'Blog' Tagged Posts (Page 2)
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Ursula Russo
Say hello to Ursula Russo, the newest adult Catholic in Saint Damien Parish. Ursula’s confirmation was delayed when the coronavirus pandemic shuttered the church during Lent. But in June, when masses resumed, she was received into the church. Her sponsor was her daughter, Christine Leonetti. In the Fall of 2019, Ursula entered into the process known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a period of study and reflection that she called “stimulating” and “enlightening.” She was led through…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Ginny & Joe Sosnowsky
Every morning Ginny and Joe Sosnowsky dip into their collection of holy water, gleaned from their travels to shrines and basilicas, and bless each other. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you kindly and give you His peace. “It is our way of remembering that God is the most important person in our lives,” Ginny explained. The blessings that the Sosnowskys…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Gerry Barsotti
Some people know her as the Haiti Lady who collects school supplies and shoes for children in need. But, in fact, Gerry Barsotti loves the whole world. Gerry’s involvement with the Haitian community of Lamontagne Jacmel began through her son Domenic, who helped to install water purification systems in the remote village when he was in college. After college, he continued to volunteer with a non-profit organization based there. With his encouragement and the blessing of Father Michael Rush, Gerry…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Rosalia Gil
When Rosalia Gil faces a problem, she talks it over first with her best friend–God. “Maybe later I will talk with my family,” she explained, “but God first.” Living close to God has become a way of life for Rosalia and her family. She is an altar server and lector at the Spanish-language Masses at St. Frances Cabrini Church and a weekday altar server at St. Augustine Church. Her husband, Armando Flores, is a Eucharistic minister. Her older daughter, Melanie, is also an altar…
Know Your Fellow Parishioner: Becky Albertson
Sometimes God works through miscommunication. As a godparent to four children enrolled in religious education classes, Becky Albertson thought she was supposed to help them find a yearlong service project. By the time she discovered that the requirement was for only one day of service, it was too late. Becky had given her heart to The Branches, an outreach center for the homeless in Rio Grande. Becky contacted The Branches at a time of critical need. Still a new organization…
From the Pastor’s Desk: Greetings from Fr. Tom Newton
With extreme gratitude to Bishop Sullivan, I begin my new assignment as the pastor of St. Damien Parish. As I wrote to my family and friends when I shared with them my new appointment, I am filled with feelings of profound excitement for this new adventure. I come to this position after being the pastor of Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill for eleven years and, prior to a merger, the pastor of St. Peter Celestine in Cherry Hill for…