In my assignment as pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton, in 2016, I was happy to discover that the Catholic War Veterans Post 1578 (Immaculate Conception Memorial) was active in the parish. The post had been chartered shortly after World War II, in 1948. In fact, one charter member still belongs to the post, Anthony Scafidi of Rosenhayn. Mr. Scafidi served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In addition to Mr. Scafidi, there are three members who had served during World War II: John Bertolini (Navy), Deacon C.J. Achée (Navy) and Dominic Pino (Army Air Corps). Deacon Achée served as the post’s chaplain prior to my arrival at the parish.
My grandfather, an Army veteran of World War I, served as post commander of the Catholic War Veterans in South Philadelphia. With my arrival at Holy Cross, I became an auxiliary member of the CWV and have served as chaplain ever since. I find great satisfaction in serving our veterans as well as parishioners who are actively serving in the military, helping them to grow in their Catholic faith. In addition to the challenges that society brings to living our faith, military service – especially in combat or in conflicts – can also present significant faith hurdles.
Surprisingly and sadly, the CWV Post 1578 is the only active post in the entire Diocese of Camden! In fact, it is the only post south of Trenton! Nonetheless, our post has been working hard to recruit new members from both within and outside the parish. Since 2016, we have recruited veterans and those who are in active service or in the U.S. Reserves. I am proud to say that members of our post have served in almost every decade – from the 1940s to the 2020s. Our oldest members are in their 90s, and our youngest are in their 20s. We even have two diocesan priests – Father John March (Marine Corps) and Father Jim Betz (Army) – who have recently joined our post. Within the next few years, we hope to begin another post in Williamstown. This will require a sufficient number of members – 15 to open the post. Thus, we are opening membership to Catholics throughout our Diocese.
The Catholic War Veterans and its Auxiliary have their roots in early 1935, when Father (later Monsignor) Edward J. Higgins of the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered parishioners who served in World War I to form the first CWV post. The post was attached to the Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria, Queens, and is still active today. Eventually the posts began to multiply, and in 1940, the Veterans Administration recognized the Catholic War Veterans as an organization. By 1948, CWV posts and Auxiliary branches were organized in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Washington, D.C.
The CWV and Auxiliary received a Congressional Charter by the U.S. Congress in 1984, which expressed admiration for their commitment to serve both God and country. The CWV and Auxiliary are one of three national veterans organizations that are decidedly religious and the only one that is Catholic. Specific “war-time” service is not a requirement to become a member. Any baptized Catholic serving or who has served in the Armed Forces, was discharged under honorable conditions, or has served on active duty for 90 days or longer (including Reserves and National Guard), is eligible for membership.
The Auxiliary is open to baptized Catholic men and women who are related to a veteran or active Armed Forces member of any faith within two degrees. The CWV and Auxiliary seek to promote solidarity among veterans, support veterans in need, promote patriotism and help members to grow in the Catholic faith. The motto of the CWV and Auxiliary is: “Serving ALL veterans with a pride in our Service and a love of our Faith.”
CWV Post 1578 meets once a month at the Holy Cross Parish rectory in Bridgeton. Eligible Catholics are welcomed to “come and see” or to become a member. To learn more, call (609) 364-4610.
Father Matthew R. Weber is pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton.
Want to learn more about the Catholic War Veterans Post 1578? Listen to members talk about the CWV at catholicstarherald.org/catholic-war-veterans-gather
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