ABSECON – On the morning of Jan. 19, the practice rooms of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish hummed with energy as the music ministry’s guitarists adjusted their strings and choir members rehearsed their harmonies.
Attendees filtered into the pews, exchanging greetings with old friends and new faces, while others knelt in silent prayer. The church’s bells rang through the crisp morning air, their echoes marking a milestone: the parish’s 50th anniversary.
“Fifty years have passed,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan said in his homily, “in which so many of the thankful have generously offered their gifts to the building of this faithful community.”
A celebration of history, faith
Hundreds filled the church for the celebration of Mass, which was concelebrated by Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams; Father Cosme de la Peña and Father Logan Nilsen, parish pastor and parochial vicar, respectively; and a handful of priests from across the Diocese.
The parish’s longtime members and the late Msgr. Michael Coyne, the founding pastor who died Dec. 31, were recalled for their deep faith and dedication. Following the Mass, parishioners, clergy and religious sisters gathered at the nearby Carriage House for a gala.
Reflecting on Saint Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, which teach about the diversity of spiritual gifts bestowed by God, Bishop Sullivan acknowledged the many ways parishioners have shared their unique talents to serve the parish and advance its mission of loving service, sacraments and charity.
Photo Gallery: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish 50th Anniversary
“So many of the faithful have generously offered different gifts for the building up of this community of faith,” Bishop Sullivan said. “Fifty years of varieties of ministries with services to countless persons. Fifty years of different works have been realized as each generation of parishioners has responded to the particular circumstances of their time.”
Since its founding in 1975, the parish has flourished – growing in membership, expanding its faith-sharing spaces and enriching its service opportunities. Parishioners contribute across more than 15 ministries, from youth groups and the choir to meal distribution programs and visitations at nursing homes and hospitals. Over the decades, these acts of service and faith reflect a community united by devotion and purpose, clergy said.
“We must acknowledge the late Monsignor Coyne for the strong foundation of this parish,” said Father de la Peña. “He instilled the Catholic faith in the hearts and minds of the people. We treasure that legacy, and we must continue it.”
Voices from the parish
“I get emotional when I think about this parish. It’s so close to my heart,” said Herb Kraker, 81, a founding parishioner whose ties to the parish run deep.
Born in Yugoslavia, Kraker and his family were displaced during World War II, eventually finding refuge in a camp in Austria. At nine years old, the National Catholic Welfare Conference sponsored his family’s relocation to the United States, where they settled on a farm in Lakewood, N.J. His family donated the church steeple when it was built in 1975.
“I wouldn’t be here without the Catholic Church,” he said.
For the Scalice family, the parish has been a cornerstone of their lives for four generations. Jennifer and Raymond, along with their children – James, 19; Alex, 17; Nicholas, 14; and Kaitlyn, 10 – are deeply involved in parish life.
“The family and community we’ve made here is so special,” Jennifer Scalice said.
She added that the parish’s history is especially personal for her, as she received all her sacraments there and got married in the church. Her grandparents were founding parishioners, and her parents helped organize the gala. Now, their children represent the parish’s future.
Alex and Nicholas served as altar servers during the Mass. For Alex, the parish shaped his sense of community and service. “I didn’t really know what to do my second time as an altar server,” he said. “An older server showed me the way, and I learned a lot. Now, I try to help the younger boys.”
Glitter and gratitude
At the Carriage House, a banquet was in full effect, bathed in the glow of candlelight and the smooth swing of big band jazz. Parishioners, dressed in sparkling gowns and starched suits, shared stories and laughter, their voices blending with the clink of silverware.
In the entrance hall, photo albums were spread open, displaying decades of parish memories. Attendees paused to reflect, smiling as they recognized themselves and friends in the photographs.
Sandy Leone, co-chair of the event planning committee and a parish member for more than 25 years, said that while the festivities took two years to organize, it was a labor of love.
“We wanted to help others appreciate all the work of our founders and community to get to this point. The most rewarding part has been sharing the vision of walking in discipleship and love to honor our parish’s golden years and continue its mission for the future.”
Celebrations will continue throughout the year, with special events, fellowship gatherings, and spiritual series planned for the parish. In a tribute to the late founding pastor, it was also announced that Michigan Avenue, between White Horse Pike and New Jersey Avenue, would be renamed Monsignor Michael J. Coyne Way, honoring his lasting impact on the community.
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