By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

The bicentennial Mass of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, was fittingly steeped in the sacred, and rich in the recognition of how the Catholic faith became anchored forever 200 years ago on the landscape of New Jersey.

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For the members of the vastly diverse, multi-generational faith community that gathered Oct. 12 in the downtown Trenton church, the Mass was a time to give joyful thanks for the heritage that they alone possess as the oldest parish in New Jersey.

The parish’s humble beginnings stretch back to June 12, 1814, when St. John Church of West New Jersey saw the consecration of a small, brick building that served as its first church. To accommodate the parish’s growth, a second church was erected on South Broad Street. When it fell to fire in 1883, the Romanesque-Revival church beloved by many to this day, rose like a Phoenix on the familiar site in 1889. Renamed the Church of the Sacred Heart, it has stood as a beacon of faith through bad times and good.

This was a day of fanfares and flourishes in recognition of that steadfastness. It was a day of choirs offering musical homage to the passage of those 200 years; a day when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as celebrant and homilist, came to herald the community for its centuries of devotion, sacrifice and achievement; a day when old timers and newcomers and everyone in between were wrapped in the embrace of the landmark house of worship.

Principal concelebrants were Father Dennis Apoldite, current pastor, and former pastors, Msgr. Leonard F. Troiano, now pastor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, and Father K. Michael Lambeth, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor.

Reflecting on the Scriptures of the day in which many are called to a wonderful banquet but not all are chosen, Bishop O’Connell addressed the assembly saying that throughout two centuries, the example of Sacred Heart has been one of accepting God’s invitation fully by way of faithfulness to the Sacraments, acts of charity, devotion, love and compassion.

“Heaven is what God offers to his people through the Church,”reflected the Bishop. “By their lives and behavior, some show themselves either unwilling or unworthy of the offer.

... My sisters and brothers, after 200 years of experience of the Gospel and the Church that has grown up around it, Sacred Heart Catholic Church here in Trenton has proved itself willing and worthy of being a part of the kingdom of God, of accepting the invitation, of wearing the garments of the Sacraments and over generous charity toward the neighbor the way Christ asked and intended.”

And Sacred Heart Church here in Trenton, he said, “has born fruit that has endured for two centuries. Like St. Paul in the second reading to the Philippians, Sacred Heart Catholic Church has known both ‘humble circumstances and abundance.’ It has endured because ‘in everything and in all circumstances,’ it has given glory to God.”

In a moving salute, he continued: “As your Bishop, conscious of those who came before me from the time of your establishment 200 years ago, I am struck by the welcome on your website: ‘whatever your status in the Catholic Church, whatever your current family or marital situation ... whatever your personal history, age, background or race, whatever your self-image or esteem, you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at the Church of the Sacred Heart.’”

“Isn’t that what the Catholic Church stands for? From those first 30 immigrant families of St. John’s Parish in 1814 . . . to the present moment; with the education offered by the (Sisters of Charity) in the school and great pastoral leadership of priests,” such as the late, long time pastor, Msgr. (Leonard R.) Toomey and Father Apoldite, the pastor, Sacred Heart Church, he said, “has lived its message of welcome.”

In a letter to his community, Father Apoldite cited the facts of its rich history: “Our three churches and our schools; the Catholic Club and cemetery; the convent and rectory, all in a contiguous line that stretches back to the earliest days of the state capitol, to the founders of the parish” – the pastors, clergy and religious woven into its heritage who have “definite and wonderful pages in our history.

“None,” he wrote, “compare to the beauty of each person who gathers each weekend to celebrate Word and Sacrament.”

Noting the edifying sense of acceptance of the parishioners and the fact that “racial differences, cultural difference, economic differences are never experienced here,” Father Apoldite conveyed that when he celebrates Mass each Sunday, “I look out at the assembly and see the beauty of your souls as one with each other and at peace with God.”

For many, the celebration kindled warm memories in the scores who had been members for go many years. Among those was Sister of Charity Margaret Fitzgibbon, one of 12 children in an Irish Catholic family who studied in the school, first heard the call to her vocation there, came back to teach and still teaches English as a Second Language in El Centro, a program of Catholic Charities that is housed in the community center on the historic campus.

She recalled how her late father, John Fitzgibbon, had attended Mass in Sacred Heart “rain or shine” every morning for decades.

“The church was packed,” she said. “When the war ended, we had a V for Victory Mass for graduation.”

Michael Hall, a member of the anniversary committee and parishioner for 30 years, shared how at a time when membership in the urban church was declining, he “wore every cap” at Mass alongside Msgr. Toomey “from reader to extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to altar boy all at the same time.”

He noted happily that these days, such extraordinary service unnecessary.

“We have a very open minded, diverse group of people from both sides (of the Delaware),” he noted. “All age groups, a lot of old Trenton regulars and newcomers.

Lorretta McGlone grew up in the parish, attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and was married in the church in 1954.

“My brothers and I grew up here, we got a good foundation in faith here, we got a good education here.”

You don’t forget that, she said.