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St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral

Mass of Elevation of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral on video

The diocesan Department of Multimedia Production has produced a full-length video of the Feb. 19 Mass of Elevation of St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold, to Co-Cathedral status.
Special keepsake publication celebrates St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral

To commemorate St. Robert Bellarmine Church’s elevation to Co-Cathedral, The Monitor has published a special keepsake booklet featuring stories of reflections and faith amidst past and present photos of the Freehold site.

Adorned with a stunning photo of the sun shining upon a Co-Cathedral window, the 32-page glossy print keepsake begins with a message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and a look at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish’s history in the Diocese. It continues with thoughts from Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni – pastor and Co-Cathedral rector – reflections from, staff, parishioners and visitors alike and a sneak peek at the new coat of arms and cathedra, the bishop’s new chair.

In addition, the Diocese’s Mother Church – St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, is honored for being the spiritual home for generations of Catholics. Its remarkable 146-year-history is highlighted, with a special look at its rector, Msgr. Joseph L. Roldan.
Slideshow features advertisers congratulating St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral

The Monitor is pleased to join its advertisers in congratulating St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in a slideshow presentation set to music.
Elevation to Co-Cathedral important to faithful around Diocese and wider community

The elevation of St. Robert Bellarmine Church to Co-Cathedral is meaningful on many levels, say a host of faithful from around the Diocese and members of the community at large.
Faithful praise parish for its years of warmth, welcoming community

Whether they’re longtime parishioners, recently arrived faithful or staff, those connected to the newly-elevated St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral agree that service and community lie at its heart.
Pictorial look at an historical day

The Diocese's multimedia package coverage on the Feb. 19 Mass of Elevation includes a photo gallery showing all of the different movements of the liturgy. All photos were taken by Monitor freelance photographer Craig Pitteli.

To view photo gallery, click here.
About Msgr. Joseph L. Roldan, Cathedral rector

Msgr. Joseph L. Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, since 2011, was born in 1962 in Newark, one of five children born to Fernando and Juanita Roldan.
For more than 135 years, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral a witness to faith, change

St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, a spiritual home for generations of Catholics in the Diocese, has stood as a witness to God’s love and the dedication of his people since its inception in 1871.
Coat of arms for Co-Cathedral rooted in Church, diocesan history

In Catholic tradition, a coat of arms is typically composed of a shield bearing symbols with geographic, religious and historical relevance. For the faithful who will now pass through the doors of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, those meanings will have local roots, too.
Local craftsman incorporates faith, tradition into Bishop's new chair

In the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, stands the Cathedra Petri, the Chair of St. Peter, an ancient oaken relic that tradition says was used by St. Peter as he instructed the early Christians and fulfilled his role as the first Bishop of Rome.
Meet the Co-Cathedral rector

Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni was born in 1954 in Long Branch and is the son of Marie and the late Anthony Sirianni. A native of Holy Trinity Parish (now part of Christ the King Parish), Long Branch, he is a graduate of Long Branch High School; Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a master of arts degree in student personnel services.
Pastor sees Co-Cathedral as resource to wider diocesan community

Long before St. Robert Bellarmine Church was established as a co-cathedral, it had been an active and vital parish community, serving as the spiritual home to more than 4,000 households and offering a variety of ministries that numbers more than 40.
Co-Cathedral staff ready to serve

Staff members of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral Parish are ready to take on the double-duty of coordinating events and ministries between parishioners and the Diocese.
Co-Cathedral shares place of prominence in Freehold's history, outreach with other faith traditions

From an historical and interreligious perspective, it would be hard to find folks in the greater Freehold area or those who research the Catholic heritage of New Jersey uninterested in this change in status, said Father Edward M. Jawidzik, St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral’s parochial vicar.
Co-Cathedral known for central location, architectural beauty and spirit of hospitality

In the early and mid 1970s, the area of Central New Jersey was experiencing a steady settling by professionals who worked in New York and Northern New Jersey and wanted to provide a wholesome life for their families in the more affordable suburbs.
St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral status follows a history of service to the Gospel

The last thing newcomers to the area probably expect to see as they traverse the pastoral byway of Georgia Road in Freehold Township is a co-cathedral of monumental and classic proportions gracing the landscape.
A look at St. Robert Francis Romulus Bellarmine

Born Oct. 4, 1542, in Monepulciano, Italy, St. Robert Bellarmine was one of 10 children of Cinzia Cervini and Vincenzo Bellarmino.
A Moment in History

The process of elevating St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Freehold to the dignity of a co-cathedral, which began in April 2016 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., comes to fruition with the signing of the “acta,” or official document of elevation, during Mass Feb. 19.
Newly-elevated Co-Cathedral marks milestone in Diocese's history

Amidst the rich symbolism and ritual that surrounded the Mass officially elevating St. Robert Bellarmine Church to Co-Cathedral, Msgr. Sam Sirianni, rector, reflected on the fundamental mission of all parishes to be of service to those who enter their doors.

“We’re here to open wide the doors to Christ,” Msgr. Sirianni said following the joyful gathering that was celebrated on a sunny and unseasonably warm day Feb. 19.

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The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline.

To report the sexual abuse of minors call our hotline 1-888-296-2965 or email us at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org

Please note: The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.