Bishop: Altar-Rosary members have sacred call to be seekers of the face of God
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 p.m.
Members of each of the attending parishes place flowers in vases at the start of Mass.
UPDATED 11-10-2025
Serving in a ministry that’s devoted to prayer, service and the beauty of the liturgy, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said to those gathered at the Regional Altar-Rosary Mass in St. Ann Church, Browns Mills, that they have a sacred call to not merely be caretakers of the Church’s physical space but to serve as “cultivators of the soul, bearers of spiritual fruit and seekers of the face of God.”
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Regional Altar-Rosary Society Mass
The annual Mass, which this year marks its 21st, is traditionally held in October during the Month of the Rosary and is an occasion for the Rosarians hailing from Burlington, Mercer and Ocean Counties, to reflect on their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and their ministry of service to their individual parishes.
The morning began with the Rosarians reciting the Rosary, followed by Mass with Bishop O’Connell as principal celebrant and homilist. Concelebrants including the priests from St. Ann Parish and Andrew Pham, parochial vicar, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown.
At the start of Mass, Altar-Rosary representatives 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. The day concluded with a reception during which the Rosarians had an opportunity to greet Bishop O’Connell.
Along with St. Ann Parish, Altar-Rosary representatives hailed from Sacred Heart, Trenton; Incarnation-St James, Ewing; St. Justin the Martyr, Toms River; Our Lady of Sorrow-St. Anthony, Hamilton; St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton; St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square; St. Ann, Lawrenceville; Sacred Heart, Mount Holly; St. Isidore the Farmer, New Egypt; St. John, Lakehurst, and Mary Mother of the Church, Bordentown.
Before the Mass, Rosarian representatives from the various parishes participated in a procession in honor of the Virgin Mary. Carrying the Rosary in this photo are Pat Colton and her daughter Teresa Heyer of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New EIn his homily, the Bishop reflected on the poignancy of the Parable of the Fig tree in the day’s Gospel.
“The Church is the orchard. Each of us is a fig tree. And the Lord comes looking for fruit. Not just once, but again and again,” the Bishop said. “He does not cut us down in haste. He gives us time. He gives us grace. He gives us the Spirit. But he also expects fruit.”
To the Altar-Rosary Society, whose members’ primary mission is to promote devotion to the Blessed Mother through prayer and organize various spiritual, social and practical activities, which might include tending to the altar linens that are used for Mass, hosting drives to benefit those in need and other charitable endeavors, Bishop O’Connell said “let your service bear fruit, let your prayers bear fruit, let your lives bear fruit, not just in the beauty of the altar, but in the beauty of your hearts.”
“Let your concern be for the things of the Spirit. Let your longing be for the face of God. And let your repentance be the soil in which holiness grows,” he said.
Denise Rodriguez, president of the Altar-Rosary Society in St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills, appreciated praying and networking with other Rosarians about their ministry.
“Through the Altar Rosary, I have met the most amazing women of faith,” she said. “How beautiful it is to unite Rosarians from the surrounding counties to honor our Lady!”
At the reception following the Mass, Bishop O'Connell enjoyed mingling and taking photos with Altar-Rosary members. At left is Divine Word Father Pierre Claver Lunimbu, pastor of St. Ann Parish. Mike Ehrmann photo
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Members of each of the attending parishes place flowers in vases at the start of Mass.
UPDATED 11-10-2025
Serving in a ministry that’s devoted to prayer, service and the beauty of the liturgy, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said to those gathered at the Regional Altar-Rosary Mass in St. Ann Church, Browns Mills, that they have a sacred call to not merely be caretakers of the Church’s physical space but to serve as “cultivators of the soul, bearers of spiritual fruit and seekers of the face of God.”
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Regional Altar-Rosary Society Mass
The annual Mass, which this year marks its 21st, is traditionally held in October during the Month of the Rosary and is an occasion for the Rosarians hailing from Burlington, Mercer and Ocean Counties, to reflect on their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and their ministry of service to their individual parishes.
The morning began with the Rosarians reciting the Rosary, followed by Mass with Bishop O’Connell as principal celebrant and homilist. Concelebrants including the priests from St. Ann Parish and Andrew Pham, parochial vicar, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown.
At the start of Mass, Altar-Rosary representatives 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. The day concluded with a reception during which the Rosarians had an opportunity to greet Bishop O’Connell.
Along with St. Ann Parish, Altar-Rosary representatives hailed from Sacred Heart, Trenton; Incarnation-St James, Ewing; St. Justin the Martyr, Toms River; Our Lady of Sorrow-St. Anthony, Hamilton; St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton; St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square; St. Ann, Lawrenceville; Sacred Heart, Mount Holly; St. Isidore the Farmer, New Egypt; St. John, Lakehurst, and Mary Mother of the Church, Bordentown.
Before the Mass, Rosarian representatives from the various parishes participated in a procession in honor of the Virgin Mary. Carrying the Rosary in this photo are Pat Colton and her daughter Teresa Heyer of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New EIn his homily, the Bishop reflected on the poignancy of the Parable of the Fig tree in the day’s Gospel.
“The Church is the orchard. Each of us is a fig tree. And the Lord comes looking for fruit. Not just once, but again and again,” the Bishop said. “He does not cut us down in haste. He gives us time. He gives us grace. He gives us the Spirit. But he also expects fruit.”
To the Altar-Rosary Society, whose members’ primary mission is to promote devotion to the Blessed Mother through prayer and organize various spiritual, social and practical activities, which might include tending to the altar linens that are used for Mass, hosting drives to benefit those in need and other charitable endeavors, Bishop O’Connell said “let your service bear fruit, let your prayers bear fruit, let your lives bear fruit, not just in the beauty of the altar, but in the beauty of your hearts.”
“Let your concern be for the things of the Spirit. Let your longing be for the face of God. And let your repentance be the soil in which holiness grows,” he said.
Denise Rodriguez, president of the Altar-Rosary Society in St. Ann Parish, Browns Mills, appreciated praying and networking with other Rosarians about their ministry.
“Through the Altar Rosary, I have met the most amazing women of faith,” she said. “How beautiful it is to unite Rosarians from the surrounding counties to honor our Lady!”
At the reception following the Mass, Bishop O'Connell enjoyed mingling and taking photos with Altar-Rosary members. At left is Divine Word Father Pierre Claver Lunimbu, pastor of St. Ann Parish. Mike Ehrmann photo