By Christina Leslie | Correspondent

Members of the Catholic community responded with donations totaling more than $50,000 for the victims of a March 4 natural gas explosion in Ewing.

The explosion, which damaged or destroyed a total of 55 homes, occurred at 12:51 p.m. on Crockett Lane in Ewing Township’s South Fork development. Earlier that day, contractors Henkels and McCoy reportedly damaged a gas line while drilling in the area, then called Public Service Electric and Gas to report the problem. The explosion killed one resident and injured seven utility workers.

Almost immediately, the people of the Diocese of Trenton responded to the tragedy by extending a loving hand to their wounded neighbors. Individuals, parishes and the diocesan community at large united in prayer and material support to aid residents affected by the blast, some of them members of their own parish families. 

Diocese involved in recovery efforts

Many of the donations were in response to a public appeal from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. In a March 6 statement informing his flock of the “Ewing Family Relief Effort” set up by the Diocese, the Bishop wrote: “I ask all the members of the Diocese to remember the victims of this explosion in their prayers, [and] I encourage Catholics to be generous in the face of this unexpected tragedy… May the Lord be with our sisters and brothers at this difficult time. Thank you for your goodness.”

The Bishop’s entreaty took root in the hearts of Catholics all over the four counties. Donations poured into the fund; Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, executive director of the Office of Catholic Social Services, reported that the diocesan fund had amassed $52,845 by press time. “The money came primarily in small donations with little notes like, ‘I gave up chocolate for Lent and sent in the money,’” she said.

Four families or individuals were awarded checks from the fund, and others discovered in need would be issued checks as well. By the end of April or beginning of May, Sister Joanne stated, all monies collected to date should be distributed.  

Sister Joanne called each parish in Mercer County for assistance and cited three in the forefront of the recovery phase: St. James, Pennington; Our Lady of Good Counsel, Trenton; and Incarnation-St. James, Ewing. During her calls and research, she discovered many stories of both tragedy and God-given graces.  

“One woman who had undergone knee replacement surgery was living at her sister’s house and was about to go back to her own home to check the mail,” Sister Joanne related, “but turned around because she forgot her key. Another was 93 years old and in bed right next to the windows, but they did not blow out. All you had to say was, ‘how did you fare in the explosion?’ and they went off.” 

Sister Joanne noted the victims greatly appreciated the pastoral outreach in their hour of need. “The people were very excited we were working on this and the Diocese was involved. Much of the work was done very quietly. We reached out personally, with no big fanfare. It was a one-on-one response.”

Parishes supplied on-the-spot help

Though the diocesan response was both generous and welcomed, three Mercer County parishes immediately stepped to the forefront with a more neighborly touch. The pastors and members of St. James Parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and Incarnation-St. James Parish reached out to help the victims through various church and community initiatives.

The tragedy truly hit home for a family from St. James Parish. Bill, Tara, Brianna and Christopher Jones, long-time parishioners, lost their home and all their belongings in the explosion. But their family in Christ rallied; by the following weekend, the church bulletin had acknowledged the Jones family’s losses and urged the parishioners to reach out to help. 

“They have been left with no material possessions whatsoever,” the notice read. “As their faith community, it is our desire to help them begin the long and slow process of getting their lives together.” St. James Parish held a second collection at Mass March 16 and plans to hold a “house shower” in May to replace basic supplies such as bed linens, dishes and utensils once the family finds a permanent place to live. 

Msgr. Michael J. Walsh, St. James pastor, expressed faith that his flock would come to their financial and spiritual aid. “Our parish has been very consistent in responding to the needs of people locally and globally, whether it has been initiated by the diocese or locally. They have been very, very generous.” 

Msgr. Ralph W. Stansley, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, was close enough to hear the March 4 explosion that fateful afternoon. Through his municipal contacts in Ewing, the priest reached out to those affected by the tragedy and requested they contact him to see how the parish might help. He learned amongst the victims of the explosion were OLGC parishioners whose homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable.

The pastor printed the Bishop’s appeal letter in a series of church bulletin updates, and generous parishioners contributed over $5,000 during special collections.  “We worked with the Diocese; they turned it around and sent checks to the people impacted,” Msgr. Stansley said.

The pastor admitted the tragedy had an emotional impact on him and many of the parishioners. “It was our biggest second collection ever. Our people were really responsive, and everyone really tried to pull together. I can’t imagine losing everything, even your toothbrush.” 

Members of Incarnation-St. James Parish also felt the impact of the explosion in many ways. “This tragedy was personal, it happened right in Ewing,” noted parish business manager Ron Kramer. “We contacted the mayor’s office to see how we could help, and they suggested the [Ewing municipal] gift card program.” 

Ewing Township recommended potential donors to contribute funds toward the town’s program, which purchases gift cards from area grocery, department, convenience and home improvement stores. ISJ has collected about $3,000 in donations which its pastor, Father Santhosh George Kozhippadan, will present to the mayor in the near future. 

“One parishioner’s home was knocked off the foundation,” Kramer noted. “We presented her with the check from the diocese last week, and I just received a thank you note in the mail.” Father Kozhippadan continued the story. “We didn’t just give her the check, but we sat and talked to them, and had lunch.”

The show of concern by the pastoral team was in itself a gift. Though he visited the site the very afternoon of the explosion, Father Kozhippadan still downplayed his involvement. “It is the message of Jesus Christ to go out and reach out to people in need of his mercy,” the pastor said.

Father Kozhippadan stated the parish will continue to collect funds for the victims and contribute to the gift card program. “Our hearts go out to all the people affected,” he explained.

How You Can Help: Donations to the "Ewing Family  Relief Effort" are still being accepted. Checks made out to the Diocese of Trenton can be mailed to the attention of Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress at the Chancery, located at 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, N.J. 08648