Save St Mary's Malaga

Diocese continues to use irrelevant national data to justify its actions

2008-07-04T16:11:52Z

(Link below.)

Again, the thing the Diocese just doesn't seem to get is that they are not giving any local demographic statistics to justify the trends they say exist. Just because a general trend is occurring nationally doesn't mean that that same trend can be applied to every specific region. This is a basic principle of sociology, of course. But apparently the bishop and Mr. Walton think that if they throw a bunch of numbers out to the population at large they'll be dumb enough to buy it. Many don't trust the bishops after they mishandled the sex abuse scandal or think fighting a bishop is useless since they'll run roughshod over the laity anyway. What difference will these misleading numbers make to them?

As I've said before, here in South Jersey, there are only two urban centers, by definition: Camden and Atlantic City. Even if there is a Catholic exodus from these areas, church closure is not necessarily the answer. At St. Bart's in Camden, for example, which is a parish that was established in particular for the Black Catholic population, parishioners drive from various locations to attend this church. In other words, just because the Catholic population in an area may shift, this does not always mean that the church is underutilized.* People are attached to their churches for many reasons, and it has been shown in recent years that the local (or most geographically expedient) church is not always the one people choose to attend. I myself drive past countless Catholic churches to attend the two churches to which I belong. My neighbors on one side attend one Catholic church, across the street another, and next door to me on the other side yet another. We all live in the same town on the same block and between the four houses we attend five different churches in a total of three different towns. At one church I attend, I don't think I know any parishioner who actually lives in that particular town.

About the most they give us in this article is the following: "Local shifts in population also have occurred." ??? They continue to fail to give any specific information about particular parishes which are situated in areas with significantly decreased Catholic populations. While I'm sure there are a few such parishes, I hardly believe the far-reaching changes the bishop proposes in any way meet the actual statistical data. I am so confident that they are wrong in their conclusions, in fact, that if I had all the time in the world I'd pour over the census data myself. (Unfortunately I have a job and two young children, so I don't anticipate this happening.)

There are at least two things the Diocese, intent on only sociological planning (and poor planning at that) rather than Godly action, have missed altogether:

1. These days, particularly due to the fact that there are churches that do not unapologetically embrace the fullness of the Church's teachings, people will drive to get to a Catholic church they want to and in conscience can attend. St. Mary's and St. Bart's are only two such churches in the diocese. There are definitely others: St. Peter's in Merchantville, the Cathedral in Camden, Mater Ecclesiae in Berlin, St. Catherine's in Clayton, St. Lawrence in Lindenwold, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Absecon, etc.

2. We are to evangelize! We are Christians! The bishop's answer to decreasing numbers of practicing Catholics is to close the churches they were baptized and received the sacraments in? Take away the only church that fallen-away Catholics have any attachment to and you take away their last remaining connection to the faith. Besides this, if population changes are truly occurring to the point where drastic action is needed, that drastic action is evangelization, not church closure!!! Maybe instead of investing all this time and money on how to close down churches and turn a profit from property sales, he should be thinking instead about how to win hearts and minds for Christ and his One, True Church. Fill up those pews again, then, don't take away people's houses of God! (Boy I bet they're glad they didn't pack it in in Europe when church attendance fell away. The tourist trade at all those old churches is quite lucrative.)

In any case, without exerting ourselves, we can use their own information to disprove their argument. In the past, the bishop has talked about major population increases in the Pitman area, for example. In fact, Bishop Galante has on several occasions sung the praises of the evanglelical protestant Gloucester County Community Church. Well GCCC is two blocks from the Pitman line, and yet he wants to close down Our Lady Queen of Peace in Pitman? That makes no sense. In just about every instance I can think of, Galante and McGrath are seeking to close churches in areas where there is significant population growth.

Again, take the Malaga and Waterford areas. Both these areas are experiencing development, population influx not decrease, and yet Galante and McGrath want to close both these churches (St. Mary's and St. Anthony's). The rationale given (among many depending on the day of the week) is that people don't live in these areas anymore and demographics are shifting. Huh? Just goes to show they haven't done their homework and actually explored these geographic areas. Have exploratory/preliminary studies been done? Doesn't seem like it. All you have to do is look around and see houses going up and know people are moving in, not out.

So far as I can tell, the real reason for the destruction of the Diocese is that Galante, McGrath, and Volmer simply do not like traditional Catholic churches, particularly not small ones. It's an issue of preference. They embrace a different model of church altogether and wish to radically change the face of Catholicism in South Jersey. Just look at the churches the bishop seems to like: Gloucester County Community Church and St. John the Evangelist in Naples, FL. One is protestant and the other a liberal McMegachurch. But if they gave their true reasons, who would be behind them? Hardly anyone is now, can you imagine if they were administered a truth serum and were forced to lay bare their real motivations? We must pray for their conversion, it's our best hope and their best hope. Bishop Galante is the bishop of our Diocese, we must pray for his soul and those who will be affected by these actions!

*Of course, while claiming to promote "unity within our diversity," according to the mission statement of the Diocese, Galante plans to close the only Catholic church in the diocese that was established for the Black population. What an insult. But that is another matter.

Read here if you want to waste your time with more propaganda.

Gloucester County Times article about COP

2008-07-04T15:43:25Z

Quote:

Local Catholics continued to speak out against diocesan plans to consolidate parishes by holding another demonstration at a local church Wednesday.... "We are going to be here until he reconsiders his illogical, inane decision," said Charlotte Ryan, council [Council of Parishes] co-chair and member of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Pitman.... "If we all stick together we can stop this process in its entirety," said Leah Vassallo, council co-chair and member of St. Mary's in Malaga.

Not a bad article at all, and very favorable to us, in my opinion. The media tide has turned dramatically away from the Diocese, it seems, and the Diocese is increasingly grasping at straws. It's a shame that those who oppose the movement to save God's true Church and churches in South Jersey don't realize that they are on the wrong side of the struggle.

Read the article here.

This, of course, is good news

2008-07-04T15:32:34Z

Receiving the Eucharist kneeling will be the norm at papal masses

Read the story here on CNS.

7/5: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria

2008-07-04T12:55:59Z

1502-1539

"True spiritual life consists in this: that man keeps his eyes on God all the time. Long for nothing but for God, keep nothing in mind but God, begin every single action in the Lord's name, and direct it to Him." (Sermon II)

On my traditional Catholic calendar I saw that tomorrow's saint was Anthony Mary Zaccaria, a saint I knew nothing about. Since I like to learn about the more obscure saints, I thought I'd look him up. Although I haven't explored it at length yet, I stumbled on wonderful site dedicated to him. (I have sent you to the "preface" section. There is also a novena, a thirteen-part "spiritual theme" section, a ten-part "life of" section [actually 12 if you count the preface and intro], a "daily lesson in holiness" section for everyday devotions, pictures, and more.) This saint is especially relevant since our Holy Father declared the Year of St. Paul, and St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria founded religious and lay societies dedicated to St. Paul. The website and book put online were both put together by Fr. Robert B. Kosek, CRSP, PhD. It is a treasure. Check it out.

About the saint: After having finished medical school at the young age of 22, he became a priest and founded the Congregation of the Regular Clerks of St. Paul, sanctioned by Pope Clement VII in 1533. Their rule bound them to "regenerate and revive the love of the Divine worship, and a truly Christian way of life by frequent preaching and the faithful administration of the sacraments." He also founded an order of nuns called the Angelicals of St. Paul and also the Laity of St. Paul. The saint also helped reform certain nuns, helping bring their congregations into a stricter and more rigorous religious life. Notably, heresies were running rampant in northern Italy at this point in time, including the Lutherans. St. Anthony and his fellow missionaries sought to correct these heresies, preaching often. To read more about his life, go to newadvent (see this entry) or the site dedicated to him (see above).

* * *

...no matter how excellent a quality knowledge is, it, too, is of very small advantage, as Solomon can prove to you by his own story. For, notwithstanding his great public and world wide reputation for having superior knowledge, he is believed by some to have ended up at the bottom of hell. Even if this were not true, he cannot be cleared of the fact that, despite all his great wisdom, he committed countless and grave sins of lust and of idolatry. Indeed, the servant who knows his master's will and does not do it, will be punished more severely, as Christ says (Luke 12:47). (From the saint's fourth sermon)

Since we have chosen such a great apostle Paul as our guide and father and claim to follow him, we should try to put his teaching and example into practice in our lives. (St. Anthony to the Barnabites)

You have decided to give yourselves to Christ and I desire that you do not fall victims to lukewarmness, but rather that you grow more and more fervant. (Letter to Mr. Bernardo Omodei and Madonna Laura)

Another Letter to the Editor

2008-07-04T12:25:57Z

This one is by James Stephenson. I was handed the letter but I'm not sure to which newspaper(s) he sent it. I'm impressed with several of his points, since they are ones not often stressed, and he is speaking from the point of view of a senior.

Re: CLOSING CATHOLIC CHURCHES

I've been reading with interest the heart breaking stories from people who are having their churches closed. I agree with them for the most part. I, though, have a different concern. Is this bishop truly Catholic? What true shepherd would insult the greater portion of his flock by calling their churches "Wawa churches"? Then he insults seniors by saying we only go to church to socialize. No, your Excellency, we go to church to praise, honor, glorify, and worship God in general and Jesus Christ in particular. I have to wonder why he goes to church!

No, we donot need his day care either! Most of his daily communicants are seniors who are also responsible for much of the upkeep of the buildings and grounds.

1. What bothers me more is his remark about needing mega-churches with paid ministries,not small churches that focus on celebrating liturgies. Is he trying to get rid of the mass? The mass is about the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Get rid of liturgy, whether mega or small church and you have no Catholic faith.

2. Also, his remark about faith being about relationships, not about rules. Once again, the Catholic Church is all about rules. The rules that Jesus Christ gave us to run his Church, that is what sets us apart from other faiths.

3. This one really makes me wonder where His Excellency is coming from! He says the traditional hierarchy of the churches must change--the hierarchical setup that's been in place for two thousand years--just because Bishop Galante says so. And he wants to replace it with lay people?I repeat, is he truly Catholic? Is he trying to destroy the Camden, New Jersey Diocese with his grand scheme of mega-churches?

If we have a shortage of priests,he is part of the problem, not the solution. To date he has removed at least twenty good, orthodox priests from their parishes, some of whom have served under three and four other bishops with no problem.

Why not return them to active church service? And why has he only removed orthodox priests???

Most of the remarks that I refer to are in the 02/04/08 Courier Post.*

James Stephenson
Malaga, New Jersey

*I think he means the remarks of Galante to which he refers are taken from an article published in the Courier Post. Would it have been 04/02, though?

An Interesting Comparison

2008-07-03T18:56:38Z

Last week someone handed me the "mission statements" of both the Camden Diocese and Philadelphia Archdiocese, asking me to place them both online as a means of comparison, line by line. Personally, I am not a big fan of mission statements, particularly for religious bodies. I think they are too corporate and, after all, we have creeds so I'm not entirely sure I understand the point of the mission statement. But it is definitely interesting to note the differences.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia                              Diocese of Camden
We, the faithful of the Roman Catholic                  We, the Catholic Church of South
Church in Philadelphia                                              Jersey

in communion with our Holy Father,                     envision growing ever more into
shepherd of the universal Church, and                  dynamic community of faith,
our Archbishop, shepherd of the Church               hope, and love wherein we reveal
in Philadelphia, proclaim to everyone                      the mind and heart of Jesus through
the Good News that Jesus Christ is                             our actions and worship.
the Light of the world, who offers to all
who follow Him the light of life.

Baptized into Christ Jesus and confirmed               Empowered by baptism, inspired
by the gift of the Holy Spirit, we desire                     by the Holy Spirit, and formed by
to share this Light with all by proclaiming               the Word of God and the sacraments,
the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation          especially the Eucharist, we will--
to every person.                                                                 with Jesus living in us--reach out
                                                                                                    with love:

We are one in our Church's teachings
and in the variety of gifts, services, and
ministries that we employ to help build
up the Kingdom of God. We therefore
commit ourselves to:

-worship God in spirit and truth through                  -To proclaim and teach the truths
"prayer without ceasing," and particularly               that save,
through the celebration of the Eucharist
and the other sacraments of the Church;

-create and nourish Christian community               -To welcome back those who have
in the domestic church of the family, in                    left our family of faith,
the life of every parish, and in society
as a whole

-proclaim in word and deed the Good News           -To forgive and seek forgiveness,
of Jesus Christ to all persons, inviting each
of our sisters and brothers in the human
community to share our faith and our mission;

-teach the saving message of Christ so that             -To care for our sisters and brothers
all believers may come to deeper                            in need,
understanding, conversion and personal
witness to Christ;

-serve all our sisters and brothers,                           -To work for peace within our families
particularly the poor and needy, by                            and communities,
generous acts of charity and by working
together with all people of good will for                   -To promote respect and justice
justice and peace.                                                                for all people,

                                                                                               -To strengthen unity
                                                                                                 within our diversity,

We pray to the Father, Son, and Holy                      And to celebrate the sanctifying
Spirit, through the intercession of Mary,                love of God that heals and trans-
the Immaculate Conception, to whose                  forms the world.
care the Archdiocese is consecrated,
and through Saints Peter and Paul, the               -Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante,
Archdiocesan patron. May the Lord of                    D.D., J.C.D., Bishop of Camden
Light guide us in our earthly journey
and to our heavenly home.

Fr. Romanowski: From Sun. 6/22

2008-07-03T18:46:50Z

St. Paul Intercession

They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise): I am more; in many more labors, in prison more frequently; in stripe above measure; in death often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes save one. Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned; thrice I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea. In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils of the sea, in perils from false brethren: In labors and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness: Besides those things which are without; my daily instance the solicitude for all the churches (2Cor11:23-28)

St. Paul relates the hardships he has undergone to evangelize. He reminds us that he is an instrument of the Lord who lives in him. So, too, our hardships are an important part of the assault against the paganism of this world. We consecrate everything because Our Lord so wills in order to give honor and glory to God who is the foundation and essence of all that is good, pure and holy. All praise and honor to Jesus Christ, our Savior. The life we have in the Lord we recognize something totally beyond our merit. We only listen to the Spirit who confers life on us continually through the most powerful intercession of the Blessed Mother. If we keep that fixed in our hearts through divine grace we never have to worry (didn't St. Pio say so?) about any crisis in our life or in our parish.

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever.
Fr. Jerome Charles Romanowski

It's time to call Rigali

2008-07-02T18:12:43Z

We need to involve one of our nearest neighboring diocese. We need to CALL CARDINAL RIGALI and not let up until he agrees to meet with us.

His number is: 215-587-4538

Why should Cardinal Rigali intervene?

Because we are not little mini-churches in vacuums. The Church that we belong to is the ONE, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. If the bishop in one diocese falls into error and is intent on bringing all the souls of the diocese with him, something must be done. There is not an option to do otherwise than intervene. Cardinal Rigali is a successor to the Apostles in the Apostolic Church. The job of a bishop or archbishop is to tend the Lord's sheep and keep them from wolves! "We cannot interfere" is an unacceptable and indefensible position. It is certainly no reason to fail to stand up for what is Right and True. Church leaders must be held accountable.

We want Cardinal Rigali to intervene on our behalf, but the least he could do is hear us out. Bishop Galante cannot close half the diocese, ship off many of its priests, and institute general chaos without a word from his colleagues. We are Christians--lay and religious--and it is our duty to speak the Truth. Where are you, faithful shepherds of the Lord? Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, what do you have to be afraid of besides the justice of God?!

Coming Soon: What will "Lay Ministry" Cost Our Parishes?

2008-07-02T04:32:15Z

Look for this over the next couple days. Any information you may have you can email to me. Thank you again to all people who have contributed information and stories to savestmarys. Keep it coming! For the love of God, united we stand, divided we fall.

It's scary, it's happening here, & the time to fight is NOW

2008-07-02T03:31:06Z

This article was written 2 years ago.

Quote:

While winning the hearts of the liberal faction, Bishop Wuerl ran roughshod over the faithful and the parishes they and their families had built. Bishop Wuerl had managed to cut a million dollars from the operating budget his first year and his concepts for the consolidation of school and parishes became the "model for bishops facing similar problems nationwide."

While the reporter, Ann Rodgers-Melnick, in the March 12, 1989 article enthused over the bishop's controversial closing of parishes and schools, Pittsburgh Catholics found themselves at the mercy of the diocesan machine as it moved full throttle over the heartfelt concerns of the laity who were stunned at the numerous closings and mergings of churches into "worship sites," including the financially and spiritually sound parishes.

The usual "blarney" about consultation with the laity, who for the most part saw it as a "done deal," was published in the local Catholic paper, which ranted on and on, inferring that the suffering Catholics were disobedient and causing disunity when they felt their spiritual world crumbling. Uppermost in the minds of many were concerns about the losses of Mass availability, ethnicity, and the sense of community. The allowance, by the diocese, of "polka Masses," and the parading of Catholics in ethnic costumes in the Civic Arena was apparently an attempt to show "respect" for the many heritages represented in Pittsburgh's Catholic community.

The diocese attempted to give the appearance of cooperation and harmony toward the people, but the laity felt betrayed and disillusioned by the strong-arm tactics employed under Bishop Wuerl's rule. Many elderly Catholics were no longer able to continue their custom of attending daily Mass due to limitations set by the distance to the nearest church, since their "worship site" may or may not have a scheduled daily Mass.

Money from one parish, totaling three million dollars, donated by hard working parishioners, was confiscated by the diocese. This was only one instance of what is thought to be an enormous amount of money ending up in diocesan coffers from parish accounts and property sales. The diocese claims that the money will be returned to the merged parishes, but many of Pittsburgh's Catholics do not believe that and wonder about the total sum of money taken in, diocesan-side. Having nowhere else to turn, some displaed members of parishes are suing Bishop Wuerl in civil court for closing their parishes.

Other parishioners have watched helplessly as pastors spent large sums of money on unwelcome "renovations" such as the installation of "immersion pools" for baptisms, and the removal of tabernacles from places of prominence to hidden positions.

(all emphases mine)

SOUND FAMILIAR??? It should! It's happening all around the country. It happened in Pittsburgh. We're the next recipient of the insidious infestation. There will be no surprises--it's all been done before. They're just following a program that's been used again and again. It's no "process"--that is a lie. (Yeah, Ms. Volmer, you heard me right.) It's a program that's being implemented, corporate-style. (And at the moment, Galante's outsourcing, but that's another piece altogether.)

So, got your crucifix? Some holy water? Hope you're wearing your scapular, folks, because it's gonna be a rough ride. Ain't easy to be Catholic these days, especially when the powers-that-be are discouraging us from being precisely that. Of course, if being a faithful Catholic was easy, then everybody would be one. And of course, we are running the race for the prize, which is Christ Himself, so we must take up our crosses and follow Him.

In short (I know, too late!) you simply must read this article, written by Matt C. Abbott. Have no doubt that this is the very same liberal agenda--which is in no way Catholic--that is running rampant and attempting to destroy the Diocese of Camden, its faithful priests, and the parishes within it. Have no doubt that what is at stake here is our souls and the souls of countless people in our diocese and beyond. Have no doubt that money is a motive (remember when Christ said that you can't serve both God and mammon?) and that the intent is to steal it just as was done in Pittsburgh. Most of all, have no doubt that the ultimate goal is to make us less Catholic and therefore further from the Eternal Truth! If you have any doubt of what's really happening here or if you simply want to be better informed, read the piece.

And remember, we must resist the plans of the bishop and preserve Catholicism throughout South Jersey! We must pray for the bishop's conversion. Be sure and find a good and faithful priest who is unafraid of the Truth, even if it appears to be in opposition to the whims of our current bishop. It's about obedience to our Faith and our Church! We are never allowed to fall into sin, even when we are commanded to by a superior. Consider what dire fates the English martyrs faced. In our case we do not risk martyrdom, but we could be risking our souls. Truth is Truth, Right is Right, and wrong is wrong no matter where or when we live.

While it is true that even poor church leaders may come and go, they can cause a lot of destruction during their tenures and will drag down souls with them when they fail to do the Will of God. So when you find a good priest who is faithful to the ancient teachings of the Church--as we have found in our dear Fr. Romanowski--stay close to him! He is a gem! Most of all, stick with Christ, who will never lead you astray!

Click here to read the article.

PS: This article was printed and given to me. Thank you so much for all your contributions to the site and your positive feedback.

"Brazil Missioner Tells Troubles To--St. Paul?"

2008-07-02T02:48:10Z

by Father Romanowski

Note: This is a piece that was printed in the Catholic Star Herald quite a long time ago! Kept in his scrapbook amid clippings of football and baseball heroes, Our Fr. Romanowski gave this to me to reprint on the website. I apologize that it's taken me too long to put it up. As my kids are now in bed (finally) I have the chance to retype the article now.

* * *

Santa Helena de Goias, Brazil--When I have problems, I let a combination of prayer and imagination straighten things out. Starting out as a missionary in Brazil presents some problems.

I think a person with a particular problem in a particular field ought to ask an expert in that field about it. If I wanted to know something about defense, I would ask Robert McNamara. If I wanted to buy a nice side of beef, I would ask an expert on sides of beef--a housewife.

I asked St. Paul about being a missionary.

He looked tough! He was very squat, but had a hard looking body like a stevedore.

What a face! Character was chiseled into it: a little bald, homely, to say the least, but the face had the appearance of a man who had seen what we all want to see. He looked like a marine--a soldier of Christ, but what ascetical eyes in contrast, peacefully piercing, wild and restless. They looked like they could light up the whole universe. And I thought to myself--the face of Burt Lancaster with the eyes of Bishop Sheen.

It was funny how comfortable I felt with him. The same way I feel after reading one of his letters. It's not a comfort that makes you want to relax, but to act.

Father R.: If you were a missionary today, St. Paul, how would your work differ from the work in your own day?

St. Paul: The physical hardships of living were far greater in my day. For example, I had to do many miles of roadwork on foot to arrive at many of my destinations. The food was poorer. Force was supplied by animal or human automation. We used up a lot of time in just existing. Today, however, the missionary ought to encounter (aren't they using that word a lot lately) countless more individuals than in my day.

Father. R.: Then you would say there is a great difference in the two?

St. Paul: No, certainly not. The real force of one's life never changes. Christ was then, still is and always will be, the center of a missionary's life. The differences were accidental. IT's how much the missionary loves his work. That's what is important.

Father R.: What gave you the constant zest to do so much for Christ?

St. Paul: There were days when I didn't have that great desire to serve that I had on other days. But I reminded myself then, that it was Paul who was running things and not Christ. The thrill of Damascus kept these days from popping up too often, but they did come. When I realized this I had to change places and put Christ back where He belonged. Then I knew what it meant when I said it was Christ Who Lived in me. By myself I was entirely incapable of keeping the pace that I did. Only by asking for the necessary help from Christ could I sustain the grind.

Father. R.: Here in Santa Helena there seems so much to do. Where would you begin?

St. Paul: First, I would begin with the things I mentioned before--letting Christ have the central place in my life, and then I would let charity be the navigator of the course. Remember, this is the one virtue that can find the ultimate in life, the complete offering of oneself for Christ.

My time-honored remarks about this virtue can be applied to your work here. It's patient, this charity, when you have problems with the language. But keep plugging, plugging at those sermons and instructions, listening and reading. It's kind, when you want to leave a person who needs help with a well worn line or two, instead of taking the time to understand the problems. [Note: I suspect there's a typo in that last line, but I retyped it as it was from the CSH.]

Charity is not envious of the talents of others--learn from them who have been here longer, who know the problems better, who know the language better, who have sweated longer than you, built churches and opened up schools. Learn from the [ones] who have started a program for the poor, brought back hundreds to practicing religion and helped the whole city. This is evident in your new home of Santa Helena.

Remember the one about being puffed up. You might say that I boasted at times about my sufferings, my Roman citizenship, my religious background, my call and my preaching but I always did it for a purpose other than extolling my own virtues.

I gladly boasted about my weakness too, for the same purpose--to extol Christ. And in the same breath, charity does not pretend to be what it is not. I always knew I was a zero on my own. Just look what I did before my jolt from above. Left to myself, I would always have done the same.

Our Lord put it so well when He answered the rich young man. "Why do you call me good, only Christ is good." But this never let me sit in the corner contemplating how bad I was. On the other hand it made me think of how wonderful Our Lord was to allow us to dive into the ocean of goodness and to saturate ourselves in it in order to magnify the real goodness of God.

To me life was always retreating form what you call phoniness and advancing toward reality. That's what made me bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things for the sake of Christ. Whatever happened to me I made it benefit the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, the life of God with us. If you have this attitude, then the work will follow through.

Be interested all the time, in every place and in every way to show Christ to the people. Like the good householder, use new things and old. I had to be imaginative--dealing with so many different types of people. I couldn't use the same methods with the Corinthians as I did with the Ephesians--different types altogether. Yet, the old proven methods, letter writing and person-to-person contact held me in good stead.

Father. R.: Brilliantly spoken. I certainly admire your talents.

St. Paul: Yes, I know you admire my talents, just a shade below those of John Callison, I believe.

Father R.: You are certainly up on things. You even know that. But with all due respect, you never hit 30 home runs against that tough National League pitching.

St. Paul: Yes, you know, we receive the destructions as well as the prayers. And in regard to that last remark, I never struck out over 100 times a season, either.

I always liked to keep up with things. You never can tell how a knowledge of a thing will help you attract a different segment of people to Christ.

For example, I used my knowledge of the Jewish and Roman law to attract these people. Both admired a man for this knowledge. My ability to work with my hands as a tentmaker attracted the tradesmen. My knowledge of athletics attracted the sports-minded. In a race, all run to win. We race toward God, all of us. We should all have the same attitude--to win that race.

Father R.: I'm worried about a couple of things, a couple of defects I have as a missionary. First, there's all this driving that has to be done over those bad roads and secondly, there's my inability to help the poor as I want.

St. Paul: Your driving ability will improve with time. Until then, and really always, we'll get you where you have to go. I traveled the rough trail myself many times, but always made my destination.

Your real problem is to sustain that love for others that only Christ can instill in our hearts, that strong, manly, forceful and aggressive love of others that creates action for Christ.

Ideas on the poor can be summed up like this--help them, coax them, plead with them to help themselves. Restore that dignity of accomplishment to them by allowing them to earn a livelihood for themselves. This means you're going to have to start an ambitious program. People will laugh at you. They'll say it won't work, you don't have the time. It'll work. Pray unceasingly for its accomplishment. Work like a one-armed pizza twirler. Never get discouraged.

Father. R.: There's nothing left to ask. Thanks, St. Paul.

St. Paul: The pleasure was mine, believe me. I really enjoyed spreading the Good News during my tenure on earth. I think I mentioned that in my letter to the Philippians. I had a difficult time choosing what I wanted more--to continue the work or to be with Christ permanently. I can now do both.

Say, I have to be going. I've another appointment with another fellow who has a tougher assignment than you. He's a special kind of missioner--a chaplain in Vietnam.

From Father Romanowski

2008-07-02T02:28:04Z

(This is from the June 15th bulletin. Sorry, I'm late with this message from Fr. Romanowski!)

The Year of St. Paul

Know you not that they run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth they prize, so run that you may obtain. And everyone that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible one.

I therefore so run, not as an uncertainty; I so fight, not as one beating the air. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps when I have preached to others. I myself shall become a castaway. 1Cor.9:24-27.

What is the point? The difference between an achievement that only exists for a time compared to the eternal reward of heaven. The compromising agenda of the liberals is never going to please God. That is why we have to take every opportunity to grow in holiness. St. Paul refers to the competition with oneself in competing for holiness. His classic statement, "The good I want to do I do not, the evil I want to avoid, that I do," (Romans 7:19) sums up the warfare inside ourselves.

Those in the Church who provide spiritual nourishment must be followed. The basis of all achievement is the Lord--our intimate relationship with Him through his Blessed Mother. Because of original sin this relationship can become cold and mediocre. It's imperative that we maintain a strong spiritual life. Regular confession (every two weeks) is a requesite in today's horrible world. It lays the foundation for a strong spiritual life. Modern, liberal mentality tells us we should not confess that often because we'll become less impressed with ourselves. I hope so! There lies the problem. We have only to be impressed with the Lord. He who conquers himself conquers the world. Notice how often we can resolve to do better. Only when we daily take up our cross do we put that resolution into practice and make progress. One of Bishop Sheen's classic books is "The Priest is Not His Own." That title applies to everyone. Praise be Jesus Christ! Now and Forever!

In Jesus' Name,
Father Jerome C. Romanowski

Letter to Galante and Archbishops

2008-07-02T02:01:55Z

This letter was sent by St. Mary's parishioner and historian William Sansalone. I thought it was worth publishing here:

Most Reverend Joseph Anthony Galante, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop, Diocese of Camden
631 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102

Dear Bishop Galante:

St. Mary's of Malaga is a treasure--and I ask that you keep it a free-standing parish. My letter is motivated, primarily, by a desire to ensure that you have more information regarding this church. I frame my request around four points:

St. Mary's is an established faith community. About 100 immigrant families established this rural church 86 years ago. (For details about St. Mary's origins, please see the enclosed commemorative booklet.) Many descendents of these early settlers still live in Malaga, and their family histories are deeply rooted in the baptisms, confirmations, etc. that have taken place at St. Mary's. The disppearance of this church would have a soul-searing effect on them.

St. Mary's is also the spiritual home to families that began to move to Malaga after the Second World War. Working together, parishioners (old and new) established a Praesidium of the Legion of Mary during the postwar years. Many residents have been--and are being--brought back to the Church through the legion's visitations.

St. Mary's is in solid financial condition and has a pastor in place. The parish is in sound fiscal condition owing to its long-time conservative mode of operation. About 35 percent of registered parishioners use envelopes for their weekly contributions. This is a respectable percentage, considering parishioners' modest incomes. Structurally, the church, rectory, prayer garden, and outdoor Stations of the Cross are in good condition. Much of the maintenance is performed by parishioners at no cost. In short, St. Mary's has never been the cause of financial problems for the Diocese of Camden, nor will it be in in the foreseeable future.

Our pastor, Rev. Jerome Romanowski, has been in place 11 years and is in good health. He promulgates traditional Catholic values that Pope Benedict underscored during his recent visit to the United States. Father Romanowski is a spiritual comfort to his parishioners.

St. Mary's is situated in a unique location. Because St. Mary's sits at the intersection of two major highways, travelers to and from Atlantic City (Route 40) and to and from Cape May (Route 47) frequently visit the church and its outdoor prayer sites. For this reason, then Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio designated St. Mary's a Shrine Church almost 10 years ago. If this historic landmark were to disappear, it would diminish the impact--regionally as well as locally--of Pope Benedict's recent message of hope and renewal.

St. Mary's future plans. Under the leadership of the pastor and parish council, the Legion of Mary is implementing a plan with the following aims:

- expand the number of registered households (great potential exists in Malaga),
- increase the number of current registrants at Sunday Mass, and
- encourage vocations.

Pursuit of these aims started on Mothers Day weekend and will continue through spring and summer. On May 24 when I visited St. Mary's and spoke with Father Romanowski, he told me the above initiative had already yielded positive results.

As you probably know, New York Times writer Laurie Goodstein selected St. Mary's to illustrate the problem of church closures in the United States. (Her article appeared on the front page of The Times on the eve of Pope Benedict's arrival in the United States last month.) St. Mary's must have caught the eye of Ms. Goodstein's editors as well. Both photos accompanying her story show striking views of the church. This article attests--albeit from a secular perspective--to St. Mary's singularity.

We prayerfully hope you can view historic St. Mary's as a treasure--one that should be preserved.

                                                                            Sincerely Yours in Christ,
                                                                            William R. Sansalone
                                                                            (Native of St. Mary's Parish
                                                                            and author of St. Mary's of
                                                                            Malaga: 1922-1997)

cc: St. Mary's Parish Council Chair (Malaga, NJ); Pastor of St. Mary's (Malaga, NJ); His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. (sent to the USCCB, Washington, DC); Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States (Washington, DC); and Cardinal William Joseph Levada (Vatican City)

Enclosure (St. Mary's of Malaga: 1922-1997)

Bishop Galante's Birthday Picnic

2008-06-28T21:51:03Z

June 28, 2008: About 16 picketers stood outside the St. Pius X Spiritual Life Center today to let the bishop know that they want to keep their houses of God open. Sixteen people at a moment's notice, and on a lovely Saturday afternoon? Not bad.

Instead of standing outside with a sign, my son Theo and I went in to the picnic and were warmly greeted by a Sr. Judith. They even had face painting, a large selection of food, and games for the kids.

As you can see from the pictures, we took advantage of the face painting.

There were only about two dozen people in attendance. I had expected quite a bit more, and I suspect they did, too.

We brought a bouquet of Gerber daisies with six little cards attached with prayers we would say on each. We also brought two cards, one on behalf of the campaign (and me personally) and one from my four-year-old son. My card had a picture of the Good Shepherd on it. On the inside it said (as I recall--I didn't photocopy it),

Dear Bishop Galante,
On the occasion of your birthday, we offer this Spiritual Bouquet of prayers to you. As always, we sincerely pray that you be a true shepherd to the diocese, that you do God's will rather than your own, and that you spare our churches. We pray that you experience a conversion of heart...

It also said on the opposite page, as I remember,

A Happy and Blessed Birthday
Praying for your soul and those of the whole diocese

Theo's card said, "Happy Birthday" on one side and, "Please don't take my church away" on the other. (In the picture, his card is the one rolled up like a scroll.)

Theo and I presented these to the bishop, who graciously received them. We asked him for his blessing, which he gave. He seemed to be in a very good mood, and it seems he will be on vacation at his beach house for about a month so that may be the reason.

The picnic was open to friends and family of diocesan employees. I was never asked anything but my first name. Needless to say, no one knew who I was. The point, though, was for Bishop Galante to know we were there and that we will continue to make our presence known until our churches are safe. We continue to pray for his conversion and that he changes his mind and heart, and that he conform himself to the will of God. My family is depending on nothing less than this miracle.

SS Peter and Paul

2008-06-28T21:34:12Z

From the church bulletin 6/29: "Treasures from our Tradition"

Today is an exceptional event on our calendar. The Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time is eclipsed by a solemnity honoring two saints who didn't spend much time together in their earthly ministry, and who have distinct feasts so they probably don't mind sharing this one. Yet each suffered a similar fate in the same city, Rome, during the persecution of the Emperor Nero. Nero probably ordered the destruction of many of the residential neighborhoods in service to his building projects, and when the homeless began to look for someone to blame for the fires, Nero targeted the Christians. Soon, Peter was crucified, upside down, on the Vatican hill. Excavations (called scavi) under the Vatican basilica have proven the authenticity of his burial place near the place of his death. Paul, a Roman citizen, was later granted a swifter execution by the sword, and is remembered at a vast basilica on the city's outskirts.

Peter and Paul were just about polar opposites. Peter rough and ready, Paul poetic and polished. Peter carried burden of regret for his denials, Paul had his own issues with which he struggled. Peter leapt over barriers to go to the Gentiles, Paul strove with and surrendered to the same call. True, they spent very little time together in this life, but the same Spirit filled their hearts and by their witness changed the face of the earth.