'Ministry of First Impressions' -- Diocesan celebration recognizes administrative professionals
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer
Whether they work in parishes, schools or religious education offices, administrative professionals of the Diocese of Trenton know well their job responsibilities involve much more than a friendly voice or smiling face.
To see photo gallery from the diocesan celebration of Administrative Professionals Day, click here.
On April 27, they had a chance to celebrate that shared mission and witness.
About 140 of these men and women who serve as administrative professionals across the Diocese were celebrated at a special Mass and luncheon in Spring Lake. Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, the day honored these professionals who often serve as the first outward sign of the Church in the four counties of the Diocese.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant of the Mass in St. Catharine Church. In his homily, he drew upon the imagery of the day’s Gospel reading to compare the skilled men and women sitting before him to grapevines lovingly tendered by skilled hands.
“We, the branches, must remain connected to the Lord Jesus, the vine,” the Bishop said. “Our Christian lives demand that relationship to bear fruit.”
“Our lives bear fruit in the Church,” he continued. “Two thousand years later, people turn to you to help them in the process of growing in the faith, being trimmed and pruned by what the Church offers them in our parishes, our schools, our institutions and organizations.”
The Bishop recognized that the administrative professionals played a crucial role in the lives of all that visited their parish, school or department.
“You are the first person they see, and the first to make a difference in their lives,” he reminded the group. “When you serve, your attitude and disposition make all the difference…Find joy in what you do, because you are doing it for the Lord.”
Thanking them on behalf of the priests and people they served, and noting he was inspired by their dedication to their ministries, the Bishop added, “It is that phone call, that response at the door, that message promptly delivered, that supportive interaction, that kindness in times of joy and suffering that make all the difference between living, healthy branches and those that wither away.
“Never, never give in to indifference even when the encounter is not easy or pleasant or understanding,” Bishop O’Connell urged the administrative professionals. “So often it is your response, it is you that help God’s people and their faith bear fruit in their lives.”
The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia; Father John P. Bambrick, pastor, St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, and dean of Ocean County North, and St. Catharine pastor, Father Harry Cullen.
Afterwards, the celebration continued at the Breakers on the Ocean Restaurant where attendees were served up vignettes, experience and wisdom along with lunch.
Doreen Gallway, administrative assistant in the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis, spoke to the attendees about what she dubbed their “ministry of first impressions.”
Gallway, who served for 10 years as a parish secretary in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, stated, “It’s more than a job you go to every day, it’s a calling.”
“Be warm, attentive and respectful,” Gallway urged the group. “You are the face of the Church to your parishes, the face of Jesus Christ.”
Reading from the Gospel of Luke about Jesus’ visit to sisters Mary and Martha, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Agnes Ryan said, “We are busy like Martha about many things, but you need ‘Mary time’ to balance your Martha time.”
Reminding them that prayer can take place any time, Sister Mary Agnes said, “My car is my prayer center.”
Msgr. Gervasio brought laughter to the room as he shared tales of his various jobs and 34 years of priestly service.
“You hear ‘the devil is in the details,’ but so is our mission,” Msgr. Gervasio continued. “Concern make a difference, and is a reflection of the parish. You help shape the impression of the parish,” he told the administrative professionals.
“You see the human part of the Church. Thanks for being not only an employee, but a coworker in your little corner of the vineyard.”
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By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer
Whether they work in parishes, schools or religious education offices, administrative professionals of the Diocese of Trenton know well their job responsibilities involve much more than a friendly voice or smiling face.
To see photo gallery from the diocesan celebration of Administrative Professionals Day, click here.
On April 27, they had a chance to celebrate that shared mission and witness.
About 140 of these men and women who serve as administrative professionals across the Diocese were celebrated at a special Mass and luncheon in Spring Lake. Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, the day honored these professionals who often serve as the first outward sign of the Church in the four counties of the Diocese.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant of the Mass in St. Catharine Church. In his homily, he drew upon the imagery of the day’s Gospel reading to compare the skilled men and women sitting before him to grapevines lovingly tendered by skilled hands.
“We, the branches, must remain connected to the Lord Jesus, the vine,” the Bishop said. “Our Christian lives demand that relationship to bear fruit.”
“Our lives bear fruit in the Church,” he continued. “Two thousand years later, people turn to you to help them in the process of growing in the faith, being trimmed and pruned by what the Church offers them in our parishes, our schools, our institutions and organizations.”
The Bishop recognized that the administrative professionals played a crucial role in the lives of all that visited their parish, school or department.
“You are the first person they see, and the first to make a difference in their lives,” he reminded the group. “When you serve, your attitude and disposition make all the difference…Find joy in what you do, because you are doing it for the Lord.”
Thanking them on behalf of the priests and people they served, and noting he was inspired by their dedication to their ministries, the Bishop added, “It is that phone call, that response at the door, that message promptly delivered, that supportive interaction, that kindness in times of joy and suffering that make all the difference between living, healthy branches and those that wither away.
“Never, never give in to indifference even when the encounter is not easy or pleasant or understanding,” Bishop O’Connell urged the administrative professionals. “So often it is your response, it is you that help God’s people and their faith bear fruit in their lives.”
The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia; Father John P. Bambrick, pastor, St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, and dean of Ocean County North, and St. Catharine pastor, Father Harry Cullen.
Afterwards, the celebration continued at the Breakers on the Ocean Restaurant where attendees were served up vignettes, experience and wisdom along with lunch.
Doreen Gallway, administrative assistant in the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis, spoke to the attendees about what she dubbed their “ministry of first impressions.”
Gallway, who served for 10 years as a parish secretary in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, stated, “It’s more than a job you go to every day, it’s a calling.”
“Be warm, attentive and respectful,” Gallway urged the group. “You are the face of the Church to your parishes, the face of Jesus Christ.”
Reading from the Gospel of Luke about Jesus’ visit to sisters Mary and Martha, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Agnes Ryan said, “We are busy like Martha about many things, but you need ‘Mary time’ to balance your Martha time.”
Reminding them that prayer can take place any time, Sister Mary Agnes said, “My car is my prayer center.”
Msgr. Gervasio brought laughter to the room as he shared tales of his various jobs and 34 years of priestly service.
“You hear ‘the devil is in the details,’ but so is our mission,” Msgr. Gervasio continued. “Concern make a difference, and is a reflection of the parish. You help shape the impression of the parish,” he told the administrative professionals.
“You see the human part of the Church. Thanks for being not only an employee, but a coworker in your little corner of the vineyard.”
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