2010

The Solemn Dedication

Deacon James Buchanan Called by the Lord

Mrs. Carrick Moves—Mrs. Bacsik Returns

The highlight of 2010 was the Solemn Dedication of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and the Blessing of the Elevator Addition and Renovated Hall of St. Anthony Church on Sunday, March 7. In the morning, Msgr. Gervasio celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:00 am at St. Anthony Church after which the addition was blessed. All were invited into the renovated hall for a festive breakfast buffet.

Later that afternoon, all gathered at Our Lady of Sorrows Church for the Solemn Dedication of the Church by His Excellency, John M. Smith, Bishop of Trenton who was principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. During the sacred rites, the altar and walls of the church were anointed. Twelve consecration crosses and candles representing the twelve apostles mark the places of anointed. A gala banquet followed at Cedar Gardens, Hamilton. The festivities were planned by a committee under the direction of Mrs. Mary Griggs.

The festive spirit of this significant event was suddenly subdued only two days later by the news of the untimely death of Deacon James Buchanan. The solemn funeral rites were celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Msgr. Gervasio was celebrant and homilist. Msgr. John K. Dermond, Episcopal Vicar of Mercer County and Msgr. Ralph Stansley, director of the Office of Diaconate were in attendance and offered the condolences of Bishop Smith and the diaconate community respectively.

In June, Msgr. Gervasio accepted the resignation of the school principal, Mrs. Teresa Carrick who has served so well in this capacity for four years. A military wife, Mrs. Carrick had to move to Maryland upon the reassignment of his husband. The sadness at her parting, was shortly somehow lightened by the news that the former principal, Mrs. Donna Bacsik, retiring from her diocesan position, would return to the school as principal.

The Religious Education Director, Mrs. Mariyam Francis instituted a week-long vacation bible school for children that proved a great success.

A great highlight of the summer was the Episcopal consecration of Bishop David O’Connell, C.M. at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop Smith, principal consecrator and Archbishops John Myers of Newark and Donald Wuerl of Washington, DC. Bishop O’Connell, a Vincentian has served as President of Catholic University of America and was appointed as the diocese’s coadjutor bishop, that is, to be successor to Bishop Smith upon his retirement. Bishop Smith’s resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict on December 1, 2010 making Bishop O’Connell, the tenth Bishop of Trenton.

In October, the parish was notified that Fr. Oscar Sumanga, adjunct priest in residence was reassigned to take up pastoral responsibilities at St. William the Abbot Church, Howell. Fr. Oscar had served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Church and continued his service the parish as an adjunct priest after the merger of 2005. He serves as Adjunct Judicial Vicar of the Diocese.