In top photo: this St. Isaac Jogues parishioner enjoys the various activities that were available for youngsters during the fest. Mike Ehrmann photo
By Elizabeth Zimak | Correspondent
Parishioners, visitors, and staff gathered in and around St. Isaac Jogues Church, Marlton, for a celebration Oct. 17 to mark the parish’s 30th anniversary.
“Thirty years is an impressive milestone,” said Father Jim Smith, pastor of St. Isaac Jogues since 2023, so parishioners developed St. Isaac’s Fest, a daylong celebration filled with food and games, musical entertainment and activities for children. The event concluded with a Saturday evening Mass commemorating St. Isaac Jogues, whose feast is Oct. 19.
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Isaac Jogues’ 30th Anniversary Fest
Originally established in April 1996 by the late Bishop John C. Reiss, St. Isaac Jogues Parish was founded to combat overcrowding in both St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, and St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel. Its founding pastor was Father Phillip C. Pfleger, who shepherded the congregation until his retirement in 2023.
While the original group of St. Isaac Jogues parishioners numbered over 2,000 individuals, the new congregation initially lacked a permanent home. The nearby DeMasi Middle School cafetorium provided a temporary solution. Masses were held there until an official church building was constructed in 2002.
Helping a Parish Grow
Tom Tamburello, an original parishioner, said attending Mass in a school cafeteria was “a little awkward” at first, but that everyone gradually adjusted over time. In the early years, he also served as part of the parish’s chair ministry.
“While we were at DeMasi, everyone sat on folding chairs,” he explained. “Members of the chair ministry would set the chairs up on Saturday afternoon and take them down after the last Mass on Sunday.”
Tamburello and his wife, Pat, were already familiar with the efforts needed for a new church. Before moving to Marlton in 1989, the couple had assisted with the founding of two other parishes while residing in Maryland.
“I was excited to help begin a new parish here in New Jersey and get involved in new ministries,” Pat Tamburello recalled. Shortly after joining St. Isaac Jogues, she founded the Sunshine Ladies, a group of women who prepared and delivered meals to parishioners in need. Although this ministry is no longer active, she continues to serve the parish by assisting with the its Homebound Ministry.
“Bringing the Eucharist to those who aren’t able to attend Mass in person is my greatest joy,” she said.
Ministries Make a Family
In addition to the Homebound Ministry, St. Isaac Jogues offers several other opportunities for its roughly 1,800 parishioners to become involved, including a Knights of Columbus council for men and Walking with Purpose, a women’s Bible study program. The parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society assists local families in need. Additionally, St. Isaac’s youngest members are invited to participate in the Children’s Choir or as altar servers – supplements of the Children’s Religious Formation program, which currently serves over 190 students from kindergarten through high school.
“The variety of ministries that we offer all come together to make this parish a family,” Father Smith said.
“Coming to St. Isaac’s was the best decision I ever made,” said Bill Carlin, a Southampton resident and parishioner since 2022. After several recent health struggles prevented him from attending Mass for three months, Carlin fell into what he described as “a depression.”
“All of the prayers and love I received from the parishioners really helped with my recovery,” he added. “This parish is a real family, and I can’t wait to come back for Mass tomorrow.”