Helping Trenton Diocese grow spiritually: Marian Servants mark 10 years
October 22, 2025 at 1:47 p.m.
Father McClane blesses a member of the Marian Servants of the Holy Family during the anniversary Mass. Joe Moore photosCelebrating a decade of service rooted in holiness, obedience and servitude, the Marian Servants of the Holy Family gathered at an anniversary Mass Oct. 11 in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.
The organization is part of the nationwide Marian Servants of Divine Providence with a mission to bring Catholics to a deeper understanding of their vocation and mission in Christ, in the Church and in the world. Recognized as a public association of the faithful in the Diocese of Trenton by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., members guide people through spiritual direction and Ignatian-style Scripture meditation; help people prepare for consecration to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary; run one-day retreats; and lead Holy Hours with Scripture meditation and worship music.
PHOTO GALLERY: Marian Servants 10th anniversary celebration
Father Michael McClane, pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle, and the group’s spiritual moderator, served as principal celebrant and homilist.
“We think of the countless people whom you have helped in visible ways, and those you have helped in secret invisible ways known only to God. Your prayers have calmed restless spirits, have inspired faith, and have brought comfort to wounded souls. You have shared the gifts of the Spirit with others for their ‘spiritual growth and the physical and psychological well-being of all people and the good of the Church,’” he said, quoting the ministry’s guiding principles known as the Rule of Life.
‘Healing, freedom and purpose’
Over the past 10 years, Marian Servants of the Holy Family have ministered in four parishes of the Diocese: St. Gregory the Great; Holy Eucharist, Tabernacle; St. Vincent de Paul, Yardville; and St. John, Lakehurst.
“We guide God’s people to healing, freedom and purpose in Christ,” said Monica Cincotta, chapter director. “Our mission is humble servanthood in Mary’s model – to serve others with great love.” Discovering the group a decade ago, she recalled “a real sense of unconditional love… they were solid in Church teachings, had a good sense of peace, and were all for the glory of God.”
She continued, “Whatever task he gives me, he will give me the tools I need to do that task in that moment. I have led a lot of groups in my life, but this is unique and is run by God’s grace.”
Reflecting upon the Oct. 11 anniversary Mass, Cincotta observed, “As much as our efforts made it nice, Our Lady made it better.”
Another long-time member, Mary Ann Isaac, explained how the Marian Servants fulfilled their charisms of prayer and spiritual direction.
‘Like a lightning bolt’
“Our prayer teams are trained to pray with each individual, respecting their privacy. Everything is kept confidential,” she said. Six members of the group have completed a three-year spiritual direction program under the auspices of The Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.
Her own introduction to the Marian Servants was, in her words, “like a lightning bolt hit. I needed to grow in my faith, and this was in direct answer to my prayer. The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray and have courage.”
She added, “When someone asks for prayers, say right then, ‘Yes, let’s pray.’ When they are open and asking, they need it. When you experience it yourself, take the time, it just changes everything. Love with his love, speak with his words, give me your love, grace, flow through me now.”
Isaac noted the importance of the Marian Servants in fulfilling Christ’s mission through prayerful solidarity. “Jesus called together a community,” she said. “He didn’t have Lone Rangers going out. The apostles went out in pairs, not alone. He wants us to learn from each other, when two or more together in my name there am I in their midst… The whole point of our lives is to give him the glory.”
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Members of the Marian Servants, along with Father McClane, pose for a photo following the anniversary Mass.
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Father McClane blesses a member of the Marian Servants of the Holy Family during the anniversary Mass. Joe Moore photosCelebrating a decade of service rooted in holiness, obedience and servitude, the Marian Servants of the Holy Family gathered at an anniversary Mass Oct. 11 in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.
The organization is part of the nationwide Marian Servants of Divine Providence with a mission to bring Catholics to a deeper understanding of their vocation and mission in Christ, in the Church and in the world. Recognized as a public association of the faithful in the Diocese of Trenton by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., members guide people through spiritual direction and Ignatian-style Scripture meditation; help people prepare for consecration to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary; run one-day retreats; and lead Holy Hours with Scripture meditation and worship music.
PHOTO GALLERY: Marian Servants 10th anniversary celebration
Father Michael McClane, pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, Tabernacle, and the group’s spiritual moderator, served as principal celebrant and homilist.
“We think of the countless people whom you have helped in visible ways, and those you have helped in secret invisible ways known only to God. Your prayers have calmed restless spirits, have inspired faith, and have brought comfort to wounded souls. You have shared the gifts of the Spirit with others for their ‘spiritual growth and the physical and psychological well-being of all people and the good of the Church,’” he said, quoting the ministry’s guiding principles known as the Rule of Life.
‘Healing, freedom and purpose’
Over the past 10 years, Marian Servants of the Holy Family have ministered in four parishes of the Diocese: St. Gregory the Great; Holy Eucharist, Tabernacle; St. Vincent de Paul, Yardville; and St. John, Lakehurst.
“We guide God’s people to healing, freedom and purpose in Christ,” said Monica Cincotta, chapter director. “Our mission is humble servanthood in Mary’s model – to serve others with great love.” Discovering the group a decade ago, she recalled “a real sense of unconditional love… they were solid in Church teachings, had a good sense of peace, and were all for the glory of God.”
She continued, “Whatever task he gives me, he will give me the tools I need to do that task in that moment. I have led a lot of groups in my life, but this is unique and is run by God’s grace.”
Reflecting upon the Oct. 11 anniversary Mass, Cincotta observed, “As much as our efforts made it nice, Our Lady made it better.”
Another long-time member, Mary Ann Isaac, explained how the Marian Servants fulfilled their charisms of prayer and spiritual direction.
‘Like a lightning bolt’
“Our prayer teams are trained to pray with each individual, respecting their privacy. Everything is kept confidential,” she said. Six members of the group have completed a three-year spiritual direction program under the auspices of The Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.
Her own introduction to the Marian Servants was, in her words, “like a lightning bolt hit. I needed to grow in my faith, and this was in direct answer to my prayer. The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray and have courage.”
She added, “When someone asks for prayers, say right then, ‘Yes, let’s pray.’ When they are open and asking, they need it. When you experience it yourself, take the time, it just changes everything. Love with his love, speak with his words, give me your love, grace, flow through me now.”
Isaac noted the importance of the Marian Servants in fulfilling Christ’s mission through prayerful solidarity. “Jesus called together a community,” she said. “He didn’t have Lone Rangers going out. The apostles went out in pairs, not alone. He wants us to learn from each other, when two or more together in my name there am I in their midst… The whole point of our lives is to give him the glory.”
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Members of the Marian Servants, along with Father McClane, pose for a photo following the anniversary Mass.