitful celebration” of the Mass. “With this letter I simply want to invite the whole Church to rediscover, to safeguard and to live the

POPE ASKS CATHOLICS TO STUDY VATICAN II BEFORE HOLY YEAR 2025 VATICAN CITY • Before celebrating the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis is asking Catholics around the world to dedicate time in 2023 to studying the documents of the Second Vatican Council. Presenting the official logo for the Holy Year June 28, Archbishop Rino Fisichella also announced the Pope’s plan for helping Catholics prepare for the celebration: focusing on the four constitutions issued

by Vatican II in 2023; and focusing on prayer © The Holy See in 2024. The four Vatican II constitutions are: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (“Sacrosanctum Concilium”); Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium”); Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (“Dei Verbum”); and

IN INTERVIEW, POPE CONDEMNS ABORTION, SAYS HE’S NOT RESIGNING VATICAN CITY • In a wide-ranging interview with the Reuters news agency, Pope Francis condemned abortion, dismissed the idea that he’s preparing to resign and said he still hopes to be able to visit Russia and Ukraine in the fall. Pope Francis also told Philip Pullella, the Reuters’ Vatican correspondent, that while the Vatican’s 2018 deal with China on the nomination of bishops was not ideal, it was what was possible, and he hopes it will be renewed again in October. The Pope spoke to Pullella July 2, and portions of the interview were published July 4 and 5, including in the Vatican’s own media outlets.

Asked about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization June 24, a decision that stated there is no constitutional right to abortion in the United States, Pope Francis said, “I don’t really understand (the details of ) the ruling 50 years ago, and now I can’t say whether it did right or wrong from a judicial point of view. I respect the decisions.” he said. However, he said, abortion itself “is a problem.”

The Pope said, “The moral question is whether it is right to take a human life to solve a problem. Indeed, is it right to hire a hit man to solve a problem?”

—Catholic News Service

For extended stories on these briefs and other CHURCH news, visit: TrentonMonitor.com>NEWS>CHURCH 36 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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July 2022

World & Nation

AFTER SHOOTING, CARDINAL URGES UNITY TO ‘BUILD PATH TO SAFETY AND PEACE’ CHICAGO • Saying he watched “in horror” news reports in the aftermath of a mass shooting during a suburban Fourth of July parade, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago offered prayers for the victims.

Authorities said seven people died -- five on the parade route and two later in the hospital -- and 30 others were injured when a gunman opened fired on people lining the parade route.

“What should have been a peaceful celebration of our nation’s founding ended in unspeakable tragedy,” Cardinal Cupich said in a statement released hours after the tragedy by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Pointing to the victims, who authorities said ranged in age from 8 to 85, Cardinal Cupich said, “Weapons designed to rapidly destroy human bodies have no place in civil society.”

Law enforcement authorities charged Robert E. Crimo III, 21, of suburban Chicago with seven counts of murder after the shooting in Highland Park in Chicago’s affluent North Shore. Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said the suspect would receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted of the charges. He also

said other charges were pending. The man was apprehended without incident on a busy highway in a nearby suburb after briefly fleeing officers. Highland Park police said witnesses reported seeing a man with a long gun indiscriminately firing dozens of rounds from a rooftop at parade spectators, sending marchers and viewers scurrying for cover.

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS BIDEN TO END TRUMP-ERA POLICY ON ASYLUM-SEEKERS

WASHINGTON • Catholic leaders praised the Supreme Court’s June 30 decision that gave the Biden administration the go-ahead to rescind a Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy requiring asylum-seekers at the southwest U.S. border to wait in Mexico for their asylum hearings. The 5-4 decision in Biden v. Texas was written by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh.

On his first day in office, President Joe Biden suspended the 2019 Migrant Protection Protocols, or MPP, put in place by former President Donald Trump in an effort to curb the influx of those arriving at the southern border seeking asylum in the U.S. Biden formally sought to end the program months later, but lower Courts ordered that the policy be reinstated in response to a lawsuit from Republican-led Texas and Missouri.

From January 2019, when the Trump administration started the program, to the end of 2020, nearly 70,000 migrants were sent back to Mexico to wait for their Court hearings, according to the American Immigration Council.

A joint statement issued by leaders of the People in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Ill., visit the site U.S. Conference of Cathof a July 4 mass shooting that took place during the city’s pa- olic Bishops, the Catholic rade for Independence Day. CNS photo/Cheney Orr, Reuters Legal Immigration Net-

work, or CLINIC, and Catholic Charities USA, said the Supreme Court’s decision “recognizes and preserves the executive branch’s ability to reverse untenable, illegal and immoral policies, regardless of who is in office.”

They also said the asylum policy “obstructed due process and subjected people to the very dangers that forced them to seek refuge in the United States in the first place.”

JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON IS SWORN IN AS SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WASHINGTON • Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice June 30, becoming the first Black woman in that role. The ceremony took place at the Supreme Court, after the Court finished issuing its final opinions of the 2021-2022 term and Justice Supreme Court Associate Justice KetanStephen Breyer’s ji Brown Jackson retirement was ofCNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, ficial. Jackson took Reuters the constitutional oath, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts and a judicial oath, administered by the newly retired Breyer.

“With a full heart, I accept the solemn responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor, so help me God,” she said. “I am truly grateful to be part of the promise of our great nation,” she added.

Jackson, in the presence of other justices and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, took the oaths with her hand on two Bibles held by her husband, Patrick: a family Bible, and a Bible described as the “Harlan” Bible, that Justice John Marshall Harlan gave to the Court in 1906.

In a statement, Jackson, 51, thanked both Roberts and Breyer and said Breyer had been her “personal friend and mentor” for two decades.

—Catholic News Service July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 37

Spiritual Life

Stairway to heaven JULY 3  AUTHENTIC DISCIPLESHIP DEMANDS HUMILITY Is 66:10-14C; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

As Jesus moved from village to village proclaiming the Kingdom he prepared them for his eventual arrival by sending his disciples to introduce his message, offer healing and consolation and lay the groundwork for Jesus to preach and perform mighty deeds.

This decision by Jesus was to ensure that the THE WORD kingdom was being proFather Garry Koch claimed, and that the disciples would be prepared to proclaim the Gospel on their own.

Jesus was necessarily concerned that his disciples did not become inflated with their own importance, take advantage of the people to whom they were sent to minister or think that they were acting on their own authority instead of his.

As a necessary demand, he instructed them to travel and live modestly and to accept no gifts or accolades along the way.

JULY 10  JESUS SPEAKS OF OVERCOMING PREJUDICE, HATRED

St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Archive photo

Dt 30:10-14; Col 1:15-20; Lk 10: 25-37

Jewish Law demanded love of neighbor along with the love for God. This now takes an abstract sense of love and makes it more concrete. But what does that mean on a practical level?

That is the essence of the question that a legal scholar posed to Jesus.

Jesus uses this opportunity to tell a parable that we call The Good Samaritan.

Here Jesus posits a scene where a Jewish man beaten to the very brink of death, was rescued by a Samaritan.

Love of neighbor includes all, not just those who happen to be the in-crowd that we have now decided to include in our company.

JULY 17  ANGELS OFTEN SEEK OUR HOSPITALITY Gn 18:1-10A; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42

Hospitality is viewed in today’s First Reading as well as in the Gospel during which the sisters Martha and Mary have an invited house guest in their home in Bethany – their friend, the itinerant Rabbi Jesus.

Martha has assumed the role of the hostess and she is busy preparing a feast. Mary, on the other hand, knows the importance of valuing the guest and sharing in the conversation that hosting someone entails.

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July 2022

This Gospel is a reminder about the importance of hospitality and being truly present to the people in our lives.

JULY 24  PRAYER REQUIRES LEARNING AND PRACTICE Gn 18:20-32; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13

All incidents of prayer in the Gospels see Jesus praying either alone, or for something specific, but without including the disciples. This we see in the accounts of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish.

The disciples approach Jesus with a simple request: teach us to pray.

Jesus then instructs his disciples by giving them a rudimentary outline for prayer. The version of this prayer we hear recounted by St. Luke is less developed as we read in St. Matthew, but the prayer itself is certainly familiar.

The disciples, even though they are with Jesus, still need to learn to pray. It is our obligation to seek out guidance in prayer, and to teach others to pray.

JULY 31  OUR TRUE WEALTH IS IN ETERNAL LIFE Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23; Col 3: 1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21

There are those who, regardless of how much money they have, wish to develop a legacy to pay it forward or back in order to leave the world a better place. And there are those who enjoy only the finest things, with no concern about the welfare of others.

A man asks Jesus to serve as the arbitrator in a family dispute over an inheritance. Jesus is appalled at the greed and at the suggestion that he should be dragged into this family argument over money.

This prompts Jesus to tell a parable about a greedy man who decided to build more barns to store his bountiful harvest instead of using that bounty to be of use for others and perhaps alleviate hunger.

We are reminded that our gifts are not ours alone, and that our bounty is at the service of one another.

Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.  To read extended versions of Father Koch’s columns, visit TrentonMonitor.com>Commentary  Podcasts of Father Koch’s columns may be found at TrentonMonitor.com> Multimedia>Podcasts

Spiritual Life

Y

ears ago, during counseling for depression, my therapist brought up the topic of letting go. I was having trouble considering the possibility of leaving my home where all my sons had been born and raised and in which the entirety of my married life had been spent.

I was balking, so being a woman of profound spiritual depth, she phrased the problem as one of attachment. “Have you forgotten that detachment and surrender are necessary for the spiritual life?” she asked.

Of course, I knew, but it wasn’t something my heavy heart or muddled brain was ready to consider. But the question hit home and hung in my mind for weeks that turned into months until I was ready to enter into the spiritual process of letting go.

As with all things, the first step was acknowledging there was a need. Once I did, examples of attachment and letting go seemed to jump off the pages of daily life, like the sparrow near our porch who tried repeatedly to carry nesting material too wide for navigation. I found myself whispering, “Just let it go,” which she eventually did, now free to fly and find a more manageable piece.

Or watching my granddaughter climb a rock wall. “If she lets go, she will fall,” I thought, followed by, “But if her hands were clasped around other things, she couldn’t open them to hold on or move forward.”

Or the friend, clinging so tightly to anger for years because of a loved one’s death, he lost his faith in God and all joy in a life that still held innumerable blessings. It wasn’t that he couldn’t surrender, it was that he didn’t want to. He was choosing to live in the pain, day after day, year after year, and it was making him sick.

Surrender does not have a positive connotation in our society. It is a word for giving up, for defeat, the result of weakness. I prefer to think of it as release. When we release all that is not to our benefit, it is a gift and a grace for our spiritual, physical and emotional lives.

As I slowly began the process of letting go, first of stuff easily tossed in the trash and then of things that had real meaning for me, I began to understand the emotional attachment that results in so much unnecessary clutter. Much of what I was

Unsplash Elia Pellegrini image

Holding on to God with open hands

holding on to were things that THINGS MY FATHER meant so much TAUGHT ME to my parents Mary Clifford Morrell and became mine when they died. I limited myself to giving them to others who wanted them, but found it almost impossible to throw anything away, as if it were an act of disrespect.

I learned to hold each object, offer a prayer of gratitude to God for my parents and the belongings they enjoyed in life, and then put each item in a box to donate or throw away. I’m still working at it.

The difficult next step was to acknowledge and release painful experiences from my past, the hurts, the losses, doubts and perceived failures. It never meant forgetting, it simply meant untying them from my head and my heart so they would lose their control.

In the process I realized you cannot hold on to God when your hands (or your heart or mind) are full of your own stuff.

Our hands must be empty and open. By surrendering we let God take control of our lives and deprive the entire litany of obstacles to our peace from dictating our days or the rest of our journey.

In a beautiful, contemporary interpretation of the Rule of St. Benedict, titled with the saint’s words – Always We Begin Again – John McQuiston II includes a verse that, for me, unfolds the purpose and fruits of surrender: “Life will always provide matters for concern.

Each day, however, brings with it reasons for joy.

Every day carries the potential to bring the experience of heaven.

Have the courage to expect good from it.

Be gentle with this life, and use the light of life to live fully in your time.”

Mary Clifford Morrell is the author of “Things My Father Taught Me About Love” and “Let Go and Live: Reclaiming your life by releasing your emotional clutter.”

July 2022

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Spiritual Life

Doomed by Scripture?; Masses for broader intentions?

In the Book of Wisdom (3:17-18 and 4:3) it indicates that children born of a forbidden union will suffer a miserable fate and not amount to anything. They are illegitimate and can never lay a firm foundation with values that are deeply rooted.

I was born out of wedlock; my Dad’s family called off the wedding because they didn’t like the area where my mother had grown up.

(She was pregnant with me at the time.)

My life ever since has been full of disappointments and misfortune, and I am now incarcerated. With all of my God-given talents, at the age of 33 I have not accomplished anything. The Scripture says that I am doomed. Am I? (Georgia)

Q

The Book of Wisdom (3:17-18) does say of children of adulterers that “should they attain long life, they will be held in no esteem” and “should they die abruptly, they have no hope nor comfort in the day of scrutiny.” Whatever those passages may have meant in their Old Testament context, I will leave for others wiser than I to determine.

What I do know is that your reading of these verses conflicts sharply with a host of New Testament passages that re-

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Catholic Radio domesticchurchmedia.org Jim Manfredonia Sings the Music of

Frank Sinatra

flect the teaching of Jesus. Paul indicates QUESTION CORNER in Ephesians 2:8-9, Father Kenneth Doyle for example, that our Catholic News Service salvation is based on God’s grace through faith, not on the particular circumstances of our birth. (“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works.”)

And John 3:16 says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life,” which seems to say clearly that no one is excluded from salvation based on how he was conceived.

For you to decide that your present situation, your recent failings and your future fate were predetermined 33 years ago is selling yourself short. Why not talk to a chaplain or a counselor who, I am sure, would remind you of your value and your potential?

When people request Masses, why are they always offered for relatives or friends (living or deceased) but never for broader intentions, e.g., for countries that have suffered natural disasters or for the conversion of radical groups?

I know that we do include such petitions in the prayer of the faithful, but I think that if we offered parish Masses for such purposes it would also serve to instruct Catholics (by seeing such intentions in their Sunday bulletins) that our concern (and our prayers) should have wider horizons. (San Francisco)

Q

I have chosen to publish your question not because of any insight I can add, but simply to endorse your suggestion. Every day people come into our parish office to request Masses.

Most often, they are in remembrance of someone recently deceased or for departed family members on the anniversary of their death, and this is a long and valued tradition in the Church.

Occasionally a Mass is requested for someone who is living – to honor a wedding anniversary or, less frequently, a birthday. But never, in my experience, has a parishioner requested a Mass for “the success of the peace process in the Middle East” or for “the protection of human life at all its stages.”

As you say, we do pray for such intentions during the intercessions (prayer of the faithful). But to have a Mass offered for a single such intention would not only apply the inestimable value of the Eucharist, it might also prompt parishioners’ private prayers.

A

Featuring

Angela Manfredonia

singing songs made famous by

Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli and others Special appearance by Cheryl Manfredonia

Saturday, Sept. 24, 7 pm Notre Dame High School Theater • 601 Lawrence Rd • Lawrenceville, NJ With the Summer Swing Orchestra

Visit our website for ticket information: domesticchurchmedia. org/2022-benefit-concert

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

40 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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July 2022

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Thank you for your dedication, hard work and compassion every day and especially during the COVIC-19 pandemic.

Go to TrentonMonitor.com and click on NEWS>SPORTS.

68 | PRINCETON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014 68 | PRINCETON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014

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WWW.SLRC.ORG | 609-896-9500 68 | PRINCETON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014 WWW.MORRISHALL.ORG | 609-895-1937 68 |68PRINCETON MAGAZINE SUMMER 20142014 Neayla Jones of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, MAGAZINE SUMMER | PRINCETON 68 runs MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014 | PRINCETON to 10th 100-meter dash atSUMMER the Meet 68in| the PRINCETON MAGAZINE 2014of Champi68place MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014 | PRINCETON ons June 18. Rich Hundley photo

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 41

8/

Young Catholics

BY LORI ULRICH  Correspondent

O

1.

‘Service and Social’ brings young adults together to give back

n the morning of June 11, young adult volunteers weeded, tilled, and planted in the community garden, where fresh fruits and vegetables are grown seasonally and provided for free to registered families. The afternoon was spent doing inventory in the Seeds of Service thrift shop, a portion of which will be sold to achieve the objectives of the organization’s community outreach mission.

The day, which saw volunteers from various parishes across the Diocese join together in service and fellowship, was part of a “Service and Social” event sponsored by the Diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and held in Seeds of Service, Brick. The faith-based organization assists and advocates for the sick, poor and needy while collaborating with other community partners.

The Service and Social event was started four years ago to provide “a casual and relaxed event to serve God’s people and be who God wants us to be,” shared Dan Waddington, diocesan director, Youth and Young Adult Ministries. With various tasks like gardening, doing product inventory, and assisting in the thrift shop, Seeds of Service presents the perfect opportunity to give back to others in need, he said.

“We can help clothe a family, help feed a family, it’s truly incredible. It’s so awesome to be a part of the process. It is truly great to participate in a small piece of giving to someone else, someone we will probably never meet,” Waddington reflected.

Chaselyn Palumbo, 26, a member of St. Catharine - St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, shared her reasons for participating. “I wanted to meet other young adults in similar faith. I felt why not come out and give back to those in need in the community? It’s nice to be with others who share the same faith and beliefs,” she said. Palumbo hopes to start a Youth Ministry group for high schoolers at her parish.

Shannon DesRochers, a second-grade teacher in St. Joseph School, Toms River, and member of Saint Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, acknowledged, “It’s hard to find those Continued on 43

2.

42 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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July 2022

1. Young adults work in the garden on the campus of Seeds and Service in Brick. Lori Ulrich photos 2. A group of participants organize clothing items.

Young Catholics

Mission:Jersey youth summer service program returns to Diocese

BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

B

uilding on its annual tradition of youth outreach, the Mission: Jersey summer service program for young Catholics will kick off in July and August in all

FULL-SERVICE INITIATIVE Continued from 42

people with the same faith to connect with, and when you do, it’s like finding the missing piece to a puzzle.”

Seeds of Service director, Christie Winters, explained that the organization is a full-service operation from feeding and clothing the poor, to employing young adults with special needs and fostering job preparedness, to generating funds

four counties of the Diocese.

Following the same format as last year, the program sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries will consist of four one-day in-person service events from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., all taking the same format. All students entering eighth grade through recent high school graduates are welcome to attend one of the four events.

Participants will learn about and participate in various service projects that support local community service agencies. All projects will be arranged and supervised by adult leaders and representatives from the partner organizations.

To provide a further inspirational and reflective component to the Mission: Jersey experience, this year each program will include a witness talk followed by breakout discussions. The theme for each talk will be “Bread of Life,” and will draw connections to the National Eucharistic Revival. In addition to prayer, games and fellowship, the Mission: Jersey program will also offer an opportunity to make and bake bread that will be distributed to those in need through local food pantries.

Dates and locations for each Mission: Jersey program are as follows: Monmouth – July 26, St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro; Mercer

to help in various community outreach efforts.

Their latest ecommerce initiative for the thrift store utilizes new software to inventory products and either sell to the public or donate to registered families in need. Young adults struggling with special needs, disabilities, or at-risk behaviors are trained on the software and “given independence and confidence and the skills to work for other companies” explained Winters. For more information on Seeds of Service, visit www.seedsofservice.help.

– July 28, St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square; Ocean – Aug. 2, St. Barnabas Church, Bayville; Burlington – Aug. 4, Holy Eucharist Church, Tabernacle Registration is open at http:// dotyouth.org/missionjersey. Parents can register their teens individually or through a parish youth ministry group.

A $10 donation per participant is suggested to cover the cost of materials, and participants should bring a bagged lunch. For more information, email dotyouth@dioceseoftrenton. org or call 609-403-7182.

ST. TIMOTHY AWARD WINNERS AVAILABLE ONLINE The diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has announced the class of 2022 St. Timothy Award winners. The award, named for a young companion of St. Paul, is bestowed annually upon high school teens in grades nine through 12 who are involved in a Diocese of Trenton parish and/or Catholic high school campus ministry.

Nominees for the awards are recognized by their pastors and youth ministry leaders as “living a vibrant and enthusiastic faith in Jesus Christ and putting their faith into action through service and love for others… an active and practicing Catholic eager to learn more about faith, shares gifts and talents with the faith community, and one who carries out tasks in a responsible manner [while] respectful of peers and adults.” A list of the student winners, along with details of their deeds illustrating Christian leadership, are posted online at TrentonMonitor. com>News>Youth&Young Adults.

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

July 2022

 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 43

Family Life

MORE CONTENT FROM WMOF:  English: www.romefamily2022.com/en/  Español: romefamily2022.com/es/

 “The Church was born of a family, the Holy Family of Nazareth, and is made up mostly of families.”

Look to the future, not to the

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES 

 Pope Francis kisses a baby before attending Mass in St. Peter’s Square during the World Meeting of Families at the Vatican June 25, 2022. CNS photo/Vatican Media

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY • Christian families are called to embark on a journey of love and service that will lead them to joy and hope for the future, Pope Francis said.

In marriage and family life, those who follow Jesus’ call will see that “he always precedes us in love and service. And those who follow him will not be disappointed,” the Pope said June 25 in his homily at Mass with thousands of pilgrims participating in the World Meeting of Families.

“Dear families, you, too, have been asked not to have other priorities, not to ‘look back,’ to miss your former life, your former freedom, with its deceptive illusions. Life becomes ‘fossilized’ when it is not open to the newness of God’s call and pines for the past,” he said.

The Pope participated in the outdoor Mass in St. Peter’s Square but was unable to preside over the liturgy due to problems with his knee. Instead, U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, presided.

Before concluding the Mass, Cardinal Farrell announced that a “Jubilee of Families” will be celebrated in Rome during the Holy Year 2025. The cardinal said the next World Meeting of Fami44 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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 Danny and Leila Abdallah pose for a photo with 3-month-old Selina at the Domus Australia in Rome June 24, 2022. The Abdallahs were scheduled to speak June 25 at the World Meeting of Families at the Vatican about the tragic deaths of three of their children in 2020 and how they forgave the drunk driver who killed them. CNS photo/Robert Duncan

lies will take place in 2028.

“From this moment on, let us pray that these will be great events of grace that touch the hearts of thousands of families,” Cardinal Farrell said.

With temperatures soaring in Rome throughout the week, the Vatican had moved the Mass to a time later in the evening to “accommodate the participation of the faithful.”

Pope Francis arrived in St. Peter’s Square and, with several children aboard his Popemobile, drove around to greet the families and pilgrims. He also stopped several times along the way to

July 2022

kiss babies that were brought to him.

In his homily, the Pope reflected on the day’s second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, in which the apostle urged Christians not to use their freedom “as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.”

While freedom remains “one of the most cherished ideals and goals of the people of our time,” the Pope said, many “lack the greatest freedom of all, which is interior freedom. All of us are born with many forms of interior and exterior conditioning, and especially with a tendency to selfishness, to making ourselves the center of everything,” he said.

Within the context of the family, he said, Christians are not called to be “’planets’ or ‘satellites,’ each traveling in its own orbit” but instead are called to be

LOCAL WMOF PRESENTER

past, Pope tells families a “place of encounter, of sharing, of going forth from ourselves.”

“The family is the first place where we learn to love,” the Pope said. “Let us not allow the family to be poisoned by the toxins of selfishness, individualism, today’s culture of indifference and waste, and as a result lose its very DNA, which is the spirit of acceptance and service.”

Recalling the day’s first reading from the First Book of Kings, in which the prophet Elijah anoints his successor, Elisha, Pope Francis said the relationship between the prophets was a “relationship between generations” that mirrors “the ‘passing on of witness’ from parents to children.” Elijah, he explained, found himself in “a moment of crisis and fear for the future,” much like many parents who “fear that children will not be able to find their way amid the complexity and confusion of our societies.”

Nevertheless, in that moment, “God makes Elijah realize that the world does not end with him and commands him to pass on his mission to another,” he said.

“If you help your children to discover and to accept their vocation, you will see that they, too, will be ‘gripped’ by this mission; and they will find the strength they need to confront and overcome the difficulties of life,” the Pope said.

The day’s Gospel reading from St.

Luke, in which Jesus was rejected by the people of Samaria on his journey toward his death in Jerusalem, the Pope said, is a powerful lesson for families, especially married couples who are called to experience “marriage and family life as a mission.”

“What Jesus encountered in Samaria takes place in every Christian vocation, including that of the family,” the Pope said. “There are moments when we have to take upon ourselves the resistance, opposition, rejection and misunderstanding born of human hearts and, with the grace of Christ, transform these into acceptance of others and gratuitous love.”

Pope Francis encouraged families to take up their calling “with renewed conviction” and urged them to make sure the love they share is “always open, directed outward, capable of ‘touching’ the weak and wounded, the frail in body and the frail in spirit, and all whom you meet along the way.”

He urged the families to remember their importance for society and for the Church, because “the Church was born of a family, the Holy Family of Nazareth, and is made up mostly of families.

“May the Lord help you each day to persevere in unity, peace and joy, and to show to everyone you meet that God is love and communion of life,” he said.

Dr. Christopher Bellitto, history professor at Kean University, Union, and member of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, was a presenter at the World Meeting of Families in June; his book “Ageless Wisdom: Lifetime Lessons from the Bible” is available at paulistpress.com. Dr. Bellitto’s guidance on communication and connection with elderly family members will be part of the In Focus section of the August edition of The Monitor Magazine.

TMM: How did your invitation to speak at the WMOF come about?

CB: About a year ago, when Pope Francis announced an annual day for grandparents and the elderly, I sent to the Dicastery on the Family news of my book and some articles I’d done on recent papal comments on the elderly ... then, out of the blue this past March, came the invitation to speak at the WMOF. TMM: What was it like to be there?

CB: It was a very cheerful, upbeat experience – lots of families, music, smiles.

I think part of it was post-COVID joy.

The focus was on pastoral ministry, not politics, which was refreshing. It’s always good for anyone in one country to meet people from many others to remember “the world doesn’t revolve around me.”

TMM: What else would you like people to know about the WMOF? CB: All of the talks are available in text and video on the WMOF website.

Pope Francis wanted a decentralized event in line with his way of proceeding: good ideas come from the peripheries, gather at the center, and then go out again to other peripheries.

MORE ON TRENTONMONITOR.COM > FAITH & CULTURE > FAMILY LIFE:  Pope asks families to take a small step toward greater holiness  Meeting looks at how families protect life, pray, connect generations  Families and forgiveness: Australian family shares their tragic story July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 45

Family Life

Grandparents and the elderly

are blessings, cause for celebration

BY JENNIFER ELSENSOHN  Special Contributor

W

hat is better than the love of a grandparent?

Very few things in this world.

The Bible teaches that that those who are blessed with a long life, including grandparents, are “living signs of the goodness of God who bestows life in abundance,” shared Pope Francis in his message for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated July 24.

The words of the psalmist, “In old age they will still bear fruit” (92:15) serves as the theme, and an encouragement to the elderly to look to the future with expectation. The day is held each year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the Blessed Mother’s parents and Jesus’ grandparents.

AT Many parishes will observe the day with special blessings of grandparents, and at my parish, a donut social and fun family activities will additionally follow some Masses.

Making Faith Come Children sharing books and hearing stories from grandAlive for Your Family Our seniors are such a gift to us, as they are parents allows elderly to pass on their insight. Freepik image the holders of our family histories, world history, lived wisdom, unconditional love for their grandchildren, passers on of faith and often a calm that comes raising kids? What is the funniest story you have? What was from having seen things work out even when they seemed ter- EN the most significant world event that you observed? What has rible. They pray for us, guide us, and more and more these days, your faith meant to you over the years? help with daily family life while parents are working.  Write a thank you note to your grandparents and tell que la what fe you appreciate about them.

Drawing from Scripture, Pope Francis, encouragesHaciendo the them se mantenga viva faithful to celebrate the day together “with those … whom the  If you don’t have grandparents in your life (and even en tu familia Lord ‘has filled with days.’ … I ask you to make this day known if you do) talk to a senior at Mass. If you see a senior who is in your parishes and communities; to seek out those elderly always alone, invite them to breakfast. persons who feel most alone, at home or in residences where  Write cheerful cards or prayer cards and send them to a they live. Let us make sure that no one feels alone on this day. local senior facility. If it’s feasible, volunteer at a facility – they Expecting a visit can transform those days when we think we are always looking for people to help the residents play games, have nothing to look forward to; from an initial encounter, a do sing-alongs, lead prayers, etc. new friendship can emerge. Visiting the elderly who live alone  Offer to do some yard work for a senior in your neighis a work of mercy in our time!” borhood.

So, how can we celebrate this day? Here are a few ideas:  Donate items that seniors need to your local food  Spend time with the grandparents or seniors in your life. bank – many of the clients are seniors living in compromised Have a special meal with them. Ask them to tell you the stories situations. that are most meaningful to them: What was it like growing  Become a minister of Holy Communion to the homeup for you? Can you tell me a story from when you were my bound and bring your kids (assuming the individual welcomes age? How did Grandma and Grandpa meet? What was it like children).

Our seniors are truly a treasure for our families and churches, but, often, much of what they do for us is taken for Faith at Home is a monthly column coordinated by the Diocese granted. Take some time to get to know them and let them of Trenton’s Departments of Catechesis, Evangelization and Famknow that you appreciate them. ily Life, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For additional Faith Jennifer Elsensohn is the pastoral associate in St. Robert Belat Home resources, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home. larmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.

FA IT H HOM E

FE CA SA

46 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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July 2022

Family Life

USCCB image

REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 1 FOR BISHOP’S ANNIVERSARY BLESSING MASSES

NFP AWARENESS WEEK SET FOR JULY 24-30, EMPHASIZING ROLE OF MEN

BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

National Family Planning Awareness Week, a national educational campaign sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will take place July 24-30, marked in the Diocese of Trenton this year by a special emphasis on the role of husbands and fathers.

The week coincides with several noteworthy dates, including the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25), which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love, and responsible parenthood. The dates also mark the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the parents of the Blessed Mother. Pope Francis has designated that feast as World Grandparents Day, a fitting commemoration during National NFP Awareness Week.

Sponsored by the Department of Evangelization and Family Life, diocesan NFP Awareness Week efforts will shed light on the unique role of men in cooperating with God’s divine plan for forming a family, while continuing to emphasize the mother-daughter connection and the special role of mothers as teachers, advisors, listeners, comforters and helpers for their daughters as they pass from childhood to womanhood and possibly to parenthood.

“Our efforts will promote the notion that husbands and wives together are ‘called to give life - [they are] cooperators with the love of God the creator [Catechism of the Catholic Church #2367],’” said Peg Hensler, associate director of Marriage Ministries and NFP. “Just as all girls need a mom or mother figure to guide them through the stages of development into womanhood, all boys need a dad or father figure to teach them what it means to become a man.”

To accompany the full set of resources for parishes to celebrate NFP Awareness Week, and the USCCB’s educational materials on responsible parenthood and fertility-based awareness methods of family planning, the Diocese is launching a new resource page specifically for men – www.dioceseoftrenton.org/nfp-info-for-men.

Marking once again the milestone anniversaries of married couples of the Diocese of Trenton, registration for the annual Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Masses will open July 1.

Registration and resources for anniversary couples will be available at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/bishops-anniversary-blessing. The website also offers highlights from last year’s Masses, as well as interviews with anniversary couples sharing their experiences and advice for a long and happy marriage.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will be principal celebrant and homilist for two October Masses to honor the first, 25th and 50th anniversaries of couples around the Diocese, and to impart his episcopal blessing.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Evangelization and Family Life, assisted by the Office of Worship.

The Oct. 2 Mass for couples in Burlington and Mercer Counties will take place in St. A couple holds hands while renewing Mary of the Assumption vows in the 2021 Bishop’s AnniverCathedral, 149 N. Warren sary Blessing Mass in St. Mary of the St., Trenton; the Oct. Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Hal 9 Mass for couples in Brown photo Monmouth and Ocean Counties will take place in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.

Mass times will be at 3 p.m. on both dates, during which couples will have an opportunity to renew their vows. A reception for the couples, their families and community will follow after each Mass.

burlingtoncountytimes.com

WINNER

July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 47

In the Parishes

Mount Holly parish feast day commemorated with prayer vigil for peace

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

T

here were two reasons why Ann Putnam wanted to participate in the June 24 prayer vigil for peace in Sacred Heart Church, Mount Holly.

Between the war in Ukraine, the civil unrest in other parts of the world and hearing news reports of gun violence occurring almost daily, Putnam said she wanted to join fellow parishioners for something that “would connect us in prayer and as a faith community.”

It was also important for her 10-year-old twins, Nathan and Zofia, to attend the prayer service, she said, “because they want to see an end to all the violence” and they know that prayer can help to make that happen.

“Tonight is important because we’re praying for all people who lost family members to violence,” Nathan said. “Along with praying for them, we are remembering them,” he said.

The evening prayer vigil, held in the form of a Vespers service, was part of the parish’s commemoration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus which the Universal Church celebrated that day.

Over the past months, “we have shared sorrow over the many injustices occurring throughout the world – an unprovoked war in Ukraine; tragic mass shootings in markets,

THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and to its own policies and guidelines in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan

ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-888-296-2965

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

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

48 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

 July 2022

Ann Putnam, center, and her two children, Nathan and Zofia, join in singing a hymn during the prayer vigil for peace. Mary Stadnyk photo schools and neighborhoods; attacks on places of worship during services, and inexplicable violence toward relief workers and medical personnel assisting in areas devastated by drought, famine and civil wars,” said Teresa S. Redder, a parish music ministry member who helped to organize the event.

“Sometimes, we hear people say, ‘Where is God in all of this?’ “The answer is God is with us and waiting to be loved. …

We witness to God through our faith, hope and love,” she said.

Upon entering the church, participants saw the lit Paschal candle in front of the sanctuary next to an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The prayer vigil was led by a mix of parishioners – adults, teenagers and children -- who proclaimed various Scripture Readings and read excerpts of spiritual reflections from Pope Francis during the pandemic and the Jubilee of Mercy, as well as from St. Teresa of Kolkata.

Voices were raised in a medley of hymns offering hope and healing through the love of Christ.

Parishioner Dar MacDonald said she didn’t know what to expect when she first heard about the prayer service, but “when I saw there would be singing and reading, I knew I wanted to be part of it.

“The world is filled with so much violence, hatred and despair,” MacDonald continued. “Anything we as Christians can do to promote peace, is what we need to do.”

In the Parishes

Women’s conference sounds a call to Church leadership

BY LOIS ROGERS  Correspondent

C

ollectively, the featured panel of three speakers at the “Women Leaders of the Diocese” Conference brought more than 60 years of experience within diverse segments of the Catholic Church with them to the table June 25 in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven.

By the time the nearly five-hour event concluded, it was clear the insights of Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor, Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, and Mercy Sister Rosemary Jeffries, former president of Georgian Court University, Lakewood, left listeners uplifted and inspired by their examples and encouraged to follow their lead into Church leadership.

ENERGIZING DAY The conference was inspired by the recent Synod ’23 listening sessions where consistent mention from participants

reflected the desire to see more women in roles of Church leadership. Nativity’s pastor, Father James Grogan, responded to those requests with the event which highlighted the presenters as among the many women demonstrating leadership today in the Catholic Church.

In compelling individual presentations to the multi-generational gathering of women, they shared observations about the importance of answering the call to mission. Each encouraged attendees to develop skills that would enable them to meet requirements for the tasks ahead and keep a clear focus on fostering a collegial, collaborative atmosphere in the greater Church community.

Urging listeners to “pay attention to the call from a person you know and trust...Be willing to give your yes,” said Ginther, who thought back to saying yes to a number of such calls over the years, including that of parish pastoral associate, while honing skills that would eventually lead to her being named Diocesan Chancellor by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

All acknowledged they did not originally anticipate the call. “It was the furthest thing from my mind,” said Lao-Collins, who grew up in a “typical Catholic family” where her mother and father were “very active in responding to the needs of the community.”

 “Pay attention to the call ... Be willing to give your yes.”

Following their example, she joined the Aspira Foundation “to help the community” and earned a degree in business management from Rutgers University with no inclination it would eventually lead to her working for the New Jersey Catholic Conference. There she learned how to “speak the language” of building alliances that would become so necessary for her role with Catholic Charities.

Sister Rosemary, eighth president Continued on 55

Father James Grogan, pastor of Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, poses a question to the three presenters during the conference. From left are Mercy Sister Rosemary Jeffries, Marlene Lao-Collins and Terry Ginther.

Mary Stadnyk photo

July 2022

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 49

In the Parishes

Above, surrounded by priests of the Diocese, Bishop O’Connell celebrates a 50th anniversary Mass in St. Mary Church, Colts Neck. Hundreds of parishioners, right, gathered for the special Mass. Courtesy photos

Colts Neck community celebrates 50 years of permanency, growth

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

A

parish anniversary usually commemorates the year that the parish was founded or the church was dedicated, but on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the community of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, for a unique golden jubilee Mass that focused on, as Father Jeffrey Lee, pastor, described it, “the parish as we know it today.”

Though St. Mary Parish traces its roots to the 1850s and was served by a succession of clergy from various parishes throughout most of it first 100 years, the evolvement of the current parish that includes the building of the present church on Phalanx Road and Route 34, and having a resident pastor and parish staff, dates back to 1972.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell, principal celebrant of the Mass, explained that the number 50 has great spiritual significance. “Today, as we celebrate this Eucharist on Pentecost Sunday, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary in St. Mary Parish, we should open ourselves to 50 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

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the Spirit so that we too, like those first Apostles, might learn the new language of the Pentecost and speak it boldly, in word and action, to a waiting world.”

St. Mary Parish has witnessed substantial growth in the past five decades.

Along with witnessing an increase in the number of parishioners, there has also been a significant growth in ministries, including religious education offerings for children and adults, social justice, and outreach efforts. The parish has also undertaken various building and property renovations and expansions.

In addition, reflected Father Lee, having a full-time resident pastor “who lives with the people, prays with the people, dreams with the people and serves with the people is important for creating community in a parish. Through the years the pastors assigned to serve the parishioners have each in their own way worked hard to build a solid foundation on which the Catholic community rests.” Since 1972 there have been five pastors, including Father Lee. Among those with longtime ties to St. Mary Parish is Deacon Jim Knipper who recalled being 17 years old when his family

July 2022

relocated to Colts Neck from North Jersey and joined St. Mary Parish in 1976. Deacon Knipper attributes his experience in the parish and the leadership of then-pastor, Father William Bausch, as inspiring him for his future vocation as a deacon.

“Living in a vibrant parish, with incredible leadership under Father Bausch and hearing each Sunday, a well-structured and insightful homily opened my eyes to my own gifts and how to best use them,” said Deacon Knipper, who now serves in St. Paul Parish, Princeton.

“For me, it was very powerful and more emotional to come back some 46 years after I first walked through the doors of St. Mary. Never did I think when I was 17 that I would return as a deacon to serve the 50th anniversary Mass. It meant a great deal to be there.”

Parish trustee Roger Zurro recalled how inspired he and his family were by the spirit of the parish when they joined in 1978. “It seemed to stand out,” he said, noting that the anniversary commemorates “the starting points of a permanent community in the area,” and the presence of a resident pastor “who becomes the anchor of the parish.”

Fun & Games

SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for July 10  Luke 10: 25-37

STOOD UP

TEST

MUST I DO

ETERNAL

LIFE

WRITTEN

LOVE

LORD

HEART

MIND

NEIGHBOR

DO THIS

BEAT HIM

SAW HIM

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LEVITE

SAMARITAN

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ANIMAL

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REPAY

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Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C: The story of the Samaritan. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

Search FUN & GAMES at TRENTONMONITOR.COM to find more SCRIPTURE SEARCH puzzles to print at home.

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2

3

4

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8 10

9

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12 14

13 16

15 17

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32 33

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38 39

40 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

Answers on back page.

25 The Feast of Lots is also called this (Esth 9:24–28) 26 Son of Eve 28 OT prophetic book that precedes 22A 29 “Mater ___” 30 Tree Jesus cursed (Mk 11:14) 32 ___ Judgment 33 Christmas celebrates Jesus’ ___ 35 “It ___ upon a midnight clear…”

36 White silk garment worn by the Pope 37 “…no one can enter the kingdom of God without being ___ of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5) 38 Where the altar is located 39 Catholic dancer/actor of “Ghost” fame 40 Our Blessed ___ DOWN 2 Longest of the prophetic books of the Old Testament 3 Non-cleric 4 Catholic-raised actor of “Godfather” fame 5 Biblical physician 6 Prophet in Luke (Lk 2:36) 7 Housing for the patriarchs

11 “…___, holy, catholic and apostolic…”

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22 Paradise Lost?

23 “I will bless those who bless you and ___…” (Gen 12:3) 26 Oscar-winning actor of who comes from a prominent Catholic Hollywood family 27 Type of angel that Michael is 28 Number of choirs of angels 30 “…male and ___ he created them.” (Gen 1:27) 31 ___ Heart of Jesus 32 Tribe of Israel 33 Transport for Peter and Andrew 34 Gaudete color 35 Stuff of creation 37 Catholic cartoonist Keane of “Family Circus”

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 51

In Memoriam SISTER M. DANIELA MCCARTHY, FORMER PRINCIPAL IN ASBURY PARK SCHOOL Sister M. Daniela McCarthy, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died May 30 in Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pa. She was a former principal in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Asbury Park.

Born in 1921, in Pittston, Pa., and given the name Margaret, she entered the IHM congregation Feb. 2, 1940, made her temporary profession of vows Aug. 2, 1942, and her final profession of vows Aug. 2, 1945.

Sister Daniela received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and a master of science degree in elementary education, both from Marywood College, Scranton. In addition to Asbury Park, Sister Daniela served in schools as a teacher or principal in New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Idaho and Connecticut.

Sister Daniela also served at the IHM Center in Scranton, as an instructor at the IHM Educational Enrichment Institute; on the support services staff, and as a sacristan.

From 2008 until the time of her death, Sister Daniela was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

Sister Daniela is preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. She is survived by nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; cousins, and members of the IHM Congregation.

Interment was in St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, Pa. 18509.

CYNTHIA MARIE WOODINGTON, SISTER OF PRIEST Father Scott Shaffer, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, was principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial June 10 for his sister, Cynthia Marie Shaffer Woodington, who died June 2. She was 67.

A resident of Millstone Township, she volunteered in her community as well as surrounding towns. She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, 52 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

where she taught third grade religious education for many years.

At Rise Community Partnership, she helped sort and distribute donations to Hightstown residents in need, and cooked for and delivered meals through Meals on Wheels.

Mrs. Woodington was the founder and owner of Perfect Blend Catering company.

Specializing in high tea parties and dinners, she catered numerous fundraising and other events in her parish as well as St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, and St. Joseph Parish.

In addition to Father Shaffer, Mrs. Woodington was survived by her husband, Robert Woodington; one son; two grandsons; another brother and two sisters-in-law, as well as other family members and friends.

Burial was in in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 56 Cedar Rd., Toms River.

Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson.org. Donations to the John L. Shaffer Scholarship Fund or St. Joseph Food Pantry may be sent to St. Joseph Church 685 Hooper Street, Toms River, N.J. 08753, Attn: Father Scott Shaffer. Be sure to indicate the charity in the subject line of the check.

DR. HARRY R. CARTER, FATHER OF PRIEST Funeral services were held June 26 and 27 in Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, for Dr. Harry R. Carter who died June 17 at age 74. Dr. Carter was the father of Father H. Todd Carter, pastor of Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune.

Dr. Carter was born in Neptune Township and raised in Freehold.

Following his graduation from Southern Freehold Regional High School in 1965, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served Continued on 54

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

 July 2022

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Continued from 52

in Alaska, the Philippines, Vietnam and Arkansas, serving as a fire protection specialist.

He entered the N.J. National Guard in 1976 and served as the state fire marshal. He retired from the Inactive Army Reserve in 2007.

In 1972, Dr. Carter married his high school girlfriend, Jacalyn Miller and moved to Adelphia, joining the Howell Township Fire Company #1 aka Adelphia. He committed more than 45 years to the volunteer company while serving as a life member, ex-chief, chaplain and fire commissioner.

In 1973, he joined the Newark Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Battalion Chief and retired in 1999. In addition, he was a municipal fire consultant, author of numerous books and wrote thousands of articles to educate the fire service members.

He was an active member of the Colts Neck Reformed Church as well as a past master at the Ocean Lodge No. 89, F.& AM. He held a doctor of philosophy degree from Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn., which he received in 2005.

The Monitor

In addition to his wife and priest-son, Dr. Carter is survived by two daughters, Ellen C. Malloy of Freehold and Kathleen A. Carter of Howell; three grandchildren and a brother.

Interment was in the Adelphia Cemetery, Wyckoff Mills Rd., Howell. Memorial donations may be made to the Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, N.J. 07722 or Puzzle Pieces Squared organization, puzzlepiecessquared.org, which supports families with autism.

ROBERT A. PEGE, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL COUNCIL A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 3 in St. Joachim Church, part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, for Robert A. Pege who died May 21 at age 91.

Mr. Pege graduated from Trenton High School and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Drexel University, Phila., and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he later served as a

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faculty advisor. He was employed for 42 years as a structural engineer for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, rising to the level of chief engineer, bridge design, from 1986 until his retirement. He was also a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Army.

Mr. Pege was active in Immaculate Conception Church, also part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, for many years. He served multiple terms on the parish council, several as president. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and volunteered for the annual parish carnival.

In addition to parish work, he participated in lay leadership at the diocesan level, serving on the pastoral council and ultimately serving as president from 1978 to 1980. Mr. Pege is survived by his wife Joan; three daughters, and nieces and nephews of up to four successive generations.

Burial was in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Hamilton.

INSPIRED BY HOLY SPIRIT Continued from 9

within the Synod process. Many were itorso very n o grateful that their Church Mwanted to hear what e was in their hearts and h on their minds. I truly , llp THoly believe that the Spirit moved, healed and c o u n s e l o r s a t l aw inspired the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton Serving the Diocese of Trenton for over a century DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS DOORS I SIDING I WINDOWS in these simple yet powerful experiences of Personal Injury • Real Estate VISIT OUR SHOWROOM VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: Wills and Estates VISIT OUR SHOWROOM journeying together.”

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54 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE

of Georgian Court, who guided the institution through its transition to a co-educational university, now serves as the executive director of the All African Conference – Sister-To-Sister – which supports the empowerment and education of women religious in Sub-Saharan Africa. She said she identifies with “so many pieces of the same situation” that drew Ginther and Lao-Collins into Church work. “It began with a call,” she said. “When a call comes, you have to consider what kind of a ‘yes’ you give” especially now, when “we are in a challenging situation,” Sister Rosemary said.

“Cultural norms are being challenged in the country and the Church and the Church is recognizing the changes,” said Sister Rosemary, urging listeners to “pay attention to what people are saying and doing and encourage others to come along – allow them to be comfortable.”

MEANINGFUL IMPACT Attendees expressed their interest in a wide range of issues from the changing cultural norms raised by Sister Rosemary to the need

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to find ways to work together to attract and involve younger women in Church life.

They were urged to seek out opportunities to interact with women such as: informal networks, including one that could be formed by the group meeting at the conference; getting involved in parish life; looking for organizations that invite people to the table and sharing generally about what’s important with women as mothers, cousins, aunts, friends and colleagues.

Father Grogan said he was heartened to hear questions raised that clearly showed participants were both “seeking and hearing that there are roles available for women.”

Their reaction, he said, reflected the importance of taking “action as a pastor in a ‘listening Church’ as Pope Francis was encouraging with the Synod ’23 process where the original idea for this session surfaced...Where local opportunities are evident, then pastors have the chance to engage participation by both women and men which could continue to energize our parishes and our Church.”

Annemarie Woods, who has served in a number of capacities including as a reader and catechist in her parish, Holy Cross, Rumson, stated the conference left her “smarter about the role of women in the Church today than I was before I walked in.”

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Crucifixes, ALSO Jewelry, Candles, Irish Gifts & ReligiousItems Items Jewelry, ST. PAUL PARISH, PRINCETON Irish Gifts & Religious Candles, Irish Irish Gifts 1669 Highway 33, Hamilton Square 33, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 Gifts, Gifts Position Summary: Under the Pastor’s direction, the Director 1669 Highway Gifts for Baptism, 609-586-9696 of Religious Education and Youth Ministry Program organizes, 609-586-9696 • www.crossandshamrock.com for Baptism, Communion, ‘Like us’ on Facebook Confirmation, directs, and coordinates the Parish Religious Education and www.crossandshamrock.com Confirmation, Weddings Mon-Wed. 10-6pm, Thurs. & Fri. 10-7pm, Sat. 10-5pm the Youth Ministry Program and assists the parish community M-W: 10am-6pm • Th-F: 10am-7pm • Sat: 10am-5pm & &Weddings

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in building a solid foundation for adult spirituality.

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THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 55

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