“The Call to Stewardship” is a periodic series profiling individuals and families throughout the Diocese of Camden who have shown an inspiring response to the call to Christian stewardship highlighted in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
When their oldest son was entering pre-school 15 years ago, Patrick and Michelle Rosenello chose Saint Ann School in Wildwood, where they were welcomed like family.
“St. Ann’s invited parents in for lunch and field trips and other volunteer opportunities. It was a wonderful community,” Michelle Rosenello said.
As the couple’s three young sons grew, the family attended many events at both the parish and school. They became faithful stewards contributing time, talent and treasure. The boys, Gavin, Blake and Payton, each volunteered as altar servers. Patrick Rosenello accepted an invite to serve on the school’s advisory board. Since then, the school has merged to become part of Wildwood Catholic Academy, where Rosenello is now advisory board chairman. He fits this volunteerism in along with his duties as mayor of North Wildwood and a career in commercial real estate management. His wife serves on the parish finance council. For many years, she was involved in PTA.
“We’re doers,” Michelle Rosenello said. “We felt a pull to be involved in the school and church. I love that the school was rooted in service so that helping others would become second nature to the boys. This continued into high school. I can speak for my oldest, in particular, that he really enjoyed continuing serving at a local food pantry throughout high school.”
The Rosenellos’ roles on the parish and school boards enabled them to make a difference when Wildwood Catholic threatened to close and went through a merger in 2020.
“The Rosenellos are a faithful, sterling example of a model family. We’re blessed by their stewardship on so many levels. Most pointedly, they’ve been a tremendous assistance at Wildwood Catholic Academy,” said Father Cadmus Mazzarella, pastor of Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Wildwood.
Father Mazzarella explained that the school is a central part of the parish and very important to the community in the Wildwoods. He believes that accounts for the way the community responds to the school’s needs. He also credits Patrick Rosenello’s guidance and professional rapport throughout the community as contributing to the school’s success.
“Patrick is a Christian gentleman who is kind and giving. He’s honest in working with and serving others. The Lord has called him in a beautiful way,” Father Mazzarella said.
Both Patrick and Michelle Rosenello are alumni of Wildwood Catholic High School. Patrick Rosenello also attended Saint Ann School. In fact, he was the eighth of nine children in his family who went through Catholic school. He even went onto The Catholic University of America in Washington, where his oldest son, Gavin, now attends.
“My mom was a lunch mom and then a guidance secretary. I was inspired by her to become involved,” Patrick Rosenello said. “In addition, when I was a student, I benefitted from the personal attention and focus on the individual that Catholic schools provided. I don’t think I would be where I am right now without my Catholic education, especially in the early years.”
His wife agreed, saying, “So many areas of our life are enriched by our faith. I feel like giving back is a gift to yourself.”
The mission of the Office of Stewardship is to help the disciples of Christ who live in the Diocese of Camden to live out Christian charity in a sacrificial way that “we might understand the grace that comes from giving back from our blessings so that in all things God may be glorified.” For more information, contact Deacon Russell Davis at 856-583-6102.
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