February 8,, 2013 E I Most G H T H Reverend

B I Dennis J. S H O Sullivan P

O F

T H E

C A M D In“ the E N

D Breaking I O C of the E S E Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S3 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan

The Most Rev. Dennis J. Sullivan, ordained an in the Archdiocese of on September 21, 2004, was born in on March 17, 1945. Bishop Sullivan is the third of four children to Hanorah Hayes Sullivan and John Sullivan who were members of St. Anthony’s Church in the Bronx. Bishop Sullivan, together with his broth- ers and sister, were educated at St. Anthony Elementary School in the Bronx. Afterward, Bishop Sullivan attended Mount St. Michael Academy and later in New Rochelle, New York. As a sopho- more, Bishop Sullivan left Iona College and entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York. In 1969, Bishop Sullivan attended the Summer Spanish Language Institute at the Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and then returned to St. Joseph’s Seminary where he earned a BA in 1967 and a Masters of Divinity in 1970. On May 29, 1971, Bishop Sullivan was ordained to the priesthood by Terence Cardinal Cooke at the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Before long, Bishop Sullivan trav- eled to the to learn Spanish as a way of assisting the growing population of Hispanic immigrants who were arriving in New York. Bishop Sullivan attended the Dominican Institute for Pastoral Adaptation in Muca, and the Dominican Republic & Mission Experience in Tenares, Dominican Republic. From 1971 to 1981, Bishop Sullivan was appointed Parochial Vicar at the Church of St. Elizabeth, the Church of the Ascension in , and the Church of Sts. Phillip and James in the Bronx. In 1982, Bishop Sullivan was appointed of the Church of St. Teresa in New York City and in 1999 he was named a of Honor to His Holiness. After twenty-one years at the Church of St. Teresa, Bishop Sullivan was then appointed as Pastor to the Church of Sts. John and Paul in Larchmont, New York in 2004. He was the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York. Benedict XVI named Bishop Sullivan to head the of Camden on Jan. 8.

Throughout his ministry in New York, Bishop Sullivan has served on various Boards and committees: • Three terms on the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of New York as MOST REVEREND DENNIS J. SULLIVAN Representative of South • Board Member of the Catholic Area Conference • Two Bridges Neighborhood Associates • Catholic Campaign for Human • It’s Time Inc. Social Service Agency • Waterfront Coalition Development Committee • Immigrant Social Service, Inc. • Asian Pastoral Immersion Experience • Board Member of the Inter Parish Finance “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S5 Shepherding a Eucharistic People

By D.A. Barsotti

The episcopal motto of Bishop Dennis Sullivan, “In the Breaking of the Bread,” is fundamental and familiar, yet intricately meaningful. “The bishop’s motto puts the emphasis on the importance of the Eucharist within the Christian com- munity. It is the peak, the climax and the source through which faith in Christ revolves,” said Professor Hellen Mardaga, Theology and Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America, Washington. In the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup, Christians hold the memory of — and identify with — the ministry, life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ, Mardaga explained. “Through their common meal commemorating the salvific actions of God through Christ, Christians distinguish them- selves,” she said. Recall the writings about ’s last days on earth, prompted Mardaga. The Four Gospels record how he gathers his disciples around him during a meal called the Last Supper (Mk 14:22-26; Mt 26:26-30; Lk 22:14-20). The focus is on the ritual breaking of bread and drinking from a cup. “Breaking bread is an ancient tra- dition of all peoples, an expression of hospitality and camaraderie,” explained Sister Pauline Chirchirillo, PBVM. “Thus, the Last Supper was the perfect way for Jesus to celebrate the institution of the Eucharist.” The Last Supper gained signifi- cance within the first Christian com- munities. Mardaga pointed to Luke, “The Supper at Emmaus” by Caravaggio depicts the recognition of Christ by his disciples. who wrote at length about “how two disciples travel to Emmaus, a village seven miles from , and encounter Jesus, but do not recog- Sister Pauline serves as director of Scripture he extends himself in wel- summarized in his own remarks: nize him. (Lk 24:13-35) As they are the Office of the Propagation of the coming and accepting all people, “We are all children of God and we talking to this ‘stranger’ it becomes Faith. When Bishop Sullivan was especially the immigrants and the need to be servants to each other.” evening and they ask the stranger to pastor of St. Teresa’s Parish in lower poor, listening and responding to Later, Bishop Sullivan, as vicar stay with them and have dinner. Manhattan, she had the opportunity their needs, thus bringing the mes- general of the Archdiocese of New Once Jesus takes bread, blesses it to work in collaboration with him on sage of Christ’s love to others.” York, wrote a column laying out the and gives it to the two disciples, they various programs. In his remarks on the day he was pastoral planning initiative begin- recognize the stranger to be Jesus She provided her insights: “As a ordained bishop, (Sept. 21, 2004), ning in New York City. In his words, (Lk 24:30) upon which Jesus vanishes minister of the Eucharist Bishop Bishop Sullivan said, “How could I “Pastoring means leading people to before their eyes.” Sullivan encounters Christ and not think of my years on the Lower God; accompanying them on their “The Gospel of John ends with a through his example he brings that East Side, America’s greatest neigh- journeys of faith; and shepherding narrative about how Jesus appears to message of love, compassion and borhood. I was blessed by so many our resources.” Seven Disciples during a meal of understanding to others. His episco- who taught me how to love the poor, Words in action. Solidarity bread and fish,” Mardaga added. pal motto “In the Breaking of the and how to preach the social gospel through common purpose. Faith. “In “The very roots of the Eucharist are Bread” is truly an expression of how of the church.” the Breaking of the Bread.” The epis- found in the New Testament.” he lives. He spoke to those who came to copal motto of Bishop Dennis “The greatest privilege for a “During the many years I have celebrate with him that day, in Sullivan, the eighth bishop of the is to celebrate Mass,” said Sister known and worked with him, he car- English, Spanish and Mandarin Diocese of Camden, provides the Pauline. ries his attention to the liturgy into Chinese. His ministry to immigrants faithful with a window on the soul of In the Archdiocese of New York, life around the table. By reflecting on and the marginalized of the city was their new shepherd. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S7 Subway riding bishop used to challenges

By Peter Feuerherd

He’s a strap-hanging bishop, trav- eling to confirmation ceremonies via subway. The 1, 2 or 3 Train won’t make it to South Jersey, but Bishop Dennis Sullivan will be bringing along a lifetime of pastoral experi- ence in Gotham to South Jersey after he is installed as bishop of Camden Feb. 12.

““He’s not afraid to make a decision.”

His story begins in the Bronx, where he was born on St. Patrick’s” Day 1945, where, as a boy he thought that one day he would get a job, get married, and raise a family. When he felt the longing towards priesthood, “It was a call I did not want to respond to,” he recalled in a chat with reporters from the Manhattan townhouse he shares A New Yorker, Bishop Dennis Sullivan is accustomed to taking the subway to confirmations. with his boss, Cardinal Timothy Dolan. sisters among 12 siblings, she left “We were a challenging class,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop He responded to the call, and it with instructions to make a life in the recalled Msgr. Robert T. Ritchie, now Sullivan is known as a hands-on has placed him, while not far from new world. She was not expected to of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and administrator, relied upon for his vast the Bronx where he grew up, in return. a classmate of the bishop’s. “We knowledge of the archdiocese. In the places he would never have encoun- She wouldn’t until 25 years later would challenge our professors to media capital of the world, Cardinal tered otherwise. He knows what it’s when, as part of an epic family trip, give us what we considered more Dolan has taken on an international like to be thrust into a different she brought her children, including and better theology.” presence, while Bishop Sullivan has world. eight-year-old Dennis and his three Of the 18 men ordained for the worked largely behind-the-scenes in Spanish-language training as a siblings, and her husband, John archdiocese in 1971, Father Dennis administration with a that has young priest took him to a mountain Sullivan, who worked as a New York Sullivan was one of eight to immerse won him many admirers and some village in the Dominican Republic, cabdriver. in Spanish studies, putting him on a anger, particularly directed at the where the people lit off fireworks to Having made contact with his Irish track to serve New York’s immigrant closing of valued churches. announce the coming of a priest to a cousins, the young Dennis Sullivan poor. “He’s not afraid to make a deci- place that rarely saw one. Lines returned to New York and grew up in That he did as a parish priest until sion,” said Msgr. Dennis P. Keane, formed to baptize babies. After he the Bronx in a neighborhood near being called to become an auxiliary pastor of Annunciation Church in asked for the nearest rest room, his the Bronx Zoo, where the family bishop in 2004. While he comes to the Westchester County, and a classmate hosts directed him to a river, think- would walk on warm Sunday after- Diocese of Camden with no direct of the bishop. ing he wanted a bath, all part of a noons after Mass. experience of running a diocese, he The bishop comes to decisions by language mishap. Inspired by the example of a priest is definitely not a neophyte in the listening and paying attention. Once Back in New York, he followed the professor and his own parish priests, ways of Church administration. a course is decided, he will stick by stream of Dominicans and other he was drawn to the clerical life dur- For the past eight years, Bishop it, said Msgr. Keane about his friend. Latinos, becoming fluent in Spanish ing his second year at Iona College Sullivan has been vicar general for “He’s quiet. He listens to what and, when his parish on the Lower in nearby Westchester. the sprawling New York people are saying. In our archdio- East Side began attracting Asian As a seminarian, he entered a Archdiocese, a collection of 375 cese, he has a wealth of history and immigrants, learning some Chinese church in ferment. It was 1965, and parishes that runs from Staten knowledge,” he said. as well. Vatican II had just concluded. The Island, through the bustle of Msgr. Ritchie agreed that Bishop That ministry to immigrants res- liturgy was changing, students were Manhattan and the Bronx, through Sullivan is not afraid to make diffi- onates with his mother’s Irish immi- questioning their professors, semi- the suburbs of Westchester and cult decisions. A good number have grant story. nary life was breaking out of its tra- some 100 miles north to small town landed on the bishop’s desk, includ- Hanorah Hayes Sullivan came to ditional isolation, and there was a and rural upstate New York. ing parish consolidations and thorny New York at the age of 19 from clear call that priesthood meant Named to that post by Cardinal conflicts between and laity. County Limerick. One of two older serving the poor. , continuing under (continued on page S9) “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S9 Subway riding bishop used to challenges

(continued from page S7) Father Baker composed a gift for the new bishop Bishop Sullivan, asked by a reporter what plans upon his : a wide-angle photo of St. he had for the Diocese of Camden, responded Teresa parishioners, brought together in all their that, at least for the first year, he will listen and diversity, with the Chinese group, the Spanish- find out what works and what needs improvement speaking and the Anglos waving to their former before coming to conclusions. pastor in the sanctuary of the church. The photo is One issue he was charged with in New York was on a mantle in Bishop Sullivan’s chancery office. pastoral planning, as the archdiocese moved to “This place taught him how to be a pastor,” said consolidate its parishes, a process in many ways Father Baker. “I thought he would want a picture similar to what the Diocese of Camden has of his teachers.” already undergone. The lessons Bishop Sullivan learned at St. Teresa In 2007, as part of a process led by Bishop remain. Sullivan, the archdiocese closed 10 parishes, Carol Cain-Caraballo, office manager at the merged 11 and made plans to create five new parish who also served under Bishop Sullivan, parishes in growing areas. As part of the arch- said the then-Father Sullivan knew his parish- diocesan process, Bishop Sullivan endured meet- ioners by name. ings where opponents of parish mergers vented “If he knew someone was sick, he would find out their feelings, sometimes in heated ways. how they were doing,” she said. “He was there in the good times and the bad,” she said, noting how the bishop was supportive to her during a crisis surrounding the death of her father. “He wants to create While St. Teresa made the most impact, Bishop “ Sullivan is quick to remember his history with other parishes he served. They have, with one vibrant parishes, where exception, a common thread: many immigrants, most of them Spanish-speaking, in city neighbor- hoods struggling to reach the middle class or there are the numbers emerge from poverty. As a young priest, he was sent to St. Elizabeth’s to be attractive and to in Washington Heights in northern Manhattan, an area which, at the time he was there in the early Photo by Maria R. Bastone 1970s, was populated by Irish and Cubans, as well evangelize people.” Bishop Sullivan welcomes parishioners at SS. John as a growing immigrant group from the and Paul in Larchmont, N.Y. Dominican Republic. There were 17 weekend Masses in three differ- While it may be a painful process, Bishop bar story), a diverse, multi-ethnic parish on the ent places. Trained in Spanish, with language Sullivan’s admirers say he sees pastoral planning” Lower East Side of Manhattan with Sunday Mass immersion training during his seminary days in as essential to grow the church. in four languages: English, Chinese Mandarin, Puerto Rico, the then-Father Sullivan was a good “He likes to plan. He has a clear vision,” said Chinese Cantonese and Spanish, combined with a fit as an associate pastor. Father Donald C. Baker, pastor of St. Teresa’s rich tradition of community involvement. In his five years there, “I saw the Spanish com- Church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, “He wants to create vibrant parishes, where munity come out of the basement and into the where he succeeded Bishop Sullivan. there are the numbers to be attractive and to evan- upper Church,” he recalled. At the same time, the Bishop Sullivan’s view of parish planning, said gelize people,” said Father Baker. neighborhood was undergoing changes that Father Baker, was formed not on the 19th floor of Bishop Sullivan left St. Teresa’s in 2004 and, after heightened ethnic tensions. His own Irish back- his current office on the Upper East Side, but on a short tenure as pastor of Sts. John and Paul ground and Spanish fluency helped him serve as a the streets of a much grittier neighborhood. Church in Larchmont, Westchester County, he was bridge among the parish’s ethnic groups. That vision was forged at St. Teresa’s (see side- named an auxiliary bishop. (continued on page S11) Finding a mentor, a priest who was a friend of the poor

The following is excepted from the article “True 1976. The experience of working in the parish would observe that. I knew that was what gave Pastor” that Claudia McDonnell wrote for Catholic among people who were poor, with Father him the strength and the power and the energy New York in 2004, when Bishop Dennis Sullivan was Downes as model and guide, affected him pow- he needed for the day.’’ named a bishop. erfully and helped set the course for his priest- His work at St. Pius V reinforced the commit- hood. ment to serving the needy that he already had He was assigned to St. Pius V parish in the The parish population was largely Puerto developed at Dunwoodie. He says it grew out of South Bronx, where current development is Rican, and the bishop-elect said that Father his studies, his reading and the influence of transforming what was then a scene of urban Downes was one of the first priests in the New Vatican Council II. decay and despair. York Archdiocese to learn Spanish. ‘‘I felt the Church needed to be with the ‘‘The South Bronx was burning at the time,’’ ‘‘What I saw in him was this friend of the poor, poor,’’ he said, and for most of his priesthood, Bishop-elect Sullivan said. ‘‘It was drug-ridden.’’ loved by his people and constantly with them,’’ that is where he has been. ‘‘I never felt I was But in the parish there was hope and vitality, and he said. ‘‘I saw in him what I needed to see.’’ One doing something unique or special,’’ he said. he found a mentor who whom he describes as image left an indelible impression. ‘‘After he ‘‘I felt this is where God wanted me to be. ‘‘an amazing priest’’—Father John C. Downes, would say daily Mass, he used to spend a long This is where the Church is; that’s why I’m pastor of St. Pius V from 1969 until his death in time in the sanctuary,’’ the bishop-elect said. ‘‘I here.’’ “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S11

Photo by Maria R. Bastone Bishop Sullivan speaks to the congregation during Sunday Mass at SS. John and Paul Church in Larchmont, N.Y., where he was pas- tor in 2004.

Larchmont St. Teresa parishioners, brought together in all their diversity, with the Chinese group, the Spanish-speak- ing and the Anglos, waving to their former pastor in the sanctuary of the church. Days Subway riding bishop used to new challenges

(continued from page S9) As a Chancery official, he quickly earned the In his next assignment, at St. Philip and James respect of the priests and laity in the archdiocese. in the northeast Bronx, he was sent to minister to Last month, at the archdiocesan offices at 1011 Latinos, most of whom were Puerto Ricans, and First Avenue, staffers expressed chagrin at losing he also worked with English-speaking West the bishop to South Jersey. Indian immigrants. After a short stint on the Meanwhile, back in the Diocese of Camden, Upper West Side of Manhattan at Ascension many wondered what South Jersey Catholics can Church, he was sent on his first pastorate at St. expect from their new bishop. The reviews are in: Teresa’s. If the new bishop were a Broadway show, he After 21 years on the Lower East Side, Cardinal would easily earn rave reviews from those who Egan called him to become pastor at Sts. John know him. and Paul in Larchmont, a leafy, affluent His friends back in New York expect him to bring Westchester suburb. Bishop Sullivan was afraid the same attributes he brought serving as a big- at first that he was a bad fit. “My preaching was city pastor down the Turnpike. He is, they said, a honed in the street,” he said, noting how often his dedicated preacher, a hard worker, and a priest homilies focused on themes of poverty and with a special affinity towards immigrants and the immigration. “I had never worked with rich peo- poor. ple before.” “He is someone who is going to be demanding, The anxiety was unnecessary. He served in in a good sense that the Church needs to attend to Larchmont for 18 months, adjusting to driving a the needs of the poor, that people do their jobs. car to do his errands after decades of subway rides But he is also someone who understands that it all Photo by Maria R. Bastone and neighborhood walks, and was warmly might take some time,” said Msgr. Ritchie. Bishop Sullivan receives a warm welcome from received by the people there until being called to Ms. Cain-Caraballo’s message to Catholics in parishioners at SS. John and Paul. Chancery work as an auxiliary bishop by Cardinal South Jersey is a simple one. In the strap-hanging Egan. bishop, she said, “You got a gem.” “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S13 Formed by a New York immigrant parish

By Peter Feuerherd Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In that capacity, he devel- Bishop Dennis Sullivan walks into oped pastoral planning for the arch- a room, offers a round of hand- diocese and shepherded a series of shakes, a quick greeting, followed by consolidations intended to better a get-down-to-business chat. use the resources of the far-flung Friendly, not too loquacious on the archdiocese, which reaches from small talk, he presents a vibe of a in the south to rural New Yorker in a hurry. hamlets some 100 miles north of the Depending on how it’s measured, city line. some 90 miles separate the But much of his heart and sense of Archdiocese of New York from the accomplishment remained at St. Diocese of Camden, with its cluster Teresa’s, the parish where he weath- of small cities, suburbs, farm villages ered what could be described as and shorefront spread over six coun- three major crises. ties. First, the roof collapsed in 1995, in In many ways, it is an abrupt the middle of the night. No one was change for the new bishop. Or injured, but the entire future of the maybe it’s not. struggling parish was in jeopardy. Wherever he’s been, in any case, The parish congregation found Bishop Sullivan has made a pastoral refuge for Sunday Mass in the local connection and felt at home with the Jewish community center. Within people he’s ministered to. That was seven years, the church had been especially true at St. Teresa’s Church rebuilt, thanks to the sale of an adja- on the Lower East Side of Photo by Chris Sheridan, Catholic New York cent property – now a luxury apart- Manhattan, where he was pastor Father Dennis Sullivan, pastor, St. Teresa’s Church, leads participants in prayer. ment building – buoyed by the surge from 1982 to 2004. in property values in the neighbor- “I get nosebleeds north of 14th Church building was sold to describes it as other sophisticated hood. Street,” he would tell the late encroaching Irish papists in 1863. observers do. It is a series of villages, The second major crisis was 9/11. Cardinal John J. O’Connor when Then to the neighborhood came the each defined by variables such as St. Teresa, while not in the immedi- they would discuss the priest’s Jews, the Puerto Ricans, ethnicity, income, hipness, with ate vicinity of the Twin Towers, is future ministry at St. Teresa’s. It was Dominicans and now, the Chinese unofficial boundaries frequently as within walking distance of the World his way of signaling that he felt at along with sons and daughters of well-defined as any Trade Center. Today the renewed home in the parish, loved its people, the Midwest, seeking shelter in a township. Liberty Tower dominates the skyline and wanted to stay. The plea worked hip spot within walking distance of For the past eight years, as vicar to the west. On that terrible day a for more than two decades. burgeoning careers on Wall Street. general for the archdiocese — the dozen years ago, Bishop Sullivan Bishop Sullivan’s pastoral educa- Luxury condos and public housing chief lieutenant for Cardinal was offering weekday Mass. tion was honed at the parish on stand side-by-side. The bodegas Timothy Dolan and his predecessor, “I heard a crash,” he recalled. Henry Street, long-known as a New shout signs in Spanish, Chinese, Cardinal Edward Egan — Bishop Remembering the roof collapse six York immigrant gateway. The parish and English. Sullivan has lived and worked in years earlier, “we thought something has a storied past: once home to a While New York is stereotyped as midtown East, a particularly tony vil- was falling upstairs.” Presbyterian congregation, the an asphalt jungle, Bishop Sullivan lage, with its high-end shops, (continued on page S11) ‘In the breaking of the bread’

This article was written for Catholic outage. Parish assistants brought blood of Christ.... Here I was, not marriages and to arrange for New York when Bishop Dennis candles and placed them on the in the splendor of some basilica Memorial Masses for the dead. Sullivan was named a bishop in 2004. altar so that he would be able to but in a rather dilapidated chapel, He said he began to understand read the prayers. As he offered but that made no difference ‘‘what it means to be a missionary,’’ Then-Father Dennis J. Sullivan Mass, he had what he called ‘‘a because Christ was here, feeding carrying out the mission of the was sent to the Dominican spiritual awakening.’’ his people.’’ Church. Republic shortly after his ordina- ‘‘I had one of my first realizations The priest of the parish was ‘‘That’s something I tried to tion in 1971 to learn Spanish and to of how the Eucharist unites us with responsible for 24 chapels, and the bring to the parishes that I served experience the challenges of pas- those present and with the whole bishop-elect remembers visiting in,’’ he said. His message was: ‘‘We toral work there. He was asked to Church,’’ he said. ‘‘Here I was in them, traveling by jeep and some- might not be in the poverty of the offer a scheduled Mass the evening this very poor mountain town, sur- times by mule over mountain Third World, but...we have a mis- he arrived. rounded by all these people in the streams. There was a system for sion.’’ For himself as a priest, he ‘‘The village church was packed,’’ dark, with the candles flickering on announcing the arrival of a priest: added, that means that ‘‘You go he said. ‘‘There were no lights. I the altar around this bread and A catechist would light Roman out. You don’t wait for people to remember thinking, ‘My God, they wine that I was consecrating — candles, and ‘‘the people would come to you. You go out to them, don’t have electricity.’ ’’ The church that was becoming, through my come streaming out of their and you meet them where they was wired, but there was a power prayers as a priest, the body and homes,’’ he said, for baptisms and are.’’ “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S15 Formed by a New York immigrant parish

(continued from page S13) The small congregation and Father Sullivan gathered outside and watched as the second plane hit the towers. As a flood of office worker refugees Parishes are part of reached the Lower East Side, Father Sullivan “ organized small groups to administer water for their smoke-scarred eyes, and also provided communities. They are phones to contact loved ones. “And we wept with the people,” he recalled. in neighborhoods. One young man from the Midwest, attired only in a running outfit, was staying at a hotel near the Towers in anticipation of a job interview that day. ers who constructed high-rent dwellings. Some Father Sullivan made sure to contact his mother to neighborhood oldtimers were being squeezed out. assure her he was okay. The mother, a Father Sullivan participated in a community” Presbyterian, later showed her gratitude for the organization, called Two Bridges, which was priest’s kindness with a large donation to the instrumental in the development of 1,600 afford- parish. able apartment units along the East River. The third crisis was the ongoing changes in the “They created a world where there was a Lower East Side neighborhood, some for good, garbage dump,” recalled Bishop Sullivan. some mixed, others that meant hardship for its Then-Father Sullivan was also a part of support- struggling parishioners. ing the Cabrini Center, a social agency to assist Today, the area around St. Teresa’s is vibrant, immigrants, named for the American Mother filled with Chinese immigrants, whose signs mark Cabrini who ministered to Italian newcomers in the small shops, older Latino neighbors, and the 19th century. Today’s newcomers to the Lower young professionals, often doubling and tripling East Side are more likely to speak Spanish and up in apartments to be near work and in a neigh- Cantonese. borhood with an increasingly hip reputation. Bishop Sullivan looks back at his St. Teresa expe- But that wasn’t always the picture of the Lower rience with great affection. The only bad time, he East Side. When Father Sullivan was pastor, the said, was 9/11 and its immediate aftermath, when city experienced an unprecedented rise in vio- dust choked the streets, residents of Lower lence (up to 4,000 murders a year) and the neigh- Manhattan felt besieged, and a city mourned. borhood was infested with drug dealing and pros- St. Teresa’s reinforced for him an instinct he always CNS photo from Reuters titution. Father Sullivan and his parishioners retained: Parishes, he said, cannot live in Sunday Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 flies toward the fought back. morning isolation, above the day-to-day struggles of World Trade Center twin towers before slamming The pages of “Catholic New York,” the archdioce- people. They are an essential part of the social fabric. into the south tower as the north one burns in the san newspaper, chronicled street marches at the “Parishes are part of communities. They are in Sept. 11, 2001, attack. As a flood of office worker time, as area pastors, including Father Sullivan, neighborhoods,” he said. And, at St. Teresa’s, he refugees reached the Lower East Side, Father marshaled anti-drug efforts. said, the parish practiced “the Social Gospel” liv- Sullivan organized small groups to administer water As the neighborhood stabilized and became ing out “the Church in the community, the Church for their smoke-scarred eyes, and also provided more secure, it became more attractive to develop- with the poor.” phones to contact loved ones.

Statue that survived WWII bomb

Auxiliary Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of New York swings a censer near the head of a statue of Mary as he concele- brates Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral May 2, 2010. The remains of the statue that survived the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki during World War II were later exhibited in New York during the U.N. Review Conference of Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

CNS photo/Bob Reers, Catholic New York “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S17 A ‘good friend’ with a sense of humor By Rich Luongo ago for her current position. “He loves people and “People like him because he’s outgoing and he’s he cares for the poor. He’s also fluent in Spanish, very kind,” Mary Lou said. “I was extremely fond of CAMDEN — He’s outgoing, compassionate, and which is impeccable, and because of St. Teresa’s him. My husband died in 2009 and, as a bishop, he very humble and above all else, Bishop Dennis proximity to Chinatown he learned to speak came to the funeral and did the final commenda- Sullivan — who will be installed as bishop of the Chinese.” tion at the Mass. Our family appreciated that. We Camden Diocese on Feb. 12 — has been called a In 2006 he was named a bishop and was trans- have a great rapport.” good friend. ferred to the chancery of the archdiocese. But She said the bishop is a humble man and down Carol Cain-Caraballo, parish secretary at St. Nancy said without hesitation, “He’s still a friend to earth. Teresa’s Parish in New York where Bishop Sullivan and will be for life.” “He makes things better wherever he goes presided from 1982-2004, said, “When you work Mary Lou Murray, a parishioner at Sts. John and because of his wonderful sense of humor,” said closely with a priest for 17 years, as I did, you get Paul for 30 years, said she was a secretary in the Mary Lou. “Camden is very fortunate to have to know him and realize the compassion he has for parish when Bishop Sullivan came on. him.” everyone.” “Camden is getting a good person, someone who takes care of the people.

She said he knew the parishioners by name and knew the names of the children. The people” loved him for that, she added. “And because they loved him many would send him food on occasion,” said Carol. “I have six chil- dren and they were raised in the parish the same way I was. My children knew him well and respected him.” She noted that her son Stephen had so much respect for the bishop that when Stephen married in 2006 in St. Francis of Parish in Rockland County, N.Y., he had asked him to perform the cer- emony. Already a bishop at the time and vicar general for the Archdiocese of New York, he con- sented because of his friendship with the family. This friendship has extended to the Caraballo grandchildren, Carol noted. Joel Rebollo was bap- tized by the bishop and he took with him. As bishop he also confirmed Joel, Carol said. Along with Joel, grandchildren Isaiah Rebollo and Aaron Caraballo were also baptized by him. In total she has six grandchildren. Besides Stephen her other children are daugh- ters Sundaree and Stefanie and sons Patrick, Joel and Louis. “We’re renting a bus to take people to the instal- lation on Feb. 12,” Carol said. “It’s a two-hour ride at least. I just got the bus a couple of days ago and we already have 30 people booked.” Richard, her Sullivan Family husband of 35 years, won’t be going. “He has two jobs and can’t get off. Photo Album She said the bishop is “a regular guy. Camden is getting a good person, someone who takes care of Clockwise, top photos: young Dennis Sullivan and his sister, the people.” Catherine, with their parents, Bishop Sullivan blessing his mother, Nancy Winnis, parish manager of Sts. John and Hanorah, on his ordination day in 1971; John and Hanorah; then- Paul Parish in Larchmont, N.Y., echoed this state- Msgr. Sullivan and his sister with their grandniece, Hanorah Vanni, ment. Bishop Sullivan, when he was a , on her first Communion day near Minneapolis; Bishop Sullivan as an had been assigned to the parish in 2004 and stayed eight-grade graduate in 1959; Hanorah and John Sullivan with their there for two years when he became bishop. children, from left, Jack, who was in the U.S. Navy, Dennis, “He is adored by everyone and is a great guy,” Catherine and Charlie. she said, adding she was hired by him eight years “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S19 In the new bishop’s words

On what he wants to see in parish- es: “Good preaching and good music, a place where young families can be with other young families.”

On what it’s liked to be called to a new assignment: “It’s part of being a priest and being a bishop: The openness to the Spirit of God, going where you are asked to go.”

About the Year of Faith: “Let’s open up the Documents of Vatican II. Let’s get them out before the faithful.”

About the most important legacy of Vatican II: “It put the Bible before the .”

About being described as a ‘roll- up-your sleeve pastor’: “I like that image.”

On poverty: “I saw it big time in Haiti. I found it shocking: the distended stomachs on the children. Terrible, terrible. In New York, urban poverty is severe. The poverty of just not having things, but the poverty of not hav- ing direction in your life … The poverty of the heart is probably worse, not being in control of your own life. Urban poverty can be des- perate.”

Most influential mentor: Father John Downes, now deceased, “a leg- end in the South Bronx” was famous CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano for ministering to the impoverished Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 11, 1962. The coun- immigrant community there. Bishop cil’s four sessions and its 16 landmark documents modernized the liturgy, renewed the priesthood and religious life, Sullivan served as a with enhanced the role of lay Catholics, opened dialogue with other churches and non-Christians, and identified the church him. as the “people of God” attuned to the problems and hopes of the world. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S21

“Lincoln” CNS/DreamWorks Actor Daniel Day-Lewis portrays U.S. president Abraham Lincoln in a scene from the movie “Lincoln.” A bishop’s

CNS photo/Mike Segar, Reuters Philadelphia Phillies base runner Shane Victorino is tagged out at home plate by New York Yankees catcher Jorge entertainment Posada in the ninth inning in Game 1 of the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series in New York, Oct. 28. The Yankees went on to win the series in Game 6. Below, actor Jim Carter portrays Mr. Carson, the butler, in the television show Hobbies: “Downton Abbey.” Entertainment is frequently watching the Yankees or the New York Giants on television (he takes in a baseball game in person perhaps once a year), or digging into a mod- ern Irish novel. The Bronx-born and bred son of a cabdriver and Irish immigrant is as likely to get to a con- firmation ceremony via the subway and once noted in a newspaper arti- cle that his biggest adjustment in moving to a suburban Westchester parish was learning to use his car instead of strolling the neighbor- hood. He’s also been known to sing Irish folk songs.

A favorite recent movie:“Lincoln.”

Recent travels: to , the Southwest U.S., and being with friends on the East End of Long Island.

TV show: Enjoys “Downton Abbey”

“Downton Abbey” photo courtesy of WHYY Philadelphia “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S23 Born on the feast of St. Patrick

By Michael M. Canaris Like Lucy holding her eyes and Agatha her breasts, Christian art and We will hopefully hear the phrase iconography of St. Denis is, shall we “our Bishop Dennis, and all the bish- say, arresting and memorable. He is ops” at Mass for years to come. His almost always depicted as a decapi- namesake, St. Denis, a derivative of tated bishop, clad in vestments, the name Dionysius, was a Christian holding his own head in his hands. martyr killed in the Decian persecu- Supposedly, after his execution on tions. Denis and another Dionysius what is today called the Montmartre — the Areopagite — were often con- in , the holy church leader fused throughout the Middle Ages. miraculously picked up his own But the martyr Denis is in fact a dif- head and walked some distance ferent person, and the patron saint while continuing to preach. He is of Paris, France, where he served as perhaps less well known than anoth- an early bishop. Today a famous er saint associated with our new northern suburb of the city is named incoming bishop. for him, as is a Gothic basilica where Because he was born on the feast many monarchs of France are of St. Patrick (and is surnamed buried. Sullivan to boot), let us also reflect upon this patron of the Emerald Isle. Many are shocked to learn that St. Patrick is not Irish. Sometime in the fifth century, the Scottish-born Patrick was kidnapped and brought to as a slave. After a lengthy period there, he escaped and fled the island. But something drew him out of himself and back to the un- Christianized people he had encountered in captivity. He volun- tarily returned to them to spread the Gospel, and became the “Apostle to the Celts.” His life was, from the earliest days, intermixed with legends and folk- lore — from driving the snakes out of Ireland, to teaching the Trinity through the three-in-one shamrock, to devising the Celtic Cross by com- bining artistic representations of the Latin cross with those of local sun- worshippers (in ancient Roman ter- minology sol invictus). CNS photo by Greg Tarczynski Due to a dearth of reliable histori- St. Patrick is depicted in the detail of a stained glass window at St. Joseph cal sources, where fact and myth Church in Pinole, Calif. His feast day is March 17, the day Bishop Sullivan was begin and end concerning these tra- born. ditions cannot be determined with accuracy. However, it is clear that he rent (and embattled) Cardinal Sean perhaps the one that somehow did exist, was an evangelizing figure, Brady in this leadership role. drove the serpents from the land and penned an Augustine-like spiri- Here in America, a similar prestige that was formerly covered with them tual autobiography, called the is given to any of in its earlier period. Confessio. because of the historical One of St. Patrick’s prayers, called Patrick is of course today the place of honor of that local church, the Breastplate, has been adapted in patron saint of all things Irish, the nation’s first. My stepfather many Irish homes and ceremonies: although New York and Chicago cel- being born and raised in Armagh, “Christ as a light, Illumine and guide ebrate his holiday with more revelry I’ve visited many of the sites associ- me. Christ as a shield, o’ershadow and CNS photo/courtesy of Edward and Lorna Mornin than does . Although one may ated with Patrick in person and con- cover me. Christ be under me. Christ be This image of St. Denis from the be surprised it is not the capital, the tinue to be moved by the deep piety over me. Christ be beside me, On the left Cathedral of Sainte-Marie in diocese of Armagh is the traditional with which many still regard him. hand and right. Christ be before me, Bayonne, France, shows the patron primatial see of Ireland, whose arch- For instance, the National behind me, about me; Christ this day be saint of headaches holding his own bishop is, because of its relationship Museum of Ireland in Dublin has within and without me!” head. According to legend, St. Denis to Patrick, the Primate of All Ireland. among its possessions a bell that was Let us make this prayer our own walked from his execution to his The pope last week named Mons. reportedly used by Patrick and was for this transitional period in our grave with his head in his hands. Eamon Martin to succeed the cur- buried with him. It is said that it is diocese. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S25 The man wearing the mitre By Michael M. Canaris

In welcoming our new bishop, Dennis Sullivan, it is appropriate to examine the significance of this change in stewardship of the South Jersey flock of Catholic Christians from an ecclesiological point of view. The Camden Diocese consists of the parishes in the six southern- most counties in New Jersey: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem. It is a “local” or “particular” church in communion with the universal Roman Catholic Church headed in Rome. A few years ago, Cardinal Walter Kasper and then-Cardinal Ratzinger famously debated which of these CNS photo /Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo two realities, the local or universal Pope Benedict XVI walks with his crozier as he leads the closing Mass of World Youth Day at Cuatro Vientos airfield in church, had “temporal and ontologi- Madrid Aug. 21, 2011. cal priority.” Cardinal Kasper felt each local, particular church was the Yet, Catholic Christians do assert ceived unworthiness to take up the Each bishop normally has in his primary means by which one experi- that the development of doctrine mantle of office (St. Augustine is diocese one cathedral, in which rests ences what it means to be Catholic. which has led us to the current struc- perhaps the classic example here). his cathedra, or “seat;” both a sym- It is within a specific space and con- ture was organic and willed by God, Usually, they relented and took bolic and literal testament to his text which we share liturgy, pray, and that direct lineage can be traced charge of the church in which they “teaching chair.” hear God’s Word, and participate in from each bishop to the apostles, had been called to leadership. Vatican II re-emphasized what it the sacraments. which is called apostolic succession. Each bishop is respected as a man called the “collegial” relationship Then-Cardinal Ratzinger argued In past centuries, men (the argu- towering above his peers, hence the between brother , where that there would be no “local” church ments for and against this criterion high mitre he wears on his head in they ideally share ideas and can if not for the universal “Holy Mother far exceed the scope of this conver- official settings (as well as in the game combat perceived problems collec- Church” in which the specific instan- tively. To this end, the U.S. tiations of Catholicism appear in Conference of Catholic Bishops various settings and historical helps align American bishops on moments. He asserted that the local Bishops are the leaders of the local progress and potential pitfalls that are not a loosely-affiliated “ are unfolding around the country. network of independent, franchised Bishops are the leaders of the local entities, but rather branches grafted churches dispersed around the globe, churches dispersed around the onto the life-giving vine of the globe, always in communion with church which Christ founded upon the successor of Peter, their head, to Peter. always in communion with the whom Jesus charged “tend my Both would agree, however, that in sheep” and “confirm your brethren.” its healthiest setting, the local and successor of Peter, their head, to It is interesting to note that when universal church exist in a dialogical the cardinals gather in a conclave and mutually enriching relationship. after the death of a pontiff, they are Each local church is led by one whom Jesus charged “tend my sheep” technically choosing the next bishop bishop. Historically, there are ques- of the local church of Rome. When tions as to whether this structure and “confirm your brethren.” they make their selection, that person dates from the earliest centuries. accepts his role as that important par- Many scholars would say that the ticular diocese’s bishop and in so mono-episcopal structure which we sation) who were particularly holy or of chess); and as emulating the good doing becomes pastor of the universal currently recognize did not neces- learned were sometimes nominated shepherd in tending the local” flock, church, or pope — not the other way sarily exist in the earliest Christian to serve as bishop by acclamation by hence the hooked crosier, reminiscent around. For centuries now, part of that communities in the way it was long the people in their local congrega- of the shepherd’s staff for guiding his job has been naming other bishops to supposed, and certainly not within tion. Patristic and medieval literature sheep — and grabbing them by the the world’s many particular churches the complex system of bureaucracy is replete with tales of candidates nape of neck if need be. (Theologians after consultation with local and in which it does now (cf. F.A. hesitating or fleeing from chanting and bishops are sometimes at odds Vatican authorities, which has just Sullivan, From Apostles to Bishops). mobs because of their own per- about the severity of the latter). happened for us and Bishop Sullivan. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S27

Appointed a bishop by Pope John Paul II

Cardinal Egan shared some good news with the congregation gathered for the 8 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 28, 2004, when he announced that Pope John Paul II had named two new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of New York earlier that morning. Before the Mass, the cardinal shakes hands with Bishop-elect Dennis J. Sullivan as Bishop-elect Gerald T. Walsh looks on with a smile. Below, the cardinal and the new bishops-elect pray during the liturgy. The newly appointed auxiliary bishops, bottom left, also greeted Auxiliary Bishop Robert A. Brucato, vicar general.

Photos by Chris Sheridan, Catholic New York

“In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S31 Installation Mass scheduled for Feb. 12

By Peter G. Sánchez

On May 3, 1938, a crowd of 5,000 lined the streets from the Haddonfield train station to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, as the first bishop of Camden, Bartholomew J. Eustace of New York, made his way in a motorcade down Haddon Avenue, to the seat of the diocese. The next day, he was installed as bishop at the cathedral. “Bishop Sullivan will be escorted to the door of the church, where he will perform a ceremonial knock on the door.

Three-quarters of a centruy later, Clergy prepare to enter St. Agnes Church, Blackwood, for the installation of Bishop Joseph Galante as Camden’s sev- the ceremonies for the installation” of enth bishop on April 30, 2004. The installation Mass for Bishop Dennis Sullivan will be celebrated in the same church on the eighth bishop of Camden, Feb. 12. Dennis Sullivan, will begin on Monday, Feb. 11, at the cathedral , with 5 p.m. Evening Prayer led by At the beginning of the liturgy, still eighth bishop of Camden, to the To accommodate the large number the bishop. outside, Bishop Sullivan will be College of Consultors. of attendees, guests are being asked The next day, Feb. 12, rituals will escorted to the door of the church, Archbishop Myers and Archbishop to park away from the St. Agnes continue in another part of the dio- where he will perform a ceremonial Vigano will then lead Bishop Sullivan parking lot, and will be shuttled into cese, Blackwood, which is a larger knock on the door. Archbishop Myers to the “cathedra,” the Bishop’s seat, the Mass. church and more centrally located in will then open the door to welcome and the new leader of Camden will After the installation Mass, a the six-county diocese. him into the church and present him be presented with his crozier. reception will follow at the Crowne Bishop Sullivan will be formally with a crucifix, which Bishop Sullivan Once “seated,” Bishop Sullivan will Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill. Music installed as the shepherd of Camden will kiss, and holy water, which Bishop be welcomed by representatives of during the cocktail hour will be pro- in a 2 p.m. installation Mass at the Sullivan will bless himself with. diocesan staff, clergy, religious, eth- vided by jazz bands from Camden Church of St. Agnes, Our Lady of Next, the entrance procession will nic communities, Catholic schools, Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, Hope Parish. take place, including clergy and reli- and religious education; and civil under the direction of Joe With a seating capacity of almost gious from the Diocese of Camden leaders in the state of New Jersey. Gianfortune; and from Paul VI High 1,300, the invitation-only liturgy is and Archdiocese of New York; dea- The Mass will then proceed, as the School, Haddon Township, under the expected to include the bishops of cons from the Diocese of Camden; Mass for Tuesday of the Fifth Week direction of Ben Vinci. New Jersey and other ; cler- ecumenical leaders; visiting cardi- of Ordinary Time, with Bishop Dinner music will be provided by gy and church workers from nals, and bishops. Sullivan as main celebrant and Jeremy Grenhart, assistant the Camden and New York; and guests The last one to take his place on homilist. Camden Catholic director; and of Bishop Sullivan. the altar, will be Bishop Sullivan. Twenty-five members of the Patrick Garner and Lismarie Vega, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Archbishop Myers will next per- Camden Diocesan choir, and 25 high student at Camden Catholic. Apostolic to the United form the Sign of the Cross, after school students representing the 10 To give everyone an opportunity to States; Cardinal Timothy Cardinal which is the Rite of Installation. Catholic high schools in the diocese, view the ceremony, the diocese has Dolan of New York; Archbishop John Archbishop Vigano will greet those will provide the liturgical music for arranged for a live broadcast on J. Myers of Newark; and Archbishop gathered, and present the Papal Bull, the installation Mass. EWTN and on the internet at Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia, the letter from Pope Benedict XVI Local media outlets will cover the www.camdendiocese.org. on Feb. 12 are expected. appointing Bishop Sullivan as the installation. at 2 p.m. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S35 ‘My ministry in Camden will be a pastoral ministry’

Below is a slightly abridged version of because as the light of Jesus enters Bishop Dennis Sullivan’s opening com- into Matthew’s everyday, the light ments when he was introduced as the spreads over Matthew. I would have eighth bishop of Camden at a press con- to tell you, sisters and brothers, that ference in the Camden Diocesan Center since this call was given to me ... I felt on Jan. 8. the light of Christ touching me, as I ... respond to the Lord’s call to come I went to Rome knowing that this here to this local church and serve appointment would be announced this local church as the bishop of shortly after I got back. One of the Camden. places I wanted to visit when I was I bring here to this local church my there is the Church of Sanluigi de experience as a priest, my experi- Francesi, St. Louis ence as a bishop. of France, where They’ve been there is a wonder- very varied expe- ful Caravaggio One thing I know riences, but in all masterpiece, “The “ of them I have Call of St. been, and I am, a Matthew.” already is that I pastor. A pastor I particularly leading, guiding, wanted to go to encouraging the see that, because I do not walk alone different flocks was ordained a that have been bishop on the through this door entrusted to me, feast of St. and allowing Matthew. myself to be led, Matthew has a of faith. and to be guided, special signifi- and to be cance for me since encouraged by then.... the people of God. The artist paints Jesus, surrounded So, my ministry” has been, and my by light, as he enters into Matthew’s ministry in Camden will be, a pas- Photo by James A. McBride everyday life, and of course toral ministry. I will serve the people Bishop Dennis Sullivan speaks at a press conference introducing him as the Matthew’s everyday life was the life of God, I will build up, with the help eighth bishop of Camden in the Camden Diocesan Center on Jan. 8. of a tax collector, kind of a dark of God and the strength of Christ, world. Not to say anything against this Church of Christ and do what tax collectors, but the light of Christ has to be done to spread the king- is coming into Matthew’s everyday dom of God on earth, and announce — that’s what Caravaggio paints in the good news from Camden to all I have been asking a lot of ques- prayer and my intention here in his masterpiece. Of course, the who need to hear the Good News. tions, last night and this morning, Camden: to be a minister of God’s Gospel of St. Matthew reports that And with the help of God, I certainly about ministries here in the diocese love. Jesus, when he entered into will continue to do what I have been and most especially in the parishes, Let me conclude by noting that our Matthew’s everyday, had two words about, what I have been doing for because that is where the church is. church, our Catholic Church, is for Matthew: “Follow me.” Just two the past 42 years as priest and bish- That’s where the church exists; that’s observing a Year of Faith. The door of words. op. where the Catholic center is. faith is always open, began the won- The artist paints Matthew’s reac- I certainly ask you to bear with me, Catholic Charities, Catholic edu- derful letter of Benedict XVI, Porta tion to the Lord’s call, and it is a mar- as I acclimate myself to new people, cation, healthcare, I certainly sup- Fidei, the papal document announc- velous description of what Matthew new places, get to know the lay of the port and want to learn all about ing this universal observance. probably felt when Jesus comes into land, learn new names. I most espe- those good works, and those chari- So here I am, walking through his life and points his finger at him. cially look forward to getting to ties, and encourage more develop- the door of faith, as it has been It’s almost like the finger of God, and know my brother priests, some of ment of those ministries. lived in Camden, its history, its tra- creation. And what is Matthew’s face whom are here, into whose pres- At daily Mass, I have been struck ditions, its challenges, its future. saying in Caravaggio’s masterpiece, byterate I now have already been with these wonderful Christmas One thing I know already is that I as Jesus comes into his everyday and made to feel welcome.... I feel the readings that we have been having do not walk alone through this calls him, “Follow Me”? strength when they shake my hands, each morning from the first letter of door of faith, but I walk with the Matthew says, “Who, Me?” He or they give me a hug. I feel the John.... Those readings remind me Lord, and I walk in the goodly com- points to himself. strength of the local church in these everyday that what I am about — pany of the faithful, the clergy, the And I stood there looking at that priests, and I certainly look forward what I need to be about, as a priest, religious of Camden, whose faith wonderful piece of art, because hav- to serving with them in the church of as a bishop, as a Christian — is has already encouraged me, and I ing received the call to serve here in Camden. about the love of God. And certainly certainly pray that as a bishop, my the Church of Camden, I had been Our , consecrated women this diocese, this local church — faith will encourage them and saying for the two weeks before I left and men, the lay faithful who consti- parishes, schools, programs, institu- encourage all of you. for that trip, “Who, me?” tute this church, I look forward to my tions, diocesan offices, all of us who So, brothers and sisters, I look for- And I really connected to what I association with you, and my service are a part of it — need to be about ward to being here, to serving this saw in that beautiful painting, as bishop. God’s love. And that certainly is my local church. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S39 The challenges and opportunities ahead

Local church leaders comment on the challenges facing the Diocese of Camden, and the opportunities they present, as Bishop Dennis Sullivan pre- pares to assume his role as chief shepherd of the church of Camden. The need for a more just environment in Camden

While Camden is often portrayed Kingdom to the people of Camden as a wasteland fit only for failure, and other areas of South Jersey each contamination, violence, and other day. We are grateful to our diocese such names and ideas, it is far more and the people of our parishes for than that. the help and support we have Camden is a city of almost 90,000 received. people with a large percentage However, the pain and suffering, being young adults and children. the plight of the people call forth Where God’s people live, it can only from all of us for a more just envi- be where God’s Kingdom exists. As a ronment, a more generous relation- native for 18 years and a pastor for ship, and a more thorough under- the last 27, I recognize the difference standing that we are all brothers and in this city and among her people. In sisters in the Kingdom of God. While the city 50 years ago, the Catholic Jesus spoke in Mathew 25 about parishes flourished in membership those who were hungry and thirsty, and Catholic education. However, and while he challenges us to con- wherever God’s people live and nect with the homeless, the hope- where the communities of God’s less, the outsiders, the weak and the people gather, it can only be good. strong. We must connect our lives, For a favorite saying among us living our Catholic communities, to the here is: “God is good, all the time; all poor, the homeless, the undocu- the time God is good” mented immigrants, the weak and So as God’s people in the Catholic the strong and realize that God is community, here in the city and present in all of us, inside and out- around the entire diocese, so many side of the church, the tabernacles of have stepped up in the face of great our faith, and images in our mind. poverty and desperation. Our Adelina Aguilar, Nicole Valladares, Vianca Salcedo and Mariangelis Fuentes parishes and organizations day in Msgr. Robert T. McDermott stand behind a bench in Von Nieda Park, Camden, that they painted. Students and day out reach out to share our Pastor, St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral, of St. Anthony of Padua School, Camden, have been working with city and love and the Good News of the Camden county officials for months to improve the park. Reconfiguration and the New Evangelization Indeed, the Vision for the Future of ongoing into the future as parishes using guidelines revised in 2010, primary work of the present Our Church in South Jersey, directs grow and adapt to the signs of the whose contemporary focus is pas- moment. This outreach is one in the pastoral activities of the Pastoral times. toral planning. Pastoral councils which our people will be able to Planning Office. You will find it used The last five years have been support the pastoral needs of renew the call of their baptism to in prayer, hanging in our offices and filled with the work of challenging parishes and assist in planning for reach out in hospitality to their in our parishes and, we hope, you but necessary parish reconfigura- and advancing their own parish’s neighbors with the good news of will see it in action as we serve the tions. Following an extensive pastoral priorities which so often God’s love and providence. Lord and His people. planning phase, 93 parishes match those voiced by the people. Bishop Sullivan, we believe we are Six pastoral priorities emanate merged to become 38 new parish- Also, in a new spirit of practical col- poised for a time of growth for the from the Vision and from listening es. Many of the merged parishes laboration, we have initiated Diocese of Camden under your sessions done by Bishop Galante have new ministries that emerged Deanery Councils across the diocese guidance and hope you will share when he first arrived. They call us to from local needs. These have so that parishes can learn from each our enthusiasm for what we can do focus our prayers and energy toward brought new life and are a sign of other and share resources across together for the glory of God. We lifelong faith formation, youth and creative hope. Yet some of our parishes. pray for your joyful immersion in the young adults, liturgy, priestly voca- parishes continue to face chal- Like the rest of the universal life of the church of South Jersey. tions, lay ministry and numerous lenges and the work of reconfigu- church, we see the New aspects of compassionate outreach. ration may not be done. Evangelization as a call to bring our Sister Antoine Lawlor The pastoral plans of our parishes Many parishes have called forth faith more succinctly into our com- Lisa Watson have creatively addressed the pas- the leadership of the parish to re- munities. We have envisioned this Deacon Larry Farmer toral priorities, yet their planning is structure their pastoral councils form of compassionate outreach as a Pastoral Planning Office “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S41 Multicultural reality of the New Evangelization Pope Benedict XVI, declaring the Year of “Latino Catholicism” and emphasized Faith, expressed several concepts about during his presentations to the English- how to deepen our relationship with Jesus, speaking and Latino leaders in the in other words how to pursue a really “New Diocese of Camden last March, “Hispanics Evangelization.” In his Apostolic Letter, do not just need to feel welcome in the Porta Fidei, he declares: “Ever since the start parishes; they need to have a sense of of my ministry as Successor of Peter, I have belonging.” spoken of the need to rediscover the jour- The Diocesan Hispanic Ministry ney of faith so as to shed ever clearer light Commission, together with leaders in the on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the 25 parishes around the diocese that have encounter with Christ” (PF 2). Hispanic Ministry, has been working for In our Diocese of Camden, every day we the incorporation of the Latino population face a new reality of how to bring people to into the life of the community. For this begin or to deepen their relationship with purpose, it continues helping non- God. This reality is situated in the context of Hispanics to understand and respect the multicultural richness of South Jersey, some core Christian values of the particularly with the presence of the Hispanic cultures such as: sense of com- Hispanic community. According to the 2010 munity and spirituality (devotions, popu- Census, there are 50.5 million Hispanics in lar religiosity, etc.). At the same, leaders the U.S. (16 percent of the U.S. population) face the challenge to search for union in and approximately 20 percent of the popu- the diversity of the different Hispanic lation in the six counties of our Diocese is groups, as well as in the dominant culture. Hispanic. More importantly for us is that The recent Diocese of Camden the 71 percent of the U.S. Catholic Community Study conducted by the Population growth since 1960 is due to Barna Group (2012) shows that two out of Hispanics; and not surprising is that 54 per- every three Camden Diocese residents (68 cent of U.S. Millennial Catholics are percent) strongly agree that their religious Hispanics (CARA Catholic Poll, faith is very important in their lives. For Georgetown University, 2010). this reason, in this era of the New When we hear the term Hispanic or Evangelization, South Jersey presents a Latino, immediately we relate it to a group great missionary territory in which we of people coming from Latin-America and need to be very dynamic and creative in the Caribbean. However, very often we for- bringing the person of Jesus to our sisters get that Hispanics come from 20 different Photo by Alan M. Dumoff, ccdphotolibrary.smugmug.com and brothers. We need to be immersed, countries, with unique expressions, food, A woman carries the national flag of Mexico and another a flag with particularly in the reality of the immigrant religious traditions and faith formation. the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during a procession featuring community in which we often find the suf- This reality was acknowledged last the Marian Devotions of 21 Latin-American countries. The event was fering Jesus. But at the same time we feel September when the Office of Hispanic the Hispanic celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of empowered by their witness of the love of Ministry organized a festivity with a proces- Camden at Divine Mercy Parish, Vineland, on Sept. 8, 2012. God particularly in the strong sense of sion with the advocations of the Virgin family and community—-a key element of Mary, with the presence of each Spanish-speaking in the whole life of the parish community. a real evangelization. country. Hispanics do not need just to be served but also to One great opportunity and at the same time a take an active leadership role in the New Andrés Arango good challenge that we have as Catholics in South Evangelization. Professor Timothy Matovina of Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry Jersey is how to integrate the Hispanic population Notre Dame University expressed in his book and Director of Evangelization Joining with other faiths in service, growth

The Second Vatican Council reminds us that the “Nostre Aetate,” that challenges us to reach out in and act as liaison to the Ecumenical Commission, goal of all ecumenical efforts is full visible unity love and understanding toward our Jewish, Jewish-Catholic Commission, Catholic-Muslim among all the followers of Christ. Our disunity Muslim and other non-Christian faith communi- Commission and the Tri-Faith Dialogue. only contributes to the current crisis of faith in so ties. Signing formal agreements, establishing the We will continue our tradition of offering oppor- many parts of our world, while it also inhibits the Catholic-Jewish Commission, Catholic-Jewish tunities for encounter, be it prayer during the efforts of the New Evangelization. Institute for Understanding, Catholic-Muslim Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Thanksgiving, Here in the Diocese of Camden our ecumenical Commission and Tri-Faith Dialogue have all pro- Pentecost or celebration with our interfaith Seder. efforts are expressed in joint efforts to eradicate vided fertile ground for our three great monothe- We hope to continue to present the wider South poverty, inequality and injustice. We also meet to istic faith families to grow in knowledge and Jersey community opportunities to learn more pray with one another for the unity that Christ respect of one another. about the riches of faith and history that our great prayed for, and we occasionally join in opportuni- The perennial challenge of local ecumenism and religions offer our local community and all of ties to deepen our understanding of one another interreligious outreach is convincing deanery and humanity. We will continue to reach out together and celebrate those milestones toward unity parish councils of the importance of this ministry in our efforts to end injustice, poverty, violence, already achieved. The establishment of our among the other outreaches vying for their atten- discrimination and continue to model harmony in Ecumenical Commission to plan and execute tionl. One goal is to have parish ecumenical and our diversity. these goals has been most successful. interreligious representatives appointed in each We have also fully immersed ourselves in the parish. These ministers could be trained for the Father Joseph D. Wallace spirit of the Second Vatican Council’s document, ministry of ecumenical and interreligious affairs Ecumenical and interreligious affairs “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S45 Realidad multicultural de la Nueva Evangelización

El Papa Benedicto XVI declarando el Año de la Fe, expresó varios conceptos acerca de como pro- fundizar nuestra relación con Jesús, en otras pal- abras, como realizar una real “Nueva Evangelización.” En su Carta Apostólica, Porta Fidei, el declara: “Desde el comienzo de mi minis- terio como Sucesor de Pedro, he hablado de la necesidad de redescubrir el camino de la fe con el fin de arrojar luz cada vez más clara en el gozo y el entusiasmo renovado del encuentro con Cristo.”(PF 2) En nuestra Diócesis de Camden, cada día nos enfrentamos a una nueva realidad de como llevar a las personas a iniciar o profundizar su relación con Dios. Esta realidad se sitúa en el contexto de la riqueza multicultural del Sur de Nueva Jersey, particularmente con la presencia de la comunidad Hispana. De acuerdo con el Censo del 2010, 50.5 millones de Hispanos habitan en los EEUU (16% de la población del país) y aproximadamente el 20% de la población en los seis condados de nues- tra Diócesis es Hispana. Más importante para nosotros, es que el 71% del crecimiento de la Población Católica en los EEUU desde 1960 se debe a los Hispanos; y no es sorprendente que el 54% de los Católicos Milenarios de los EEUU son Hispanos (CARA Encuesta Católica, Universidad de Georgetown, 2010). Cuando escuchamos el término Hispano o Latino, inmediatamente lo relacionamos con un grupo de personas procedentes de América Latina y el Caribe. Sin embargo, muy a menudo se nos olvida que los Hispanos provienen de veinte difer- entes países, con únicas expresiones, comida, tradiciones religiosas y formación de fe. Esta real- idad fue percibida en Septiembre pasado, cuando la Oficina del Ministerio Hispano organizó una festividad incluyendo una procesión con las advo- caciones de la Virgen María, representadas con la presencia de cada país hispano hablante. Una gran oportunidad y al mismo tiempo un gran reto que tenemos como Católicos en el Sur de Nueva Jersey, es el como integrar a la población Hispana en la vida entera de la comu- nidad parroquial. Los Hispanos no solo necesitan ser servidos, sino también tomar un papel de lid- erazgo activo en la Nueva Evangelización. El Profesor de la Universidad de Notre Dame, Timothy Matovina, expresó en su libro Catolicismo Latino y enfatizó durante su pre- Foto por Alan M. Dumoff sentación a los líderes de habla Inglesa y líderes Un hombre lleva una estatua de la Virgen María durante la celebración hispana del 75 aniversario de la Latinos de la Diócesis de Camden el pasado Diócesis de Camden en la Parroquia Divina Misericordia, Vineland, Septiembre 8, 2012. marzo: “Los Hispanos no solo necesitan sentirse bienvenidos en las parroquias, ellos necesitan tener un sentido de pertenencia.” La Comisión Diocesana del Ministerio Hispano, entes grupos Hispanos, así como en la cultura manos. Necesitamos estar inmersos, particular- junto con líderes de las 25 parroquias alrededor de dominante. mente en la realidad de la comunidad inmigrante, la diócesis que tienen Ministerio Hispano, han El reciente Estudio Comunitario de la Diócesis en la que frecuentemente encontramos el Jesús estado trabajando en la incorporación de la de Camden realizado por el Grupo Barna (2012), sufriente. Pero al mismo tiempo, nos sentimos for- población Latina dentro de la vida de la comu- muestra que dos de cada tres residentes de la talecidos por sus testimonios del amor de Dios, nidad. Con este propósito, continúa ayudando a Diócesis de Camden (68%) están totalmente de particularmente en el fuerte sentido de familia y los no Hispanos a comprender y respetar algunos acuerdo en que su fe religiosa es muy importante comunidad —-un elemento clave de una ver- valores Cristianos centrales de las culturas en sus vidas. Por esta razón, en esta era de la dadera evangelización. Hispanas, tal como: el sentido de comunidad y la Nueva Evangelización, el Sur de Nueva Jersey pre- espiritualidad (devociones, religiosidad popular senta un gran territorio misionero en el que nece- Andrés Arango etc.) Al mismo tiempo, los líderes enfrentan el reto sitamos ser muy dinámicos y creativos en llevar la Delegado del Obispo para el Ministerio Hispano de buscar la unión en la diversidad de los difer- persona de Jesús a nuestras hermanas y her- Y Director de Evangelización “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S49 The young church has energy and desire

The young church supports and prays with and faith, the message must continue to be relevant for Bishop Dennis Sullivan on his installation. amidst the many messages that compete for peo- Our new shepherd will experience the great hope, ple’s attention. enthusiasm and generosity of the young. Will our faith communities continue to find Youth and young adults (20- and 30-somethings) pathways for youth and young adults to be wel- are the church of today and tomorrow. They have comed, invited and engaged in worship, forma- many hopes for their faith and future that are tion, service and leadership? The growing num- deeply rooted in their baptismal call to be disci- bers of adults with no religious affiliation will con- ples of Jesus. Young people and young adults con- tinue to call diocesan and parish leadership to tinue to experience and contribute to Catholic life new methods of being church. Our invitation to at our parishes, schools, and college campuses. discipleship will call for the energy and creativity The young church has great energy and desire to of young people to spread the message of the live Jesus’ message. Their heads, hearts, hands and Gospel. feet are engaged in the life of the church’s worship In a world that sometimes misses God’s pres- and service. This hope and enthusiasm is found in ence, will youth and young adults find Catholic special ways among new immigrants, young fami- communities that uphold God’s presence in the lies and the generous service offered by many breaking of the Bread and of the Word, as it inter- young people within the diocese and beyond. sects with our daily lives? Youth and young adults hunger for justice and Will youth and young adults find our faith com- service and are willing to be the hands and feet of munities engaged in meaningful service and Jesus throughout the six counties of and beyond. reflection calling us to go make a difference in the Many actively serve in our parish and school com- world? munities as members of our liturgical and social- As director of youth and young adult ministries, concern ministries. Youth and young adults are the I know that the young church will say yes! presence of Christ while feeding the hungry, wel- It is with great hope and willingness to serve coming the stranger, sheltering the homeless and that the young church welcomes our new shep- Photo by Alan M. Dumoff being a presence in places of violence and trauma. herd. Young people pray during Mass at Holy Trinity Together we have the challenge of continuing to Parish, Margate, while participating in the Summer invite youth and young adults into a growing rela- Gregory Coogan in the City at the Shore service project in August, tionship with Jesus and the church. As people of Director of Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministries 2012. Preparing students for heaven and college

Welcome, Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Camden are happy to welcome you as our shepherd and the Chief Teacher in our Diocese. We look forward to sharing in this ministry with you who have been entrusted with this vital work by Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. You will find as you begin to become one with us, that our schools are places where the presence of Jesus is loved and celebrated. From the side of the hill, to the temple in which the Great Rabbi began his work, the Risen Christ’s parting words in the Gospel of Matthew “go and make disciples” and “teach,” this mission contin- ues in the elementary and secondary schools of our dio- cese (Mt 28:19ff). We face the challenges that many of the dioceses in the northeast are facing. Changing demographics in our urban and shore areas and increased populations in some of the off-shore and farming areas of southern New Jersey have led to areas of the diocese with too many schools for the population and other areas where the dis- tance to a Catholic school is great. We live in a culture in which there is a falling away of religious practice and a separation of religion and faith. Photo by Alan M. Dumoff This affects us as well. Yet the deepest questions of life Students from more than a dozen schools take a test during an “Academic Olympics” held at Camden cannot be addressed in educational settings where the Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, on Dec. 5, 2012. human soul is ignored. The education of the “whole child” cannot occur in this void. Catholic schools are per- haps more relevant today than at any other time in our Catholic. The challenge for us is to continue to pro- The challenge to the church is to continue to respond history. vide the framework for a moral formation, a program “Go and teach!” The Catholic faith provides the foundation to see all that prepares students for heaven and college, one that of the world as God’s world. Catholic schools will prepares young people to make a living and to have Mary P. Boyle survive and thrive to the extent that they are truly life. Superintendent of Schools “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S53 Evangelizing in the fields and streets

In search of their piece of the American Dream, more than 1,000 Haitian migrant workers travel from Florida to Hammonton each sum- mer to harvest blueberries. They are primarily transported in vans and buses by crew leaders to work dur- ing the harvesting of blueberries. Even though many of these farm workers are Catholic, they are unable to worship in local parishes because they are housed in labor camps and do not have their own transportation. Further, as Haitian Creole (a Haitian French dialect), is their language, many are unable to follow Masses celebrated in English. Two years ago under the leader- ship of Bishop Joseph Galante and with the support of a local blueberry farmer, the Haitian Farmworker Photo by Alan M. Dumoff Ministry was established by the Members of the Haitian Farmworker Ministry serve dinner to workers in Hammonton after Mass in June 2012. Black Catholic Ministry Commission and St. Monica’s Parish led by Father After working all day in the field, bration around the perimeter of the to coordinate participation and to Yvans Jazon, a Haitian-born priest. the workers return to camp in the veranda. prepare these liturgies. He said, “For During the last two summer har- evenings. The children also return to After the Mass, the community years we return to these fields vests, a Haitian priest (Father Edvard the farm after spending time in the lines up for a dinner of Haitian searching for God. Now we know Jeudy) from outside of the diocese migrant education summer camp. chicken and rice prepared and that God has searched and found was assigned to minister to these Many teens work in the fields with served by the parishioners of St. us.” migrant workers in the labor camps their parents earning piece wages Monica. The parish estimates that The Black Ministry Commission by celebrating weekly Masses and for harvesting the blueberries. Most over 1,000 farm workers were extends a most hearty and gracious administering the sacraments in of the teens speak English and served after the most recent mass welcome to Bishop Dennis Sullivan. their Creole dialect. express their desires to attend col- last June. We look forward to working with To mark the return of the workers, lege and voice their career aspira- Each year during this dinner, a him to expand the Kingdom of God the Black Catholic Ministry tions beyond the migratory life of farm worker and self-appointed all around us whether in the fields of Commission and St. Monica’s farm work. broadcaster known as “Radio” New Jersey or in the streets of (which has a large Haitian commu- Upon returning to camp, the announces over the camp’s micro- Camden. We stand ready to serve as nity) welcome them by joining in the women go to their residences, fresh- phone in Creole how blessed the we heed the call of Jesus to, “Come Mass celebration on the farm and by en up, and come to the veranda community is to have the Catholic after me, and I will make you fishers serving dinner to the workers and proudly donning their Sunday best Church of South Jersey welcome and of men.” (Matt: 4:19). their families. The farm workers on the day of the celebration of wel- minister to them. assist Father Jeudy in the prepara- come. Workers of other denomina- The most moving testament to this Corlis Sellers tion and participate in these litur- tions who do not participate in the ministry was provided by a farm Black Catholic Ministry Commission gies. Mass respectfully observe the cele- worker who works with Father Jeudy Racial Justice Commission Manifestation of the church‘s social doctrine

Pope Benedict observed in his that statement almost every day. In that it was Catholics who first enun- not like it or agree with it, but encyclical Deus Caritas Est that, “In our interactions with our public and ciated a set of principles which they recognize it is based on and today’s complex situation, not least private collaborators we see that our pointed the way for communities of drawn from thousands of years of because of the growth of the global- partners and friends recognize that faith to be engaged in, and with, the prayerful reflection, analysis and ized economy, the church’s social Catholic Charities is a manifestation world in order to bring it caritas and wisdom. doctrine has become a set of funda- of the Catholic Church’s social doc- justice. So there is indeed Good Catholic Charities, Diocese of mental guidelines offering approach- trine which proposes principles and News which is often obscured by the Camden, Inc. welcomes Bishop es that are valid even beyond the con- values that build and sustain a soci- noise and tumult, and perhaps not Sullivan. fines of the church….” ety worthy of the human person. always perceived by Catholics. Catholic Charities has the good Recently a minister of a Christian People want to hear the Kevin H. Hickey fortune of experiencing the truth of denomination commented to me Catholic perspective. They may Executive director, Catholic Charities “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S57 Everyone has a role in fostering vocations In one of his Radio Messages dur- ing his pontificate, the Venerable Pope Paul VI stated that the “indica- tor of the vitality of faith and love of individual parish and diocesan com- munities” is rooted in the number of religious vocations that spring up from within. He continued, “Wherever numerous vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are to be found, that is where people are living the Gospel with generosi- ty.” At this time in the history of our diocese, as new parishes begin the phase of becoming ever more vibrant and dynamic, the Holy Father’s statement should influ- ence the lives of our parish com- munities. As priestly vocations are one of the six pastoral priorities for our diocese, each parish now has the opportunity to create new goals for promoting and support- ing both priestly and religious vocations from within their com- munity. Do we find that we possess a strong commitment to placing the importance of vocations to the Photo by Alan M. Dumoff priesthood and consecrated life as a Some of the participants in the iRace 4 Vocations 5k run/walk in Sewell on June 24, 2012, pose for a photo. The event major component of our spirituality, promoted religious vocations and encouraged participants to pray for their own vocation, whether it be to the priesthood, prayer and pastoral action? Do we religious life, marriage or single life. actively promote vocations within our parish and our family? Young people today are thirsting As we welcome Bishop Sullivan as increase in priestly and religious Every one of us has a role to play for the opportunity to be called to our new shepherd, we certainly pray vocations. in fostering this pastoral priority. greatness and to confront a chal- that his joyful priestly witness will May we all work together to create For priests and religious, it is our lenge. However, too often they are inspire more young people from a culture in our diocese that actively own joyful, authentic witness; living unaware of or unprepared to listen within our parishes and within our promotes and encourages those nec- out our vocation; and active encour- for a call from the Lord to serve and families to search for the cause of essary vocations, for when that hap- agement. For the parish family, it is follow him. We are all involved in that joy, to listen for the voice of God pens, we can be confident that peo- by prayer and invitation to our helping to form young minds and and to have the courage to respond ple are living the Gospel with gen- young people to consider a priestly hearts to know that God has a plan with generosity. And we pray that erosity. or religious vocation as a viable for each of his children and that our our parishes will be known for their option. For our youth, it is by being greatest joy will be found in living vitality of faith and love and that a Father Michael M. Romano open. out that plan. fruit of that will soon come in an Director, Office of Vocations The mission and costs of health care

From the time in the 1940s that an Mary’s Catholic Home in 1958 and 1970 of Medicaid supported the The new changes in the way elderly woman came onto the prop- Mater Dei Nursing Home, Newfield, growth of that mission. However healthcare will be financed present a erty of what is now St. Mary’s in 1967. Our Lady’s MultiCare the payment rates for Medicaid major challenge to our subacute Catholic Home in Cherry Hill seek- Center, Pleasantville, was acquired have lagged behind costs since the services, but we have developed ing shelter, the Diocese of Camden in 1966 and Bishop McCarthy 1990s. Deficits were offset by pri- strategies designed to meet that has responded to the needs of at risk Residence, Vineland, was acquired in vate pay residents. Beginning in need and keep them able to support elderly people. 1975. 2000, we introduced short stay sub- the core service of long term care for That response has varied over the Our Lady’s was expanded in acute care units which provided the elderly. years as necessitated by the changes the 1970s, St. Mary’s in the 1980s more subsidy. We are blessed with able, compas- in care for the elderly brought about and Bishop McCarthy in the In the past five years a further sionate leaders and staff in our by increased knowledge and 1990s. A residential healthcare decline in the Medicaid rates result- skilled nursing facilities and look to changes in financial resources. unit was added to St. Mary’s in ed in deficits which could not be adapt to the current environment. Within the Division of Health the 1990s. overcome and resulted in the closure Services this was reflected in the The prime mission of these homes of Mater Dei Nursing Home in Martine Idler development of skilled nursing facil- was determined to be care for the November 2012 at the time of its 45th Executive director, ities with the construction of St. poor elderly. The introduction in anniversary. Diocesan Health Services “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S61 The evolving mission and ministry of deacons The diaconate as a permanent Our diaconate formation ministry was restored as one of the process has been enhanced over major changes of the Second Vatican the last 10 years to provide dea- Council. In the 40-plus years since cons with the foundation for then, the mission and ministry of responding to the increased deacons has evolved to meet the responsibilities and challenges changing needs of the church and that will be placed upon them. society — and the changes have There are four dimensions to their been significant. formation: spiritual, intellectual, When the first 28 deacons were human and pastoral. ordained for the Diocese of Camden In addition to academic courses, on Oct. 4, 1976, they served primarily the men participate in a variety of to supplement parish staffs. Today, practicums such as hospital and the 108 currently active deacons prison visits and summer intern- serve not only in parishes but in ships, as well as teaching and schools, diocesan offices, hospitals, preaching experiences. prisons and other institutions. Christ continues to provide work- Deacons have even ministered to the ers for the mission. There are cur- crews of ships docking in the Port of rently 27 men in various stages of Camden. diaconate formation. They are ordi- The mission of the church has also nary men who have responded to changed as our population becomes the call which is similar to the call more diverse and as we seek to heard thousands of years ago by the implement our diocesan pastoral Apostles. Most likely, there are oth- priorities in a social environment ers who are discerning a call to serve that places less value on Christian the church. The Office of the principles. The need to teach the Diaconate welcomes men to learn truths that save is critical and the more about this ministry. pursuit of social justice for all who Photo by Alan M. Dumoff are disadvantaged is increasingly Deacon Leo McBlain Deacon Michael Guerrieri prays at the Winter Charismatic Renewal at the John important. Permanent Diaconate Paul II Retreat Center, Vineland, last month. A need to assess how and where best to serve In the name of the women reli- live the consecrated life gious, I welcome you, Bishop in the 21st century. Sullivan, with the simplicity and Retreat Days in Advent friendliness of the sisters who minis- and give us the ter in the Diocese of Camden. As the opportunity to listen to Bishop’s Delegate for Women the wisdom of our guest Religious, I have had the joy of visit- directors and to receive ing with many sisters and of experi- the spiritual nourish- encing their hospitality while getting ment they offer. Perhaps to know more about their specific you will be available to charisms and ministries. They are join us at some time. beautiful people. You will be at home Each religious com- among us. munity has a way of Knowing that you have dreams for hearing, responding and your ministry here in South Jersey, living out the Gospel we pledge our support so that message. These gifts through prayer and ministry, togeth- enrich our lives and er we will bring your dreams to life. ministries. We may look The needs of our people are varied different from each and we are a varied group. Some other; some in full habit, religious communities have roots in others in modern dress Ireland, Italy, Kenya, France, Malta, Photo by James A. McBride and we may have vari- Women religious celebrating 75, 60 or 50 years renew their vows during the World Day for Mexico, the Philippines and Poland. ous “spiritualities,” but Consecrated Life and Jubilee Celebrations at Church of the Holy Family, Sewell, on Feb. 4, Others were founded here in the we are all one in the 2012. , but we are all united Body of Christ. In the in welcoming you and in energizing responding to the emerging needs of work collaboratively in finding and name of all sisters who our mission of evangelization. the church in South Jersey. communicating to the Major serve here in South Jersey, I wish to In the past, we religious have met With the many challenges of the Superiors opportunities for service. welcome you Bishop Sullivan and to in the fall to share our mutual hopes mergers, and the financial difficul- Personally, I’m filled with hope at assure you of our continued prayer- for the People of God and to be ties of parishes, the sisters have your appointment because of your ful support. Welcome. enriched and encouraged by the experienced fewer opportunities for love for the poor and the immigrant bishop’s leadership. This has been a ministry. We need your direction in population. Sister Mary J. McGarrity time for listening and for dialogue. It assessing where and how we can We women religious need to know Diocesan Delegate for Women is a time to look at how we are best serve. As your delegate, I will that you are with us in our efforts to Religious “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S65 Before Camden was a diocese At a time when the force of anti- Catholicism limited freedom of wor- ship, clusters of Catholics began to rise across the six counties, and the first recorded Baptism and Mass was October 5, 1743. The place was a glass factory in Salem County and the celebrant was the apostle of South Jersey, Father Theodore Schneider, S. J. from St. Joseph’s, Philadelphia, a university professor and rector. Father Ferdinand Farmer succeeded him in 1759 and made his last circuit in exhaustion in 1785. Coat of arms In 1808 South Jersey became part ST. MARY CHURCH 1865 of the Diocese of Philadelphia under Bishop . The first of the diocese church in the present-day Diocese of 1866 with what is now the Cathedral at the end of the last century due Camden was dedicated at Pleasant of the Immaculate Conception. to increased intertwined princi- The shield consists of a black Mills on the Mullica River in Atlantic ples of transportation, industry field with three silver elephant County by Bishop Kenrick in 1830. Racial and Ethnic Diversity and immigration. Prosperity and heads each holding a golden Only the cemetery remains as an The multi-ethnic character of the mobility created a new migration cross and a silver crescent at the historic site. The church built in 1845 Camden Diocese had its beginnings to the suburbs. The slowly devel- top center. at Port Elizabeth in Cumberland in the mid 1800s. A settlement of oping Camden area quickly The three elephant heads sig- County, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, blacks in Snow Hill built St. James became, in a sense, Philadelphia’s nifying power, fidelity and wis- was the site of the earliest confirma- Church in 1865, in what is now suburbs. dom, are from the coat of arms tions, all at the hands of Bishop Lawnside, below Haddonfield. The prosperity of the 1920s of Charles Pratt, first Earl of Kenrick. In May of 1879, most of the Black Catholic communities later became translated into Catholic Camden and Lord Chancellor of church was transported down river gathered at St. Monica in Atlantic schools. During Bishop Walsh’s 10- England, for whom the city of and creek to Goshen. City, which was founded at the turn year office in Trenton, 45 parochial Camden was named. In 1773 In the mid-1800s Jesuits, of the century by the saintly Emma and 11 secondary high schools were Jacob Cooper, a descendent of , Augustinians and Lewis with the help of Saint established. High schools in William Cooper, laid out a town diocesan clergy from Philadelphia Katharine Drexel. St. Bartholomew Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic City and named it in commemora- traveled across the South Jersey mis- mission in Camden was opened in and Penns Grove began during this tion of Lord Camden, the friend sions on horseback or afoot, crossing 1947. era. and defender of the rights of the streams and rivers, through forests The Germans and the Irish had When Bishop Walsh went to American Colonies. The sense of in intolerable heat, with their sack been the earlier settlers of South Trenton, a good part of the region justice prevailed so strongly in strapped across their backs contain- Jersey, but by the beginning of the felt the strain of the Depression. the Chancellor that the English ing what was needed for Mass and new century there were 14,000 of Despite the odds, the number of government asked him to resign the Sacraments. Finally, Father Polish descent in New Jersey; hence, Catholic schools in South Jersey his high post after one of his Edmund Waldron, the first priest St. Joseph Church in Camden, and increased with Sacred Heart High judicial decisions denounced assigned to work primarily in South the Polish missions in Egg Harbor, School in Vineland and Vincent the Stamp Act as a breach of the Jersey, arrived in Gloucester City in Mays Landing, Swedesboro and Pallotti Seminary, later St. Joseph English Constitution and 1848 in spite of warning that he Woodbine. High School in Hammonton. declared taxation of the colonies might be stoned there. The first By 1900, there were over 32,000 With continued growth in the without representation to be Church of St. Mary in Gloucester Italians in North Jersey alone, with Catholic population during the first sheer robbery. was blessed by Bishop Kenrick in thousands more settling the farms decades of this century, Pope Pius XI The three golden crosses 1849; it was replaced by the present surrounding Vineland, and building on December 9, 1937 established the honor the Blessed Trinity: The church in 1889. St. Mary is not only their first church north of Vineland Diocese of Camden for the people of Father, Son and . the oldest parish in the Diocese of in 1880. The early presence of Italian the six southern-most counties of These crosses are what is known Camden but has the oldest school, citizens in South Jersey is a presence New Jersey, a region containing in heraldry as the “difference” built in 1859. crucial to the growth of Catholicism nearly 2,700 square miles. This also because they differentiate the After Bishop (now Saint) John in the region. marked the time that New Jersey, Camden diocesan coat of arms Neumann requested that his When the Diocese of Trenton was previously part of the ecclesiastical from that of the Earl of Camden. Diocese of Philadelphia be made founded in 1881, 11 of its 27 priests province of New York, became a sep- With this “difference” the signif- smaller, the Diocese of Newark was were in South Jersey. By 1900, 20 of arate province, with the metropoli- icance of the qualities of power, established in 1853 headed by the 81 parishes of Trenton were in tan see at Newark. fidelity and wisdom is trans- Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley. South Jersey. In 1884, the Fathers of The new diocese of approximately ferred to the spiritual order. Camden was now part of Newark Mercy established their seminary 100,000 Catholics in 49 parishes, 31 The crescent at the top center and in these days Salem, Gloucester and college in Vineland, and mission churches and 35 parochial of the shield represents the and Millville were centers of Trenton’s bishop sent his seminari- schools (thirty elementary and five Immaculate Conception, the Catholic worship along with ans for training and his priests for secondary) was served by 75 dioce- title of the Cathedral of Camden Immaculate Conception in Camden. retreat to Sacred Heart College and san priests and 11 priests of religious and the title under which the In 1855, Father James Moran, the first Theological Seminary, which lasted communities. In the whole area Blessed Virgin is venerated as priest ordained in New Jersey, was only 10 years. there was not a single Catholic the patroness of the Diocese of sent as pastor of the new parish. The The growth of South Jersey and human services institution or school Camden. first church there was replaced in the Church here began to escalate of higher learning. “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S67 Milestones in The diocese the history of at a glance Founded: Dec. 9, 1937, formerly a part of the the diocese Diocese of Trenton. The Diocese of Camden consists of The first church in the new diocese was dedicated in six counties over 2,691 square miles 1830 at Pleasant Mills, Atlantic County in the Mullica in South Jersey: Camden, River, by Bishop Francis Kenrick. Today, only the ceme- Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland, tery remains, as a historic site. Salem and Cape May. The site of the earliest confirmations was St. Elizabeth of Hungary, at Port Elizabeth in Cumberland County, Estimated Catholic population: which was built in 1845. In May 1879, most of the church 475,000 out of a total population of moved to Goshen. 1.4 million. The first Church of St. Mary, Gloucester, was blessed in 1849; it was replaced by the current church in 1889. Today, Personnel: St. Mary is the oldest parish in the diocese. Total number of diocesan priests: On Dec. 9, 1937, Pope Pius XI established the Diocese of 282 Camden for the people of the six southern most counties Diocesan priests in active ministry: of New Jersey. On May 4, 1938, during his installation as 161 the first bishop of Camden, Bishop Bartholomew J. Religious order priests resident in Eustace dedicated the new diocese to the Blessed Virgin diocese: 39 Mary. Number of permanent deacons: The new diocese, of approximately 100,000 Catholics in 155 49 parishes, 11 mission churches and 35 parochial schools Religious sisters: 269 (thirty elementary and five secondary), was served by 75 Religious brothers: 10 diocesan priests and 11 priests of religious communities. Today, 475,000 Catholics in 70 parishes and 40 parochial Parish life: schools (30 elementary, 10 secondary) are served by 161 Parishes: 70 priests and 39 priests of religious communities. Yearly baptisms: 5,047 Bishop Justin J. McCarthy, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, Marriages: 1,040 was installed as the second bishop of Camden at the THE CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION First Communions: 5,039 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on March 19, Confirmations: 4,582 1957. Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano, then Apostolic Charities/health care: Delegate to South Africa, was named the third bishop of In 1998, the Diocese’s headquarters relocated from Catholic hospitals: 1 Camden on Feb. 10, 1960. Haddon Avenue to downtown Camden, in the PNC Bank Number of patients assisted annu- By September 1962, the new Camden Catholic High building at Market and Broadway, directly across from ally: 283,706 School on Cuthbert Boulevard in Cherry Hill opened, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the mother replacing the school’s Camden building that was severe- church in the diocese. Health care centers: 2 ly damaged by an Easter night fire in April 1960. On March 23, 2004, Pope John Paul II announced that Number of in-patient and out- In 1961, Father (later Monsignor) Edward Kennedy and Bishop Joseph A. Galante, Coadjutor Bishop of the patients assisted annually: 18,625 Father (later Monsignor) Felix O’Neill were assigned to Diocese of Dallas, would be the seventh bishop of what would be known as Camden’s Brazil Missions, with Camden. Homes for the aged: 4 priests from the diocese bringing the Catholic faith to Bishop Galante, in his first two years, met with more Number assisted annually: 1,953 South America. than 8,200 Catholic faithful in “Speak-Up” sessions, and On Dec. 8, 1966, Bishop James Louis Schad was identified six pastoral priorities identified most by Special centers for socials services ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Camden. On Jan. 10, 1968, it parishioners, to be focused on by pastors and parishes: and assistance: 12 was announced that Bishop George H. Guilfoyle, Lifelong Formation, Priestly Vocations, Lay Ministry, Auxiliary to Cardinal in New York, had Youth and Young Adults, Liturgy, and Compassionate Total estimated number of people been appointed the fourth Ordinary of the Camden Outreach. served by social service and health Diocese by Pope Paul VI. In 2007, he announced the reconfiguration of 35 agencies: 187,054 On Oct. 4, 1976, the first ordination to the permanent Catholic elementary schools, and the following year a diaconate took place at St. Rose of Lima, Haddon reconfiguration of parishes. Education: Heights. Six months later, in October 2008, he announced the Elementary schools: 30 The Department of Housing was created in 1969, and creation of the Lay Ministry Formation program, to help Elementary school students: 8,638 its first project, Victorian Towers, was dedicated in Cape the laity engaged in parish work obtain the proper edu- Secondary schools, diocesan and May in 1973. cational credentials related to their ministry. parish: 7 On May 21, 1989, it was announced that Auxiliary During a press conference last May to announce the Secondary school students: 3,594 Bishop James T. McHugh of Newark, a priest well known results of a diocese-commissioned Barna Study on the Private Catholic secondary in the pro-life field, had been appointed the fifth Bishop religious practices of South Jersey residents, Bishop schools: 3 of Camden. He was installed on June 20, 1989. Galante urged the church “to get back to teaching” a com- Private Catholic secondary school On June 8, 1999, it was announced that Bishop Nicholas munity that, according to the study, has a poor under- students: 1,541 DiMarzio, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, had been standing of church doctrine, becoming a “more inviting” Students enrolled in parish reli- appointed the sixth bishop of Camden. people. gious education: 25,058 “In the Breaking of the Bread” FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan CATHOLIC STAR HERALD — S69 Bishop Joseph Galante 2004-2013 Bishop Joseph Galante, D.D., J.C.D. was born Soon after his installation in the Diocese of in Philadelphia and was ordained in 1964. Camden, he hosted 138 "Speak Up Sessions" He attended Lateran University in Rome, over 15 months, to obtain feedback directly from where he received his doctorate in canon law, parishioners, clergy, religious and others on the and later the University of St. Thomas ministerial priorities of the diocese. This consul- (Angelicum) in Rome, where he received his tation led to a multi-year planning process that Master's Degree in Spiritual Theology. has sought to address pressing challenges while He served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia revitalizing parish life in every area of the dio- until he was named by Pope John Paul II in cese. December 1986 to be Undersecretary of the To serve the needs of the people of the diocese Congregation for Religious in Rome. as expressed in these priorities, the diocese took He was a member of the Pontifical Council for several ambitious steps. Parishes were reconfig- Social Communications and chair of the United ured from 124 parishes to 70. Also deaneries, States Conference of Catholic Bishops' groupings of parishes that work together in par- Committee on Communications. ticular regions, were reorganized to be more In October 1992 he was named Auxiliary representative of the diversity of the diocese Bishop of San Antonio, Texas. A year and a half and to put them into a position to be more col- later he was installed as Bishop of Beaumont, laborative with each other. Texas. He became Coadjutor Bishop of Dallas in Also the diocese established a virtual univer- January 2000. sity by reaching agreements with several insti- On April 30, 2004, Bishop Galante returned to tutions of higher learning to provide cost effec- the Philadelphia area and was installed as sev- tive education in ministry and Church adminis- enth bishop of the Diocese of Camden. tration.

BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO BISHOP JAMES T. MCHUGH AUXILIARY BISHOP JAMES L. BISHOP GEORGE H. GUILFOYLE 1999-2003 1989-1998 SCHAD 1968-1989 1966-1992

ARCHBISHOP CELESTINE J. BISHOP JUSTIN J. MCCARTHY BISHOP BARTHOLOMEW J. DAMIANO 1957-1959 EUSTACE 1960-1967 1938-1956 “In the Breaking of the Bread”