MONITOR
Prayers of a Priest
Rev. Mr. Alan Bridges spends a few moments in prayer as he awaits his Ordination to the priesthood by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., May 31. Loved ones and wellwishers joined the entire diocesan family in celebrating the Diocese's newest priest. Special coverage begins on page 9.
ALSO … The Monitor Magazine’s annual salute to the Class of 2025!
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In Service to the Church
Without priests, the Church cannot fulfill her most essential roles–offering the Eucharist, sharing the Gospel, and guiding the faithful. In a world searching for meaning and healing, the need for dedicated, well-formed priests is greater than ever.
Your gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal helps ensure that seminarians receive the spiritual, academic, and pastoral training they need to answer God’s call. You are investing in future shepherds who will lead our parishes, comfort the suffering, and bring Christ’s presence to every corner of our Diocese.
Father Alan Bridges, ordained May 31, 2025, prays that he can serve the people of God “through sound preaching, reverent and loving celebration of the Sacraments, and generally through being an approachable and caring father.”
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ON THE COVER
Rev. Mr. Alan Bridges spends his last few moments as a transitional deacon praying in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, during the May 31 Mass in which Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., ordained him as a priest for the Diocese of Trenton. See Ordination, pages 9-15. John Batkowski photo
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7-9 From the
Bishop
Bishop O’Connell reflects on June’s Sacred Heart devotion
17-54 Graduation
The Monitor’s annual showcase of high school, eighth grade graduations from Catholic schools in the Diocese
58-59 Special Report
Mental health and pastoral care examined at workshop
60-64 Diocese
Men discerning priesthood visit St. Charles Borromeo seminary, convene for annual BBQ; Bishop visits Lakehurst for Confirmation, Father Deutsch’s 96th birthday; Father Venza, David Milecki remembered
78-81 Local
Freehold’s St. Rose School marks 150 years; Diocese served for 25 years by secular Franciscans; Father Osborn installed as pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish
REGULAR FEATURES
4-5 Español
66-68 Church
69-70 World & Nation
72 Insight from Father Koch
74 Question Corner 75 Faith at Home 86 Fun & Games
Worshippers pray during the Mass for the Garden Revival Pentecost Rally June 7 in St. Mary Church, Middletown. Mike Ehrmann photo
Junio: el mes del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
La devoción al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús es una de las expresiones más profundas y perdurables de la espiritualidad católica. Arraigada en las Escrituras y profundizada a través de siglos de reflexión teológica y experiencia mística, el Sagrado Corazón simboliza el amor infinito de Cristo por la humanidad. Es una devoción que habla al corazón de la fe cristiana: el misterio del amor divino hecho visible y vulnerable.
Por OBISPO DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.
Jesús llegó a representar no solo su sufrimiento físico, sino también su amor emocional y espiritual: un amor que es a la vez divino y humano.
En su encíclica Dilexit Nos (“Él nos amó”) de 2024, el difunto Papa Francisco ofreció una reflexión fresca y profundamente pastoral sobre esta devoción, llamando a la Iglesia a redescubrir el poder transformador del corazón de Cristo en un mundo fragmentado e inquieto.
En esta encíclica, el papa Francisco comenzó anclando la devoción al Sagrado Corazón en las palabras de san Pablo: “Él nos amó” (Romanos 8,37). Esta sencilla pero profunda afirmación se convierte en los lente a través de cual el papa invitó a los fieles a contemplar el Sagrado Corazón, no como una reliquia sentimental del pasado, sino como un símbolo vivo de la presencia y amistad perdurables de Cristo. El papa Francisco escribió: “Su corazón abierto nos ha precedido y nos espera, incondicionalmente, pidiendo solo ofrecernos su amor y amistad”.
La imagen del Sagrado Corazón encuentra su fundamento en el Evangelio de Juan, donde el costado traspasado de Cristo se convierte en fuente de vida sacramental (Juan 19,34). Con el tiempo, santos como Margarita María Alacoque y teólogos como San Juan Eudes contribuyeron a convertir esta devoción en un elemento central de la piedad católica. El corazón de
Las marcas principales que vendemos son Exmark, Stihl, y RedMax. Se vende y se arregla otras marcas de equipo. Se puede financiar todo tipo de equipo.
El Sagrado Corazón no es una reliquia sentimental del pasado, sino un símbolo viviente de la presencia y amistad perdurables de Cristo. Su corazón abierto invita a todas las personas a una relación de confianza, sanación y transformación. Es un corazón que nos espera incondicionalmente, ofreciendo amor y misericordia sin medida.
Esta invitación a la intimidad con Cristo es especialmente urgente en un mundo marcado por la superficialidad, el consumismo y el desapego emocional. El corazón, como símbolo físico y espiritual, sigue siendo esencial para comprender la unidad del cuerpo y el alma, la razón y la emoción, la fe y la acción.
El corazón es el centro de la sinceridad y la transformación. Como exclamaron los discípulos camino de Emaús: “¿No ardía nuestro corazón dentro de nosotros?” (Lucas 24:32), el encuentro con Cristo también enciende un fuego en el alma. Este corazón ardiente se convierte en una metáfora del despertar interior que se produce al experimentar la presencia del Señor resucitado.
Tanto la filosofía clásica como la antropología bíblica afirman que el corazón no es una mera metáfora, sino el verdadero centro de la experiencia humana. Es donde se toman decisiones, se forman los deseos y se discierne la verdad. De esta manera, la devoción al Sagrado Corazón se convierte en una llamada a la renovación interior y a la autenticidad.
Además, el Sagrado Corazón no se limita a la piedad personal. Es fuente de renovación eclesial y social. En él se depositan todas las esperanzas, y desde él se busca con confianza la salvación de la humanidad. El Corazón de Jesús se convierte en modelo para la misión de la Iglesia: amar incondicionalmente, servir con alegría y permanecer cerca de las heridas del mundo. En tiempos de crisis global —ecológica, social, ética y espiritual—, el Sagrado Corazón ofrece un remedio a la indiferencia y la división. Es un corazón que escucha, sufre y actúa. Es un corazón que llama a cada creyente a convertirse en instrumento de misericordia y testigo del amor.
El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús es más que una imagen devocional; es una brújula teológica y espiritual para la Iglesia de hoy. Invita a todos a redescubrir el corazón de Cristo como fuente de sanación, unidad y misión. Seguir a Jesús es sumergirse en las profundidades de su amor, un amor que late eternamente en el corazón del mundo.
Pixabay foto
Líderes hispanos de dos estados se unen por la fe y el servicio
ANDREA HERRERA GRILLO
Colaboradora Especial
En un ambiente de fe, alegría y compromiso pastoral, cerca de 150 líderes católicos hispanos de la diócesis de Nueva Jersey y Pensilvania se reunieron el 24 de mayo para participar en la Reunión de Líderes Hispanos de la Región III.
La jornada se celebró bajo el lema “Portadores de Esperanza”, en el contexto del Año Jubilar de la Esperanza. Su objetivo fue fortalecer la unidad y renovar el llamado al servicio en las comunidades hispanas, especialmente entre la comunidad inmigrante.
“Tenemos muchas similitudes y entendemos las realidades de la comunidad inmigrante.”
La Región III comprende las diócesis de Nueva Jersey (Camden, Trenton, Metuchen, Paterson y la Arquidiócesis de Newark), así como ciertas zonas de Pensilvania (la Arquidiócesis de Filadelfia y las diócesis de Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh y Scranton).
La Región III ha experimentado un crecimiento constante de su población hispana, lo que ha impulsado una mayor inversión en liderazgo pastoral y una mayor atención a las realidades culturales y espirituales de esta comunidad, según informaron los organizadores del evento.
Organizado como parte de la implementación del Plan Pastoral Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/Latino, el día incluyó presentaciones, momentos de oración y sesiones de trabajo colaborativo que abordaron los desafíos y las oportunidades que enfrenta la comunidad hispana dentro de la Iglesia Católica.
El obispo Joseph Williams, de la Diócesis de Camden, celebró la misa
foto en Hammonton el 24 de mayo. Foto por Joe Warner/Catholic Star Herald
como parte del evento, que tuvo lugar en la iglesia de San Antonio de Padua, en Hammonton. Durante su homilía, el obispo Williams animó a los presentes a ser “puentes de unidad y esperanza en sus comunidades”, destacando la importancia del liderazgo pastoral hispano en el crecimiento espiritual y social de la Iglesia.
“Qué señal de esperanza tenemos al ver a líderes latinos reunidos en este Año Jubilar de la Esperanza para promover la unidad”, dijo el obispo.
Entre los presentadores se encontraban el padre Alex Gaitán, coordinador del ministerio de inmigración en la Arquidiócesis de Newark; Alberto Billini, quien sirve a la comunidad latina en la parroquia de San Antonio de Padua, en Hightstown; y Andrés Arango, delegado del obispo para el Ministerio Hispano y director de Evangelización de la Diócesis de Camden.
Jossie Ramos, Coordinadora Diocesana de Iniciativas Hispanas de Trenton, acompañó a un grupo de 14 católicos hispanos de parroquias de la Diócesis de Trenton y actuó como
moderadora de una mesa redonda titulada “Portadores de Esperanza llamados a la acción”.
Ramos expresó gran entusiasmo por la experiencia, afirmando: “Fue un gran trabajo colaborativo, con una conversación muy interesante. Tenemos muchas similitudes y entendemos las realidades de la comunidad inmigrante. Espero que todos hayan salido empoderados”.
Al reflexionar sobre la presentación dirigida por Luz Escobar, de la diócesis de Metuchen, y la animada sesión de preguntas y respuestas que siguió, Ramos continuó: “Ayudó a los líderes a comprender que, aunque enfrentan desafíos, seguimos llamados a seguir adelante”.
Ramos explicó que, al seleccionar a los líderes parroquiales, quería formar un equipo que continuará sirviendo a las parroquias de la Diócesis. “Se les ocurrieron ideas geniales y salí con muchas bendiciones. Necesitamos comunicarnos, aprender más y hablar sobre nuestros recursos” concluyó. “Esta es la realidad en la que vivimos.”
¡Lee más en línea! Visita trentonmonitor.com>peces para ver más historias en español de toda nuestra diócesis y del mundo.
Texto completo: Homilía del Papa León XIV para Pentecostés
El arzobispo de Los Ángeles llama a la oración, a la moderación y a la reforma migratoria en medio de las redadas y las protestas contra ICE
El Papa convoca un consistorio para considerar la declaración de ocho nuevos santos
Texto completo: Discurso del Papa León XIV en la conferencia con motivo del 1700 aniversario del Concilio de Nicea
Líderes hispanos católicos de las diócesis de Nueva Jersey y Pennsylvania tomándose una
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the community of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown, where he celebrated a Mass for the parish feast day on June 9. During the Mass the Bishop presented papal blessings to four individuals, including Father Cesar Anson, shown here. The July issue of The Monitor Magazine will include a feature on happenings taking place in parishes such as feast day and anniversary celebrations. Look for the next issue set to come out around July 8.
Can there ever be too much good news?
A message from
RAYANNE BENNETT Associate Publisher
Imust confess that it has been more than a half-century since I first became interested – really interested -- in the news. From watching my dad read “his paper” every night and discussing the subject matter after dinner, to taking high school journalism and being part of the school newspaper, even writing sports copy for the local town paper … I have had a connection with the news for as long as I can remember. It was during those early years of learning about and practicing journalism that I first heard a now-familiar criticism levied against newspaper outlets: All they do is report bad news. It is a criticism that survives to this day, though there is admittedly a lot of bad news to keep them busy. Finding the resources to print or report the good news is rare indeed.
Fortunately, the Catholic media is the antithesis of this reality. Of course, at
times, we must report bad news. With all that is going on in recent years, there is certainly no shortage of such content. We strive to report this fairly and accurately.
But without question, the majority of what we report and feature in The Monitor Magazine and on TrentonMonitor. com is good news. It is based on the Good News of the Gospel, for sure, but it is good news by any measure. There is a seemingly endless supply of good news in the universal Church, the Diocese and its parishes and schools.
Is there such a thing as too much good news? Rhetorically speaking, certainly not. But on a practical level, it does leave us with the challenge of how much good news we can report on, write about, and accommodate in the pages of this magazine or even on TrentonMonitor.com. This issue of the magazine offers a perfect example. This year the June issue is a keepsake of both Ordination and Graduation, with dozens of other “good news” stories in between. We hope that the 88 pages in front of you will motivate
“There is an ... endless supply of good news in the universal Church, the Diocese and its parishes and schools.”
you to learn more about the many great things happening in the Diocese and the faithful who call it home.
Please note that because of size and breadth of this issue, we did have to hold back some of our regular content. Rest assured that this holdover content will return next month, such as Mary Morrell’s “Things My Father Taught Me,” Viewpoints and Issues & Advocacy.
And mark your calendars for more good news that will come to you in late July with our annual LIVES OF FAITH issue, honoring the clergy and religious marking significant anniversaries of their vocation. Watch for more information on that.
In the meantime, enjoy the good news! And God bless!
Mike Ehrmann photo
June: A month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
TA Message from BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.
he devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most profound and enduring expressions of Catholic spirituality. Rooted in Scripture and deepened through centuries of theological reflection and mystical experience, the Sacred Heart symbolizes the boundless love of Christ for humanity. It is a devotion that speaks to the heart of Christian faith: the mystery of divine love made visible and vulnerable.
In his 2024 encyclical “Dilexit Nos” (“He Loved Us”), the late Pope Francis offered a fresh and deeply pastoral reflection on this devotion, calling the Church to rediscover the transformative power of Christ’s heart in a fragmented and restless world.
In this encyclical, Pope Francis began by anchoring devotion to the Sacred Heart in the words of St. Paul: “He loved us” (Romans 8:37). This simple yet profound affirmation becomes the lens through which the Pope invited the faithful to contemplate the Sacred Heart – not as a sentimental relic of the past, but as a living symbol of Christ’s enduring presence and friendship. Pope Francis wrote, “His open heart has gone before us and waits for us, unconditionally, asking only to offer us his love and friendship.”
The image of the Sacred Heart finds its foundation in the Gospel of John, where the pierced side of Christ becomes a fountain of sacramental life (John 19:34). Over time, saints such as Mar-
garet Mary Alacoque and theologians like St. John Eudes helped shape this devotion into a central element of Catholic piety. The heart of Jesus came to represent not only his physical suffering but also his emotional and spiritual love – a love that is both divine and human.
The heart is the locus of sincerity and transformation.
The Sacred Heart is not a sentimental relic of the past, but a living symbol of Christ’s enduring presence and friendship. His open heart invites all people into a relationship of trust, healing, and transformation. It is a heart that waits for us unconditionally, offering love and mercy without measure.
This invitation to intimacy with Christ is especially urgent in a world marked by superficiality, consumerism and emotional detachment. The heart, both as a physical and spiritual symbol, remains essential for understanding the unity of body and soul, reason and emotion, faith and action.
The heart is the locus of sincerity and transformation. As the disciples on the road to Emmaus exclaimed, “Were not our hearts burning within us?” (Luke 24:32), so too does the encounter with Christ ignite a fire within the soul. This burning heart becomes a metaphor for
the inner awakening that occurs when one experiences the presence of the risen Lord.
Classical philosophy and biblical anthropology both affirm that the heart is not merely a metaphor but a real center of human experience. It is where decisions are made, desires are formed and truth is discerned. In this way, devotion to the Sacred Heart becomes a call to interior renewal and authenticity.
Moreover, the Sacred Heart is not limited to personal piety. It is a source of ecclesial and social renewal. In that Sacred Heart all hopes may be placed, and from it, the salvation of humanity is to be confidently sought. The heart of Jesus becomes a model for the Church’s mission: to love unconditionally, to serve joyfully and to remain close to the wounds of the world.
In a time of global crises – ecological, social, ethical and spiritual – the Sacred Heart offers a remedy for indifference and division. It is a heart that listens, suffers and acts. It is a heart that calls each believer to become a vessel of mercy and a witness to love.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is more than a devotional image; it is a theological and spiritual compass for the Church today. It invites all to rediscover the heart of Christ as the source of healing, unity and mission. To follow Jesus is to be drawn into the depths of his love – a love that forever beats in the heart of the world.
Here are a few highlights from Bishop O’Connell’s recent visits and events.
Following the Mass he celebrated in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, Bishop O’Connell blesses those gathered for the Garden Revival Pentecost Rally June 7. Mike Ehrmann photo
Bishop O’Connell recently gathered with New Jersey’s Catholic bishops in the Diocese of Camden’s Chancery building for their quarterly meeting. From left, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen; Bishop O’Connell; Bishop Joseph Williams of Camden; Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, as well as Bishop Michael Saporito, Bishop Gregory Studerus and Bishop Manuel Cruz, all auxiliary bishops in Newark. Courtesy photo
Sixteen parishioners from the Church of the Korean Martyrs community in Trenton received the Sacrament of Confirmation during a May 18 Mass in St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville. Bishop O’Connell presided over and preached the homily. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop John Chrysostom Kwon of the Diocese of Andong, South Korea, who administered the Sacrament to 11 young adult and five adult confirmandi. Bishop Kwon was assisted by Father Dae Hyeok Son, pastor of the Church of the Korean Martyrs, and Father Mathias Hwang, assistant to Bishop Kwon and director of Pastoral Life of the Diocese of Andong. Both concelebrated the Mass along with Father Leandro Dela Cruz, pastor of St. Ann Parish. Staff photo
During the Ordination Rite, Rev. Mr. Bridges makes a Promise of Obedience to Bishop O’Connell. John
‘Gift and Mystery’ Alan Bridges ordained a priest for the Diocese of Trenton
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
In a book commemorating his 50th anniversary of priestly Ordination, Pope John Paul II described his vocation as “gift and mystery.”
At the May 31 Ordination Mass of Father Alan Bridges, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., told the priest candidate that the description of “gift and mystery,” was “a prism through which to view the life and mission you are about to undertake as a priest.”
“You were chosen for this gift, set apart from all else that you could have been in this world,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily, “because God wanted YOU to receive this gift … the words that the Church addresses to you today will make that abundantly clear to you, and to us all.”
‘EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW’
Celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, the Mass was livestreamed across diocesan media outlets and was concelebrated by dozens of priests of the Diocese, with assistance from seminarians. Also in attendance were transitional and permanent deacons, several of whom were ordained to the diaconate with Rev. Mr. Bridges the previous year; fellow Catholics from his childhood parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newark; as well as hundreds of faithful from the Trenton Diocese.
“The gift you receive this day will reveal the truth of God’s Word through what you preach, will show mercy to those who have neither earned nor deserved it,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Continued on 10 “You were chosen for this gift, set apart from all else that you could have been ...”
Batkowski photo
Rev. Mr. Bridges lies prostrate on the sanctuary floor during the singing of the Litany of Saints, which depicts his giving of himself entirely to God.
Thou art a priest forever
and his successors.
“It will restore hope and justice to those who are desperate and forlorn; will lead you to counsel, to seek and save the lost; will bring light to their dark places; will turn time into eternity as you mirror the face of Christ, the heart of Christ, who came to serve and not be served.”
The mystery, the Bishop said, is a question: “Why you? Why any of us?”
He quoted Jeremiah 1:5, “Before you were born, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart.”
“Yes, for a gift, for a mystery, for a priesthood that invites us, my brother priests and you, the newest among us: to ‘know what you are doing and to imitate what you handle,’” he said.
Following Mass, Father Bridges Continued from 9
As family and friends of Rev. Mr. Bridges gave witness, he was called to declare his intent to assume the responsibilities of the priesthood. Placing his hands in Bishop O’Connell’s for the Promise of Obedience, he promised to respect and obey the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese
Lying prostrate on the floor before the altar, Rev. Mr. Bridges prayed as those present chanted the Litany of the Saints. The rite continued with the Bishop laying his hands on Rev. Mr. Bridges’ head, signifying the conferral of the Holy Spirit, whose power permits the Church to ordain candidates to Holy Orders. Concelebrating priests followed suit.
Before the Ordination Mass, a ceremony was held in the Cathedral rectory during which Bishop O’Connell blessed the chalice to be used by the soon-to-be new priest. John Batkowski photo
Father Michael Roach vested Father Bridges with the stole and chasuble. Father Roach is a retired priest from Maryland who lives and works at Mount St. Mary Seminary as a professor of Church history; Father Bridges described him as one of his greatest mentors.
The Ordination rite continued with Bishop O’Connell anointing the hands
of the newly ordained Father Bridges. The rite concluded with the presentation of the paten and chalice and the Kiss of Peace, in which Bishop O’Connell and the concelebrating priests gave Father Bridges a fraternal embrace.
HEART OF A SERVANT
Continued on 12
John Batkowski photo
At the end of the Ordination Mass, newly ordained Father Bridges poses for a group photo with Bishop O’Connell and his brother priests from left, Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, and episcopal vicar of Mercer County; Msgr. Thomas Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, and Msgr. Joseph Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. John Batkowski photo
Bishop O’Connell imposes hands on the head of Rev. Mr. Bridges, ordaining him a priest. EmmaLee Italia photo
Father Bridges joins Bishop O’Connell at the altar as a priest concelebrant. John Batkowski photo
‘A
good, faithful man’
offered his first priestly blessings to his parents, Jack and Barbara Bridges.
“We are here wholeheartedly, with much confidence that he’s going to be a very good shepherd of God’s people,” said Barbara Bridges. “This is his true calling. He’s got a gift, and we’re so proud of him … I think he’ll be able to reach people, he’s got a good personality.”
Those attending the ordination were eager to offer their support and reflect on priestly qualities they had already observed in Father Bridges.
“Being at an Ordination as a priest is always special, but having a son of your parish being ordained as a priest is even more so,” said Father Richard Osborn, pastor of St. Catharine Laboure Parish, Middletown, which Father Bridges has
designated as his home parish in the Diocese.
“He’s just a good, faithful man of God who loves the Lord and wants to help others to know and love him,” Father Osborne said.
“God is his No. 1 priority in life,” said Jacob Simila, parishioner of Holy Angels Parish, Camden, and a friend of Father Bridges who attended the seminary for a year with him.
“God is his No. 1 priority in life.”
“I’m sure God will give him all the graces he needs.”
Samantha Chipman and Chris Pfirrman, parishioners of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, got to know Father Bridges when, as a seminarian, he served a summer assignment there
Father Bridges offered blessings to relatives and congregants in attendance at his Ordination Mass.
John Batkowski photo
two years ago.
“He’s very reverent; it’s obvious that he wants to serve the Lord,” Chipman said. Pfirrman added, “He has a servant’s heart; he really puts others before himself, and that’s powerful.”
Many in attendance – including Eric Lavin, Louis Nicastro and Brendan Young – were from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Newark.
“I know he has a very keen sense of duty, and of responsibility – two very important qualities a priest has,” Lavin said.
Nicastro agreed. “I think he has a fraternal quality about him, which will help him connect with (those) looking to get in touch with their Catholic faith, and he has a respect and appreciation for the reverence of the Mass.”
“Alan’s already shown that he has the heart of a priest,” Young said. “He’s proven his dedication already, his perseverance – everything he does, he does wholeheartedly.”
“He’s a wonderful, compassionate person – and he’ll be a wonderful, compassionate, dedicated and devoted priest for hopefully decades to come,” said Joseph Tusa, who met Father Bridges through a mutual friend at his Newark parish of origin. Tusa and his wife Maria traveled from Louisiana for the Ordination.
“We’re proud of him; he’s in the right profession,” Joseph Tusa said. “He’s personable, he’s humble and he’s authentic.”
Father Bridges is assigned as parochial vicar in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River.
Very Reverend Edward H. Blanchett along with The Parish Family of the Church of the Visitation, Brick, extends
Our warmest heartfelt congratulations, prayers and God’s choicest blessings to be upon you on your Ordination to the Priesthood.
Rev. Alan Bridges
May you be sustained by His grace and your life in His service be sustained by His joy This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24
We are rejoicing with you on this special occasion as you celebrate becoming a priest!
Father Bridges celebrates Mass for the first time
The day after he was ordained a priest, Father Alan Bridges celebrated his first Mass in St. Catherine Laboure Church, Middletown, which he calls his home parish in the Trenton Diocese. Among the priests who concelebrated the Mass were Msgr. Thomas Gervasio, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, and diocesan vicar general, and Father Richard Osborn, pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish.
Father Bridges bestows a blessing on a well-wisher and her young son.
Father Bridges hugs his mother, Barbara, after presenting her with the white cloth, called a maniturgium, which was used during his Ordination Mass. Bishop O’Connell had wrapped Father Bridges’ hands after anointing them with the Sacred Chrism.
Father Bridges elevates the host during the Consecration. Vic Mistretta photos
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Led by Faith
The joy of success, the sadness of farewells, the hope and promise of what comes next –these are commonly shared experiences of graduating from high school. But for many of the 1,038 students graduating from Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Trenton, it is the gift of their faith – cultivated over the past four years – that will define who they are and where they are going. The Monitor honors these young men and women and offers prayerful blessings as they embark on their next faith-filled chapter.
INSIDE:
Words of inspiration and wisdom from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Spotlights on the graduating classes from each of the nine Catholic high schools in the Diocese
A photo essay on the 800 eighth graders who are moving on to high school
Notre Dame students bring up the gifts of bread and wine during their Baccalaureate Mass May 31. Matt Marzorati photo
Bishop to graduates: The light of Christ shines through you
This year, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was able to be with the graduating classes of two Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Trenton, celebrating Masses and offering spiritual guidance in his homilies that apply to every member of the Class of 2025.
On May 20, the Bishop celebrated the Senior Clap Out Mass in Red Bank Catholic High School. Highlights of his homily follow:
“PeaceI leave with you; my peace I give to you (John 14:27).”
Seniors, you’re standing at a major crossroads – the end of high school and the beginning of something entirely new. Whether you’re excited, anxious, or somewhere in between, Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel speak directly to you: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by decisions about college, jobs, relationships and the future. The world tells you success is about titles, money, or prestige. But Christ reminds us that true success is rooted in faith and trust in him.
In the first reading, St. Paul faces persecution – he is stoned and left for dead, yet he rises and continues his mission. If Paul could overcome obstacles that seemed impossible, so can you! Every challenge you face – whether academic pressure, self-doubt, or uncertainty – can be an opportunity to rise with faith and follow God’s plan.
The Lord Jesus offers something far greater than worldly success – He offers lasting peace. Not a peace based on temporary happiness, but a peace that stays even in difficulty. As you prepare to leave high school, hold on to this truth: God walks with you, no matter what comes next.
As your Bishop, let me share some words of encouragement: Seek God’s plan: Success isn’t just about money or status; it’s about being who God created you to be.
Stay rooted in faith: College and adult life will challenge your beliefs. Keep prayer and the Sacraments close. Don’t give up on Mass.
Lift each other up: Your classmates aren’t just classmates; they’re brothers and sisters in Christ. Be a source of encouragement and love.
You’re stepping into a world that needs young people of faith, young people who will carry and spread Christ’s peace wherever they go. Be courageous. Be faithful. Be who God made you to be.
After celebrating the Senior Sendoff Mass for the 2025 Red Bank High School graduating class, Bishop O’Connell enjoyed mingling with the students and having lots of photos taken. John Batkowski photo.
St. John Vianney High graduates present the gifts of bread and wine to Bishop O’Connell during the Baccalaureate Mass he celebrated May 29 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Ryan Larason photo
These Christian Brothers Academy graduates look pretty pleased with
new
Smiles all around for Notre Dame High School graduates Giovani Wilkie-Guiot, Frankrica Taylor and Jordan Dillard. Commencement was held June 1 in the CURE Arena. Courtesy of Notre Dame High School
their
diplomas. From left are Logan Clifford Javier, Ricardo Joseph Iglesias, Gabriel Joseph Iglesias and Emile Etienne Grignard IV. Photo courtesy of Christian Brothers Academy
Honors, service, faith: Class of 2025 skills extend beyond classroom
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
Members of the Class of 2025 and their families said they leave the Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic high schools equipped with knowledge and skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Baccalaureate Masses and Commencement exercises across the Diocese recognized the graduates’ myriad accomplishments and encouraged them in their future pursuits, whether it be higher education, the workforce, the military or service.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., addressed the graduates of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, and by extension all graduates in the Diocese, at the SJVHS Baccalaureate Mass.
In his homily, he asked graduates to remember three things.
“Stay rooted in Christ. The world will offer many paths, but only one leads to true peace,” he said. “Be courageous … stand firm in your values … [And] serve with joy … let your work reflect God’s goodness.”
MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
More than $188 million in college scholarships were awarded to the Catholic school seniors in the Diocese. And the 1,038 graduates of the nine parish, diocesan and independent Catholic high schools in the Diocese’s four counties spent thousands of hours in community service: drives for clothing, food, Christmas toys and
baby supplies; teaching younger students and tutoring peers; assisting in soup kitchens, spending quality time with the elderly and much more.
The Class of 2025 students graduated from Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank; St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; St. Rose High School, Belmar; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran; Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton; and Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing.
“There will always be room to grow, no matter how far we’ve come.”
Schools partnering with community colleges allowed graduates to earn college credits while still in high school. In SJVHS, for example, 11 Early College Academy students graduated from Brookdale Community College with an associate’s degree in computer science or social science.
Within legacy families – those with a graduate and a parent who attended the same high school – parents presented their graduating children with their diplomas. Members of the Class of 1975 returned to several schools to welcome the Class of 2025 to alumni status and to celebrate their
50th anniversary.
Valedictorian Christian Sherman of Red Bank Catholic High School encouraged his classmates not to underestimate the power of a conversation.
“There’s something very profound about leading a life that reflects the wisdom and experiences of others,” he said in his commencement address. “At the end of the day, we can only see the world.”
“There’s always room for improvement,” said NDHS valedictorian Michael Anthony Busa. “I challenge you to look within yourselves to find areas of your character that could use some work … the truth is, there will always be room to grow, no matter how far we’ve come.”
AN EDUCATION SET APART
Attesting to the Catholic educational model as a feature of why they chose their schools, parents and students reflected on the unique experience provided to both their intellectual and spiritual enrichment.
“With religion instilled in the kids, I feel like this will guide them through life and tough decisions,” said Stefanie Garmany, member of St. Catharine Parish, Homdel. Her daughter, Ariana, graduated May 31 from Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank. “Through ups and downs we all need prayer and someone to turn to. With our religious beliefs, it will help us to make the right decisions in life.”
Colleen Prior is an RBC alumna
Continued on 22
Faith foundation
Continued from 21
and member of St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt. Her daughter Casey graduated in 2023, and her son Ryan was in the Class of 2025.
“We valued the faith-based education and its emphasis on service to others,” she said. “RBC has provided Ryan with a strong foundation for college, shaping him into a well-rounded individual.” She said experiences like serving at school Masses and membership in Catholic Athletes for Christ “enriched his journey, reinforcing the values of service, leadership and personal growth.”
Ryan said attending RBC “has deepened my faith, providing a meaningful foundation that continues to shape my life.”
“One of the most meaningful aspects … has been the tradition of pregame prayer before our baseball games; it provides a moment of focus and clarity. … When we play another Catholic school in basketball, Msgr. [Joe] Rosie
Nick D’Auria and Isabelle Melilli, cousins and fellow Red Bank Catholic seniors, present the gifts during the May 29 Baccalaureate Mass in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown. John Batkowski photo
Noah Minarcik carries the Class of 2025 flag following the May 30 Baccalaureate Mass in Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran. Jan Griswold photo
leads both teams in prayer at center court – a powerful reminder of the deeper connection.”
“I believe Catholic schools have it all,” said Janice Hutchinson, a 1998 NDHS alumna whose son, Carter Hillsdon, is a 2025 NDHS graduate. “I always say when [our kids] walk into those doors, there is always someone there who has their back. They are loved and respected inside those walls – and isn’t that really what we all want for our kids?”
“They are loved and respected inside those walls ...”
Carter enjoyed the “sense of community” he experienced in Catholic high school, and “seeing different parts of people you don’t get to really see elsewhere.” He and a fellow graduate will both be at colleges in Washington, D.C., in the fall, and have already made plans to go to Mass together on Sundays. “I feel like I’m so much more
Continued on 25
Balloons, flowers and lots of love surround St. John Vianney High School graduate Brianna Amoah-Nyarko following the May 31 commencement in Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
Mary Stadnyk photo
Robert Dougherty, principal of St. Rose High School, Belmar, presents the Robert Lame Scholarship to graduate Sarah Hull following the May 22 Baccalaureate Mass in St. Rose Church. John Batkowski photo
Graduation 2025
Filippini Sister Lillian Harrington, president of Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, presents a diploma to Ti’Anna Rochester during the June 1 graduation. At left is Filippini Sister Lesley Draper, school principal. Elizabeth Zimak photo
Seated on the stage, the 30 graduates of Stuart Country Day School, Princeton, listen to remarks made by keynote speaker Catherine McKee van Kampen during the June 8 graduation ceremony. Photo courtesy of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred heart
A kind, accepting environment
Continued from 23
comfortable around people at my school with our common thread of religion … it makes for a kind and accepting environment.”
Catholic education has prepared their children for life academically and beyond, says Notre Dame parent Ana Samuel.
“ND’s diverse student body has helped our children develop the social and emotional intelligence needed to navigate differences – cultural, ideological, and economic,” she said. “Learning to get along with people from all walks of life is a crucial life skill they carry with them.”
In a teen culture often obsessed with achievement, Samuel continued, a Catholic school “teaches them that every person has inherent dignity and worth, regardless of their grades, appearance, social status or family income. As the liturgies and lessons often remind them, they are beloved children of God … This messaging helps the students remember their true worth, and (hopefully!) grow in resilience when things don’t exactly go as they hoped, because their value does not depend upon those externalities.”
Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, diocesan superintentent, spoke at many of the high school Commencements. He advised the graduates to “be countercultural” in their treatment of others by doing things differently than the majority.
“Make a difference, not by calling attention to yourself,” he said, “but rather by the positive impact your words and actions have on others ... To be countercultural says, I’m gonna try to change [the society] for my small portion.”
Congratulations
With diploma in hand, Donovan Catholic’s Kathryn Gabriel is now among the many alumni of the Toms River school. Mary Stadnyk photo
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart's gentlemen scholars earned admission to the following secondary schools:
Canterbury School
Choate Rosemary Hall
The Delbarton School
George School
The Hotchkiss School
The Hun School of Princeton
The Lawrenceville School
Loomis Chaffee
Mercersburg Academy
Notre Dame High School
The Peddie School
The Pennington School
Phillips Exeter Academy
Princeton Day School
Rutgers Preparatory School
Wardlaw-Hartridge School
Donovan Catholic
HIGH SCHOOL
TOMS RIVER
Graduates: 128
Baccalaureate Mass: June 1, 2025
St. Joseph Church, Toms River
Commencement: June 2, 2025
St. Joseph Church, Toms River
Scholarships Received: $24,031,090
Valedictorian: Meredith Westfall
Salutatorian: Matthew Doller
Bishop Ahr Award: Derek Espineli
Donovan Catholic grads urged to keep the rhythm in their future endeavors
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
Weaving her passion for music into her valedictory address, Donovan Catholic’s Meredith Westfall asked all who gathered for the June 2 graduation ceremony in St. Joseph Church, Toms River, to think first about a song they find meaningful.
She then asked her 127 fellow graduates to reflect on “the songs that aren’t written yet; those we don’t know, the songs that will define us.”
Even though in the future, wrong notes will be played, lyrics will have to be rewritten and
there will be changes in the key and time structure, Westfall urged the class to “never forget that your song is a blessing to every person you encounter.
“May God continue to conduct each measure of your journey. ”
At the June 1 Baccalaureate Mass, Father Scott Shaffer, pastor, said “the same message that Jesus gave his apostles at the Ascension, I’m hoping to give to you.”
“By the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles could go out into the world and tell the Good News without fear and with confidence in what God has given them,” he said. Like the apostles, he urged the graduates to “Keep your hearts and minds focused on the one who should be the center of our lives, the Lord Jesus.”
Notable class highlights included the more than 4,000 hours of service given to the local community – weekly trips to Seeds of Service and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and serving at sites like Headstart and Habitat for Humanity. Having four graduates enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces is a source of pride.
Kevin Kelly, father of graduate, Hannah Kelly, reflected on providing three daughters with both a Catholic grammar school and high school education. “When considering costs and value of a Catholic education … the costs quickly became miniscule compared to the life changing values it has added to my family’s bottom line,” he said. “A Catholic education set the foundation for my children to achieve and succeed in life.”
Donovan Catholic graduates, from left, Sofia Gaspari, Jayden Gialanella and James Gibbons proudly show their diplomas following the commencement exercises June 2 in St. Joseph Church, Toms River. Mary Stadnyk photo
An overview photo taken during the June 1 Baccalaureate Mass shows Father Scott Shaffer addressing Donovan Catholic’s Class of 2025 in his homily. Matt Marzorati photo
ST. JOSEPH GRADE SCHOOL
DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
TOMS RIVER
Congratulations Congratulations
Class of 2025
Elizabeth Achtau
Erin Ahearn
Bennett Albers
Gabrielle Almanzor
Cameron Bailey
Ameir Barlow
Ava Barone
Luigi Barricelli
Brianna Bauer
Samantha Bello
Marissa Bercy
Nicholas Berde
Grace Bogacz
Brandon Bopp
Olivia Borrero
Gavin Bossio
Tristen Bruce
Savannah Bryant
Grace Buffa
Michael Busa
Isaac Bustamante
Sarah Cain
Adrianna Caliendo
Sofia Canal
Adam Canale
Emily Carpenter
Maggie-Frances Carr
Riley Carr
Eliana Carrero
Faith Cascella
Gianna Casterline
Ilan Cekic
Dillon Chase
Rocco Ciaccia
Maia Cinca
Kayla Cizmar
Mya Clarke
Winifred Coen
Kylie Cole
Gavin Coleman
Sarah Colon
Meghan Connolly
Marie Conway
Kaylee Cordwell
Sophia Cramer
Madalena Creo
Michael Cummings
Riley Cunningham
Daniel Cutrupi
Michael Delate
Kayla Delehanty
Keren Del Rosario
Kelly Demsko
Anna Dever
Isabella Diaz
Gianna DiBari
Jordan Dillard
Kiera Donegan
Liam Donovan
Joshua Dore
Eva Drennan
Michaela Driscoll
James Duffy III
Laura Dunn
Connor Dunn
Torrian Ellis
Eduardo Encarnacion
Amanda Fabian
Sara Farnan
Faith Figueroa
Alyssa Fleurant
Lara Flores
Mitshelah Florestal
Bridget Foti
Gavin Frith
Elizabeth Gaffney
Andrew Gasiewski
Joshua Gatete
Alexa George
Quincy Gibbs
Noelle Angelique Go
Owen Gojaniuk
Catherine Goodwin
Nicholas Griffin
Rebecca Guglielmo
Olivia Haddad
Margaret Harding
Madeline Hering
Gannon Hermann
Jasmine Herrera
Carter Hillsdon
Caden Hines
Kenneth Honnig
Jayden Hunt
Gianna Iannaccone
AnnaSimone Ibrahim
Shana Erika Ignacio
Karleigh Iraca
Rose Jackson
Sonia Jaime-Cavanagh
Sebastian Jastrzebski
Jailynn Jenkins
Julia Jenkins
Bene Kanis
Katelynn Kelley
Anthony Kelly
Ava Kenyon
Sean Kirby
Tarun Kovoor
Grace Koziol
Sean Kramer
Liam Krimmel
Jack Kydonieus
Angela Lansang
Abigail Larkin
Jesse Lemaire
Jean-Robert Lotin
Mia Ludwig
Isabella Lynch
William Lynch
Antonio Mandreucci
John Maria
Ellie Marrone
Julian Matera
Daniela Mauro
Erin McCabe
Hannah McGowan
Joseph McLeod
Jeffrey Merendino
Nicholas Merlino
James Merrill
Lauren Mersel
Rebecca Method
John Micharski
Sebastian Molina
MacKenzie Monzo
Jake Moog
Wyatt Moore
Lucia Moreno
Margot Moskovitz
Maxwell Mottershead
Thomas Muller
Michael Mulray
William Napier
Emma Neville
Madeline Newkirk
Douglas Nice
Cynthia Nice
Diego Nunez-Castaneda
Reagan O’Mara
Kaley O'Neil
Isabella Odina
Caitlyn Olenchalk
Andrew Onzik
Summer Osborne
Ryan Palmieri
Mia Palumbo
Cassandra Panarello
Alexander Papp
Clea Payer
Madison Payne
Tommaso Peluso
Raya Perate
Juliana Peregrin
Bianca Pesce
Ryan Pestano
Ryan Peterson
Michael Pinto
Olivia Pomin
Jonathan Pribila
Melissa Quevedo
Kai Ra
Jennifer Rakowski
Alayna Ramirez
Miles Rancan
Ryan Rego
Elizabeth Reid
Jake Reinstein
William Renda
Ella Richardson
Natalia Rodriguez
Andrew Rogers
Mia Rosati
Elana Ruppersberger
Isabelle Saint-Laurent
Georgio Saliba
Berjis Saliba
Mariana Samuel
Alessandra Santoro
Griffin Schaefer
Nolan Schmitz
Charles Schurr
Jake Scott
Thomas Sharlach
Caitlin Sheedy
Parker Sheridan
Michael Shipula
Cassady Smith
Amelia Smith
Molly Snee
Ashlyn Soltysiak
Andrew Spence
Kyla Spruill
Tatiana Staci
Matthew Stackhouse
Nathan Stankus
Ava Stazzone
Tyler Stefanisko
Graiden Stoy
Jacob Sudol
Jonathan Tahan
Adriana Tattoli
Frankrica Taylor
Isabelle Tiña
Keira Tinney
Joscelyn Tipton
Nicholas Torres
Darin Urstadt
Andrew Usmiani
Christopher Valentino
Alani Vega
Liam Wheeler
Jamieson White
Payton White
Max Whittle
Giovani Wilkie-Guiot
Sydney Wiltshire
Kyle Wood
Christopher Young
Molly Zeek
Erika Zimnis
Amanda Zsenak
Notre Dame
HIGH SCHOOL
LAWRENCEVILLE
Graduates: 232
Baccalaureate Mass: May 31, 2025
Notre Dame High S chool Auditorium
Commencement:
June 1, 2025
CURE Arena, Trenton
Scholarships
Received: $38 million
Valedictorian: Michael Anthony Busa
Salutatorian:
Meghan Anne Connolly
Bishop Ahr Award: Ellie Mary Marone
Notre Dame High graduates
Jeffrey Robert Merendino and Sarah J. Cain display a board with the various community service outreach efforts the Class of 2025 participated in throughout the year.
Notre Dame grads encouraged to continue learning, spread Gospel
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
The 65th graduating class of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, took insight from many voices at their June 1 Commencement – including the example set by the 50th anniversary alumni present.
“Embrace a learning heart, as they have done,” said NDHS president Ken Jennings. “You will accumulate a lot of knowledge, but wisdom is knowing how much more you still need to learn.”
Garnering more than $38 million in scholarships, many were accepted to highly selective institutions, including Princeton University and Columbia University, internationally recognized universities in Rome, and even the United States Air Force. Furthermore, 31 student-athlete grads
will continue to play at the collegiate level.
Over four years the class accumulated 26,289 hours of community service. In addition to food, clothing and toy drives, tutoring and more, a unique service experience included students and faculty traveling to Glenmary Farm in Rutledge, Tenn., for a weeklong immersion mission trip to assist the needy.
As a thank you to Notre Dame High School, the Class of 2025 donated $11,223 to create a Legacy Garden as a gift for future students, teachers, and the school community to enjoy. Located by Perone Field, the garden will be filled with plants, flowers, and picnic tables as a peaceful place to relax, reflect, study and enjoy nature.
At the Baccalaureate Mass May 31, Father Christopher Colavito, NDHS chaplain, encouraged the students to “fulfill what I hope this school has prepared you to be: disciples of Christ – to bring out that message in your words and actions, to bring the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to everyone you meet.”
Valedictorian Michael Anthony Busa reminded his classmates that “sacrifice, though difficult, is what shapes character … We’ve learned to live with intention and generosity.”
“What we were looking for and found at ND was a place that would guide our son to be a good person,” said Janice Hutchinson, mother of 2025 graduate Carter Hillsdon and a 1998 NDHS alumna.
“People are so kind and willing to listen to others’ perspectives,” Carter said. “I’d advise people to take advantage of the opportunities at Catholic high school… You build deeper connection through religion – it’s definitely a character-builder.”
Courtesy photo
Jayden Hunt receives Holy Communion from Deacon Rich Hobson during the May 31 Baccalaureate Mass in Notre Dame High School. Matt Marzorati photo
Red Bank Catholic
HIGH SCHOOL RED BANK
Graduates: 174
Baccalaureate Mass: May 30, 2025
St. Mary Church, Middletown
Commencement: May 31, 2025
Ocean First Bank Center, West Long Branch
Scholarships Received: $38,406,535
Valedictorian: Christian Dominick Sherman
Salutatorian: Emily Elizabeth Fisher
Bishop Ahr Award for Excellence in Religion: Kylee Noriega
Red Bank Catholic graduates process into the Ocean First Bank Center, West Long Branch, for their May 31 Commencement.
Red Bank Catholic grads one step further on the journey
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
Emily Fischer, Red Bank Catholic High School salutatorian, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson in her Commencement address to classmates: “Our journey is as important as the destination.”
“This includes the people we have met, the places we have gone, and the experiences we have endured,” she said. “All of the stops on our journey, all of the conversations, events, turns, detours and celebrations have shaped who we are today.”
Beginning with a Baccalaureate Mass May 30 in St. Mary Church, Middletown, celebrated by Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, RBC director and pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank, 174 graduates revisited heavenly inspiration for learning and heard encouragement from St. James’ Deacon Thomas Wieczerzak.
“Challenges in life will always be there, but
Graduates of RBC sing the entrance hymn as their May 30 Baccalaureate Mass begins in St. Mary Church, Middletown. John Batkowski photo
there is always hope … with Jesus,” he said. “We can’t wait to see faith in action as your lives shine forth the Light of Christ.”
Commencement on May 31 in Ocean First Bank Center, West Long Branch, was a time to acknowledge the stellar achievements of the Class of 2025. The value of college scholarships awarded to the seniors was more than $38 million – $7 million more in scholarships than last year’s class with the same number of students. The class also has female students entering the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Attending a Catholic high school helped graduate Ariana Garmany to connect more with her faith, she noted. Her favorite experiences included the clap-out Mass for seniors and the school’s many food and clothing drives to help those in need in the community.
“RBC has taught me things about my religion and has brought me closer to God,” said Garmany, who belongs to St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, with her family. “I would advise people to be open minded and get to learn more things about the Catholic faith.”
Her mother, Stefanie, said she chose a Catholic high school for Ariana because “the high school years are so important with forming and influencing their future, and making sure they’re on the right track.”
Fischer reminded her fellow graduates of Pope Leo XIV’s encouragement that “We are all in God’s hands,” and to move forward without fear.
“Expect the forks in the road, choose a path, circle back if you have to,” Fisher said, “but as Pope Leo said, ‘move forward’ and continue on that journey to find your purpose and make the change you want to see in the world.”
Courtesy photo
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on your graduation.
All of your hard work and perseverance have led you to this proud moment in your lives. Best wishes on your next adventure!
Saint James School RED BANK
Graduates: 188
Baccalaureate Mass: May 29, 2025
St. Robert Bellarmine CoCathedral, Freehold Commencement: May 31, 2025
Brookdale Community College
Scholarships Received: $35,785,072
Valedictorian: Jack Robertson
Salutatorian: Gavin Chon
SJV experience gave graduates deep roots in mercy, justice, love
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
Acollective laugh was heard when Jack Robertson began his valedictory speech by saying that he didn’t rely on ChatGPT to help him write it.
Then, poised and confident, the graduating senior from St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, stood before his 208 fellow classmates, faculty, family members and friends, and presented a heartfelt message filled with words of gratitude for memories made and encouragement and excitement for what the future holds.
“What really stands out is not the grades or the GPAs, it is how much we have grown as people,” Robertson said. “We have learned more than just how to solve for x or how to craft a strong thesis statement. We have learned how to show up for each other, how to pick ourselves up when we fall and how to keep moving forward even when things do not go our way. St. John Vianney
High School helped shape who we are.”
Graduation began with a May 29 Baccalaureate Mass celebrated in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
“You, the Class of 2025, have walked the halls of St. John Vianney High School not just as students, but as disciples – learning not only math and literature, but also mercy, justice, and love rooted in your Catholic faith, rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Bishop O’Connell said in his Baccalaureate homily.
Graduation was May 31 in Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, where Dr. Vince Schmidt, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, was the speaker, and a number of alumni parents presented diplomas to their children. The graduates were lauded for three achievements – their more than 9, 000 hours of service; that the total value of college scholarships awarded to the Class of 2025 amounted to $35,785,072, and that 11 graduates earned associate’s degrees in computer science or social science from Brookdale.
Being a 1993 SJV graduate, Dr. Spozhmy Panezai, was excited to present a diploma to her child, Solomon Sukkarieh.
“He’s following in my footsteps,” Panezai proudly said, then noted that along with graduating from the same high school, Solomon, like his mother, will attend Rutgers University where he will study medicine.
“This is an amazing day,” she said. “I am so proud of his achievements.”
Graduate Aleena Dinker receives the Eucharist from Staci Shalkowski, a school guidance counselor during the Baccalaureate Mass. Ryan Larason photo
Graduate Victoria Kowalewski and her father, Tomasz, who is an alum of St. John Vianney, wait in line for the awarding of diplomas. Mary Stadnyk photo
St. Rose
HIGH SCHOOL
BELMAR
Baccalaureate Mass: May 22, 2025
St. Rose Church, Belmar Commencement: May 29, 2025
Monmouth University, West Long Branch
Scholarships Received: $23.9 Million
St. Rose community celebrates faith and legacy of new graduates
BY ROSE O’CONNOR Digital and Social Media Manager
Usually, photos are taken of the guest speaker at Commencement ceremonies. But Michael Scotto –senior partner of the Fourth Avenue Group who has served for many years as the photographer for St. Rose High School, Belmar –turned the tables on the graduates, snapping one final class photo May 29, their graduation night in Monmouth University, West Long Branch.
“Thank you for letting me take your photos the last four years. If I missed any of you, I want to fix that right now. Can we pose for one more picture?” Scotto, whose wife and three children graduated from SRHS, shared his deep affection for the school community in his address.
“What I see through my lens is joy, happiness, friendship and an amazing school spirit.”
That joy and happiness were once again evi-
dent as members of the Class of 2025 crossed the stage to receive their awards and diplomas.
The school community gathered with their families and St. Rose pastor Msgr. Edward Arnister May 22 in St. Rose Church for the Baccalaureate Mass.
Father John Paul Del Rosario, St. Rose parochial vicar and school chaplain, was the homilist. “As you prepare to leave St. Rose High School, put into practice the lessons your teachers and your mentors have so patiently imparted upon you,” he said.
While at St. Rose the Class of 2025 earned nearly $24 million in scholarships, 17 student-athletes from the class committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Another notable statistic is the number of legacy students – graduates whose family members also attended St. Rose.
“Over 50% of our graduates are part of a proud legacy family, continuing the rich tradition of St. Rose through generations of faith, excellence, and community,” said Michelle Dries, a member of the school’s marketing team.
That family connection was meaningful to parents, both those from legacy families and those who chose St. Rose for the first time.
“It’s a nurturing, tight-knit community,” said Kristen Thompson, whose daughter Emilia graduated this year. “It was a wonderful experience for her.”
Sarah Wilton, herself an alumna, chose St. Rose for her daughter Hope because of the school’s family atmosphere and strong Catholic values.
“Catholic education is important, and that’s why we chose St. Rose. It’s more than a high school – it’s a community of faith.”
Michael Scotto, St. Rose High School photographer and guest speaker at this year’s Commencement ceremony, snapped one last photo of the class together from his place at the podium May 29.
Milan Hawkins and Owen Mehring present
Msgr. Edward Arnister with the offertory gifts during their Baccalaureate Mass in St. Rose Church, Belmar. John Batkowski photo
Valedictorian: Joseph Seib
Salutatorian: Caroline Conforti
www.SRHSNJ.com
Emma-Leigh Almiron
Megan Antonelli
Alexander Baltazar
Jacob Bruno
Isabella Camarda
Sophia Cangiarella
Joseph Caprio
Nicholas Caruso
JoanMarie Casey
Courtney Condron
Cole Crowther
David Cullinane
Max Davidow
John Robert Davidson
Vince DelGiudice
Molly Denver
Madison Deseno
Madeline Dougherty
Luke Ellis
Nicholas Farro
Vincent Farrugia
Catherine Ferrotta
Cecilia Galinski
Liliana Galvano
Katelyn Gleason
Taylor Grisé
Emma Hagan
Logan Hoelzler
Luke Hurley
Adriana Johnson
Christopher Kett
Alessandro Lardieri
Isabella Lucas
Mackenzie Miller
Jessica Muellers
Anna Noble
Alivya Pannone
Annabella Pasqua
Avalina Paul
Andrew Pellicone
Kevin Pierce
Andrew Pohl
Ryland Portadin
Ryan Rabaglia
Daniel Raineri
Isabella Raviele
Domenico Renna
Connor Roseland
Brendan Shibles
Olivia Sidoti Alyson Smith
Joseph Terranova
Samuel Thomas
Francesca Venditti
Christian Brothers
ACADEMY LINCROFT
Graduates: 207
Baccalaureate Mass: May 20, 2025
St. Mary, Mother of God C hurch, Middletown
Commencement: May 22, 2025
Brookdale Community College, Middletown
Scholarships Received: $31,107,000
Valedictorian Eric Fradkin
Salutatorian: Justin Fuerbacher
Christian Brothers Award for Religious Service: Steven Yurcisin
John Havens and Abraham Hernandez smile and wave at family and friends May 22 during their Commencement exercises at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. Larry Levanti/CBA courtesy photo
CBA sends off graduates prepared for life of purpose and service
BY ROSE O’CONNOR Digital and Social Media Manager
“Tonight marks a profound milestone in the lives of these young men, a moment of achievement, reflection and promise,” Christian Brothers Academy principal Neil Begley said, as he welcomed graduates, their family and friends to the 63rd Commencement exercises May 22 in Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
“You have been shaped by a tradition that believes that education is not just the transmission of knowledge, but the formation of the whole person. You now stand ready to fulfill the second half of our Lasallian call: to leave to serve,” Begley, a member of the Class of 1996, added.
The graduates took that call to service learning seriously during their senior year, earning more than $31.1 million in college scholarships and completing 21,527 hours of community service – an average of 103 hours per student.
Prior to their graduation, members of the Class of 2025 gathered May 20 in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, for their
Baccalaureate Mass, where graduates presented a rose to their families, symbolizing the gratitude that each young man has for his family’s encouragement, sacrifice, and love during their CBA career. Father Jeff Kegley, pastor, celebrated the Mass for the 207 members of the graduating class and their families.
“The Church and the world need young men like you – formed in faith, anchored in truth, disciplined in mind and body – to become saints, scholars, and servants ... you are called to make a difference that is eternal,” Father Kegley said in his homily.
The graduating seniors have been accepted to 224 colleges with students attending 95 different schools both nationally and internationally.
Academy President Ross Fales congratulated the graduating class on their achievements.
“We know that CBA is not an easy road, but very little that is worthwhile is ever easy,” Fales said. “CBA has educated and developed over 12,000 well-rounded men of character. You men are now amongst those graduates, and you will remain a part of that brotherhood.”
Cormac Whalen, who will be attending Villanova University, presents his mother with a rose during their Baccalaureate Mass May 20. Matt Marzorati photo
Holy Cross
PREPARATORY ACADEMY DELRAN
Graduates: 66
Baccalaureate Mass:
May 30, 2025
Holy Cross
Preparatory Academy, Delran Commencement: May 31, 2025
Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran
Scholarships Received: $16,326,951
Valedictorian: Molly Frith
Salutatorian: Jamie Dunn
‘Keep God close’ Holy Cross grads urged
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
Just before the May 30 Baccalaureate Mass began, Marie Tamasso shared how pleased she was to see her granddaughter, Ava Mosteller, graduate from Holy Cross Preparatory Academy.
“I’m really glad she came to this school,” Tamasso, a member of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, said. “Ava has learned so much, especially about her faith. I hope what she’s learned here at Holy Cross she carries with her throughout her life.”
Along with awarding diplomas during Commencement exercises May 31, the Delran school honored the 66 students for distinguished achievements including their garnering more than $16.3 million in college scholarships. Principal David Moffa also noted that the Class of 2025 excelled in leadership.
“The underclassmen looked up to them …
they were role models,” he said. “And by the seniors’ example, sets the rest of the school up for success.”
Father Jim Grogan, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, and Mass celebrant, reflected on the day’s Gospel, John 16:20-23, during which he asked the question, “Has anyone ever prayed and been disappointed with the answer?”
“The key to this Gospel is not to pray for what you want but to pray for what Jesus wants,” Father Grogan said, urging the graduates to keep that in mind as they pursue their future endeavors.
“Keep God close at all times. My prayer for you is that you always keep God close.”
When preparing her speech, valedictorian Molly Frith said she gleaned insight from TV characters from her childhood, one of whom was The Muppet Show’s Kermit the Frog. Quoting a few of Kermit’s notable statements, “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice” and “Every journey begins with a single hop,” Frith said, “Take that hop even when it’s scary. Take that hop to be different. Take that hop to be kind and to stand up against hate. One little hop can lead to endless possibilities.”
Graduate Victoria Cellucci listed things for which she will always be grateful for during her HCPA tenure – the tight-knit community, creating strong relationships with teachers and administrators and time management, which “is one of the most valuable skills” she’s learned.
“Holy Cross has shaped me into the person I am today and has set me up for success in my future.”
Graduates serve as flag bearers at the start of the May 31 commencement ceremony.
Courtesy photo
At the Sign of Peace, two Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, graduates exchange a hug during the May 30 Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Father James Grogan, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown. Jan Griswold photo
CONGRATULATIONS TO
TRINITY HALL’S CLASS OF 2025
OPEN HOUSES: OCTOBER 4, 2025 & NOVEMBER 5, 2025
Congratulations
THE STUART CLASS OF 2025 WILL BE ATTENDING
BARNARD COLLEGE
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
BROWN UNIVERSITY
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
DUKE UNIVERSITY
ECKERD COLLEGE
EMERSON COLLEGE
EMORY UNIVERSITY
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
RIDER UNIVERSITY
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
SMITH COLLEGE (2)
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY (3)
TUFTS UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY (3)
WELLESLEY COLLEGE
WILLIAMS COLLEGE
Stuart Country Day School
of the SACRED HEART, princeton
Graduates: 30
Baccalaureate
Vesper Service:
June 5, 2025
Stuart Country
D ay School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton Commencement:
June 7, 2025
Stuart Country
D ay School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton
Goal 1 Award: Alexandra Durish
G oal 2 Award: Lola Lopez-Spencer
G oal 3 Award: Amanda Guadalupe
G oal 4 Award: Dana Thompson
G oal 5 Award: Hawa Baka
Sacred Heart values, determination define Stuart Country Day grad class
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
As the 30 graduates of Stuart Country Day of the Sacred Heart, Princeton, gathered for the last time at their Baccalaureate Vesper Service June 5 and Commencement exercises June 7, they took encouragement from their senior class president Annarose Bourgoin St.-Maurice.
“The group of students before you [is] bold and courageous, yet inquisitive, thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of others,” she said, addressing her classmates, Stuart faculty, parents and friends in the Cor Unum theater. “We are a grade filled with immense talent, and more importantly, with grit and determination – determination to show up for one another, to uplift others within our communities, and to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones to grow as people, leaders, and changemakers.”
Stuart’s Class of 2025 will attend 25 different colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. They pursued and found admission to selective music and creative writing programs, campus communities that reflect Sacred Heart values, the desire to be part of an all-women’s educational environment, and the opportunity to play collegiate field hockey and lacrosse. One student was also selected as one of approximately 2,500 QuestBridge Scholars. In terms of popular fields of study, 40% of Stuart seniors intend to major in STEM fields; one-third plan to study the social sciences, and 15% plan to major in business.
Sophia Yinglan Feng poses for a photo with her father at the Baccalaureate Vesper Service June 5 in the Cor Unum theater of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton. John Blaine photo
Highlights of the year, St.-Maurice said, included participating in the school’s production of “Cinderella,” athletic programs, celebrating 100 days with younger Stuart students and a senior trip to Disney World.
“And now we stand before you today, marking a milestone moment … a time to celebrate who we’ve become, the memories we’ve created and the challenges we’ve overcome,” St. Maurice continued. Their high school years closing a chapter rooted in purpose, service and leadership, as well as the Sacred Heart Goals and Values, “will continue to permeate throughout the many phases of our lives, both professionally and personally, serving as an invisible yet unbreakable bond between us.”
Graduates wave their mortarboards in the air letting everyone know they are now among the Stuart alumni. Photo courtesy of Stuart Country Day School
GRADUA ION
Congratulations and God Bless You All! in recognition of successfully completing EIGHTH GRADE this certificate is
June 4, 2025
Rev. Garry Koch, Pastor
Bethany Road, Holmdel, New Jersey
Celebrating our Class of 2025 for all of their accomplishments, consistently setting the bar high, serving as exemplary role models, and always exceeding our expectations. 165
“Moments fade—but the growth we’ve experienced at St. Augustine Prep will remain with us forever. This community has formed us not only as scholars and athletes, but as men of faith—ready to lead, to serve, and to live out God’s purpose with conviction and heart.
OLUMIDE OKEBIORUN ’25
FAREWELL ADDRESS SPEAKER
Graduates: 13
Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement: June 1, 2025
Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing
Scholarships Received: $4 million
Valedictorian: Juliana DeFrancesco
Salutatorian: Amelia Schaller
Villa Victoria graduates exhorted to follow in apostles’ footsteps
BY ELIZABETH ZIMAK Correspondent
Just as Jesus instructed his apostles to carry on his mission to everyone they encountered, the 13 graduates of Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, were challenged to follow in the apostles’ footsteps and “go out and build the kingdom of God.”
“Ready or not, you will be a witness of Christ out in the world,” Deacon Frank Golazeski said in his homily during the June 1 Baccalaureate Mass. “How do we go out and do it? We only have to live it.”
Following the Mass, which was celebrated by Msgr. Casimir Ladzinski, a retired priest of the Diocese, the graduation ceremony was led by Filippini Sister Lillian Harrington, the school’s president, and Filippini Sister Lesley Draper, principal, during which they presented the diplomas to the class that this year touts a total of $4 million in college scholarships.
Salutatorian Amelia Schaller urged her fellow graduates to “let your light shine boldly, create light in someone else’s darkness and never forget where you light was first kindled.”
Schaller also thanked God for his abundant blessings and prayed that he would “continue to shine his light on each of our lives.”
Valedictorian Juliana DeFrancesco, in her speech, reminded her classmates that “God has blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents that allow us to influence the world in a truly Christian manner.
“Many of us are saying goodbye to people and places that we’ve known for our entire lives,” she said. “Our futures are uncertain … However, I can say with full confidence that all of the wonderful young women that are on this stage will go on to have a positive impact on the world.”
School which educated students from preschool through fifth grade.
The academics, the faculty and the camaraderie at Villa Victoria “all created an environment for Juliana to thrive,” Mary Ann DeFrancesco said.
OUR GRADS ARE GOING PLACES
DeFrancesco’s mother, Mary Ann, noted that her daughter is known as a “lifer” in that she not only attended the Villa from grades 6-12, she is also an alumna of the academy’s former Lower
Elizabeth Zimak photo
HEADED to High School
Baccalaureate Masses and graduation ceremonies were celebrated in early June for approximately 800 eighthgrade students from Catholic schools across the Diocese. This photo layout highlights several of the memorable Commencement events this past school year for many of our schools that shared photos with The Monitor. Courtesy photos
Father John Folchetti, pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, and Domenico Renna are all smiles May 31 following the parish school’s Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement exercises.
Our Lady of Sorrows graduate, Olivia Scharibone, gathers for a picture with her family on graduation night. Her grandmother, mother and sister also attended the Hamilton school.
Rocco St. John, Scarlett Fratantoro and Kevin Wojnar carry the gifts in the Offertory procession during their Baccalaureate Mass and graduation in St. Charles Borromeo Church June 4.
The St. Joseph School Class of 2025 gathers in the Toms River church for a Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Father Scott Shaffer June 6.
Graduates from St. Dominic
beam with pride as they line up for their Commencement ceremony June 6.
St. Gregory the Great School eighth grader Amelia Poli, proudly processes into the Hamilton Square church June 8.
St. Catharine School graduates, Spring Lake, proudly don shirts representing the high schools they will attend next year.
School, Brick,
At St. Ann School, Lawrenceville, 100% of the graduating students have been accepted into Catholic and private high schools in the area. These graduates will head to Notre Dame High School in September.
Blake Romanelli is cheered on by the St. Paul School, Princeton, faculty and staff following the June 6 Commencement exercises.
These graduates from St. Mary School, Middletown, smile at family and friends June 5 at the beginning of their graduation ceremony.
Fresh Purpose
Students of the 101st graduating class from St. Peter School, Point Pleasant, are poised to begin their high school careers following their graduation June 10.
Students from St. Rose School, Belmar, gathered one last time as a class for faith and fellowship during their eighth grade breakfast June 5.
graduates from
Two graduates from St. Mary of the Lakes School, Medford, take part in the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement exercises held June 9, marking a meaningful conclusion to their Catholic school journey.
Cecelia Brazill addresses her fellow graduates and guests June 6 in the St. Paul School, Burlington, auditorium, during the school’s Commencement exercises.
St. Raphael School graduates process out of the Hamilton church June 9, marking the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.
These
St. James School, Red Bank, are ready to say farewell to their middle school years. The eighth grade class graduated June 7.
The Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Asbury Park, graduates gather for one last group photo together in the church June 6.
Nicene Creed presents ‘the mystery that unites’ Christians, Pope says
BY CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY • Recognizing the essential tenets of faith that Catholics and Orthodox share should be the lens through which they discuss the issues that continue to separate them, Pope Leo XIV said.
“Through theological dialogue and with the help of God, we will gain a better understanding of the mystery that unites us,” he told Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Catholics scholars and bishops June 7.
The bishops and theologians met June 4-7 in Rome for a conference marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and its implications for future Church unity.
In his remarks, Pope Leo said that marking the anniversary of the council is not simply about recalling the past. Especially because the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed still is the basic
Pope Leo XIV greets participants attending a conference on the ecumenical implications of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea June 7, 2025, in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. CNS photo/Vatican Media
profession of Christian faith, the council “must continue to guide us towards the full visible unity of Christians.”
“By celebrating together this Nicene faith and by proclaiming it together, we will also advance towards the restoration of full communion among us,” Pope Leo said.
The Pope quoted the Catholic International Theological Commission’s document on the Nicaea anniversary, saying the celebrations represent “an invaluable opportunity to emphasize that what we have in common is much stronger, quantitatively and qualitatively, than what divides us. Together, we believe
NJ Christian leaders gather to mark 1,700th anniversary of Council of Nicaea
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
Extending words of welcome to all who gathered for the statewide ecumenical prayer service commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of
the First Council of Nicaea, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., spoke of the joy and privilege it was to have people of varying Christian traditions come together “to commemorate, to reflect upon and to celebrate a key moment, an historic development in the Christian story – the Council of Nicaea and the formulation of the Creed that bears its name.” Bishop O’Connell added that he was also “particularly mindful of those Christians present who express their faith through other denominations in addition to those represented formally in the day’s program.”
“In the words of the Apostle Peter to his master and ours, ‘Lord, how good it is for us to be here,’” he said May 3 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
Bishop O’Connell served at the request of Cardinal Joseph Tobin of
Newark who, as a member of the College of Cardinals, was in Rome for the funeral Mass for Pope Francis and the conclave for the election of the new pope. The theme of the service was “We Believe In One God,” reflecting Christian unity and the beginning of the Nicene Creed, the statement of faith that originated at the Council of Nicaea.
“This milestone invites us not only to look back at history but also to consider its relevance today, as communities continue to seek harmony and understanding in a diverse and interconnected world,” Bishop O’Connell said. “The Council of Nicaea stands as a testament to the pursuit of unity, even in the face of profound differences.”
For photo galleries and extended coverage, visit TrentonMonitor.com and type Nicaea Council in the search bar.
Bishop O’Connell looks on from the cathedra as His Eminence Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA preaches a homily May 3. Marianne Hartman photo
‘Garden Revival’ Pentecost rally urges faithful to receive gifts of Spirit
BY CHRISTINA LESLIE Correspondent
Faithful from around the Garden State gathered in St. Mary Parish, Middletown, June 7 for the Garden Revival, a Pentecost rally of prayer, song, healing and impassioned presentations from those touched by the Holy Spirit.
Hosted by the parish and the Diocese of Trenton Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the day featured Mass for the Vigil of Pentecost celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
In his homily, the Bishop described the event as “not just a remembrance of an event 2,000 years ago, [but] an invitation for us to experience anew the fire of God’s love, the power of His presence, and the transformation He desires for each of us.”
Explaining that, in this Jubilee Year, Pentecost calls upon the faithful to fan the flames of hope, Bishop O’Connell told them, “What is dead in us, what is weary, what is broken – can be revived by the breath of God. This is our promise.”
“The Spirit is not given in small measure – He and his gifts are poured out abundantly! Are you ready and willing
to accept them? To use them? To renew in the Holy Spirit, with the Holy Spirit, the face of the earth?”
BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT
Father Jeff Kegley, parish pastor and diocesan liaison to the Charismatic Renewal, said the revival “is an outreach
PENTECOST SACRAMENTS
For more Garden Revival photos, visit TrentonMonitor.com > More Galleries
to the entire state of New Jersey to come and ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our state.”
He reminded participants that all were called to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit is living inside you, so heaven is inside you,” he said. “Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit made his home in the apostles and us. Baptism by the Holy Spirit is more than a oncein-a-lifetime event.”
Jim Tortorici, director of the diocesan Charismatic Renewal, Matej Živković, Life Teen youth minister at St. Mary Parish, and Father Jeivi Hercules of the Archdiocese of Newark were the keynote speakers for the daylong event.
Tortorici told the congregation, “You have won the father’s heart, and you will receive more than you have ever asked for or imagined.” He said the canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun whose vision of Christ led to the institution of Divine Mercy Sunday, “is linked to Pentecost.”
“There are two rays of red and white streaming from the heart of Jesus. The red represents blood, and the white is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
Continued on 61
Continuing what has become an annual tradition, several candidates from the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday at the 12:30 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. On June 8, 20 adults were confirmed, while four also received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Adding to the celebration were five couples who celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony; three were married during the Mass while two had their marriages convalidated. Receiving four Sacraments in one Mass, three of the brides were baptized and received First Holy Communion and Confirmation. “This is a pastoral way to aid couples in invalid marriages to enjoy the sacramental life of the Church,” said Cathedral rector Msgr. Joseph Roldan. “I jokingly tell them that getting married at this Mass is a sure way to have 1,000 individuals at their wedding.” Courtesy photos
On Pentecost June 7, faithful gather for Mass in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown, as part of a Garden Revival. Mike Ehrmann photo
guarda la fecha
National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
SATURDAY
September 13, 2025
Bishop David M. O’Connell, CM invites you and your families to journey with him to this holy site, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
Más información por venir. información por venir.
More information will follow. CONTACT: Carolyn Norbut, Director of Diocesan Pilgrimages 609-406-7446 Pilgrimages@Dioceseoftrenton.org
sabado 13 de septiembre sabado 13 de septiembre
El Obispo David M. O’Connell, CM El Obispo David M. O’Connell, CM invita a invita a usted y a su familia para viajar con él a este lugar santo, usted y a su familia para viajar con él a este lugar santo, el Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Czestochow el Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Czestochowaa
The Church holds special role in helping
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
There is value in supporting mental illness treatment through ministry, recognizing that those who suffer possess a dignity rooted in their creation in the image and likeness of God.
That was the message shared by Deacon Ed Shoener of the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., founder and president of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. Deacon Shoener was keynote speaker May 7 at a daylong retreat for those who minister to individuals and families in pastoral settings. Hosted by the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, the gathering drew about 100 priests, deacons and laypersons who work or volunteer in Church social ministries.
“Ministering to people with mental illness is an integral part of the Church,” he said.
The retreat included a Mass celebrated by Father William Lago, pastor of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, who encouraged attendees to take their cause to God. He said in his homily, “God gives us
the grace we need as we continue to learn more about those different areas of ministry, particularly in mental health. We pray we become the instruments through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
TREATMENT VS. MINISTRY
Deacon Shoener explained the dif-
HOW PARISHES CAN GET STARTED
Deacon Shoener offers the following tips for parishes who want to start a mental health ministry.
Form a mental health ministry team (of at least three team members)
Prepare a simple mental health ministry plan for approval by the pastor
Introduce the Mental Health Ministry to the parish (through pulpit announcements, bulletin announcements)
Offer Parish Mental Health Education programs
Routinely include references to mental health in liturgies (i.e., Prayers of the Faithful)
Make home and psychiatric hospital visits
More information may be found on the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers’ website at catholicmhm.org
ference between mental health ministry and mental health treatment.
“Treatment takes care of the mind and body by dealing with diagnosis; looks at symptoms, medical and physical conditions; prescribes medications, therapy; and helps people live better lives,” he said.
“Mental health ministry fills in the gap,” he said. “We provide accompaniment, spiritual and social support, and recommend spiritual support groups, where people can talk about their mental health challenges with people who understand what they are going through.”
“It’s faith-based spiritual,” he said. “Doctors try to take symptoms away; this ministry tries to infuse in people with mental health challenges the love of God and the support you can only find from God.”
FIGHTING THE STIGMA
Deacon Shoener’s own daughter, Katie, committed suicide in 2016. Her death was attributed to bipolar disorder and, while talking about Katie’s death is something he never gets used to, Deacon Shoener said he believes that the Holy
Deacon Ed Shoener presents the keynote address during a May 7 retreat in San Alfonso Retreat House. Mary Stadnyk photo
those with mental illness
ena Parish, Farmingdale, said the retreat was a reminder that mental well-being is crucial to holistic health and affects all areas of parish life and ministry.
“Engaging in a gathering like this deepens our awareness, strengthens our compassion and better prepares us to accompany others through mental health difficulties with both spiritual and practical tools,” Jamieson said.
She added that being able to identify signs of emotional and mental strain, respond with compassion and appropriately refer individuals to professional care “strengthens my ability to minister with confidence and sensitivity, especially when someone shares their inner struggle.”
Deacon Joe Sbarra of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, appreciated the affirmation that every human person has dignity and that “a person is NOT their disease.”
“Mental health issues can affect just about anyone ...” Edited Freepic
Spirit has created something good out of a tragic situation. He founded the CMHM in 2019 and has traveled the world sharing messages and information on how faith can lead to healing for those who suffer from mental illness or mental health problems. The association offers parishes training, resources and connections to provide meaningful support to people with mental illness.
His work has included co-authoring two books with Bishop John P. Dolan of Phoenix: “When a Loved One Dies by Suicide” and “Responding to Suicide: A Pastoral Handbook for Catholic Leaders.” Bishop Dolan has lost four family members to suicide.
Deacon Shoener spoke of the need to combat the stigma of mental illness and mentioned prominent Church leaders who openly shared the difficulties they experienced with their own mental health, including anxiety, depression and alcoholism. The late Pope Francis, for example, spoke about dealing with anxiety: “Mental health issues can affect just about anyone. No one is immune.”
PARISH CONNECTIONS
Carol Jamieson of St. Catherine of Si-
“It challenges a common, yet harmful way of labeling individuals by their mental health conditions,” he said. “In society, we often reduce people to their diagnoses, saying things like ‘he’s schizophrenic” or ‘she’s bipolar.’ But we don’t do the same with physical illnesses. We don’t say, ‘she is cancer’ or ‘he is diabetes. The keynote helped me to realize how much we need to shift our language and mindset.”
As a father of six and grandfather of 21, Deacon Robert Pladek of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, has dealt with a range of mental health issues in his family. Those issues, he said, have affected parenting, marriage, relationships, and other social pressures to try drugs or spend countless hours on social media platforms that separate the next generation from traditional social development.
He referred to a Gallup research study released May 8 that reported 75%
Continued on 71
CATHOLIC MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS INTEGRATE FAITH, SPIRITUALITY INTO TREATMENT PLANS
The U.S. is facing a national mental health emergency, according to the CDC, with rates of anxiety, depression, and other conditions soaring across all age groups – worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the isolating effects of social media.
According to Mental Health America –a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health, well-being and prevention – nearly 60 million adults (23.08%) experienced a mental illness in 2024, while almost 13 million adults (5.04%) reported serious thoughts of suicide. In 2022, those who took their own lives numbered the highest ever recorded in the U.S.
Catholics are not immune. With one in five Americans experiencing mental illness – and about 20% identifying as Catholic –the need for faith-based care is growing.
Dr. Shannon D. Mullen, president of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, said Catholic patients often feel more comfortable seeking help when therapists share their values. “When they feel like somebody is going to really understand them from that worldview – appreciate, value and not push back on their spiritual principles,” Mullen explained, “they’re more likely to open up.”
The mental health crisis hasn’t escaped the notice of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which – in 2023 – launched the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, a year-round initiative including a Nationwide Novena for Mental Health, Mental Health Sunday, special roundtable discussions on mental health and more. Plans are also underway for new components.
For more of this story, visit TrentonMonitor.com and click on FAITH & CULTURE>ISSUES & ADVOCACY.
More about the U.S. bishops’ National Catholic Mental Health Campaign can be found at www.usccb.org/mentalhealth. By OSV News
A day of celebrations for Bishop and Lakehurst community
It was a day of celebrations and enjoyment when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., visited the community of St. John Parish, Lakehurst, May 29.
The Bishop administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to the students in the parish religious education program. He then had an opportunity to spend time with Father Jim O’Neill, parish pastor, and Father George Deutsch, a retired priest of the Diocese, who turned 96 on May 31. On May 25, Father Deutsch marked the 68th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Father Deutsch is the second oldest priest in the Diocese.
Father Deutsch was born in 1929 in Philadelphia. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange. He was ordained a priest May 25, 1957 in St. Anthony Church, Hamilton, by Bishop George W. Ahr. His parish assignments have included serving as the founding pastor of St. Justin the Martyr Parish, Toms River, and as pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Forked River.
Father Deutsch retired in 1999, and currently assists Father O’Neill with the celebration of Mass in St. John Parish.
Vocation discerners get first-hand look at seminary life
After fielding numerous questions from a group of men who are discerning a priestly vocation about what life is like in the seminary, Father Chris Colavito thought that instead of just talking about it, a visit to one where they could see it for themselves would be the way to go.
That’s what happened on June 7 when Father Colavito, diocesan director of vocations, accompanied seven discerners, ages 19-27, to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Ambler, Pa., in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Once on campus the men were given a tour by Kyle Holler and Jake Snyder, two current seminarians from the Diocese who are pursuing priestly studies there.
After noting that it’s the first time he’s hosted a seminary visit for discerners since becoming vocations director two years ago, Father Colavito said the men found their visit to be very valuable. They were happy to engage in conversation with Holler and Snyder and have more information at hand as they discern their priestly call.
Seven men from the Diocese who are considering the priesthood pose for a photo during a June 7 visit to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., where they had a chance to take a tour and learn more about the preparation for priesthood. Courtesy photo
Bishop O’Connell, center, poses for a photo with Father George Deutsch, left, a retired priest of the Diocese, and Father Jim O’Neill, pastor of St. John Parish, Lakehurst. Father Deutsch turned 96 on May 31 and on May 25 he marked 68 years of priesthood. Staff photo
The diocesan Office of Vocations hosted its annual discernment Mass and barbecue during which young men who are considering a vocation to priesthood had an opportunity to learn more about the process. Courtesy photo
Saying yes to God was focus of priestly discernment gathering
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
Father Christopher Dayton spoke from the heart June 10 as he offered some 15 young men his insight and encouragement about pursuing a priestly vocation.
Father Dayton told the men attending a vocation discernment gathering: “Some of you are feeling the stirrings of a call – a whisper, a nudge, something you can’t quite shake ... Maybe you thought you were alone in this call, but my hope as we gather here today is that you realize you are not alone!”
The event offered the attendees, who ranged in age from mid-teen years to 40, a chance to meet priests and seminarians of the Diocese and hear stories on how they arrived at their own decisions to become a priest. It also offered the discerning men an opportunity to freely ask questions and obtain information about the priesthood. In addition to the 15 attendees there are another six men who are discerning a vocation.
Hosted by the diocesan Office of Vocations, the event began with Mass celebrated by Father Dayton in St. Luke Church, Toms River, and was followed
by a BBQ on the parish campus. Sixteen priests from the Diocese were in attendance as well as seven of the nine seminarians of the Diocese.
In his homily, Father Dayton, who was ordained in 2018 and currently serves as pastor of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, wove the theme of the day’s First Reading when reflecting on what it means to say yes to God. He then admitted that saying yes, many times doesn’t come easily. “It requires silence. It requires listening. Not just with our ears, but with our soul,” he said.
When reflecting on the word discernment, Father Dayton explained that it is not about making a decision, but about being in a relationship – “a relationship where God invites you not to a career but to a total surrender.”
Father Dayton assured the men that God is not expecting them to be perfect as they consider service as a priest.
“Maybe God is doing that for you right now, breaking through your distractions, your fears, your plans,” Father Dayton said, “and if he is, then my friends, don’t be afraid to say yes.”
“Say it with your whole life. Say it in the way you pray. Say it in the way you serve. Say it in the way you love,” he said.
Clergy Appointments:
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following clergy assignment:
Rev. Roy A. Ballacillo, parochial vicar, St. James Parish, Pennington; St. George Parish, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell, will also serve as chaplain at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, effective Aug. 1, 2025.
Rev. Luis Erwin Candelaria Garcia, OSB, parochial vicar, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, has been granted incardination into the Diocese of Trenton, effective May 22, 2025.
PENTECOST RALLY
Continued from 55
is mercy; if you can open your heart to trust, you haven’t seen all God has to give you. Jesus is the sender of love.”
JESUS THE HEALER
Živković, a native of Croatia, invited the congregation to come forward to testify about their healing in Christ. Relating the story from the Gospel of Luke about the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, he continued: “As you testify, you stir our faith that if God did it for them, he will do it for me. Faith is the fuel about what God will do.”
Živković added, “We are not pursuing healings, we are pursuing The One, just to touch his hem. Jesus had a healing service every day: his normal life.”
Father Hercules said the Blessed Mother was the first disciple to experience the Holy Spirit, rejoicing at the conception of Christ. She also was the first to feel the Spirit’s outpouring.
“I believe the Blessed Mother had all the charisms; what are you doing with the ones you already have? We are meant to share, to go out and take risks. We should be willing to be fools for Christ.”
Father Felix Venza remembered for decades of faithful ministry
BY ROSE O’CONNOR Digital/Social Media Manager
Alove of parish ministry and a deep fidelity to his priestly vocation were among the attributes for which Father Felix Venza was remembered during his Mass of Christian Burial May 12.
Family members, friends and former parishioners gathered in St. Mary Church, Bordentown, to celebrate the life of Father Venza, a retired priest of the Diocese of Trenton who died May 6 in his home in Hamilton.
Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life, celebrated the Mass along with a dozen priests of the Diocese.
Father Venza was born in 1946 in Trenton and grew up in St. Joachim Parish. He attended St. Joachim School, Trenton, and Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood. He later prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland, and St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore.
In his homily, Msgr. Mullelly spoke of Father Venza’s fidelity to his vocation, noting that St. Joachim Church — now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton — has produced more vocations to the priesthood than any other parish in the Diocese of Trenton. Father Venza first heard his call to the priesthood as a young altar server and choir member at St. Joachim.
Father Venza was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1972, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr. His first assignment as parochial vicar was at Christ the King Parish in Manville (now part of the Metuchen Diocese). He later served in St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands (now part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish), and in St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown.
In 1988, Father Venza began a new
chapter as pastor of St. Clare Parish in Florence — his first and only pastorate — which he led for 20 years. During his tenure, he fostered ecumenical efforts with area churches and served as spiritual director of the Holy Name Society in Burlington County.
Reflecting on Father Venza’s ministry, Msgr. Mullelly said, “The joy of his life was when he became the pastor of St. Clare’s in Florence. He loved the parish. Over the years, he brought God’s love and mercy, and the Eucharist—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—to that wonderful parish, which allowed people to be transformed by his ministry.”
After retiring from his pastorate in 2008, Father Venza ministered as a senior priest in residence with St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, now part of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish.
Msgr. Mullelly concluded with words of gratitude and hope, “Felix, thank you for your example, your commitment, your fidelity in ministry.
We all hope to see you again when we are called forth from our tombs by our loving God in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Father Venza was predeceased by his parents, Vito and Laura (Marchetti) Venza; a sister-in-law and a nephew. He is survived by his brother, Frank Venza, and two nieces.
Father Venza consecrates the Eucharist during a Mass he celebrated in this 2018 Monitor file photo.
Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life, prays over the casket of Father Felix Venza during the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated May 12 in St. Mary Church, Bordentown. Monitor photo by Rose O’Connor
David Henry Milecki, long-time advocate and volunteer for marginalized, dies at 73
David Henry Milecki, who, despite his own battle with ALS, established a prayer lifeline for individuals in the Diocese of Trenton with the disease, died May 22 at age 73.
A life-long and active member of the Catholic faith, Mr. Milecki has been involved in social ministry and charitable works since his young adulthood, helping people who were experiencing homelessness and hunger; participating in parish evangelization programs, and developing an online prayer group for Catholic adults with ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mr. Milecki and his family were members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting.
Born in 1951 in Trenton, Mr. Milecki attended St. Hedwig School, Trenton; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, and King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he played football and was awarded a bachelor of science degree in data processing. He started his professional career with the State of New Jersey as a computer operator and retired as a program manager of the New Jersey Division of Pensions, New Jersey Office of Information Technology, and New Jersey Department of Institutions and Agencies.
Mr. Milecki was active in his Catholic faith, serving as a volunteer at the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal convent, where he provided support to the homeless community at the Father Benedict House in Atlantic City. In St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, he was involved as an altar server, a chef for the parish soup kitchen, and a facilitator of faith enrichment activities with parishioners. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus; he helped low-income homeowners repair homes via Good Works in Coatesville, Pa., and he graduated from The Encounter School of Ministry, a two-year program in which he honed evangelization skills.
Soon after he was diagnosed with ALS, Mr. Milecki set out to serve the needs of physically challenged Catholics. His efforts led him to the diocesan Holy Innocents Society, which provides religious education instruction for children with special needs. Working with HIS staff, the ALS Prayer Group was started as an online ministry in which Catholics with the disease could
come together to pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet; read and reflect on the Scriptures, and discuss different saints and books associated with suffering. The one-hour program meets on Mondays at 10 a.m. and listeners can gain access by emailing holyinnocentssociety@dioceseoftrenton.org
When Mr. Milecki was interviewed by The Monitor in early 2023 about the establishment of the prayer group, he admitted that an ALS diagnosis can be difficult to accept and navigate but when joining with others in a prayer environment “we can find some time of peace and consolation with Christ and each other. It strengthens us to walk this journey with Christ.”
In his community, Mr. Milecki served as a Manchester Township Police Department Auxiliary Officer (retired as an Auxiliary Sgt.) for six years; he served the homeless as an overnight volunteer at the Ocean County Code Blue warming center, and with his Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Murphy, provided therapy dog support at elementary and special needs
David Henry Milecki
DIOCESAN DATEBOOK
To learn more about these upcoming events in the Diocese of Trenton, visit TrentonMonitor.com and click on NEWS>DIOCESE.
PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION JUNE 28-29
The Church’s mission has been bolstered for centuries by the annual Peter’s Pence Collection, which will be taken up this year on June 28-29.
The collection not only helps to support the Holy Father’s mission –proclaiming the Gospel, promotion of integral human development, education and peace –it also supports the many charitable works that help people and families in difficulty, populations living through natural disasters and wars, or who are in need of humanitarian assistance.
For more information, visit https://www.obolodisanpietro.va/en.html (English) or https://ww.obolodisanpietro.va/ es.html (Espanol). Additional resources are available at www. usccb.org/peters-pence/collection.
SEMINAR ON MINISTERING TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AUG. 8
The diocesan Holy Innocents Society, in collaboration with Loyola Press, will hold a seminar, “All Are Welcome! All Belong! Walking Together with Persons with Disabilities” Aug. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 42 W. Main St., Moorestown.
The day will feature keynote speaker Anne Masters, director of the Office of Pastoral Ministries with Persons with Disabilities in the Newark Archdiocese. Other speakers include Father James Grogan, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, on
MILECKI REMEMBERED
Continued from 63 schools, military bases (troop deployments and homecomings), and a New Jersey State Police special event. He also volunteered at American Recreational Military Services (ARMS) New Jersey events and was a mentor via the Ocean County Mentoring Program, a volunteer program that provides safe and mature friendships to elementary school children who may not have traditional family support.
Funeral services began May 29 with a memorial gathering at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting. A funeral Mass was celebrated the following day in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting. Committal was private.
“Sensory Friendly Mass;” OLGC Team on “Learning Modalities;” Linda Mueller, former parish catechetical leader in St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, on “Loyola Adaptive Kits for PreSchool Use;” Rosemarie Hoye, chairperson of the Northern Monmouth Chapter of the diocesan Holy Innocents Society, on “Family Involvement,” and Dave and Mercedes Rizzo from St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, on “Prayer at Home.”
Fee is $10 per person. To register, visit dioceseoftrenton. org/holy-innocent-society.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA SHRINE SEPT. 13
All are invited to participate Sept. 13 in the Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
The pilgrimage will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Shrine located at 654 Ferry Rd., Doylestown, Pa. The shrine is renowned for its spiritual significance and is home to the renowned Black Madonna painting.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. The day will also include speakers on the Jubilee Year message of hope, opportunities for Confession and Adoration, Pilgrim Passports for children, touring the grounds of the Shrine, a multi-language praying of the Rosary and more.
For information, contact Carolyn Norbut, pilgrimage director, pilgrimages@dioceseoftrenton.org or 609-406-7446.
Mr. Milecki was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Helen Milecki; his daughter, Nicole Milecki, and a sister, Denise Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Deborah Milecki; five children Heather Milecki, Erin (Marc) Micciulla, Adam (Jenna) Milecki, Mark (Bonnie) Milecki, and Kaycee (Darnell) Williams, and eight grandchildren. Deborah Milecki is a former parish catechetical leader in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, and Mr. Milecki’s daughter-in-law, Bonnie Milecki is on the staff of the diocesan Department of Catholic Schools as an assistant superintendent.
Memorial donations may be made to: Joan Dancy and pALS (people with ALS) Foundation (https://ssl.charityweb.net/joandancyandpals/); ALS United Mid-Atlantic (https://alsmidatlantic.org/donation/) or the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (www.franciscansisterscfr.com/donate).
Gifts of conversion, mission, mercy shine in Christ’s Church
BY CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV praised representatives from a missionary society, a branch of the Franciscans and an order devoted to serving and accompanying infirm priests, saying they reflect the “harmonious beauty” of the mystical body of Christ.
The three groups represent “three luminous dimensions of the Church’s beauty: commitment to conversion, enthusiasm for mission and the warmth of mercy,” he told them during an audience at the Vatican June 6.
“I pray that you may be ever more docile instruments of the Holy Spirit, in accordance with God’s plans,” he said.
The Pope met with the general superiors, members of governing bodies and others representing the Society of African Missions, the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and formators and members of the Servants of the Paraclete. Some of the groups were holding their general chapters in Rome.
“You represent three charismatic realities that emerged at different times in the Church’s history and in response to various specific needs,” he said. “Yet you are united with and complementary to each other, within the harmonious
beauty of the mystical body of Christ.”
Speaking to Franciscan friars, whose order is also known as the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, Pope Leo encouraged them to address the themes of community life, formation and vocations “in the light of your ‘penitential’ charism.”
It is only “through a constant journey of conversion can we offer our brothers and sisters ‘the fragrant words’” of Christ, he said.
The Society of African Missions, he said, “is a sign of that missionary spirit which is at the very heart of the Church’s life.”
“Fidelity to your mission, by which your communities have over time surmounted countless difficulties from within and without, has enabled you to grow and even draw from adversity the inspiration to set out for new apostolic horizons in Africa and other parts of the world,” he said.
He said their founder, Venerable Melchior-Marie-Joseph de Marion-Bresillac, had timely advice: “be faithful to the simplicity of the apostolic preaching”; be ready to embrace the “’folly of the cross’ with sincerity and peace, even in the face of the world’s incomprehension and derision”; and be men filled with Christ, “and thus capable of bringing your brothers
God’s love breaks down walls, opens borders, dispels hatred
Papal diplomats must always defend poor, religious freedom, Pope says
God wants to help people discover their worth, dignity
Reach out to families; let them know God loves them, Pope says
and sisters to an encounter with him.”
“What a great sign for the entire Church and the world,” the Pope said.
The Servants of the Paraclete is a group of priests and religious brothers dedicated to the contemplative life and care of aged, infirm and “troubled priests,” he said.
“In various parts of the world, you have carried out your ministry of humble, patient, delicate and discreet closeness to the deeply wounded, offering them therapeutic paths combining a simple and intense spiritual life – both personal and communal – with highly qualified professional assistance suited to their needs,” the Pope said.
Their ministry is a reminder that even the “ministers of Christ, the physician of souls,” are also “frail and in need of healing” and mercy, he said.
Pope Leo XIV greets representatives of the Society of African Missions, the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and formators and members of the Servants of the Paraclete during an audience at the Vatican June 6, 2025. CNS photo/Vatican Media
Hispanic leaders from two states unite for faith, service
BY ANDREA HERRERA GRILLO
Special Contributor to
the Catholic
Star Herald
In an atmosphere of faith, joy and pastoral commitment, nearly 150 Hispanic Catholic leaders from dioceses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania gathered May 24 to participate in the Region III Hispanic Leaders Meeting.
The day was held under the theme “Bearers of Hope,” in the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope. It aimed to strengthen unity and renew the call to service in Hispanic communities, especially among the immigrant community.
Region III comprises the dioceses of New Jersey – Camden, Trenton, Metuchen, Paterson and the Archdiocese of Newark – as well as certain areas of Pennsylvania – the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and the Dioceses of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie,
Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton. Region III has seen steady growth in its Hispanic population, prompting greater investment in pastoral leadership and attention to the cultural and spiritual realities of this community, event organizers said.
Organized as part of the ongoing implementation of the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, the day featured presentations, moments of prayer and collaborative working sessions that addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the Hispanic community within the Catholic Church.
Bishop Joseph Williams of the Diocese of Camden celebrated Mass as part of the event, which took place at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Hammonton. During his homily, Bishop Williams encouraged those present to be “bridges of unity and hope in their communities,” highlighting the importance of Hispanic pastoral leadership in the spiritual and social growth of the Church.
“What a sign of hope we have when we see Latino leaders in this Jubilee Year of Hope gathered together to promote unity,” the Bishop said.
Among the presenters were Father Alex Gaitán, an immigration ministry coordinator in the Newark Archdiocese; Alberto Billini, who serves with the Latino community in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown; Andrés Arango, the Bishop’s delegate for Hispanic Ministry and Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Camden.
Jossie Ramos, Trenton diocesan Coordinator of Hispanic Initiatives, accompanied a group of 14 Hispanic Catholics from parishes in the Diocese of Trenton, and served as a moderator for a panel session entitled “Portadores de Esperanza llamados a la accion” (Bearers of Hope Called to Action.”)
Ramos expressed great enthusiasm about the experience, stating, “It was a great collaborative work, with great con-
versation. We have a lot of similarities and understand the realities of the immigrant community. I hope that everyone walked out empowered.”
Reflecting upon the presentation led by Luz Escobar from the Diocese of Metuchen and the lively question-and-answer period which followed, Ramos continued, “It helped the leaders know that, though they have challenges, we are still called to move forward.”
“We have a lot of similarities ... and are still called to move forward.”
Ramos explained that in selecting parish leaders to attend, she wanted to form a team that would continue to serve the Diocese’s parishes. “They came up with some great ideas, and I walked out with so many blessings. We need to communicate, learn more and talk about our resources,” she concluded. “This is the reality we are living in.”
Bishop Joseph Williams of the Camden Diocese was principal celebrant of the Mass and urge the congregation to be “bridges of unity and hope.” Photos by Joe Warner/Catholic Star Herald
Jossie Ramos, Trenton Diocesan Hispanic Initiatives coordinator, and Luz Escobar from the Metuchen Diocese bring up the gifts of bread and wine during the May 24 Mass.
of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati appear beside and on his tomb at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Turin, Italy, in this file photo from February 2006.
POPE SETS CONSISTORY TO CONSIDER DECLARING EIGHT NEW SAINTS
VATICAN CITY CNS • Although Pope Francis already set Aug. 3 as the date to declare the sainthood of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Pope Leo XIV will hold a meeting with cardinals to approve his canonization and that of seven other people. The meeting, known as an “ordinary public consistory,” is scheduled for June 13, the Vatican announced. Cardinals living in or visiting Rome are invited to participate in the consistory, which typically is a prayer service that includes the reading of a brief biography of the sainthood candidate, the pope’s solicitation of the cardinals’ approval of the canonization and, usually, an announcement of the date for the ceremony. Since the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which had been scheduled for April 27, was postponed after the death of Pope Francis, it is possible that in conjunction with the consistory the Vatican would announce a new date to proclaim him a saint.
– By Catholic News Service
NICENE CREED
Continued from 55 in the Triune God, in Christ as truly human and truly God, and in salvation through Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures read in the Church and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Together, we believe in the Church, Baptism, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life.”
“I am convinced,” the Pope told the group, “that by returning to the Council of Nicaea and drawing together from this common source, we will be able to see in a different light the points that still separate us.”
to Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal
F.
displayed inside the Rate Field baseball stadium in Chicago, May 9, 2025, before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins.
POPE LEO VIDEO MESSAGE TO FEATURE AT CHICAGO ARCHDIOCESE,
WHITE SOX CELEBRATION
CHICAGO OSV News • The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a Mass and a special program June 14 to celebrate the election and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, and participants will get a video message from the native son of the Windy City. “Pope Leo XIV will greet us in Chicago and offer a special video message to the young people of the world, which will be broadcast first from our event,” the Chicago Archdiocese said on its website. The archdiocese said in a previous announcement the June 14 events, including the Mass, preceded by music, a film, speakers and prayer, will all take place at Rate Field, the ballpark of the Chicago White Sox. In that announcement the archdiocese said, “Pope Leo XIV’s message of peace, unity and the key to a meaningful life have touched hearts across the globe. This celebration is an extraordinary opportunity for people from the city and beyond to come together in shared pride for one of our own.”
–By OSV News
The Council of Nicaea also set a common date for all Christians to celebrate Easter, but, the Pope said, “sadly, differences in their calendars no longer allow Christians to celebrate together the most important feast of the liturgical year, causing pastoral problems within communities, dividing families and weakening the credibility of our witness to the Gospel.”
As St. Paul VI and the popes since then have done, Pope Leo told the bishops and scholars, “I would reaffirm the openness of the Catholic Church to the pursuit of an ecumenical solution favoring a common celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection and thus giving greater missionary force to our
preaching of the name of Jesus and the salvation born of faith in the saving truth of the Gospel.”
Pope Leo ended the audience by asking participants to stand as he used a prayer from the Orthodox tradition to ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of unity.
The prayer read:
“O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things; Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life, Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.” Amen.
Images
CNS file photo/Carol Glatz
A tribute
Robert
Prevost, is
OSV News photo/Carlos Osorio, Reuters
Rep. Smith receives honorary CUA degree for pro-life efforts
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
In recognition of his longstanding commitment to the rights of the unborn, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), was bestowed an honorary degree May 17 from The Catholic University of America, Washington.
Hailing from the Diocese of Trenton, Smith is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting. He was presented with the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, or “Honoris Causa,” by CUA President Peter Kilpatrick, joining other honorary degree recipients the University has conferred since 1896, including presidents Calvin Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson, as well as Rev. Mother (now Saint) Katharine Drexel, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Cardinal John O’Connor and others.
Thanking Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for his pastoral leadership in the Diocese of Trenton and several of his pro-life cohorts for their ongoing efforts, Smith spoke at the CUA Honorees Dinner the evening before and expressed his gratitude to the university for “offering
students a world-class education … that is faithful to and centered on the teachings of Jesus.
“And of course, we absolutely celebrate our new American Pope Leo XIV,” he continued. “Apart from the Holy Spirit, who saw that coming?”
Protection of human rights – including the right to life, Smith said –has been at the center of his service in Congress.
“Stopping the violence of abortion is what led me to run for the House, with the complete support of my dear wife Marie.”
He lauded Marie, who could not be present for health reasons, and her dedication to the pro-life movement from their earliest years together at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing, through her work on Holy See delegations at the United Nations and the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues, which she founded two decades ago.
“We know that the cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever,” Smith said, “and that each day, despite setbacks, many unborn children and their mothers have been and are being protected.”
“We know that the cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever.”
Calling Catholics “people of indomitable hope,” he drew attention to the work of Bishop Su, a leader in the Underground Catholic Church he met in 1994 in Beijing, who has worked through incarceration and torture to pray for his persecutors – “an awe-inspiring example of faithfulness to Jesus’ teaching.”
Smith’s work for human rights includes authoring the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, a comprehensive government initiative combatting sex and labor trafficking in the U.S. and world stage.
“The scourge of modern-day slavery, sex and labor trafficking is denying millions of people their human rights,” Smith explained. “The TVPA created new, well-funded domestic and international strategies, and established new programs to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and, to the extent possible, prevent human trafficking.”
Other human rights initiatives Smith has championed and sponsored include the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025, which “targets the worldwide barbaric practice of murdering victims to steal their vital organs,” he said.
“Each year, tens of thousands of young victims … are slaughtered by the Chinese Communist Party for their organs,” Smith continued, pointing to the Muslim Uyghurs and Falun Gong as targeted ethnic groups.” Under his bill, “Anyone complicit with these crimes would face both civil and criminal penalties including up to 20 years in prison.”
Smith implored those present to be human rights warriors and prayed that CUA and its Center for Human Rights would help create them.
“We must never quit or grow weary in the defense of human rights,” he said. “Many are depending on us.”
Rep. Chris Smith addresses fellow CUA honorees May 16 at a dinner before commencement. Courtesy photo
LA archbishop calls for prayer, restraint, immigration law reform amid protests
BY GINA CHRISTIAN OSV News AND STAFF REPORTS
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles called for prayer, while urging “restraint and calm” as clashes broke out in that city over recent immigration arrests. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and later the Marines amid pushback from California officials.
Protests broke out June 6 after several raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which along with Customs and Border Protection is the law enforcement arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
The raids – part of Trump’s promised crackdown on illegal immigration – took place in predominantly Latino areas of Los Angeles, with demonstrations forming at the Federal Building in the city’s downtown, on Highway 101 and in front of a Home Depot in Paramount, 20 miles
south of the city’s downtown. Several driverless taxis were set on fire, with dozens arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department over the June 7-8 weekend.
Since the confrontations in Los Angeles, protests over the Administrations’ deportation policies and clashes with law enforcement have broken out in other major cities across the nation.
Archbishop Gomez, who said in his statement he was “troubled” by the immigration enforcement raids, pleaded for a more comprehensive solution to the nation’s handling of immigration issues.
“We all agree that we don’t want undocumented immigrants who are known terrorists or violent criminals in our communities,” said the archbishop. “But there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hard-working immigrants and their families.”
He urged Congress “to get serious about fixing our broken immigration
system that leads so many to seek to cross our borders illegally.”
“Other nations have a coherent immigration policy that respects the natural rights of people to emigrate in search of a better life and also ensures control of their borders. America should too,” said Archbishop Gomez. “It’s been almost 40 years since the last reform of our immigration laws. That’s too long and it’s time to do something about that.”
“... get serious about fixing our broken immigration system ...”
Catholic social teaching on immigration balances three interrelated principles – the right of persons to migrate in order to sustain their lives and those of their families, the right of a country to regulate its borders and control immigration, and a nation’s duty to regulate its borders with justice and mercy.
“May Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to watch over her children and pray for America,” said Archbishop Gomez.
While the Los Angeles protests appeared to have leveled off on June 9, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced that Scholas USA – part of a youth movement founded by the late Pope Francis – postponed an event that was set to be hosted by a Catholic school.
“Our work is grounded in a commitment to dignity, justice, and respect for all -- especially immigrant communities who are facing profound challenges at this moment,” said Scholas USA executive director Jimena Florez in a June 9 media release. “We believe it’s important to pause, listen, and stand in solidarity with those raising their voices for equity and compassion.”
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies maintain a cordon following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Compton, Calif., June 7, 2025. OSV News photo/Barbara Davidson, Reuters
Bishops urge lawmakers to protect Medicaid as Senate considers mega-bill
BY KATE SCANLON OSV News
WASHINGTON • As the Senate began its consideration of a sweeping package for President Donald Trump’s agenda, the U.S. bishops and other Catholic leaders urged lawmakers not to cut programs such as Medicaid or SNAP.
In May, House Republicans passed what Trump calls his “one big, beautiful bill” – and as such, later named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – which would enact key provisions of his legislative agenda on tax and immigration policy, and Trump has called for the Senate to follow suit by July 4.
But whether the Senate will do so remains to be seen, as some rural state members of the Republican majority
have raised objections to Medicaid cuts, among other sticking points, such as artificial intelligence regulation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has reportedly convened working groups to iron out divisions among the Senate GOP, with cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, among remaining issues.
Republicans hold 53 seats in the upper chamber and can only afford three defections from their members if they are to pass the bill.
Catholic leaders have alternately
AI OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES, BUT SHOULD BE GOVERNED BY ETHICAL POLICY FRAMEWORK, BISHOPS SAY
WASHINGTON • The U.S. bishops urged House and Senate leaders in a June 9 letter to remember that while artificial intelligence presents opportunities, it also presents challenges. The bishops said policy considerations surrounding AI should be governed by an ethical framework.
They noted Pope Leo XIV has made his concerns about AI an early focus of his papacy, writing, “As our new Holy Father Pope Leo XIV reminds us, AI requires ‘responsibility and discernment in order to ensure it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.’”
The letter acknowledged the bishops “are not technical experts,” but said that as pastors, they are “entrusted with concern for the life and dignity of the human person and the common good.” The letter urged AI
policy to be informed by principles, including care for the common good, the dignity of the human person, and respect for the truth.
It was signed by the chairs of six U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committees: communications, Catholic education, domestic justice and human development, marriage and family life, international justice and peace, and pro-life activities. – By OSV
praised and criticized various provisions in the House’s version of that package, which has drawn fire from some critics over its cuts to Medicaid, while drawing praise from others for promises to eliminate funds to health providers who also perform abortions.
In a June 9 message, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked its supporters to urge their senators “to oppose cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and programs that help low-income people, keeping in mind how budget and tax decisions will impact families, especially those most vulnerable. Budget reconciliation should be used to support the needs of children and families experiencing poverty.”
The message said that changes to the House’s version of the bill “must be made to protect poor and vulnerable people,” objecting to provisions the USCCB said would raise taxes on the working poor and reduce assistance to low-income families.
The White House argued the legislation “protects Medicaid for Americans who truly need it.”
“This bill eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse by ending benefits for at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants who are gaming the system,” a White House document about the bill said.
The USCCB previously also urged lawmakers to preserve a provision to eliminate funds to health providers who perform abortions.
Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington.
Through The Ages
JUNE 1 THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CALLS THE CHURCH TO MISSION
Acts 1:1-11; Eph. 1: 17-23; 10: 19-23; Lk 24: 46-53
The Scriptures tell us very little about the teaching of Jesus to his disciples after the Resurrection. He likely revealed much to them, and they came to understand more profoundly all that they had seen and heard over the course of his ministry. Yet, they still seem to be shaken and uncertain when he delivers his final instructions to them as he prepares to ascend to heaven and take his place at the right hand of the Father.
As seen both in the Acts of the Apostles and in Matthew’s account, Jesus lays forth the mission of the Church: proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and baptize all nations in the name of the Trinity.
JUNE 8 THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS WALK WITH THE CHURCH
Acts 2: 1-11; 1 Cor 12: 3B-7, 12-13; Jn 20: 19-23
When we listen to the command of Jesus in the Gospel for the Feast of Pentecost, it is the power to forgive sins that stands at the forefront of the apostles’ ministry.
The Paschal Mystery, the very presence of Jesus as the incarnate Word of God in our midst, has at its very core the reconciliation of humanity to God. Jesus’s Death on the Cross is salvific because he offered himself as a sacrifice of reconciliation on our behalf. He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” as seen at the very beginning of John’s Gospel. Now, at the end of that same Gospel, Jesus empowers his apostles to forgive us our sins.
JUNE 15 GOD IS MADE KNOWN AS FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT
Prv 8: 22-31; Rom 5: 1-5; Jn 16: 12-15
The profound significance of the meaning of the Trinity for us as Christians is not in our ability to understand the mind of God. It is a dogmatic truth upon which to mediate and to assent in faith. It is the expression of the deepest part of our faith – that God who in love created all that is, remains ever present with us.
God created us. God intended through that creation to lead us to eternal life. God speaks to us in clear, if often fragmentary ways, through the prophets, the Scriptures and the Church. The Sign of the Cross, is both the blessing and the hope of our
life of faith – that we share in the eternal life of the Trinity.
JUNE 22 THE EUCHARIST IS THE KEY TO EVANGELIZATION
Gn 14: 18-20; 1 Cor 11: 23-26; Lk 9: 11B-17
In the multiplication of the loaves and fish Jesus prefigured the Eucharist while at the same time harkening back to the ancient days when God fed his people in the desert, and as Elisha fed the prophets with a few loaves.
Jesus stands as the fulfillment of a promise and as the one who enters into a new covenant with all of humankind through his own Passion and Death. This is realized in the Eucharist –shared first with his disciples at the Last Supper, and now fully expressed in the liturgical act, and as the Church enters anew into his sacrifice. We then take the Eucharist into the world as an act of love and a call to repentance.
JUNE 29 THE APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL ARE THE PILLARS OF THE CHURCH
Acts 12: 1-11; 2TM 4: 6-8, 17-18; Mt 16: 13-19
Through Peter and Paul, the Church finds her universality. While both Jews, Peter carried his mission to the Jews of the first century diaspora while Paul focused primarily on the Gentiles. Bringing together these two disparate groups of people, with broadly differing religious and cultural world views, into one community of faith, built upon the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, was no small feat.
It is always to Peter and Paul that the Church looks for signs of unity and inspiration in her mission in the world. This feast reminds us of the prayer of Jesus that the Church might be one in faith, baptism, and mission to the world.
Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.
Sacred Heart, Riverton
THE WORD
Father Garry Koch
MENTAL HEALTH
Continued from 59
of “Gen Z” – those born between 1997-2012 – are more anxious, depressed and feel burnout, compared with previous generations. The study reported teens spend an average of 4.8 hours a day glued to social media to shape their identity. He said each parish should discuss how to incorporate available resources into their ministries.
Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of pastoral life and mission, said the point of the retreat was to begin the process of building understanding of mental health and shaping the attitudes regarding mental illness among ministers
“I believe we will see the impact first in the level of awareness,” such as parishes addressing through prayers of the faithful, bulletin announcements and further interest in training like “mental health first aid,” sensitivity to mental health struggles across the ministries. “My expectation is that only later we will see parishes work toward establishing dedicated mental health ministries.”
PARISH Carnivals & Festivals
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Are there any saints who had a difficult relationship with the Church?
Q. Are there any saints who had a difficult relationship with the Church? (New York)
A.The answer to this question would depend on exactly what you mean by “a difficult relationship” or even the term “the Church.” But the short answer is that yes, there have been many canonized saints who were treated very badly by Church leaders of their day, through no fault of their own.
To give just a few examples: St. Joan of Arc was condemned as a heretic in a clearly biased and politically motivated ecclesiastical trial and was subsequently burned at the stake; St. John of the Cross was imprisoned and regularly beaten by the members of his own religious community due to his work for the reform of the Carmelite Order; St. Mary MacKillop of Australia was unjustly excommunicated in retaliation for her reporting child abuse; and St. Padre Pio was for a time forbidden from exercising public priestly ministry due to concerns about his extraordinary mystical gifts, notably his stigmata (i.e., his bearing of the five wounds of Christ on his own body).
We only know about these and other saints’ stories of “friendly fire” persecution because they have been formally canonized. It’s likely that there are other similar sufferings.
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QUESTION CORNER
This can be one of the most difficult scenarios for a faithful Catholic to wrap their mind around. The Church as a visible institution was founded by Jesus himself and exists to continue his saving mission in the world until the end of time. Naturally, the darker chapters in the lives of these saints can prompt the question of how the Church could apparently hurt her own members.
This is where it becomes important to make some distinctions. “The Church” as the people of God and the spotless bride of Christ does not hurt people. Rather, sinful human beings within the Church do. During his Passion and death, Jesus himself was denied and abandoned by his own apostles, who would go on to become the Church’s very first bishops.
Of course, we should keep in mind that the canonized saints who were persecuted by the Church did not become saints because they were naïve to this reality of fallen human nature or because they cheerfully kept up a “party line” they knew to be false.
of a marble statue of St. Joan of Arc by Charles Desvergnes (1920), during the inaugural Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, after its restoration, Dec. 8, 2024.
Instead, these men and women were saints because of their clarity of spiritual insight, which allowed them to know and love the Church for what it truly is, and because of their courageous fidelity and patience under trials from those in the Church who ought to have behaved in a way befitting their vocation but failed to do so.
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Pope Benedict XVI discussed this dynamic in his General Audience of Jan. 26, 2011, wherein he reflects on the life and witness of St. Joan of Arc: “In Jesus Joan contemplated the whole reality of the Church, the ‘Church triumphant’ of Heaven, as well as the ‘Church militant’ on earth. According to her words, ‘About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing,’ this affirmation, cited in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 795), has a truly heroic character in the context of [her] Trial of Condemnation, before her judges, men of the Church who were persecuting and condemning her. In the Love of Jesus Joan found the strength to love the Church to the very end, even at the moment she was sentenced.”
Jenna Marie Cooper, who holds a licentiate in canon law, is a consecrated virgin and a canonist whose column appears weekly at OSV News. Send your questions to CatholicQA@osv.com.
Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News
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OSV News photo/Sarah Meyssonnier, Reuters
Forming Faith, One Page at a Time
BY LISA LIMONGELLO Special Contributor
As summer arrives, the perfect opportunity to nurture a child’s faith and imagination is through reading. Whether your child is being rocked to sleep, learning to read, or navigating the challenges of being a teenager, Catholic books can reinforce values, spark reflection and build a deeper relationship with Jesus.
uniquely loved and created by God. Perfect for bedtime reading.
“Jesus Is Here: My Lift-The-Flap Mass Book” by Mary E. Wingfield, Ed.D. This book is perfect for young families to bring with them to Mass, helping little ones follow along in a fun and interactive way.
AGES 4–7: PRESCHOOL TO EARLY ELEMENTARY
“WOW! The Good News in Four Words” by Dandi Daley Mackall (Author) and Annabel Tempest (Illustrator). “WOW!” tells the Good News using four words: Wow! Uh-Oh. Yes! and Ahh. This book shows littles that God’s story is really their story, too!
Reading faith-focused books during childhood and adolescence plays a vital role in shaping a young Catholic’s understanding of God, the Church and their own identity in Christ. These stories and teachings do more than entertain; they plant seeds of virtue, inspire moral courage and help children navigate life through the lens of faith. In a world full of competing messages, Catholic literature offers a foundation of truth, beauty and hope that strengthens the heart and mind. By engaging with characters who live out their beliefs, young readers begin to see how they, too, are called to holiness in everyday life.
FA I T H HOM E AT
Making Faith Come Alive for Your Family
F E
“I Went to Mass: What Did I See?” by Katie Warner. A rhyming picture book that walks young readers through the parts of the Mass with vibrant illustrations—an engaging tool for families preparing children for full participation in the liturgy.
Kolbe, and St. Patrick with these compelling graphic novels.
CA SA
Haciendo que la fe se mantenga viva en tu familia EN
Encouraging your children to read books grounded in truth, beauty and goodness is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Let this summer be filled not only with sunshine but with stories that point young hearts to heaven and shape their souls.
This curated list of summer reading offers age-appropriate, faith-centered titles for children and teens.
AGES 0–3: BABY & TODDLER
“God Gave Us You” by Lisa Tawn Bergren. This beautifully illustrated board book explains to little ones how they are
AGES 8–11: MIDDLE GRADE
“The Life of Jesus According to Saint Luke” by Sophie de Mullenheim. Part of the Children’s First Bible Stories series, this book shares the story of Jesus through illustrations and age-appropriate scripture summaries.
“Carlo Acutis: The First Millenial Saint” by Nicola Gori. This book introduces children to Blessed Carlo Acutis – a modern teen who used his tech skills to evangelize and share the Eucharistic miracles online with the world.
AGES 12–14: EARLY TEENS
“The Saint Chronicles” (Graphic Novel Series) by Sophia Institute Press. Introduce middle schoolers to the heroic lives of saints like Joan of Arc, Maximilian
“Shadow in the Dark” (The Harwood Mysteries) (Vol. 1) by Antony Barone Kolenc. Each volume of the Harwood Mystery series not only entertains but also weaves in Catholic themes such as forgiveness, vocation, and the power of prayer, making it a compelling series for deepening faith through fiction.
AGES 15–18: HIGH SCHOOL
“The Blessing Effect” by Robert K. Pozil. This fast-paced story inspires young readers to reach out to those in their community in need of love and inclusion and to embrace the power of prayer and kindness.
“Do Hard Things” by Alex and Brett Harris. Written by Christian teens, this inspiring book challenges high schoolers to rise above cultural low expectations and live boldly for Christ.
Lisa Limongello is parish catechetical leader in St. Luke Parish, Toms River, St. James, Pennington; St. George, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus, Hopewell.
Faith at Home is a monthly column coordinated by the Diocese of Trenton’s Departments of Catechesis, Evangelization and Family Life, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For additional Faith at Home resources, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home.
Burlington County Theology on Tap ignites hope in young adults
BY ELIZABETH ZIMAK Correspondent
Young adults from across the Diocese of Trenton gathered in a Burlington County pub May 22 to share refreshment, camaraderie and the hope that comes in better knowing their faith.
Theology on Tap, the well-known faith experience that has been engaging young Catholics for more than a decade, drew more than 50 attendees to Dooney’s Pub in Delran. Focusing on the theme, “A Path to Hope,” the evening was sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, which shared hosting duties with the parishes of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown; St. Isaac Jogues, Marlton, and St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford.
Dan Waddington, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, describes Theology on Tap as “a way of helping young adults learn and grow in their faith, but in a comfortable and less structured environment.”
Over drinks and appetizers, partici-
pants ranging in ages from 21 to 39, were treated to two mini-talks from keynote speakers Father Kevin Hrycenko, parochial vicar in St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, and Jeff Siedlecki, youth minister in Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle. Both talks centered on this year’s Jubilee Year, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“These Jubilees are meant to help Catholics grow closer to God ...”
Father Hrycenko offered background on the concept of Jubilee Year, explaining that they have taken place in the Church every 25 years and can be traced back to at least the 14th century.
“These Jubilees are meant to help Catholics grow closer to God in special ways,” Father Hrycenko said, explaining different faith exercises, such as indulgences, that are often associated with Jubilee. He also mentioned the value of pilgrimage and pointed to several local
Jeff Siedlecki addresses young adults during a Theology on Tap gathering May 22 in Burlington County. Elizabeth Zimak photos
pilgrimage opportunities.
Siedlecki recounted his recent trip to Rome, which he had taken with his family and several other Holy Eucharist parishioners in late January. He showed photos and discussed some of the journey’s highlights, such as a papal audience with Pope Francis and participating in Adoration at St. Peter’s Basilica.
He shared that one of the most exciting opportunities was getting to view the tombs of several saints, including St. Padre Pio, Pope John Paul II, St. Peter and Blessed Carlo Acutis.
“Visiting the saints is an opportunity for us to find that direction in our lives,” Siedlecki said. “If we’re looking for a path, the lives of the saints are the answer.”
Siedlecki also encouraged those in attendance to take advantage of the “beautiful gifts” that God has given them, in the form of daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacraments. He stressed the importance of finding community with other Catholics. “We all have something in common: we all love Jesus,” he said. “Live in that community; live amongst people that have your back.”
Matthew Bisicchia, a first time attendee, appreciated the “display of faith” evident in both speakers.
Bisicchia, a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, said of Siedlecki, “It wasn’t just him showing the pictures of his trip. He tied that information to our faith, and what it truly means for us to live it every day.”
Amanda Kleinmann of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, summed up the messages of both speakers by saying, “We can live a pilgrimage from anywhere.”
Young adults pose for a photo during the May 22 Theology on Tap gathering in Burlington County.
Diving into faith changed perspective for Red Bank Catholic senior
BY RICH FISHER Correspondent AND STAFF REPORTS
Red Bank Catholic senior Frankie Sinatra has faced a few tough health issues in his young life that have given him perspective and encouraged a deeper connection with his faith. Years of an inflamed appendix that went undiagnosed resulted in a medical emergency in his freshman year. A Shore Conference All-Division offensive lineman, Sinatra more recently played with a torn meniscus and slight tears in knee ligaments.
Pushing through adversity is not uncommon for high school athletes but understanding the true motivation was surprising for Sinatra, who recently committed to play football and continue his education and religious practice at Salve Regina, a Roman Catholic university in Newport, R.I. He said, “The more I dive into my faith, I realize I don’t need any glory. I’m playing for an audience of one.”
Reflecting on his senior season, he lauded the support of his teammates, coaches and parents. When he needed a break, head coach Mike Lange and his assistants obliged. Sinatra dislocated his kneecap against Donovan Catholic toward season’s end, but continued to play.
The Trustees of the Shore Football Coaches Foundation named Sinatra RBC’s Vince Lombardi Lineman Award recipient. He is a member of RBC’s Catholic Athletes for Christ and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which made him a finalist for the Sam Mills Award.
He said that supporting Catholic Athletes for Christ diaper drives, food drives and numerous other charitable events “got me to understand so many people in the world need help. But ... they have Jesus Christ, and they truly walk like they have everything.”
Aided by RBC assistants Tony Flego – who runs CAC – and Harry Flaherty, Sinatra has become more diligent in prayer and reading the Bible. “If you’re being honest with God in your prayers you can’t really mess that up,” he said. “For me the largest part in bettering my personal faith is reading my Bible in more depth.” Instead of glossing over the confusing parts, he forces himself to find the answers. “You miss so much of your faith when you don’t try to understand what is truly being said.”
Sinatra has developed enough confidence in his faith to talk about it with others, even strangers. He said, “You never know what people are feeling with their faith. So, I think asking to pray with and for people, it’s a large jump for me.”
Notre Dame grad Achtau honored with CUA service scholarship
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
During her four years in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, Elizabeth Achtau was involved in service efforts as much as possible. She participated in events ranging from water testing with the school’s Environmental Club to washing dishes for Meals on Wheels. She was also active in The Peer Leadership Club, participated in the Service Religion class, which was an honors class emphasizing on practicing the Catholic faith through service beyond the classroom. Even in her parish, St. Ann, Lawrenceville, she was an altar server.
It was Achtau’s commitment and determination to be of service that led this newly minted high school graduate to receive the Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Scholarship by The Catholic University of America, Washington.
“My biggest motivator ... is the chance to make people feel seen, supported and valued,” Achtau said. “I know how much a small act of kindness or encouragement can mean, especially when someone is struggling or just needs to feel like they belong ... My faith strengthens this motivation, reminding me that serving others is a way to show God’s love each day.”
Established in 2010, CUA awards the scholarship each year to an entering freshman student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.’s dedication to service. The scholarship honors Bishop O’Connell who served as the university’s president for 12 years before he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. During his tenure as president, then-Father O’Connell emphasized commitment to service, a reflection of his episcopal motto – Ministrare non ministrari – “to serve and not to be served.”
The four-year, full-tuition scholarship is awarded to a student with a demonstrated record of service and a commitment to service while at CUA.
“It’s a privilege to receive a scholarship named in recognition of Bishop O’Connell’s service,” Achtau said. “I consider myself to be extremely blessed to attend both a high school and college that offers endless opportunities to live out my faith.”
Frankie Sinatra
CUA scholarship winner Elizabeth Achtau stands with, from left, NDHS service religion teacher Dr. Ellie Ingbritsen, principal Michelle Martinez and president Ken Jennings. Courtesy photo
‘Beacon of Faith’
Catholic education going strong for 150 years in Freehold
BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
“
For 150 years, we have been more than just a school – we have been a family,” said Kathy Leonetti, principal of St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold. “I’ve seen it firsthand,
whether it’s in the way teachers go the extra mile to help a struggling student … or the quiet moments when a class prays together for a friend in need.”
As the school marks a century and a half of Catholic education in Freehold, it celebrates many generations of loyal families who sought strong academics for their children in an environment that upholds what they taught at home.
and nurtured in wisdom and sent forth to serve in hope.”
Bishop O’Connell preaches his homily during the 150th anniversary Mass celebrated May 4, the Second Sunday of Easter. Mike Ehrmann photo
LED BY FAITH
“As your Bishop I am delighted to be back here at St. Rose ... What a wonderful occasion, what a wonderful milestone,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at the start of the anniversary Mass he celebrated May 4 in St. Rose of Lima Church. Joining the Bishop at the altar was Father James Conover, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish.
“Today (in this Easter season), we think about the glory of the Risen Christ who walks among us . . . revealing himself again and again and again. It’s sacred moments of faith and of love and of service,” Bishop O’Connell said, “In a special way we mark a momentous occasion, the 150th anniversary of St. Rose of Lima School . . . which has been a beacon of Catholic education for generations – where perhaps many of you have been formed in your Catholic faith
The Bishop continued, “As we honor 150 years of Catholic education at St. Rose School, we recognize that this school has been a place where Christ has been revealed in countless ways. Through faith-filled teachers, dedicated parents, and students eager to learn, this Catholic school has upheld the mission of forming young minds not just in academics but in truth, in compassion, in holiness, in hope.”
“... a place where Christ has been revealed in countless ways.”
Bishop O’Connell asked of those gathered, “How many students have passed through these halls and gone on to play an important part in the community and beyond, especially in roles that build up and support family life, Catholic life? How many lives have been touched by the Gospel through the work of this school?”
“This anniversary is not just a celebration of the past but a challenge for
the future to continue the mission, to deepen our faith, and to spread Christ’s light in a world in need,” the Bishop said.
Leading St. Rose of Lima School “is both a profound honor and a sacred responsibility,” Leonetti said. “It means being a steward of tradition that has shaped generations, rooted in faith, academic excellence and service … creating an environment where faith is lived daily, academic curiosity is encouraged, and a spirit of service to others is fostered.”
Among St. Rose of Lima School’s greatest strengths, said Leonetti, are its teachers. “Our educators are mentors and role models who genuinely care about their students.”
COMMUNITY AND TRADITION
From its humble 1875 beginnings in a one-story school building on Randolph Street with 60 students and one teacher, St. Rose of Lima School has left its indelible mark on the Freehold community, with the Sisters of St. Francis teaching and ministering there from 1875 until present day. The school has moved to larger buildings twice and added classrooms in the 1960s to accommodate the growing demand for quality Catholic education.
Among many educational options available to their family when they
moved to Freehold, Edoardo Mungiello recalled St. Rose School as a stand-out, welcoming them warmly.
“Father Jim welcomed us with joy into the parish family, [and] one trip around the school building convinced us,” he said. The school reminded Mungiello of his own Catholic elementary school experience, “with adherence to Gospel values, small classrooms, polite children and happy teachers.”
For parent Jennifer Iacono, the sense of community in which “everyone knows each other” was an attractive quality.
“Older students look after younger students during school events; there is never a rivalry between grades,” she observed. “School families become part of your extended families.”
Melissa Campesi noted that her sons have been positively impacted both personally and spiritually by SRS. “The school promotes academic success, strong moral character and spiritual growth, she said, “[and] the importance of serving others.” She and her husband were drawn to SRS for their children because of “how our Catholic faith is interwoven into the curriculum.”
Leonetti noted that both legacy and new families are drawn to both the community and academic aspects of St. Rose. Traditions like the parish carnival that connect the parish and school, as well as a committed faculty “create a sense of belonging that families cherish,” Leonetti said. New families come for
the school’s academic reputation, a “safe and supportive environment, small class sizes, a focus on character development and the emphasis on faith and service.”
“We knew we wanted a values-driven education that … took the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy seriously,” said Mungiello, and noted that he appreciated the courage of the teachers and administrators who worked through the COVID-19 pandemic to assure minimal academic disruption.
“Teachers give personal attention to
For a photo gallery, a 150-year timeline and more comments from parents and alumni, visit TrentonMonitor.com and click on NEWS>SCHOOLS or scan the QR code.
Bishop O’Connell greets a St. Rose of Lima School student following the anniversary Mass. In back is Father James Conover, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish.
Mike Ehrmann photo
Wearing his royal blue polo uniform shirt, this student from St. Rose of Lima School and his mom participate in the Mass marking the school’s 150th anniversary.
Mike Ehrmann photo
The school community of St. Rose of Lima in 2024. Courtesy photo
Secular Franciscan fraternity marks 25 years of service to Diocese
BY KAYLA LATENDRESSE Correspondent
Over the centuries, men and women of faith have embraced the charism of St. Francis of Assisi – “to live the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ” – through their membership in the Secular Franciscan Order. The third of three spiritual families founded by St. Francis 800 years ago, the Secular Franciscan Order is the largest lay order within the Church, encompassing more than 300,000 members worldwide, according to its website. The United States is home to more than 600 local fraternities of the Order and approximately 12,000 professed members. Its members, which include laity and religious brothers and sisters, make a public commitment to
emulate the Franciscan way of life.
In the Diocese of Trenton, secular Franciscans who form the Blessed Sacrament Fraternity (part of the Katharine Drexel Region of the Secular Franciscan Order) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its establishment during a Mass in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting, April 26.
During the Mass, Fraternity members renewed their commitment to following the example of St. Francis, professing their vow to Christ and to live the Gospel. They also attested to be an instrument of the Church’s mission, to resemble Christ, and proclaim Christ in their deeds and words in service of others.
Members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OSF) have a calling to walk as a community of sisters and brothers with the Gospel and work together for peace and harmony for the good of all people, stated Conventual Franciscan Father Noel Danielewicz, celebrant and homilist of the Mass.
In his homily, the priest reminded the Secular Franciscans of the mission to follow Jesus as St. Francis did. Father Danielewicz urged participants to see Christ in every person, strive for relationships with everyone, and show others the vibrancy of life, compassion, and love so they feel and learn the Gospel.
Sacrament Fraternity gather monthly for ongoing formation, to pray together, discern the needs of the Church, and respond with dedication and charity, in accordance with their vows. Blessed Sacrament Fraternity has 19 professed members, three candidates for profession, and one aspirant. It is bonded to the OFM Conventual friars, assigned in the Diocese of Trenton to St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park, and St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach. Along with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, the 19 members hail from the parishes of St. Dominic, Brick; St. Mary, Barnegat; St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach; St. Veronica, Howell, and Sacred Heart, Mount Holly.
To learn more about the Secular Franciscan Order – USA, visit www. secularfranciscansusa.org; to read more about the local Secular Franciscan Fraternities, visit www.secularfranciscansusa.org/map-of-local-fraternities/
To read more of this story, visit TrentonMonitor.com and enter Secular Franciscan in the search bar.
Members of the Blessed
A celebratory cake was enjoyed by all in attendance.
Secular Franciscans pray during the Mass celebrated in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel.
Members of the Blessed Sacrament Fraternity gather for a group photo with Conventual Franciscan Father Noel Danielewicz, and Conventual Franciscan Brother James Moore, the fraternity’s former spiritual assistant, who attended the Mass. Kayla Latendresse photos
Bishop installs Father Osborn as pastor of Middletown parish
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
“It is a joyful burden to lead a community.” So said Father Richard Osborn when reflecting on his installation as the new pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown.
“I hope and pray that my time bears good fruit for the Lord with spiritual growth for my people, growth in new members and vocations from here to serve our local Church,” Father Osborn said.
Father Osborn was officially installed as pastor of the Middletown parish on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, during a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. In his homily, Father Osborn reflected on the Solemnity of Pentecost, saying it is “one of the most significant days in the Church’s calendar.”
Recounting the first Pentecost when Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles who were gathered in the Upper Room, along with the Blessed Mother, Father Osborn said “from that moment on they were changed, they were equipped with all the graces, blessings and all they needed to be witnesses for Christ.”
“Before that moment,” he said, the apostles, were weak, frail men, “yet they were men in whom God saw great potential … Little by little, with great love [and] patience, these flawed, frail people became great saints, heroes of our faith,”
he said, and it was on Pentecost when the apostles were transformed.
On Pentecost, Father Osborn said, “the apostles were completed. They were equipped to bring the Gospel into a world hungering for Jesus Christ. The gifts that we received at the First Pentecost are gifts that are meant to be lived for all time until the second coming of our Lord.”
Father Osborn is a native of the Diocese of Trenton. He grew up in West Long Branch and graduated from the town’s Shore Regional High School. He attended Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, and Stockton University, Galloway Township, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor
in political science. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and was ordained a priest by Bishop O’Connell June 4, 2016.
He served as parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, and St. James Parish, Red Bank, before he was named administrator of St. Catherine Laboure Parish last year following the retirement of Father Daniel Hesko. Bishop O’Connell appointed him the parish’s pastor as of early May. He also serves as the respect life chaplain for Monmouth County.
Of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, which was established in 1948, Father Osborn said draws about 600 people each weekend, has 200 students in the religious education program and eight ministries. What he finds most heartening is that it “is a very close community with people with deep ties to the parish.”
“I am continually amazed by the enthusiastic volunteers and that there are so many,” he said. Future goals he has in mind are to “continue to grow the parish through prayer and evangelization of the neighborhood” and also to step up efforts to reach out to the millennial population.
Father Osborn, followed by Bishop O’Connell, joins in the entrance procession at the start of the Mass. Vic Mistretta photos
St. Catherine Laboure Church was filled with parishioners and well wishers for the June 8 Mass during which Father Osborn was installed as pastor by Bishop O’Connell.
In Memoriam
SISTER MARGARET OMAN, MINISTERED IN MERCER COUNTY SCHOOLS
Funeral services were held May14 in Assisi House, Aston, Pa., for Franciscan Sister Margaret Oman, who died May 3. She was 94.
Sister Margaret, formerly Sister Margaret William), had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 75 years. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1950. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in Latin and Social Studies from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa., and ministered primarily in education and parish ministries.
Sister Margaret began her ministry in education, teaching in the Diocese of Trenton’s former Blessed Sacrament School, Trenton, and St. Anthony School, Hamilton. She then served in schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and in schools Washington, California and Oregon.
She also spent two years at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Portland, Oregon; served in parish ministry in the Diocese of San Bernardino; was a parish director of religious education at the Marine Corps Base in Oceanside, and for the past 22 years had served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia volunteering at Neumann University, Aston, Pa., before retiring to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence.
Burial was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.
Sister Margaret was predeceased by her sisters, who were also members of the congregation, as well as several other siblings. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law; a cousin; nieces, nephews, and her Franciscan family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd., Aston, PA 19014.
Continued on 84
OBITUARY INFORMATION
Additional obituaries will be posted to TrentonMonitor.com as information becomes available
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In Memoriam
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SISTER DOMENICA TROINA HAD LONG HISTORY WITH DIOCESE
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 19 in St. Lucy Chapel in Villa Walsh, Morristown, for Filippini Sister Domenica Troina who died May 12. She was 93.
Born in Nutley, Sister Domenica entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1954. She received the habit in 1955 and made her religious profession in 1958. She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia.
In her 69 years of religious life, Sister Domenica ministered as a classroom teacher, vice principal and religious education coordinator, serving in the Archdioceses of Newark, Hartford and Philadelphia, and in the Dioceses of Brooklyn, Metuchen, Paterson, Scranton and Trenton.
Sister Domenica’s ministry in the Trenton Diocese dates to the 1960s. She taught in St. Jerome School, West Long Branch, 1965-1968; St. Joachim School, Trenton, 1968-1970, and then was both a teacher and principal in the school from 1970-1980; was principal of St. Jerome School, West Long Branch, 1988-1990; taught in Holy Innocents School, Neptune, 1996-1997, and Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, 1997-1998; vice principal of Holy Family School, Lakewood, 1998-2004. From 2004-2005, she was an assistant in St. Joseph by the Sea Retreat House, Mantoloking, followed by parish religious education assignments in Our Lady of the Angels, Trenton, where she was assistant director from 2013-2017 and was also an assistant director in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, from 2017-2020. For four years from 2020-2024, she then volunteered in the religious education program in St. Gregory the Great. Prior to her death, she offered her services in the convent on the campus of Villa Victo-
ria Academy, where she resided.
Sister Domenica was predeceased by her parents; four brothers and three sisters. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and their families.
Memorial donations may be made to the Religious Teachers Fiilippini, c/o Sister Patricia Pompa, MFP, Villa Walsh, 455 Western Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.
SISTER LILLIAN ERNEST, SERVED DIOCESE AS CATECHETICAL LEADER, CONVENT SUPERIOR
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 22 in St. Lucy Chapel at Villa Walsh, Morristown, for Filippini Sister Lillian Ernest who died May 15 in St. Joseph Hall. She was 92.
Born in Jersey City, Sister Lillain entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1955. She received the habit in 1956 and made her religious profession in 1959. She earned bachelor of science and master of arts degrees in special education from Seton Hall University, South Orange.
In her 68 years of religious life, Sister Lillian served in a variety of ministries including as a classroom teacher and then in special education. She ministered as a teacher and administrator for 32 years in the Archdiocese of Newark. In the Trenton Diocese she was a parish religious education coordinator in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank (now The Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua) and also superior of the Religious Teachers Filippini convent on the campus of Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton. She also served in pastoral care to the infirm sisters at Villa Walsh; was named formator for women beginning religious life in the community and was elected to the role of provincial councillor.
Sister Lillian was predeceased by her parents and sister. She is survived by several cousins and friends.
Burial was in Ave Maria Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the
Religious Teachers Filippini, c/o Sister Patricia Pompa, MPF, Villa Walsh 455 Western Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.
SISTER JAMES XAVIER LANDI, PASTORAL MINISTER IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH PARISH
Funeral services were held June 6 in St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown, Pa., for Sister of St. Joseph James Xavier Landi who died May 26 at age 85.
A native of Belmar and graduate of both St. Rose Grammar School and High School, Belmar, Sister James Xavier entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill in September 1960 and professed final vows in 1968.
Sister James Xavier ministered in the Dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen and the Archdioceses of Philadelphia, Newark and Washington. In the Trenton Diocese her service included St. Peter Parish, Point Pleasant Beach, in 2020 where she trained the extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist and readers, visited the sick, distributed the Communion to the homebound and an area nursing home and was also involved in Synodal meetings on parish and diocesan levels.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, Pa. 19031.
JAMES PETER VUOCOLO, A FOUNDER OF THE DIOCESE’S BLUE MASS
James Peter Vuocolo, a long-time detective for the Dover Township Police Department and a founding member of the Diocese of Trenton’s Blue Mass Committee in 2000, died May 21 at age 77.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated May 30 at 1 p.m. in St. Joseph Church, Toms River.
Born in Jersey City, Mr. Vuocolo lived in Toms River for 40 years, then Mays Landing before moving to Barnegat three years ago. He was a member of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and St. Catharine of Siena Parish, Seaside Park, which is now part of St. Junipero Serra Parish, Seaside Park.
Mr. Vuocolo retired as a detective for the Continued on 85
St. Rose 150th
all students, and they offer their time to review lessons after school,” Iacono said. “Centering prayer in daily activities strengthens Catholic virtues … [and] the students grow in character and respect.”
Campesi finds the collaboration of families and staff “powerful,” with the teamwork providing children with “engaging extracurricular activities and fun after school clubs.”
The family-like atmosphere continues across generations, bringing alumni back to enroll their children for the same experience.
“It’s a place that helped shape the person I am today,” said Tracy Cognetta-Somma, class of 1998, whose daughters – Abigail, fifth grade, and Alexis, seventh grade – are current students. “Sending our girls to the same school I attended means more to me than I ever expected.”
VUOCOLO
Continued from 84
Dover Township Police Department (now Toms River Police Department) after many years of service. He was also a founding member of the 200 Club of Ocean County, which provides support to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel who are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty, and a member of the Toms River Policemen’s Benevolent Association Inc. Toms River Twp. Local 137.
Mr. Vuocolo was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Riccardi Vuocolo; two children; a brother, a sister and four grandchildren.
Shaun Golden of the Monmouth County’s Sheriff’s Office, who served
on the Blue Mass Committee with Mr. Vuocolo, commented on his colleague’s longstanding involvement with the Blue Mass saying that “his dedication and tireless efforts were instrumental” in its success and continued growth. His presence will be greatly missed.”
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Shown are the different iterations of St. Rose of Lima School from over the years. Courtesy photo
SCRIPTURE SEARCH
Gospel for June 22, 2025 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 / Luke 9: 11b-17
Following is a word search based on the Second and Gospel readings for the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Cycle C. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.
NIGHT THANKS MY BODY REMEMBRANCE SUPPER COVENANT OFTEN DRINK IT PROCLAIM
DEATH HEALED CROWD
PROVISIONS DESERTED FIVE
TWO FISH FOOD PEOPLE
FIFTY HEAVEN BASKETS
TEST YOUR CATHOLIC KNOWLEDGE
ACROSS
1 Symbol of the Holy Spirit
3 Jesus separated these from the sheep in Matthew 25
7 “…his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest ___” (Lk 15:22)
9 He traveled with Abraham
10 Nathan told David that taking Bathsheba was like stealing this
11 “___ be with you” (Jn 20:21)
12 Guadalupe name
13 “O God, be merciful to me a ___” (Lk 18:13)
Answers on back cover.
14 “…and causes ___ to fall on the just and the unjust” (Mt 5:45)
17 ___ culpa
20 Evil king of the New Testament
23 “…___ of my bones and flesh of my …” (Gen 2:23)
24 Five books of the Bible are attributed to him
25 Husband of Anna
28 Catholic comedian Costello
29 Commander of the army who was made king over Israel in 1 Kings
31 “___, I am the handmaid of the Lord…” (Lk 1:38)
33 She saved Joshua’s spies
35 19th century Australian cardinal and advocate for justice
37 OT prophetic book
38 “…until the end of the ___” (Mt 28:20)
39 Ishmael and Isaac, to Abraham
40 St. Christopher, for example
41 Catholic actor, Robert ___ DOWN
1 In some versions of The Lord’s Prayer, trespasses are called these
2 Martyr-Priest whose feast day is February 14
3 Wife of the prophet Hosea
4 Knighted Catholic actor
5 With 31D, Genesis edifice (connected by “of”)
6 French holy woman (abbr.)
7 Archdiocese in Saskatchewan
8 Catholic actor and crooner, Crosby
11 Purloined fruit of Augustine’s Confessions
12 “…he suffered, ___ and was buried.”
15 ___, amas, amat
16 Husband of Queen Jezebel
18 Evil deeds
19 Calais monastic
21 ___ of Christian Initiation
22 Certain Mysteries
25 It was empty Easter morning
26 ___ Father
27 In Acts 16, Paul and Silas’ prison doors after the earthquake
28 There were enough for 5000
30 Jesus asked whose was on the coin
31 See 5D
32 The Immaculate Conception, for example
34 Woody’s son, a convert to Catholicism
36 Father of Jesse
37 Son of Noah
The Donovan Catholic softball team displays its championship plaque after winning the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A title June 5. Rich Fisher photo
Don’t miss The Monitor’s Sports online
BY RICH FISHER Contributing Editor:
Donovan Catholic softball tops Lancers for sixth SJ NonPublic A title in nine seasons
RBC baseball wins county title, loses conference final in hectic week before states
RBC softball wins Shore Conference Tournament final, rises to No. 1 in the state
Retooled Notre Dame softball team reaches CVCT final before losing in extras
Notre Dame boy track wins inaugural CVC Championship meet
Donovan’s multi-sport Koehler finds love of lacrosse and faith intersect
St. Rose girls’ golf program enjoying growth spurt in recent years
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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.
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