Extraordinary return on ministerial efforts

Many parish endeavors to return their flocks to the pews have resulted in an exemplary renewal. The stories that follow are just a few examples of how fellowship and intentionality have rekindled an enthusiasm for community.

‘Work of God’: Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank

Before Father Alberto Tamayo, C.O., delves into statistics and reasons why more people have been drawn to the Oratory Church of St. Anthony of Padua, he maintains that what’s most important is that their spiritual needs are adequately met.

“Really it’s a work of God and the Holy Spirit is the evangelist,” he said. “All we can do is our best to root ourselves in prayer and love of him and our neighbor and then see what he does through each of us.”

Father Tamayo guestimates that since 2019, before COVID, there has been a 15 to 20% increase in attendance and a steady growth, especially the number of young adults and young couples. “We were happy when we were back to 100% of pre-COVID numbers, but thanks be to God, we have surpassed those numbers.”

Reasons for the surge included people preferring the traditional style of celebrating Mass.

“I believe it touches the heart and opens us up to experience the deep love of God and receive his grace to transform our hearts.”

People have also cited that they appreciate the Oratorian style of leadership, meaning that the priests and brothers will remain at the parish permanently. Parishioners have also stated that they feel at home, they’ve witnessed the “great sensitivity” toward those who are suffering and in need; there are plentiful volunteer opportunities; there have been a number of converts to the faith and those who have returned to the faith through the Oratory’s evangelization efforts of parishioners and members of the Oratory.

Father Tamayo believes “the size of the church itself” might attract newcomers since “it is intimate and warm.”

Bre and Jesse Cusimano, a young, newly married couple said there are many reasons why they chose the Red Bank Oratory as their spiritual home.

“It’s very engaging,” said Jesse, who, in addition to Sunday Mass, attends morning Mass regularly. He is pleased with the many activities with which to become involved, the numerous opportunities to go to Confession and the availability of the Latin Mass.

Bre added that she appreciated the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults formation she received to become Catholic and the assistance the parish provided to her and Jesse when planning their wedding.

“The parishioners, volunteers, brothers and my fellow priest are really amazing,” Father Tamayo said. “Their energy and new ideas and willingness to roll up their sleeves is beautiful to witness. I think there is joy and excitement in sharing the Gospel and doing things for the love of God and our neighbor that’s infectious.”

– By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor

Spirit of Welcome: Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton

With two Trenton worship sites set in an ever-changing demographic landscape, Our Lady of the Angels Parish has created both a diverse and unified Catholic family gathering that is growing by leaps and bounds.

“I have seen a significant increase in Mass attendance, especially after COVID-19,” said Father Carlos Aguirre, pastor. “Our Hispanic community has grown thanks to the diversity of Latinos who live within our boundaries and the welcome that the Italian community gives them.”

Humberto Chica – parishioner for 10 years, credits his pastor for the enthusiasm.

“Father Carlos is charismatic, and he attracts people; we are very happy with him,” he said.

Combining St. Joachim Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish into Our Lady of the Angels in 2005, parishioners have come to embrace the inherent challenges of blending established communities with an influx of new cultural traditions. The parish has German, Irish, Slovak, Italian, Franciscan, and Filippino immigrant roots, while more recently welcoming those from Central and South America, the Caribbean and beyond.

“Each community brings its traditions and popular devotions, which we have tried to celebrate with all the dignity, love, and respect that they deserve,” Father Aguirre said. “Our clergy and the community have learned from each one to evangelize through [them].”

A member of St. Joachim’s from birth, Lena Riccitello has watched the changes in the parish for more than 60 years and has been a past facilitator for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. She is encouraged by the influx of young people attending Mass.

“It’s a wonderful blend, these young kids mingling with the older generations; I see their eyes gleaming with pride when we see more people coming in,” she said.

Riccitello believes Our Lady of the Angels is “a parish we can call home; we grew up together, watched each other’s kids grow to adults, then they have kids … when [a longtime member] passes away, it’s heartbreaking.”

Father Aguirre observed that his parishioners have viewed themselves as one community ever since the merger, in spite of its challenges.

“It’s an everyday learning experience to walk together as one family of faith, thanks to the work of the previous pastors that we continue today,” he said. “We have also grown in different groups and ministries according to the necessities of the community.”

Riccitello sees the varied population and its new cultural celebrations as a net benefit. “When our priests give homilies, you carry them home with you – they hit the proper message … During processions throughout the neighborhoods, I think they help people realize that the Church is there for them if they need it.”

– By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor

Fostering Community: Nativity Parish, Fair Haven

Father Christopher Picollo is pragmatic when speaking about the uptick in numbers of people attending Mass in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven.

Timewise, “we’re five years out and the further away the pandemic moves behind us,” the more people are wanting to return to a sense of normalcy, including when it comes to practicing their Catholic faith and being part of their parish community, he said.

Reviewing Mass attendance, Father Picollo is not only pleased at how the post pandemic numbers have steadily increased from 330 to 848. Moreover, he’s especially happy that the current 848 exceeds the pre-pandemic year numbers – 812 in 2018 and 754 in 2019.

Father Picollo maintains that concerted efforts have been made to empower people to become more involved in the parish. Father Jim Grogan, who was pastor of Nativity during the pandemic and up through mid-2022, had initiated number of post-pandemic efforts, many of which have continued or were expanded upon by Father Picollo.

Implementing offerings that were connected to the Mass for religious education students was a major focus, Father Picollo explained, especially for sacramental year students – second graders preparing for First Holy Communion and eighth graders preparing for Confirmation.

A way to keep families and children involved during the summer “in a fun way,” is through the “Ice Cream Sundays” program. The children are given a card and then each week when they come to Mass, Father Picollo stamps the card. If the children attend a certain number of Masses during the summer, they receive a coupon for an ice cream treat.

“Even though a reward of ice cream is at the end, the children will really be feeding their faith by coming to Mass, learning about Jesus and his Church and spending quality time at church with their families,” he said.

Other events designed to bring the community together are the highly successful Mardi Gras parties, the parish picnic held in September and the parties related to holidays such as the “Friendsgiving” potluck dinner and the Christmastime activities including the tree lighting, blessing of the Nativity and breakfast with Santa.

The “Progressive Dinner” is a relatively new, popular and organized event that motivates everyone to become involved, Father Picollo said. The dinner, which follows the Saturday evening Mass, starts at 5:45 p.m. in which a group of parishioners host about 40 fellow parishioners in their homes and serve appetizers. At 7 p.m., groups of 10 parishioners are formed and they visit other parishioners’ homes for dinner. The evening wraps us with everyone gathering at a central location – usually the Knights of Columbus hall – for dessert and entertainment.

– By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor

Culture Shift: St. Mary Parish, Middletown

Mass attendance in St. Mary Parish, Middletown, has everything to do with “an intentional focus on evangelization, and making Sunday the heart of parish life,” says Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor.

Observing October Mass counts from 2023 to 2024 increasing more than 50%, as well as a week over week continuation of similar turnouts, Father Kegley credits the parish pastoral council and its strategic plan in bringing people back. That plan includes several purposeful points – first and foremost, that every ministry points to Sunday.

“From our liturgical teams to our youth and adult faith formation programs, every ministry in our parish works toward making Sunday a transformative experience,” the pastor said.

“There really has been a culture change here,” he said, that includes Sunday Masses that are rooted in message, music and hospitality.

“It’s strategic – we want our message to move them closer to Christ.”

Echoing that message are music ministry groups that provide “vertical music – where the music is going to praise the Lord – instead of horizontal, where the music is about us,” he continued. “We have a phenomenal music director who brings out the best in our choirs with high quality music, which plays such an important part in leading worship and engaging people in liturgy.”

The parish hosts the Encounter School of Ministry, which he said has “helped build a culture of supernatural lifestyle” in the parish. Members of the school – of which about 20% are St. Mary parishioners – stay after Mass a few times a month to pray with individuals for special intentions.

Sandy Thuel – a graduate of the Encounter School, parish music minister and parish council member – noted how a woman who attended a recent healing Mass had come to St. Mary’s by chance, and was “very moved to see so many people smiling and happy. She felt welcome and inspired to see people excited.”

The Holy Spirit, she continued, “is very much alive at St. Mary’s, creating an atmosphere of warmth, livelihood … and feeling surrounded by family members who are happy to be there.”

Father Kegley also lauded the parish’s blessing of priests “who can deliver a good homily,” and the hospitality after Mass. The church’s narthex acts as a post-Mass gathering space “where people don’t leave right after Mass … there’s always a parish representative at our welcome table, and we get new registrations every week.”

The pastor has made it a point to embrace young families and babies at Mass, with announcements of welcome and encouragement from the pulpit, as well as vibrant children’s, teens and young adult ministries.

“Our strong social media presence has also played a vital role,” Father Kegley noted. “In targeting our younger congregation, we have to be where they are. Through digital outreach, we extend an open invitation to those seeking a faith community, sharing our mission, events and parish life with a wider audience.”

– By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor

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