Editor’s Note: On this feast of the Immaculate Conception – Dec. 8, a Holy Day of Obligation – the City of Camden’s three Catholic parishes invite all faithful to a bilingual Mass at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. A procession and recitation of the rosary and will follow; a rosary card with this image by Brother Mickey McGrath will be available. The Cathedral is located at 642 Market Street.
For the past 16 years that I have lived and worked in Camden, I have felt blessed to be a part of two vibrant parishes, each of which I love: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where I live; and Sacred Heart Parish in South Camden, where I work in my studio.
That said, I was delighted when our Cathedral rector, Father Adam Cichoski, commissioned a holy card image to celebrate the feast day of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. It shows the patrons of our three Camden City parishes with Mary standing on the right; on the left, Saint Joseph represents Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral in East Camden; and in the center is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Standing together in front of Camden’s Cathedral, this Holy Family symbolizes the unified Church of our South Jersey Diocese.
Like the City of Camden itself, our parishes continually face many economic and social challenges. Church attendance is down and school enrollments are always a concern. Old buildings are in need of attention, and diverse cultural realities must be honored and embraced. As is the case with any modern American city, poverty, homelessness, addictions and fears of violence run rampant. But if we stay united in heart and spirit, we will live the Gospel message of peace and unity so desperately needed in our world today.
Because I have a variety of friends all across town, both priests and parishioners, religious sisters and lay folks alike, I also have hope. We each bring our unique gifts and concerns to the table, as well as our simple joys and acts of kindness. Like our three heavenly guides and patrons seen here, we are united in our love for the Church and our determination to move forward in Christian solidarity.
My heavenly BFF, Saint Francis de Sales, used to say: “We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast and our trust fixed on God.” The longer I am here, the more those words touch my heart and urge me forward.
Brother Mickey McGrath, an Oblate of Saint Francis de Sales, is an award-winning artist and author who lives in Camden.
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