But on the day when family members, friends and those who had worked with Mrs. McGinty from over the years gathered for her Nov. 5 Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Maple Shade, they were reminded that first and foremost that “Rosemarie belonged to the Lord.” 

“The woman we come to lift up to the Lord today in prayer had such faith and tried to live for Christ, who is our Way, our Truth, our Life,” Father Joel Wilson, parish pastor and principal celebrant of the Mass, said of Mrs. McGinty, who, on a professional level will be long remembered for her work in catechesis and as a lay leader in the Trenton Diocese. She died Nov. 1.

In a letter from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., that was read after Holy Communion by Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of pastoral life and mission, the Bishop conveyed his sympathy and prayerful support to Mrs. McGinty’s family and parish community.

Then referencing two of Mrs. McGinty’s many career accomplishments – that she was the first lay woman to serve as a parish director of religious education in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and that she was the first lay woman to be named a diocesan director, the Bishop wrote, “Although I cannot be personally with you for this Mass,” I’m very much present with you in my prayers.”

In the 27 years that Mrs. McGinty served as the diocesan director of the Office of Religious Education, from 1976 until her 2003 retirement, the Bishop, in his letter, noted that “she made an incredible contribution to the lives of so many young people and their families throughout the Diocese, helping them to come to know and love the Lord Jesus and grow in their faith.

“For that the Diocese of Trenton is eternally grateful,” he stated.

In his homily, Father Wilson reflected on the Mass Readings, telling of how “wisdom reminds us that there are many times and seasons in our lives.”

“As we gaze back together over the life of Chick McGinty, we give thanks for that beautiful life,” he said. Reviewing a few “seasons” of Mrs. McGinty’s life, Father Wilson began with how Mrs. McGinty’s mother would affectionately call Rosemarie, “my little chickadee.”

“And that stuck,” he said, “and she just became Chick.”
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Other seasons reflected her years of raising a family, including her 46-year marriage to her husband, Joseph, before he died in 1994; her season of traveling that included a “special trip back to Ireland” for her 80th birthday, and finally, “94 years of health.

“What a blessing from our Lord,” Father Wilson said.

Yet, “throughout all those seasons and changes,” Father Wilson continued, “there was a constant drumbeat of sharing the faith, of introducing others to Christ, of teaching people that God loves each of us and that our lives are meant to be given in a gift of love, in return.

“Chick’s long-enduring passion” – from the time she began teaching in the parish’s former convent to when she retired from her position as diocesan director of religious education at 75 – was sharing the faith with the next generation, he said.

Following the Mass, as family members and other mourners prepared to journey to the New St. Mary Cemetery in Bellmawr where Mrs. McGinty would be laid to rest, several of her colleagues serving in parish catechetical positions remained behind, all too willing to share memories about Chick.

Mary Britanak-Ruppenthal, current parish catechetical leader in St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville, thought back to 1981 when she became the newly appointed volunteer religious education coordinator in St. Catharine of Siena Parish, Seaside Park.

“Chick held my hand,” Britanak-Ruppenthal said, noting how she relied on Mrs. McGinty’s expertise and guidance as she learned the ropes of her new job.

“Everything I know, Chick taught me. And now here I am 40 years later, still serving in ministry,” she said.

Mary Ann Dempkowski, the parish catechetical leader in St. John Parish, Lakehurst, since 1980, recalled attending diocesan religious education meetings that were headed by Mrs. McGinty.

“I started out as the program coordinator and worked my way to becoming the director of religious education,” Dempkowski said, noting how grateful she was for Mrs. McGinty’s constant encouragement over the years.

“Chick was very well loved and admired,” she said.