By Dorothy K. LaMantia |Correspondent

Celebration was in the air as members and supporters of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, gathered for the blessing of Selective Seconds furniture store on March 7. Even the weather blessed the occasion with nearly 60-degree sunshine as the crowd welcomed Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and guests in the parking lot of the Belmar Plaza Shopping Center, the store’s new location.

From a podium set in front of the store, Father Edward Arnister, pastor of St. Rose Parish and avid supporter of the ministry, led the ceremony with an opening prayer. 

Margaret More, coordinator of the Selective Seconds ministry, introduced Bishop O’Connell, who  thanked the society for improving the lives of the needy and reminded the audience that “the poor are Christ’s gift to us.” Accompanied by More and Carol De Bartolo,  president of St. Rose’s conference of the society,  Bishop O’Connell blessed the interior of the store.

Among the guests were those who founded the parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul 12 years ago, including Msgr. Casimir Ladzinski, then pastor of the church, and Pat and Bob Graney.

Also attending was Matthew Doherty, mayor of Belmar and member of St. Rose Parish, who praised the work of the society.

“They do an outstanding job for the community of Belmar and all of the Jersey Shore,” he said.  “And as the mayor of this town, it is truly an honor to have the bishop come to our community.”

Selective Seconds was started in the late fall 2010, when More and three fellow Vincentians, Maureen Coeyman, Carleen Defino and Cathy Alexander began collecting good quality used furniture for needy families. They decided to sell off pieces too large for the homes of the needy and use the proceeds to fund the work of the society.  The store was housed temporarily in the annex of St. Rose School.

Those who responded – including carpenters and electricians – removed outdated wiring and worn carpet, scraped glue from concrete floors, painted walls, and ultimately disproved  predictions that the place would never be ready. The store was running by mid-December.

“Everyone told Margaret she was crazy,” said Bob Graney. “All she would say was, ‘No, it’s going to be beautiful,’ and it is.” The word “miracle” was often overheard during the open house.

Local merchants retiring from retail businesses donated the last of their stock such as gift items and greeting cards, and the second floor turned into a gift store. 

More credits the success to the volunteers.

“Tap into people’s strengths; they will take ownership,” she said.  “It has become a place where people want to be involved.  People are good and want to help if you let them know they are needed.”