A SUPPLEMENT TO THE CATHOLIC STAR HERALD

APRIL 13, 2018

Listening, Discerning and Living

Vocations

S2 Catholic Star Herald April 13, 2018Vocations

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April 13, 2018 Catholic Star Herald S3Vocations

By Reverend Michael Romano

Listening. Discerning. Living. Thesethree words ring out in Pope Francis’message for the upcoming 55th annualWorld Day of Prayer for Vocations onSunday, April 22, 2018. The HolyFather reminds each of us that “[w]eare not victims of chance or swept upin a series of unconnected events; onthe contrary, our life and our presencein this world are the fruit of a divinevocation!”

When someone begins the journeyof searching for his or her propervocation, it is necessary to listen to theWord of God, discern the mission towhich one is called and to live it out injoy once it is discovered.

Following the pope’s recommenda-tion, this year’s Catholic Star HeraldVocations Supplement focuses onthose three words: listening, discerningand living. Some of our seminariansshare their own experience of trying tolisten to the Word of God despite thenoise that grows ever louder in ourworld. A few others write of the art ofdiscerning their mission, their call in

life. And living one’s vocation out injoy is given witness through the arti-cles written by a woman religious, per-manent deacon and two of our priests.

While ordination to the priesthooddoes not end one’s listening and dis-cerning, after years of preparation,Deacons Anthony Infanti and JoshuaNevitt certainly look forward to livingout the priestly vocation in a fewweeks. Their contributions come fromtheir experience, especially during theirtime as transitional deacons. DeaconNevitt’s mother provides uniqueinsights into the journey to the priest-hood from her maternal perspective.Please, pray for them as they prepare toserve our diocese as its newest priests.

For our seminarians, listening anddiscerning will continue this summerin varied ways, most especiallythrough ministry in some of ourparishes which always helps bringsome clarity to the Lord’s call in theirlives. A highlight of the summer willbe when all of our seminarians makepilgrimage to Lourdes to volunteer atthe Shrine for 10 days. Workingdirectly with and among the sick will

provide them a taste of living out avocation of service to others. May itsolidify their discernment of theLord’s invitation to serve him as apriest!

All of us can be lifted up by thewords of our Holy Father: “Today theLord continues to call others to followhim. We should not wait to be perfectin order to respond with our generous

‘yes,’ nor be fearful of our limitationsand sins, but instead open our hearts tothe voice of the Lord. To listen to thatvoice, to discern our personal missionin the Church and the world, and atlast to live it in the today that Godgives us.”

I conclude with an invitation for youto take part in a unique way of encour-aging our young people to listen, dis-cern and live: join us for our seventhannual iRace4Vocations on Sunday,April 22. If you have never participat-ed, it is a wonderful day for the peopleof our diocese to come together to sup-port and promote religious vocations.The Mass with Bishop Sullivan, therun and walk for vocations and thepicnic with so many seminarians,priests, deacons, religious and layfaithful is an outward expression ofour Catholic faith. I ask you to join usthis year. Find more information aboutiRace4Vocations on our websitewww.camdenpriest.org.

Reverend Michael Romano is theDirector of Priestly Vocations for theDiocese of Camden.

By Deacon Anthony Infanti

Having been called by BishopSullivan to be ordained a priest thiscoming June, Idecided to writeabout the gift ofcelibacy (the prom-ise made at my dia-conate ordination)and the joyful rela-tionships it brings.Also, I want tomention this comesat the suggestion ofa good friend who said it would behelpful for those discerning a priestlyvocation and consecrated/religiousvocation to hear about the gift and joyof celibacy.

At my ordination as a deacon, thebishop asked me to make severalpromises and one of those principalpromises was celibacy. The ordinationrite reads, “Do you resolve to keep for-ever this commitment to remain celi-bate as a sign of your dedication toChrist the Lord for the sake of theKingdom of Heaven, in the service ofGod and man?”

How is this something freely accept-ed by a man at a young age or any ageat ordination? Well, this promise is notmade overnight. Rather, through dis-cernment in the seminary and withmuch prayer the man making this

“yes” can embrace celibacy. Yet, theworld objects with the main questions:“Can you really live without awife/husband?” and “Can you reallylive without having relations with awoman/man?” I say yes because thegift and joy of celibacy is seen throughthe freedom in encountering relation-ships with parishioners and others whoare disciples of Jesus Christ.

Anyone seeing celibacy as “givingup” having a wife/husband and familyshould rather see celibacy as “gaining”much more of God in his life throughministry. I am not saying that celibacycomes without its challenges.Likewise, I am also not saying thosewho are married do not gain the samejoys as those embracing celibacy.Rather, a celibate man/woman hashis/her attention drawn to the will ofthe Lord as Saint Paul says in 1Corinthians 7:32; 34, “An unmarriedman is anxious about the things of theLord, how he may please the Lord….An unmarried woman or a virgin isabout the things of the Lord, so thatshe may be holy in body and in spirit.”

Celibacy provides the freedom and joyto be focused on hearing and respondingto the Lord’s work in a different way. Itis more of a freedom to respond withmore generosity to the movement of theHoly Spirit calling us to follow theBlessed Mother’s words at Cana, “Dowhatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:5).

Personally, the blessing of saying“yes” to celibacy has been seen in thegift of the new relationships withparishioners in my assignment parishand throughout the diocese. Yes, thereare times of loneliness, which is to beexpected and natural because ashumans we are wired to be relational.What is overlooked is the gift of hav-ing so many more relationships on aspiritual level, which in my opiniongreatly makes up for the loss of beingmarried. During the months since ordi-nation, I have had the blessed opportu-nity of encountering and accompany-ing parishioners along their journey toand with the Lord in their lives.Likewise, I have seen the fruits andimpact of these relationships on myprayer, which is directed toward thewellbeing and increase of Jesus’ pres-ence in the lives of parishioners.

Finally, the most precious jewel andopportunity has been the encounters Ihave had with several young men andwomen in our diocese who are dis-cerning a vocation, primarily to conse-crated/religious life. To these youngmen and women I share this message:celibacy is a great joy and freedom.Worry not about the “what if” of miss-ing out on dating someone in thefuture. God has created many men andwomen in order that the “what if” manor woman should be able to find thespouse God has prepared for them.

Pray that God will show them thespouse he has prepared for them.

Furthermore, if you feel God is callingyou, put your hand to the plow andrespond graciously to his call and followhim. God’s calling, through the gift andjoy of celibacy, allows you to have adeeper encounter with him through rela-tionships with the people encounteredthrough your vocation, helping bring tolife the words of Jesus Christ in a differ-ent way, “For where two or three aregathered together in my name, there I amin the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).Celibacy allows those called by God toencounter him every day freely. He is thefirst thing on your mind in the morning,through the day and at night. To adjust atag line from KYW News Radio 1060,life becomes “all Jesus all the time.” Formyself, I will never look back to wonderif I should have dated someone. I am inthe best relationship with the best personat my side for the journey I have beencalled to live — Jesus Christ.

Deacon Anthony Infanti is in FourthTheology at Immaculate ConceptionSeminary in South Orange. His week-end assignment is Infant Jesus Parishin Woodbury Heights and his homeparish is Our Lady of Peace inWilliamstown. He will be ordained tothe priesthood on Saturday, June 16 atthe Cathedral of the ImmaculateConception in Camden.

Listening, discerning and living

REVEREND MICHAEL ROMANO

The great joy and freedom of celibacy

DEACONANTHONYINFANTI

By Sally Fox

As I look at the calendar and realize

there are only 10 weeks until Joshua’s

priestly ordination, I reflect back to the

beginning of Josh’s discernment journey

that began just about 10 years ago when

Josh was still in high school, and I real-

ize that it has been a family journey.

Many people ask me if as a mother,

did I pray for one of my sons to become

a priest, and others ask if I was surprised

when Josh said he wanted to enter the

seminary. I never saw our family as

super holy, and there always seemed to

be those families who were going to

Mass every day, saying family rosaries,

and reading books about the saints to

their children at bedtime. To me those

were the mothers who had sons that

became priests, and I secretly worried

that I was not holy enough to have a son

who would become a priest. However,

as a mother I did pray that all of my

children would live within the will of

God and live a life filled with his love.

I was not surprised, though, when

Joshua said that he wanted to enter the

seminary to discern the priesthood

since I had suspected for several years

that he may have a calling to become a

priest. When Josh was in fourth grade,

he became an altar server, and from

that moment on, even if we were not

the perfect “holy family,” his faith was

very important to him.

He attended a Catholic elementary

school, but when it was time for high

school, financially attending a Catholic

school was not a possibility. But even

while attending a public high school,

Josh let his faith continue to guide

him. By the time he was a junior in

high school and it was time to start

looking at colleges, I asked Josh if he

had thought about becoming a priest. It

was at that time he told me he had

been in contact with several priests he

knew through youth group activities to

ask them about their vocation stories.

When Josh first told me he wanted to

enter the seminary right after high

school, I will admit that I was a bit hesi-

tant. I supported his decision to enter the

seminary, but thought it should be some-

thing that happened after college when

he had more life experiences. I did not

understand the whole discernment

process and felt that he was too young at

the age of 18 to make the commitment

to the priesthood. Josh responded by

saying that he was not becoming a priest

at 18 but discerning if the priesthood

was for him, and in that moment I knew

that he was making the right decision. I

also realized that I needed to put trust in

God’s will and put it into his hands.

Sometimes I still worry that our fami-

ly is not holy enough, but Joshua’s jour-

ney continues to be a wonderful journey

for us as well. Our faith has deepened

through our support of Josh in his dis-

cernment. Josh’s stepfather, Marshall,

and I have become more involved in

our parish, Our Lady of Peace, and we

are tremendously grateful to our parish

priests and deacons, especially our pas-

tor, Father Mazz, for all of their support

for Joshua and our whole family.

We still may not be that perfect

“holy family,” but we are trying to con-

tinually improve our relationship with

God. Spending more time with the

Lord has become an important part of

our lives. We are extremely proud of

Joshua for answering God’s call to dis-

cern the priesthood and for choosing to

live a life filled with God’s love. We

continue to pray for Joshua and all of

his brother seminarians as they contin-

ue their discernment journey, and we

ask for your continued prayers as well.

Sally Fox is the mother of DeaconJoshua Nevitt. She is a parishioner atOur Lady of Peace in Williamstown.

S4 Catholic Star Herald April 13, 2018Vocations

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By Deacon Joshua Nevitt

“Come, follow me.”A decisive moment in every

Christian’s life is the moment that theyhear Jesus speak-ing to them in apersonal way,“Come, followme.” This calllooks differentfor each person.For some, it is acall to devotethemselves tosome charitablework. For others,it is the call to raise a family.

I first felt this personal invitationfrom Jesus during a high school retreat.It was an invitation that moved every-thing I had learned about God from my

head to my heart. It was an invitationto follow Jesus more closely and to getto know him better as a friend.

I also experienced in this invitation agrowing desire to follow Jesus as apriest. I could not explain where thisdesire came from; only that it had comewith that same invitation to follow Jesus.

To follow someone or somethingimplies a journey: a movement frompoint A to point B. Journeys are takenone step at a time. My journey fromexperiencing that invitation in highschool to preparing for priestly ordina-tion has taken me over peaks andthrough valleys, across oceans andback again. Yet, like all journeys, itwas taken one step at a time. As a highschool student, this journey took manyof the usual steps: having friends, dat-ing, exploring various academic sub-jects and career options. Yet, it also

passed through moments of deepprayer and questioning: Does Godreally want me to follow him as apriest? Is this something I want to do?How am I going to do it?

Finally, the time came to take the nextstep in this journey and I decided toenter the seminary after I graduatedfrom high school. At first, it seemed asif I had reached a long awaited goal. Iquickly learned that my time in the sem-inary would be full of new steps on thisjourney. Over the past nine years (fourin college seminary, four in major semi-nary, and a pastoral year in the diocese),I continued to see simple steps take meover peaks and valleys. Questions con-tinued to come: Is this still for me? Am Iworthy to be a priest? But so did greatjoys such as being a part of wonderfulfaith communities, college graduationand studying in Rome. Finally, a few

months ago, I experienced the greatestjoy of all in taking one of my final steps,being ordained a deacon at Saint Peter’sBasilica in Rome.

As I conclude this particular seminaryjourney, a new one is opening ahead ofme. Once again, Jesus is speaking hiswords to me, “Come, follow me. Followme on a new journey, a journey in serv-ice to my people as a priest.” Whereverthis new journey will lead, there ismuch peace in knowing that I am walk-ing it step by step with Jesus.

Deacon Joshua Nevitt is in FourthTheology at the Pontifical NorthAmerican College in Rome. His homeparish is Our Lady of Peace inWilliamstown. He will be ordained tothe priesthood on Saturday, June 16 atthe Cathedral of the ImmaculateConception in Camden.

Hearing the invitation to follow Jesus

Reflections of a seminarian’s mother

DEACONJOSHUA NEVITT

Deacon Joshua Nevitt is pictured with his mother, Sally Fox, and his stepfather,Marshall Fox, at Saint Peter’s Basilica.

April 13, 2018 Catholic Star Herald S5Vocations

By Paul Abbruscato

When it comes to the call of Christ,Pope Francis says “it is not clear-cut”and “it is without imposing on our

freedom.”Listening to Jesuscontinuallyinvolves our free-will through a sin-cere searchimmersed in prayerand our daily work.

We are bombard-ed with an informa-tion explosion: 24

hour news channels, Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, etc. and it seemsthat everyone is fighting for our atten-tion. But to whom should we turn our

focus? To whom should we be listen-ing to? Who has the words of eternallife and who does not?

It is important to see how Jesusacted as the Incarnated Lord in hishumanity. He retreated into silence,listened and read the Word of God inthe temple. He revealed further that thetemple is not the Cathedral or Basilica,but rather our very own weak andfragile body. It is here where weencounter God and are united to himthrough the sacramental life. In thistemple is where God desires to dwelland how he leads us. For if we are notconstantly listening to the Word, weoften can close the entrance to ourhearts. We often grab hold onto per-sons, ideals and things — creatingidols out of them, only to realize they

pass away and God alone is eternal.In my own life, learning to listen to

Jesus has been essential. Before enter-ing the seminary and in the seminary, Iwould always seek to give my ear tothe words of the Divine Savior. One ofthe first things I came to grasp is howmuch our Lord actually says. It seemsthat every day words of his pour forthto strengthen me and help guide me,words that convict me or words thatconsole me. As I listen to Jesus daily itbecomes ever more evident that hiswords are spirit and life. The words ofthe Son continually encompass allaspects of my life, truly drawing me tolisten ever more intently as an adoptedson through grace.

The pope is right; the call is notalways clear-cut, not because God is

unclear, but rather because we areoften self-centered and undisciplined.However, oddly enough, it is in ourshortcomings and even in our sinful-ness where we come to encounter theLord most intimately: his Divine love,his reason for entering our world, hisreason for dying on the cross. It ishere, where we are caught in the net oftruth and sincere love. It is here, wherewe must begin to listen. It is here,where we are called forth to our voca-tions, as we enter into the depth of oursouls and come upon the “divinebreeze” — “come, follow me”.

Paul Abbruscato is in SecondTheology at the Pontifical NorthAmerican College in Rome. His homeparish is Saint Monica in Atlantic City.

By George Creel

Pope Francis mentions in his mes-sage for the World Day of Prayer forVocations how it is very difficult inthe world we livein to listen to Godbetween all thenoise and commo-tion. It is veryimportant that wetake the time out ofour busy lives tolisten and hear Godin prayer.

Once I realizedthat I need to be quiet and allow Godto talk, and to listen to him, I started tofind my vocation. Jesus speaks to us inmany ways in our lives, but to hearhim we have to take the covers off ofour ears and open ourselves to his

word. Pope Francis talks about how wecannot be enclosed when listening toChrist and that we must open ourselvesto the voice of Christ in all things.

Listening to Christ does not neces-sarily mean you hear this loud boom-ing voice coming from the sky tellingyou word for word what to do.Hearing Christ comes from withinyour heart and through your eyes. Wecan listen to Christ through the experi-ences we have in our daily lives,through our encounters with others, oron our own time. Listening to Christhas to do with seeking and recognizinghim in our brothers and sisters. Whenwe see Christ in one another, that iswhen we can begin to hear his voice,because we begin to see love and takeon that love and live it out in our lives.

In regard to finding my vocation, Ibegan to hear Christ speak to me

through the people of my parish com-munity and my family. Within my fam-ily, I see Christ and hear his voice inmy parents and sisters through theexamples that they set for me, which isto live for love of neighbor and withChrist as the center of everything. Myfamily showed me the importance ofChrist and his Church, as well as thenecessity to have a relationship withhim. This relationship began to formwhen I got involved with my parish’syouth group. I met some incrediblepriests as well as someone very inspira-tional, our youth minister, Kari Janisse.Through this youth ministry program, Ibegan to experience Christ in a differ-ent way; I began to see Christ in all thekids and young adults there. I heardChrist speak to me through the love Ifelt going to each youth group meeting,going on retreats, helping to lead dis-

cussions and give talks, and mostimportantly, seeing the way Christ wasworking in each person’s life. This iswhen I heard Christ speak to me andcall me to the priesthood.

I felt this call because I wanted tocontinue to feel the love that I have forthe youth and the whole Church, but ina more intimate way as a priest admin-istering the sacraments and being aninstrument for Christ to change livesand allow others to hear his voice.

I would like to encourage everyoneto be open to Christ. This can be doneby taking time to step back from thecraziness of your schedule, and tomake time for Christ to talk to you andto listen to what he has to say.

George Creel is in Second College atSeton Hall University. His home parishis Our Lady of Peace in Williamstown.

By Thomas Piro

“Let’s play the quiet game.” I am sure many of us have been told

to play this game by our parents,grandparents, sib-lings or teacherswhen we wereyounger. I oftenfind myself tellingmy nieces andnephews to playthis game. Usually,we recommendplaying this gamewhen others are getting too loud andwe just cannot focus and concentrate.

Believe it or not, God often tells usto play the quiet game. Why? So we

can listen to what he has to tell us.Listening is key in order to find thewill God has in store for us. Listeningto the Lord involves two aspects.

The first aspect in listening to theLord is to play the quiet game and sit insilence. The Lord reveals himself in thesilence. I believe this is where myprayer life is the most fruitful, becauseeverything just slows down. I am notfocused on getting this paper done orshowing up for this meeting or makingphone calls. I am only focused on theLord. Therefore, if you want to hear theLord, you must be somewhere quiet.

Being quiet is only one aspect tohearing the Lord; listening with yourheart is the other aspect. This becomesone of the major issues with those who

are struggling to hear the voice of theLord.

When we kneel down and ask theLord, “What do you want from me,”we often hope to hear a deep manlyvoice from the heavens. I will admitthat in the beginning of my discern-ment, I was expecting the same thing.I figured I would be able to talk to theLord the same way Moses was able to,but then I realized it was not going tohappen. Eventually I found out thesecret to listening to the Lord. It didnot involve my ears but rather myheart. The Lord speaks to us in ourhearts through the Spirit. Therefore,we must go into prayer in silence andwith an open heart.

Sitting in silence and listening with

an open heart is not easy in today’sworld. We often get distracted withfriends, phones, sports and socialmedia. However, there is hope inbeing able to sit in silence and havingan open heart, but it is a process. Thepractice of sitting in silence and hav-ing an open heart will not happenovernight. It is something that requirespatience and effort. Even as a seminar-ian, I have trouble doing this. But Iknow that if I continue to play “thequiet game” and open my heart, theLord will reveal his will for me just ashe will to you.

Thomas Piro is in First College atSeton Hall University. His home parishis Notre Dame de la Mer in Wildwood.

Listening: His words are spirit and life

Listening: Make time for Christ to talk to you

Listening: Sitting in silence with an open heart

PAULABBRUSCATO

GEORGECREEL

THOMAS PIRO

S6 Catholic Star Herald April 13, 2018Vocations

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PAUL VI HIGH SCHOOLgratefully acknowledges its alumni

who dedicate their lives to their religious vocations.Rev. Msgr. Dominic Bottino, ’70 • Rev. Timothy Byerley, ’72 • Sr. Barbara Bradley, OCD ’73 • Deacon Peter Powell, ’74

Sr. Donna Cicalese, SSJ, ’77 • Rev. Christopher Bakey, ’79 • Sr. Alicia Perna, SSJ, ’79 • Rev. Robert Hughes, ’81 Rev. E. Joseph Byerley, ’82 • Rev. Brian Frain, SJ, ’82 • Bishop James Checchio, ’84 • Sr. Leslie Draper, M.P.F., ’93

Rev. Robert Yetman, ’96 • Rev. Christopher Markellos, ’97 • Rev. Michael Romano, ’99 • Sr. Kathleen Gilbert, OCD ’03 Seminarian Peter Gallagher, ’12 • Seminarian Henry Laigaie, ’12

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8 Catholic Star Herald April 13 , 2018News

Photo by Alan M. Dumoff

HANDS OF FAITH — Northfield’s Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parishheld a Divine Mercy Sunday Mass last Sunday, reflecting on Jesus’ mercy,a refuge for our souls. Above, faithful hands pray the Divine Mercy chaplet.

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HAMMONTON — As the gatheredhere at Saint Joseph Church (SaintMary of Mount Carmel Parish) gazedon the Blessed Sacrament on DivineMercy Sunday this past weekend, 16year-old-Kyle Delessio sat up on thepiano bench and began to play the firstnotes of “I Can Only Imagine.”

He had only begun practicing forthis moment six days earlier, after heand his parish youth group saw themovie of the same name, whichrecounted the origins of the MercyMesong, the best-selling Christian singleof all time.

“I went on YouTube, looked up thechords,” Delessio said matter-of-factly.Having played the piano since he was5, this was evidently his biggest stageyet.

The same could be said of his fellowyouth group at Saint Mary of MountCarmel April 8, as the first youth-ledparish event kicked off to commemo-rate Divine Mercy Sunday and reflecton the Lord’s promise of merciful loveas told to Saint Maria FaustinaKowalska.

The event, which in addition to ado-ration, included readings from SaintFaustina’s diary and the Divine Mercychaplet, was “the best gift we couldgive back to the parish community, forall their support for the youth. Wewanted to deliver them a spiritual cele-bration,” said Kimberly Pesotski,parish youth minister.

For the past few weeks leading up tothe evening, Pesotski guided her youthin an understanding of Divine Mercyand the life and writings of SaintFaustina.

“Divine Mercy gives us hope, andstrengthens us for the journey,” knowsJoe Barberio, president of the youthgroup’s Lead Team.

Parish youth take the leadin Divine Mercy celebration

Photo by Peter G. Sánchez

Kortnie Cinkowski, a member of theSaint Mary of Mount Carmel youthgroup, reads a passage from theDiary of Saint Faustina last Sundayduring a Divine Mercy celebration inHammonton.

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April 13 , 2018 Catholic Star Herald 9News

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Haven House celebrates its 10th anniversaryNORTH CAPE MAY — Haven

House at Saint John of God is current-ly celebrating the 10th anniversary ofits opening.

Haven House at Saint John of God,which opened in March 2008, is a 75-unit, one bedroom senior affordablehousing project which is age andincome restricted. It is located on theSaint John Neumann Church campusin North Cape May.

Haven House is the sixth project forDiocesan Housing Services Corporationof the Diocese of Camden. The projectutilized HUD-202, Federal Home LoanBank of New York and New Jersey StateHOME subsidy funding to construct thedevelopment. The Diocesan HousingServices provides daily property man-agement, social service coordination,maintenance and asset management ofthe facility. Amenities include laundryfacilities, computer lab and communityroom with a big screen television withthe Nintendo Wii and a shuffle board.

Nestled between Sandman Boulevardand Town Bank Road, the building hasquiet areas for walking and biking.Businesses are close by for shopping.The location also is close to beach and

promenade areas in downtown CapeMay. (Victorian Towers, the otherHousing Services senior site, located inthe center of Cape May on WashingtonStreet, is adjacent to the WashingtonStreet Mall and only two blocks fromthe beach and promenade as well asrestaurants and entertainment.)

On Wednesday, April 18, at 1 p.m.,residents and Diocesan HousingServices staff members will join in thecommunity room for a luncheon tocelebrate its 10th anniversary.

When the site was dedicated in2008, Bishop Joseph Galante stated theimportance of having affordable hous-

ing, saying, “Affordable housing is abasic human right. We as a church arecommitted to ensuring that every per-son, especially the most vulnerableamong us, has access to decent, afford-able housing that not only providesadequate shelter but allows the personto live in a way worthy of their God-given dignity.”

Diocesan Housing ServicesCorporation said in a statement, “Wekeep this initiative alive by providingsafe, comfortable and affordableapartments and by offering activitiesdeveloped by staff to discern theinterests of our residents while alsocollaborating with and inviting local,county and state programs and organ-izations for the benefit of the residentcommunity. Zumba classes, art class-es, pottery class, and candy makingare popular. The Diocesan HousingServices staff also host health fairsand health related classes for our resi-dents.”

Applications are available. Eligibleapplicants should be 62 years of ageand have qualifying income. For moreinformation, contact the property man-agement office at 609-884-4548.

SEDER DINNER — Justbefore the start of the JewishPassover, the Catholic faithful atSaint Maximilian Kolbe Parish inMarmora held a Seder Dinner onMarch 27. Sponsored by theWomen’s Auxiliary of the Knightsof Columbus, Council 9113, theevening brought in guest speakerRabbi Aaron Krauss, spiritualleader of Beth El Synagogue inMargate.

Haven House at Saint John of God, a senior affordable housing project, will cel-ebrate the 10th anniversary of its opening on Wednesday, April 18 at 1 p.m.

Photo by Alan M. Dumoff

10 Catholic Star Herald April 13 , 2018Commentary

Something that frustrates Catholic conservatives ischurch changes. How can even popes change whatJesus left us, let alone activist priests, sisters andparishioners? Fifty years after the close of Vatican II,that eruption of change, this remains a provokingpoint. It helps to start by noting a basic, unspokenassumption on their part: that everything is locked inconcrete. Church history shows us why the opposite

has long been true.We have repeatedly

changed, so much so thateven conservatives can listchanges that they like. Whattraditionalist resents that heor she may now attend thewedding or funeral of aProtestant friend in aProtestant church? Can he orshe rebel that suicides maynow be buried in church?How about altar girls nolonger being barred by the nolonger present altar rail? This

latter change channels a much earlier one: deaconess-es once enjoyed an honorable place in church min-istry for centuries. Today some want to see themrestored. They might see it.

But if there unquestionably has been so muchchange in two millennia, how did it get this way?Since the church does not have a constitution to tellus, the way the American Constitution lays out whatis basic, we go by Scripture and tradition. But the

New Testament was not written to be a constitution ifonly because near the end of the first century, whenit was written, Christians were sure that the worldwould soon end. If so, why arrange a detailed consti-tution of what is Christian? There would be no futuregenerations to use it.

So the earliest Christians, all Jews, recurred to theOld Testament and its 613 laws, rules and regulationsof the Torah. And you thought there were only 10commandments! This was a good start, but some ofthe legislation was meant for only that time, not later.Take perhaps the biggest, most controversial changeof all. It came in the first century, when progressiveChristians like Saint Paul decided to set aside thestrong, repeated and severe laws forbidding religiouscontact with gentiles, or non-Jews. So that the Jewswould not swerve into idolatry, the Torah prohibitedoutreach to these outsiders, when there was littlevalue seen in bringing them in as converts toJudaism. It remains like that today with Jews sinceJudaism is hereditary.

Saint Paul, who grew up outside Israel, like mostJews of his time, took it upon himself to take theincredible news about Jesus dying but then risingfrom the dead outward to fellow Jews living aroundthe Mediterranean. Clusters of Jews living in gentileterritory were his audience since the apostles andtheir coworkers evangelized at-home Jews in Israel.But shortly, gentiles began to hear about and askabout this amazing Jesus of Nazareth. They wantedin, but the conservatives would not allow it becauseof their loyalty to the Torah. Scholars say that if the

church had not reconciled this great rift, it would nothave made it into the second century. Strong argu-ments on both sides raged, but the progressive liber-als said that it seemed to be the will of God thatbelief in Jesus and not hereditary Jewish membershipqualified one to be a Christian. We had our firstmajor change.

The same mindset has governed our efforts to beloyal to what is basic and unchangeable: find biblicalprecedent and apply it. But what complicates this isseparating what is meant for all eternity (e.g., thefourth-century doctrine about the Trinity) and whatmight have been meant only for the local time andplace. For instance, adult circumcision was absolute-ly required for any male convert to Judaism. Soshould it be as well for converts to Christianity,which started out entirely within Judaism?

I have not heard modern conservatives want toconserve that requirement.

A rabbi friend and I discussed the Torah demandthat rebellious teenagers be buried alive for disobedi-ence. Father of several children, he noted that therule was made for catechetical purposes, not legisla-tive. Yet zealous conservatives are flustered whenprogressives ask them whether they would obey theletter of that law or its spirit. Family order in Israelcalled for a strong father figure who worked a job tosupport his family and for a caring mother who main-tained the home. But some traditionalists today donot admit that family order today allows and some-times necessitates a Mr. Mom and a Mrs. Dad.

Just how flexible are we?

By Michael M. Canaris

Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz hascreated a number of striking sculptureswhich are situated in prominent locations

around Rome, and the globe. One of the mostrenown is the bronze Homeless Jesus that sleepson a bench outside the Elemosineria Apostolica,the Papal charity office. While the face isshrouded in a hood, the nail marks on thegnarled bare feet make clear that it is in factChrist who is present among those whom socie-ty has deemed disposable.

This week on April 16, the church celebratesthe feast of the patron of these “invisible” menand women living on the streets, Saint Benoît-Joseph Labre.

Labre was a French member of the ThirdOrder of Saint Francis who lived in the 1700sand eventually came to live in the ruins of theColosseum, well before the monument becamethe prosperous tourist destination that it is today. Ashe begged for food and lived in solidarity with thosewho had “neither nest, nor den,” (cf. Mt 8:20), hebecame a symbolic figure for sanctity amidst thehomeless. He was eventually canonized by Pope LeoXIII, the author of Rerum Novarum and a churchleader famously dedicated to exploring social andeconomic questions anew through a lens of faith.

Today Loyola University Chicago runs a programcalled the Labre ministry, which moves away from anotion of immediate “charity” (which they of courseinterweave into their work) to focus more upon lastingsolidarity with the men and women living on the brutal-ly difficult streets of Chicago. In such an endeavor,

friendship and relationship become more important thanfood or blankets. While the “voice for the voiceless”motif continues to have importance in some advocacywork, the Labre ministry emphasizes that all humanbeings, even those in desperate need or with mentalhealth issues, have a voice and agency in the world. Itis left to the church and initiatives like this one to helpthem develop and articulate this voice, and such amethod of direct encounter strives to do exactly this.

As their inspirational founder was wont to do (hewas known not only as “the beggar of Rome” butalso as the “saint of the Forty Hours” for his devotionto the Blessed Sacrament), the Labre project is firmlyrooted in prayer.

One of their powerful ones reads: “Yougave up honor, money and home for love ofJesus. Help us to set our hearts on Jesus andnot on the things of this world. You lived inobscurity among the poor in the streets.Enable us to see Jesus in our poor brothersand sisters and not judge by appearances.Make us realize that in helping them we arehelping Jesus. Show us how to befriend themand not pass them by.”

The pope’s recent Apostolic Exhortation“Gaudete et Exsultate” (Rejoice and be Glad’)calls us all to realize the relationship betweenpoverty and holiness.

Unlike Matthew’s, Luke’s Gospel speaks notof the “poor in spirit” but instead of what wecan assume are the materially poor (cf. Lk 6:20).“In this way, [Luke] too invites us to live a plainand austere life. He calls us to share in the lifeof those most in need, the life lived by theApostles, and ultimately to configure ourselves

to Jesus who, though rich, “made himself poor” (2Cor 8:9). Being poor of heart: that is holiness…. Inthis call to recognize Jesus in the poor and the suffer-ing, we see revealed the very heart of Christ, hisdeepest feelings and choices, which every saint seeksto imitate.”

As we approach his feast, let the life of SaintBenoît-Joseph Labre, as all saintly men and womendo, simultaneously interrogate our common dailypractices, and inspire us to new ones.

Originally from Collingswood, Michael M.Canaris, Ph.D., teaches at Loyola University,Chicago.

Saint Benoît-Joseph Labre, ‘the begger of Rome’

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano

Pope Francis blesses the sculpture “Jesus the Homeless” byCanadian Timothy Schmalz during his general audience in SaintPeter’s Square at the Vatican in this 2013 file photo.

Church changes began in the early years of Christianity

ON BEHALFOF JUSTICE

Father Robert J. Gregorio

By Sister Bianca Camilleri

On Feb. 3, 2018, the Diocese ofCamden celebrated the World Day forConsecrated Life with a Mass and din-

ner honoring men andwomen religious whowill commemorate sig-nificant Jubilees thisyear. As a Sister cele-brating 60 years of reli-gious consecration, Iwas blessed to take partin the day. It was veryuplifting and the bish-

op’s homily was touching. He said thatSisters work hard, and he was right.

I cannot believe that I am celebrat-ing 60 years. It is as if it was only yes-terday that I entered my congregationin 1955. I do not regret a minute of it.Giving my life to God was always mycalling since I was 13 years old.

When I professed my first vows, asa very young Sister, I was sent to theHoly Land from my home country ofMalta, not knowing where I was goingand not knowing the language.However, my superiors told me, “Godwill be waiting there for you to helpyou,” so I left in October of 1958. Andthey were correct. My years in theHoly Land were really a great experi-

ence for me. I worked with children inschool, helped in the boarding section,learned the language and studied at theUniversity of Jerusalem.

After 13 years there, coming to theUnited States was not easy. I had toleave my first mission, school studentsand many friends, but I had made thevow of obedience. Since arriving here,I have worked with children and Ihave loved it. I have taught inWestmont, Blackwood, Glassboro andClayton. Since I retired as a full timeteacher in 2012, I wanted to continuemy mission with the children. So Iembarked on a voluntary mission atSaint Michael the Archangel School. Iam very happy doing God’s work,especially promoting the rosary, serv-ices to elderly, liturgies and muchmore around the school and, of course,religious education after school.

The bishop was right to say that allthe Sisters work hard in our diocese.Maybe you do not see it all, butbelieve me, we do. I thank everyonefor all you do for the Sisters in ourdiocese, for your love and concern forus. Please know you are in our prayersand I ask you to pray for us too!

I end with the words of SaintIgnatius from a hymn I like verymuch. These words have been true for

me in my years of religious life andcan be true for you as well:

Take my heart, O Lord, take myhopes and dreams.

Take my mind with all its plans andschemes.

Give me nothing more than your loveand grace.

These alone, O God, are enough forme.

Sister Bianca Camilleri is a memberof the Franciscan Missionaries of theImmaculate Heart of Mary. Sister vol-unteers at Saint Michael the ArchangelRegional School in Clayton.

April 13, 2018 Catholic Star Herald S11Vocations

1.888.LOURDES | WWW.LOURDESNET.ORG

Two men of faith, one a traveling Christian preacher, the other the ruler of a Muslim Empire, bucked a century of war, distrust, and insidious propaganda in a search for mutual respect and common ground. It is the story of Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, and their meeting on a bloody battlefield during the period of Christian-Muslim conflict known as the Crusades.

The screening will be followed by an opportunity to discuss the film.

Popcorn and light refreshments will be available for all attendees!

Hosted by Russell J. Hansel, Interim Vice President of Mission, Ahmed Salahuddin, AVP Patient Support Services, and Fr. Joseph Monahan, Director

of Pastoral Care at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.

For more information, or to register, please call Michele Piccinini at 856-757-3808 or via e-mail at piccininim@lourdesnet.org.

HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN US.1.888.LOURDES | WWW.LOURDESNET.ORG

LOURDES HEALTH SYSTEM WILL BE HOSTING A SCREENING AND DISCUSSION OF THE FILM

“THE SULTAN AND THE SAINT” Wednesday, April 18 from 6PM – 8PM | Physicians Conference Room

Living: Not a minute of regret in 60 years

SISTERBIANCA

CAMILLERI

LITTLE SERVANT SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION1000 Cropwell Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Tel. 856 -424-1962 • s.dorotab@gmail.com

LITTLE SERVANT SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTIONWe are committed to God's love above all through Mary,

and serve children, the poor, the sick and the elderly.Leave all behind to follow Jesus! Join us in Religious Life!

www.LSIC.US

S12 Catholic Star Herald April 13, 2018Vocations

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