In photo at left: Father Jaromir Michalak, pastor, Deacon Matt Hanrahan and Core Team members stand behind statues representing their new parish, St. Michael the Archangel (center) and the parishes from which it was established, Nativity (left) and St. Catherine of Siena.
Throughout the Diocese of Camden, Catholics of merging parishes have been finding ways to combine resources in an effort to establish parishes that are have more than a new name, parishes that can make the most of what they have with a new enthusiasm.
St. Michael the Archangel— formed from the unification of St. Catherine of Siena in Clayton and the Church of the Nativity in Franklinville — is typical in that the pastor and Core Team led the way, with parishioners then working together to form a new, but also renewed, faith community
Many parishioners voiced agreement that the merge is a positive move as there is a lot to gain. Some families have already worked together because of the school, St. Michael the Archangel in Clayton. But now there is anticipation and excitement at what is possible together for this new parish.
The school offers a facility that will be used for the youth to attend classes for religious education and also has a social hall in which many events, both spiritual and social, can take place.
People from the new parish have already come together to work on bereavement and other committees. The existing food pantry will continue to serve the community and always welcomes help. The choir will have the opportunity to grow with more singers and director Vicky Nichols is always happy to welcome singers.
The first Mass of the new parish was celebrated on Sept. 29, fittingly the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel.
Father Jaromir Michalak, pastor, stressed the importance of solidarity and love for all people to work together in the new parish, saying, “The mystery of God’s kingdom on earth, a reign of justice, love and truth, can only be known by the witness of those who are committed to a better society, as God envisions it. Witnessing for God’s reign implies unity, justice and vision for the future.
“Christianity has its long history of men and women who apply that message to their life’s situation,” he said. “All should accept this challenge in the church of our time and culture. ”
Joyce Massott-Burnett (Core Team Member) said, “For me attending the Mass on the 29th was especially heartwarming. Though I believe the merger process provided an opportunity for us to take the best ideas, practices, customs and traditions from St. Catherine’s and Nativity and to lay the foundation for a stronger, more vibrant parish; the process was long and at times challenging. I think Father Jaromir’s words were so true. He said this is the start of our new life as a new community and his homily expressed the importance of unity. Seeing people finally coming together, sharing together and talking about working together; was heartwarming and you could feel the unity growing.”
Deacon Matt Hanrahan spoke for many when he said,“ I am really looking forward to working with the people as we form this new parish.”
Anne Ellena, who has worked at St. Catherine’s for 21 years, sat in a front pew for the first Mass, along with her husband Dennis, also a longtime volunteer in the parish. She said, “I think for many people our parish is like a second family, and after meeting so many wonderful new family members I am sure that we will grow in number and in Spirit in our new parish.”
A longtime member of Nativity, Michael Lachowicz remarked, “I can understand the anxiety many parishioners have expressed regarding the merger of our two parishes and the possible loss of the unique identity of our local churches. Since we cannot change the circumstances which created the need for this action, we should with an open mind relish the challenge and reach out and develop new relationships with the parishioners of our sister church so we may truly become one. This way we can try to experience the summation of Corinthians 13: ‘there are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.’”
Both Nativity and St. Catherine are rather young parishes, with St. Catherine beginning in 1943 with a first Mass on Christmas Eve in the home of the Ianni family. For Nativity Mass was first offered in the home of William Dougherty and then in the Franklinville fire hall until the “little” church was built in 1948. Both were mission churches, St. Catherine’s of St. Bridget’s in Glassboro and Nativity of St. Rose in Newfield for several years.
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