2008

The Year of St. Paul,
Deacon Joseph Malloy Called by the Lord

The Lenten Season in 2008 brought the well-known, Fr. Peter Girard, a Dominican Priest to the parish for a mission that centered on the spirituality of the Mass. Fr. Girard would return to the parish for two days of recollection for the benefit of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors. The Lenten work of charity, Hope for Health raised an impressive $12,811. to benefit the Clinic in the Diocese of Kasana Luweero.

Many months were devoted to the review of the feasibility study and the formation of the renovation plans. An addition to the St. Anthony Campus was the dedication of a copper statue the patron. This image of St. Anthony was obtained through the closing of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Trenton. It was refurbished by Abbey Rose, Trenton and placed upon a new granite column in front of the church.

The parish was grieved on April 17 upon hearing the news of the sudden death of Deacon Joseph Malloy. Deacon Malloy ministered in our parish but was perhaps best known for his support of Martin House, Trenton. Among the highlights of his ministry was the Adopt a Family project which he began along with his wife, Judy. The director of Martin House, Fr. Brian McCormick was homilist at his funeral Mass celebrated in Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

Before summers’ end, Bishop Smith transferred Fr. John C. Garrett to St. Therese’s, Tuckerton and assigned as adjunct priest to the parish, Fr. Eugene Savarimuthu.

Two other events in 2008 deserve recognition: the awarding of 1st place honors to the cheerleading squads at the annual diocesan competition—the third consecutive first place prize of the groups. The parish also hosted a benefit concert by the Capital Singers of New Jersey at Our Lady of Sorrows in memory of Donival Brown.