By MARY STADNYK
Associate Editor
UPDATED Dec. 3, 2024
“An early Christmas surprise.”
That was what Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., had in mind when he recently visited with two parish communities on the first weekend of Advent and made a surprise announcement.
PHOTO GALLERY: Father Shaffer receives papal award
PHOTO GALLERY: Father Lee receives papal award
In keeping with his long-standing custom of making pastoral visits to local churches during Advent, Bishop O’Connell ushered in the holy season by celebrating Masses in St. Mary Church, Colts Neck, Nov. 30, and St. Joseph Church, Toms River, Dec. 1.
This year, however, these parish visits took on additional significance with the presentation by the Bishop of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal to Father Jeffrey Lee, St. Mary pastor, and Father Scott Shaffer, St. Joseph pastor.
What is The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal?
The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal (the translation of which is “On Behalf of the Church and the Pope”) is one of the highest honors bestowed by the pope upon select members of the clergy and lay faithful.Bishop O’Connell presented the two priests with a ceremonial medal, lapel pin and papal proclamation – following the reception of Holy Communion — saying that it “recognizes the long and distinguished service to the Catholic Church.”
The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal was first established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Years later, Pope St. Pius X made it a permanent papal distinction, Bishop O’Connell explained. He added that the honors were bestowed based upon his recommendation to Pope Francis.
“I did not tell either pastor what I intended to do on the occasion of my Advent pastoral visit,” said Bishop O’Connell.
The Bishop added that although the number of papal honors that can be awarded is limited, “the Diocese of Trenton is blessed with many wonderful pastors and priests whose service deserves our recognition and gratitude throughout the year.”
“In honoring the pastor, the Holy Father is also honoring the whole parish and the Diocese as well,” he said.
Well-deserved honors
In his formal request to the Holy See, Bishop O’Connell said that Father Lee has served as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, in the Diocese of Trenton, since 2013.
“He assumed this position at a time of crisis and turmoil within the parish,” the Bishop said. “Owing to his excellent pastoral and administrative skills, Father Lee has been able to restore the parish’s stability and peace.
“He is extremely bright, well-educated and articulate. He is a gifted parish administrator,” the Bishop said. “Father Lee’s extraordinary experience in multiple diocesan positions of service have resulted in a remarkable knowledge of the history and internal operations of the Diocese. He served during the episcopal tenures of three bishops, myself included.”
In addition to serving as pastor of St. Mary Parish, Father Lee is also a member of the Diocesan Episcopal Council.
Bishop O’Connell wrote that since 2012 Father Shaffer has been pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, which is the largest parish in the Diocese of Trenton, with two schools – St. Joseph Elementary School and Donovan Catholic High School.
Quoting from his formal request, Bishop O’Connell stated that Father Shaffer “has demonstrated excellent pastoral leadership in this position.” He noted that Father Shaffer also serves as Vicar Forane in Northern Ocean County, New Jersey, and is a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council.
For Bishop O’Connell, it was an added delight to present the honor to Father Shaffer on the eve of his 35th anniversary of priestly ordination. Father Shaffer was ordained Dec. 2, 1989.
New Liturgical Year
In his homily for the two Masses, reflected on how this sacred time is about preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
“The season of Advent . . . focuses on the beginning of Jesus’ human life, his becoming flesh – what we call the Lord Jesus’ Incarnation,” Bishop O’Connell said. “We remember and celebrate that Incarnation so long awaited, that mysterious Incarnation foretold by prophets in which he became fully human while remaining fully God.”
“Christmas is something we anticipate,” Bishop O’Connell said, then noted that the Readings of Advent focus on the end of time.
“Over 2,000 years since his birth, the Church invites us to reflect upon not just the Baby of Bethlehem but the Man of Nazareth and the Christ of Calvary who offers to show us the way to live,” the Bishop said.
“Like the feast of Christmas, which has occurred but which we revisit annually, so too the choice made in Baptism must be revisited again and again.
“We must choose discipleship, wherever it leads,” the Bishop said. “Advent is a season of discipleship in which we renew our commitment to him who committed himself to be one of us, to live for us, to rise to a new life that he shares with us.”
“Jesus’ life mission and ministry were deliberate,” Bishop O’Connell said. “So too must our response be to be his disciples.”
Humbled Servants
Father Shaffer was more than surprised to receive the papal honor from Bishop O’Connell.
“It kind of blew me away,” he said, admitting that after doing some research on The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal later that day, he realized the gravitas of the honor.
“As priests, we are about serving God and serving the Church and the people are the Church,” Father Shaffer said. “It’s really nice to know that our Bishop was kind enough to recognize that type of effort. I am so blessed with the people that I serve in my parish because they always make me feel affirmed and supported. They are so good,” he said.
Referring to his 35 years of priesthood, he said. “I am generally a happy guy and glad that I am a priest.
“God called me, Scott Shaffer, to be a priest … he didn’t call me to be somebody else,” he said. “If I trust that God knows what he’s doing, then I just have to work on what he is leading me to.”
Since his ordination on May 16, 1992, Father Lee has enjoyed serving with many faith-filled people “who challenged me to be the best priest I can be.”
And even though he has held many leadership and administrative positions throughout the years, he said that “Fundamentally, I am a parish priest.”
“Even when I was sent to study at Princeton Seminary, I requested to remain in a parish assignment,” he said, “and I continue to do my best in these challenging times as long as my health allows, and the people will have me. I also look forward to a different way to serve the Church if God sustains me into retirement. Many of our retired priests are lifelong servants enabling the Church to serve and grow.”
Father Lee too was surprised about receiving the papal recognition, saying it is “significant since Father Scott and I are the first priests in the Diocese of Trenton to receive it since its inception in the late 19th century.
“It is not honoraria but grounded in lifelong service. That was a bit overwhelming when one considers the lifelong service of so many others before,” he said. “It is both humbling and awesome at the same time.”
Monitor correspondent Kayla Latendresse contributed to this story.
Bishop O’Connell smiles as he presents Father Shaffer with a papal honor during a Dec. 1 Mass in St. Joseph Church, Toms River. Mike Ehrmann photo