Regional Altar-Rosary Society enjoy 20 years of celebrating their ministry
October 5, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.
For 20 years, members of parish Altar Rosary Societies in Burlington, Mercer and Ocean Counties have gathered each year to celebrate their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and their ministry of love and service to their individual parishes.
Such was the occasion Oct. 5 when women from 18 parishes gathered for the annual Regional Altar Rosary Mass in St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square. And joining the Rosarians for the 20th anniversary celebration was Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who was principal celebrant of the Mass and homilist.
PHOTO GALLERY: 20th Annual Regional Altar Rosary Mass
The morning began with the Rosarians reciting the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, followed by Mass. At the start of Mass, representatives from each of the parishes participated in the entrance procession with some placing flowers in the vases that were placed in the sanctuary. Two representatives carried baskets with the prayer intentions that were written by the participants and another two carried a large life-sized Rosary.
At the end of the Mass, the Rosarians presented an icon of Our Lady of the Rosary to Bishop O'Connell. The icon was written by Kristina Sadley, a local iconographer and member of St. Gregory the Great Parish.
Pointed Message
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the Blessed Mother’s significant role in the Wedding Feast at Cana, which was the Gospel proclaimed during the Mass.
“They have no wine,” said Bishop O’Connell, quoting what Mary had said to Jesus in that Gospel.
Bishop O'Connell celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Regional Altar Rosary Mass Oct. 5 in St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square. With the Bishop are, from left, Deacon Joe Latini, who assisted during the Mass; Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and episcopal vicar of Mercer County, and Father Michael Hall, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, who were among the concelebrants. Mary Stadnyk photo
“With those words, Mary speaks a truth about our lives, a truth that at some point we all experience,” he said. “There comes a day for all of us when the wine gives out. The glass is empty. The party is over. On that day, life can seem empty and dry.”
Bishop O’Connell asked the Rosarians to think about an occasion of where or when did the wine “in our life give out.”
“Each one of us could tell a story about a day the wine gave out,” he said, citing examples such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a friendship or marriage.
“Many of these stories will be about fear of what is or what might be,” the Bishop said.
“Stories of failure and self-doubt abound. Some will describe a longing and desire for something they cannot name or describe … Behind each of our stories is the hope and desire for a wedding feast in our life. Place yourself in today’s Gospel story. We come to the wedding at Cana not simply as guests or spectators, but as participants, he said.
Stating that the Gospel is not about wine but about the people, the Bishop said, “It is about you and me as much as it is about the wedding in Cana. It is about our inner life, our way of being, more than the circumstances outside of us.”
While the occasions in life “when the wine runs out” could be challenging, frustrating and disheartening, Bishop O’Connell urged the Rosarians to remember that “the day the wine runs out is the beginning of a miracle.”
“Christ does not simply refill our glasses,” the Bishop said. “He transforms our lives, turning water into wine.
Bishop O'Connell greets Rosarians during the luncheon that followed the Mass. Staff photo
“With that transformation, our lives are once more filled to the brim with the good wine; intoxicating us with the life of God, inebriating us with the Blood of Christ and leaving us under the influence of the Holy Spirit,” the Bishop continued. “That’s the miracle at Cana and it has never ceased happening. Every moment of every day Christ pours himself into the empty jars of our life. He is the good wine – extravagant, abundant and endless.”
Meaningful Experience
For the Rosarians in attendance, the gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of their ministry, what they have learned and offer words of encouragement for more women to join. The congregation represented Altar-Rosary Societies from St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square; St. Raphael-Holy Angels and Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, both Hamilton; Sacred Heart, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, St. Joseph and St. Hedwig, all Trenton; Mary, Mother of the Church, Bordentown; St. Ann, Lawrenceville; Incarnation-St. James, Ewing; St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Alphonsus, Hopewell; St. Paul, Princeton; St. Vincent de Paul, Yardville; St. Isidore the Farmer, New Egypt; St. Ann, Browns Mills, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Trenton.
Rosemary DiYenno said she joined the Altar-Rosary Society in St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, more than a year ago being that “I was new to the parish and thought it would be a good way to meet people. Of her first time attending the regional Altar-Rosary Society Mass she described it as “beautiful” and was happy to be part of such a memorable community event.
“The Bishop was wonderful,” she said. “His smile never left his face and his homily and the music was very moving. I’m very grateful I was able to attend.”
Shown is a close-up of an icon of Our Lady of the Rosary that was presented to Bishop O'Connell following Holy Communion. The icon was written by Kristina Sadley, an iconographer and member of St. Gregory the Great Parish. Mary Stadnyk photo
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For 20 years, members of parish Altar Rosary Societies in Burlington, Mercer and Ocean Counties have gathered each year to celebrate their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and their ministry of love and service to their individual parishes.
Such was the occasion Oct. 5 when women from 18 parishes gathered for the annual Regional Altar Rosary Mass in St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square. And joining the Rosarians for the 20th anniversary celebration was Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who was principal celebrant of the Mass and homilist.
PHOTO GALLERY: 20th Annual Regional Altar Rosary Mass
The morning began with the Rosarians reciting the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, followed by Mass. At the start of Mass, representatives from each of the parishes participated in the entrance procession with some placing flowers in the vases that were placed in the sanctuary. Two representatives carried baskets with the prayer intentions that were written by the participants and another two carried a large life-sized Rosary.
At the end of the Mass, the Rosarians presented an icon of Our Lady of the Rosary to Bishop O'Connell. The icon was written by Kristina Sadley, a local iconographer and member of St. Gregory the Great Parish.
Pointed Message
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the Blessed Mother’s significant role in the Wedding Feast at Cana, which was the Gospel proclaimed during the Mass.
“They have no wine,” said Bishop O’Connell, quoting what Mary had said to Jesus in that Gospel.
Bishop O'Connell celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Regional Altar Rosary Mass Oct. 5 in St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square. With the Bishop are, from left, Deacon Joe Latini, who assisted during the Mass; Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and episcopal vicar of Mercer County, and Father Michael Hall, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, who were among the concelebrants. Mary Stadnyk photo
“With those words, Mary speaks a truth about our lives, a truth that at some point we all experience,” he said. “There comes a day for all of us when the wine gives out. The glass is empty. The party is over. On that day, life can seem empty and dry.”
Bishop O’Connell asked the Rosarians to think about an occasion of where or when did the wine “in our life give out.”
“Each one of us could tell a story about a day the wine gave out,” he said, citing examples such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a friendship or marriage.
“Many of these stories will be about fear of what is or what might be,” the Bishop said.
“Stories of failure and self-doubt abound. Some will describe a longing and desire for something they cannot name or describe … Behind each of our stories is the hope and desire for a wedding feast in our life. Place yourself in today’s Gospel story. We come to the wedding at Cana not simply as guests or spectators, but as participants, he said.
Stating that the Gospel is not about wine but about the people, the Bishop said, “It is about you and me as much as it is about the wedding in Cana. It is about our inner life, our way of being, more than the circumstances outside of us.”
While the occasions in life “when the wine runs out” could be challenging, frustrating and disheartening, Bishop O’Connell urged the Rosarians to remember that “the day the wine runs out is the beginning of a miracle.”
“Christ does not simply refill our glasses,” the Bishop said. “He transforms our lives, turning water into wine.
Bishop O'Connell greets Rosarians during the luncheon that followed the Mass. Staff photo
“With that transformation, our lives are once more filled to the brim with the good wine; intoxicating us with the life of God, inebriating us with the Blood of Christ and leaving us under the influence of the Holy Spirit,” the Bishop continued. “That’s the miracle at Cana and it has never ceased happening. Every moment of every day Christ pours himself into the empty jars of our life. He is the good wine – extravagant, abundant and endless.”
Meaningful Experience
For the Rosarians in attendance, the gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of their ministry, what they have learned and offer words of encouragement for more women to join. The congregation represented Altar-Rosary Societies from St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square; St. Raphael-Holy Angels and Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, both Hamilton; Sacred Heart, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, St. Joseph and St. Hedwig, all Trenton; Mary, Mother of the Church, Bordentown; St. Ann, Lawrenceville; Incarnation-St. James, Ewing; St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Alphonsus, Hopewell; St. Paul, Princeton; St. Vincent de Paul, Yardville; St. Isidore the Farmer, New Egypt; St. Ann, Browns Mills, and Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Trenton.
Rosemary DiYenno said she joined the Altar-Rosary Society in St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, more than a year ago being that “I was new to the parish and thought it would be a good way to meet people. Of her first time attending the regional Altar-Rosary Society Mass she described it as “beautiful” and was happy to be part of such a memorable community event.
“The Bishop was wonderful,” she said. “His smile never left his face and his homily and the music was very moving. I’m very grateful I was able to attend.”
Shown is a close-up of an icon of Our Lady of the Rosary that was presented to Bishop O'Connell following Holy Communion. The icon was written by Kristina Sadley, an iconographer and member of St. Gregory the Great Parish. Mary Stadnyk photo