Across the Diocese of Trenton, the Catholic community is among millions of residents beginning the long and challenging journey of recovery following the ravages of Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall in New Jersey on Oct. 29.
High winds with gusts as strong as 95 miles an hour, a devastating storm surge and high tides, often accompanied by driving rains, has carved a swath of devastation up and down the East Coast and inland, throughout and beyond the four counties of Mercer, Monmouth, Burlington and Ocean which comprise the Diocese of Trenton.
In addition to the nearly total devastation of some communities along the coast, the aftermath of this historic storm includes varying degrees of damage to homes, parishes, church buildings and businesses, complicated by power outages, downed trees and wires, making traveling impossible for some.
Among those parishes most severely affected by the storm, at the time this story was written, are St. Pio of Pietralcina, Lavalette; St. Francis of Assisi, Brant Beach; Holy Family Union Beach; St. Theresa, Tuckerton, and Sacred Heart, Bayhead.
Also suffering damage were St. Rose Parish and high school, Belmar; Immaculate Conception Church, Trenton and Sacred Heart, Trenton.
As parishes assess their own damage, local initiatives are underway to assist those affected by the storm, like the outreach by St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Toms River, which served as a shelter for some 35 people during the storm, and Precious Blood Parish, Monmouth Beach, which is serving as a Red Cross food distribution center. Anyone seeking food at the parish is advised that Monmouth County has initiated a curfew between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Many parishes in affected areas have cancelled Masses, or changed Mass schedules, and are posting information to their websites or facebook pages, where possible. Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, is among those posting that they have cancelled the All Souls Day evening Mass.
Father Michael Manning, pastor, also commented in his blog on a phenomenon that often follows tragedy: “Most residents of Rumson have no power, no heat, no phones and no realistic estimate when any of those things will be restored,” he wrote, adding that those people who come out, often with families, to stare at the damage “add nothing to the post-recovery efforts but congestion and confusion.”
Also, St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood, has cancelled all weekend Masses due to a lack of power and heat. Parishioners are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.
Hazlet Clergy Council is accepting donations of cash, gift cards and clothing of all sizes and genders for Bayshore victims of Hurricane Sandy and emergency workers. The Catholic parishes in the diocese that are involved in the clergy council include St. Benedict Food Pantry, Holmdel; St. Mary, New Monmouth; St. Joseph, Keyport, and St. Joseph, Keyport. St. Benedict Food Pantry is also in need of trash bags.
St. Benedict Food Pantry is located at Hillcrest and Bethany Road, Holmdel.
St. Joseph Rectory is located on Maple Place, Keyport.
St. Clement Rectory is located on Freneau Ave., Matawan.
St. Mary Parish is located at 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown.
More information may be found on St. Benedict Parish facebook page by visiting: stbenedictnj.org or call 732-264-4712.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available.