By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, June 23, well over 500 faithful gathered with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. James Church, Red Bank, for a Mass of Thanksgiving commemorating the 125th anniversary of the laying of its cornerstone.
Anchored by that foundation stone, “the channel of grace and mercy” as Bishop O’Connell described the church, rose on the block-long campus that today embraces not only the great neoclassical church, but Red Bank Catholic High School and St. James School.
Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop O’Connell were St. James’ pastor, Msgr. Phillip Lowery, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, and nine priests of the diocese who served in St. James over the years.
In moving opening remarks, the Bishop noted that he was wearing the episcopal ring and cross of a beloved native son of the parish – the late Bishop John Charles Reiss, Trenton’s eighth bishop, who had attended St. James Grammar School and Red Bank Catholic High School.
That acknowledgment brought warm smiles of acknowledgment from those around the church.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell offered insights on what life was like back on June 17, 1894, when faithful gathered for the important cornerstone ritual. Back then, he noted, the Diocese of Trenton was only 13 years old, Leo XIII was the Pope and Bishop James A. McFaul was the second bishop of Trenton.”
“Immigrants were streaming into Ellis Island and the country was coming out of a great depression. Red Bank was not yet a city” and hunger for the Eucharist was deeply felt by the early Catholics of Red Bank, he said. “And 125 years later, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, that beautiful connection of hunger for the Eucharist that brought the parish into being,” is being celebrated, said the Bishop.
For, “it is not simply the existence of a building that is being celebrated, but the building of a community, real life, real people, real Catholic presence” shared by the priests, Sisters of Mercy and faith-filled parishioners throughout the 125 years, said Bishop O’Connell.
Over the decades, the “great growth in ministry, excellent Catholic education, outreach to the poor and needy,” to be found in St. James has been embodied by generations who have “lived life well through Christ,” he said.
The legacy of these faithful has been made rich by countless sacramental occasions and seen its people through “happy times and very difficult times. … It is the story of your life as members of a community of faith,” he said
As the liturgy moved seamlessly to its conclusion, music from the choir and instrumentalists added even more luster to the occasion. Especially compelling was a rendition of “This is Holy Ground,” signed by Lisa Testa.
In his remarks, Msgr. Lowery thanked clergy, religious, parishioners and educators for helping not only to put the celebration together, but for their steadfast devotion to the parish and the faith.
“The greatest gift you have given is passing on the faith in your work with parents, and grandparents,” of the up and coming generations of Catholic faithful, he shared.
His words were welcomed by Mercy Sisters in attendance, the most recent generation of members of the religious order who first arrived there to teach in 1888.
At the reception in the Red Bank Catholic High School cafeteria after the Mass, Sisters Regina Callahan, Joanmarie McDonnell and Carol Wilson, who arrived at the parish in the early 1980s, shared memories.
“It was nice to see generations of grown up people” at the Mass including students who remembered her as their kindergarten teacher, said Sister Carol.
The overall uplifting atmosphere of the parish gives them the most fulfillment, said Sister Regina. Especially, the fact that those generations continue to make St. James their spiritual home.
“It’s nice to be in a parish like this where you see kids coming back to get married and you feel so proud,” she said.
For the sisters, one of the absolute best parts of the day is leaving the convent every morning to attend the 6:25 a.m. Mass and looking up as the sun rises behind the three crosses that adorn the roof.
“It’s so beautiful to see the crosses against the rising sun,” said Sister Regina. “It is very inspirational – almost a Trinity experience.”
Like the sisters, parishioners including members of the Ascione and Banac families were only too happy to share why they came to mark the milestone.
“The Mass was wonderful and we enjoyed having all the priests concelebrating,” said Angelo Ascione, “When we moved to the area more than 20 years ago, we went to different parishes before settling in.”
Ascione, who is a catechist in St. James Parish, said he found the embodiment of faith and tradition that he wanted to pass on to his son, Matteo, 21.
Matteo said his father’s judgment was right on target. “Going to church in St. James is very important for me. It is the one time of the week when I don’t think of anything else. It brings a sense of humanity. It makes everyone the same.”
“Without (faith) there would be a lot more unrest,” his father echoed. “It’s important to keep the faith going.”
Thirteen members of Sol Banac’s family, representing three generations, eagerly shared how much St. James means to them. “I was here first,” said Sol, who arrived from the Philippines 30 years ago. “I petitioned for my parents and brought them over. We’re a big family all of the children have had their Sacraments here. Hopefully when my first born is married, it will be in St. James.”
Her mother Laureta Capuno, beamed. “This is a welcoming place. I’m on the hospitality committee. We were opening the door and welcoming everyone today. Being here gives me peace of mind. There is serenity.”
Her daughter added: “Everyone in the family goes to church here, all three generations even my sister who lives in Bergenfield. I was at the 100th anniversary and now the 125th. I hope to live another 25 years, I’ll be 77 and here for the 150th!”