The Monitor Magazine December 2020

MONITOR Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

THE

Vol. 2 • No. 3 • DECEMBER 2020

MAGAZINE

The Promise of

Christmas As a weary world reaches out for the joy and light of Jesus’ Birth, parishes are working hard to serve their communities, even in a pandemic. Through it all, the message is unchanged: The promise of Christmas is real.

 INSIDE… FROM THE BISHOP: Though isolated this Christmas, God’s joy is near; proposed legislation would expand ‘abortion agenda’ EL ANZUELO: Papa valora aporte hispano; Pastores de Navidad; Vida generosa multiplica amor

“God gives where he finds empty hands.”

- St. Augustine

...So should we 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal Acknowledging that many of you face financial strain at this time, if your means allow, I ask that you prayerfully consider a gift to the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal so we, together, may continue the work of the Diocese in service to the people of God. – Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

Power to choose the ministries you want to support!  The Ministry where it is needed most • Donations allocated to ministries most in need  Priests, Deacons & Religious • Finding & Forming Priests (Vocations recruitment & Seminary Preparation)• Retired Priests Care • Preparation of Deacons • Support of Religious Women & Men  Community Outreach • Families, Youth & Young Adult Ministries • Catholic Social Services (The Guild)

• Pastoral Care (Prison, Respect Life, Grief) • Special Events and Programs • Outreach to the Poor and Vulnerable  Teaching the Faith • Evangelization and Communications Outreach • Religious Education, Rite of Election of Adults & Children • Catholic School Programs (ie: Catholic Athletes for Christ) • Tuition Assistance • Professional Development for Educators

Please give generously.

Find out more...

DIOCESE of TRENTON

dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal

609-403-7197 • develop@dioceseoftrenton.org The Catholic Diocese of Trenton, c/o Annual Catholic Appeal, 701 Lawrenceville Road, Trenton, NJ 08648 Make a gift online using one of these secure forms of payment:

2 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Gifts to the Appeal are used to support the ministries listed and will not be used to defray legal fees or to fund the Victim Compensation Program.

ON THE COVER An Advent wreath on display in a local church inspires the faithful to spiritually prepare for the joyous celebration of Christ’s Birth.

53

Contents

Hal Brown photo

Jeff Bruno photo

5-6  From the Bishop

COVER PRICE: $3

MONITOR Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

THE

MAGAZINE

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Bishop O’Connell shares a Christmas message of finding joy in solitude

7-21  Reasons to be Merry From outdoor displays to virtual Christmas carols, parishes find new ways to keep families connected in faith

24-25  Issues & Advocacy New N.J. Catholic Conference executive director aims to help faithful understand their role in legislative advocacy

36-39  El Anzuelo Hispanos benefician a Iglesia; Obispo O’Connell reflexiona sobre pastores de Navidad; Roberto Hernández, historia de amor

46-48  St. Timothy Awards Youth across the Diocese recognized with annual award for outstanding service to Church, community

52-53  In the Parishes Generosity of donors, volunteers assures hot meals and blessings for needy, isolated recipients

REGULAR FEATURES 22  Viewpoints 31  Pope Francis 34  World & Nation

40-42  Insight from Fathers Koch & Doyle 62  Puzzles

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 3

Readers’ Corner

We are united in the promise of Christmas

T

here is always one in every family or circle of friends.

It’s that one person who can’t wait for the arrival of Halloween so he or she can start playing Christmas music the very next day. These are folks who have every corner of their home decorated for Christmas, even before Thanksgiving. Their presents are purchased and wrapped early on, when most of us have not even started to look at our lists. In short, these are people who love Christmas beyond measure.

In this most unusual year, it would seem that more people than ever are taking a page from the books of these extreme Christmas enthusiasts. There has been a palpable yearning for Christmas 2020 in a way that has not been seen in the past.

Even though Christmas will surely be a far different experience than most of us have come to know, for a growing number of us it can’t arrive quickly enough and bring light into a world that has grown increasingly dark.

Although not everyone shares the same understanding of this period of waiting, it really does feel like more people are embracing the promise of Christmas than in years past. And whether we observe a true spiritual preparation this Advent, or

we spend these creating a beauRAYANNE BENNETT tiful Christmas celebration for our Associate Publisher families, we must remember the words of Pope Francis – Christmas is the time “when God’s love is revealed.” (See story page 14.)

This issue of The Monitor Magazine features some of the many ways that God’s love is being revealed in our parish communities, in our households and in our hearts. Without letting COVID become too much of a focal point, our parishes have been working hard to create safe and joy-filled ways for their communities to celebrate together. We are happy to share those stories with our readers, along with ideas and inspiration about celebrating Christmas during COVID in our family’s home and in our video chats with loved ones.

Times like these show us how blessed we are to have a faith tradition and be part of a community of believers. On behalf of our publisher, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and our Monitor staff, I wish all of our readers a meaningful Advent and a Christmas in which “God’s love is revealed.”

A message from

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

Title of Publication: The Monitor Magazine. Frequency of issue: Monthly.

Location of Headquarters: 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648. Publisher: Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., 701 Lawrenceville Rd., NJ 08648. Associate Publisher: Rayanne M. Bennett, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648.

Managing Editor: Jennifer Mauro, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648.

Owner: The Monitor, Diocese of Trenton, a nonprofit organization in the State of New Jersey. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders, owning or holding one percent or more of the total amount of bonds, mortgages and other securities: None. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during the previous 12 months. Extent and nature of circulation: A. Total number of copies printed: Average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months: 10,171; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 5,497. B. Paid circulation: 1) Average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months: 6,381; 2) Number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 5,212. C. Total paid distribution: Average number of copies of each issue during preceding 12 months: 6,628; number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 5,212. D. Free or nominal rate distribution: average 3,181, latest 100. E. Total Free or Nominal Rate distribution: 1) Average: 3,512, latest: 284; F. Total distribution: average 10,141; latest: 5,496. G. Copies not distributed: Average: 31, latest: 1; H. Total: Average: 10,171, latest: 5,497. I. Percent paid: 65.36%; latest: 94.89%.

4 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

The detail of painting of Nativity in Duomo by Giovanni Comandu da Mondovi (1795), Turin, Italy. Shutterstock

From the Bishop

Solitude cannot extinguish the joy of Jesus’ birth

S

ometimes, when you’re all alone – as we have often been throughout these many months of pandemic – you hear things differently, more clearly than when you’re surrounded by others in a crowded room, in a class, in an office where the phone keeps ringing and people file in and out.

Or on a busy street, a  “Sometimes crowded train or bus, sitting in traffic that it is good just to doesn’t seem to move.

Sometimes, an empty church be alone, to push

may be the place where things sound different than they do aside the rest when preachers preach and choirs sing. Things you may of the world.”  have heard a thousand times before: a Bible text, a poem, an article you’ve read and talked about; a phrase or saying, song or conversation that you’ve had with others. Or, perhaps, in these December days, a Christmas carol. Familiar, yes, but strange in a

sudden newness.

A Message from When you’re alone, the words sound BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. different because you have the time to think, to hear them and the sound they make as they touch your mind and heart with no one else around.

Perhaps it is in a candle’s glow or the golden flame of a fireplace, before the Christmas tree, with tiny lights that flash their holiday reminders. And in these kinds of Christmas lights, you can hear what you have heard a thousand times before – differently, more clearly.

The manger scene, the crèche. I know the words that tell its story; I’ve read and heard them many times before and even struggled to put them into other words, homilies written to say just what the story means.

But silence is the sound that makes me hear their lesson differently.

The child and his mother; St. Joseph and the shepherds; the kings along their way. The stable. The crib of straw. The animals all around. The star and the angel. “Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy.”

Continued on 6

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 5

From the Bishop

Hearing the Christmas message anew Continued from 5

Joy is often easier to hear about in “glad tidings” that are shared with others. It sounds different, however, when you are alone. And sometimes it is good just to be alone, to push aside the rest of the world for a moment or two and listen to the reasons for Christmas joy: the One who was delivered that Christmas night has brought deliverance. The One who was innocent has saved the guilty. The One whose birth was so humble has scattered the proud and lifted up the lowly.

The One who was born has given new birth to us all. What was once beyond our grasp has become, is now and ever shall be among us.

We’ve heard it before, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” But there is new joy in hearing it again, differently and more clearly. And when we hear it and the joy becomes our own, then is the best time to return to others and bring them “glad tidings of great joy.”

Despite our experience of social distancing for most of the past year, humans were never meant to be alone for long. And the joyful feast of Christmas makes that so very clear: God is with us, Emmanuel, whether we are with others or by ourselves, when our faith brings us together – either in person or only in our hearts. This Christmas, different from Christmases past, make time to know the joy that Jesus brings!

Merry Christmas, and may God protect and keep us safe in the New Year!

“... And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.” Matthew 2:9 Dear Readers, May the newborn Christ Child always dwell within your hearts and fill your lives and homes with unending peace, love and joy.

Merry Christmas

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the staff and freelance partners of The Monitor Magazine and TrentonMonitor.com.

6 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

In Focus

This hope sign helped inspire St. James Parish to create a Symbols of Christmas drivethrough display outside the Pennington Church. Photo courtesy of Joann Held

A Breath of Fresh Air

Reflections on Advent, Christmas invite outdoor passers-by to encounter Christ’s Birth in new ways

K

BY JENNIFER MAURO,

Managing Editor and

EMMALEE ITALIA, Contributing Editor

nowing that the holidays during COVID-19 will necessitate distance and perhaps even remote means of spiritual connection, parishes have found new ways to bring Advent and Christmas to the community.

Such is the case for The Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley parishes of St. Alphonsus, Hopewell; St. George, Titusville, and St. James, Pennington – all of which are hosting a series of outdoor experiences.

Rose Gallagher, head of the worship committee in St. George Parish, said that she and those from St. Alphonsus and St. James were encouraged by their pastor, Msgr. Michael J. Walsh, to bring people together in a safe way for Advent and Christmas during COVID. “He said, ‘I want to do something for the people … especially those who have not been able to come to Mass,’” Gallagher recalled. Msgr. Walsh asked the staffs to come up with outside displays for Advent through Christmas to help people feel connected.

While each parish’s display focuses on different aspects of the seasons, they all aspire to create that spirit of hope and outreach so many have longed for in this pandemic year.

“People can come and feel part of the Church again,” she continued, “and hopefully it’ll give them

some hope knowing that these people [in the Bible] waited thousands of years [for Christ], and we just have to keep waiting, too.”

THE ROOT OF JESSE St. George’s offering is an Advent drivethrough using the theme of the Jesse Tree – a longstanding tradition in the parish.

“It basically traces the family tree of Jesus.

When we first started [the tradition], we kept it mostly for the children, through religious education,” Gallagher said, explaining that over the years families would help assemble and decorate a Jesse Tree inside the church for the first Sunday of Advent. Since group decorating indoors is unavailable this year, they have taken the Jesse Tree idea to the church parking lot.

Now through Jan. 6, faithful can drive through a Jesse Tree display, tracing the roots of Jesus.

There is an audio recording compiled by parishioner Joe Bezek that faithful can connect to on their cell phones. “He will narrate as they drive through … we will go through the lineage of Jesus, when people were waiting for the Messiah to come,” Gallagher said.

Other stops on the drive will include Abraham and the altar stone, Joseph’s coat of many colors, Continued on 8

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 7

In Focus

Creativity the latest hallmark of season Continued from 7

a root and crown symbolizing that Jesse was the father of David, who was king and leader of God’s people, and many others.

The displays total 16 in all.

Signs will direct participants when and where to turn on the audio, as well as arrows pointing the direction of traffic as soon as they enter the church parking lot. Each stop will be numbered, Gallagher noted, and spotlighted in the eve-

nings in a way “to make sure people can focus as they go by.”

NEW KIND OF STATIONS Similar to praying the Stations of the Cross in Lent, ministry members in St. Alphonsus Parish have instituted Stations of the Nativity on their church grounds.

The stations include outside banners created to prepare the hearts and minds of the faithful for the Birth of Jesus. From the Annunciation, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the birth of John the Baptist to the Nativity and Visit of the Magi, there are 14 stations total.

“For people who are not comfortable coming back to in-person Mass yet, this is a new way that they can stay connected with their faith, but get out of their homes,” said Beth Young, St. Alphonsus head of worship. “[It’s] something that shows a positive highlight of how Christ affected history. …

It’s a message of gentleness.”

Titled “Journey with Us to Bethlehem,” the project began in September with a group of planners that kept growing as more volunteered their help. The four-

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8 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

by-six-foot station banners – printed with the help of parishioner Vincent Mistretta, a business owner – each feature artwork selected by the parish liturgy coordinator as well as a QR code that can be scanned by a smartphone camera. The code will take the viewer to a YouTube video that explains the station, and “gives a bit more depth to the banner,” Young said.

That depth comes in the form of the Readings from the four Sundays in Advent, she noted, which were compiled

by Ann Crow, read by Don Cornelius and accompanied by guitar music from Scott Blandford – all members of the project planning group.

The stations began Nov. 28 on the church’s lawn. Live sheep will accompany the Nativity scene Dec. 20 beginning at 3 p.m. Four trees representing the four candles of the Advent wreath – three with purple bows and one with pink – will be lit with twinkle lights to correspond with each week of the season.

SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM

St. James Parish, meanwhile, is looking to the symbols of Christmas – the joy and movements of the Christmas story to encourage more focus on faith aspects of the season and less on the commercial, said Joann Held, parish liturgy coordinator.

The parish’s display will open Dec. 13 – Gaudete Sunday – perfectly timed for a Christmas experience focused on Hope, Peace and Joy – the latter of which comes from the Latin gaudete.

Symbols, according to Held, will include “the lights on the tree; the evergreen, reminding us of life; candles that remind us that Christ is the Light of the world; and of course hope – we need hope, maybe more than even in previous Girl and boy figures sit under a balloon of the earth years,” she stressed. The outside St. George Church, Titusville, representing Nativity will be prominentthat the world today needs a savior and all wait ly displayed in the middle for Jesus to come again. Photo courtesy of St. George Parish island of the parking lot.

In Focus

Parishes find new ways to keep faithful connected through holidays ďƒśTabernacle parish plans live Nativity, donation drive-through

Fourteen banners with QR codes, such as the one pictured, are part of the “Journey with Us to Bethlehem� outdoor display on the grounds of St. Alphonsus Church, Hopewell. Photo courtesy of Vincent Mistretta

Held is hoping the display will help viewers “experience the story of Jesus’ Birth more deeply, or look at it from a different point of view. ‌ This [display] gives each character their own special place, so you can reflect separately on each part – the shepherds, the angels, the kings – and think about what that adds to the whole story of Christmas.â€?

Finding volunteers to plan and create the drive-through “Sharing Hope�-themed display was the least worrisome aspect of the project, Held found. “This was a chance for people to actively and safely engage in the parish again during the pandemic ... and I think there’s been a lot of enthusiasm for that.�

ECUMENICAL EMMANUEL The three parishes are hoping their outdoor displays are inviting to all who are interested in connecting with the Christmas story, including neighboring churches. “The way it’s presented is very holistic to Christians,� Young said. “Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists – anybody could come through and feel comfortable.�

Building on the success of other gift drives during the pandemic, Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle, has invited people to “Christmas. Giving.

Drive.� to view a live Nativity scene and donate gift items for residents of New Lisbon Developmental Center.

On Dec. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., all are invited to visit the parish’s drive-through live Nativity scene, featuring youth group members as Mary and Joseph, and animals loaned from nearby farms.

Those who wish can donate a gift to a resident of New Lisbon, a facility for adults with developmental disabilities, which has been hard-hit by COVID-19. “The Knights have a 40-plus year tradition of delivering a Christmas experience to New Lisbon ‌ we’ve never done it with sheep before!â€? said Jeff Siedlecki, parish youth ministry coordinator.

On the parish’s website, participants can find the event details and link to a wish list of items for New Lisbon residents – http://holyeucharist.org/ home. A new gift in original factory packaging – so it can be easily disinfected – can be purchased and brought to the live Nativity drive-through for delivery.

By EmmaLee Italia, contributing editor ďƒśIn Medford, working to ‘develop holy habits’ this Advent, beyond

As do any wise travelers preparing for an arduous journey, the parishioners in St. Mary of the Lakes are consulting a faith-centered roadmap designed to examine their actions and enrich their Advent preparations.

The Medford parish has begun a yearlong “Increasing the Size of Your Cross� self-assessment spiritual campaign.

The idea stems from a homily preached by Father Daniel Swift, pastor. Discussing the Lord’s declaration that “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind‌ [and] love your neighbor as yourself [Mt. 22:34-40],â€? he likened the Gospel to the vertical and the horizontal dimensions of the Cross.

The vertical beam represents the relationship one has with God, and the horizontal dimension

symbolizes Christian spirituality, or the way one treats one’s neighbor, he said.

Strengthening one’s faith (vertical beam) might include reading the Bible, Catechism and other books; frequenting Catholic media such as television, radio and websites, and delving deeper into the writings of the current and former popes.

Living the faith (horizontal beam) could be fulfilled through prayer or Eucharistic Adoration; tithing and donating to the needy, or participating more prayerfully in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Sharing faith might involve inviting others to pray or attend Mass or standing up for faith and morals publicly.

For more information, visit smlparish.org.

By Christina Leslie, correspondent ďƒśLawrenceville parish’s virtual Advent programs open to all

St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, extends an invitation to anyone who wishes to attend its virtual Advent programming, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 7000. Taking place each weekend of Advent, the programs are designed to help prepare hearts of the faithful for Christmas. “These Advent programs are part of ‌ an outreach to our parishioners, and anyone who wants to join us and share a little Christmas spirit,â€? said Mike McCormick, parishioner and parish organist for 18 years. “We need to work to keep people engaged.â€?

Programing includes: Dec. 5, 7 p.m. • Prepare the Way – An Advent message with faith, hope and encouragement as we look toward a Christmas unlike any we have known.

Dec. 13, 7 p.m. • Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love & Sanctity – Susan Conroy will tell us about her years at Mother Teresa’s side in Calcutta, India. A special live presentation filled with Christmas spirit!

Dec. 20, 7 p.m. • Lessons & Carols – Hail Mary, Full of Grace.

Registration is requested at https://churchofsaintann.net.

By EmmaLee Italia, contributing editor

đ&#x;“°

For extended coverage and more stories, visit TrentonMonitor.com

December 2020  ď‚Ąâ€ƒ THE MONITOR MAGAZINE   9

In Focus

‘Sing [Virtual] Choirs of Ang Music ministers find new ways to bring hope through song this Christmas

BY CARLY YORK  Correspondent

C

arols and hymns have long been the harbingers of Christmas, igniting and nurturing the Christmas spirit in hearts yearning for the joy of the season – and in that sense, this year will be no different, thanks to parish musicians across the Diocese who have been adapting during the pandemic.

“The Church is out of the building and we are thinking out of the box!” said Malena Towers, music director in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.

For months, parishes like St. Mary have been adhering to all diocesan and government pandemic guidelines while working diligently to bring music safely back to parish life after statewide shutdowns  “We want and stay-at-home-orders. A large part of that work has been in preparing for to bring hope the Advent and Christmas seasons.

TRADITION OF JOY

through music this year.” 

In Their Own Words

Jessica Kortenhaus, music director in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, believes music is more important this Christmas than ever before.

“Music has the ability to lift up our souls,” she said. “During these uncertain times, it is important to highlight the beauty in this world and that which we hope to enjoy in heaven.”

Andrew Macirowski, pastoral coordinator for worship and music in St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, agreed. “More than ever, it is important for people to feel that joy, especially when we have

been forced to change the way we go about our daily lives, when we have lost loved ones or been ill ourselves, or are without a job – all due to circumstances beyond our control. This year, the music at Christmas reminds us to be thankful for the gifts we have received from God.” Added Towers, “Nothing will stop our Christmas from being fabulous in Jesus’ name. We want to bring hope through music this year.”

To help the Middletown parish accomplish that goal, Towers wrote a special Christmas play, titled “The Messiah Was Born in My Heart,” which is scheduled to be performed outside Dec. 1819, with all pandemic safeguards in place.

The parish is also building a covered outdoor stage so that its Saved by Grace Band can continue leading music for outdoor drive-in Masses throughout the Christmas season. To support the outdoor music ministry, the parish cantors created two audio recordings of favorite hymns. These CDs will be available for purchase during and outdoor European-style Christmas Market the parish has planned for Dec.12-13.

St. Martha’s ministry is working to bring hope through music, too – through instrumentalists.

Q: What Christmas song speaks to you, especially this year during the pandemic?

“I can think of several Christmas songs from my Christmas playlist. Number 2 on my list is “Christmas Where You Are,” originally composed and performed by Jim Brickman. This song is reminding me that Christmas can be celebrated wherever you are, whatever situation you find yourself in.

This is a song about our troops who are far from home and take no holiday. But it’s also a song that, I think, pays tribute to the heroes of COVID – the nurses, doctors, police officers and homeschool parents, too. With this song, we thank those heroes for keeping us safe, healthy and comfortable.”.

FATHER MARK NILLO, parochial vicar, St. Michael Parish, West End

10 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

“‘O Come, All Ye Faithful.’ This song brings a smile to my face and joy in my heart. It reminds me of the true importance of Christmas, even during this difficult time.”

RILEY KURMIN, parishioner of St. Dominic Parish, Brick, and recent eighth-grade graduate of St. Dominic School

els’ our music ministry going and keep everyone connected. Our [online] rehearsals have been a way for us to come together and pray, sing and have fellowship. In many ways, by having to pivot to these other forms of gathering and communications, we have been able to get to know one another on more personal level.

This pandemic has really brought our music ministry members closer together.”

Diane Dannenfelser, music director in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, said she was saddened by the end of performing music together Photo courtesy of Diane Dannenfelser in-person. “Pre-COVID-19, we had an active parish music ministry. “My pastor, Father Joe Noche, is very supportive of the music program. Normally, we have 14 cantors and 18 choir members.”

“We have put together string trios to augment the music at Because of the pandemic, Dannenfelser’s parish experienced our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day liturgies,” Kortenhaus said. a complete change in the music program, meeting online for “Through the beauty of our music, we can share the love, hope, support. comfort and joy that Christ’s arrival at Christmas brings.”

Macirowski echoed that sentiment. “When the pandemic Meanwhile in Colts Neck, “Our handbell ensemble has been rehearsing in order to perform some short instrumental offerings forced the closing of churches, our choir met [online] – not for rehearsal purposes, but more for … keeping in touch with each during Christmas Masses,” Macirowski noted. other and maintaining that personal bond.”

STAYING CONNECTED HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE It has been a long – and sometimes, lonely – road for parish Choristers from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, pose for a photo after performing Christmas music in December 2019.

Though musicians cannot gather in-person this year for full concerts, they have been working diligently to ensure that the tradition of Christmas music continues.

music directors, choirs, cantors and other ensembles since March.

“When the governor closed the churches, I got all of my materials and moved my office home,” Towers explained. “I immediately set up [online] choir rehearsals to keep our members connected during such a stressful time.”

Towers utilized weekly virtual meetings to teach her choir members techniques to improve presentation and projection skills, and she invited guest musicians to come teach and work with the choir virtually.

Kortenhaus had a similar experience. “As soon as the pandemic caused us to shut down, I began to think of new ways to keep

In the summer, the lifting of certain pandemic restrictions led to innovations in music presentations.

“We created a contemporary music ensemble that could lead music for drive-in Masses,” Towers explained. “The parish invested a lot of financial and time resources to make sure that high-quality music was able to be included,” which led to the creation of the Saved by Grace Band. The band has not only been performing in the church’s parking lot ever since, in the summer, its members also evangelized through music – taking their tunes to an outdoor gazebo in Atlantic Highlands near the marina.

“‘Stay Awake, Be Ready’ [because] we need to be ready not just for Santa on Christmas Eve but also for Jesus being near us with the virus.”

“‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ because Christmas is going to be smaller this year. You’re probably not going to be traveling and spending it with as much family [as before].”

TERESA DOMASHINSKI, age 8, St. Benedict School and Parish, Holmdel

TEDDY DOMASHINSKI, age 10, St. Benedict School and Parish, Holmdel

Continued on 12

“‘The First Noel.’ This year, things will need to be much less commercial and more like that first Christmas.

If we think about the humble beginnings of the Holy Family and the way that Jesus entered the world in poverty … yet that Christmas was truly rich in beauty and love.”

SIOBHAN FALLON-HOGAN, Nativity Parish, Fair Haven December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 11

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Music is good for the soul Continued from 11

“It was a great outreach for the Gospel because we were able to bring music to people outside of the walls of the church,” Towers said.

Dannenfelser also incorporated music into Our Lady Queen of Peace’s outdoor liturgies during the summer months. “We had two outdoor Masses weekly with a guitarist or organist and cantor.”

Other music directors created safe ways to bring music to indoor liturgies. Explained Kortenhaus, “We use plexiglass sheets to create a barrier when the cantor is singing and have moved the cantor farther away from the congregation. While we are discouraging congregational singing, we select music that is familiar to our parishioners so that when they attend Mass they can feel at home and have a sense of peace.”

And as musicians – like every faithful person in the Diocese of Trenton – continue to adapt to the daily changes of the pandemic, they also will keep an eye on the hope that Advent and Christmas bring.

At 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Our Lady of Queen of Peace will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a Mass and outdoor Christmas Tree lighting.

Choristers will circle the tree and sing while the tree is lit, with all those in attendance adhering to diocesan safety and social distancing guidelines.

“It will be a short ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions, but heartfelt nevertheless,” Dannenfelser said.

Editor’s Note: Due to everyday changes in pandemic regulations, please check parish websites for updates to any planned events.

In Their Own Words

Continued from 11

“‘O Holy Night’ speaks to me at Christmas because it is a very hushed and solemn type of hymn. It is more meaningful this year than almost any other year.”

JENNIFER CORALLO, cantor in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant

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“‘For Unto Us a Child is Born.’ With all the uncertainty and sadness this Christmas season because of the coronavirus, this song is full of happiness and hope. It reminds me that no matter what is happening, Jesus is the ‘Prince of Peace’ and he is in control, even when it does not feel like it.”

CATHERINE ROWE, cantor in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant

In Focus

Bishop O’Connell shares warm wishes in this screenshot from the Diocese’s Video Christmas Card.

Bishop joins diocesan, parish choirs for Video Christmas Card MARY CLIFFORD MORRELL  Contributing Editor

M

usicians ordinarily spend months rehearsing Christmas songs together for their annual winter concerts, but in light of the pandemic, gathering in person has been a challenge.

In the Diocese of Trenton, however, there is the promise of a new kind of Christmas concert this year. A virtual mini-concert, with an introduction by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as the Diocese’s Video Christmas Card.

 “Technology can bring us together in a unique way.”  The virtual card is being produced by the diocesan Department of Multimedia Production. Marianne Hartman, department director, said that when the Bishop learned of the project, he “loved the idea and decided to record on the spot.”

She continued, “Though the video card is not the same as a live Christmas concert, or a Christmas Mass with a choir, hopefully, it will help us to forget, if even for a moment, all that we lost in this pandemic … and maybe the beautiful music will help remind us of what we can never lose – the gift of faith and everlasting life.”

The idea for the video, which is being sponsored by the diocesan Office of Worship, came about from conversations between Shawn Mack, director of both the

diocesan Festival Choir and St. Anthony of Padua Parish choir, Red Bank; Paul Bergin, diocesan organist, and Andrew Macirowski, music director in St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck.

“We had been kicking around the idea of doing some sort of virtual choir for Christmas, since it was looking more and more likely that we wouldn’t be able to have our annual Christmas concert,” said Mack, who explained that he brought the idea to both the diocesan Festival Choir and his parish choir. “They were all for it.

Between both choirs, we have about 30 to 40 singers, so hopefully we can get everyone involved. The more the merrier!”

Mack shared the idea with Father Michael Hall, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, and Carolyn Norbut, associate director. Father Hall is also pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.

“We were all too eager to make this happen,” Norbut said. “This is a group of extremely talented men and women from around the Diocese. I can’t wait to see this project come together.”

Helping produce the video are Ryan

Larason, videographer and editor with the Department of Multimedia Production, and freelance partner Frank Lettieri, who will be doing the final mixing/editing of audio and video.

Images of Christmas from around the Diocese and liturgical art will also be included in the video. “This year has been unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetimes, and we were hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer and bring some happiness in these difficult times,” Mack said.

Two pieces will be sung – “In the Bleak Midwinter,” which will be accompanied, and “Silent Night,” which will be a cappella. Each choir member will record [him/ herself] singing an individual part to a prerecorded track, which will be edited to make each song complete.

“I’m hoping that this video message shows that although we’re apart right now, we are all still a community of the faithful.

That we’re all missing the ‘normal’ of the Advent and Christmas seasons but that technology can bring us together in a unique way,” Norbut said. “Through the gift of song, and most especially prayer, that we’re all a lot more connected than we think.”

WEB EXCLUSIVES We cover a lot of ground in this issue of the magazine, but we have even more on the website. Go to TrentonMonitor.com for these special reports and features: Advent reflection series by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Comprehensive reporting from Bishop O’Connell and Catholic News Service on the recent Fall Meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops More stories from parishes who have developed innovative ways to reach out to their communities during Advent and Christmas In midst of pandemic, newly initiated Catholics are filled with Easter joy December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 13

In Focus

BY MARY CLIFFORD MORRELL  Contributing Editor

C

hristmas is the time when “God’s love is revealed,” Pope Francis reminds us, and though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our experience of the holidays, we have an opportunity to stay focused on how God’s love continues to be revealed at Christmas.

“The COVID pandemic will not take away Christmas 2020,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shared in a Christmas message to the faithful. “It will, however, change the way we celebrate it, especially in our churches and parishes.”

So, too, will it change the many ways that we experience Christmas at home and among our loved ones. As one young man, an organ transplant recipient, said of a very different Christmas planned away from family with his 92-year-old grandmother: “For Christmas, my granny and I will play games, cook a nice meal together, share stories and connect with our wider family [online].”

SOOTHE YOUR SPIRIT

W

John Batkowski photo

hile Advent is a time of prayerful interior preparation and joyful

God’s love is still

of creative Christmas c waiting for the Birth of Christ, it is also during these weeks that most people plan their Christmas celebrations, shop and decorate. It has become a very busy, often overwhelming time to meet the demands of a secular Christmas. This may be the year to slow things down.  Displaying an Advent Wreath at home is especially meaningful this year, given the challenges so many are facing. The circle of the evergreen wreath, which has no beginning or end, represents eternity and the everlasting life found in Christ. The four candles, one lit each week for four consecutive weeks, symbolize hope, peace, joy and love – all experiences we deeply desire.

Sometimes a fifth, white candle representing Christ as the Light of the world is placed in the center of the wreath. Family prayers to accompany wreath lighting may be found and downloaded for free online from a variety of Catholic publishers or purchased at Catholic bookstores.  Creating a Christ candle is a simple, meaningful activity in preparation for Christmas. Using a white pillar candle, decorate with cutouts from old Christ-

14 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

mas cards, colored stars or Christmas stickers. Tie a bow around the bottom, blue for the Dec. 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and gold for Christmas.  Prepare an Advent prayer corner, which may also serve as a memorial space for loved ones who have died, so they may be honored and remembered in a special way during the holidays. Include photos, flowers, a Bible and a small box or jar for Advent prayer intentions. Children

the heart elebrations can help prepare the space and add prayer intentions every day. Intentions may be read before or after a family meal.

CREATE NEW TRADITIONS

M

ost households, whether composed of one person or many, have favorite Christmas traditions. During this time of pandemic, it’s important to maintain the traditions that bring joy and can be safely undertaken, and adapt those that may need to be done differently this year.  Make the Nativity a focus of your indoor and outdoor decorations. St. Francis of Assisi understood the power of this image when he decided to create the first nativity scene to strengthen the faith of the people and to reignite a sense of wonder and awe at the Birth of Jesus.

For families with children, include them in the planning and setup. Take photos and share them with loved ones. Whether large or small, store-bought or handmade, this moving scene of the Holy Family does more than send Christmas cheer to passers-by and family members. It is a powerful reminder of the reason for our joy and celebrations.  “The Night Before Christmas” doesn’t have to be the only poem read on

 Consider reviving the lost art of letter writing or the personal note. Loneliness is a reality for many people, even when we are not dealing with quarantining.

Children’s notes to grandparents are sure to be tucked into a treasure box for safe keeping, and a Christmas card with a handwritten note inside or the artistic works of a young child can make all the difference to someone who lives alone, or who are residents in nursing homes or assisted care facilities. Writing, illustrating and adding stamps to cards or letters can be a family affair, as can be dropping them into a safe, outside mailbox at the local post office.  Give the gift of prayer. Outside of Mass or church meetings, our prayers are usually silent offerings, but they don’t have to be. Whether celebrating the holidays alone, or with immediate family, creating a visual reminder of those for whom you are praying is a meaningful addition to a holiday table. For families with children, a simple prayer card could be made by each child using a folded index card to place near their plate. The card may be decorated and should identify those for whom they want to pray, such as grandparents, the poor, homeless children, family members who are sick or absent, or a pet that died. After the prayer of grace is offered, children may share what’s written on their card.

John Blaine photo

Christmas Eve. Write your own Christmas story or poem to share with your family, or have each child write and illustrate his or her own story, which can be read to the family on Christmas Eve and then saved in a family scrapbook. Through the power of online video chat platforms, children may also read their stories to grandparents, aunts and uncles and others who may not be at the Christmas table this year.

 Embrace giving to others. While many of us look forward to the parish Jesse Tree and a chance to give gifts, the need is growing during the pandemic for basic necessities like food and clothing. Check out local parish ministries and community agencies and food banks for suggestions on what to donate, and get children involved in the process.

BE TOGETHER, APART

C

entral to our Christmas celebration is the need to connect. This happens through gift-giving, sharing meals and playing games. Some creative planning and use of technology can help maintain the connection to family and friends

 A virtual cookie exchange would begin by inviting friends and family to exchange recipes, then prep and bake the cookies while on video chat. When cookies are done, enjoy with your favorite drink and take time to chat with your fellow online bakers. Making gingerbread houses works, too.  Christmas dinners are special when shared, but when we can’t be together, online video programs can allow everyone still to be a part of the celebration . If you Continued on 16

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 15

In Focus

Unquenchable Spirit of Christmas Continued from 15

can’t manage an online dinner, consider sharing grace before meals with distant loved ones and include prayer intentions for those who are not able to be present during the holidays.  Opening gifts virtually keeps us connected with gift-givers, and online games are an opportunity to share the laughter of the season. Christmas bingo or a holiday scavenger hunt allows everyone to be part of the fun.

SING A NEW SONG, AND SOME OLD ONES

C

hristmas caroling is a time-honored tradition that has, for the most part, fallen by the wayside. In this time of finding new ways to connect, a traditional Christmas carol outing may become a treasured memory, one to recall the next time family members gather together again.

 Scheduling Christmas carol stops at the home of family and friends can be a time for song or dropping off gifts – from a healthy distance. Getting dressed in caroling clothes adds to the event.  An alternative to outdoor caroling is the online home concert or family Christmas pageant, recorded and hosted by the family that doesn’t mind being in the spotlight, and shared with family members who might be encouraged to sing along or applaud from their virtual seats. Family Christmas karaoke can also be both fun and inspirational, and if recorded, may delight loved ones who would appreciate another opportunity to stay connected.  For an inspirational night at home, check local parishes for Christmas concerts online. It’s a good time for hot chocolate and some of those homemade cookies.

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December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 17

In Focus

Church to Table

Parishes, food pantries share key ingredients for making meal outreach efforts successful COMPILED BY LOIS ROGERS ď‚ž Correspondent

đ&#x;?´ Casseroles for the Hungry, St. Charles Borromeo, Cinnaminson / Catholic Charities’ Burlington County Community Services Homemade by members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, the casseroles are a popular staple of the now-weekly food distribution in Catholic Charities’ Burlington food pantry, one of three throughout the Diocese. It’s a good example of the creative ways local parishes “pitch in to address the needs of those who are hungry,â€? said Richard Ferreira, director of Catholic Charities Bur-

shutterstock

I

n the days before COVID-19, hunger relief throughout the Trenton Diocese often included home cooked meals in parish halls with fellowship and interactive programs every week for those in need around the community.

When statewide health mandates and diocesan safety regulations took effect in March, parishes as well as community food relief programs and charitable organizations scrambled to find innovative ways to keep meals available. Longtime partnerships became even more critical as many efforts moved from inside church halls and community food banks to outdoor take out, grab-and-go and home delivery to meet the growing need.

With weeks of uncertainty turning into months, parishes and their community partners have ramped up their response, continuing to work together to feed the increasing number of individuals and families who are struggling to put food on the table due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following are examples of how combining efforts for the wellbeing of others can be a light in the darkness during uncertain times – and some recipes cooked with love that could warm a table in your home, too.

lington and Mercer Community Services.

One of several outreach programs in St. Charles Borromeo that address food insufficiency, Casseroles for the Hungry provides the opportunity for clients to choose from a wide range of frozen dishes.

Many of the dishes are treasured family recipes, while others – including the one below – come from a collection of tasty recipes with interchangeable ingredients provided by Catherine Weir, the ministry’s coordinator.

Beef Noodle Casserole

INGREDIENTS: • 12 ounces egg noodles, uncooked • 2 tsp. olive oil • 1 Ÿ lbs. lean ground beef • 1 onion, finely chopped • 2 tsp. minced garlic • salt and pepper to taste

18   THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  ď‚Ąâ€ƒDecember 2020 

• 16 ounces canned tomato sauce • 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley • cooking spray DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook egg noodles according to package directions. While the noodles are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat.

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula.

Add the onion and garlic to the pan for an additional 5 minutes, or until onion has softened and beef is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes and Italian seasoning to the beef and stir to combine. Drain the noodles and add to the pan with the beef; toss to combine.

Meatloaf adapted from Ken’s Kitchen, Serves 6

INGREDIENTS: • 3 chicken quarters – thigh and leg • 1 cup Teriyaki sauce • salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees; place chicken quarters in roasting pan; season with salt and pepper and place in the oven uncovered for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cover with Teriyaki sauce and cook for 15 minutes longer, then remove from oven, divide legs and thighs into two pieces each.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 ½ lbs. ground beef (80% lean/20% fat) • 1 egg • 1 onion, chopped • 1 cup milk • 1 cup crushed croissant crumbs • salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS for Meatloaf: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and croissant crumbs and salt and pepper. Place in a lightly greased 9x13-inch loaf pan and bake for one hour. Serve with brown gravy and mashed potatoes.

Directions for croissant breadcrumbs: Spread leftover croissants on a baking sheet and bake until crisp at 400 degrees. Tear toasted croissants into small pieces and place them in a blender or food processor and pulse lightly for coarse crumbs.

Asian Broccoli Photo courtesy of John Salemi

Pour the beef and noodle mixture into a 9x13inch baking pan coated with cooking spray and top with cheddar cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

To volunteer, call the parish at 856829-3322, call Weir at 856-904-8632 or email cathyweir56@gmail.com. The next casserole drop-off day at the parish is Dec. 10. đ&#x;?´ Simon’s Soup Kitchen, St. Junipero Parish, Seaside Park Simon’s Soup Kitchen, based in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church parish center in Seaside Heights, was founded 17 years ago by a small group of members from Knights of Columbus Council 8145. Over the years, it grew to become a community-based nonprofit, serving a combined total of about 300 on Tuesdays and Fridays.

In the past, clients enjoyed fellowship along with the food inside the parish center, said executive director John Salemi.

But due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meals are currently served to-go style starting at 5 p.m. Some of the 200 volunteers distribute to-go bags filled with homemade soup or chili, a complete entree, dessert and a piece of fresh fruit to hundreds of people. “It’s more than a soup kitchen,� Salemi said. “Our doors and hearts are open to all in need of a hot meal.�

• 1 large head broccoli • 1 tsp. chopped, fresh garlic • olive oil, salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: Cut raw broccoli into bite-size pieces; warm oil in a frying pan until hot, then add garlic and salt and pepper, toss until broccoli is well covered.

Serve with rice or fried rice.

To contact Simon’s Soup Kitchen call: 732-270-5941 or email info@simonssoupkitchen.org For safety reasons, new volunteer opportunities are canceled at the present time, but contributions are welcome. đ&#x;?´ Ken’s Kitchen, St. Mary Parish, Barnegat Based in St. Mary Parish, Ken’s Kitchen was widely known for its free Thursday social and educational lunch program in the parish center. Before the pandemic struck, as many as 500 people were likely to turn out. But when COVID-19 made indoor gathering impracticable, Ken’s Kitchen expanded the home delivery part of its operation.

On Thursdays, the number of meals delivered to homes around the greater Barnegat-Manahawkin area is steadily increasing as the need continues to grow. “We’re up to 180 home deliveries weekly now,� said John Donato. He coordinates Ken’s Kitchen along with his wife, Ro, and parishioner Ro Sevean, who supervises the logistics of home delivery. The homestyle meals are prepared and delivered by teams of volunteers. “There is quite a need for the food,� Sevean said. “Some people are totally isolated and really hurting.�

shutterstock

Chicken Teriyaki with Asian Broccoli, Serves 6

Those who need home delivery may call the parish office at 609-698-5531 or Email Ro Sevean at rrsevean@netscape. net.  At this time, volunteer opportunities are canceled because of COVID-19, but donations are accepted. đ&#x;?´ Loaves and Fishes, Trenton Based in Trenton’s St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, the Loaves and Fishes food outreach has been meeting the needs of those with food insecurities in the greater Trenton area for more than four decades. Because of the pandemic, Continued on 20

December 2020  ď‚Ąâ€ƒ THE MONITOR MAGAZINE   19

In Focus

Food, faith come from church kitchens Loaves and Fishes has moved its twice monthly luncheons from a sit-down format in the cathedral’s dining hall to take-out on its sidewalk.

Since then, on the last two Saturdays of the month, some 300 to 400 people come by between 9 and 11 a.m. for take-away packages that include a protein, starch, vegetable, beverage and dessert. Barbara Cagney, the program’s volunteer coordinator, said those supporting the organization with fundraising and elbow grease include faithful from 10 parishes in the Diocese as well as Knights of Columbus Councils and Catholic schools. They prepare, set up and serve the food when it’s their turn, hand out donated items and take care of the cleanup, too, she noted.

Lois Rogers photo

Continued from 19

remove all bones and cut the meat into small pieces. Place in a large bowl and set aside.

In a saucepan, sauté olive oil, garlic and basil for two minutes. Do not brown. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes.

Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain, reserving one cup of pasta water to add if needed.

Add the pasta to the chicken and tomato sauce and toss well.

Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese and serve hot with Italian bread and a tossed salad.

At this time, new volunteers are not being sought for Loaves and Fishes. Donations are welcome. Checks made out to Loaves and Fishes may be sent to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 149 N. Warren Street, Trenton, NJ, 08608.

Rotisserie Chicken with Pasta and Basil

• 1 rotisserie chicken • 1 large can petite diced tomatoes • 1 pound penne pasta • ½ cup olive oil • 3 cloves minced garlic • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 cup fresh basil, chopped • salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: Skin the chicken completely,

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Viewpoints

The Economy of Francis – of both saint and Pope

People participate in the “Economy of Francesco” virtual meeting from Assisi, Italy, Nov. 21. The meeting is a project of Pope Francis, who has called for a different kind of economy that better respects humanity and nature. CNS photo/Economy of Francesco

T

he world – and especially the poor – needs a national and global economy that justly and fairly works for everyone.

The hungry, homeless, unemployed, underemployed, refugees and all destitute fellow human beings desperately need and deserve a just and fair sharing of the wealth.

But instead, most economies are designed to overwhelmingly benefit the rich while throwing crumbs to the needy and simultaneously wreaking havoc upon the earth.

For example, while oil, gas and coal companies – which are dangerously contributing to climate change – continue to receive billions of dollars in annual taxpayer subsidies from the U.S. government and other wealthy nations, and while huge U.S. tax cuts which have overwhelmingly benefitted rich individuals and huge corporations remain in place, the U.S. federal minimum wage of $7.25 hasn’t been raised in over 10 years.

And this was before COVID. Now millions of people are not only unemployed, they are also uninsured. Furthermore, the World Bank is warning that the number of people in extreme poverty – defined as those struggling to survive on less than $1.90 a day – is estimated to increase by at least an additional 88 million people before year’s end. And in the midst of this crisis billionaires are raking in new financial fortunes, while countless workers continue to be mere disposable cogs in the corporate

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Tony Magliano

wheel – even during the pandemic.

Into all this national and global injustice enters Pope Francis. God knows our Holy Father has been doing everything he can to inspire the world to undo the immoral unjust economic status quo, and create economic systems that work for all – especially the poor.

His most recent effort is the very creative initiative dubbed “The Economy of Francesco.”

In a beautifully prophetic letter to young economists and entrepreneurs around the world, Pope Francis extended an invitation to participate in an international gathering designed to lay the foundation of a “pact to change the current economy and give a soul to the economy of tomorrow.”

And they came! More than 2,000 young economists and entrepreneurs from 120 countries, along with farsighted experts, kicked off “The Economy of Francesco” (Nov. 19-21) with a virtual global online conference centered in the historic Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy.

Using the “Economy of Francesco” conference video would be an inspiring way to imagine and begin implementing a world which works for everyone. Consider

22 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

using it in parish, high school, college and campus ministry, along with various faith group settings.

In their final statement, the young professional participants of the “Economy of Francesco” conference present to world powers and financial institutions a 12-point human-centered proposal outlining a fresh economic way forward away from greed and death, toward life and dignity for all.

They end with this very moving final point: “We young people can no longer tolerate resources being taken away from schools, health care, our present and our future to build weapons and fuel wars needed to sell them. We would like to tell our children that the world at war is finished forever.”

May the people of God say Amen to that!

In concluding his invitation letter, Pope Francis wrote “The name of this event – ‘Economy of Francesco’ – clearly refers to the Saint of Assisi and to the Gospel that he lived. … For me, who took his name, he is a constant source of inspiration.”

To view the conference video and documents mentioned above, go to francescoeconomy.org. Go to TrentonMonitor.com for sources of information cited in this column.

Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated Catholic social justice and peace columnist.

Issues & Advocacy

Proposed legislation targets most vulnerable human life The proposed New Jersey “Reproductive Freedom Act” (S3030 / A4848) is another legislative attempt to advance and expand the state’s “abortion agenda” in service to the widespread “culture of death” by eliminating the few remaining state regulations intended to protect the life and health of pregnant mothers.

New Jersey already has some of the most permissive abortion legislation in the country. The “Reproductive Freedom Act,” if passed, would guarantee a woman’s right to an abortion anywhere in the State of New Jersey. That is the “freedom” it seeks to legislate.

Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote, “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes great responsibility.” The freedom to deliberately terminate at will and with full legal protection the life of an unborn child in the womb brings with it a responsibility, an accountability, that is difficult to imag-

A pro-life sign is displayed during the 2019 annual March for Life rally in Washington. CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn

A Message from

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M.

ine, let alone justify.

The State of New Jersey has already legislated its disregard for human life from conception to natural death many times, last year approving the “Death with Dignity Act” to help accelerate the end of life.

The current proposed legislation, under the guise of “reproductive freedom,” shifts that disregard to the earliest, most vulnerable stages of human life in the womb.

How many such deaths has that “freedom” brought in the United States since Roe v. Wade? How many more deaths will this legislation bring about in New Jersey? With the freedom to terminate innocent human life in the womb, who bears responsibility? Whose life is next?

What is the Reproductive Freedom Act? The Reproductive Freedom Act S3030/A4848 was introduced Oct. 8 in the New Jersey State Legislature.

It would:  Guarantee the fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, including contraception and abortion  Enable all qualified healthcare professionals to provide abortion services in the state, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, certified midwives, or certified nurse midwives  Repeal current state laws and regulations limiting access to abortion services, including parental notification and partial birth abortion ban laws  Establish that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights  Require funding for abortion services and contraceptives in the annual state budget  Eliminate New Jersey’s conscience protection law for healthcare workers that do not want to perform or assist with abortions because doing so would violate their religious beliefs.

Source: New Jersey Catholic Conference

To sign up for the New Jersey Action Alert Network and receive links to respond to lawmakers, visit https://votervoice.net/njcc/home.

To read more about the RFA, visit TrentonMonitor.com > News > Issues & Advocacy.

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 23

Issues & Advocacy

New NJCC director sets sights on

collaboration, evangelization

BY JENNIFER MAURO  Managing Editor

T

“Ultimately, our goal is for people to see the compassion, mercy and love of God through not only what we say, but through our actions, specifically in the public square,” said James King, who, after serving as interim director for the past year, has taken the helm of the NJCC, headquartered in Trenton.

“What I would like to accomplish is to raise awareness and understanding that when the Church weighs in on an issue, it’s not just from a place of theological teachings. Our faith is the foundation and reason for what we are doing – but when we speak out on these issues, we are also talking from a place of experience,” King said. “These are social justice issues – right to life, and services that help people find housing, help people with drug addictions or mental issues, help people who may have food insecurity or need job training.”

LIAISON BETWEEN CHURCH, STATE The New Jersey Catholic Conference, established more than 70 years ago, represents the state’s Catholic Bishops on matters of public policy in areas such as social concerns, education, faithful citizenship, respect life and family life. This includes the Archdiocese of Newark; the Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen, Paterson and Trenton; the Eparchy of Passaic and the Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese.

“The Conference is the voice of the Catholic Church in New Jersey in the public square – and by public square, we mean the state government, state agencies and in some cases, the federal government.

Generally we work with the U.S. Confer-

Photo courtesy of James King

he new executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference is dedicated to assuring that the mission of the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops is understood by all.

platform to help voters contact legislators on specific legislation.

As executive director, King is responsible for the overall supervision of the NJCC office and staff.

He provides advice to the Catholic bishops of New Jersey on legislation and other matters of statewide concern, and serves as the liaison between the Church and government agencies.

“Mr. King has demonstrated time and again the skills necessary to coordinate the work of the New Jersey Catholic Conference,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said in congratulating King on his new role. “He has a good understanding of Catholic theology and Catholic social teaching that will be a tremendous asset as he interacts with so many of the constituencies he will meet, especially government officials. He is a great representative of the Catholic Church in our state, and I am very pleased to be working closely with him in this role.”

James King ence of Catholic Bishops when it comes to federal issues,” King explained.

“Our primary job is to monitor legislation and public policy here in New Jersey and throughout the country. Under that comes the review of that legislation; what, if any action the Church should take on speaking up, and facilitating communication among the dioceses and state legislators/state agencies so that the Church’s message on policy and legislation can be heard,” he said.

 “I want people to realize the important role they play in the work of the Church in the public square.”  The NJCC website, njcatholic.org, includes statements issued by the N.J. bishops; links to the five (arch)dioceses’ websites and media outlets; information on legislation/bills; links to state and federal legislators; and a “Faith in Action”

24 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

A NEW ROLE King, a graduate of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, joined the NJCC staff in 2012 as director of the Office for Social Concerns. He previously served as director for the Office of Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and working as an aid in the Hamilton congressional district office of U.S. Rep. Chris Smith.

He succeeds Patrick R. Brannigan of St. James Parish, Pennington, who serves as a deacon in the three parishes that comprise the Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley. Brannigan retired in 2019 after 13

ties could have on his family.

“She said if you think this is something the Lord is calling you to do, you have my 100 percent support,” King said. “So I prayed about it, and said if this is what the Lord is asking me to do, I’m happy to serve the Church in this capacity.”

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

James King, new executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference, takes a photo with Kim Burgo, vice president of Disaster Operations for Catholic Charities USA, during their 2017 deployment to Puerto Rico in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Maria. years of service to the organization.

“I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with Deacon Pat Brannigan,” King said. “Pat was very generous with his time to discuss issues and strategies and to offer the various lessons that he learned in his 40-plus years of public service. He provided me with opportunities to grow in my previous role, always encouraging me to work harder and never to settle. I consider him a close friend and mentor. Even in retirement, Pat continues to make time to help me as I enter this new position. As I look back on my time with Pat, I realize I have big shoes to fill.”

Taking on a new position within the NJCC was a decision that required discernment and discussions with his wife, Sarah, King said. After years of watching Brannigan’s hard work and dedication – as well as spending the past 12 months working diligently during COVID – King was concerned what impact these new responsibili-

King said the Church will never waiver from its commitment to defending all life from conception to natural death, which includes the child in the womb, the poor, the immigrant, and society’s most vulnerable. However, the Church must be aware of the means by which legislation and proposed policy attempts to address these issues.

“You have to be cognizant of the details,” King explained, saying attention must be paid to the way policy is crafted. “We can’t support legislation or policy just because it claims to produce a good result. The means by which the legislation and policy achieve their goals is just as important.”

Part of working for the common good is collaboration between various faith groups and secular agencies in areas of mutual concern such as food insecurity, environmental concerns, housing or poverty, education and more.

“Community ties are extremely important,” King said. “When you bring a message that is presented by a diverse group of people, it garners more attention not just among legislators, but with the public, too. If you have a group of individuals who may not agree on every issue but are talking about this one issue, it tends to create more attention.”

He continued, “Our job is to see Christ in every person we encounter and treat them as such. So when you have these dialogues, when you work on issues of mutual concerns, it also helps foster understanding.”

When it comes to understanding, King stresses the importance of not only knowing one’s Catholic faith, but an understanding of civics as well, especially the legislative process and staying informed on local, state and national issues, and visiting the NJCC website for updates.

“I want people to realize the important role they play in the work of the Church in the public square,” King said.

THE BUSINESS OF EVANGELIZATION Looking ahead, King said one of his goals as executive director will be to help people see that the NJCC is primarily about evangelization.

“What drives me is how to get all sides working together to embrace more positive and charitable outcomes,” he said.

With King moving into a new position, the NJCC continues to look at its overall staffing structure to see if any other adjustments will be needed.

In the meantime, King and the NJCC staff – Dr. George Corwell, Office of Education director; Deshawn Burnett, budget and technology manager, and executive assistant Anne Conte – will continue to monitor legislation and public policy that could have an impact on the Catholic Church in New Jersey and throughout the country.

“I’m very grateful to New Jersey’s bishops for giving me this opportunity,” King said. “I think we are extremely blessed as a state to have such talented, knowledgeable and caring bishops who are dedicated to service and helping the people of their dioceses and throughout the state.”

Legislation affecting every Catholic goes through the New Jersey State House in Trenton, seen here. Joe Moore photo

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 25

DIOCESE

TRENTON DIOCESE PRIEST HONORED BY HIS ALMA MATER WITH ALUMNI AWARD

Clergy Appointments Ministrare Non Ministrari

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following clergy appointments: Rev. Michael McClane, to parochial vicar, St. Dominic Parish, Brick, effective Nov. 28, 2020. Rev. Charles Flood, O.SS.T., to temporary administrator, Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, effective immediately. Rev. Stanley W. DeBoe, O.SS.T., to pastor of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, effective Dec. 15, 2020.

‘FAITH AT HOME’ AIMS TO ENRICH ADVENT SEASON Faith At Home, a weekly online resource compiled by the Diocese aimed at enriching the lives of the faithful and aiding in catechesis, is inviting users to spiritually enter into Advent and prepare for the Birth of Christ.

“The busyness of our lives often gets in the way of the real reason for this time of preparation for Christmas,” said Denise Contino, director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis. “Our hope, especially during this year of great loss, is that … families of all sizes take time to add prayer, quiet time to reflect, [and] have open conversations and activities that focus on the faith.”

Throughout the season, each downloadable pdf will include information such as encouraging families to create an Advent wreath and using the “Tip of the Week” as a guide for reflection, prayer and activities. Faithful are encouraged to send in photos of their family with their Advent wreath to enable others to pray for their intentions.

The webpage offers resources for those of all ages in English at dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home, and in Spanish at dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.

By Christina Leslie, correspondent  For extended coverage of these stories, visit TrentonMonitor.com>News>Diocese

Father Edward J. Griswold, a priest of the Diocese of Trenton, was named the recipient of the Robert F. Leavitt Award for Leadership in Pastoral Excellence by St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore.

Ministering in St. Mary Seminary and University as a faculty member, vice rector and director of pastoral formation until his 2017 Father Edward Griswold, holding his Robert F. Leavitt Award retirement, Father Griswold for Excellence in Pastoral Leadership, receives congratulations was presented with the from Sulpician Father Thomas Hurst, former president-rector award during the institution’s of St. Mary Seminary and University, left, and Sulpician Father annual Alumni Day celePhillip J. Brown, current president-rector. Courtesy photo bration in late October. The award is named for Father tion at Mundelein Seminary, Chicago.

Robert Leavitt, who served as the instituIn 1995, he returned to the Diocese of tion’s president rector from 1980 to 2007. Trenton as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Father Griswold was ordained a priest Neck. Twelve years later, Father Griswold in 1973 by Bishop George W. Ahr. He became pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parworked part-time in the diocesan Office ish, Hamilton Square; after two years, Father of Vocations and was named director in Griswold accepted an invitation to join the 1979. He served in several parishes in the faculty of St. Mary Seminary and University Diocese before being named executive as a teacher of homiletics. He subsequently director of the National Conference of was named the seminary’s vice rector and Diocesan Vocation Directors in Chicago in director of pastoral formation.

1987, as well as associate dean of formaFrom staff reports

CCHD RECIPIENTS FOR 2019 COLLECTION ANNOUNCED Six agencies committed to serving the poor of the Diocese have been awarded a total of $28,000 to further their good works via the 2019 national collection to support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

The recipients of the 2019 collection, and the amounts of the grants they received, are the Mercer County CYO, Trenton, $5,000; Society of St. Vincent de Paul Christ the King Conference, Long Branch, $5,000; Mount Carmel Guild, Trenton, $ 5,000; St. Joseph’s Social Concerns Ministry, Toms River, $5,000; Society of St. Vincent de Paul Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference, Lakewood, $5,000, and Mercy Center, Asbury Park, $3,000.

Overall, the Diocese’s faithful contributed $106,148 to the CCHD campaign, the annual domestic anti-poverty program sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Seventy-five percent of the collection’s proceeds, or $78,130, was sent to the Catholic Bishops’ national CCHD office for grants and programs that offer hope to communities across the country. The remaining 25 percent, or $28,018, was returned to the Diocese to support local anti-poverty projects.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for their support of CCHD,” said Brenda Rascher, diocesan executive director of both the CCHD and Catholic Social Services.

By Christina Leslie, correspondent

26 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Diocese For more photos and extended coverage, visit TrentonMonitor.com

Members of various Knights of Columbus councils participate in the Mass of Thanksgiving held in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, to commemorate the beatification of Father Michael J. McGivney. Jeff Bruno photos

Beatification of Knights founder celebrated in Diocese with livestreamed Mass, portrait blessing

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

T

he life of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, is a classic Catholic and American story.

Those were the words Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., used to remind the assembled Knights of Columbus about the good works of a humble priest now one step closer to sainthood.

“The poor in spirit, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness … if these were the criteria on a job description, McGivney was certainly well-qualified,” Bishop O’Connell said during the Mass of Thanksgiving he celebrated Nov. 14 in St. Robert  “He saw his Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.

“Michael J. McGivney not only got the Knights … ‘like job, he lived it and reminded his fellow a watered Catholics to do the same.”

The Mass commemorated the Oct. garden.’”  31 beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney and provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the Knights who serve in parishes throughout the Diocese and beyond. Bishop O’Connell also formally blessed a portrait he had commissioned of Blessed McGivney, which was painted by artist and Sulpician Father Peter Gray.

“Father McGivney began organizing men of the region into a Catholic fraternal organization that would become the Knights

of Columbus, with mutual fraternal supBishop David port, caring for poor widows and families, M. O’Connell, promoting the Catholic faith and charity as C.M., blesses a their defining purposes. He saw his Knights, portrait of Blessed as Isaiah proclaimed, ‘like a watered garden, Michael McGivney, like a spring whose water never fails,’” Bishop which he had O’Connell said. commissioned as Brian Barrett, the Knights of Columbus an expression of Freehold Council 1672’s Grand Knight, appreciation for called Father McGivney’s beatification “an the Knights of inspiration.”

Columbus.

“To have an American parish priest beatified is special; to have that priest be the founder of the Knights of Columbus is extraordinary. Father McGivney sought to engage the laity. With over two million Knights worldwide, it would appear he did his job. In a way ... we carry on the work he began almost 140 years ago.”

During the Mass, Bishop O’Connell addressed the Knights.

“I am so grateful to you for all that you do and all that you are,” he said to the Knights, some 11,700 of whom call the Diocese of Trenton home. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, only 200 Knights and their guests attended the Mass, which was also livestreamed across all diocesan media platforms.

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 27

Diocese

Ewing pastor remembered for compassion, presence, care of the sick

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

T

rinitarian Father Thomas Morris, the pastor of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, who died suddenly Nov. 2, was remembered as a priest with “the heart of a good shepherd.”

“We all bid a prayerful farewell to someone we all loved,” Trinitarian Father James Day said in the homily he preached during the Nov. 7 Mass of Christian Burial in St. James Church, Trenton.

“Heartbreak doesn’t capture the moment,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., principal celebrant of the Mass, as he looked upon the congregation that included members of Father Morris’ family and a large representation from the two parishes where Father Morris had served as pastor – St. Ann Parish, Bristol, Pa., and Incarnation-St. Father Thomas Morris James Parish.

“As we come together to say goodbye to a wonderful, good priest, pastor, brother, family member and friend, I invite you to pray with me to almighty God that he might receive his soul,” Bishop O’Connell said.

In his homily, Father Day reflected on highlights of Father Morris’ life and priestly ministry.

“Whenever we ask the Catholic faithful about the qualities they would expect to be visible in a good and holy priest, there are many different answers,” he said,

At the start of the Mass of Christian Burial, Bishop O’Connell pauses in front of the memorial for Father Morris that was set up in the sanctuary in St. James Church, Trenton. Joe Moore photo noting that people indicate they want someone who is a good leader, organized, articulate, open to suggestions and criticisms, and wants to continue educating himself in his ministry.

And while these are important answers, “once we get beyond these very broad human qualities, it quickly becomes clear that a priest in the Catholic Church is all that and so much more,” said Father Day, recalling that he first encountered Father Morris in 1978. Then-Brother Tom had just entered the Trinitarian’s house of formation in Hyattsville, Md., and Father Day was the formation director.

“All of us – on both sides of this altar rail – are looking for priests who are holy men who believe in prayer and the celebration of Sacraments with reverence and care,” Father Day said.

“We want connected men who are willing to sit and listen and console, compassionate men who understand the suffering first in their own life and then in the lives of others. We always want a skillful preacher who can sift through all the superfluous words and thoughts that come out of other people’s minds and mouths and then be able to zero in on the core message that we are communicating or that the Church is proclaiming.

“I believe we saw all of that and more in the life and ministry of Trinitarian Father Thomas Morris,” said Father Day. Father Day spoke on a number of

28 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

 “We all bid a prayerful farewell to someone we all loved.”  Father Morris’ characteristics, such as his ability to identify with and minister to the suffering “because he knew about personal suffering.” Father Morris battled health concerns during his life, including diabetes which resulted in him having his leg amputated and needing to wear a prosthesis.

“We had a man in our midst who showed us the power of using our human skills and joining them to the grace of Jesus to bring about great things for the Church and the [Trinitarian] order,” Father Day said.

At the end of Mass, Trinitarian Father Albert Anuszewski, the provincial for the Trinitarians, extended appreciation to the many people who were sources of encouragement to Father Morris, including Bishop O’Connell. Noting that the Bishop and Father Morris shared similar health matters, Father Anuszewski said, “You encouraged him, and he encouraged you.”

To Father Morris’ family, Father Anuszewski said, “Thank you for loving him and helping him to be the priest he was.”

Father Anuszewski concluded his remarks by presenting Father Morris’ sister with the Trinitarian cross that her brother always wore around his neck.

Diocese

Father Rocco A. Cuomo recalled as ‘true prophet’ during funeral Mass

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

F

ather Rocco A. Cuomo, a retired priest of the Diocese who died Nov. 21 at age 82, was fondly remembered as a “faithful servant, a great teacher and a kind and holy man.”

Funeral services were held Nov. 25 in St. Leo the Great Church, Lincroft, where Father Cuomo had served as a weekend assistant. Following an hour of visitation, a livestreamed Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrated by about 10 priests. Father John Folchetti, parish pastor, was homilist.

Bishop O’Connell, in expressing the loss of a brother priest who had served the Diocese for 56 years, said, “As Bishop, I have a special relationship with our priests. It’s like being the father of a family – when we lose a member of the family, we grieve. Yet, we are so confident in our faith in the Resurrection in the Lord Jesus. We pray that [Father Cuomo] may know eternal life.”

In his homily, Father Folchetti spoke of how love has the power to transform.

“A man saying ‘yes’ to God transforms all creation, much as Father Rocco did when he said ‘yes’ to the priesthood on May 23,

1964. He entered into a sacred covenant.”

Father Folchetti, who had ministered with Father Cuomo in St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville, and St. Leo the Great Parish for about 20 years, spoke of Father Cuomo as “a true prophet.”

“His prayerful, inspiring and thoughtful homilies bore good fruit. He loved talking to the deacons of the parish, and wanted them to serve at his funeral Mass,” he said.

Reflecting on the First Reading from the Book of Wisdom, Father Folchetti said, “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them [Wisdom 3:1-9]. Grant this holy priest peace and eternal rest. … Faith, hope and love are the greatest gifts, and the greatest of these is love.”

Friends of Father Cuomo remembered him as a powerful homilist and spiritual man who lived his faith.

“He loved to be with families and always made time for his parishioners,” said Joyce Kelly of St. Barnabas Parish, whose family knew Father Cuomo for 30 years.

“Nothing you ever wanted to talk about was unimportant to him.”

She recalled when Father Cuomo served in St. Barnabas Parish, during which time he started an evangelization team, led retreats and held summer

reading programs – even pizza and ice cream gatherings to encourage members of all ages to grow in the faith.

“At the end of the Father Rocco A. summer, there would Cuomo be 50 kids and their parents involved,” Kelly said. “It was true evangelization – always welcoming.”

Rita Visicaro, former parish secretary in St. Barnabas Parish, expressed admiration for Father Cuomo.

“He had such faith, such great spirituality that showed in almost everything that he did. I got to know him not only as a boss, but as a friend. He was truly a priest in every sense. He was present to his parishioners in all their needs, whether it was leading the parishioners in our Catholic faith or ministering to the dying.”

Visicaro said she and her siblings will be eternally grateful for how he supported their family when their mother became ill. “He came to pray with our family, just as we now all pray for him. All I can think is how the angels must be greeting him home because he was such a faithful servant.”

Managing Editor Jennifer Mauro contributed to this article.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrates a funeral Mass Nov. 25 in St. Leo the Great Church, Lincroft, for Father Rocco A. Cuomo, a retired priest of the Diocese who died Nov. 21. John Batkowski photo December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 29

Diocese

Guadalupe Torches lead to prayerful encounters

BY MATTHEW GREELEY 

Associate Editor, Office of Communications and Media

S

ince the 17 Guadalupe Torches – Las Antorchas Guadalupanas – were lit at the end of October, they have traveled to parishes and schools around the Diocese in November, accompanied by the prayers posted on the Diocese’s Virtual Wall of Remembrance.

“Hosting the Guadalupe Rosary Torch was one of the most moving experiences in my spiritual life,” shared Donna Orecchia, who heads the Rosary group in St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel.

Noting that 2020 marks the first year for St. Catharine Parish to host a torch, Orecchia said it was the hope of the parish priests, Father Patrick McPartland, pastor, and Father Joseph Jakub, parochial vicar, that the experience would bring about an increased desire among the parish’s faithful to pray the Rosary.

That’s exactly what happened, she said, noting that on the day of the torch’s arrival, Rosaries were handed out, a special Mass was celebrated and, as word spread among the parish ministries and prayer groups, people prayed the Rosary after daily Mass.

“I had many parishioners thank me … and express how much it deepened their love for the souls in purgatory,” Orecchia said.

The fifth annual journey of the Guadalupe Torches will draw to a conclusion Dec. 5 during a procession and closing Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. The event will be abbreviated from past years because of pandemic concerns. The procession

through Trenton and various dance groups will not be present this year, and the Mass is not open to the public.

One of those who will be present Participating in Las Antorchas Guadalupanas Dec. 5, however, is for the first time this year, St. Catharine Parish, the Cortes family of Holmdel, welcomed the Rosary Torch. Photo courtesy Mother of Merof Donna Orecchia cy Parish, Asbury Park, who reflected on what it meant to serve as captains for two Guadalupe torches. Laura Cortes, captain for the Flower Torch, was surprised to discover that the four-petalled Nahui Ollin, pictured on Our Lady’s robe, marked an important symbol for the Aztecs as it represents the four seasons as well as the four cardinal directions: north, south, east and west.

Her parents, Amalia and Enrique, are captains for the Miracle Torch.

Amalia Cortes shared that while she didn’t know that she would be asked to captain the Miracle Torch, she believes her prayerful participation helping her sister heal from a serious illness. “I prayed to Our Lady to intercede for my sister,” she said. “I thank God because after praying the Rosary,” she was notified that her sister would be able to receive necessary treatment.

Audit finds Diocese in compliance with child protection norms, measures

O

nce again, the Diocese of Trenton has been recognized for the implementation of safe practices in its care of children and young people.

In a Nov. 17 letter addressed to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., from StoneBridge Business Partners, the auditing firm declared the Diocese compliant “with all audited articles within the ‘Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’ for the 2019/2020 audit period… based upon inquiry, observation and the review of specifically requested documentation.”

The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” was developed by the Committee on Sexual Abuse of the United States Conference of Catholic Bish-

ops and was approved by the full body of U.S. Catholic Bishops at its June, 2002 General Meeting. The document acknowledged the crisis of child abuse within the Church, and pledged a stricter, more transparent set of steps to prevent and report abuse while creating and maintaining a safe environment for children and vulnerable young people.

Mary Liz Ivins, the diocesan assistant victim assistance coordinator, explained, “There is an annual written audit of activity that is submitted each August, [and] an in-person audit is required once every three years.”

The audit period was from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020; StoneBridge’s on-site audit was held in the Chancery in Lawrenceville

30 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

from Sept. 8 through 10.

In addition to reviewing the written audit documents compiled by the Diocese, auditors conducted 13 interview meetings with a total of 24 people, some in-person and others virtual. Those interviewed by StoneBridge included diocesan officers; parish clergy and personnel; school administrators and principals, as well as diocesan counsel and review members.

According to their website, StoneBridge Business Partners specializes in investigatory and analytical business consulting. The Rochester, N.Y., based company has been auditing dioceses and eparchies for the USCCB since 2011. Data from the audit is gathered and compiled by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, based at Georgetown University in Washington.

By Christina Leslie, correspondent

Pope Francis

Memory, not nostalgia, helps Christians work for God’s kingdom

BY CINDY WOODEN  VATICAN CITY • For Christians, memory involves remembering God’s promises for the future; it’s not about “nostalgia, which is a real spiritual pathology,” Pope Francis said.

Nostalgia “blocks creativity and makes us rigid and ideological people even in the social, political and ecclesial spheres,” he said, while memory, which is “intrinsically linked to love and experience,” is an essential dimension of human life.

“For us Christians, the future has a name and this name is hope,” he said.

“Hope is the virtue of a heart that does not close in the dark, does not stop at the past, does not just get by in the present, but knows how to see tomorrow.”

If one has been baptized into Christ, the Pope said, then one must remember

CNS photo

Catholic News Service

uration of the world,” he said.

“We cannot live as believers in the world unless we manifest Christ’s very life in us,” Pope Francis said.

“This attitude helps us to overcome the temptation of utopia, of reducing the proclamation of the Gospel to a simple sociological horizon or to becoming involved in the ‘marketing’ of various economic theories or political factions,” he said.

“With the strength and creativity of God’s life in us,” the Pope said, Christians will fascinate others and draw them to the Gospel, as well as promote “projects of a new, inclusive economy and politics capable of love.”

Pope Francis the sacrifice that Christ made for the salvation of all and live a life that prepares for his promised coming again and for the establishment of his kingdom.

“We are therefore called to live our lives in communion with God, that is: in the intimacy of prayer in the presence of the Lord; in love for the people we meet, which is in charity; MORE FROM POPE FRANCIS ONLINE and finally toward mother Earth,  Pope says social justice must be founded on care for others which indicates a  Pontiff: Mary shows how to turn fear into invitation to hear God’s call process of transfig Faith requires risks, helping others, Pope says

“We don’t know what the future holds, but it’s all God’s work,” says Sister Theresa McGrath (center), 86, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio.

In good times and bad, she and the religious shown here have devoted themselves to God’s work. They are among nearly 30,000 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who benefit from the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your gift helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. Please be generous.

Retirement Fund for Religious Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

Please donate at your local parish December 12–13 or by mail at: Diocese of Trenton Department of Finance 701 Lawrenceville Road Lawrenceville NJ 08648

Make check payable to Diocese of Trenton— Retirement Fund for Religious.

retiredreligious.org Above, from left: Sister Alice Garcia, SSCJ, 91; Brother Martin Gonzales, OCSO, 95; Sister Theresa McGrath, CCVI, 86; Sister Anne Cecile Muldoon, OSU, 93; Abbot Emeritus Peter Eberle, OSB, 79. ©2020 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC • All rights reserved • Photo: Jim Judkis

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 31

Church

As COVID-19 vaccines draw closer to completion and distribution, so, too, have questions as to the moral implications surrounding them. To assist the faithful in understanding these questions, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., is sharing the following pertinent information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Doctrine and Pro-Life Committees issued November 23, 2020.

T

here appears to be some confusion in the media regarding the moral permissibility of using the vaccines for COVID-19 developed by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna.

We would like to offer some clarifications.

Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine involved the use of cell lines that originated in fetal tissue taken from the body of an aborted baby at any level of design, development, or production.1 They are not completely free from any connection to abortion, however, as both Pfizer and Moderna made use of a tainted cell line for one of the confirmatory lab tests of their products. There is thus a connection, but it is relatively remote.

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32 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

CNS photo/Dado Ruvic, Reuters

Is it morally permissible to take the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some are asserting that if a vaccine is connected in any way with tainted cell lines then it is immoral to be vaccinated with them. This is an inaccurate portrayal of Catholic moral teaching.

There are three documents from the Holy See that treat the question of tainted vaccines: 1) the 2005 study by the Pontifical Academy for Life, “Moral Reflections on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Human Fetuses”; 2) paragraphs nos. 34-35 in the 2008 Instruction on Certain Bioethical Questions (Dignitatis Personae) by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; 3) the 2017 Note on Italian Vaccine Issue by the Pontifical Academy for Life.

These documents all point to the immorality of using tissue taken from an aborted child for creating cell lines. They also make distinctions in terms of the moral responsibility of the various actors involved, from those involved in designing and producing a vaccine to those receiving the vaccine. Most importantly, they all make it clear that, at the level of the recipient, it is morally permissible to accept vaccination when there are no alternatives and there is a serious risk to health.

The Pontifical Academy for Life gives as an example the case of rubella (German measles): “We find, in such a case, a proportional reason, in order to accept the use of these vaccines in the presence of the danger of favoring the spread of the pathological agent, due to the lack of vaccination of children. This is particularly true in the case of vaccination against German measles.” 2 The Pontifical Academy does call for appropriate expressions of protest against the origins of these vaccines as well as for vigorous efforts to promote the creation of alternatives.

“There remains a moral duty to continue to fight and to employ every lawful means in order to make life difficult for the pharmaceutical industries which act unscrupulously and unethically.” The Pontifical Academy adds, however, that public health must not be sacrificed. “The burden of this important battle cannot and must not fall on innocent children and on the health situation of the population.”

1 See the chart provided by the Charlotte Lozier Institute by viewing the online version of this article at TrentonMonitor.com>Coronavirus.

2 Pontifical Academy for Life, “Moral Reflections on Vaccines,” (9 June 2005) in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 6:3 (2006): 541-49, especially n.16.

Church

Pope creates 13 new cardinals, including Washington archbishop

BY CINDY WOODEN  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY • One by one 11 senior churchmen, including two U.S. citizens – Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat – knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardinal’s ring and a scroll formally declaring their new status and assigning them a “titular” Church in Rome. Cardinal Gregory is the first African American priest of the United States to be given this designation.

With the consistory Nov. 28 occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis actually created 13 new cardinals. Cardinals Jose F. Advincula of Capiz, Philippines, and Cornelius Sim, apostolic vicar of Brunei, did not attend the consistory because of COVID-19 travel restrictions; however, they are officially cardinals and will receive their birettas and rings at a later date, the Vatican said.

In his homily at the prayer service, Pope Francis told the new cardinals that “the scarlet of a cardinal’s robes, which is the color of blood, can, for a worldly spirit, become the color of a secular ‘eminence,’” the traditional title of respect for a cardinal.

If that happens, he said, “you will no longer be a pastor close to your people. You will think of yourself only as ‘His Eminence.’

If you feel that, you are off the path.”

For the cardinals, the Pope said, the red must symbolize a wholehearted following of Jesus, who willingly gave his life on the cross to save humanity.

According to canon law, cardinals are created when their names are made public “in the presence of the College of Cardinals.” While many Rome-based cardinals attended the consistory, more members of the college were “present” online.

In addition to some Rome-based cardinals, the congregation at the consistory included the pastors or rectors of the 13 Rome churches to which the new cardinals were associated.

Cardinals are given a “titular” church in Rome, formally making them members of the Rome diocesan clergy, which is what the Church’s first cardinals were.

Cardinal Gregory’s titular church is Immaculate Conception Parish on the ancient Via Flaminia in the Grottarossa neighborhood of northern Rome. The Church was built in 1935 and became a titular church for cardinals in 1985.

The new cardinals came from eight countries: Italy, Malta, the United States, BruRead more about the nei, the Philippines, Mexico, Church’s newest cardinals, Rwanda and Chile. including the first AfriCardinal Gregory, like the can-American cardinal of the other new cardinals coming United States, go to Trenfrom outside Europe, was tonMonitor.com and click on tested for COVID-19 before NEWS>CHURCH. flying to Rome and again upon

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arrival. Even after testing negative, he and the others were required to quarantine for 10 days and were tested again immediately before the consistory.

Pope Francis finishes presenting a ring and scroll Cardinal Gregory to newly elevated Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of stayed at the Washington during a consistory for the creation Domus Sanctae of 13 new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Marthae, where Vatican Nov. 28. CNS photo/Stefano Spaziani, pool Pope Francis lives, and his meals were left outside his door.

Cardinal Gregory said he hopes Pope Francis will find him to be “supportive, encouraging and trustworthy” in his role as a cardinal, but his primary ministry is still to be the archbishop of Washington.

With the consistory the College of Cardinals now has 229 members, 128 of whom are under the age of 80 and eligible to enter a conclave to elect a new Pope. Pope Francis has given the red hat to 57 percent of electors.

With Cardinals Gregory and Tomasi, who was born in Italy but is a U.S. citizen, the number of U.S. cardinals rose to 16; nine of them are cardinal electors.

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.

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 33

World & Nation

‘Make space at the table’:

Pope urges valuing, welcoming all human life

BY CINDY WOODEN  Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY • Pope Francis admits he is not an economist, but he is a pastor.

And as a pastor, he has seen how the global economy has cast aside many members of his flock, and he knows that the Gospel and Catholic social teaching call for a different response.

“Solidarity is not the sharing of crumbs from the table, but to make space at the table for everyone,” Pope Francis said in a new book written with Austen Ivereigh.

The book, “Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future,” was to be published Dec. 1 by Simon & Schuster. Journalists were given copies in advance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global trauma or trial, Pope Francis said, and it is precisely how one acts in a trial that reveals the state of his or her heart: “How solid it is, how merciful, how big or small.”

“God asks us to dare to create something new,” he said. “We cannot return to the false securities of the political and economic systems we had before the crisis. We need economies that give to all access to the fruits of creation, to the basic needs of life: to land, lodging, and labor.”

“I think often of persecuted peoples: the Rohingya, the poor Uighurs, the Yazidi – what ISIS did to them was truly cruel – or

Christians in Egypt and Pakistan killed by bombs that went off while they prayed in Church,” he said.

The Pope’s prescription is CNS photo/court esy Simon & Schu centered on diaster logue, a recognition of the God-given dignity of every human being and an understanding that the Earth and all the good it contains were meant

by God to be a gift for everyone, not just those strong enough to grab the most the quickest.

“I cannot stay silent over 30- to 40-million unborn lives cast aside every year through abortion,” he said. “It is painful to behold how in many regions that see themselves as developed, the practice is often urged because the children to come are disabled, or unplanned.”

“Human life is never a burden. It demands we make space for it, not cast it off,” Pope Francis insisted.

“Of course,” he said, “the arrival of a new human life in need – whether the unborn child in the womb or the migrant at our border – challenges and changes our priorities. With abortion and closed borders we refuse that readjustment of our priorities, sacrificing human life to defend our economic security or to assuage our fear that parenthood will upend our lives.”

To claim “to promote the Gospel and not welcome the strangers in need, nor affirm their humanity as children of God, is to seek to encourage a culture that is Christian in name only, emptied of all that makes it distinctive,” Pope Francis said.

Abortion, anti-immigrant sentiments, racism, lack of care of the elderly and the embracing of an economic system that focuses on profit at all costs are all signs of the “erosion of the value of life,” he said.

Pope Francis urged people to pause and look around for something new and different they could do to help someone else.

“When you feel the twitch, stop and pray,” he said. “And then act. Call up, go visit, offer your service. Say you don’t have a clue what they do, but maybe you can help. Say you’d like to be part of a different world, and you thought this might be a good place to start.”

Pope Francis meets with author Austen Ivereigh in November 2019. The Pope collaborated with Ivereigh on the book, “Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future.” In the book, the Pope said he experienced three “COVID moments” in his lifetime: lung problems that threatened his life when he was 21; his “displacement” in Germany in 1986 for studies; and when he was sent away to Cordoba, Argentina, for almost two years in the early 1990s. CNS photo/Vatican Media

34 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Come to us for Come to the carethe you us for Come to us for need.

Stay inE care you PG P Athe A G G N IN ICN IPP IL T T T T P P P Ethe E E CC C C C C C A A A A W W W W O O O O N N N N • • • • E E E E E E E E F F F F need.

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BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor TE arySP1E, fr2e0e1!9 N WI JNanTuERonryth1, free!

S aving depleted much of its available resources, Seeds ’ reI dam nuaonth RY e’SfoW J of Service, Brick Township, is turning to the wider A n M inRbY heefo2re d m For more information community with an online fundraiser to assist in bring- ST. ve A t tb he 2n M e n o . i about LIFE St. Francis, g ing both necessities and Christmas gifts to the more than 1,100 M ST nodve et t g a call 609-599-LIFE (5433) or visit M families they serve. and For more information www.stfrancismedical.org/LIFE.

PG AG A G N IN ICN IPP T T T T P P P E E E E C C C C C C C A A A A W W W W O O O O N N N N • • • • E E E E E E E E Seeds of Service N outreach F F F F YO R RY RY T T TN TRY N N E ONEON O NE NE makes urgent plea for donations ST. MARY’S WINTER SPECIAL

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The Seeds of Hope Fundraiser, launched in mid-November, can be found at www.seedsofservice.help/seeds-of-hope-fundraiser. And the survival of SOS’s programs for families, students with special needs and seniors absolutely depends upon its success.

“We’re in a tough position – we’re down to the bare minimum,” program director Christie Winters said, explaining that the coronavirus pandemic has left the outreach scrambling for help. “We don’t even have one Christmas gift.”

SOS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its food donations ordinarily come from large drives run by parishes and Catholic schools, as well as area schools and corporations such as local media outlets and post offices, area grocery stores and the food bank that partners with them.

“We’ve never experienced this before: nobody  “[The did the food drive this year,” Winters said pasfood] is sionately. “Those drives usually carry us through the winter.”

Every food basket SOS donated for the first just not few weeks for Thanksgiving had to be purchased there.”  from its savings. Although Winters applied for Economic Development Administration funding through CARES, the monies granted are based on employees’ salaries. SOS only has seven employees. With COVID closures, the agency is facing a $160,000 shortfall.

“How do you quantify missing 80 volunteers?” Winters asked.

“We went from 26 programs that help the community to four or five. Our students with special needs used to be bused in to help us run the food pantry; now they can’t.”

A few of those programs have been creatively altered to function during the pandemic, Winters said. In addition, the coronavirus restrictions led to the development of a text-message system for clients to contact SOS directly when in need.

The shortages, however, continue. “Before COVID, we used to pick up from 16 different grocery stores. Now only three,” she said. “[The food] is just not there.”

But Winters is hopeful that the fundraiser will make all the difference. “If we can get everyone to donate $5-$10, we can get through this,” she said. “God will always provide.”  TO HELP Seeds of Service, visit www.seedsof service.help/seeds-of-hope-fundraiser

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Comunidades latinas/hispanas benefician a la Iglesia, dice papa POR JUNHO AROCHO ESTEVES  Catholic News Service

L

a presencia latinoamericana por todo el mundo beneficia a la Iglesia Católica con un entusiasmo renovado por el Evangelio, dijo el papa Francisco.

“Hay latinoamericanos esparcidos por todo el mundo, y de esta realidad se han beneficiado muchas comunidades cristianas”, dijo el papa. “Iglesias del norte y de centro Europa, incluso de oriente, que han encontrado en ellos una nueva vitalidad y un renovado empuje”.

El Santo Padre hizo estos comentarios durante una audiencia con la facultad y alumnos del Pontificio Colegio Pío Latinoamericano de Roma. Mencionó a la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de México y la fiesta de Cristo de los Milagros, que tuvo origen en Colombia, como ejemplos de devociones de orígenes latinoamericanos que han alimentado a la plena Iglesia católica.

“El rico mestizaje cultural que hizo posible la evangelización se reproduce hoy de nuevo.

Los pueblos latinos se encuentran

entre ellos y con otros pueblos gracias a la movilidad social y a las facilidades de la comunicación, y de este encuentro también ellos salen enriquecidos”.

Al dirigirse a la facultad y personal escolar, el papa los recordó de su llamado de sembrar las semillas del Evangelio.

“Están llamados ustedes a sembrar la Palabra, de forma generosa, sin prejuicios, como siembra Dios, que no mira la dureza de la tierra, ni la presencia de las piedras o de los cardos, que no arranca la cizaña, para no llevarse con ella la buena semilla del reino”.

Entonces, el Santo Padre se dirigió a los alumnos. El pontífice los ofreció dirección que realmente serviría para todos los creyentes.

“Hay que crear un espacio

 “...a sembrar la Palabra, de forma generosa, sin prejuicios, como siembra Dios”  en donde Dios y tu prójimo pueden encontrarse”, dijo.

“En eso debe incidir su formación y ministerio, para abrir la puerta de su corazón y de los corazones de quienes los escuchen, para arrimar el hombro y convocar a los demás a hacerlo con ustedes por el bien de todos, para curar este mundo del gran mal que lo aqueja y que la pandemia ha puesto en evidencia.

“El mundo”, continuó el Papa Francisco, “sigue cerrando las puertas, rechazando el diálogo y la colaboración, se niega a abrirse con sinceridad al compromiso común por un bien que alcance a todos indistintamente. La cura de ese mal debe llegar desde abajo, de los corazones y las almas que un día les serán encomendadas, con propuestas concretas en el ámbito de la educación, la catequesis, el compromiso social, capaces de cambiar mentalidades y abrir espacios, para sanar este mal y dar a Dios un pueblo unido”.

El papa Francisco predica su homilía al celebrar la Misa marcando el Día Mundial de los Pobres en la Basílica San Pedro en el Vaticano el 15 de noviembre, 2020.

36 REVISTA EL MONITOR  Diciembre 2020

Foto CNS/Paul Haring

El Anzuelo

“Y los pastores”

shutterstock photo

entre las ovejas. Ver las ovejas en el atardecer me recuerda de la historia navideña que leemos en el Evangelio de San Lucas. ¿Será que así se veía el campo aquella noche de la primera Navidad? Me gusta imaginar que sí. Busco la estrella brillante en el cielo oriental.

Imagino el establo por el horizonte en donde están los otros animales, prestando calor a una madre, padre y niño. Me imagino a mi mismo en la escena original – ¡sin salir de la calle en el carro! – y me dejo soñar un poco.

Las ovejas no prestan atención al tráfico que pasa. Pertenecen ahí en el campo. Ese cerro es suyo y tiene toda su atención. ¿Dónde está mi cámara, o, mejor todavía, una brocha y papel (si tuviera el talento para pintar la escena)? Es la escena perfecta para una carta navideña.

Los carros avanzan, pero la imagen y el recuerdo se quedan conmigo. ¿Dónde estará el pastor?

Y de repente, se me aclara: había un pastor escondido por ahí, pero más que eso, el rebaño esperaba a “El Pastor”, al igual de que el Pueblo de Dios lo esperaba durante miles de años y como los pastores de aquella noche en el campo afuera de Belén en la primera Noche Buena.

La imagen se me invita de nuevo al momento aquel. “Vamos a Belén, a ver esto que ha pasado y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer”. Y, al ir y verlo, al conocer a Navidad nuevamente, nos toca a nosotros volver “glorificando y alabando a Dios” por todas las cosas que hemos oído y visto, tal como Dios nos dio a conocer.

Feliz Navidad y que nuestro “Buen Pastor” nos guarde y proteja en el Año Nuevo mientras seguimos en medio de esta pandemia que ha cautivado al mundo.

D

e los muchos personajes en la historia bíblica sobre el nacimiento de Jesucristo en el Evangelio según San Lucas encontramos a los pastores. En su tercer libro, Jesús de Nazarét: las narrativas infantiles, nuestro Santo Padre el papa Benedicto XVI escribió, “Jesús nació entre pastores. Él es el gran pastor de la humanidad” (p. 73).

San Lucas nos dice: En esa misma región había unos pastores que pasaban la noche en el campo, turnándose para cuidar sus rebaños (2:8).

Cuando los ángeles volvieron al cielo, los pastores se dijeron unos a otros: “Vamos a Belén, a ver esto que ha pasado y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer” (2:15).

Y cuantos lo oyeron se asombraron de lo que los pastores decían (2:18).

Los pastores regresaron glorificando y alabando a Dios por lo que habían visto y oído, pues todo sucedió tal como se les había dicho (2:20).

Las imágenes y presencia de los pastores no nos sorprenden, realmente. Después de todo, un pastor conoce su rebaño y el rebaño a él ( Juan 10:14). Cuida a su rebaño y lo guía cuidadosamente (Isaías 40:11).

El rebaño conoce su voz y lo sigue ( Juan 10:27). Jesús, el Buen Pastor, vino para hacer las mismas cosas. El Mesías vino para salvar a nosotros, porque desde el tiempo

Mensaje para Navidad del

OBISPO DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. y pecado de Adán y Eva, “andábamos perdidos” (Isaías 53:6) en lugar de seguir el camino que Dios quería. Se puede decir, entonces, que Jesús nació para ser el Buen Pastor y que la presencia de los pastores en el campo de Belén demostraba las obras que Jesús asumiría en su vida. Ellos hacen falta en la historia porque eran claves en aquellos momentos. Así que los pastores no son ningún detalle simpático o de sobra de la historia. Su papel sigue siendo fundamental.

Hoy en día, la presencia e imágenes de los pastores no suelen ser muy comunes como en aquel tiempo. La gente no anhela “ser pastor” como oficio profesional, por lo menos en esta parte del mundo. Sin embargo, les comparto que en mi camino a casa de la cancillería paso por un cerro donde a veces veo muchísimas ovejas comiendo el pasto. Nunca he visto a ningún pastor con ellos, pero ¡debe haber alguien! porque en las mañanas, las ovejas ya no están. Alguien tiene que llevarlas adentro en las noches y soltarlas en el día. ¿Cómo estará vestido? ¿Cómo se ve un pastor de estas partes?

A lo mejor el pastor está ahí escondido

Diciembre 2020  REVISTA EL MONITOR 37

El Anzuelo

Levantando al pueblo

Fundador de El Centro recuerda lecciones de la vida en la fe, caridad POR RICH FISHER  Corresponsal

FE ANTE LA ADVERSIDAD Junto a su fe católica profunda, dos historias de su juventud han marcado su vida y llamado.

La primera ocurrió cuando sus padres, Catalino y Juanita, le llevaron a Hightstown donde su hermano, Catalino Jr., quien murió a los 2 años por neumonía antes de que Roberto naciera, estaba enterrado. Le desesperó lo que encontró en el cementerio.

“No hubo ninguna piedra sepulcral ahí porque cuando murió, mi familia no tenía suficiente para comprar una”, dijo Hernández. “Cuando fuimos a preguntar donde estaba enterrado. Investigaron el año, pero no tenían su nombre porque no sabían como escribir el nombre y pusieron

www. PecesdeTrenton.com

NOTICIERO DIGITAL EN ESPAÑOL DE LA DIÓCESIS DE TRENTON

Foto cortesía de Caridades Católicas

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nspirado por vivir la fe católica y ver el apuro de las familias inmigrantes como la suya, Roberto Hernández diariamente toma muy en serio su llamado de amar al prójimo como a si mismo.

Lo ha hecho de maneras numerosas, más notablemente como fundador y director de El Centro, una sucursal de Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Trenton – una agencia de alcance dedicada a servir al poblado españolhablante de Trenton. Hernández también ayudó incorporar el hogar Anchor House para jóvenes fugitivos; pertenece al concilio de directores para la YMCA de Hamilton, y, este año, celebra 25 años como entrenador para los Olímpicos Especiales de New Jersey.

Roberto Hernández en inglés ‘bebé varón puertorriqueño’ para identificar el número del terreno.

“Les dije a los hombres que trabajaban en el cementerio, ‘Pues tiene nombre.

Esta persona nació Catalino Hernández Jr.’ Les di el nombre y toda la familia contribuimos para comprar una piedra sepulcral. Mi mamá estuvo tan agradecida.

“No creo que fuera nada malicioso”, añadió Hernández. “Así eran las cosas.

Todos estamos de camino de desarrollo y aprendizaje”.

El joven Roberto aprendió otra lección desalentadora de lo difícil que era la vida para inmigrantes latinos en los principios de los 1970.

Después de recibir $20 de su padre para ir a pagar la cuenta del servicio público, Hernández perdió el dinero en camino a la oficina de utilidades. El niño joven intentó explicar la situación al empleado, pero este negó escucharlo. El niño volvió luego con su padre, pero esta vez el empleado usó groserías y un insulto étnico mientras les botó de la oficina.

“Nos dijo, ‘Vuelvan cuando ya aprenden hablar en inglés’”, dijo Hernández. “De un lado está mi padre, veterano de combate de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y la Guerra Coreana y él se disculpó por despreciar el tiempo de este tipo. Yo sabía que no era necesario tratar a personas de esa forma”.

38 REVISTA EL MONITOR  Diciembre 2020

Los dos incidentes ardían fuertemente en la mente – pero Hernández equilibraba el enojo y desilusión con la fe.

“Criarme católico era todo para mí”, dijo. “Básicamente influyó toda mi vida entera. Desde el momento cuando me di cuenta de que yo era católico y lo que significaba eso a mí y mi familia, entendí cómo teníamos que comportarnos.

Teníamos la responsabilidad de servir y apoyar a los demás. Yo entendía que todos éramos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo.

Eso realmente resonaba conmigo”. ÁREA DE OPORTUNIDAD Los padres de Roberto se mudaron de Puerto Rico a Hightstown, pero volvieron a la isla después de la muerte de su infante.

Orando a la Santa Madre para que todo saliera bien en una segunda vuelta en América, volvieron en el 1968 cuando Roberto tenía 10 años. La familia vivía en Hightstown y Newark antes de encontrar un hogar verdadero en Trenton cuando su hijo estaba en la secundaria.

“Como muchos inmigrantes y migrantes, mis padres se sacrificaron por sus hijos”, dijo Roberto. “No les fue fácil, pero pensaban ‘Será mejor para nuestros hijos [en América]’”.

Hernández empezó a jugar básquet en la Escuela Sagrado Corazón en Trenton.

Resultó ser un talento que le ayudaría en su camino educativo y, también, en conocer a personas claves para su futura carrera y ministerio.

Hernández jugó básquet para Cathedral High School, Trenton, y Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, además que para Trenton State College (ahora The College of New Jersey), Ewing, y el equipo nacional de Puerto Rico. Al graduarse de la universidad, ingresó a las reservas militares durante ocho años antes de empezar su carrera con Caridades Católicas.

En el 1999, con el apoyo del monseñor Leonard Toomey de la Parroquia Sagrado Corazón, voluntario de Caridades Católicas Dan Lundy y el director

El Anzuelo Roberto Hernández, saluda a los muchos participantes en la feria de salud que se lleva a cabo en la Parroquia Sagrado Corazón, Trenton. Residentes del condado de Mercer aprovechan de la feria cada año.

Foto cortesía de El Centro

con 15 años de compromiso y amor, disminuyendo al equipo a siete personas para servir a la comunidad latina. Han mantenido los programas centrales, pero El Centro necesita de apoyo financiero.

Hernández anima a quienes quisieran donar a escribirle al rhernandez@ cctrenton.org o llamar al 609-394-2056. ejecutivo de aquel tiempo Fran Dolan, Otra casualidad de la vida de Hernández estableció El Centro con la misión de corregir las muchas injusticias El monseñor José Roldán, rector de la Catedral Santa Roberto causada por el COVID ha María; Marlene Laó-Collins, directora ejecutiva de sido los Olímpicos Especiales, que se que personas como su familia tenían Caridades Católicas; y el obispo David M. O’Connell, han postergado. Empezó a servir como que aguantar. La organización provee C.M., toman una foto con Roberto Hernández durante entrenador de básquet hace 25 años, y servicios extensos para la comunidad un evento sobre la inmigración en el salón parroquial de luego, hace 12 años, junto con Lucille hispana del condado de Mercer, la Catedral Santa María de la Asunción. Foto por Mateo Greeley Fenimore, crearon el programa de servicios como entrenamiento para natación de los Mercer Sailfish. el empleo, apoyo alimentario, clases “Es inspirador. Me encanta hacerlo”, dijo. “Hacen que mis días para aprender inglés, ciudadanía, campamentos de verano y sean mejores. Son tan auténticos, tan cariñosos. Se preocupan por programas extraescolares. los demás; les importan todos”.

“Nunca hubiera imaginado lo que hemos logrado aquí”, dijo Roberto y su esposa Aida tienen tres hijos. El mayor, Carlos, es Roberto. También reconoce la colaboración y apoyo increíble abogado y entrenador asistente del programa de natación. El hijo entre El Centro, la Parroquia Sagrado Corazón y su párroco, el más joven, Roberto Jr., nada por el equipo y ha ganado oro en los padre Dennis Apoldite. “Al llevar a cabo nuestros programas, Olímpicos Especiales. salvamos vidas y fortalecemos a familias. Hemos ayudado Alejandro es el hijo del medio. Él tiene el rol del enfermero a familias a través de ferias de salud en Sagrado Corazón en Casey en el programa de televisión, “New Asterdam”. Recién, que cientos de familias llegaron con todo tipo de asuntos Alejandro presentó un taller sobre la importancia de la inclusión médicos: hipertensión, diabetes, etc. Nosotros las conectamos a en el Centro Comunitario de Hamilton. proveedores de salud para que reciban atención adecuada.

El éxito de los tres hombres es un orgullo a sus padres, dijo “Nuestro programa de Fortalecer a Familias, junto con la Diócesis, se enfoca en ayudar a fortalecer a matrimonios y parejas Hernández. También lo es la fe que todos comparten. Roberto y Aida han instilado la importancia de ser católicos y las y ha tenido mucho éxito”, siguió. “Cuando vemos [a familias] que responsabilidades que vienen con vivir como católicos. se han beneficiado, es todo el pago que nos hace falta”.

Levantando al pueblo a través de la educación, las clases de inglés como segundo idioma son populares en El Centro. En esta foto, Roberto se rie con Hermana de Caridad Margaret Fitzgibbon quien enseñaba las clases durante muchos años. Foto por Scott Alessi

IMPACTO DEL COVID Desafortunadamente, el COVID-19 ha causado un golpe significante financiero mientras El Centro perdió dos contratos estatales de valor de unos $70,000. Uno iba a ser para una posición de alguien para acompañar a familias de alto riesgo para ayudarlas encontrar servicios en la comunidad y romper el aislamiento que muchos viven. El segundo contrato hubiera hecho posible un campamento de descanso o respiro para niños de 10 a 15 años de familias de bajos recursos para que gozaran de visitas a granjas, viajes educativos y mentoría.

“Perdimos los contratos porque hubo ajustes por todos lados a causa del COVID”, dijo Hernández. “Siempre alcanzábamos o sobrepasamos nuestros niveles de servicio”.

El COVID-19 también hizo necesario dejar ir una trabajadora

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

Se puede financiar todo tipo de equipo.

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Spiritual Life

Preparing the Way DEC. 6  WE PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD IN THE WILDERNESS

THE WORD

Father Garry Koch

Is 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8

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The call of the prophet Isaiah, which we hear in the First Reading, has a slightly different nuance of meaning than does the interpretation of that text in Mark’s Gospel. Isaiah emphasizes the voice crying out to restore the wilderness, to make a straight highway for the Lord in the desert.

The Baptizer is seen as a voice crying in the wilderness. There, in the wilderness, John cries out that the path for the coming of the Lord needs to be prepared – not a physical highway – but the purification of the hearts and minds of the people so that they are ready.

DEC. 13  THE CHURCH ALWAYS LOOKS FOR VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

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t is not often that we hear the same core Gospel repeated two weeks in a row.

While the regular Readings of the ordinary Sundays generally follow through one Gospel in a sequential order, that is not so during the special seasons, such as Advent.

While last week we heard from Mark’s Gospel, this week we have moved to John’s

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ehold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”’ This citation from the prophet Isaiah easily and quickly became associated with the ministry of John the Baptist. Here John is seen as the so-called precursor of the Messiah – the one who foretells and foreshadows the Incarnation and the paschal mystery through his life and preaching. As the last of the prophets of the Old Law, he stands poised and ready to receive and announce the New Law. John’s role in preparing the way for the Lord does not, however, end with him.

Indeed, it is a mission taken up by the apostles as, after Pentecost, they went forth from Jerusalem and proclaimed the Gospel to “the ends of the earth.” While the Lord Jesus had certainly come and completed the mission he laid on the shoulders of his disciples – of the Church – the completion of that mission, and preparing the world for the eventual end of times, and his second coming.

As we live our own lives of discipleship, ministering to the world in which we live, it has been easy to be complacent in both living that call and in preparing the world for the coming of the Lord.

40 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Gospel. With John the Baptizer still as the focal point, we hear that same precursor language again: John as a voice crying in the wilderness. The evangelist John adds another dimension to the preaching of the Baptizer and includes a challenging exchange between him and the priests and Levites.

The crux of their inquiry is the same as that which will cause tension between them and Jesus in his ministry – who are you and what gives you the authority to do this?

We know little of the actual background of either John or Jesus. Nothing suggests that either of them were educated in a rabbinic school. We might discern that John was from a priestly family from what we know in Luke’s Gospel about the annunciation of his birth, but he does not exercise a priestly role, nor is he challenged as such by the priests and Levites in this exchange, either.

All that we know – and the most important thing to know – is that both the Baptizer and Jesus are on a divine mission, a mission that transcends and is not dependent upon their credibility in this world. John was sent on his mission to preach forgiveness of sins and to proclaim a time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus, the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity, exercised the mission of inaugurating the Kingdom of God through the Paschal events.

Both men were a mystery to those around them. They spoke and acted with authority at a time when doing so was unusual and not to be expected from ordinary men.

DEC. 20  JESUS IS THE TEMPLE, NOT BUILT BY HUMAN HANDS 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38

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s king, David united the peoples of Israel and Judah into one nation and secured the city of Jerusalem, known also as the City of David, as its capital. Consolidation of power and the securing of the borders of the country were among his greatest achievements. As with any king, David made sure that he made alliances with his neighbors and, of course, he built for himself a palace.

Up to that time the Ark of the Covenant, which was fashioned 200 years earlier by Moses in the desert, still resided in a tent, though now within the city limits of Jerusalem. David desired to honor the Lord and to build a Temple for the Ark. While at first it seemed the right thing to do, through the prophet Nathan, the Lord rejected David’s plan, leaving that to his son and successor, Solomon.

While there are many reasons for the Lord to not want the Temple, it would be reasonable to note that the rejection of the idea of a Temple followed a similar sense of why God had also initially rejected the development of kingship in Israel: It develops a misplaced focus among the people.

The emergence of kingship in Israel indicated a rejection of God-as-king. The people looked for a king instead to

protect and lead them. Now, with the idea of a Temple, the Lord is again being rejected. The king is gradually consolidating his own power, bringing the religious practices and laws of the people under his domain instead of the priests, those who were ordained by the Lord.

Likewise, a temple will isolate the Ark of the Covenant, making the presence of the Lord distant from his people. In the visitation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin all of this is undone. The Lord is expressing his desire to leave the Temple. This time, however, the Lord will not dwell in a constructed ark or in a tent fashioned from animal skins. Instead the Lord now intends to live among his people and to become one of them through the mystery of the Incarnation.

DEC. 27  THE FAMILY IS THE CENTER OF FAITH AND LIFE Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Col 3:12-21 ; Lk 2:22-40

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his week we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. It can be easy to overlook the reality that theirs was a Jewish family from Nazareth. This week we see Mary and Joseph offering the ordinary ritual of thanksgiving for the birth of a first-born son, and we see a glimpse of their Jewish life and faith.

Lord Rabbi Sacks, Emeritus Chief Rabbi of the UK, addressed a Conference on the Family at the Vatican in 2014. He said, “In Judaism, the home and the family became the central setting of the life of faith. In the only verse in the Hebrew Bible to explain why God chose Abraham, He says: ‘I have known him so that he will instruct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just.’ Abraham was chosen not to rule an empire, but simply to be a parent. Parents are to be educators, education is the conversation between the generations, and the first school is the home.

 Our families ought to be where our faith is nurtured each day.  “So Jews became an intensely family oriented people, and it was this that saved us from tragedy.”

This is the world of the Holy Family, but it certainly impacts us well. Our families ought to be where our faith is nurtured each day. There should never be a doubt that a Catholic family is a Catholic family. Prayer, moral instruction, interest and support in religious formation, shared attendance at Mass and other occasions of prayer and worship should stand at the core of who we are as Christian families.

Pope Francis recently raised the ire of many when he seemed to suggest a respect for the rights of those who live outside of traditional marriage covenants. In what might serve as an insight into this perspective of the Holy Father, Lord Sacks observed: “But our compassion for those who choose to live differently should not inhibit us from being advocates for the single most humanizing institution in history. The family, man, woman, and child, is not one lifestyle choice among many. It is the best means we have yet discovered for nurturing future generations and enabling children to grow in a matrix of stability and love.”

We pray today for all families – for our own families – that we will stand in testimony and witness to the great gift God has bestowed upon all of us.

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

T O READ expanded versions of Father Koch’s columns or

TO LISTEN to Podcast messages on Catching The Word, visit TrentonMonitor.com

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 41

Spiritual Life

‘For all’ or ‘for many’; meaning of ‘few are chosen’ Why was the wording of the blessing of the wine at Mass changed from “for you and for all” to “for you and for many”?

Didn’t Christ die for all of us? Can you please shed some much-needed light on this confused Catholic? (Radford, Virginia)

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You are absolutely right that Jesus died on behalf of all of us. That truth is manifest in various scriptural passages, such as 2 Corinthians 5:15: “He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

But you are also correct that, since the current English text of the Mass was introduced in 2011, the priest now says when consecrating the wine: “This is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.” That change had been directed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, to be applied to all subsequent translations of the words of consecration.

Why the change? To make the prayer more faithful to the words of Jesus at the Last Supper in the accounts of Matthew and Mark: “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many” (Mk 14:24).

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It also reflects the fact that the salvaQUESTION CORNER tion won by Jesus for Father Kenneth Doyle Catholic News Service the sake of all is not applied automatically; it requires that to attain eternal life each individual must, to the extent of his or her understanding, accept and live in the grace won by Christ.

Jesus told many stories about God’s willingness to forgive our sins – like the story of the prodigal son. But he also said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father” (Mt 7:21).

And in the account of the king who gave a great banquet, but the invited guests declined to come, Jesus says at the end, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” How do we know if we are among the “few” or the “many”? (Louisville, Kentucky)

Q

First, as to the scriptural verse “Many are invited, but few are chosen” (Mt 22:14): A common view among scriptural scholars is that the passage is not meant to forecast the relative proportion of those who will be saved.

Instead, it indicates in its context that relatively few of the Israelites of Christ’s time would choose to follow  God “wills Jesus and that his message would then everyone to be offered to the gentiles. (Some commentators also note that the relative be saved and harshness of the passage is a rhetorical and pedagogical technique on Christ’s to come to part to highlight the centrality of his knowledge of teaching.)

But as to the crux of your questruth.”  tion – how can we be sure that we’re among those who will be saved? The answer is that we can never be certain. All we can do is trust in Christ’s teaching and make a decent effort to respond appropriately in faith and in conduct.

Personally, I am comforted by such passages as 1 Timothy 2:4, where Paul says that God “wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of truth.” I have always felt that, in the end, most people will make it to heaven. Otherwise, why would God have decided to create us all if the whole enterprise is destined for failure?

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

Like us at: Trenton Monitor 42 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Spiritual Life

Peace is the gift

God invites us to open

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Running close by is a small creek, though not quite so lively as it once was, flanked by an old stone wall and rolling grass fields. A train rumbling by behind me does not diminish the joy I feel in being in this place.

It is perfect for me because it is a path less taken. My need to be alone has grown dramatically over the years, and I welcome that chance to walk apart from too many others and rest on a bench with only the occasional squirrel as a visitor.

of peace, the gift of hope, which lives in all ...

“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things …

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

When I first found this quiet haven and sat across from an old oak, admiring its beautifully gnarled trunk, my deep breaths of relief soon became tears of gratitude for something that many of us have lost during these turbulent times – peace.

I never realized how much I needed it, until it overwhelmed me. Though I realized it would just be for a brief time during my day, I felt like God had an-

How perfect that, in this moment of time, burdened by the heaviness of the past months, I would be reminded of God’s gift of peace, experienced simply by letting God’s creation fill my heart and mind.

How perfect, I thought, that the infant Jesus, the Prince of Peace, through whom all things were made, should be born in a stable, with earth under foot, sheltered by stones and comforted by the sounds and presence of the animals that

 This child, Jesus, wrapped in love, is the gift

swered my prayers by leading me to this place where I could, “gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings,” and think, as St. Hildegard of Bingen encouraged, “What delight God gives to humankind with all these things.”

I recalled a favorite poem, “The Peace of Wild Things,” by American novelist, poet, farmer and environmental activist Wendall Berry:

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n a rare outing to investigate a park near my home, I discovered a perfect place to walk – a narrow path through a grove of oak, maple and pine trees, providing me with an exceptional choice of painted leaves and pine cones for my holiday decorations.

THINGS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME Mary Clifford Morrell

surely rested nearby.

When St. Francis of Assisi sought to renew wonder and joy in the Birth of Christ, he created the Christmas creche, which consisted of a manger full of hay, an ox and a donkey. There were no statues, only people who acted out the parts, becoming one with the Christmas story.

The altar upon which Mass was celebrated that night was simply a large stone, and there was indescribable joy at this humble, simple scene.

This child, Jesus, wrapped in love, is the gift of peace, the gift of hope which lives in all that God created and through which God is revealed to us. As Pope Francis reminds us, “God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.” And, I might add, share it.

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

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 43

People

Ministry of Head and Heart

As counselor, Father Padovani adds new dimension to missionary work Editor’s Note: Divine Word Father Martin Padovani is marking his 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination this year. Father Padovani was inadvertently omitted in the special Lives of Faith section of the October Monitor Magazine.

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

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sk Father Martin H. Padovani about the “one-eighty” he made early in his priesthood when he went from wanting to do missionary work in China to becoming a psychotherapist, and he simply says: “Man plans and God laughs.”

“God obviously had another idea in mind for me,” he said.

As Father Padovani reflects on his vocation to the priesthood and all that has taken place since he was ordained 60 years ago, he readily admits there’s been quite a difference from what he originally envisioned about the priesthood as a grammar school student in St. Ignatius School, Cleveland, Ohio, to the direction his life ultimately took.

Father Padovani recalled it was in St. Ignatius School where he first learned about the Divine Word Missionaries and their work in serving the poor, neglected and disadvantaged in some 70 countries around the world. A Divine Word priest had visited his class and showed a film on the community’s work in China. It was then, the young Martin said, “that I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Following grammar school, Father Padovani attended a preparatory high school headed by the Divine Word Missionaries in Girard, Pa., followed by studies for the

 “God obviously had another idea in mind for me.”  priesthood in Conesus, N.Y., to Epworth, Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and then the Divine Word Missionaries headquarters in Techny, Ill., where he was awarded a master’s degree in theology.

Soon after his April 2, 1960, ordination, Father Padovani had a change of heart in how he felt called to live his missionary life. Instead of serving overseas, he

would remain in the United States. His first 10 years of priesthood were spent serving in Divine Word Missionary sites in Chicago, Ohio and Bordentown as the order’s director of vocations. In this position, he realized he had a gift for counseling and listening to people. This was further fostered when celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation and realizing that many times what the penitents were confessing were not sins.

“They thought they were confessing sins,” he said, but what they were actually confessing were the human emotions and feelings they were experiencing in response to the circumstances taking place in their lives. While guilt, shame, anger and pride were among the “sins” he would often hear in the confessional, Father Padovani emphasized that these emotions are not sins. “Emotions and feelings are not sins,” he said. What is sinful is “how we act on our emotions,” especially if the actions are carried out in a hurtful or hateful manner.

With the support and encouragement of Father Raymond Lennon, the community’s provincial at the time, Father Padovani began graduate studies at Iona Institute of Pastoral Counseling, New Rochelle, N.Y. Once he received his master’s degree, Father Padovani, who was living in Bordentown, began working as a fulltime therapist specializing in individual, marriage and family therapy. He said he was pleased that his brother priests recognized that he was doing missionary Continued on 59

Divine Word Father Martin Padovani is shown spending time in prayer. Father Padovani, who has served his community in the field of counseling, marks the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination this year.

Mary Stadnyk photo

44 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Pre-pandemic image

People

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Roberto Hernandez, center back, poses with son Alejandro and children who participated in a summer camp experience through El Centro and an area playhouse. The campers had two weeks of acting training and activities before performing a two-act play for family and friends.

Courtesy photo

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Lifting Up Community

El Centro cofounder with Puerto Rican roots recalls life lessons in faith, charity

BY RICH FISHER   Contributing Editor

I

nspired by a lifetime of Catholic faith and watching the plight of immigrant families like his own, Roberto Hernandez takes to heart daily the call to love his neighbor as himself.

He has done so in numerous ways, most notably as founder and director of El Centro for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton – a social outreach agency dedicated to serving the Trenton area’s Spanish-speaking population. Hernandez also helped incorporate Trenton’s Anchor House home for runaways; sits on the board of directors for the Hamilton YMCA, and, this year, is celebrating his 25th anniversary as a New Jersey Special Olympics coach. Along with his deep-rooted Catholic faith, two tales from his youth helped shape the 63-year-old’s calling in life.  The first took place when his parents, Catalino and Juanita, took him to the Hightstown resting place of his brother, Catalino Jr., who died of pneumonia at age 2 before Hernandez was born. Hernandez was dismayed at what he found. “There was no stone there, because at the time [he passed away], my family couldn’t afford it,â€? Hernandez said. “When we went to ask where his plot was located, they looked up the year, but they had no name because they didn’t know how to spell the name and put down ‘Puerto Rican baby boy’ to identify the grave number.

“I told the guys who worked in the cemetery ‘Well, he has a name. This person was born Catalino Hernandez Jr.’ I gave them the name, the family all chipped in and we got him a gravestone, which my mom was so grateful for. “I don’t think there was any malice intended,� Hernandez added. “It was just a sign of the times. We all grow and learn.�  Young Roberto learned another grim lesson of how difficult life was for Latino immigrants in early 1970s America. After being given $20 by his father to pay the public service bill, Hernandez lost the money en route to the utilities office.

The young boy tried explaining his situation to the clerk, who refused to listen. He later returned with his father, but the clerk used profanity and an ethnic slur as he threw them out.  “He said, ‘Come back when you learn to talk English,’� Hernandez said. “Here’s my father, a World War II/Korean War combat veteran, and he apologized to the guy for wasting his time. I knew it was not necessary to treat people that way.�  Those incidents burned fiercely in Hernandez’s mind – but he balanced the

disappointment with faith.  “The Catholic upbringing was everything to me,â€? he said. “It basically influenced my life. From the moment I realized I was Catholic and what that meant to me and my family, I understood how we had to comport ourselves. We had an obligation to be of service and to help others, and we all are brothers and sisters in Christ. That really resonated with me.â€? In 1999, he co-established El Centro in a quest to right the many wrongs that people like his family have had to endure. The organization provides extensive services for Mercer County’s Latino population, including free job training, food assistance, GED and ESL classes, citizenship, summer camps and after-school programs. “I could never have imagined what we have accomplished here,â€? Hernandez said, also praising the collaboration between El Centro, Trenton’s Sacred Heart Parish and its pastor, Father Dennis Apoldite. “Along with our other programs, we have saved lives and helped strengthen families.â€?  Unfortunately, COVID-19 has caused a huge financial hit as El Centro lost two state contracts totaling $70,000 due to across-the-board cuts. The pandemic also forced the layoff of a 15-year employee, leaving a staff of seven. They have kept things running, but El Centro is in need of financial help. To help, email rhernandez@ cctrenton.org or call 609-394-2056.

December 2020  ď‚Ąâ€ƒ THE MONITOR MAGAZINE   45

Young Catholics

Spirit of Service

16 teens honored with Diocese’s St. Timothy Awards FROM STAFF REPORTS

L

eadership, perseverance and an unwavering faith in times of adversity were among the qualities youth ministry leaders shared about this year’s St. Timothy Award honorees.

Presented annually by the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the St. Timothy Awards recognize youth who follow in the footsteps of St. Timothy – a young disciple and companion of St. Paul – by living out their faith. Nominated by their parish youth ministry leaders, these young Catholics serve as role models for involvement in their parishes, schools and local communities. There is no doubt that these faithful teens will carry on that spirit of service as they continue on to higher education opportunities.

Chelsea and Chloe Berwick St. William the Abbot Parish, Howell

safe outlet for the kids to talk about their feelings and to pray together. As the months progressed and the youth group felt more comfortable, they planned “picnic and prayer” socially distanced sessions on the lawn. It was so important for the kids to see each other “in-person” and support one another while strengthening their faith. Further, they developed uplifting videos for Father Thomas Maher, the Diocese and our parish community.

Also, they organized card drives and delivered them to frontline workers in the neighborhood. Finally, Chelsea and Chloe collected items for Preferred Care in Wall and dropped off four bags of supplies for the residents. Chelsea is a straight-A student in school, loves to use her camera to take pictures of nature and family, and is the starting shortstop on her 18U travel softball team. Chloe is a member of One Voice at Howell High School, an a cappella singing group.

She also teaches third grade religious education at St. William the Abbot. Chloe loves to share different Bible passages and interesting Catholic apps and websites to our youth ministry Group Me.

Abigail Braile St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chelsea and her twin sister, Chloe, took over the youth group from myself and a college student and planned inspirational meetings and volunteer drives. In addition, they facilitated the creation of supportive videos and messages for the parish family. During the first few months of the public health crisis, Chelsea and Chloe organized online meetings with the youth ministry members. This provided a

Abby has been one of the most active members of the youth ministry since she was in seventh grade.

She is a young person who consistently puts her faith into action by the way she lives her life. Abby is a kind and gentle person and is always willing to help. She is a great leader and admired by her peers. Abby

46 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

has a great sense of humor, and she brings joy to everyone around her.

Evan Czenis St. Joseph Parish, Toms River Evan has a joyful faith that he is not afraid to share with others. He has been a faithful member of the CYGNUS Youth Group since junior high and is a senior altar server.

Evan has also been an altar server with the Bishop numerous times. He is dependable, friendly, and he energetically lives out his faith. We are very proud to have Evan represent CYGNUS!!

Kasey Chonko St. Anselm Parish, Tinton Falls Kasey organized an “Adopt a Parishioner” program during COVID-19 to keep parishioners living alone connected to our parish. She ran a crafts for kids program during the pandemic to help parents with a break once a week all summer.

With little for families to do, the children looked forward to the weekly activities delivered, and the parents looked forward to the break! She ran our summer basketball camp for our youth in 2019. She helped with a bottle cap recycling art project. She organized the classrooms before religious education began this past year. She has played on our parish basketball team for the last four years. She received Confirmation this October.

Kasey is a true leader. She organizes new

Young Catholics

supportive influence on our group; her enthusiasm lights up our screens during online meetings!

Shantal Ferrer Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park

programs for our church and always involves her peers in her efforts. She is a fantastic role model for the younger parishioners.

Mackenzie Dakin St. Monica Parish, Jackson Mackenzie has been an inspiration to many younger children in our parish for years. She has been an altar server for the past eight years and has inspired others to join that ministry. She has also delivered food from our food pantry to homebound parishioners. She volunteers while also achieving high honors from her school. She is the captain of the field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse teams at her school and on the student council. Mackenzie deserves this award because she is always willing to help others and participates with an award-winning smile and attitude. She truly lives each day to the fullest and is always compassionate to those around her.

Brianna Diaz St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro Brianna is the spark that ignites our youth group. Her love of God, family and friends encourages others. As a senior, this has been a challenging time. Brianna has continued to be a positive and

Shantal felt the call [to faith] at a very young age. She started in the children’s choir, “Cómo Jesús,” and later became a member of the youth group. She serves as a monitor at the Spanish Mass, she is always willing to help others, and she has been representing Our Lady of Guadalupe for three consecutive years in our parish play. She is a true disciple of God. As she attends Caldwell University for art therapy, I know she will accomplish all her goals because God is with her.

Marco Niro St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel Marco Niro has always been involved in the St. Benedict parish and school. When the high school youth group experienced a transition in leadership, and I began my work as youth ministries coordinator, Marco was there, engaged and ready to help me, the new guy. Early on I didn’t think of it, but now, a year later, I’d liken Marco to Abraham, our Father in the Faith. The faith and growth of the youth group this year all started from one person willing to answer the call. Teens can be involved in so many things other than their parish ministry. I’m eternally grateful to Marco and his family’s support to our youth ministry. Marco has recently committed to Drew University and will swim competitively for his new school!

Ann O’Boyle Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley Ann is a vibrant Catholic youth who actively participates in youth group and parish service projects! Always with a smile, she shares the joy

and light of Christ with those around her. It has been a joy getting to know this exceptional young woman who I know has great things coming in her future!

Alyssa Roe St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford Alyssa is a living witness to the Gospel message of Jesus. She is kind, considerate and inclusive of others.

She has been a member of our youth ministry program since junior high school and has demonstrated her faith publicly in many ways. She helps often on collaborations with the parish Knights of Columbus and assisted at Breakfast with Santa & the Easter Bunny; served meals at the Trenton Soup Kitchen and slept out to raise awareness of teen homelessness for Covenant House.

She has served as a catechist assistant in the religious education program; attended two National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) trips; three Diocesan Youth Conferences (DYC) and currently serves as the social media chairwoman for the youth group Throughout the coronavirus crisis, she has provided daily prayer postings on Instagram so that the young people in our parish know that God walks with them. Alyssa also attended our annual Habitat for Humanity service mission trip for the past three summers. She is always willing to lead the discussions at youth meetings and is an excellent mentor and role model for younger teens. She shares her faith willingly and can always be found at weekly Mass and even Adoration.

She is very deserving of the St. Timothy Award because just as St. Paul trusted Timothy with important assignments in the days of the early Church, Alyssa can always be relied on to lead and to pitch in wherever and whenever she is called upon. I have no doubt that she will continue to witness to the Gospel and live a life of faith.

Continued on 48

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 47

Young Catholics

Young leaders Continued from 47

Lauren Scott St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting Lauren is a very active youth group member and parishioner. She serves her parish as an altar server and lector, as well as her peers in her school campus ministry. I know Lauren to be faithful to the teachings of the Church, and always open to learning more. She has participated in many service activities including Good Works sponsored home repairs in Pennsylvania and serving the homeless in Atlantic City.

Lauren has a great sense of humor and is a good singer and dancer.

James Sullivan St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft James has been a member of the CYO/ Ignite youth ministry for six years and has been a driving force in our group. He has been a team leader and has taken a leadership role in many instances. He is always willing to pitch in when volunteer work is needed. He has many great ideas and works well with other team members, especially with the younger teens.

James has helped organize and participate in many fundraisers. He was in the theatre program for three years. He was in the National Honor Society and tutored children in Spanish. He was an officer for the American Sign Language club. He was a teacher aide as a senior for one of his teachers, Ms. Worth. He also volunteered at Atrium Senior Living. During all four years, he was working after school and on weekends. He has been able to do all this volunteer work and successfully balance his academic work as well. James applied to and was

accepted at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut and will be part of their community service group as well. James has been an integral part of the St. Leo the Great community and the St. John Vianney (Holmdel) communities. He is enthusiastic about his faith and demonstrated exemplary service and leadership with our youth. We are very proud of James and thankful for all his years with us in the youth group. He will be missed as he goes to college, but we are confident he will come back to share his college experiences with our high school teens next year!

Isabella Thompson St. Veronica Parish, Howell Isabella has been a member of the St. Veronica youth group for more than three years. She is also an altar server. Isabella is an aide in our religious education program, helping to prepare grade 2 students for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. She has also helped with the Giving Tree at Christmas and with the junior youth group when needed.

Isabella truly lives her Catholic faith and puts it into action through her kindness, patience and service to others. Isabella shows artistic ability and is also known for her cookies and brownies, which are always appreciated by her fellow youth group attendees!

Mirelis Villegas St. Joseph Parish, Trenton Mirelis joined the youth group about four years ago. Since then, she has been an active leader in the youth group.

She is always willing to serve in any capacity and truly loves to serve others.

Mirelis is recognized by other people as having extraordinary faith and is truly a conduit of grace for the young Church. Our youth group is fortunate to have such an exceptional girl. Mirelis has an amazing sense of humor and can instantly make

48 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

others laugh. This young lady is full of happiness and joy and loves to spread it around.

Maeve Westhoven St. Teresa of Calcutta, Bradley Beach Maeve Katherine Westhoven is a faith-filled young woman who has spent the majority of her 18 years serving God. Maeve began altar serving when she was in third grade. She was a reliable and excellent server. In fact, when she was in eighth grade, she assisted our pastor in training new altar servers. Once she entered high school, Maeve began to serve as a lector at Sunday Masses. As well as her involvement in weekly Masses, Maeve attended, then later became a helper, at our parish’s VBS program. She also participated in the parish Teen Arise Program, and the high school youth group.

Maeve attended St. Catharine School, Spring Lake, from kindergarten through grade 8. She went on to St. Rose High School, Belmar, and graduated in June with her sights set on The Catholic University of America, Washington, to study nursing. Throughout the past several years, Maeve has been battling some health issues pertaining to her legs that doctors have had a difficult time diagnosing. She has undergone seven surgeries on her legs, many of which were trial and error. Her life changed greatly, as she was an avid basketball player, and was not able to play for her high school’s girls’ basketball team. Rather, Maeve supported her team by working as the team manager. The surgeries also meant a lot of time out of school for recovery.

Amazingly, Maeve’s health issues have drawn her closer to God. She truly trusts that he has a plan for her life, and these issues and surgeries are all part of his greater plan. Her intentions of joining the health care profession are so that she can help others like her who struggle. What a gift of faith she has to be able to recognize at her young age that there is a reason behind her suffering. It makes sense that Maeve chose the name Faith as her Confirmation name, as it has been her faith that has gotten her through challenges. It has also been her faith that has led her to be a positive role model in her parish and school communities.

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 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 49

In the Parishes

Holy Spirit Church closure to help ensure

Catholic presence in Asbury Park

BY JENNIFER MAURO  Managing Editor

W

hen Divine Word Father Miguel Virella arrived in Holy Spirit Parish nearly 10 years ago, he knew he soon would be helping to shepherd the merger of several Asbury Park parishes. He had one plea for the then-pastor – friend and mentor Father William McLaughlin.

“I used to tell him, ‘Father Bill, don’t you ever leave me here alone.’ And he used to tell me, ‘Don’t worry, kiddo.’”

Roughly six months later, Father McLaughlin passed away, leaving Father Virella at the helm of merging Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Peter Claver and Our Lady of Providence Parishes.

“We had a beautiful funeral celebration for him in Holy Spirit Church. It was unforgettable,” Father Virella said, the recollection of bidding his good friend farewell shining through his eyes.

legacy of this Catholic community in Asbury Park, and it holds a special place in the hearts of our parishioners,” he wrote.

“However, consolidating down to one campus is unavoidable.”

The community’s reaction, Father Virella said, was one of an overwhelming sense of loss.

“One of the biggest feelings in the community is sadness,” he said. “Some people are upset, but it’s more that they are grieving greatly. We have pioneers here – people who participated very actively in

 “Faith and effort have brought us this far together.”  That memory – and those of thousands of parishioners – are at the forefront of Asbury Park’s Catholic community with the recent announcement that Holy Spirit Church, one of two worship sites of Mother of Mercy Parish, will be closing. Due to financial strains, the Holy Spirit Church property and convent building will be sold – a process that could take months or years to complete.

The choice was not made lightly, parish pastor Father Virella explained in a letter to parishioners in late October that announced the closure and sale.

“Holy Spirit Church is part of the Shown is the interior of Holy Spirit Church.

50 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

the building of the community, in fundraising, dances, and all kinds of activities to help the church flourish. Some parishioners were students from when Holy Spirit Parish had a school.”

DIFFICULT DECISIONS Indeed, the history of the area’s multicultural Catholic community spans more than a century. Holy Spirit Church – a towering Gothic-style brick sanctuary that holds dozens of statues and soaring stained glass windows – was founded in the late 1800s by German and Irish immigrants.

In the 2000’s, the parishes of Holy Spirit and nearby St. Peter Claver merged.

Our Lady of Providence, Neptune, of which Father Virella was pastor, came together with Asbury Park’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. In 2014, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Holy Spirit became

Located on Second Avenue, Holy Spirit Church, a worship site of Mother of Mercy Parish, has served the Catholic faithful of Asbury Park since the late 1800s. The parish announced in late October that the church and its property would need to be sold. John Batkowski photos

‘THE FAITH IS STILL ALIVE’

one under a new name – the Church of Mother of Mercy Parish. For the past six years, the parish has retained two worship sites: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church located on Pine Street, and Holy Spirit Church on Second Avenue. The parish school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is housed on the Pine Street campus.

Through these restructuring measures, the Catholic community in Asbury Park has been transformed into a single multi-ethnic, multi-cultural parish of approximately 2,000 households. This includes Hispanic, Anglo-American, Haitian and African-American parishioners. More than 250 children receive religious instruction through Mother of Mercy Parish, and another 183 children are being educated in the parish-sponsored Our Lady of Mount Carmel School.

In his letter, Father Virella explained the factors that forced the decision to close Holy

Spirit Church: “Faith and effort have brought us this far together, but we continue to struggle with very serious financial challenges that require us to do more. The parish must deal with the costly impact of aging buildings, old machinery and equipment, underground oil tanks, rising insurance rates, the loss of rental income and, most unfortunately, decreasing Mass attendance and offertory gifts.”

Once Holy Spirit Church is sold, the parish plans to consolidate an anticipated seven Masses in Mount Carmel Church – three in English, three in Spanish and one in Creole. An eighth bilingual Mass is also being considered.

With the revenue generated from the sale, the parish will repay debt and hopes to have funds remaining for improvements in Mount Carmel Church.

Among those projects: fixing leaky windows and damaged walls; installing a bathroom on the first floor of the church and constructing an elevator down to the church’s unfinished bottom level. The roof on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel School gym also needs repairs.

There are hopes that the bottom level of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church can be renovated to include a Holy Spirit Chapel, which would contain statues and artifacts from the former church and additional multipurpose rooms for parish ministries and meetings.

For years, the parish finance council and a special subcommittee looked for ways to keep both churches open, and parishioners were kept informed of the parish financials throughout.

“Closing Holy Spirit Church is not something we want to do,” said parish business manager Angela Gitto. “We just can’t afford to maintain it – the aging building and needed upgrades. In order to sustain a Catholic parish in Asbury Park, one of the churches had to close.”

Keeping Our Lady of Mount Carmel School open was another goal for the parish, as Father Virella and Gitto see the school as an investment for the future – both in fostering socially conscious Catholics and hoping they will give back to their community and parish as adults.

“I hope and pray for your understanding, and I ask for your support as I continue to do what is best for Mother of Mercy Parish,” Father Virella wrote in his letter.

With discussions underway on how to salvage Holy Spirit Church’s rich history, services will continue there as scheduled.

“The Holy Spirit Church building is very important, yes, and all our memories [are] there, but far more important is us as Church,” Father Virella said. And after his own experience of having lived and served for 20 years in the area, he hopes he can convey an important message to the Catholic faithful: “We are still here.

The buildings will change, situations will change, but the faith is still alive.”

Reflecting on the Old Testament, Father Virella likened the experience of the Holy Spirit community to the people of Israel and all the difficulties they encountered as they walked through the desert. “They found the Promised Land because they kept the faith, [and] because they kept together.

“We need to keep together the best we can.”

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 51

In the Parishes

Faithful across nation collect 1 ton of mac & cheese for Shore parish food donation

BY CHRISTINA LESLIE  Correspondent

T

he spiritual riches of a livestream community Mass, coupled with a definition of the word “parishioner” as a neighbor with no tangible bounds, has resulted in a mammoth donation of food for one parish along the Jersey Shore.

St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, is the joy-filled recipient of nearly a ton of macaroni and cheese intended for area poor this Thanksgiving, sent from across the nation.

The Ocean County parish is no stranger to helping the less fortunate; St. Martha Knights of Columbus Council 7926 has conducted a Thanksgiving meal and food basket distribution since 2002, its members cooking and assembling hundreds of turkey dinners for area poor and homebound seniors. Since this year’s ongoing coronavirus would prevent the men from using the church kitchen, the Knights approached their pastor, Father David Swantek, for guidance. The priest devised a multi-faceted solution.

 “It was an honest ask from an honest man.”  In his quest for food and supplies, “I knew I wanted to help out a local restaurant,” Father Swantek began. The parish purchased 300 turkey dinners from Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties and Catering of Point Pleasant Beach; the establishment’s owner is a member of St. Martha’s Knights council. Another parishioner, owner of a Jersey Mike’s Subs franchise, donated 300 sub sandwich gift cards to the project. Extra groceries to accompany the meal were donated by the Knights as well as the Neptune-based food pantry known as Fulfill.

The last piece of the plan involved individuals. “I wanted the parishioners to help contribute, too,” Father Swantek stated. During his Nov. 15 Mass that

Father David Swantek and parishioners stack boxes of macaroni and cheese that were donated not only by the St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, community, but also by those who attend the pastor’s livestream Mass from across the nation. Christina Leslie photo aired on the parish’s YouTube channel, the pastor asked parishioners to send in boxes of macaroni and cheese.

But with the parish YouTube channel having more than 8,900 subscribers, thousands of faithful across the nation heard the priest’s entreaty and decided to help.

Boxes large and small from across the country began to fill the parish office and hall. Packages bearing return addresses from Delaware, Indiana and California lay on tables near boxes hailing from Texas, Wisconsin and Kentucky. Some donors sent checks and messages of thanks.

John and Mary McGee are native New Jerseyans who have been members of St. Mary Parish, Schwenksville, Pa., for 24 years. They began attending Mass online with Father Swantek before their home parish began livestreaming and sent St. Martha Parish 30 boxes of macaroni and cheese for the drive.

“Maybe it was the fact that mac and cheese was a childhood favorite, but it was an honest ask from an honest man to his congregation, and while we are not parishioners, Father Dave definitely makes you feel part of the congregation,”

52 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

John McGee said.

Tom and Elizabeth Wavering, members of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Norman, Okla., attempted to send macaroni and cheese by ordering online, but experienced delivery challenges. Instead, they downloaded the Target store app on their phone and requested the store nearest to St. Martha Church to “empty the shelves,” Elizabeth Wavering recalled with a chuckle. The result: 89 more boxes.

The Waverings are parents to seven children ages four to 18; they are homeschooling the youth this year due to COVID-19. Elizabeth Wavering explained, “There are only two Catholic churches in our area, and Masses were packed. No one had started livestreaming yet, and we thought it was safer to be at home.

“We surfed around and found Father Dave and have been watching him since March,” she continued.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, 3,400 boxes, or nearly a ton of macaroni and cheese, had been received. The bounty will be split between the Knights’ Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner delivery programs.

In the Parishes

BY EMMALEE ITALIA  Contributing Editor

T

hanksgiving was a little more Susan Quinn of St. Clement Parish, Matawan, delivers a meal to a resident of the nearby Minnisink joy-filled for many seniors in Village Senior Housing on Thanksgiving morning. Hal Brown photo Matawan despite the coronavirus, thanks to the efforts of St. Quinn, a parishioner who volunteered to deliver the ThanksClement Parish and community volunteers. giving meals. “Many of them are parishioners … those who are ”[Hopefully] they feel that love and presence of God through unable to participate in Mass. We [extraordinary ministers of the the actions of our parishioners here, and that strengthens the Eucharist], visit them and bring them prayer and Holy Commubond of love in our community,” said Father Thomas Vala, pastor nion. During COVID, we’ve been unable to meet with them in of the Matawan parish. that way – and that really saddens us a lot.”

Residents of the nearby Minnisink Village Senior Housing Quinn hoped that by reaching out with a Thanksgiving meal received a complete homemade Thanksgiving meal the morning delivery, “a time when families get together and are supposed to of Nov. 26 prepared by The Reception Center by Mayer Caterbe rejoicing,” they could provide that much-needed human touch ing – a business owned by St. Clement parishioner Brian Mayer, even though socially distant. “I think they’re going to be happy to which makes use of the church’s kitchen and reception hall on see a familiar face or a new face.” parish property.

In addition to the meal, each delivery included a handmade “We were happy to help St. Clement’s provide the seniors with Thanksgiving card from one of the children enrolled in St. ClemThanksgiving meals,” said Mary Beth Reid, wedding coordinator ent’s religious education program. of The Reception Center by Mayer Catering. “Most of them An important component of the outreach, Father Vala pointwon’t be able to be with their families due to the COVID situaed out, was the connection to the teachings of Jesus – particularly tion.”

The catering business has moved to curbside pickups for both that of Matthew 25, the Gospel reading for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe on Nov. 22. individual and group meals, as well as holiday meal offerings, as “Jesus said when you minister to the poor and needy, you are the months of the pandemic have had customers taking a step ministering to Jesus himself – that’s what I think this means to back from weddings and large parties. me,” he said. “We are bringing that love of God to the poor and The 49 meals delivered to Minnisink Village were a cooperation between Mayer’s business and a generous anonymous donor. the needy, and making that love and presence of God felt … I think about Thanksgiving, being thankful to God for what we They consisted of salad, turkey, gravy, roasted vegetables, sausage have … and Thanksgiving [means] extending that love of God to stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin nut roll dessert. those in need.”

“Many of [the seniors] are living by themselves,” said Susan As a service and evangelization tool, Father Vala explained the parish’s meal deliveries were important because “especially in these times, people are struggling – financially, emotionally, Continued on 63

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Nearly 50 meals are prepared Nov. 25 by The Reception Center by Mayer Catering, which makes use of the church’s kitchen and reception hall. Courtesy photo December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 53

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Education

Students encouraged to model new co-patron Blessed Carlo Acutis

BY MARY STADNYK  Associate Editor

O

ur Lady of Sorrows School students fifth-grader Joseph Duarte and sixth-grader Addison Rhodes are proud that their school has a new co-patron in Blessed Carlo Acutis.

“He followed God, and he can teach other young people to follow Christ,” said Duarte, one of a handful of students and staff to attend in-person Mass Nov. 6 as it was announced that Blessed Carlo was becoming a co-patron, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, after whom the school is named.

 “He entrusted himself to the Lord for every circumstance ...”  Rhodes said while it is very sad that he died so young, “he did so much for being only 15” and that was because of his faith.

“I’m happy that he is our co-patron. I have found out much more about him, but I know I have more to learn,” she said.

Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, spent the morning’s First Friday Mass, which was livestreamed, teaching the students about Blessed Carlo – whose

life and hobbies were those in which the youngsters could relate.

LIFE OF FAITH Before his death from acute leukemia in 2006 at age 15, Blessed Carlo was known as an average teen. He was interested in sports, music, nature and animals.

However, he used his fascination with technology and above-average knack for computers to create an online database of Eucharistic miracles around the world.

“By all accounts, he was an ordinary boy, but his parents and all who met him saw something extraordinary in him,” Msgr. Gervasio said, noting that Carlo was three years old when he realized his “passion for God.” As Carlo grew over the years, his love for God intensified. He attended Mass, received the Eucharist and prayed the Rosary daily, went to Confession weekly, and made “it his mission to attract as many people as possible to Jesus,” including his parents who were influenced by Carlo to

return to the Church.

“In his short life, he entrusted himself to the Lord in every circumstance, especially in the most difficult moments,” including his own suffering with leukemia.

YOUNG LEADING THE YOUNG Our Lady of Sorrows School staff and students were awed by all they had learned about in Blessed Carlo.

“Carlo was a good example to everybody,” said sixth-grader John Kopera.

“He went to church every day and he wasn’t scared to die because he knew he would be in a better place. Hopefully he is doing well in heaven.”

Principal Maureen Tuohy indicated that the school’s religion classes will include future discussions and research on Blessed Carlo.

“He was a young man with such potential, and he worked every single day to improve himself and the world around him,” she said.

“We can all learn from his example, specifically to be kind, learn as much as possible about our faith and share what we know, use our God-given gifts and talents to do good in the world, follow our passions and never be afraid to be yourself.”

Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, left, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, Maureen Tuohy, right, principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School, and several fifthgraders pose for a photo in front of the portrait of newly beatified Blessed Carlo Acutis that will be hung in the school corridor. Mary Stadnyk photo

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 55

Education

Faith Drives Success

St. Paul School affiliates reflect on 150 years of building a ‘second home’

BY ROSE O’CONNOR  Correspondent

A

century and a half after its founding, St. Paul School, Burlington, is still making an indelible impression on the students and parents who call the storied school their own.

The St. Paul School community began celebrating its sesquicentennial in early 2020 and had scheduled a variety of events to commemorate the year. While the school did enjoy a feature segment on “Kelly’s Classroom” on Fox 29, Philadelphia, in

early 2020, a good number of the events were canceled because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Now, all are looking forward to Dec. 5, when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will join the school and its parish

Party hats, balloons and a lot of energy came from the St. Paul School community as students, faculty, families and friends kicked off the 150th anniversary celebration earlier this year, before the pandemic.

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community of St. Katharine Drexel, Burlington, for a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the celebratory year. After Mass, which will be celebrated in St. Paul Church and livestreamed on the school’s Facebook page, the Bishop is expected to visit St. Paul School, which is about a mile away from the church, to offer an anniversary blessing.

St. Paul is one of two worship sites of St. Katharine Drexel Parish; the other is All Saints Church, also in Burlington.

“Having the Bishop celebrate Mass with us will be a perfect way to end our anniversary year,” said Lucy Tomczynski, an active school parent and a former PTA president who has been chairing the anniversary planning committee.

Among those who laud St. Paul School for its virtues are members of the Ciechanowski family, who have experienced multiple generations of exemplary Catholic education at the cherished institution.

Jennifer Ciechanowski fondly recounted that her in-laws, Walter and Maryann Ciechanowski, started kindergarten in 1947 and continued in the school until they graduated. Her own first-hand experience

St. Paul School celebrating 150 years!

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graduates. “Our faith drives our success.”

DISTINGUISHED HISTORY

The original St. Paul School was housed in the basement of what used to be St. Paul Church. Today the building serves as the hall for the Knights of Columbus Burlington Council. Courtesy photos includes being a school parent, with one daughter having graduated and another who is currently enrolled, as well as having a niece who is now in the first grade. She couldn’t help but credit the school’s longevity largely to the capable faculty and staff it has employed over the years. “[The school] always has great teachers who go above and beyond for their students,” Ciechanowski said.

Jennifer Stankiewicz echoes those sentiments, saying it’s her belief that St. Paul School’s success has been grounded in its mission to educate all students in a rich Catholic tradition.

“Everything we do is built on and around our faith,” said Stankiewicz, who currently serves as the school’s administrative assistant and is the mother of two

Reflecting on the impact that St. Paul School has had on the parish community as well as area residents, Father Jerome Guld, St. Katharine Drexel Parish pastor, spoke of all the support the school receives from parents and families. While the pandemic may have hampered some of the celebratory events, he said there was no mistaking that the anniversary marked a major milestone in the school’s history.

“Every occasion, event, fundraiser and newsletter has blown the ‘150 Year’ trumpet,” Father Guld said, noting that an anniversary banner has been hung on the front of the school building and that each class has found ways to “repeatedly bring the special anniversary into their class work, especially in their art works.”

St. Paul School traces its roots to 1870, when Father Michael Kirwan, pastor of St. Paul Parish from 1868 to 1876, renovated the basement of what was then St. Paul Church. The building formerly served as barracks for British troops in the French and Indian War. Today, that building still stands on East Broad Street and is the hall for the Knights of Columbus Burlington Council.

The students who attended classes there were taught by four lay teachers until 1873, when the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse assumed the school’s leadership. In the early 1900s, the Sisters of Mercy from North Plainfield succeeded the Franciscan Sisters.

In 1904, Father Henri Russi, St. Paul’s pastor from 1899 to 1934, built a more suitable school, also on East Broad Street, in front of the old St. Paul Cemetery. In EST. 1991

1925, the present St. Paul Church, convent and rectory were built on nearby East Union Street.

As the years progressed, the St. Paul School enrollment tripled and grade levels continued to be added. By the mid-1950s, when it became apparent that a bigger school facility was needed, Father Joseph Miller, pastor from 1956 to 1987, purchased a 20-acre site from the city of Burlington on James Street, which was about a mile away from the church, to build the “new” St. Paul School. The school was dedicated, and the cornerstone was laid by Bishop George W. Ahr on Dec. 20, 1959.

Today, the school employs 34 full-time, part-time and custodial staff members and has an enrollment of 161 students.

CONTINUED PRESENCE For Tomczynski, the 150th anniversary has served as a reminder of what it means to be part of a community.

“I know that many schools believe this to be true, but we really are a family,” she said.

“There’s always that feeling of family you get as soon as you walk through the door.”

After citing the list of guests who have been invited to attend the celebration, including former priests who have served in St. Paul and St. Katharine Drexel Parishes – Msgr. James Dubell; Father Christopher Picollo and Father Cesar Anson, and former principal, Donna Healey, principal William Robbins shared his own thoughts about St. Paul School being “a very unique place.

“To most of our children, it is a second home,” he said. “Our students feel so comfortable here that they often comment that they enter as students as leave as family.”

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Sports

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Nocero

đ&#x;“°

Donovan Catholic seniors end football season with winning legacy

BY RICH FISHER ď‚ž Contributing Editor

W

hile Wall Township’s stopping Levi Wilkins six inches short of the goal line may have ended the Donovan Catholic football team’s undefeated season, it hasn’t stopped the satisfaction felt for a four-year run that can be considered nothing but outstanding.

ď‚ˆ “I’m going to remember these four years ‌ with tremendous pride.â€?  “I’m going to remember these four years with those guys with tremendous pride in how they helped build our program into what it has become,â€? coach Dan Curcione said of the team, including the seniors who will be graduating in the spring.

Donovan Catholic’s18-15 loss to Wall on its Toms River field Nov. 20 cost it an undefeated season and the “unofficial�

Shore Conference championship. The Crimson Knights put up a valiant goal line stand in the final two minutes to finish the season 7-0 while the Griffins ended 7-1.

And while Curcione said the loss was disappointing, he won’t let it detract from a tremendous four years at the helm.

When Curcione took over in 2017 season, the Toms River high school was

coming off an 0-10 campaign. It improved to 4-6 in 2017, 6-3 the following season and 9-2 last year.

The fact it did so well while battling through a 2020 wrought with COVID-19 uncertainty is a tribute to the coaches and the team leaders. “My first thought about this year is that we were blessed to even play the season,� Curcione said. “There was a long time I thought we probably were not going to play at all. “We were blessed to be able to play eight games. We wish the last game went a little bit differently, but when I look back, this is the first group of kids that came into the program with me as freshmen.�

Leading the way this year – and helping to maintain focus on football amid the pandemic – were captains Cam McNair, Quamire Green, Dominic Nocero and Jahdir Loftland. All were four-year program players. “You couldn’t ask for a better job than those four guys did as captains,� Curcione said. “They’re everything you can ask for in leaders. They’re all good students; they’re just all good people.�

The other seniors who played the past four years are James Bivins, Ethan Capone, Bruce Hay, Zach McGee and Andy Sacko. “I’m very proud of them. I’m a better coach and a better person because I’ve gotten to know them, and there’s no doubt I’m going to miss them,� he said of the seniors.

58   THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  ď‚Ąâ€ƒDecember 2020 

For extended coverage of these stories, visit TrentonMonitor.com>Sports

Siblings lead CBA, RBC to cross country championship titles

BY RICH FISHER ď‚ž Contributing Editor

C

hris DeSousa grew up in Oceanport as a soccer player, while little sister Cate took on soccer and field hockey. But when Cate reached middle school, she turned to track and cross country – inspiring Chris to do the same. “I only started running my freshman year when I saw my sister was having success in middle school,� Chris said.  Now, four years later, the DeSousas are experiencing joint success.   On Nov. 15, Cate – a sophomore at Red Bank Catholic High School – won the individual championship in the NJSIAA Girls Non-Public A cross country meet at Clark’s Oak Ridge Park. In the process, she led the Bucs to the team title.  Approximately 40 minutes later, Chris won the individual title in the Boys Continued on 59

Siblings Cate and Chris DeSousa, who attend Catholic schools, both won a Non-Public A individual sectional title in cross country in mid-November. Photo courtesy of Cynthia DeSousa

A missionary in the ‘psychological and spiritual sense’ Continued from 44

work “in terms of a psychological and spiritual sense.”

Meanwhile, his reputation as a counselor was evolving, and scores of people were seeking his guidance. At first, the majority were parishioners who had heard his homilies during the Masses he celebrated in both the Trenton and Metuchen Dioceses, where he served as a weekend assistant. But the clientele expanded as he acquired more speaking engagements and through referrals from physicians and other psychologists and psychiatrists. He was most effective when the issues involved religion.

“Through my work, I had noticed that I was addressing the psychology and the understanding of the human and emotional element and blending it with the religious element. I found that in almost every person’s problems there was also a spiritual dimension that needed to be addressed,” he said.

“So much human and spiritual suffering exists because we fear or fail to deal with our emotions, and they are the emotions that God gave us,” he added, emphasizing that the “only teaching” anyone receives on their emotions – how to feel, how to communicate and how

to relate with others – would be “from our families of origin, and no one had a perfect family background.”

After a number of years in the counseling field, Father Padovani, in the mid1980s, published his renowned “Healing Wounded Emotions.” In the book, he provided positive, comforting and encouraging guidance to help people lead happier lives and enjoy more satisfying relationships with others and God. Nearly 20 years later, in 2006, he published “Healing Wounded Relationships,” which expounded on the concepts presented in his first book, discussing pertinent aspects of relationships including communication, listening, handling conflicts, forgiving and reconciling, divorce and remarriage and grieving over the losses of life. He said that through both books, he hopes people can look at their lives and problems in a more enlightened way – from both human and spiritual standpoints.

“There is an absolute positive relationship between psychology, religion and spirituality,” he said. “We are all in need of emotional intimacy in our lives no matter who we are, but we cannot attain spiritual intimacy with others and, above all, with God, without emotional

intimacy.

“We often are rightly confused when we hear of someone who is identified as having a genuine Christian spirituality but are lacking in an emotional maturity. This is a common misunderstanding because mature spirituality is also rooted in emotional maturity. In these areas, we find today extensive misunderstandings about the aspect of intimacy. The genuine Christian spirituality must always be rooted in a sound emotional spirituality, and genuine sexual maturity must also be rooted in spiritual maturity.”

Father Padovani further emphasized his point by reflecting on how the relationship between psychology and religion is found in many of the Gospel stories.

“Jesus is not only the greatest theologian, he is also the greatest psychologist,” he said, citing several examples of when Jesus showed his emotions, such as weeping when his friend, Lazarus, had died.

“Jesus was not only in touch with his own feelings, he was also emotionally in touch with other people,” he said, “and that is what he wants from us. The Gospel calls all of us to have a sense of self-worth, a sense of personal responsibility and to be more than who we are and to enter into relationships with others.”

Family bond encourages two cross country wins Continued from 58

Non-Public A meet as a senior, while leading Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft to the team title.

“Not only was I super excited for me and my team to both win titles, I was also so proud of my brother and his team for winning their race,” Cate said. “We both worked over the quarantine from March to June. In the beginning of the summer, we both made a list of our goals, and on both of our sheets, we had ‘Win Non-Public states and win as a team.’ It feels great to know that the hard work all paid off, and we were both able to accomplish those goals.”

Cate actually applied the pressure on big brother with her victory.

“When I watched Cate cross the line

in first, I was given some motivation to win my race,” Chris said. “The icing on the cake is that we both got team titles.”

Cate clocked a time of 19:03 on a windy day to improve on her fourth-place finish last year. She ran the first two miles in a pack of three before gradually pulling ahead at the two-mile mark.

“My race went really well,” she said.

“With two seniors ahead of me last year, I knew I had a pretty good shot to win it this year. Although I wanted an individual title, I was more focused on getting the lowest score I could for my team.”

RBC put four runners in the top 10 with Kate DeFilippis (5th), Elea Dimitri (6th) and Kase Torchia (9th), while Avery Hargis and Alex Haugh were 21-22.

While Cate won by a comfortable

margin, Chris edged teammate Ben Santos by three seconds in a time of 15:37.

Like his sister, he finished fourth last year with hopes of victory this season.

“I knew I had a shot at winning the race, and I went after it leading from the start,” Chris said. “Ben helped push me along, and it gave me confidence to see a familiar face up front. Ben definitely was my biggest competitor, and since we are both on the same team we dragged each other along to both run fast times.”

CBA, which has dominated the Shore Conference and Non-Public A over the past decade, had all six runners in the top 11 with Nicholas Sullivan (5th), Jack Moran (6th), Daniel DeMasi (8th), Sean Elliott (9th) and Chase Cauvin (11th).

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 59

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

TrentonMonitor.com>News>Obituaries

JESÚS JOSEPH URTASUN, FORMER SPANISH TEACHER Jesús Joseph Urtasun, a resident of Riverside and former Spanish teacher who served for many years in Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, died Nov. 8. He was 85.

Mr. Urtasun was born in Pamplona, Navarra, Spain, and was the son of José Urtasun and Maria Cruz Díaz. Along with his teaching in what was then Holy Cross High School, he also supported education by helping to build a school, Domingo Savio, in Puerto Casado, Paraguay.

Mr. Urtasun is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cricelidis “Crice” Urtasun; three daughters, Amaya; Mariacruz (Bernard Tolliver), and Maite (Matthew Hopkins); two grandchildren; one sister and two brothers and their spouses, and many nieces and nephews.

MARY KAREN RICCIARDELLI, TEACHER IN DIOCESE, SISTER-IN-LAW OF PRIEST Mary Karen Ricciardelli, longtime teacher in the Diocese of Trenton, died Nov. 17 surrounded by her beloved family after a prolonged illness.

Mrs. Ricciardelli was sister-in-law to Father Albert Ricciardelli, a retired priest of the Diocese.

When sharing the news of Mrs. Ricciardelli’s passing with her former colleagues at Trenton Catholic Academy, Anne Reap, Lower School director, said, “Karen was a teacher her entire life – it didn’t matter what grade was open, she would step up and fill the void. Her faith was deep, and may we learn from her passing some life lessons in tenacity, dedication, commitment and love.”

Mrs. Ricciardelli earned her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), Ewing, and dedicated her professional career to Catholic education, serving in the Diocese of Trenton for 38 years. During this time, she taught numerous grades in schools in Mercer County, including Holy Cross School, Trenton, and Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton. She taught in Immaculate Conception School (now closed) for 20 years before moving to Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, after school consolidation in 2005. In June of 2012, she retired from teaching after nearly four decades.

During her time in education, Mrs. Ricciardelli served on many diocesan committees and Middle States evaluation teams. She was a true life-long learner and continued to stay informed on best teaching practices and innovations in education by attending conferences and conventions annually.

Most recently a resident of Wrightstown, Mrs. Ricciardelli was a

member of St. Mary Parish, Bordentown (now Mary, Mother of the Church Parish). In 2002, she was accepted into the Institute of Lay Ecclesial Ministry for Catholic School Leadership and was commissioned in 2004 by the late Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith. That same year, she also received a certificate in Catholic School Leadership from Georgian Court University, Lakewood.

Upon retirement, Karen enjoyed many activities including traveling with family and friends, kayaking, knitting and quilting. Most important, she cherished the moments with her family.

Mrs. Ricciardelli was predeceased in 2008 by her husband, Anthony, after 38 years of marriage. She is survived by sons, Albert and Michael, her daughters, Sara and Jennifer, their spouses, and children; Father Ricciardelli; her sisters, several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements were private.

FATHER DENNIS J. GALLAGHER, LONGTIME WEEKEND ASSISTANT IN SPRING LAKE PARISH Augustinian Father Dennis J. Gallagher, a longtime weekend assistant who served in several parishes in the Diocese, including for 27 years in St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, died Nov. 22 in Ardmore, Pa. He was 85.

A Mass of Christian Burial was to be held Nov. 30 in St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. Born in 1935 in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Father Gallagher was educated in schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before entering Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y., as a post-graduate postulate in September 1954. He was received into the order Sept. 9, 1955. Following his year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., he professed simple vows Sept. 10, 1956 and solemn vows Sept. 10, 1959.

He held a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Villanova University in 1960; a master of arts degree in theological studies from Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree in library science from Villanova University. He was ordained a priest Jan. 30, 1965, in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, Pa., by Bishop Gerald McDevitt.

His assignments included Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Mass., and Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pa. He was assigned to St. John Sahagun Friary, Washington, D.C., in June 1972 to work on a doctorate in higher education at The Catholic University of America. He then joined the faculty at Villanova University as a member of St. Thomas Monastery to teach library science at the graduate level. In 1985, he became the university’s first full-time archivist.

Father Gallagher was predeceased by his parents, Dennis Gallagher and Anne McGlinchey, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by two brothers as well as nieces, nephews and members of his Augustinian community.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, Pa.

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

60 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

Funeral Directory

BURLINGTON COUNTY

MONMOUTH COUNTY

OCEAN COUNTY

Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals Family Style Care And Comfort For All Faiths

CARL J. HASSON, CFSP, Manager • N.J. Lic. No. 4180 58 North Main Street, Medford, NJ 08055 609-654-2439 • FAX: 609-654-1488 mathishf@comcast.net • www.mathisfuneralhome.com

MERCER COUNTY

Brenna-Cellini Funeral Homes 2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Maria E. Brenna, Owner/Manager, N.J. Lic. No. 4879 Hamilton Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home 2365 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-584-8080 Parkside Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home 1584 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638 609-882-4454

Serving Monmouth County with compassion and integrity for three generations.

St. Gabriel ’s Mausoleum Expansion

St. Catharine’s Mausoleum named after the Holmdel Church formerly the Mission Church of St. Gabriel’s 549 Route 520 (Newman Springs Road) • Marlboro, NJ

Call Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home where you’ll be treated SPECIAL PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICES with care and compassion.

Phase III Under Construction Payments can Competitive pricing while being treated like family.

Completion Winter 2019 be made over 24 months with no interest charges.

Farrell & Marino Monuments 609-392-0331 farrellandmarino.com 1603 N. Olden Ave., Ewing, NJ 08638

Located behind the Olden Ave. car wash

“We make the monuments that we sell”

www.stgabrielsmausoleums.com | 908-208-0786

Ely FunEral HomE

Manager

Freeman Funeral Homes “A Catholic Family Serving Central NJ Since 1847”

47 E. Main Street, FREEHOLD • 732-462-0808 Kevin Freeman, Mgr. • NJ Lic. No. 3745

344 Rt. 9 N., MANALAPAN • 732-972-8484 Glenn Freeman, Mgr. • NJ Lic. No. 3662

To place your ad here call: 609-403-7153 or email: monitor-marketing@DioceseofTrenton.org

Lavallette • 706 Rt. 35 N. • 732-793-9000 Seaside Park • 809 Central Ave. • 732-793-9000 Toms River • 145 St. Catherine Blvd. • 732-505-1900 Serving Holiday City, Silver Ridge Park and the Leisure Villages Toms River • 995 Fischer Blvd. • 732-288-9000 Serving East Dover, located next to St. Justin Church Bayville • O’Connell Chapel • U.S. Hwy. 9 • 732-269-0300 Jackson • DeBow Chapel • 150 W. Veterans Hwy. • 732-928-0032

Mark L. Sarin, Senior Director, NJ License No. 4134

Free information by phone or mail ◾ www.ryanfuneralhome.com Family Owned & Professionally Operated for Two Generations The Intelisano Family

Silverton Memorial Funeral Home

2482 Church Rd., Toms River, NJ 08753

732-255-6363 • www.silvertonmemorial.com Paula De John, Manager, N.J. Lic. No. 3438 Gregory De John, Director, N.J. Lic. No. 4261

Burial & Cremation options • Prearrangement & Prepayment plans available

62 Cedar Grove Road Toms River, NJ 08753 732-244-3008 SAIwww.StJosephCemeteryTR.org NT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CHURCH

Christ the King Catholic Mausoleum Offering mausoleum entombment & niches

SAIfor N AXAIXM N EH CUHRU RCH SATthe INM T inurnment M IMILILIIA A Ncremated KKOOLBLEBC CH of remains. e Kiningg C CaatthhoolilcicM ausaolueusomleum ChrCisthrtihstethK M

“Thoughtful service since 1891.”

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Peace of Mind and Heart before, during and beyond

Michael J. Ely

Albert D. Correnti, Jr., Manager • NJ Lic. No. 3538 John A. Oliveti, Director • NJ Lic. No. 4012 Albert D. Correnti III, Director • NJ Lic. No. 4886 Anthony J. Correnti, Director • NJ Lic. No. 5030

www.matherhodge.com

Consider the Ryan Family

To Comfort and Care for Your Family

3316 Hwy. 33 Neptune, NJ 07753 732-918-6650 N.J. Lic. No. 4729

40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542 609-924-0242

Timothy E. Ryan, Founder •1951-2019•

www.elyfuneralhome.com

Offering mausoleum entombment & niches

Offering mausoleum entombment & niches for the inurnment of cremated remains. for the inurnment of cremated remains.

OCEAN COUNTY George S. Hassler Funeral Home George S. Hassler, Owner, Dir., NJ Lic. No. 3193 Brian T. Hassler, Manager, NJ Lic. No. 4054 980 Bennetts Mills Road, PO Box 1326, Jackson, N.J. 08527

(732) 364-6808 www.hasslerfuneralhome.com Member of St. Aloysius Holy Name Society and K of C 6201

Manchester Memorial Funeral Home, LLC • Competent and Personal •

Thomas J. Tedesco, Mgr., N.J. Lic. No. 3131 Member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Holy Name Society

(732) 350-1950 • 28 Schoolhouse Rd., Whiting, NJ

Looking for a final resting place for yourself or a loved Looking for a final resting place for yourself or a loved one? one?

Christ the King Mausoleum serves as a sacred Christ the King Mausoleum serves as a sacred placeplace of comfort, faith hopewhere where family of comfort, faithand and hope family and and friends cancan gather andremembrance. remembrance. friends gatherininprayer prayer and Looking for a final resting place for yourself or a loved Callafor a personal consultation toto offer guidance as as Cone? all for personal consultation offer guidance Christ themake King Mausoleum serves as a sacred you this important decision. you make this important decision. place of comfort, faith and hope where family and 732-914-0300 732-914-0300 friends can Maximilian gather in Lane, prayer and remembrance.

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732-914-0300

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 61 130 Saint Maximilian Lane, Toms River, NJ 08757 www.stmaximiliankolbechurch.com

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 Fun & Games  

 SCRIPTURE SEARCH TEST YOUR CATHOLIC KNOWLEDGE  Answers on 63 Gospel for December 6, 2020  Mark 1:1-8  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading     

GOSPEL JESUS CHRIST  

WRITTEN AHEAD OF YOU 

CRYING OUT  LORD FORGIVENESS SINS  

CLOTHED CAMEL’S HAIR  

LOCUSTS  WAIST 

STOOP

SANDALS



  SON OF GOD  VOICE  BAPTISM PEOPLE  BELT  HONEY 

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                                                                

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     

 

24 26

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     

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SPIRIT

 

10

9

31

32

33 34

35 36 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 4 These days happen in Lent and Advent and two other times 9 Reverent 10 Archdiocese in Nebraska 11 Israel ending 12 Tradition says Bartholomew preached here 13 Cursillo or Ignatian, for example 14 Falls found in the Diocese of Saint Catharines 17 There are 12 of the Holy Spirit 19 ___ Minister 21 Medieval concept that was never an official teaching of the Church 22 Catholic horror actor 23 Pope of the fifth century 25 St. ___ Merici 26 Corpus ___ 29 Muslim opponent of a Crusader 31 Canonized one 33 Jesus told Peter to cast this out 34 “___ one another with a holy kiss” (1 Cor 16:20) 35 Exodus character 36 In the Book of Proverbs, a gracious woman gets this

DOWN 1 ___ for the poor 2 Jesus is the ___ of God 3 Ecclesia in ____ 4 “___ rest grant unto them” 5 To declare someone “Blessed” 6 The soldiers put a scarlet one on Jesus 7 He fought the Greeks who desecrated the Temple 8 These were waved at Jesus when he entered Jerusalem 15 Perform a Sacrament 16 Worship 18 Room where the disciples stayed 20 “___ Maria” 23 Ancient artwork added to the Vatican collection by Julius II 24 Catholic author of “A Good Man is Hard to Find” 27 An element of moral culpability 28 Catholic portrayer of O’Hara 30 Ancestress of Jesus 31 David’s symbol 32 Letters above the Cross

We would like to thank WILLIS TOWERS WATSON, Property/Casualty broker for the Diocese of Trenton, for their sponsorship of this page.

62 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

for the second Sunday  of Advent: Cycle B: The coming of John the Baptist. The words can be found    in all directions in the puzzle.

spiritually – and the emotional toll it’s taking … the isolation at times, maybe feeling incapable of responding to the coronavirus.”

He noted that despite the negative aspects of the pandemic, “people are still willing to step out of themselves … This virus doesn’t hold us back from giving that love of God to others; it doesn’t defeat [our] spiritual selves. We can still love.””

Sydney Kennedy, who accompanied her aunt, was eager to help. “I wanted to be a part of the experience of giving back to your community,” she said, “and doing service on Thanksgiving during COVID. The residents of Minnisink Village do probably feel lonely; they can’t be with their family.”

Added Father Vala, “I’m grateful to have parishioners who are willing to step up and make this program work. When we’re willing to make sacrifices for others, we’re doing it for

CLASSIFIED

Position Available

Catholic Parish in Middlesex County needs -

Assistant Bookkeeper / Data Entry F/T – M-F 9 am-4 pm. Knowledge of QB accounting programs. All Microsoft programs. Parishsoft data program.

Good computer skills a must. Salary negotiable - includes benefits. Must pass fingerprinting and background check.

Send resume with 3 references and salary requirements to churchstaff26@hotmail.com Answers to puzzle on page 62 www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

O W P I O U T R I N D I O N I A G D L I M B I A N G I L S A E T I G R E E H R

A E M S T I T E A R E N A R A D L A O V R L E E L A O R A C E U O T O H O N O

B E R M E O M A A B T T R E A T I A F R U I T Y P H P R I O E A C H R I S O N S A I N E T N O A A R R R I

T I N N T E O N T C E S P H A L M S

Christ. … We’re living a ministry to bring the love of God to others.”

The Monitor freelance photographer Hal Brown contributed to this story.

CLASSIFIED

Position Available

Computer Help Desk Analyst

The Diocese of Trenton is seeking

D I R E C T O R Y

Continued from 53

BUSINESS

Thanksgiving meals for seniors bring hope

AUTO Factory Oven Baked Paint Jobs

MAGIC FINISH

 Complete Body Shop Facilities  Insurance Estimates Given  Expert Workmanship 2002 Princeton Avenue Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

(609) 393-5817

APOSTOLATE

an energetic Help Desk Analyst for a full-time position in the Department of Computer Services. This individual will: • Provide technical help and support to Chancery staff, hosted parishes, cemeteries, and organizations on a variety of issues including hardware and software applications.

• Assist staff members with computer related problems and track service requests through resolution.

• Coordinate the maintenance of personal computers, laptops, thin clients, and printers within the Chancery as well as at hosted locations to ensure compatibility and integration with diocesan strategies.

Job Qualifications: This individual must have excellent problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills; along with patience, a customer-friendly attitude, and the ability to work in a team environment. Experience in PC Network environments, Citrix, Windows 10, Active Directory and MS Office 365. This position relies heavily on experience and judgment in the performance of duties.

RELIGIOUS MERCHANDISE

BS in Computer Science and/or Management Information or the equivalent experience plus 3 to 5 years of experience in the field is required.

Bibles, Rosaries, Patron Saint Medals, Statues, Crosses & Crucifixes, Irish Gifts & Religious Items Jewelry, Candles, 1669 Highway 33, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 Irish Gifts Gifts for Baptism, 609-586-9696 • www.crossandshamrock.com Communion, ‘Like us’ on Facebook Confirmation, & Mon-Wed. 10-6pm, Thurs. & Fri. 10-7pm, Sat. 10-5pm Weddings

Willingness to learn existing or emerging technologies. Bilingual skills a plus

RESTAUR ANT • DINING

The Diocese of Trenton is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Interested parties should submit a résumé to: Angela Gitto, Director of Administrative Services P. O. Box 5147, Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 OR: Fax: (609)-406-7450 E-mail: Positions@dioceseoftrenton.org (No phone calls will be accepted)

Leonardo’s Restaurant family owned and operated Robert Pluta HSG

2012 Brunswick Ave. (Business Rte. 1 South) Lawrenceville • 609.396.4466

Everybody Loves Magda!

To place an ad here, call 609-403-7153 OR email monitor-advertising@DioceseofTrenton.org

December 2020  THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 63

MONITOR

THE

Official publication of The Diocese of Trenton

MAGAZINE

701 Lawrenceville Rd. • P.O. Box 5147 Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 www.TrentonMonitor.com

Serving the Catholic Community in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Share the Joy this Christmas Each month, The Monitor Magazine delivers a collection of inspiring and informative stories – all affirming our faith in God and our identity as Catholics.

If you enjoy reading this magazine each month, there are likely people on your Christmas list who will enjoy it too!

A gift subscription to The Monitor Magazine is a safe, affordable and convenient way to Share the Joy with your family and friends. Your gift recipient will be reminded of your kindness each month when their magazine arrives.

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Subscribe online at: DIOCESEOFTRENTON.ORG/MONITOR-GIFT-SUBSCRIPTION-PROGRAM By email: MONITOR-SUBSCRIPTIONS@DIOCESEOFTRENTON.ORG By phone: 609-403-7131 By mail: The Monitor Magazine, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 64 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE  December 2020