By Rosemary Daniels, Correspondent
Benjamin Harrison was president, Carnegie Hall had just opened its doors, and people were enjoying what became known as the “Gilded Age.”
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In 1891, Monmouth Beach was a summer home to many of the affluent. Running their large homes, as well as two hotels, required a lot of staff. The majority of these workers were Catholic, yet in Monmouth Beach there was no Catholic church for them to gather for Mass, or receive the Sacraments.
These employees joined together with the few permanent residents, and raised money to build a church of their own. A donation of land from a local resident furthered their dream, and on June 21, Bishop Michael O’Farrell, first bishop of Trenton, dedicated Precious Blood Church. This is the story told in the booklet commemorating Precious Blood Church’s 125th anniversary.
The Monmouth Beach parish has seen its ebb and flow of parishioners, as well as suffered physical damage to the property from coastal storms. But the parish has prevailed, and is today the strongest it has ever been. Over the past five years, the church has grown to a total of 1,182 families with 388 students in religious education classes.
On June 5, Father Robert Kaeding, pastor, celebrated Mass for more than 550 parishioners. He wanted to bring the whole community together for the celebration, so one Mass was celebrated that day in a tent that was set up on the parish grounds. During the Mass, Father Kaeding thanked his committee “who met and worked continually over several months” to make the day happen.
On the day of the anniversary celebration, parishioners were welcomed by festive balloons and friendly greeters who flanked the tent entry to where Mass was being celebrated. Two parish choirs (traditional and contemporary) combined their efforts to create a beautiful and memorable music program. Music ministry director, Jessica Kortenhaus, composed an original hymn for the occasion.
In his homily, Father Kaeding spoke about the people who originally formed the church, and how “it was something new for them, and in many ways, it was an interruption to the way things had been. But it gave them new life,” he said. Father Kaeding mused that, throughout the journey, the parish’s predecessors must have undoubtedly encountered many interruptions including changes in pastoral leadership and the liturgy and the arrival new and different people to the community.
“The reality of community is vibrancy, is life. We are on a journey, and the nature of the journey is that there are interruptions. And the interruptions wake us up, free us up, give us new life,” said Father Kaeding.
“Someone once said that interruptions are ‘God bumps.’ They cause us to slow us down, pay attention, and usually they are interruptions that call us to the Gospel. The opportunity to give life by practicing mercy, to forgive, to listen to someone, to care for the poor, to befriend the alienated,” said Father Kaeding.
“It’s amazing to think how many people have received new life because of the 125 years of the life of this church. How many people got new hope, how many people were raised from their own death, and how many more interruptions will come in the years ahead, that will give people new life.”
During the Mass, people who comprised Precious Blood Parish over its 125-year history were fondly remembered. Symbols of the parish’s history were presented to Father Kaeding during the Presentation of the Gifts: sacramental records, lists of pastors and parish councils, plus symbols of church ministries.
Parishioner Dorene Penny said, “I was glad to see them recognize the pastors. It’s important to realize and recognize the people that built this up before us.”
Maura McGann, a member since 1970, admitted to being surprised to find herself so heavily involved in the life of the parish these days. She is a member of the parish council, as well as being on the buildings and grounds committee, two of the parish’s 42 separate ministries.
“Father Bob has re-vitalized our parish. People just want to be involved. It’s a lot of fun, and I‘ve met a lot of people through the church,” said McGann.
Last year, Precious Blood Parish counted 57 Baptisms and 25 weddings, as well as 23 funerals, reflecting its ever-changing lifeblood.
When Chris and Vito Mazza moved to the area after downsizing, they were excited to find such a welcoming environment. “Everybody is included; it’s like a little Mayberry by the beach,” said Vito.
Chris added, “There are lots or programs; there’s always something going on to bring people together in the community.”