Annual spirituality/education days for seniors open windows of faith, scholarship, fellowship
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
As Mary Jakub recalls it, she wasn’t exactly certain what she’d take away from this year’s annual spirituality/education days for maturing adults. But word of mouth had it that the harvest from the day-long program would be fruitful.
The programs, which traditionally run on the successive Wednesdays throughout May – one in each county of the Diocese – commenced this year May 7 in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven.
Programs were also held in Ocean County May 14 in St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin, and St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square in Mercer County May 21. They will conclude May 28 in Burlington County in Resurrection Parish, Delran.
Janis Bell, coordinator of the diocesan Ministry for Maturing Adults, planned and facilitated the four workshops, which have been offered annually for a decade.
Jakub, a member of nearby St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch, where her husband, Louis, is a deacon, did her homework before attending the May 7 session in neighboring Nativity Parish.
She asked friends and family what to expect from a presentation on Pope Francis’ first year by Msgr. Casimir Ladinski who served the Diocese as priest, pastor and vicar general for 50 years.
Her husband informed her that “Msgr. Casey,” as he’s widely known, is a compelling and well prepared speaker. He urged her “not to miss it.” Others concurred, she said.
Her son, Father Joseph Jakub, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro, encouraged his mother to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the profoundly faith-filled process of writing icons and creating Celtic illuminations from Terry Galvin Anderson, a noted sacred artist who teaches workshops at parishes and retreat centers.
Like many who attended the first session from parishes around Monmouth County, Jakub described the presentations by Msgr. Ladzinski and Anderson – who were scheduled to speak at all four sessions – as informative, delightful, leaving her “awestruck” by the event. It included Mass celebrated by Father Robert J. Schecker, pastor of Nativity Parish, and concelebrated by Msgr. Ladzinski. A boxed luncheon followed Mass with plenty of time for conversation.
Keith Casey, a deacon in St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, attended with his wife, Carol.
They said they were moved by the many aspects of the program. “Msgr. Casey’s presentation on Pope Francis, with his emphasis on being a Church of mercy and forgiveness and stressing the world-wide nature of the Church,” was very moving, said Deacon Casey.
The Caseys, who have attended a number of the annual programs, were also moved by Father Schecker’s homily, which called all present to keep Easter each day of the year and go forth every day as apostles of Christ.
All were very much taken with the window opened by Anderson into the process of creating sacred art – especially icons. “Her presentation showed us another way of seeing God,” said Carol Casey.
Mary Jakub said that, since the presentation, she has been moved to read and study more about Pope Francis and sacred art. It inspired her, she said, to begin meditating on two icons the family already owned.
Reflecting on the overall program, Eugenia Kelly, pastoral assistant in Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, expressed her delight that “so many people from our parish and all over the county attended. It was very encouraging.”
She was one of a number attending who praised the style and substance of the program created by Bell. “Msgr. Ladzinski captured Pope Francis beautifully and the presentation on the art was mesmerizing” said Kelly.
She pronounced the program an example of the overall thoughtful approach of the diocesan Ministry for Maturing Adults to serving generations of seniors.
Kelly said spirits are lifted by the vocabulary of the ministry which recognizes that “this current group” of older adults is composed of “boomers, builders and elders. The boomers are ages 55-72; the builders are 72-85 and the elders are 85 and up,” according the diocesan ministry, Kelly said.
“We don’t think we are old and we don’t act old. If you do the aging senior citizen thing, you aren’t going to attract people,” Kelly said. “We don’t see ourselves playing cards, we see ourselves making contributions. We want to give back something to the people who are coming after us.”
The spirituality day for maturing adults reflects that concept, she said. “It helps you look from different perspectives, it leads to real good discussions. It gets you more in touch with your spirituality now that you have the time and experience to develop in your relationship with God.”
Patricia Burke of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, attended the May 7 Spirituality Day and found Msgr. Ladzinski “very, very inspiring. I loved to hear about Pope Francis; he [Monsignor] could have gone on for hours.”
Burke, who coordinates a group of maturing adults in her home parish, also enjoyed the presentation by Terry Galvin Anderson, the Celtic artist. “I enjoyed hearing her tremendously. Her art was very inspirational.”
She continued, “Everyone commented ays ever. We had two to three tables [of attendees] this year; every year we bring more people.”
Burke’s husband Robert echoed, “This was the best one ever, I really enjoyed it. There were things I could use with the seniors and with the CCD kids.”
Mary Ann Wolan-Collins, liaison for the St. David the King Parish, West Windsor, ministry for maturing adults, hoped her group might leave the May 21 Mercer County meeting more peaceful and joyful. She continued, “I have heard that it’s our attitude that takes us into the future and closer to God. For me, my hope is that I meet new and interesting people.”
Millie S. Dixon of Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish, Trenton, also reaped the benefits from the day’s presentations at St. Gregory the Great Parish. “I receive spiritual growth at these events,” she noted. “They help me grow closer to God. With everything we experience here, I leave with God on my mind.”
Larry Arciona, a parishioner in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, chuckled as he said, “I want to become a saint, so I hope to get some instruction today to help me attain that goal. This (today) increases my grace.” When asked if he had already been taught these instructions, he laughed again and added, “I forget them though, so I need this today.”
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By Lois Rogers | Correspondent
As Mary Jakub recalls it, she wasn’t exactly certain what she’d take away from this year’s annual spirituality/education days for maturing adults. But word of mouth had it that the harvest from the day-long program would be fruitful.
The programs, which traditionally run on the successive Wednesdays throughout May – one in each county of the Diocese – commenced this year May 7 in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven.
Programs were also held in Ocean County May 14 in St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin, and St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square in Mercer County May 21. They will conclude May 28 in Burlington County in Resurrection Parish, Delran.
Janis Bell, coordinator of the diocesan Ministry for Maturing Adults, planned and facilitated the four workshops, which have been offered annually for a decade.
Jakub, a member of nearby St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch, where her husband, Louis, is a deacon, did her homework before attending the May 7 session in neighboring Nativity Parish.
She asked friends and family what to expect from a presentation on Pope Francis’ first year by Msgr. Casimir Ladinski who served the Diocese as priest, pastor and vicar general for 50 years.
Her husband informed her that “Msgr. Casey,” as he’s widely known, is a compelling and well prepared speaker. He urged her “not to miss it.” Others concurred, she said.
Her son, Father Joseph Jakub, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro, encouraged his mother to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the profoundly faith-filled process of writing icons and creating Celtic illuminations from Terry Galvin Anderson, a noted sacred artist who teaches workshops at parishes and retreat centers.
Like many who attended the first session from parishes around Monmouth County, Jakub described the presentations by Msgr. Ladzinski and Anderson – who were scheduled to speak at all four sessions – as informative, delightful, leaving her “awestruck” by the event. It included Mass celebrated by Father Robert J. Schecker, pastor of Nativity Parish, and concelebrated by Msgr. Ladzinski. A boxed luncheon followed Mass with plenty of time for conversation.
Keith Casey, a deacon in St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, attended with his wife, Carol.
They said they were moved by the many aspects of the program. “Msgr. Casey’s presentation on Pope Francis, with his emphasis on being a Church of mercy and forgiveness and stressing the world-wide nature of the Church,” was very moving, said Deacon Casey.
The Caseys, who have attended a number of the annual programs, were also moved by Father Schecker’s homily, which called all present to keep Easter each day of the year and go forth every day as apostles of Christ.
All were very much taken with the window opened by Anderson into the process of creating sacred art – especially icons. “Her presentation showed us another way of seeing God,” said Carol Casey.
Mary Jakub said that, since the presentation, she has been moved to read and study more about Pope Francis and sacred art. It inspired her, she said, to begin meditating on two icons the family already owned.
Reflecting on the overall program, Eugenia Kelly, pastoral assistant in Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, expressed her delight that “so many people from our parish and all over the county attended. It was very encouraging.”
She was one of a number attending who praised the style and substance of the program created by Bell. “Msgr. Ladzinski captured Pope Francis beautifully and the presentation on the art was mesmerizing” said Kelly.
She pronounced the program an example of the overall thoughtful approach of the diocesan Ministry for Maturing Adults to serving generations of seniors.
Kelly said spirits are lifted by the vocabulary of the ministry which recognizes that “this current group” of older adults is composed of “boomers, builders and elders. The boomers are ages 55-72; the builders are 72-85 and the elders are 85 and up,” according the diocesan ministry, Kelly said.
“We don’t think we are old and we don’t act old. If you do the aging senior citizen thing, you aren’t going to attract people,” Kelly said. “We don’t see ourselves playing cards, we see ourselves making contributions. We want to give back something to the people who are coming after us.”
The spirituality day for maturing adults reflects that concept, she said. “It helps you look from different perspectives, it leads to real good discussions. It gets you more in touch with your spirituality now that you have the time and experience to develop in your relationship with God.”
Patricia Burke of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, attended the May 7 Spirituality Day and found Msgr. Ladzinski “very, very inspiring. I loved to hear about Pope Francis; he [Monsignor] could have gone on for hours.”
Burke, who coordinates a group of maturing adults in her home parish, also enjoyed the presentation by Terry Galvin Anderson, the Celtic artist. “I enjoyed hearing her tremendously. Her art was very inspirational.”
She continued, “Everyone commented ays ever. We had two to three tables [of attendees] this year; every year we bring more people.”
Burke’s husband Robert echoed, “This was the best one ever, I really enjoyed it. There were things I could use with the seniors and with the CCD kids.”
Mary Ann Wolan-Collins, liaison for the St. David the King Parish, West Windsor, ministry for maturing adults, hoped her group might leave the May 21 Mercer County meeting more peaceful and joyful. She continued, “I have heard that it’s our attitude that takes us into the future and closer to God. For me, my hope is that I meet new and interesting people.”
Millie S. Dixon of Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish, Trenton, also reaped the benefits from the day’s presentations at St. Gregory the Great Parish. “I receive spiritual growth at these events,” she noted. “They help me grow closer to God. With everything we experience here, I leave with God on my mind.”
Larry Arciona, a parishioner in St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, chuckled as he said, “I want to become a saint, so I hope to get some instruction today to help me attain that goal. This (today) increases my grace.” When asked if he had already been taught these instructions, he laughed again and added, “I forget them though, so I need this today.”
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