2023

A Year Of Honors

During 2023 we honored three individuals for their service of the Lord and his Church:

• Our own Fr. Pierre Michel Alabre’ was honored on Sunday, November 26 for his 25^th anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. A Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated at 4:00 pm with a gala dinner following in St. Anthony Church Hall.
• Our school’s second grade teacher, Lauren Carmel Sirak was named as New Jersey’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. It was an honor conveyed by the State for teachers of non-public schools. Ms. Sirak was chosen over 1000 teachers eligible for this distinction.
• Gilda Rorro, was invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher during ceremonies in the Church of the Savior in New York City. This is a prestigious honor in one of the Church’s ancient knighthoods which carries out great works of charity and bestows the title of “Dame” upon its recipients. 

National Eucharistic Revival

Parishioners responded to the call of our country’s Bishops to revive our understanding and love of the Blessed Sacrament. The parish encouraged greater participation in its weekly time of Eucharistic Adoration, published weekly bulletin articles on the Eucharist.

Jeffrey Carter presented a six week Eucharistic Series at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

May 1 – 15, Our Lady of Sorrows Church was the site of an exhibit on Eucharistic Miracles based on the work of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The exhibit was visited by over 500 people.

The Lumen Christi Cohort sponsored a Mission directed by Fr. Martin O’Reilly, Episcopal Vicar of Burlington County and Pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown. Held at St. Anthony Church, October 23-25, the mission’s theme was “God Keeps His Promises.”

Charitiable Works / Fundraising

In addition to the regular contributions made to the poor boxes the parish undertook:

• The Lenten “Work of Love” aided the Ukrainian war refugees in Poland. Funds were sent to the local bishop with the help of Fr. Jacek Labinski of St. Hedwig’s Parish, Trenton
• “Loaves and Fishes: volunteers prepared meals for the needy at the Cathedral in June.
• A Food Drive was conducted for Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts were provided to the needy through the annual Adopt a Family Project. Two clothing and houseware drives were also conducted. 
• The annual Golf Classic was held at Mercer Oaks, W. Windsor in September. 
• On April 28, The PTA once again sponsored A Knight to Remember which was held at Stone Terrace, Hamilton. The Gala honored Msgrs. Ralph Stansley and Sam Sirianni, Nina Melker, Joseph and Lea Novak, and posthumously, Carolyn Hawkes.
• The annual Summer Project help to fray the cost of restoring stained glass windows at Our Lady of Sorrows and the installation of security equipment at St. Anthony Church.

Marriage Ministry Activities

During the year, the Marriage Ministry Group sponsored a Holy Hour, a “Flash Mob,” and a Valentine Dinner Dance. An Wedding Anniversary Mass was also held in June.

The Grandparents Celebration on the feast of SS. Joachim and Anne was again held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Celebrant and homilist was Fr. John Paul del Rosario of St. Rose, Belmar. A picnic reception followed in the church hall.

Ministry of Catechesis

The parish initiated a “Summer Intensive Religious Education Program” as alternative to year round weekly classes.

Jeffrey Carter directed a catechetical series, “CARE” based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The series was held once a month for nine months.

Special Events

In addition to the annual Parish Picnic in September, the parish hosted a number of special events:

• On March 4, our parish welcomed PTA delegations from across the diocese for its annual Spring Conference in March held at our school. On the same day, the annual Irish Unity Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony Church. A flag raising took place on the campus following the Mass. 
• We were delighted to welcome as celebrant and homilist of our Solemn Easter Vigil, Bishop David O’Connell.
• A “Pollinator Garden” was blessed and inaugurated in front of our school building. It was established as a sign of support of Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si” which highlighted our duty to be stewards of the earth. 
• In October, the Rosary Altar Society Regional Mass and Reception was held at Our Lady of Sorrows. This event welcomed Rosarians from Mercer and Northern Burlington County. 
• On Gaudete Sunday, December 17, the parish began the practice of the Blessing of the “Bambinelli” begun by Pope St. Paul VI. Families brought the images of the Infant Jesus of their home nativity sets to be blessed at the 11:00 am Mass.