Blessing of being able to age celebrated at annual VITALity Mass

VINELAND – On Sept. 29, her 93rd birthday, Helen Angelo didn’t want to blow out any candles. Instead, she wanted to talk about her garden.

“My garden is an absolute joy for me. It helps me understand God better,” she said, further explaining the meaning she finds in the hostas, aucubas and day lilies she tends at her Vineland home.

“The comings, the goings. The buds when you didn’t see them before … and seeing that one grows better because it got a little bit more sun, or a little bit more water. Everything is in God’s plan.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Mass for Centenarians and Nonagenarians

Angelo was happy to share the wisdom she’s gained from a well-cultivated life, as one of the 50 attendees at the Mass for Centenarians and Nonagenarians. Sponsored by VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden, the Mass was celebrated at Saint Isidore the Farmer Church, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish.

Nicole Keefer, VITALity’s executive director, said the Mass and fellowship afterward were an opportunity for the seniors “to celebrate the blessing of being able to age, and to share the wisdom, clarity and deeper spiritual knowledge that they have gained throughout the years.”

Msgr. Roger McGrath, a retired priest of the Diocese, celebrated the Mass; he was assisted by Deacon Joseph Janocha, VITALity’s director of Hospital Chaplaincy.

In his homily, Msgr. McGrath addressed the centenarians and nonagenarians, telling them that with their well-lived lives comes the “reality of the love that our heavenly Father has for each one of us. We may be older in years, but we are still children of God, who cherishes us, cares for us and loves all his children.”

“This is a time to be grateful, to anticipate the wonderful reality that the Father … has destined for each one of us – the glory of eternal life. We can look forward to it with serenity of heart, for we trust in [His] powerful superabundant love,” he said.

Msgr. McGrath, as well, called on those 90 and older to “look back upon the ways in which God’s divine life has been a part of our lives all along, and the blessings we have received.”

After the liturgy, the seniors and their families and friends enjoyed lunch in the parish center.

The oldest honoree, 103-year-old Nicoletta Franchetta from Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, recalled her childhood in Hammonton, spending days growing asparagus and picking blueberries on her parents’ farm. She also recalled the town’s annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival, where “I would get scapulars and roasted chickpeas for my mother every year.”

As a member of the Grange Youth Program in Atlantic County during World War II, she would travel to Fort Dix military post and entertain U.S. troops with her voice and guitar.

Reflecting on her secret to longevity, Franchetta said, “Take care of yourself, eat greens, get some rest.”

Angelo, meanwhile, smiled as those in attendance serenaded her with “Happy Birthday” during the luncheon. Raised in Brooklyn, Angelo has spent the majority of her life in Vineland as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and longtime Cumberland County nurse. 

“It’s just fun to be grateful for the wisdom that God has given us,” Angelo said, admitting that while the extra years can sometimes be “a burden,” they are more often than not “a great joy.”

Rejoicing at the recent birth of her great-grandson, she shared some advice for younger generations. “Go with the flow, and be thankful for the good times. There’s a place for humility, and a place to be proud.” 

In tough times? “Hang in there. The best is yet to be, but it won’t always be easy.”

Christine Willard, VITALity’s manager of parish-based senior programs, said she is grateful for the annual celebration of South Jersey’s centenarians and nonagenarians. “To see these women and men come together in community, and spend time sharing their stories with one another, is such a blessing.”