CLIFTON Major superiors of religious orders serving the Paterson Diocese met with Bishop Serratelli at their annual meeting in the St. John Paul II Center here Nov. 24.
Sister of Christian Charity Joan Daniel Healy, the Diocese’s chancellor/delegate for religious, coordinated the meeting and the agenda, which included the collaborative effort made by religious to successfully create the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women in Passaic; reaching out to immigrants; and updates about the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) audit of the Diocese’s child protection program and the ongoing restoration project at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.
Bishop Serratelli also gave a report on the fall USCCB meeting he attended and some of the Diocese’s plans to celebrate the Year of Mercy and also the celebration in the Diocese after the cathedral restoration is completed in the next year. Afterward, the religious enjoyed lunch together and then were invited to tour the Diocesan Pastoral Center and the St. John Paul II Center.
Sister Joan Daniel told the religious, “It’s wonderful we are able to meet together between the Feast of Christ the King and the celebration of Thanksgiving. There’s an electric atmosphere here today and this gathering is an opportunity to meet and get to know each other.”
A common theme in the meeting was about collaboration and using the different charisms and talents of the religious orders in the Diocese. Sister of Christian Charity Ann Marie Paul, director of the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women, along with Filippini Sister Ascenza Tizzano, provincial superior, and Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Conception Eleanor Goekler, provincial coordinator, revisited the Passaic initiative through prayer and a slideshow. The idea for the center began in 2011 and since then has had more than 3,000 visits by women living in the inner city.
“This is our project; be proud of the accomplishments we have made in serving the poor.” Sister Ascenza said. Sister Ann Marie added, “We could not do this alone. This collaborative effort called forth the gifts of so many.”
The religious also learned about First Friends, an organization which supports detained immigrants and asylum seekers. Ruby Cribbin of the organization told the religious, “You are a group of people in touch with your members and this issue is happening right here in many of our nearby detention centers. These people are full of despair and I invite you to be a friend or volunteer.”
Many retired religious can get involved with First Friends and its letter writing initiative, which invites people to be a pen pal for a detained person. Other ways people can help is by visiting an immigrant or refugee, donating writing materials and stamps, offering temporary housing, advocating to change laws, participating in vigils and donating to the organization’s mission.
Following the two presentations, Msgr. James Mahoney, vicar general, and diocesan staff updated the religious on the Diocese’s “Protecting God’s Children” program and the recent USCCB audit, which the Diocese passed, having been found to be compliant in all areas by the auditors. The religious were also informed about the progress on the restoration of the Cathedral of St. John in Paterson.
Bishop Serratelli told the religious, “I’m always open to new ideas and once again, I want to thank you for the enthusiasm as religious, both men and women, that you give to our great Diocese. We live in a very difficult time. People are frightened because of terrorism; church attendance is low. We need to get people to know and to love Jesus and become an active part of the Church. That happens by us — one on one — and I just want to thank you for the work you do in that regard.”
Presentation Sister Mary Byrnes, who is part of her order’s leadership team, said, “It was an excellent and informative meeting with a good mixture of different orders serving the Diocese in attendance. The whole presentation on the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women was inspiring and reminds us about the importance of serving the poor. I remember when we sat down discussing it before it began.”
“The meeting was very positive with a strong emphasis on serving the community and outreach to the poor,” said Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth Rosemary Moynihan, superior. “The meeting was very positive with a strong emphasis on serving the community and outreach to the poor. I’m also grateful to the Bishop who gives religious of the diocese a lot of support. It means a lot.”
Precious Blood Sister Maria Goretti Chaloux, prioress, called the meeting “very helpful, especially knowing about what is happening in the Diocese such as updates on the cathedral.”
“It was a fabulous meeting and magnificent to have this collaboration whether you are contemplative or active in serving the Church,” said Hermit of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Sister Teresa Margaret DeBois, prioress.
“It was great to see everyone again. The meeting was spiritually and socially stimulating,” said Sister of Christian Charity Mary Edward Sphorer, provincial superior, and former diocesan chancellor/delegate for religious.
Information: rcdop.org or consecratedlifepaterson.org.