Long Time Coming
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Several hundred members of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, gathered Sept. 25 to celebrate an occasion anticipated for three years: the dedication of its new parish center alongside its new worship site, St. Mary of the Pines Church in Manahawkin.
Bishop John M. Smith joined the pastor, Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, in conducting the prayer service and blessing of the new parish center and religious education building. Msgr. Tuzeneu commended his flock “for its work and prayer … in making this center where our children will learn their Catholic faith, adults will deepen their commitment, and we may all come to know each other better.”
Click here for photo gallery
The new 25,000-square foot building is the latest addition to the campus of St. Mary of the Pines, a worship site of St. Mary Parish. The new parish center replaces a 17,000-square foot building which served Manahawkin’s faithful as a satellite of the main church since July, 1976. Located near the intersection of Routes 9 and 72, the original parish center housed weekend and holy day Masses and weekday activities, including religious education classes, sporting events and many parish ministries.
Although the new center remained unfurnished while waiting for the final certificate of occupancy, parish members toured the facility excitedly, examining the offices, gymnasium, kitchen, 12 meeting rooms, and one large room that can be divided into four smaller rooms. Those involved in parish programs were especially eager to see the new home of their ministries.
Joan Haldenwang, coordinator of religious education, remarked, “Our teachers are delighted. This building has been a long time coming.” Noting that the program includes 2,000 children and 103 catechists, Haldenwang stated, “We were overcrowded. Now we have a larger building for our teachers and our students.”
She explained that religious education classes have been conducted each day from Sunday through Thursday. The expanded location eliminates the need for Thursday classes.
In the new kitchen, John Donato, coordinator of Ken’s Kitchen, a ministry devoted to feeding the needy, unveiled the spacious, well-appointed food preparation area with stainless steel appliances. Every Thursday between 9 a.m. and noon, Donato’s staff of 80 volunteers prepare and serve lunch to a gathering of as many as 800. In addition, volunteers deliver meals to 300 homebound clients.
“This kitchen is like going from the basement to a penthouse,” said Donato, whose ideas were instrumental in the kitchen’s design. “There is just so much more space, security and convenience to do what we must.”
As the parish population grew, so did a dream to provide a suitable worship space for St. Mary parishioners in Manahawkin. The dream came true in March 2007, when St. Mary of the Pines Church opened on McKinley Avenue and Bishop Lane, not only with its usual schedule of Sunday and holy day Masses but with daily Mass as well. Meanwhile the parish center, approximately a mile away from the new church, remained in use while the parish anticipated completion of its new center.
In 2008, the old parish center was sold to Ocean County, which rented the building back to the parish during the development of the new center. Proceeds of the sale and donations from parishioners collectively funded the construction.
In mid-2009, ground was broken for the new center and by October, clearing and grading the property was complete. With input from ministries who would be housed in the center, architect Craig Greeley designed the one-story building, which was constructed by H.C. Pody.
Parish business administrator Patrick Grabowski commented on the necessity of the center to the sister churches, which constitute the largest parish in the Diocese of Trenton.
Msgr. Tuzeneu added, “We have been looking forward to have a newer, bigger facility to service our parish. Having it adjacent to the church will make life easier for everyone.”
Pastoral Council member Wayne Pawlowski echoed the pastor’s sentiment. “It is great to have one building for all of the things we have in this church,” he said. “It means a lot to have a meeting place alongside our own church.”
As she paused to admire the center’s foyer, parishioner Carole Gordon mused, “I don’t know why, but I feel at home here already.”
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Several hundred members of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, gathered Sept. 25 to celebrate an occasion anticipated for three years: the dedication of its new parish center alongside its new worship site, St. Mary of the Pines Church in Manahawkin.
Bishop John M. Smith joined the pastor, Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu, in conducting the prayer service and blessing of the new parish center and religious education building. Msgr. Tuzeneu commended his flock “for its work and prayer … in making this center where our children will learn their Catholic faith, adults will deepen their commitment, and we may all come to know each other better.”
Click here for photo gallery
The new 25,000-square foot building is the latest addition to the campus of St. Mary of the Pines, a worship site of St. Mary Parish. The new parish center replaces a 17,000-square foot building which served Manahawkin’s faithful as a satellite of the main church since July, 1976. Located near the intersection of Routes 9 and 72, the original parish center housed weekend and holy day Masses and weekday activities, including religious education classes, sporting events and many parish ministries.
Although the new center remained unfurnished while waiting for the final certificate of occupancy, parish members toured the facility excitedly, examining the offices, gymnasium, kitchen, 12 meeting rooms, and one large room that can be divided into four smaller rooms. Those involved in parish programs were especially eager to see the new home of their ministries.
Joan Haldenwang, coordinator of religious education, remarked, “Our teachers are delighted. This building has been a long time coming.” Noting that the program includes 2,000 children and 103 catechists, Haldenwang stated, “We were overcrowded. Now we have a larger building for our teachers and our students.”
She explained that religious education classes have been conducted each day from Sunday through Thursday. The expanded location eliminates the need for Thursday classes.
In the new kitchen, John Donato, coordinator of Ken’s Kitchen, a ministry devoted to feeding the needy, unveiled the spacious, well-appointed food preparation area with stainless steel appliances. Every Thursday between 9 a.m. and noon, Donato’s staff of 80 volunteers prepare and serve lunch to a gathering of as many as 800. In addition, volunteers deliver meals to 300 homebound clients.
“This kitchen is like going from the basement to a penthouse,” said Donato, whose ideas were instrumental in the kitchen’s design. “There is just so much more space, security and convenience to do what we must.”
As the parish population grew, so did a dream to provide a suitable worship space for St. Mary parishioners in Manahawkin. The dream came true in March 2007, when St. Mary of the Pines Church opened on McKinley Avenue and Bishop Lane, not only with its usual schedule of Sunday and holy day Masses but with daily Mass as well. Meanwhile the parish center, approximately a mile away from the new church, remained in use while the parish anticipated completion of its new center.
In 2008, the old parish center was sold to Ocean County, which rented the building back to the parish during the development of the new center. Proceeds of the sale and donations from parishioners collectively funded the construction.
In mid-2009, ground was broken for the new center and by October, clearing and grading the property was complete. With input from ministries who would be housed in the center, architect Craig Greeley designed the one-story building, which was constructed by H.C. Pody.
Parish business administrator Patrick Grabowski commented on the necessity of the center to the sister churches, which constitute the largest parish in the Diocese of Trenton.
Msgr. Tuzeneu added, “We have been looking forward to have a newer, bigger facility to service our parish. Having it adjacent to the church will make life easier for everyone.”
Pastoral Council member Wayne Pawlowski echoed the pastor’s sentiment. “It is great to have one building for all of the things we have in this church,” he said. “It means a lot to have a meeting place alongside our own church.”
As she paused to admire the center’s foyer, parishioner Carole Gordon mused, “I don’t know why, but I feel at home here already.”
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