By Lois Rogers | Features Editor

Nearly two weeks after a school bus accident killed one child and injured 17 others, Catholic faithful around the area continue to reach out to console the small, stricken community of Chesterfield.

Masses and prayer services offered for all affected by this tragedy, impromptu fundraisers to benefit them, and visible shows of support by way of banners and bows have been woven into a great ribbon of support which stretches from the sleepy rural village to neighboring Bordentown, Lawrenceville and indeed – via the Internet – around the world.

In light of these times, when horrible headlines top an astonishing number of stories that lead the news, what prompted such interest, such generosity of spirit and purpose?

Anyone you ask has the same answer: the children of Chesterfield.

Since the Feb. 16 accident which claimed the life of 11-year-old Isabelle Tezsla and injured the triplet’s two sisters – one of them critically – along with Jonathan Zdybel, 11, also critically injured, those who know the children and those who have only seen their pictures and read of the circumstances that so dramatically changed their lives, have rallied in support.

“The loss of a child is not something any of us are used to or can accept without great pain and struggle,” said Mary Liz Ivins, principal of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, where a solemn Mass was held Feb. 25 for the grieving Tezsla family and all those affected.

Ivins said the inspiration for the Mass offers insight into the close knit nature of the Chesterfield community and the wide-spread ramifications of the accident. “We had a request from our alumni to gather for everyone impacted but most particularly for the Tezslas.”

 New Jersey State Trooper, Sgt. Anthony Tezsla father of the triplets, and his three sibilings all graduated from Notre Dame High School in the ‘80s, said Ivins, herself a 1972 graduate of the school. “The alums requested that we come together as a community in prayer.”

The Mass, celebrated by Father Dennis A. Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, who was Notre Dame’s chaplain when the Tezslas attended and concelebrated with Msgr. Walter Nolan, senior priest of the diocese, was “beautiful, prayerful and solemn,” she said.

It drew around 250 people, including alumni, family and friends and some members of the community with direct connections to the Tezsla triplets. “One woman came who had been a nurse when the triplets were born. A person who worked with (Sgt. Tezsla) at the Statehouse was there.

“In a situation like this, people want something to do. For this group, on this night, what we could do was pray.”

Emotional Outpouring

The crash happened at Bordentown-Chesterfield Road (County Road 528) and Old York Road according to authorities. Police say a dump truck was traveling on Route 528, when it somehow hit the rear end of the Chesterfield Elementary School bus on the driver’s side, causing the bus to spin around and slam into a traffic light pole, fatally injuring Isabelle, the daughter of Anthony and Sue Tezsla, members of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Township.

In neighboring Bordentown, where many of the public school students attend religious education classes in St. Mary Parish and the townsfolk knew the children from dancing school and sporting activities around the neighborhood, individuals, organizations and faith communities united, not only to mourn the death of Isabelle but to support those who were injured and indeed, all the children and families of Chesterfield impacted by the tragedy.

It wove the community together as few events have ever done, said Deacon Gary Richardson of St. Mary Parish, Bordentown. Speaking as he prepared for an interfaith Candlelight Service of Hope and Healing Feb. 28 in the church, one of many religious gatherings held since the accident, which was expected to draw several hundred participants, Deacon Richardson said the evening was dedicated to “the whole community…for the children especially…we want them to know that we care.”

Deacon Richardson said it was the hope of the eight clergy from surrounding Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and Unitarian Universalist churches that the evening would contribute to a sense of healing in the wounded community.

“We hope it accomplishes (a number of) things,” said Deacon Richardson. “That it gives (the Tezsla) family the sense that God has not abandoned them but is walking with them; that there is a community that supports the families in any way they need them to and that we can pray for the drivers of the two vehicles. In order to heal, we have to forgive with love….and that the children have to be allowed to be children and not be afraid.”

The hope was the same in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, where Isabelle’s funeral was to be held March 2.

Father Ian Trammell, pastor, spoke of how the parish has been united in prayer for the Tezslas and all of those affected by the accident. “We’ve been praying for them at Sunday Mass and the school did a dress down day last Friday as a respectful way of fund raising.”

The St. Gregory the Great School family has been praying for the crash victims, he said. “This is a tragic situation and it’s important to remember that God is present even in tragedy. Our parish community has been responsive to that and has come together to support the Tezsla family. We are grieving with the family, offering condolences and praying that everyone is motivated to give their own children an extra hug tonight.”