St. Joseph Parish marks 120 years by honoring two of its own
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Maria Paz Duarte | Correspondent
St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, celebrated 120 years of faithful service to God and man during a gala held Oct. 22 in the Nottingham Fire Company Hall, Hamilton. More than 350 attendees came out to fete the parish’s parochial vicar, Father George Medina, and Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Trenton, for their contributions to the parish and community.
The annual gala, the parish’s largest fundraiser, is held in honor of the parish’s patron saint. The feast of St. Joseph was integral in the lives of the parish’s Italian immigrant founders; since it falls within Lent, the gala was moved to October to coincide with the anniversary of the parish’s founding in 1891.
St. Joseph pastor, Father Javier Diaz-Munoz, headed the committee which plans the gala and selects the honorees. Months of preparation and community involvement were instrumental in its success. “It’s amazing the support that [they give] to our gala,” he said gratefully. “That’s something I appreciate very much.”
This year’s honorees were recognized for their service to parish and the greater Trenton area. Father Medina, recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest. “In all the years I have been serving the people,” Father Medina said, “I have felt blessed; the people at St. Joseph are wonderful.”
Before assuming the position of executive director of Catholic Charities in Trenton, Lao-Collins served as director of religious education at St. Joseph for more than 10 years, and associate director for social concerns for the New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic bishops of New Jersey.
“Her contribution to the Church, the people and the community is priceless,” Father Diaz-Munoz declared, citing Lao-Collins’ fidelity and love of the local population.
Lao-Collins expressed surprise and gratitude for the recognition. She shared the faith-based philosophy that has driven her work: “If I plant seeds and later I can see the fruits, that is the pay that validates my faith in God.”
Roberto Hernandez, director of the El Centro program of Catholic Charities, labeled both honorees as integral to the community. “[Lao-Collins’] sense of faith and championship to the less fortunate goes beyond the normal,” Hernandez asserted. “She is an inspiration for all the people she encounters. Father Medina is a role model that has illuminated the people he has taught.”
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Maria Paz Duarte | Correspondent
St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, celebrated 120 years of faithful service to God and man during a gala held Oct. 22 in the Nottingham Fire Company Hall, Hamilton. More than 350 attendees came out to fete the parish’s parochial vicar, Father George Medina, and Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Trenton, for their contributions to the parish and community.
The annual gala, the parish’s largest fundraiser, is held in honor of the parish’s patron saint. The feast of St. Joseph was integral in the lives of the parish’s Italian immigrant founders; since it falls within Lent, the gala was moved to October to coincide with the anniversary of the parish’s founding in 1891.
St. Joseph pastor, Father Javier Diaz-Munoz, headed the committee which plans the gala and selects the honorees. Months of preparation and community involvement were instrumental in its success. “It’s amazing the support that [they give] to our gala,” he said gratefully. “That’s something I appreciate very much.”
This year’s honorees were recognized for their service to parish and the greater Trenton area. Father Medina, recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest. “In all the years I have been serving the people,” Father Medina said, “I have felt blessed; the people at St. Joseph are wonderful.”
Before assuming the position of executive director of Catholic Charities in Trenton, Lao-Collins served as director of religious education at St. Joseph for more than 10 years, and associate director for social concerns for the New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic bishops of New Jersey.
“Her contribution to the Church, the people and the community is priceless,” Father Diaz-Munoz declared, citing Lao-Collins’ fidelity and love of the local population.
Lao-Collins expressed surprise and gratitude for the recognition. She shared the faith-based philosophy that has driven her work: “If I plant seeds and later I can see the fruits, that is the pay that validates my faith in God.”
Roberto Hernandez, director of the El Centro program of Catholic Charities, labeled both honorees as integral to the community. “[Lao-Collins’] sense of faith and championship to the less fortunate goes beyond the normal,” Hernandez asserted. “She is an inspiration for all the people she encounters. Father Medina is a role model that has illuminated the people he has taught.”
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