On behalf of our Church community, Father Damian makes a

Transcription

www.olgcnj.org
Vol. 7 No. 1 | February 2015 | 75 cents
facebook.com/OLGC.Moorestown
See the
Catholic Schools
Week Section
pages 15-18
On behalf of our Church community, Father Damian makes a presentation to Deacon Joe Paul at the annual Christmas
party, for his years in ministry at Our Lady’s parish. Joe and Eileen are holding a collage put together by Good Counsel
Courier, director of photography Frank Feeney.
Our Lady of Good Counsel CHURCH
42 W. Main Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Non-Profit
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See More Lenten Events on the back page and related stories and resources on page XX.
2 | The Good Counsel Courier
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Vol. 7 | Issue 1 | February 2015
Fishing For Souls
By Father Damian
“Come follow me, and I will make you fishers
of men.” Mk 1: 17
When I was a child, my father brought us
fishing. We didn’t have a boat; we didn’t go far
off into the distance. We just went down the road
crammed into the back seat, all five children,
with the fishing rods in the boot (trunk).
Upon arrival we would pile out and grab the
fishing stuff, tackle sounds way too sophisticated
for the odd collection of fishing gear we had.
We would simply walk to the water’s edge and cast our lines into the
waters. It was pretty simple but there were a few rules, indeed I think it
might be worthwhile sharing those rules with you whether you’re fishing
for your evening meal or for souls.
Don’t Throw Stones.
As kids if we weren’t fishing we loved to skim stones across the water.
You needed a nice flat one and if you spun it just right it would skip one,
two, three maybe more times across the water!
Of course when we couldn’t find any more flat stones nearby we
ended up just throwing stones in the water, not recommended if you’re
going to be fishing a few minutes later.
So on fishing days, no throwing stones was permitted. It makes sense,
you can’t frighten away the very fish you’re hoping to catch.
The same is true of fishing for souls. We can’t attract people to the faith
if we insult them, mock them or denigrate them. We can’t begin a fruitful
conversation or encounter if we presume by telling people what’s wrong
with them and right with us. We have to be positive and affirming. We
have to see the goodness and the dignity in the people we meet.
In our circle of friends and our families, we believers can’t be moaning
minnies, recounting daily the ills of the world. As St. Teresa said “Nobody
likes a gloomy saint.
Use Bait.
You need something to attract the fish before they bite that hook. I
think that for evangelization the bait has to be us. We have to be the best
Christians we can be. We have to illustrate in our own lives how Christ
has been present to us. We have to be Christ- like but remember we are
still sinners. We acknowledge our own weakness and frailty.
We generously share our faith but don’t impose it. If we want to show
the world how important our faith is, it had better be the obvious priority
in our lives. We have to walk the walk. Be yourself, be genuine, be real.
Family Tips for Lent!
By Father Martin Padovani, SVD, MS
A family works when a family works together!! A family that prays
together is a family that stays together. These are six simple but powerful
actions that will bond, strengthen and heal your family. Guaranteed if
Our task is not to be religious nuts but loving Christians! We must care for
the least of the brethren, the poor, the lost, and the forsaken.
Be Patient.
Fishing takes time and patience. At the water, it’s the same action,
again and again, casting out then reeling in, with a steady rhythm and
steady speed. Often it feels like a waste of time, nothing seems to be
happening. Indeed on many days, nothing bites. We often came home
empty handed.
But then one day success, a bite ! And our enthusiasm returned, our
hope was not disappointed.
To catch a soul takes time and patience. Conversion takes a lifetime.
The first moment of conversion is like that bite on the hook but Christ has
still to reel us in safely to the shore.
Conversion is not about the numbers of people on the books. It’s
about a true change of heart and mind. We have to believe that our hope
will not be disappointed. We have to continue to love and be faithful
to the faith even when it seems like a waste of time. God makes our
lives efficacious. Never doubt the influence of those many little acts of
kindness and mercy, they truly touch the hearts and imaginations of those
around us, much more than we think.
As kids we didn’t have to go far to fish. We stood right at the water’s
edge. You don’t have to go far either when fishing for souls. it starts in
your own home and family and workplace.
This Lent, indeed this entire year of grace, I wish you happy fishing and
at the end of this earthly life, may Christ bring us all safely to shore.
consistently practiced. Expect to have
some resistance!! Family relationships
are important and special for all of
life’s relationships.
The Lord will bless your Family in a
special way if:
Your family gathers to discuss
priorities and goals for the family and
each individual for the coming months.
Family works best and feelings
of belonging happen when ALL take
responsibilities for the family to work
together and each one has a task to perform.
Determine specifically which evenings the family will be together
for a family meal at least for 30 minutes: no TV, cell phones or gadgets
allowed so that everyone can talk to one another.
Agree to go to Mass together on Sunday as often as possible to praise
and give thanks to the Lord and for the religious education of the children.
This will help stop the religious neglect of the children which is spiritual
abuse.
Pray before each meal at home or in restaurants to give thanks to God
for all his blessings on the family as well as to pray for family loved ones,
the sick, and for world peace.
Forgive one another verbally and express your love, affection, and
affirmation daily.
Two books by Father Padovani entitled Healing Wounded Emotions
and Healing Wounded Relationships are available either in the rectory
or Office of Religious Education located in Heritage House for further
reading this Lent!
February 2015 | Issue 1 | Vol. 7
www.olgcnj.org
The Good Counsel Courier | 3
Sound Bites for Lent
By Jim Cassidy
We live in the age of technology - what
with smart phones, tablets, GPS systems, and
not forgetting hundreds of TV channels, or the
movies.
We are subjected to fast moving images and
sound bites. If we don’t like what we see or
hear, we can click-click until we find something
that will interest us. You could say we live in
a visual and verbal environment - sometimes
tweeting and texting, sometimes connecting
with family and friends through Facebook, or
other visual means. We can’t live without our
electronic devices and at Sunday Mass we will
be asked to make sure they are switched off.
A new lexicon has evolved where words
are abbreviated to satisfy space and speed
requirements. TV news has “sound bites”, and
thanks to digital communications we all know
what BFF means.
Recently we celebrated Christmas - the birth
of the Christ child - and as Jesus grew up the
only technology or techniques available had
to do with carpentry or farming. And yet after
Jesus was baptized and began his ministry, he
presented the gospel message verbally and
visually.
Centuries before TV Jesus was using “sound
bites” all carefully documented for us by the
four original anchor men - Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John. Throughout the liturgical year
we hear the same messages that were first heard
2,000 years ago: “Follow me...”, “Love one
another...”, “Blessed are the poor in spirit...”
Jesus taught us about Good Samaritans,
Prodigal Sons, Widow’s Mites, Lost Sheep,
Mustard Seeds - he talked to the people of the
day in the idiom of the day. Scripture is full of
images of Jesus’ ministry made visual for us by
the verbal description: Jesus cured the sick, the
lame, the blind, the deaf; he cleansed lepers,
and raised the dead; he walked on water and
calmed the storm; he turned water into wine
and fed thousands more than once.
As the Church’s calendar moves into the
Season of Lent we will become more aware of
the verbal and visual aspects of the ministry of
Jesus, especially during Holy Week when we
remember the Passion and Death of the Son of
God.
The images and sound bites are embedded
in our Catholic, Christian psyche: The Last
Supper…”This is my Body…This is my Blood…
Do this in memory of me…” The scourging,
carrying the cross, the Crucifixion with human
sound bites, “I thirst…”, “My God, my God,
why have you forsaken me?” and divine sound
bites, “Father forgive them, they know not what
they do…” and, “Today you will be with me in
Paradise…”
And then the ultimate bewildering visual –
the empty tomb - but also the reassuring sound
bite delivered by two men in dazzling garments,
“He is not here, but he has been raised…” and
the realization of the Resurrection.
One of the benefits of technology is that
we can easily access the gospel story on
our electronic devices and click-click our
way through Scripture to find our favorite
inspirational parts and visualize the images for
ourselves.
Lent, a time for reflection
When celebrated well, Lent can truly change the course of our lives
and help us to grow in trust, to live in peace, and to become more loving
in a selfish world. The altar cloth and priests’ vestments are characterized
by the color purple. We do not sing the Alleluia or say the Gloria until
Lent has ended. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are three important aspects
of Lent.
The Missionary Childhood Association coin folders are sent home
during Lent so that our children can participate in becoming one with
those who are hungry in the world.
Pray the Sign of the Cross. Some things become so familiar that we
take them for granted. A good Lenten practice would be to stop and think
about what we are doing when we make the Sign of the Cross. The cross
is at the center of Christianity; it signifies the deepest surrender to God’s
will. As we recall at the Baptism ceremony, “We die with Christ to rise
again in him.” When we make the Sign of the Cross, we affirm our own
surrender to God’s will. While tracing the Sign of the Cross over us, we
live as a member of God’s kingdom.
The Great Carnival: the days before Ash Wednesday are Carnival time,
a high stepping, high calorie antidote to winter. Carnival means “farewell
to meat” when we say goodbye to feasting and clean the treats out of our
cupboards to prepare for Lenten fasting. Many ethnic traditions surround
“Fat Tuesday.” Wearing costumes can be a symbol of heaven, where
everything of earth is turned upside down. Removing our costumes can
also be a symbol of heaven where nothing of earth will be hidden, where
honesty and truth will set us free. At midnight, on Mardi Gras, we remove
our masks and welcome Lent, the season when we see each other as we
truly are.
How do we celebrate Lent well?
Family Activities for Lent:
Look for ways to share the love which
God has so generously given us. Send a note
of appreciation to someone with whom we
interact. Send a cheery card to someone whose spirits need to be raised.
Children can meditate by completing
incomplete sentences and then drawing pictures
that illustrate the sentence they have written.
Examples: God is… Jesus is…Love is…Lent
is… A Catholic is… Faith is… The Church is…
Throughout Lent (about 10 minutes a
night?) take turns reading to each other. One
suggestion: The Tale of the Three Trees. When
you have finished, discuss why this is a good
Easter story.
Display Baptism pictures of the family.
Discuss what they represent.
Write a family covenant. How will you as a
family promise to spend your forty days?
Prepare a Lenten Christ Candle, symbol of
Christ as the light of our world. Decorate it
with family mementos. Add a touch of purple
to signify forgiveness. Light the candle each
evening as a conscious family symbol of Christ’s
presence in your life.
Choose one day each week on which you
can have an inexpensive soup or cereal supper.
Donate the money saved to the hungry.
For younger children, make a cloth or paper
cross of purple for the refrigerator door as a
reminder of penitence, humility, and suffering.
Make a belief poster on cardboard that
children can decorate. Work on the poster
throughout Lent.
Some suggestions are:
Believe in yourself; you are God’s creation.
Believe in your job; honest work is a form of
worship.
Believe in your family; create harmony and
togetherness by working together.
Believe in your neighbor; friends are an
important ingredient of a happy life.
Believe in the present; yesterday is gone and
tomorrow may never come.
Believe in God’s promise; God meant it
when God said, “I
am with you always.”
Believe in God’s
mercy; since God
forgives you, you can
forgive yourself and
try again tomorrow.
Believe in Christ’s
presence in your
life; Christ has died;
Christ is risen; Christ
will come again.
Give up things. Since Lent is a time of
personal and communal conversion, it is an
especially fitting time to cut back on life’s
extras. However, the purpose of Lent is not
solely to give up things; it is to turn our lives
from what does not really satisfy and to fill
ourselves with God’s life. Our culture promises
fulfillment through material things. Finding
something “to do without” can remind us that
our hearts desire can be filled only by God.
Continued on page 4
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Stations of the Cross & Benediction:
The Catholic Church offers to families a
rich tradition of Lenten practices which can be
celebrated through the Lenten Season.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish offers
Stations of the Cross and Benediction to
parishioners. On Friday, March 7, Family
Stations will be celebrated with Pizza and the Pastor in the school cafeteria.
What are the Stations of the Cross?
In early centuries of Christianity, people traveled to the Holy Land after Jesus’ death to visit the
places where He suffered, died, and rose from the dead. In the fifth century, representations of
some of these places were erected in a church in Gologna, Italy. These stations enabled people to
participate in the devotion without traveling to the Holy Land. Throughout the 12th and 13th
centuries, the devotion became popular as many former Crusaders put up scenes of the Passion
in their homes. In the 14th century, the religious order of the Franciscans promoted the devotion,
beginning in 1342 when they became responsible for the care of the holy places in Jerusalem. They
also erected stations in their monasteries, a practice that quickly spread to individual parishes. In
the 18th century, St. Leonard of Port Maurice gave his enthusiastic support to the devotion. He
became known as the preacher of the Way of the Cross. Pope Clement XII in 1731, issued a
document regarding the number of stations, where, and how they could be erected and how the
devotion should be practiced.
Today, we celebrate the Stations of the Cross in prayer, ritual, and song on Friday evenings. This
private or communal ritual honors the passion and death of Christ. In the communal service, the
leaders stop at each of 14 stations—crosses with scenes from the Gospel Passion Narratives, found
around the inside walls of our Church.
What is Benediction?
The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. Through adoration, we deepen our
celebration and reception of this great Sacrament. The service of Benediction or blessing consists of
putting a large host in a gold monstrance; it is then put on the altar for all to adore; hymns of praise
are sung; and the host is incensed. The priest then blesses the people by making the sign of the
cross over them with the monstrance containing the host.
Mother Teresa continually promoted the celebration of Benediction during her life. She wrote,
“I would like everyone to realize that Jesus wants all of us to come to him in the Blessed Sacrament.
He is really there in Person waiting just for you.”
Stations and Benediction provide a meaningful ritual of Catholic tradition and prayer to root
us in making Jesus a priority in our family lives today. Are our children familiar with the Catholic
traditions in which we have grown?
Catechetical activities
Stations of the Cross Tableaus – Joe
Paprocki
http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.
com/2009/03/12/4040-lenten-activities-stationsof-the-cross-tableaus/” http://catechistsjourney.
loyolapress.com/2009/03/12/4040-lentenactivities-stations-of-the-cross-tableaus/
Stations of the Cross by Students:
New Light on an Old Tradition –
Christine Stanoch
http://www.smp.org/ResourcePage.
cfm?Article=51” http://www.smp.org/
ResourcePage.cfm?Article=51
Scriptural Stations of the Cross celebrated by Pope John Paul II, Good
Friday 1991
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/
devotionals/stations-of-the-cross/scripturalstations-of-the-cross.cfm” http://www.usccb.org/
prayer-and-worship/devotionals/stations-of-thecross/scriptural-stations-of-the-cross.cfm
Way of the Cross at the Colosseum,
Good Friday 2005 - Meditations by
Cardinal Ratzinger
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/
liturgy/2005/documents/ns_lit_doc_20050325_
via-crucis_en.html” http://www.vatican.va/
news_services/liturgy/2005/documents/ns_lit_
doc_20050325_via-crucis_en.html
Online Stations of the Cross –
Creighton University
http://onlineministries.
creighton.edu/
CollaborativeMinistry/
stations.html” http://
onlineministries.creighton.
edu/CollaborativeMinistry/
stations.html
Stations of the Cross –
Cathedral of Mary Our
Queen, Baltimore
http://www.
cathedralofmary.org/
cathedral/stations/index.html”
http://www.cathedralofmary.
org/cathedral/stations/index.
html
Stations of the Cross
for Vocations – USCCB
http://www.usccb.
org/beliefs-and-teachings/
vocations/discerning-men/
upload/Stations-of-the-Crossfor-Vocations.pdf” http://
www.usccb.org/beliefsand-teachings/vocations/
discerning-men/upload/
Stations-of-the-Cross-forVocations.pdf
Stations of the Cross Online
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed
the world.
Stations for Young People
A Scriptural Way of the Cross - Youth Update
http://www.americancatholic.org/
Newsletters/YU/ay0298.asp” http://www.
americancatholic.org/Newsletters/YU/ay0298.
asp
Living Stations of the Cross – Catechist’s Journey
http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.
com/2009/02/12/living-stations-of-the-crossscripts/” http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.
com/2009/02/12/living-stations-of-the-crossscripts/
Stations for Children, with a mission
focus – Holy Childhood Association
http://www.missionsla.org/missionprograms/
hca/pdfs/hca_lent/stations.pdf” http://www.
missionsla.org/missionprograms/hca/pdfs/hca_
lent/stations.pdf
Stations of the Cross Prayer Service Catholic Teacher Resources
http://www.catholicteacherresources.com/
media/mass_plans/Stations.pdf” http://www.
catholicteacherresources.com/media/mass_
plans/Stations.pdf
Stations of the Cross for Children –
Loyola Press
http://www.loyolapress.com/multimediastations-of-the-cross-for-children.htm
PDF version - HYPERLINK “http://www.
loyolapress.com/images/stations-of-the-crossfor-children.pdf” http://www.loyolapress.com/
images/stations-of-the-cross-for-children.pdf
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Easter Customs: How did they begin?
How did the origin of the word “Easter” begin? In Britain, the feast
was named Easter after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre. After
Britain converted to Christianity, the celebration of Easter was held to
coincide with spring, the season of rebirth.
Easter Lily
A principal Church decoration in Christian parishes, the white lily was
brought to the United States because it blooms naturally in the springtime.
Easter clothes
The custom of wearing new clothes at Easter dates back to the time
when the New Year started in March and new clothes were worn to
signify a new beginning. In the early Church, when white robes were
conferred on the newly baptized, regular Church members wore new
attire in remembrance of their earlier baptisms.
Easter Egg
The egg has long been regarded as a symbol of fertility and rebirth.
Eggs were dyed and eaten at the spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Persia,
Greece, and Rome. In medieval times, eggs were not eaten during Lent.
People sent their eggs
to the priest to be
blessed. At Easter, the
eggs were dyed red in
memory of the blood
that Christ shed. Dye
eggs together as a
family this Lent.
What are your
family Easter
customs?
Discuss customs
and their significance
with children.
As a family, we invite you to participate in the Lenten, Holy Week, and
Easter liturgies of the parish.
Life is full of changing times and seasons. Easter is very special time.
The celebration of Easter represents an ever new sign of joy, hope, and life
within families. From our parish staff family to yours---Happy Easter!
Are you a caregiver?
The question becomes who takes care of the caregiver? How does
the caregiver do all that is necessary and still find time for their personal
needs?
A caregiver’s support group has been established in the parish where
caregivers can meet frequently to allow and encourage each other to
describe their daily challenges and experiences caring for a loved one,
and to be supported and reinforced by listening to and interacting with
other caregivers.
It is estimated that more than 34 million unpaid caregivers (more than
10% of the country) provide care to someone age 18 and older who is ill
or has a disability, and they provide an estimated 90% of the long-term
care.
The majority (83%) are family caregivers—such as family members,
friends, and neighbors of all ages who are providing care for a relative.
An estimated percentage to the faith community of Our Lady of Good
Counsel parish means that there could be as many as 500 families.
Usually the caregiver is a close family member - a spouse, a parent, a
grandparent. For some the care needed can be 24/7
How does the caregiver do all that is necessary and still find time for
their own needs, especially their health?
If you are a caregiver, or know someone who is and would like more
information please contact Jim Cassidy or Jane McCorkell at (856)2352374, or [email protected]
Grades 5 - 8 Beginning April 20, 2015
Personal and Small Group Training Opportunities are also Available.
IF YOU’RE STRIVING TO BE ONE OF THE BEST -- DON’T DELAY!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
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Principal’s Post
Catholic Schools Week
2015
“Go For the Gold”
Chairmen Alan Chen,
Sean Higgins, and
John Tomes (right) with
PTA President Michelle
Molz at the general
PTA Meeting Jan. 28.
From the PTA President
By Michelle Molz
As I write this, it is
the Friday of Catholic
Schools Week and I
am both exhausted an
elated. It was a fabulous
week filled with so
many fun activities, a
very meaningful Mass,
busy Open Houses, a jam-packed PTA
meeting showcasing our great technology
and enrichment programs, and a loud and
boisterous pep rally.
It was wonderful to take a family on a tour of
our school on Monday and hear them comment
on how impressed they were with the control
our teachers maintain in the classrooms and
the level of participation and engagement the
students exhibited. They decided to transfer
their children from a Mount Laurel public
school the very next day! We welcome them
and all of our newly enrolled students to our
wonderful community.
By the time you read this, Go For the Gold
will have happened and the tremendous
amount of time and effort put forth by our
chairmen Alan Chen, Sean Higgins and John
Tomes will have paid off. I thank everyone
involved in putting on this major fundraiser
from the bottom of my heart.
Our next major fundraiser is our 57th
Annual Fashion Show on May 7 at the
Merion. Please support this event in any way
you can, and thank you to our chairwomen
Joanne Dickson, Monica Drayton, Lisa
Esposito and Liz Sanfilippo for taking on this
tremendous task! We are truly blessed with an
army of good men and women who sacrifice
daily to support our cause. Thank you.
Sometimes we get so busy working on
tasks like these that we forget about the big
picture. Why are we raising $175,000 a
year to support our Parish School? How has
this tradition evolved and affected our lives
positively? As we roll up our sleeves and work
together, it brings us closer to each other and
to our mission – to form students in the image
of Jesus Christ. We set the example. We are
the role models. Our actions speak louder
than words.
Speaking of tradition and hard work, I want
to commend Stan and Thelma Mesveskas,
known affectionately as “Mr. and Mrs. M.” for
their love of our students as they worked in
the cafeteria – Stan for 17 years and Thelma
for seven. They recently retired due to Stan’s
health and would not let us throw them a
farewell party. We will send them flowers on
Valentine’s Day and the kids will miss them
very much. Please keep them in your thoughts
and prayers. Thank you Stan and Thelma!
The PTA’s “Designer Bag Blingo” on Nov. 14th was a huge success! Congrats to all of our winners who went
home with a Louis Vuitton bag, as well as, Coach, Tory Burch and Michael Kors bags. Thank you to all of our
sponsors and chairwoman Donna Montanez and her fabulous committee for a great Ladies Night Out!
During the last week of
January, OLGC celebrated
National Catholic Schools Week
with all the Catholic Schools in
the United States. This yearly
Dr. Frank McAneny event emphasizes the qualities
that set Catholic Schools apart
from other educational institutions: Academic
Standards, Commitment to Ongoing Service and
the Daily Opportunity for Faith Based Experiences.
At our school the combination of strong
academics with our Catholic beliefs provides
our present students with the guidance and
directions needed to be future contributors to our
communities, our country and most importantly
to our Catholic Church. We are supported by our
Mission statement which is to form young minds,
hearts and hands in the image of Jesus, within a
community of faith. Our Catholic Faith is a critical
and integral component in our Catholic School.
Several students began the week by
speaking about OLGC at the weekend Masses on
January 24th and 25th. Students, staff and families
celebrated Mass together as a Faith community
on January 28th, and all staff members joined
in prayer with Father Damien to rededicate
themselves to Catholic education and to Our Lady
of Good Counsel School. Father Damian’s sermon
reminded all of us of the value of our Catholic faith
experiences and encouraged everyone to keep our
Faith strong.
While at Mass we presented Dr. John Sherry
with the Sr. Michael Vincent Dailey Award for
“Service, Love and Dedication to our school. In
his comments, Dr. Sherry connected the school
history with the dedication shown by parents and
the parish to our school throughout the years. Mr.
Ryan Peters, Class of 1996, was honored as the
Distinguished Graduate of the Year and in his
remarks to our students told them that “it is OK to
fail but it is not OK to give up,” and reminded them
that they are all blessed with God given talents
which should be used every day.
Our Student Council sponsored a
community service project called “Soup for the
Super Bowl” with canned food items donated to
the Parish Pantry. Students were also involved
in several school activities during the week such
as presentations at the PTA Meeting, our Annual
Spelling Bee won by Eddie Diggs in 8A and our
Penmanship Competition, won by Salvatore Leuzzi
in 4B, the “Salad Bowl” game assembly and the
Grand Finale, the Pep Rally.
The many successes at OLGC go beyond
Catholic Schools Week. Our program is reinforced
by the many contributions made by our Pastor,
Father Damien, Father Matt, the Parish Community
and by our parents, all of whom demonstrate every
day their care for and commitment to our school’s
approach to Academics and Faith formation.
Although there is a National weeklong
celebration for Catholic Schools, at Our Lady of
Good Counsel School we are Catholic every day
of the school year. If this is the type of program in
which you might be interested give us a call and
we will make arrangements for you to visit to find
out more about us. We would be thrilled to have
you become part of the Our Lady of Good Counsel
School family.
www.olgcnj.org
On Monday November 24th
the children of the EEC invited
faculty, family and friends to
their Annual Thanksgiving
Prayer Service. One by one
the children stated what
they were thankful for. The
Pre-K and both kindergarten
classes did a wonderful job
performing Thanksgiving day
songs as well. All of their
hard work paid off! It was
such a wonderful way to start
the holiday week.
Ms. Sandra and her Pre-K class.
Left to right ar Hailey Slott, Lauren Mullin, Emma Collazo, Margot Marut, Carter Banasz,
and Patrick Gallagher.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Moorestown
Enrolling now!
Left to right are Vincet D’Ambrosio, Stephen Wysock, Paige Wydra, and Leena-Rose
Marter.
Call today for a tour!
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On Friday January 16th, Mrs. Biancaniello’s first grade
class brought their favorite slippers to school! The kids
wore the slippers all afternoon as a journal exercise,
writing about wearing their slippers in class which ended
with a special treat from Mrs. Biancaniello.
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Ministry of Altar Server
By Deacon Ed Heffernan
On Sunday, January 25th, at the 10:30 AM Mass,
Fr. Damain installed nine (9) new altar servers.
These young boys and girls joined those currently
serving in this wonderful ministry bringing the total
to seventy-four (74).
The boys and girls newly installed are: Dean
Damato, Gabrielle Dash, Grace Lawson, Catie Shawaryn, Gabriel Tillman,
Hugh Toner, Christian Tsai, Joshua Tsai and Bobby Woltjen.
This new group began assisting in November and continued through
January vesting as the fourth member at Sunday Masses. For those three
months they gained the experience under the tutelage of some of our
more veteran servers with some “on the job training”.
Since assuming the oversight and care of this ministry in June of 2005,
some nine years ago, I have admired the dedication and the sincere
passion most of the young boys and girls bring to their service at the
Lord’s table. During that time we have committed ourselves to having this
ministry play its part at all Masses held at Our Lady’s parish, the normal
weekend schedule, as well as the Saturday morning 9:00 AM Mass and all
the Masses held on Holy Days.
Personally, I am so very pleased at
the progress we’ve all made together
over the past nine years and I would
like to thank both my servers and their
parents for the sacrifices they make
each month on behalf of their parish.
My dream was always that the
young girls and boys would use the
altar server ministry as a foundation
for service to their parish and perhaps
as they matured would consider
other ministries to serve their Church
community. I am so pleased now,
when I see some of them that have
moved on to become readers. I’m
never happy about losing them,
however, to see them continue in a different parish ministry brings me
great joy.
Please be sure every now and again to give these young servers a pat
on the back and a few kind words for their sacrifice and service.
{ SAVE THE DATES }
OLGC Knights of Columbus to Honor
the Altar Servers of our Parish
Father Damian Mc Elroy to be honored by the John Tatham
Assembly Knights of Columbus
Every week when we go to church we see the altar servers of our
parish assisting our Priests and Deacons. Do we ever stop to think what a
special ministry this is because it allows these young men and women to
enter the Sanctuary and be close to Jesus, close to the actions of the Mass?
For the last ten years under the direction of Deacon Ed Heffernan
this well polished corps of 74 servers assist with the preparation of the
sanctuary with the linens and vessels used during Mass. They lead the
procession with cross and candles and assist in bringing the gifts up to
the altar. Some of the altar servers assist at weddings, school Masses and
Lenten Stations of the Cross, as well as, being called upon to do other
services.
On April 23, 2015 the Knights of our parish will hold a special
appreciation evening for those who are a part of this ministry and their
families. Certificates of Appreciation will be distributed and Pizza will be
served. All Altar Servers should look for their personal invitation and RSVP
as soon as possible so that we have an accurate count for the evening.
On Friday evening June 12, 2015 the John Tatham Assembly 4th
Degree Knights of Columbus will hold their 62nd annual Charity Ball
at the Tavistock Country Club in Tavistock Borough, New Jersey. The
Assembly is pleased to announce that the honoree this year will be the
Very Reverend Damian Mc Elroy, V.F.
In making this announcement Sir Knight Peter Cassiano, Charity Ball
Chairman said, “Father Damian is being honored for his support of the
various activities of the Assembly in an attempt to help the Seminarians of
the Diocese of Trenton”.
Father Damian when learning about this honor said, “The Diocese of
Trenton is blessed to have 28 men in preparation for Priestly duties.” He
thanked the Knights for their efforts and encouraged them to continue
their good work.
The parish supported the Annual Vacation Raffle Program last year and
across Burlington County $40,000.00 was raised for this special cause.
Save the Date, June 12, 2015, and mark your calendar now to show your
support for Father Damian and the Seminarians of the Diocese of Trenton.
List of Deaths since Nov. 5, 2014
Louis Malone:
11/5/14
Frances Campagnola 11/11/14
Joan Schwarz 11/12/14
Mary Barardy 11/15/14
William Stibler 11/19/14
Ethel Miller 11/28/14
Gene Schmitz 12/5/14
Patricia Selnek 12/12/14
Marilyn Molz 12/13/14
Margaret McClafferty 12/14/14
Edward Kelly
12/17/14
Aurelia Bender 12/18/14
Phillip Crow 12/23/14
Elizabeth Poehl 1/24/15
www.olgcnj.org
No Fair-weather volunteers here...
By Thom Scattaregia
The cloudless sky was bright
blue, a slight wind was tugging
at the tall evergreens, and the
temperature hovered at 19 degrees
as I drove into snow covered Mt.
Carmel Cemetery. The white
landscape was dotted with the
outline of green wreathes, home
crafted evergreen decorations, and
grave blankets peeking through
the crust of the blanket of snow.
This cold January morning the
Christmas decorations were to be
removed from the graves and sent
to the landfill.
I wondered to myself just how
many volunteers would brave
the bone-chilling cold to assist in
clearing the cemetery of the lovingly placed decorations? At the
9:00AM starting time about sixteen
dedicated volunteers were hard at
work attacking the clean-up with
good natured enthusiasm. There
was little mention of the cold temperatures or the icy snow covered
ground which held the frozen
decorations in its grasp. The subfreezing temperature was warmed
with the spirit of camaraderie, humor and purpose as the volunteers
went about their task.
The frozen earth clung to the
decorations; shovels and rakes
were needed to break the tight
fisted grip of Mother Nature;
the dislodged decorations were
scooped up and piled on tarps and
dragged across the crunchy snow
to the disposal truck and hurled
to a waiting team perched on the
back of the truck.
In less than an hour the
Cemetery was clear of decorations,
the truck loaded, and the tools
returned to their winter resting
place in the tool shed.
Who are these volunteers who
would give up a warm home on
this cold winter morning to walk
through our cold and deserted
cemetery? The group was led
by members of the Moorestown
Knights of Columbus; some are
local Boy Scouts and parents;
some are students earning
community service hours; one
is the wife of a Knight and one
is a member of another parish.
All have joined together on this
cold morning for one purpose--to
perform an act of charity and fulfill
an act of mercy--care of the dead.
The footprints in the snow
covered cemetery will vanish in
time. However, the commitment,
perseverance, and dedication of
the generous volunteers are forever
frozen into the memory bank of
Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
St. Vincent de Paul Society benefits from Knights annual golf tournament
The Saint Mary of the Lakes conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul
Society also benefitted from our council’s golf outing last fall.
The mission statement of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society states in
part:
Inspired by gospel values, the Society, a catholic lay organization,
leads men and women to join together to grow spiritually by offering
person to person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its
founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and our patron Saint Vincent de Paul.
At the present time, the Medford conference of the SVdP Society,
affiliated with St. Mary of the Lakes Parish in Medford, serves the
Moorestown area. Upwards of fifty families in Moorestown have received
financial assistance from the Society and are listed as active guests or
clients. In addition, there are a number of families who receive monthly
food deliveries due to their lack of transportation and/or inability to come
to the Medford facility of SVdP.
The SVdP Society is an international Catholic organization that traces
its roots to 19th century France. The local SVdP Society conference
began in Medford some 35 years ago. In addition to Moorestown, the
conference also serves Pemberton, Browns Mills, Medford and Medford
Lakes.
The society provides food and clothing to its guests, pays utility bills
to prevent shut-offs, helps with rent or mortgage payments, pays car
insurance and car repairs and much more.
Since the society has no dedicated source of funding, it depends
on benefactors for donations and on income generated from sales at
its thrift store located at the center in Medford. There is no paid
staff. In the past year ended on 9/30/2014, the society assisted more than
2500 families in its service area, and so ensuring adequate resources to
maintain services is a constant challenge.
The Moorestown Knights of Columbus Council #1082 is pleased to be
able to help meet that challenge with a generous check for $1,600.
The society takes pride in its well organized thrift store and encourages
shoppers to visit, at 1 Jones Road (just off Rte 70) in Medford. In addition,
they welcome anyone interested in volunteer service to stop in at their
offices, also at Jones Road, where they will be warmly welcomed.
www.olgcnj.org
The Mission Club of Our Lady of
Good Counsel School writes their
congratulations on “Footprints of Christ”
cards to the students of St. Francis
Primary School upon their 125th School
Anniversary in Kingston, Jamaica.
125 Years of Franciscan Education in Jamaica, West Indies
By Dr. Linda M. Dix
St. Francis Primary School celebrates 125 years of Franciscan
Education on May 10, 2015. Dr. Dix will be celebrating with the
Franciscan Sisters and the faculty and staff of St. Francis Primary
School that weekend with a special celebration which involves a
Mass and activities with the students of the school.
Our parish is involved in the celebration through gifts that
have been made by our Religious Education students which
include an Advent banner, special crafts made this summer in
Religious Education class which include Scriptural banners,
and a book celebrating the connection between our students
and theirs which will be presented at the various celebrations
throughout the week.
In addition, the Mission Club of Our Lady of Good
Counsel School is sending “Footprints of Jesus” congratulating
the students upon their special celebration which will be
presented to Sister Maureen Clare, Franciscan Superior, and
Mrs. McIntryre, School Principal, in May. A cross of Scriptural
quotes which embodies the profound spirituality of the school
will also be presented by Dr. Dix on behalf of our parish
to commemorate the twenty years of parish involvement in
twinning with the school by sending literacy supplies and books
throughout these past years. This has enabled the school to
continue to serve the very poor children of the Kingston area and
to help promote literacy in the West Indies.
The history of the involvement of the Franciscan Sisters in
Jamaica is heroic! After harrowing experiences on a long sea
voyages from Glasgow, Scotland, the first three Franciscan
Sisters disembarked at Kingston Harbour, Jamaica on November
5, 1857. They had but two shillings and six pence in their
possession, but soon found kind benefactors such as Hon.
Richard O’Reilly who sent them ten pounds and Mr. Henry
Vendryes who made available his home as their first Convent.
In January, 1858, the Sisters opened the Immaculate
Conception Academy now ICHS. When the two D’Aquin sisters,
joined the Franciscan Sisters, their generous father gave as their
dowry the twenty –five acre “Pen” which the Sisters named
“Alvernia.” On this property later developed St. Francis Primary
All Age School, St. Joseph Teachers’ College, and Alvernia
Preparatory, where our parishioners work and visit to the present
day.
Eventually, the Motherhouse in Scotland became unable to
send any more sisters to Jamaica. So it was that the Franciscan
Sisters of Allegany, New York, a young fledgling community
barely twenty years old, graciously responded to an appeal
from the Vicar Apostolic of Jamaica. In January, 1879, three
Sisters bravely set sail from New York harbor to become the first
American Sisters to undertake foreign missionary work.
Over the years, besides the Educational Institutions already
mentioned, the Franciscan Sisters have also established and
continue to serve throughout the island. Please continue to
pray for the Franciscan Sisters and their educational endeavors
in the West Indies. A generous thanks is also extended to the
parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel for their ongoing
support of literacy in Jamaica these many years.
www.olgcnj.org
2015 Distinguished
Graduate of the Year
By Maryanne McGovern
Ryan Peters was born and raised in Mount Laurel and attended
OLGC School from first through eighth grade, graduating in 1996. Ryan
played for the basketball team from sixth through eighth grade and also
participated in Student Council serving as a Class Representative from
fourth through eighth grade. After graduating, he attended Holy Cross High School where he
played soccer, basketball, and track. Following high school, Ryan went
to the United States Naval Academy where he played soccer, eventually
serving as team captain during his senior year. However, it was during
his sophomore year that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon took place. It was at that moment, Ryan realized that he wanted
to be on the front lines of the War on Terror and decided to join the Navy
SEAL Team.
Following graduation from the Naval Academy with honors, Ryan was
given the opportunity to achieve his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. Ryan survived SEAL training as one of only 18 people to finish a class that
started with 250 students. He was then assigned to SEAL Team Four and was deployed to Iraq in
2006, Afghanistan in 2007, and again to Iraq in 2008. After three combat
deployments, Ryan left active duty military service but stayed in the SEAL
Reserve Unit. Ryan attended the Rutgers University School of Law, graduating with
Father Chris Picollo speaks to
8th grade confirmands about
vocations as they prepare for
Confirmation.
Ryan Peters
surrounded
by his family
as he accepts
the 2015
Distinguished
Graduate of the
year Award.
honors in 2012 and joined the law firm of Pepper Hamilton in Philadelphia.
He was recalled back to active duty in 2013 and deployed in support
of the Global War on Terror. Ryan made a heartwarming homecoming
in September, 2014, surprising his daughter, Kaylee, at OLGC school
dismissal.
Ryan has returned to work at Pepper Hamilton and is still a member of
the SEAL Reserve Unit. However, he is thrilled and blessed to be enjoying
life at home with his wife, Stacy, and three children: Kaylee, Kevin, and
Ben.
Martin Luther
King Day
of Service
Many children gathered in the Quinn House
with cans of food for the Samaritan Ecumenical
Pantry of Moorestown, sponsored by the
Ministerium. We discussed the significance of
the day and then read aloud the story entitled:
Mr. Brown’s Fantastic Hat by Ayano Imai.
The story engages children in the dynamics
of friendship and the need to reach and out
and come to know one another in the spirit of
Martin Luther King Day. They then decorated
bird houses as symbols of friendship and made
toiletry bags for the teens of Covenant House
and the families of Providence House.
The day concluded with the making of
special ice cream sundaes! We were visited by
Mary Stadnyck of the diocesan Monitor who
was very moved by the children’s discussion of
the meaning of the day, their call to service.
“giving back,” and the need to open our hearts
to others.
Writes Hope Blanch catechist and mother,
“The kids had a great time. Thank you for
providing a service outreach to help them see
beyond the comfort of their home and to know
how God loves each of us. We got into the car
and my son, Tommy, turned to me and said, “
They are so nice to us.” I said yes they certainly
are and I said it is a love inspired by God that
we can use as an inspiration in our mission
to help bring the love of Christ to others. The
teaching and learning moments are always at
our fingertips!”
Cozies for
Chemo
The first grade Girl
Scout Daisy troop
made two blankets for
cancer patients through
the Cozies for Chemo
program on Dec. 19.
From left, Samantha Terry,
Taylor Petroski, Samantha
Costello, Danielle Audet,
Claire Folcher, Emma
Brown, Izzy Dickson,
Lilly Kolbeck, Alexandra
Petroski, Jane Ho, Riley
Grahl, Delaney Grahl,
Kaylee Peters, Ava
Kueny, Mya DiGilio, and
Caroline Mitchell.
www.olgcnj.org
Martin Luther King Day of Service
participants collate toiletry bags for
the teen of Covenant House, Camden
and Providence House, Catholic
Charities, Willingboro.
www.olgcnj.org
January 11, 2015 Homily by Deacon Tom Kolon
Last Sunday, in the Roman rite, we celebrated the Epiphany with the
story of the Magi. But in the Eastern Church, the Baptism of Jesus is also
part of the celebration of the Epiphany. Jesus is revealed to the world. It was
considered such an important event that all four gospels have a Baptism
account.
This final feast of the Christmas season serves as a kind of bridge to Ordinary Time. It presents Jesus to us as He begins His ministry. His baptism
places Him on the road to His mission- to reveal the Father and to begin to
bring about the Kingdom of God in the world.
Our own baptism is not just a ritual lasting a few moments. Actually,
baptism is a daily immersion in the mission of Jesus and requires lifelong
commitment.
So what is the mission? We are asked to make God the central core of
our lives. If God is important to us, this love will also permeate the lives of
our loved ones. At a baptism, this is the responsibility given to each mother,
father, and godparent, and also for our extended family and friends. Make
God the central core of our lives.
For our children, we are their first educators in our faith. We will show
them how to love God in totality- with our hearts and minds and souls. If
the community celebration of Sunday mass is important to us, it will become important to our children. If the grace of the sacraments is critical to
our lives, so it will be for them. But if we act without the love of God in our
hearts, our children will not experience that love that is so essential.
Our Baptism brought us into the Body of Christ, setting us on the path of
continuing Christ’s mission here on earth.
Think about that. Do you connect your baptism with your work, your
mission in the world? What can we do as part of the Church to bring God’s
love to the world?
We are asked to not just be nice people, to go to mass, to live a good
life. We are asked to do more. To be ACTIVE Christians spreading the faith,
teaching God’s love. ACTIVE.
We have to go outside of our comfort zone.
Pope Francis said this: “Each individual Christian and every community
is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of
the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands
that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their
aid….” it is not a question of a mission reserved only to a few… This is not
just a mission for Mother Teresa, St. Francis, Dorothy Day or St Vincent DePaul, this is OUR mission. All of us.
It means working to eliminate the structural causes of poverty and to
promote the integral development of the poor, as well as small daily acts
of solidarity in meeting the real needs which we encounter. Pope Francis is
not simply talking about ensuring nourishment or a “dignified sustenance”
for all people, but also their “general temporal welfare and prosperity.”
This means education (critical), health care, employment, faith.
Love for the poor is at the center of the Gospel.
The Financially poor, but also the Poor in Spirit, the Poor of Heart. So
Our mission is to wipe out poverty- Material and Spiritual Poverty
Material Poverty
In the US, a family of four is listed as living in poverty if the income is
less than $23,850. How many families think that they can survive on $24K
per year?
46.5 million people live in poverty in the US. 46 million! – that’s 8 million more than live in the entire state of California.
What is the Catholic response to poverty? Each year Catholic Charities
serves 17 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, healthcare
and housing assistance. 1 in 6 hospital patients (128 million) are treated at
600 US Catholic hospitals.
Who wants to save on their taxes? Support the school (OLGC). 24 billion of taxpayer money is saved every year by educating 2 million students
at Catholic schools. I know the reasons- “my kids don’t go there or they
graduated already or I’m retired.” Catholic School education saves all of us
money. Each time a Catholic school closes, a significant portion of the students enroll at public schools increasing the strain on the public school system. The snowball effect then raises taxes and reallocates funds that could
have gone to projects to help eliminate poverty. Especially with closures in
the inner city. Support the school.
Spiritual Poverty also runs deep. There is a sense of isolation, cut off
from community, friendship, intimacy, love.
Many suffer from depression, anxiety, grief, or despair. Some people have
illnesses that separate them from the everyday interactions with society.
Even in our information society there are people whose lack of education keeps them on the margins of society even if they manage to put food
on the table and a roof over their head. Some have lost faith in their family,
lost faith in their Church.
Many people in spiritual poverty feel trapped by difficult decisions and
don’t know where to turn. They are often preyed upon by others.
Many young women face difficult decisions about pregnancy. In this
country, since 1973 we have lost nearly 60 million people due to abortion.
Planned Parenthood makes $230 million/year. That yearly income alone is
enough money to pull tens of thousands of families out of poverty in the
US each year.
Continue Jesus’ mission and get involved. We are very blessed here in
Moorestown. We have a lot to be thankful for but we can easily become
complacent. We need to reach out to others and make it a part of our daily
fabric.
Assist projects like the Cristo Rey Network- Cristo Rey high schools help
inner city youth in Philly and other cities. Blend- Academics, professional
work experience, Catholic moral values.
On Jan 22 the March for Life took place in Washington, DC. There was
also a Rally in Trenton. Pray and talk about these events to others. Speak
your mind when talking with friends, family, and colleagues.Let them know
where you as a Catholic stand on moral issues.
There are Soup Kitchens in Camden and Trenton (diocesan) that are always in need of volunteers. Need to have an unquenchable fire in our soul.
Do you remember the movie ‘When Harry Met Sally’?- at the end, Billy
Crystal runs through NYC to meet Meg Ryan at a NY Eve party. When asked
why, he says ‘when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with
somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’
That’s a fire in your soul- that is how our relationship with Jesus should
be. We fully realize that bond when we walk with Him on our mission.
‘This is my beloved on whom my favor rests’- through your actions, try each
day to hear that.
www.olgcnj.org
Nothing New Under the Sun
By Larry Pizzi
Question: What do Facebook, Twitter, text
messaging and cell phones have in common with
the printing press, washing machines, clothes
dryers, air conditioners and a bank or restaurant
“drive thru?”
Answer: All at one time or another have been
accused of diminishing culture, society or civilization.
We’ve all read articles and studies warning us
of the downside and dangers of digital technology. I’m not smart enough to know if these warnings are valid or not. Just as there is no end of
questions, there is no end of people who think
they have the answers.
Without passing judgment on such studies or
people, I do think that they often leave out two
important factors in their reasoning. A biblical
writer made the first point thousands of years
ago: “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9b). Social media and digital technology are only the latest in a long line of technological “breakthroughs” that have been seen
as signs of a declining society.
The printing press? Now anyone can publish
an idea, and, worse yet, anyone can read it! O,
the humanity!
The washer and dryer? No more gathering
at the creek to commune with nature and each
other as we bang our wet clothes on a rock. No
more chatting over the fence or across the alley
as we pin the wash to the line. Isolation!
Air conditioning? No more sitting on the
porch greeting neighbors and strangers alike. No
more open windows to connect us, willingly or
not, with the sounds from our neighbors’ houses.
There goes the neighborhood!
Drive thru?No more conversations with
friends, neighbors or even strangers as we wait
in line or mingle.
The list goes on: single family homes, the suburbs, VCRs, earphones... All these examples contain a grain or more of truth, raising the second
point: We’re still here and generally doing well.
Society continues to function despite bumps and
bruises that have always been with us anyway.
We use washers and dryers, read printed materials, enjoy air conditioning, use the drive thru
and still manage, by and large, to live in community with others.
We sometimes especially worry about kids
and technology. Look outside. Kids still go out
to play. If you don’t think kids have a non-digital
social life, ask any parent what his or her chauffeur schedule is this week.
Is it possible to overdo Facebook or spend too
much time glued to a phone? Is it bad to ignore
our neighbor? Absolutely, but we can spend too
much time doing many things (like eating) and
not enough time doing lots of things (like exercising).
Our society has many serious problems. Technology does have a downside. There have, however, always been problems, downsides in life.
Seventh graders (l. to r.) Amanda Conover, Claire Vasell,
Samantha Capozzoli and their classmates use social
media to explore characterization in a novel.
There is nothing new under the sun, and we’re
still here under the sun.
That said, we are only human and must be as
prudent in our use of digital technology as we
are in anything else. We have a special responsibility to monitor our children’s use as well.
If the pace of modern technology sometimes
discourages or scares you, remember that “experts” have been claiming for centuries that technological changes would cause the decay of society. Yet here we are and here we will be many
years from now, Lord willing. Studies cannot
account for the miracle that humans are made
in the image and likeness of God, who made us
incredibly adaptable, resilient and resourceful.
Even Facebook and Twitter can’t change that.
www.olgcnj.org
Sister Michael Vincent Award
2015 recipient, Dr. John M. Sherry
Dr.
John Sherry received the
Sister Michael Vincent Award
for his devotion to Catholic
education during a special
Catholic School’s Week Mass.
Dr. Sherry has been involved with Catholic
Education all of his life. For several years
he taught in the RE Program for Our Lady
of Perpetual Help, as well as, here at Good
Counsel. He has frequently served on many
committees, studying various issues both at the
Parish and Diocesan levels.
For six years he was
By Maryanne
Chair of the Diocese
of Trenton Educational
McGovern
Advisory Committee. He
served on a sub-committee for the Commission
of Sustainability of Catholic Schools in the
Diocese and currently is a member of the
Educational Finance Advisory Committee for
the Diocese.
In addition, Dr. Sherry has chaired three
Principal Search Committees for our School
and has served for 6 years as chair of the
School Board. Under his leadership, the
Board has developed a Strategic Plan, received
accreditation from the Middle States Association
of Schools and the established the Annual
Appeal and Endowment Fund.
Born in Trenton and raised in Maple Shade,
he is a graduate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
School and attended Bishop Eustace Prep. He
received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics
and Elementary Education from Temple and
earned his Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in
Educational Leadership from Rutgers University.
John began his career as a 7th and 8th grade
Dr. John M. Sherry
and his wife,
Maureen, accepting
the 2015 Sister
Michael Vincent
Award with Dr.
McAneny, Father
Matthew, and
Father Damian.
teacher for the Philadelphia School District and
then became Principal of the Neeta Elementary
School in Medford Lakes, NJ. He was
appointed Director of Curriculum for
the Moorestown Twp. Schools. He
then became the Superintendent
of the Westampton Twp. Schools
moving on to Superintendent of
the Maple Shade Twp. Schools.
He worked for the State
of New Jersey as County
Superintendent for Camden
County, promoted to Coordinating
County Superintendent of Gloucester
County. In 1997 he was appointed
Assistant Commissioner of Education for the
State of New Jersey.
Upon leaving State service he became
Superintendent of the Tabernacle Township
Schools. Lastly he served as Professor of
Back row: Giovanna Torchia
(5th grade winner), Danny
DiSandro (2nd place winner),
Eddie Diggs (1st place winner),
Anthony Tanzola (7th grade
co-winner),
front row: Colleen Tanzola (7th
grade co-winner), Haley Joyce
(6th grade winner)
Spelling Bee winner
Eddie Diggs was
all smiles after
spelling the word
‘acknowledged’
correctly. Librarian
Mrs. Kristen
McKeaney and
Technology Teacher
Mrs. Suzanne
Casey (right) were
the moderators.
Educational Leadership at Rowan University
teaching in the Master’s and Doctorate
Programs. He now serves as a consultant to the
Education Testing Service in Princeton NJ.
John and Maureen Sherry have been
parishioners of our parish for over 40
years. Maureen taught first grade
for 25 years. Their two daughters,
Mary Beth Scarpati and Colleen
Schroeder, are graduates of OLGC.
The girls continued on to Bishop
Eustace Prep and Merion Mercy
Academy and then Rosemont College
and La Salle University. Both girls have
their Master’s from Rowan University.
John and Maureen are blessed with six
grandchildren with both girls having a set of
twins. It should come as no surprise that Mary
Beth is a teacher and Colleen an elementary
school principal.
Spelling Bee
Back row: Colleen Tanzola, Samantha Capozzoli,
Karolina Kaczmarski, Sean Folcher, Anthony
Tanzola, John Terrivel – 7th grade
front row: Savanna Coraggio, Nick Ward, Robbie
Christ, Rachel Sobocinski, Haley Joyce, Natalie
Robles- 6th grade
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Student
Teacher Day
Each year during Catholic schools
week the eighth graders become the
teachers for one day. They are assigned
a classroom and meet with the teachers.
They discuss what the kids are learning in
class with those teachers.
By the designated student teacher
day the eighth graders will have a lesson
plan ready to go. Mrs. Gulla guides the
students through this activity and tells us
that they were very creative with their
teaching processes this year.
Many of the lesson plans included
the use of technology, power point, and
scavenger hunts. Some of the students are
assigned to specials such as gym, or even
get to become principal for the day.
Getting to be teacher for a day is also a
great way for eighth graders to experience
the occupation. Some felt the day was
exhausting. Another commented their
feet hurt. Which led some students to
realize that teaching was not for them.
The overall feeling was that they
enjoyed the day and how excited their
classrooms were. There was also an
agreement that it will be an experience
they will remember forever. Overall it
is fun for the student teachers and the
kids in the classroom not to mention the
teacher whose class it is.
Mrs. Jaime Welte and her 6th grade student teachers Pasquale
Procacci and Andrew Sobocinski.
Mrs. Nancy Maguire and her 1st grade student teachers Nina Dzidic and
Sydney Tufankjian.
Mrs. Costello’s 3rd grade class with student teachers Meghan Higgins and Alyssa Leshko.
First graders enjoyed lunchtime with our Principal and Student Principal for the day. (Left to right) Taylor
Petroski, Samantha Costello, Lilly Kolbeck, Owen Dickson, Brice Carter, Kieran Berna, with Dr. Mc Aneny
and John Leuzzi.
Mrs. Suzanne Casey and her student terachers Eddie Diggs, Michael
Magargee, and Aaron Rivera.
Mrs. Adams kindergarten class with student teachers Laqueta Mascarenhas and Carola Howson.
Mrs. Michelle Callanan and her 4th grade
student teachers Maura Gallagher and Caroline
Giangiordano.
Students took over teaching Mrs. Burnham’s class during student teacher day. From left are Craig Yates,
Danny DiSandro, Allison English, Natalie Robles, Patrick Moeller, and Matt Morello.
Mrs. Kathy Goeke with her 6th grade student teachers Jake D’Angelis, Dylan
Colacci, and Dylan Sturtevant.
Mrs. Feeney’s 3rd grade class with their student teachers from the left Brigit Corej, Olivia Hansen, Quinn Wysock, Caroline
Grady, Katherine Mitchell, John Zohlman, Myles Drayton and Grace Hill.
School Librarian Mrs. Kristen McKeaney and her
student teachers Daniela Hernandez and Helen
Closky.
Mrs. Renee Allen, with student teachers Marissa
Coffield and Amy Mullen.
Mrs. Biancaniello’s first grade class with (left) Lauren Monahan and (right) Victoria Sciortino.
Mrs. Marcie Steel and her 5th grade student teachers Ashley Benson and Sarah
Burghardt with Fraction Café student chef Lexi Ciampi.
Student teachers Stephanie Leshko and Katie English share lunchtime with PreK.
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Gabriel Aydjian’s grandfather,
Mr. Pascal Aydjian, is a leather
technician. He started his profession
by making shoes by hand and
now, along with Gabriel’s father,
designs and manufactures shoes
that are sold all over the world. The
students enjoyed the opportunity to
design their own shoes.
Kindergarten Open House
Lucia Dyson’s grandfather, Mr. Jim Eastwick, is a tai chi instructor. He taught the students
8-form tai chi and the health benefits of doing tai chi.
CSW Pep Rally
The pep rally is always filled with
games, cheers, and a whole lotta pep!
Each year all grades separate into
homerooms A vs B and compete in
relay races. The cheerleaders and
students perform cheers and welcome
all the athletic teams. All the teams
and their players are announced. Then
each team will perform drills. Every
year the school spirit at Our Lady
of Good Counsel has a tremendous
showing. Catholic School Week
brings to light what a wonderful
school it really is. The pep rally is
a climatic end to a full week of fun
activities and celebrations!
The kindergarteners thoroughly enjoyed the special Catholic
Schools Week events. Their parents had the opportunity to see them
in action at the open house. On another day eighth grade student
teachers were in charge of lots of learning and fun.
One of the favorite events was when the grandparents visited.
Many grandparents came to the classroom to read books or tell about
a hobby, a personal adventure or their profession. The grandparents
enjoyed it as much as the kindergarteners!
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Walking in Jesus’ Footsteps
John
Terrivel
Jamie
Horsley
Christian
Foster
Lauren
Mostak
Sean
Folcher
Sophia
Giangiordano
Alexandra
Haas
Anthony
Tanzola
Amanda
Conover
Mrs. Gulla’s 7th grade Religion Class. As our 7th graders prepare for the
Sacrament of Confirmation, they have been giving of their time and talents
in many service activities around their school and community.
Nursing Home
by John Terrivel For my service hours I helped out at a nursing home. At the nursing home I went around the
building with my mom and Sister Rosemarie giving out gifts for Christmas and bulletins from our Church, while
my mom and Sister gave out communion to the residents. While we went to each room, we talked to everyone
who lived there. The residents seemed happy to see me since they do not see many children around. I learned
people who life in nursing homes do not get to socialize often and it is important to visit them and spend time
with them.
Chapel Choir
by Jamie Horsley To prepare myself for Confirmation I participate in the school’s chapel choir. In the choir we
learn and sing songs at Sunday Mass to worship and praise Jesus. Every new song that we learn contains new
stories that we have read in the Bible. The chapel choir is a large number of boys and girls that come together to
sing praise to the Lord. I learned that this is an easy way to grow closer to God and make new friends.
Art Club
by Christian Foster One act of service I have done in preparation for Confirmation is helping the kids and Mrs.
Christ in Art Club. I put out supplies, instruct the children, and clean up trash and supplies. This act of service
makes me feel good because I am helping children with their creativity and helping out Mrs. Christ with her
classes. I know my acts make God happy because he put me on earth to help people in need.
Alumni Mass
by Lauren Mostak One of the service opportunities I have been involved in this school year is giving tours around
our school after the Alumni Mass. I really enjoyed this service because I was able to show people how great
our school is while learning about what it was like when the Alumni went to my school. During these couple
of hours I took groups of Alumni through our school showing them the classrooms and telling them what the
teacher in that classroom teaches. I loved this because I didn’t only learn more about my school but I learned
teaching people about my faith is important.
Catholic Charities
by Sean Folcher One of the things that I have done for service is selling pies for Catholic Charities. After the 9:00
Mass, I was outside the church. I had to go around asking people if they wanted to buy a pie or two to give to
charity. After I found out what they wanted I wrote down which pie that person bought. It was a windy day and
bitter cold. All of the papers were getting blown away. I continued to sell pies because it was for a good cause.
All of the pies were going to people in need. I learned I should always help others no matter what the conditions.
Noah’s Ark
by Sophia Giangiordano For my service hours I participated in Noah’s Ark. I chose Noah’s Ark because I enjoy
being with little kids. I think it is fun to teach about God and our faith. I arrived an hour early to help set up
for the little kids. We set up games and puzzles. We also set up coloring sheets and dolls. When the children
arrived we made them a name tag. We read a simple story about how God has helped us. We colored a sheet
based on the story. We played until their parents picked them up. The reason for Noah’s Ark is to babysit the
little kids whose parents attend the 10:30 Mass. This taught me that even if you are very young you can still learn
about God. It made me feel very good that I helped someone grow in their faith.
Fostering Puppies
by Alexandra Haas The service activity that I have chosen is fostering puppies. I have always loved animals and
I wanted to do something different for my service. I found a rescue shelter that had four abused and abandoned
puppies that needed a foster home. My family and I gladly took them in. We treated them like they were
our own, and then found wonderful homes and families for them. This is a great experience to keep serving.
Fostering puppies matured me and gave me the responsibility of an adult. It made me feel happy to think those
puppies are getting the life of happiness they deserve.
Altar Serving
by Anthony Tanzola One service I do twice a month is Altar Serving. I go to Mass early for this to get ready
for the celebration. When I arrive I check that the Credence table is set. I put on my alb and say an altar
server prayer. I line up with the priest and other altar servers in the back of the church. I assist the priest and
deacon in performing the celebration. This service is important to me as I prepare to receive the Sacrament of
Confirmation. This helps me become closer to God.
Food Bank
by Amanda Conover Over the summer I helped a family friend pack banana boxes filled with non-perishable
items for the less fortunate. The first thing I was responsible for was making the boxes. Then I had to put the
non-perishable food items in a box. The final step was taping the boxes up and putting them in a van to be taken
to a food bank. I believe this service project helped me remember why God sent us all here. I am so grateful for
that opportunity.
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Walking in Jesus’ Footsteps Continued...
Pantene Project
by Ana Carney The service project that I did was donating my hair to the Pantene Project. The Pantene Project
makes wigs for people who have cancer and have lost their hair. When I first learned about the program I
wanted to do it, so I researched and found out that you needed 8 inches of hair. When my hair was long enough
I went to the hair salon. They put my hair in a ponytail a little over 8 inches long. The lady cut off the ponytail
and put it in a plastic bag. I then mailed my hair off to be made into a wig for someone who needed hair more
than I did. It felt good to do this because I knew that my hair was going to someone who had a lot going on in
their life.
Communion Breakfast
by Nathan Mendys Recently I helped out with the second grade communion breakfast. I was there for about
three hours. I started in church by passing out booklets. They I went over to the cafeteria to set up. I helped
place ornaments and pamphlets on the tables. I held the door open for the parents and children as they entered
the room for their surprise breakfast. I cleaned up and threw out the trash. I then directed the parents and
students into the gym for a puppet show. I believe I grew in my faith. I could see the kids were so excited to
receive Jesus for the first time.
Noah’s Ark
by Dearon Tufankjian There are many types of things to do to earn service hours. One of the things I choose to
participate in is Noah’s Ark. Noah’s Ark is when you go to the ECC on Sunday. Parents drop off their kids while
they go to church. My job was to watch the kids and to educate them about God. I first played games with them
and got to know them. We would all get to know each other by going to the carpet shaped like a circle. There
we would talk about God, read stories, and sing songs. This helped me because I got to meet so many new
people and it showed me that learning about God is fun in many different ways.
Cafeteria Worker
by Andrew Tabaei For the past few months, I’ve been working in the cafeteria to clean tables. Every day after
lunch I clean up the tables and floors by spraying down the tables and mopping the floor. I also take out the
trash. It only takes a few minutes, but if no one volunteered, the cafeteria would be a mess. From doing this I
have learned that it requires a willing spirit to keep things in order, and it is putting me on the path to receiving
Confirmation by teaching me what service is all about.
Babysitting
by Gillian Cortese For one of my service projects, I babysat little children whose parents were at PTA meetings.
Sometimes parents have to bring their children with them because there is no one to watch them. So parents
will bring their kids to a room in the school where I can watch them. I set up games and activities. I help the
children have fun and show them how to play games. It makes me feel needed and happy. It is a pleasure to
hang out with them, help them grow in their faith, and be a role model to them.
Babysitting
by Richard Buono During a PTA meeting I babysat for the children of moms and dads who went to the meeting
and didn’t have anyone to watch their children. I did activities with the kids like making bracelets, doing arts
and crafts, and playing games. It was a lot of fun. It made me see how cheerful the kids are and how we should
be there for others just like God is there for us.
Wheelchair Tennis
by Carly Reagan Over the summer I helped out in a wheelchair tennis tournament. I served as a ball girl, so I
would run and get the balls after every point. Then I would throw it back to the player who was serving. I would
also have to get the players some water or Gatorade during their breaks. After each match was over, I would
collect the balls, bring them back to the front desk and tell the front desk the score of the match. Since it would
take the players longer to get to the ball because they were in wheelchairs, the ball was allowed to bounce twice,
This was an amazing experience and I was able to share my love for tennis with others.
Don’t
Keep It To Yourself
Have an idea for a story or article...
perhaps there’s something you’d like to see
in the pages of our Good Counsel Courier.
Well don’t keep it to yourself... let us know about it.
Send me an e-mail to
[email protected]
or call me on my cell 856-905-5019.
Ana
Carney
Nathan
Mendys
Dearon
Tufankjan
Andrew
Tabaei
Gillian
Cortese
Richard
Buono
Carly
Reagan
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Holocaust Survivor Jack Zaifman Visits OLGC
Luke Dickson and Jack Zaifman
T
he sixth grade had an incredibly
special opportunity on
November 12th as Holocaust
survivor Jack Zaifman visited
the students to share his experiences. As Mr. Zaifman spoke the children were
riveted. You could hear a pin drop. Jack Zaifman was born is Poland
the oldest of three children. He was
14 years old when the war started in
1939. At age seventeen he recalls the
Germans marching into his hometown
and rounding people up. He was taken
to the train station to “report for work.”
He escaped and ran home.
Not knowing what to do, his father
devised an escape plan, sending him
to live with a family friend, Moshe
Korman, where he studied to become a
tailor. Eventually, the Germans invaded
Jack’s new town as well,
By Maryanne forcing all the Jews into
McGovern
ghettos, shooting anyone
who tried to escape. Jack
was deemed healthy enough for work,
and was registered as a tailor. Those
who were too old or too frail for work
were killed. By 1943, the war started going
badly for the Germans on the Russian
front. Jack’s camp was liquidated. They
Bart DiNola, Jack Zaifman, Dr. Frank McAneny, Joanne DiNola Dickson.
squeezed the prisoners onto cattle
cars. The cars were so packed that
everyone was forced to stand for three
days with no water in the July heat.
They were taken to Auschwitz where
they were met by Dr. Josef Mengele,
the Angel of Death. Mengele sorted
the prisoners into two lines. Those on
the right were sent to work. Those on
the left were sent to the crematorium.
Those who were going to work were
stripped, shaved and tattooed. Jack
Zaifman’s tattoo reads V2751.
In Auschwitz, ten thousand people
a day were sent to the crematorium.
The guards would line up 2,000
people at a time, hand them a bar of
soap and tell them they were going
to the showers. It was then that the
prisoners were gassed to death.
Jack was moved to Dachau where
he remained until April 26, 1945.
They were released from the camps
as the Germans began to realize their
fate in the war. Jack collapsed while
walking through a German town. An
American soldier picked him up, gave
his own coat to Jack and put him in
an ambulance. Jack recalls thanking
God for His mercy. He was taken to a
field clinic where he was treated. He
Don’t
Keep It To Yourself
Have an idea for a story or article... perhaps there’s something you’d like to
see in the pages of our Good Counsel Courier.
Well don’t keep it to yourself... let us know about it.
Send me an e-mail to
[email protected] or call me on my cell 856-905-5019.
Jack Zaifman’s book : Tailor Made for Life – A Story of
Survival during the Nazi Holocaust
weighed 70 pounds upon his arrival at
the clinic.
In 1949, Jack came to the United
Stated of America. He had spent some
time in Italy before arriving in the USA,
so he spoke a little bit of Italian but
no English. He met a man who spoke
Italian, and that man helped Jack to
establish himself here in this country
Jack went to night school to learn
English, and he gained a reputation as a
talented tailor. Jack speaks of the great
compassion of the man who helped him
assimilate in America. The man was the
great-great grandfather of OLGC’s Luke
Dickson. Luke and his mom, Joanne
Dickson, are responsible for bringing
Mr. Jack Zaifman to our school to share
this miraculous story.
Pick up Tailor Made for Life – A Story
of Survival During the Nazi Holocaust
by Jack Zaifman to read more about this
extraordinary story of faith and courage.
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THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
LED BY FRANK KILKENNY
HERITAGE HOUSE
9:30-11:00 AM
EVENING BIBLE STUDY
LED BY RICHARD LOHKAMP
APRIL 15, 22, 29, May 6
HERITAGE HOUSE 7-9pm
TOPIC: Exploring the issues being
addressed in the recent Synod of Bishops
MONDAY BIBLE STUDIES
LED BY LORRAINE SANTARLAS
HERITAGE HOUSE
12:30-2:30PM
FAITH SHARING PROGRAM
LED BY MARY ANN COTTONE
MARCH 5, 12, 19, 26
APRIL 9, 16
HERITAGE HOUSE
7:30-8:30 PM
GATHERING SUNDAYS
SCHOOL CAFETERIA
FOLLOWING 10:30 MASS
MAR.15, APR.19 & MAY 17
ALL ARE WELCOMED
9 O’CLOCKER’S MEETING S
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
PRESENTATIONS AND SOCIALS
FOLLOWING MASS
Heritage House
HERITAGE HOUSE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT JANE McCORKELL
856-235-2374
[email protected]
BOOK CLUB
MARCH 16, 7-8:30PM
LED BY FATHER MATTHEW
THE GREAT COMMISSION
BY TIMOTHY E. BYERLEY
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At the beginning of Advent every year, it is tradition that the sixth
grade students present to us all the pageantry of the Jesse Tree. Our
students and teachers work together and do such a wonderful job each
year. With no doubt onlookers are able to capture the sacredness of the
Advent season. The pageant opens with the story of creation. The narrators
then introduce the Old Testament figures who prepared the way for the
Messiah. Watching our students and listening to their words help the
entire family understand and celebrate the epic pageantry of humankind
from Adam to the Messiah. It is a reminder to us all what this Christmas
season is truly all about.
before
The last day of school
hth graders
Christmas break the eig
enjoyed
wore their pajamas and
hot chocolate.
Before Christmas Break,
Miss Sandra’s Pre-K cla
ss
got in the Christmas sp
irit
by wearing their pajam
as
to school for their Polar
Express Day!
Captain Frank
McAneny celebrates
the staff Christmas
luncheon with Father
Damian and faculty.
All aboard!
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Christmas Recap
Mrs. Kelly Costello’s third grade class did a wonderful job
making this Christmas season a memorable experience. They
each wrote a letter to a classmate explaining why they feel that
child is a “gift” to the class and school. They finished the activity
by placing the letters in boxes and wrapping them. It is a secret
who wrote each letter until the students opened their gifts. They
certainly captured the true spirit of Christmas!
From left to right: Jenny Higgins, Name
withheld, Jaina Yates, Michael Ciampi, Danny
Cantwell, Marin DiGilio, Joseph Fontanilla.
ht: Kayden Smith,
Back row from left to rig
hurst, Sebastian
Bella Molz, Keagan Song
Tanner Coraggio,
Worman, Caden Devers,
ont: Tula-Maria
Nathaniel Bengough. Fr
.
Pappas, Katie McGovern
Advent carol service 2014
By Paula Quann
On Sunday night, Dec. 14th the church was filled with the
sounds of Christmas; beautiful music and scripture readings
retold the story of that silent night when heaven burst forth
and the glory of God’s love was revealed in the long expected
Messiah, Jesus Christ.
At the “Advent Carol Service” we gather to participate and
bare witness to God’s abiding love and how that love continues
to touch our lives and call us forth to serve one another.
We are encouraged by the number of young and old whose
hearts are open to God’s call and gather that night to bless us
and glorify God with God-given gifts and talents. May this
wonderful tradition continue for years to come and may we
never grow weary of participating in the greatest story ever told.
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The Eagle’s Feather
By Lorraine Santarlas
“He will cover you with his feathers, and
under his wings you will find refuge; his
faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
- Psalm 91:4
As I read Psalm 91:4 the spirituality of the
American Indian beliefs regarding the eagle
feathers conveys to me a similar message of
loyalty, protection, and honor. In this Psalm
the prophet instructs not to worry because the
great Eagle will protect us and hide us under his
feathered wings. Likewise the Native American
Indian believes that the eagle’s feathers are not
just something that fall from a bird for the eagle
figures prominently in the mythology of nearly
every Native American tribe.
These eagle feathers represent trust, honor,
strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. So
too the Holy Spirit is my feathered refuge and
strength. Our Catholic devotion is not simply
a headdress of symbolic feathers a person
receives in the sacraments. It is our shield and
security under God’s Omni-protection. The
Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of Understanding,
Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear
of the Lord. Each gift is like a spiritual feather
received from the Sacrament.
The spiritual gifts received from the Holy
Spirit signify a maturity, a responsibility
to defend and maintain our Catholic faith
traditions. We should cherish and protect
these gifts received from God. Similarly, we
should consider how the American Indians
have earned their Eagle feathers as awarded for
their bravery and loyalty as worriers and who
by these achievements have earned their eagle
feathers.
Each feather is held in the highest
esteem for what it represents. Like the loyal
American Indian when I serve others I am
serving God, thus when I serve God I am
earning a spiritual feather. If I am not ashamed
to speak out about my faith or if I take time
each day to pray and sit in holy silence, I
believe God holds me in the shelter of His
sacred feathers.
Each of us earns the privilege to wear
these spiritual feathers as witnesses to the
spiritual battles waged against the enemies of
the Catholic Church. The saints are perfect
examples of those brave worriers who have
earned their sacred eagle feathers working to
preserve and defend the Catholic faith. They
are the noble guardians who have gone before
us and have demonstrated their devotion and
love for God as missionaries or martyrs for the
Catholic faith. They trusted that God would
hold them under His wing and protect them
against the enemy.
I believe that the headdress God wears in
heaven must be filled with countless Eagle
feathers collected from those many worriers
who proclaimed the faith with fortitude and
devotion. Confident in God’s feathered care
and protection, I know He is my refuge in times
of trial and tribulation. As written in the Psalm,
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under
his wings you will find refuge.” Humble servant,
I am secure and believe that the Holy Spirit
strengthens, protects, and holds me under his
sacred feathered wings always and every.
The Bible: The Word Made Flesh
By Richard J. Lohkamp
At the beginning of the Gospel of John,
the author presents the themes that Jesus will
live out in the course of his ministry. The key
themes are expressed in the familiar words:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God and the Word was God.
“He [the Word] was in the world, and the
world came to be through him, but the world
did not know him. He came to what was his
own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave
power to become children of God…
“And the Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the
glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace
and truth.”
In this prologue, the Word is an English
translation of the Greek ho logos. By using
these words, the author is combining themes
from the Hebrew biblical tradition (God’s
creative Word and his personal Wisdom) with
the Greek philosopher’s logos (the ultimate
understanding of all reality).
In John’s prologue, then, ho logos draws
our attention to the message: God’s Word
and Wisdom bring final and complete
understanding of all that is.
Biblical Themes
In at least 200 places, the Old Testament
speaks of the Word of the Lord coming to
someone. (In some places this “coming of the
Word” is rendered as “The Lord spoke…,” but
in most places we read “The Word of the Lord
came to…” For example:
The Word of the Lord came to Abraham
telling him he would have a son who would be
the child of the promise. (Genesis 15:4)
The Word of the Lord came to the prophets,
and they spoke or acted. The Word of the Lord
came to Jeremiah numerous times and Jeremiah
said and did as the Word directed.
Isaiah adds another dimension to the Bible’s
description of the Word: “For just as from the
heavens the rain and snow come down and do
not return there till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him
who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall
my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it
shall not return to me void, but shall do my
will, achieving the ends for which I sent it.”
(Isaiah 55:10-11)
In these examples, the Word of the Lord
prompted people to say or do something that
the Lord wanted. In every case, the Word of the
Lord was effective in realizing what it set out to
achieve.
According to Proverbs (8:22) and
Wisdom (7:22), all things were created by
Wisdom. (Here, recall the Prologue’s statement:
“He was in the world, and the world came to
be through him…”)
Having walked with Jesus and witnessed his
sufferings, death, and resurrection, the Apostle
John came to understand Jesus life, mission, and
person in terms of these themes. For John, Jesus
was the Word and the creative Wisdom of God,
which had achieved so much in creation and in
the tradition of Israel. The Word and Wisdom
of God now became flesh – become one of us
– in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Now the
Word, the Wisdom of God are visible, tangible,
and audible in this human person.
In the Gospel of John, the Word came, his
own people rejected him, and he was executed
by Pilate, but he was raised up and glorified
by the God who, for centuries, had revealed
Himself to Israel. In John’s Gospel, this is
presented as though it is one movement of the
Word and Wisdom of God. In Jesus, the Word
and Wisdom come into our world in a final
creative act of revelation of ultimate truth and
reality. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
John presents this person as the most
important friend, invitation, and challenge
ever extended to human beings. To those who
accept him, God gives the power to join the
Son and become children of God.
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Tenth Anniversary of Father Damian McElroy as Pastor
By Dr. Linda M. Dix
“This is the beauty of the Church: The
presence of Jesus Christ among us,” writes
Pope Francis today. The presence of Christ is
continually manifested by our pastor who this
year celebrates his Ten Anniversary as Pastor.
Born in Newry, County Down, Ireland, Father
Damian attended Queens University, Belfast
Ireland where he studied educational theory
and philosophy and began his studied for
priesthood. Following his graduation, he went
on to the Gregorian in Rome to study. He was
ordained there a deacon in the Lateran Basilica
in Rome in 1987 and returned to his home
diocese of Dromore for priestly ordination in
Newry Cathedral of SS Patrick and Colman.
After Ordination, Father oversaw the
diocese’s 14 high schools as diocesan
Vicar of Education for high schools then as
superintendent of schools Additional diocesan
and pastoral assignments followed and then
he came to America, where only last year he
became an American citizen. He has been
our pastor now for ten year and how quickly
the time has become vested into the history of
our parish. He holds out a prophetic vision of
leadership to all of us.
Certainly, in my ministry, Camelot seems to
be an operative word. Father continues to call all
of our families, especially our children to work
together, affirming every person’s place in the
Father Damian McElroy, pastor, accepts his Tenth Anniversary Award at the Catechist Annual Dinner in January.
global circle of life. He daily witnesses to me the
dream that our world is a family of nations and
as I ready myself to go to the UN again this year,
I am always reminded there that our parish won
the CTAUN 2009 Best Practices Award for our
twinning endeavor of global interdependence.
He has a great love for the Mission Church
and as I become involved in the diocesan
mission network, I can see that he had the
admiration of other pastors and parishes as
well. With the crayons and boxes of literacy
supplies that we ship locally and abroad,
Father remembers the most vulnerable of the
children of God. Writes Pope Francis, “ We
need to include the excluded and preach
peace.”
Father does this faithfully through his
exemplary preaching and liturgical presence for
which he has become known throughout the
diocese.
May your Tenth Anniversary year be
embroidered in gold and silver light for in your
time with us our parish and ministerial dreams
have been fulfilled!!
4th grade students and their 5th and 6th grade liaisons get ready
for their Just Do It! presentation and sale.
Ready, Set, Just Do It!
By Nydia Rivera
And they’re off! Just Do It! is beginning its 10th year in 2015. Just Do
it! is a program at our school, where students from 4th through 8th grade
raise money for their favorite charities by selling items and holding raffles.
Most importantly the members also educate their classmates on their
2014-15 Just Do It members
charities during their lunch period. Some of the many charities for which
the students have raised money include Alex’s Lemonade Stand, World
Vision, Burlington County Animal Shelter, St. Jude’s, CHOP, and many
more.
Last year, Just Do It! raised over $1500 for various charities. This year
they plan to raise even more. In order to reach that goal, they’re going to
go out there and Just Do It!
On November 24th, our
Student Council, along with
the entire student body
collected and sent 190 bags
of food and 72 turkeys to
“The Outreach Program”
at the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception!
www.olgcnj.org
One Thousand Cans from One Thousand Kids
By Dr. Linda M. Dix
Pope Francis has written, “Christ comes
to us and we go toward him guided by the
Holy Spirit. He is at the center. He moves
everything. This encounter with the Lord seeks
expression; it moves outward toward mission
and bears witness to Christ in the world.”
The students of the Religious Education
Program certainly move outward in their many
directions of service. Over one thousand cans
of food came in from the Religious Education
students alone throughout the month of
November for the needy of Burlington County
as daily our staff was taking food to Catholic
Charities Emergency Services in Delanco.
The toy drive throughout December was
equally as successful with drop-offs beginning
the week before Thanksgiving. Yet, service and
outreach are not simply restricted to Advent and
Lent. Throughout the year, the students of the
RE Program continue to meet the needs of the
needy, marginalized, sick, and homebound.
From the left - name withheld, Joseph Fontanilla, Jaina
Yates.
The Student Council of Our Lady of Good counsel
collected soup for the parish pantry during the week of
the Super Bowl.
Tyler Huynh helps to collect food throughout the holiday
season from RE students for those in need
From the left - Zachary Cruz, Bobby Closkey, name
withheld.
From the left - Keagan Songhurst, Katie McGovern,
Sebastian Worman.
Mrs. Kelly Costello’s third grade class read Stuart Little in December. The students were inspired by the story to create their own cat boats! They
worked very hard and did a great job!
Lenni-Lenape Native American Tribe
In December, Mrs. Callanan’s fourth
grade class studied the Lenni-Lenape
Native American Tribe. This Tribal
Nation is made up of the American
Indian families from southern New
Jersey. The Lenape homeland include
all of New Jersey, northern Delaware,
eastern Pennsylvania, and southeastern New York. Most
residents of South Jersey are familiar with the name of the
Lenape Tribe from the neighboring Lenape High School in
Medford.
Before Europeans settled in the area bands of Lenape Indians
followed the Shamong Trail, today’s Route 541. These Lenape
bands often camped along the Rancocas Creek at a site now
occupied by Medford Leas.
The fourth graders worked very hard
on beautiful dioramas after studying the
Lenape Tribe.
www.olgcnj.org
Noah’s Ark Childcare and Church
Readiness Ministry
“We will tell the next generation about
the Lord’s power and his great deeds and the
wonderful things he has done.” -- Psalm 78:4
Noah’s Ark is a parish ministry which lives
out the Gospel message, “Let the children
come to me”. On Sunday mornings, toddlers,
preschool, and kindergarten-aged children are
welcomed and introduced to church readiness
skills, including hearing the Gospel in an ageappropriate manner, and learning to respond to
Christ’s message. The passengers also develop
life skills such as sharing, taking turns, listening,
and learning to play well with others.
Captain’s Log: Technology Comes Aboard
the Ark!!
Passengers were connected to Father Damian
and Mass in the Main Church via parish
streaming. We watched Epiphany from the
2014 recorded mass, where we were able to
freeze the frame and discuss liturgical colors,
leaders, art, prayer positions, rituals, gestures,
hymns, and all the sights and sounds of Mass.
The children experienced Introductory
Rites and Liturgy of the Word as it relates
to our church readiness skills that we have
been working on all year. We also used the
parish streaming later in the month, seeing
and discussing the changes in the liturgical
colors and year as we
moved to Ordinary Time.
We practiced blessing
ourselves before hearing
the Gospel – this time with
the entire congregation!
Passengers began working
on their own liturgical
calendars, adding green
to mark the entrance into
Ordinary Time.
In December, the
children thoroughly
enjoyed learning about
Advent – waiting and joy – symbols, rituals,
and traditions. We had a special Christmas
celebration, where we welcomed back our
Alumni, learning about gifts we receive from
God, and gifts we give to God and others.
Our crew has bonded with the passengers,
and we have experienced another year of smooth
sailing! We look forward to the celebration of
Lent, and to “peek into the Church” via parish
streaming for the changes that come with the
next step in the liturgical year!
Noah’s Ark is led each week by a faithfilled team of volunteers. The Crew ranges
in age from adult to grade 7 Confirmation
students. Each session is set up with high
school volunteers mentoring to the new crew
members, sharing their experience and wisdom,
to help build a well-trained team, who were
commissioned to “bring the best out in each
other.”
The Noah’s Ark Ministry welcomes new
passengers, ages one through kindergarten, as
well as adult, high school, and Confirmation
candidates as crew members. Please visit the
parish website for more information and to print
registration forms, or contact the captain, Laura
Kowalick at [email protected] or 856-2357136. Welcome aboard!!
www.olgcnj.org

On behalf of our Church community, Father Damian makes a

Transcription

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