To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the arrival of the Missionaries of Charity in Asbury Park, a Mass was celebrated June 6 in Holy Innocents Church, Neptune.
PHOTO GALLERY- Missionaries of Charity
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass, expressed his gratitude to the missionary Sisters for their unequaled service.
“For 25 years, the Missionaries of Charity have been a great blessing to our Diocese,” observed Bishop O’Connell. “Their prayers and the incredible witness of their lives have kept the spirit of Mother Teresa alive in our Diocese. Congratulations, Sisters, and thank you!”
Concelebrating with the Bishop were Father H. Todd Carter, Holy Innocents Parish pastor, and Father Cesar Rubiano, parochial vicar; Father John Butler, pastor of St. Michael Parish, West End; Divine Word Father Stephen Michael, pastor and Father Paul Janvier, parochial vicar, Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park; Father Nicholas Dolan, parochial vicar, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, and vicar of the Red Bank Oratory; and Redemptorist Father
Joseph Tizio, rector, San Alfonso Retreat Center, Long Branch.
Currently four religious sisters reside at the Missionaries of Charity’s residence in Asbury Park, serving Mother of Mercy Parish there. They were present for the anniversary Mass, along with Missionaries from houses all over the east coast.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Diocese in 1995, and the Asbury Park location for the eventual saint’s order was established there four years later.
The Missionaries of Charity work with the local elderly, poor and sick after the model first created by Mother Teresa. They also provide religious education to the children of the parish.
Missionaries of Charity. Staff photo