By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

The tract of land at 727 Route 36 West is in the heart of an area often identified alternately as Hazlet, Keyport or Union Beach.

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From an ecclesiastical standpoint, Bayshore Catholics resolved the geographic conundrum 75 years ago when the plot they long envisioned as holy ground officially received a fitting title: Holy Family Church.

Bayshore Gem

There it has stood, in one iteration or another, an anchor of faith in a sometimes storm-tossed setting, ever since. And on June 11, generations who have worshiped in its welcoming arms gathered to celebrate the diamond anniversary of what became Holy Family Parish with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving.

The nave, decked out with flowers and festive banners heralding Holy Family’s many ministries, was alive with generations of faithful who claim the parish as their own.

Much of Bishop O’Connell’s homily seemed to be written with them in mind.

Calling anniversaries “milestones, occasions of joy and opportunities to remember,” the Bishop went on to say that for a Catholic parish, “it is not buildings or property we remember. No. The 75th birthday of a parish – this parish – is a celebration of family and community – families and communities really – who have been ‘generations of faith,’ living out the promises of their baptism together, seeking and finding Christ together in his Church and in our neighborhoods.”

It was fitting, the Bishop said, “that we celebrate your anniversary Eucharist – what the second Vatican Council has called the ‘source and summit of the Christian life’” on the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. He asked everyone to focus on the fact that as Catholics, “we are baptized and begin our prayers ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

A parish grows, he said “when and because there is a hunger among the Catholic people of an area: hunger for God, for the Word of Life, for the Bread of Life. Well over 75 years ago, that hunger was keenly felt by Catholics here in Union Beach, Keyport and Hazlet.”

In a message that appeared in the anniversary booklet, Father Mark Devlin, pastor since 2009, shared his joy in shepherding a parish that “began in a temporarily borrowed local building to a flat-topped simple church” to the “spire-crowned house of Roman Catholic worship” that parishioners know today.

“The Catholic community of Holy Family Parish has brought the Word and Sacrament of Jesus Christ to the people of God in our central Bayshore homes and hearths,” wrote Father Devlin, who will become parochial vicar in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, on July 1.

The diamond anniversary, he wrote, is but a “moment in time to celebrate the blessings God has showered down to four generations of faithful in Union Beach, Hazlet and beyond,” and an opportunity to remember “the many parishioners of the past who have selflessly given of their time and effort to serve their parish church.”

In a nod to the next phase of parish life, he closed by writing “we have more faith in our future as we venture ever forward in a strengthened and renewed formal collaboration with our Catholic neighbors of nearby parishes,” St. Joseph and Jesus the Lord, both Keyport, and St. Clement, Matawan.

From the Faithful

As the Mass ended, many lingered, exchanging memories with each other and thanking Bishop O’Connell for his visit as he stood just outside the church doors to greet them.

Craig Tonks, a parishioner for 62 years, sounded similar notes saying that in an area battered by many storms over the decades and ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, Holy Family Parish remains very warm and welcoming.

Edward and Jane Keenan are active members who devote a great deal of time to the parish.

While Edward has been a member for four decades, Jane wistfully recalled making her First Holy Communion in the one story, mission style church, a remnant of which remains as the “footprint” under the larger steeple structure that has graced the highway frontage since 1955.

The couple, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August, beamed as they remembered being married in the parish and their children, Edward, Jr. and Ann Marie, receiving “all their Sacraments” there.

What has kept them at Holy Family all these years?

“This is our home,” they said, one that is populated by a “very loving, very resilient group of people.”

Grace Fagan, the parish business manager and a member of Holy Family for 70 years, also spoke of the warmth of the parish and shared high hopes for the future.

The anniversary celebration is a reflection of the energy gathering for the future, she said, adding that, “I think it meant a lot to parishioners to have the opportunity to come together to celebrate the parish. It has gone through a lot of changes and circumstances,” she said.

Reflecting on the anniversary year motto – “Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future” – sends an important message, Fagan said. “… People are optimistic about the future of Holy Family Parish.”