Doing the Ordinary Well

“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.

Six years ago, Father John Fisher, OSFS, had finished presiding at his first Mass as pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, when a warm, welcoming couple, Bob and Bonnie Cavanaugh, introduced themselves. They said that they would help the parish in whatever way needed.

The next thing Father Fisher knew, the couple installed LED lighting inside, cleaned the floors and helped with a variety of other projects.

“Bob set up lighting outside on Market Street for all to see the Cathedral as a majestic symbol of hope and peace as they entered Camden in the evenings,” Father Fisher said.

The couple’s generosity was also making a positive impact on Holy Name School in North Camden.

“Bonnie graduated from the school and enjoyed giving back,” Bob Cavanaugh said. “Her dedication enabled me to develop a passion for helping the students.” 

The couple initiated and sponsored a Christmas party at the Catholic school, complete with gifts to every student, teacher and staff member. They even arranged for a carnival company to set up train rides for the younger students in the gym. Other popular activities introduced by the couple included Easter baskets filled by Bonnie Cavanaugh and the annual eighth-grade night at the Phillies game.

As the Cavanaughs undertook all of this stewardship in Camden, their permanent residence was in Florida.

“We moved from New Jersey in 1985. My work in waste management and recycling took me all over the country, so we decided we might as well settle in sunny Florida,” Cavanaugh said.

Throughout the years, business frequently brought Cavanaugh back to Camden. Those trips stirred up fond childhood memories of his time as a student at the former Saint Mary’s School, which had been affiliated with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. As a boy, he sang in the choir and was an altar server, serving many Masses at the Cathedral.

“About 20 years ago, while traveling in New Jersey for business, I decided to give back to the church that helped form my faith,” Cavanaugh said.

At that time, he attended a Mass at the Cathedral and deposited a donation in the offertory. Msgr. Michael Mannion, STL, MA, pastor at that time, reached out and thanked him for his generosity. A bond formed, and the couple’s volunteerism with both the parish and Holy Name school began. They remained steadfast in their support as new pastors were appointed.

“Faithful stewards like the Cavanaughs are a gift,” Father Fisher said. “Whenever there is a need, Bob’s our go-to guy. One winter, the heater to the parish house stopped working. Bob and an associate installed a new one in record time. There have been many other projects, too numerous to recall, that he and his FOBS (friends of Bob), as I like to call them, have undertaken.”

“But, what won my profound admiration for him was how he accompanied his dear Bonnie throughout a terminal diagnosis of cancer,” Father Fisher continued. “The wedding vows promised over 50 years ago were lived as never before. He taught us about marital love and fidelity, how two become one, and now how love is indeed stronger than death. Never a day goes by when he does not miss her, but in his fidelity and love for Bonnie and others, we see her spirit alive.”

As Bonnie Cavanaugh went through cancer treatments, the couple who were accustomed to giving became the recipients of kindness. For example, Cavanaugh spoke of how Father Fisher took time to visit during a retreat a few hours from their home in Florida.

“The fact that he drove out of his way to visit when she was ill meant so much to Bonnie,” Cavanaugh said. “The Church and our commitment to service were so important to her, she asked me to continue volunteering as long as I could.”

Bonnie Cavanaugh passed away in June 2020. Since then, Cavanaugh has carried out his wife’s request. He said that helping others helps him maintain a positive outlook on life.

Today, his stewardship extends throughout Camden and beyond. Currently, he is involved in: renovating the restrooms in Saint Joseph Church, a worship site of the Cathedral parish; participating in the parish’s Reach More, and evangelization program that focuses on small group Scripture sharing; contributing to the ministry of Sister Helen Cole, SSJ, at Guadalupe Family Services, and the annual Christmas party at Holy Name, which recently named its cafeteria after Bonnie and awarded Bob with an honorary diploma.

In addition, Father Fisher noted, “Bob is always one of the lead contributors to the yearly House of Charity-Bishop’s Annual Appeal, The Catholic Strong Capital Campaign, and dare I forget, the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. If someone is in need, Bob responds. He lives the exhortation of Saint Francis de Sales to ‘do the ordinary extraordinarily well.’”

Cavanaugh is quick to deflect any praise, noting that many others join him in stewardship, contributing their time, talent and financial support. He’s proud that his children and grandchildren have followed his lead and support Holy Name’s Christmas party.

“In fact,” he said, “A group of us are about to work on a facelift for Cathedral Hall. Volunteers are needed for painting, fixing curtains and more. The more the merrier. Come join us!”

Stacy Napolitano is special events producer for the diocesan Office of Development.