Rosary Altar Societies Network marks a decade of devotion
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent
“This is a demonstration of unity that extends well beyond our own parish walls,” Meredith Milligan, president of the Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Rosary Altar Society, said as she welcomed representatives from 14 Rosary Altar societies from Mercer and northern Burlington Counties to the 10th annual Rosary Altar Society Regional Network Mass and Breakfast Oct. 11 in the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd, Trenton.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
The Regional Rosary Altar Society Network was created in 2004 and as stated in its mission statement, “is committed to supporting and strengthening parish Rosary confraternities by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information for their development and growth, and to help increase awareness of the global nature and importance of devotion to our Blessed Mother and the Rosary prayers, through spiritual and community events.”
The first Regional Rosary Altar Society Network Mass was celebrated in Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Church 10 years ago and was deemed the appropriate worship site for this year’s significant celebration. Former pastor Divine Word Father Guilherme Andrino concelebrated the Mass with current pastor Divine Word Father Edward Tetteh and Divine Word Father Vincent Burke. Several deacons from parishes in Mercer County were also present to commemorate the group’s milestone.
“We come for her, Mary our Mother,” Father Andrino said during a homily where he shared the importance of praying the Rosary.
“We don’t pray the Rosary for the sake of simply repeating prayers,” he said. “We pray the prayers because our heart is so full of love for Mary.”
He continued, “We are not only repeating words; we are putting to words the love we have for the Mother of God in our heart.”
He emphasized Mary’s fiat, her saying “yes” to God, to become the mother of Jesus.
“Her answer was important; she created the womb that brought salvation to the world,” he said, then encouraged the Rosarians to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance so that “our answer is always yes to God.”
That love for Mary was palpable as the congregation joined the parish choir in Marian songs of praise. Representatives from each parish also placed a flower at the feet of the statue of Mary, as “Ave Maria” was played.
“What a beautiful Mass,” Helene Shea, president of the Rosary Altar Society in St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, shared. “It is so wonderful to be with fellow Rosarians.”
Barbara McGeehan, past president of the St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, Rosary Altar Society concurred. “We are all so happy to be together, to glorify God and honor our Blessed Mother.”
Natalie Baranowski, president of the society in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, “loved the spirituality of the day and the Gospel music!”
As each group assembled for a photo with the parish banners, Mary Griggs, whose idea of networking with fellow Rosary Altar societies in the area spearheaded the creation of the Rosary Altar Society Regional Network, shared how this idea came about.
“I became president of the Rosary Altar Society in Our Lady of Sorrows (now Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish) and I didn’t know what I was doing!” she spoke candidly.
“I spoke to my pastor at the time, Father Joe Tedesco, and I asked for permission to reach out to the different parishes in the hopes of creating a network of the Rosary Altar Societies.”
Griggs explained she wrote a letter to the different societies to see if there was an interest in creating opportunity that she hoped would ensure the continuity and the presence of the societies in the local parishes.
Griggs stepped down as the leader of the Regional Rosary Altar Society when she moved to Florida two years ago. She made a special trip to New Jersey to attend the anniversary Mass and celebration.
“It feels great,” she said reflecting on the success of the group. “It has been a wonderful visit and it was so special to celebrate Mass with the ladies.”
That celebration of the Mass was unquestionably enjoyed by the members of the Rosary Altar societies as they made their way to the Parish Hall for breakfast and fellowship.
“I feel so good,” Milligan expressed of the gathering. “The devotion to Mary was beautiful. I enjoyed every bit of it.”
[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
E-Editions
Events
By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent
“This is a demonstration of unity that extends well beyond our own parish walls,” Meredith Milligan, president of the Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Rosary Altar Society, said as she welcomed representatives from 14 Rosary Altar societies from Mercer and northern Burlington Counties to the 10th annual Rosary Altar Society Regional Network Mass and Breakfast Oct. 11 in the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd, Trenton.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
The Regional Rosary Altar Society Network was created in 2004 and as stated in its mission statement, “is committed to supporting and strengthening parish Rosary confraternities by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information for their development and growth, and to help increase awareness of the global nature and importance of devotion to our Blessed Mother and the Rosary prayers, through spiritual and community events.”
The first Regional Rosary Altar Society Network Mass was celebrated in Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Church 10 years ago and was deemed the appropriate worship site for this year’s significant celebration. Former pastor Divine Word Father Guilherme Andrino concelebrated the Mass with current pastor Divine Word Father Edward Tetteh and Divine Word Father Vincent Burke. Several deacons from parishes in Mercer County were also present to commemorate the group’s milestone.
“We come for her, Mary our Mother,” Father Andrino said during a homily where he shared the importance of praying the Rosary.
“We don’t pray the Rosary for the sake of simply repeating prayers,” he said. “We pray the prayers because our heart is so full of love for Mary.”
He continued, “We are not only repeating words; we are putting to words the love we have for the Mother of God in our heart.”
He emphasized Mary’s fiat, her saying “yes” to God, to become the mother of Jesus.
“Her answer was important; she created the womb that brought salvation to the world,” he said, then encouraged the Rosarians to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance so that “our answer is always yes to God.”
That love for Mary was palpable as the congregation joined the parish choir in Marian songs of praise. Representatives from each parish also placed a flower at the feet of the statue of Mary, as “Ave Maria” was played.
“What a beautiful Mass,” Helene Shea, president of the Rosary Altar Society in St. Mary Parish, Bordentown, shared. “It is so wonderful to be with fellow Rosarians.”
Barbara McGeehan, past president of the St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown, Rosary Altar Society concurred. “We are all so happy to be together, to glorify God and honor our Blessed Mother.”
Natalie Baranowski, president of the society in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, “loved the spirituality of the day and the Gospel music!”
As each group assembled for a photo with the parish banners, Mary Griggs, whose idea of networking with fellow Rosary Altar societies in the area spearheaded the creation of the Rosary Altar Society Regional Network, shared how this idea came about.
“I became president of the Rosary Altar Society in Our Lady of Sorrows (now Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish) and I didn’t know what I was doing!” she spoke candidly.
“I spoke to my pastor at the time, Father Joe Tedesco, and I asked for permission to reach out to the different parishes in the hopes of creating a network of the Rosary Altar Societies.”
Griggs explained she wrote a letter to the different societies to see if there was an interest in creating opportunity that she hoped would ensure the continuity and the presence of the societies in the local parishes.
Griggs stepped down as the leader of the Regional Rosary Altar Society when she moved to Florida two years ago. She made a special trip to New Jersey to attend the anniversary Mass and celebration.
“It feels great,” she said reflecting on the success of the group. “It has been a wonderful visit and it was so special to celebrate Mass with the ladies.”
That celebration of the Mass was unquestionably enjoyed by the members of the Rosary Altar societies as they made their way to the Parish Hall for breakfast and fellowship.
“I feel so good,” Milligan expressed of the gathering. “The devotion to Mary was beautiful. I enjoyed every bit of it.”
[[In-content Ad]]