By David Kilby | Correspondent

In solemn silence, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., processed down the center aisle of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, behind a dozen altar servers, then kneeled in front of the altar to begin this year’s Good Friday Liturgy April 18.

The Liturgy held special significance for the parishioners, not only because the Bishop was there, but also because this year is the 200th anniversary for the parish. With its colorful stained glass windows and neo-gothic charm, it was a fitting location for the timeless traditions that commemorate Jesus’ Passion and Death at 3 p.m. on Good Friday.

“A Crucifix or cross hangs in almost every Catholic home, school or institution,” Bishop O’ Connell said in his homily. “In a world where little seems permanent ... the fact that a symbol has lasted so long everywhere should convey something to everyone who sees it, even to those who don’t believe in Jesus.

“He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, and God laid on him the sin of all.”

“God himself was put to death by us, by those he came to save,” he continued. “We also know his death is not the end of the story.

“The crucifix is not a decoration or merely a symbol,” Bishop O’Connell said. “The Crucifix is the most powerful reminder of the greatest love the world has ever known: one wooden beam pointing from the earth to the sky, pointing our attention to God; another wooden beam pointing from east to west, pointing our attention to our fellow human beings. And what brings those two wooden beams, those two directions together, is a single body, His body, Jesus Christ ...”

After the homily, the Bishop prayed the Solemn Intercessions. A large Crucifix was brought down the center aisle to the front of the altar where, one by one, a great majority of the nearly 200 people in the congregation came forward to venerate the Crucifix with a kiss.

“It’s a reminder of how Jesus loves us,” said Joanne Blizard, a Sacred Heart parishioner, after attending the Good Friday Liturgy. “That’s why we’re on this earth, to thank him for giving us a chance to be with him in Paradise.”

Nicholas Amoroso said he used to come to Sacred Heart Parish all the time with his family, when the late Msgr. Leonard Toomey was pastor. His family business, Amoroso Flower Shop, has been providing flowers to the parish for 75 years, he noted.

“Today I came to put the flowers up, and heard the Bishop was celebrating the Liturgy,” he said, adding that the occasion was an unexpected blessing.

Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor, shared that it was an honor to have Bishop O’Connell present on the Good Friday in the year of the parish’s 200th anniversary.

“It adds to the solemnity of our celebration,” he said. “We’re grateful that he made time to come here.”

Father Apoldite continued, “We commemorate the Death of the Lord, we participate in the Passion. The faith tells us this was the reason (Christ came), he came to save us. For 200 years our people have celebrated Good Friday here. They come together to be part of this service, and they’re proud of that. Some families came five to six generations ago, some joined the parish last week.”