BRIDGETON – Catholic military service members and veterans from World War II to the present gathered at Holy Cross Parish’s Immaculate Conception Church on May 17 to mark the diamond jubilee of the Catholic War Veterans Immaculate Conception Memorial Post 1578 and honor their fallen sisters and brothers.
The only organization of its kind in the Diocese of Camden, the post unites members through their military service and Catholic faith, and supports veterans and causes in charity.
Photo Gallery: Catholic War Veterans Post
“I salute all you for your faith and service. God bless you,” said Bishop Joseph L. Coffey of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, who celebrated Mass before a reception and light luncheon honoring the post’s 75 years. The auxiliary bishop – who served for decades in the military, including active duty as a U.S. Navy chaplain – currently ministers in veterans hospitals across the United States.
Sharing the story of Pope John Paul II, whose seminary studies were spent underground in World War II Poland, Bishop Coffey mentioned that after the Allied victory, the future saint called military service “an honorable profession.”
“My brothers and sisters, what we have done with our service was an honorable thing to do,” the bishop said.
Father Matthew Weber, pastor of Holy Cross Parish and chaplain for Post 1578, concelebrated Mass. Deacons Bill Johnson, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and Charles Dillin, an Air Force veteran who serves in Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Sicklerville, assisted. Veterans, post members, widows, friends and family filled the pews, with one symbolically left empty for prisoners of war and those missing in action.
“[The Mass] was a wonderful way to bring together so many, to connect and to spread the word about the Catholic War Veterans,” Father Weber said.
He was thankful not only for Bishop Coffey’s presence, but that of Francis Kowalski, past national commander of Catholic War Veterans, USA. Their attendance, he said, “was a great honor as we begin our 75th anniversary.”
Other touches to mark the day included a memorial to past service members; the playing of the national anthem and “God Bless America,” and an offertory of poppies, symbolizing the blood shed by veterans in battle.
Marcony Ortiz Lopez, 26, a parishioner of Holy Cross who served as an altar server for the liturgy, recently completed five years in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Kentucky and Syria. He calls his service “a privilege and duty.”
Now in Post 1578, he relishes the opportunity to learn from the older veterans and hear their stories. “I respect them so much,” he said.
He was present with his cousin, Cristell Lopez Morales, who has been in the U.S. Navy for five years, serving in Japan and California. She is currently on leave until next month, when she will deploy to Cuba and Guantanamo Bay.
“Whenever she comes back, I bring her to meetings,” Ortiz Lopez said of his cousin, who he hopes one day will become a full-fledged Catholic War Veterans member.
One of those he has learned from is 96-year-old Anthony Scafidi, a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. His years have not diminished his passion for God and country.
“I’m proud to be a Catholic, and I thank God I could serve my country, and honor Christ,” Scafidi said.
At the reception, there was a display commemorating the Catholic War Veterans’ history in Bridgeton. Included was a World War I helmet and CWV member jacket of Sgt. John Delaney, grandfather of Father Weber; and photos of Father Thomas J. Gooley, former Immaculate Conception pastor, and Charles Patitucci, in recognition of the latter’s service and loyalty to Post 1578.
Audio was also played detailing the sacrifices of veterans such as U.S. Army chaplain and Servant of God Emil J. Kapaun, whose cause for sainthood is currently being investigated.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
