SEWELL – Thanking them for sharing God throughout South Jersey and making him “present in so many wonderful and unique ways,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrated parish pastoral associates in the Diocese with a daylong retreat of reflection and encouragement.
“What you do with your ministry heralds the Kingdom … [and] builds up the Church in Camden,” he said to the 110 gathered March 23 in Church of the Holy Family’s Aquin Hall. The Bishop added that he appreciates “every single ministry that you are involved in. God bless you all.”
The day, which began with morning prayer, was held to give the women and men who model the Gospel in their parish communities a time of respite, especially after two years of working diligently through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donna Ottaviano-Britt, director of the Diocese’s Office of Discipleship and Leadership and secretariat for Pastoral Outreach, praised the pastoral associates as “the glue that holds parish life together. This day is to fill your cup … you’ve poured yourself out to those you serve. You’ve answered the call that the Lord has put upon your heart. He has called [you] with a unique mission that no one else can do.”
She said she hoped that all would “go back to those you serve, refreshed and renewed.”
The Tasks at Hand
Those gathered, who included parish coordinators of faith formation, social justice, communications, music and youth ministry, had the opportunity to discuss common issues, speak with diocesan pastoral staff, take part in roundtable talks and network.
Among those who shared how the Holy Spirit had worked in their own lives and ministries was Ottaviano Britt (speaking on prayer); Jose Rodriguez, diocesan director of Family and Youth Ministry (encounter); Mike Bedics, director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Christian Initiation (discipleship); and Andrés Arango, Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and diocesan director of Evangelization (mission).
Bishop Sullivan referenced three initiatives – local, national and global – in which pastoral associates are already or will be an important part: evangelization, the National Eucharistic Congress and the Synod of Bishops.
Discussing the synod called for by Pope Francis, which has as its theme “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission,” Bishop Sullivan reminded all that just as the synod is focused on listening to the stories of the faithful, so must the pastoral associates listen to the hurts and conflicts of those on the fringes.
“Connect with them, pay attention to what [they] have to say. Talk with them, hear them, maybe cry with them, and understand them as best we can,” he emphasized.
In all its forms, “parish pastoral life … has to be connected with evangelization, proclaiming the Gospel. If it’s not evangelical, stop it,” Bishop Sullivan continued.
The upcoming Eucharistic Revival, which begins June 19 across the nation and will continue over the next three years, is centered to counter a culture’s “failure to understand, and even accept, [the Catholic Church’s] teachings on the mystery of faith.”
“The Holy Eucharist is not a symbol; it is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ; it is the Real Presence,” Bishop Sullivan said.
Prayer for the Journey
In her witness talk, Ottaviano-Britt emphasized the importance of developing a dedicated prayer time and relationship with Jesus. She reflected on how a decade ago – three moments in 18 days – led to a “spiritual desolation, when God felt so far.” Her mother-in-law and her sibling passed away, and her husband had a traumatic head injury.
On Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, “I prayed to Jesus to help me get off the floor,” she explained. “I asked him, ‘I want to be holy; I need you to send fire to me … no matter what happens, [I want] to be filled with joy and love for you.’”
Finding the strength to move forward with Jesus, those moments were “the beginning of my daily prayer life,” she said.
Demonstrating the power of prayer, she led a guided meditation encouraging all to speak to Jesus in an intimate way and imagine that he was seated “right next to us.”
Strength in Numbers
New friendships, talks on the successes and struggles of parish ministry, and words of encouragement flowed throughout the room as parish staff gathered at their tables.
Among the thoughts shared: how those gathered found purpose in helping to stream liturgies during COVID lockdowns; how a personal loss brought them to their current position, and helping special needs children encounter Christ.
Deacon Bob Fanelli, business manager and director of adult ministries at the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill, said meeting other staff helped him see that “the enthusiasm and love of the Lord is contagious.”
His takeaways from the discussions on evangelization, encounter and listening to others, he said, will “make my church more dynamic, and put the faithful’s hearts on fire.”
Sherine Green, director of youth faith formation at Cherry Hill’s Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, called the day a centering experience.
“This time gets me to settle down, step away from the office, see familiar and new faces, and be nourished,” she said.
For Diane Keenan, parish catechetical leader at Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Absecon, the most powerful moment of the day came when all were asked who had known someone who died of COVID-19. Every hand was raised.
“We were grieving together,” she said. “I looked around and realized I wasn’t alone. It was unifying.”
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