By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
On Inauguration Day – Jan. 20 – it seemed more than appropriate that St. Michael Church in the West End of Long Branch opened its doors for a Morning of Prayer for the nation and its leaders.
The impressive red building is, after all, situated in the heart of a landscape that flourished for 75 years not only as a summer resort for seven presidents, but a place by the sea that nourished their spirits in health and sickness.
Markers of those times, while not as prevalent as they once were, have left a strong imprint within the borders of St. Michael Parish, where presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur, William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson and James A Garfield, who died in Elberon, were welcomed and cared for.
Indeed, as parish trustee Jack Brignola and his wife Rene noted, on this inauguration day, faithful on the way to St. Michael Church – dedicated in 1891 – might have noticed signs for Seven President’s Park, avenues named for these heads of state and the Episcopal Church of the Presidents – long under restoration, where they worshiped.
“This (town) holds a special place in presidential history,” he said. “When you walk down the boardwalk, you see the park or drive along Garfield Avenue, you get a personal touch of presidential history. You walk in neighborhoods where they walked.”
Although none of those presidents were Catholic, “Upon This Rock,” a 1993 history of the Trenton Diocese edited by Msgr. Joseph C. Shenrock, then diocesan historian, credits the many Catholics in their presidential entourages for bringing attention to the need for a Catholic Church in West End.
And their spiritual descendants of all ages – including scores of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from nearby St. Jerome School, West Long Branch – answered the decidedly non-partisan call from the parish to join in prayerful celebration of the lynchpin of American heritage – a peaceful transference of power.
The morning of prayer began with Mass celebrated by Father John Butler, pastor, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Adoration, recitation of the Rosary, readings from the Old and New Testaments and prayers for those who govern by parishioners and St. Jerome students.
Adding patriotic flavor to the event were the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem, America the Beautiful and God Bless America.
In a brief interview before the service, Father Butler shared his thoughts on the importance of prayer on such auspicious occasions. “Prayer,” he said, “is always a good start and a good finish.” Individuals may argue among themselves, he said, about the philosophical aspects of the day, but “praying together collectively for government leaders chosen to serve,” is a means of uniting “for all those in service to the nation.”
The construct of this service evolved over several weeks with a decided focus on conveying the sense of connectedness between God and Country, he noted. Even the program created for the service was meant to capture that sentiment.
The artwork on the cover of the worship aid – which included the domes of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Capitol dome in Washington, D.C., and photos of the famous statue of St. Peter at the basilica and a classical statute of George Washington – were all part of a morning intended to focus on the relationship between “Church and state, God and country and all the blessings – including democracy – that come from God,” said Father Butler, likening the service to the one traditionally celebrated on Thanksgiving.
Calling on God collectively to bless government leaders and pray for all those in service to the nation for the people, he said, is a way of recognizing that all of the blessings bestowed by God on the nation are not being taken for granted.
In a brief address as the service was drawing to a close, he offered thoughts on this morning which had melded so many forms of prayer into a unified whole. He encouraged everyone to focus through prayer on “thanksgiving for the gift of freedom … the freedom of democracy” which unites people.
“We are asking God to help those called to serve and to lead, to be strong, healthy and fearless” as they use their gifts “to do what is right and good” in working for peace that is “not just an absence of war … to love God and neighbor and work together in a beautiful symmetry.”
The symbolism of the morning and its importance on this inauguration day moved many who shared their reasons for attending.
Hilda Formazio said she came because “I want the Lord to be in charge of this nation” and by spending the morning in prayer, “I think we are off to a good start.”
For Lena Lewis, St. Michael’s was “the place to be this morning. I came to pray for everyone. To pray for the country, for our families, for the new president, for everyone.”
“The country needs prayer,” said Marge Clinton, who added that she was very happy “Father Butler brought us together.”
The Brignolas summed things up this way: “It was a beautiful service,” she said. The Morning of Prayer, song and adoration struck just the right note, he said. “It showed the importance of God” in the life of the nation.”