COMBONI MISSIONARIES AT ST. LUCY'S

July 1, 2010 Archbishop John Joseph Myers and Very Reverend Louis Gasparini, Provincial Superior of the North American Province, will sign an agreement that allows the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus to assume pastoral responsibility for the parish of Saint Lucy, Newark. Father Luigi Zanotto who has been the Parish Administrator will now be the Pastor of the parish. Comboni Father Paul Donohue will assist Father Luigi as parochial vicar. Later Comboni Father Provvido Crozzoletto will join them. Comboni Father John Converset will be in residence in charge of the Comboni Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

Saint Daniel Comboni, the first Bishop of Central Africa, founded the Comboni Missionaries in 1867. Originally they were a group of priests and brothers from all over Europe doing mission work in Africa under the name of “Institute for the African Missions.” They became a religious society in 1895.  Up to recent years they were known popularly as “Verona Fathers,” because Saint Daniel was from Limone sul Garda and ordained for the Diocese of Verona. In 1979 the name was changed to the present form in order to honor both the founder and the spirituality of the society.

Currently the Comboni Missionaries number close to 1,700 priests and brothers. There are just as many Comboni Missionary Sisters and approximately one hundred Lay Comboni Missionaries, ministering on 41 countries, stretching across four continents.

In North America, the Comboni Missionaries have a small contingent of about 40 members who minister in two parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, two in the Archdiocese of Chicago, one in the Diocese of Hamilton (Ontario, Canada), and they are in charge of Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Wherever they are, the evangelizing method of the Comboni Missionaries is carried out in cooperation with the local personnel and existing resources in a spirit of service to the local Church.

PRAYER VIGIL

FINANCE

According long-standing parishioners, the summer months are the bleakest months in terms of parish income. The Summer

“offering” campaign is an attempt to preempt the shortfall in summer income. On the other hand, the Special maintenance Fund takes the long view. It is a contingency fund so that the parish can repair the bell tower damaged in a severe winter storm and replace the rectory windows in order to reduce heating expenses.

FUSCO HALL RENOVATION

The Comboni Missionaries intend to invest in the renovation of Fusco Hall in lieu of rent in order to locate congregational activities there so as not to disturb the pastoral rhythm of the parish.

The Comboni offices of Mission Promotion and Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation and Mission animation will be located in Fusco Hall.

JULY and AUGUST

Time for programming

The vibrancy of parish life isn’t accidental but emerges from well thought out programs carried out in coordination within the parish community.  Discussions during the months of July and August are meant to develop the Catechesis program for first communion, confirmation, baptism, marriage preparation and catechesis for adults. In September we are thinking of an informational assembly open to all parishioners where the results of this work can be shared.

Also during this time, the liturgy committee will develop liturgy aids for baptism, first communion, confirmation, weddings and funerals so that the praying community may fully participate in the ritual liturgies.

Social Action. From its origins, Saint Lucy has been involved in social action for the benefit of the people in the area: for example, the School, the Orphanage, the Community center, Villa Victoria, Thanksgiving turkeys initiative… now it is our turn to answerer the needs of our community. During this summer we want to program some concrete actions for this coming year.

It is with this in mind that on June 5 - The foundational meeting of the first Hispanic Pax Christi group in the state of New Jersey was held at Saint Lucy. Though things change with time, still Social Action is a mark of St. Lucy.

ST. GERARD SHRINE TEAM

St. Gerard team has started to work with enthusiasm, intelligence, creativity and real passion for St. Gerard. It is not too early to pray that we may have better weather than October 2009. The program for October St. Gerard celebration is ready.

ST. LUCY'S ITALIAN COMMUNITY

A committee, focus on the “Italian community”

St. Lucy, the mother church, of the Italian community of the state of New Jersey.

Perhaps more than any other group, the committee will attempt to read the signs of the time. While there are many Italian groups in the greater Newark area, St. Lucy has always played a preeminent role. In fact, the beauty of the Church, and the plaza in front of the Church, the status of the national shrine to St. Gerard Majella emerged not just from hard work, but also from the focal point St. Lucy has had within the Italian community of Newark.

This singular position emerged from planning, hard work, and attention to the signs of the time.

The projects of the past were more than activity, they kept alive the values and culture of our parents, grandparents and ancestors.

The goal of the committee of the Italian Community can be no less.

St. Lucy wants to continue its role as the focal point of the Italian community in the Newark area and in the state of New Jersey. The task of the subcommittee is to help that happen.

ST. LUCY and FATHER PETER

We are grateful that we had the opportunity to have Father Peter with us during his first year of ministry as a priest. Father Peter is a priest of the Archdiocese and Archbishop John Joseph Myer has given him a new assignment.

We wish him well in his new assignment.

ST. LUCY and FATHER STEPHEN

 Father Stephen is a diocesan priest of Nigeria. His bishop has sent him here to study. We will continue the offer to him hospitality, that is, a room in the rectory so that he may finish his studies.

FATHER GASPERINI

* Fr. Louis Gasperini, the Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries, will be with us next week from 14 to 18 of June. He is happy to receive visitors. * On June 19 at 4:30 all are invited to celebrate the 50 anniversary of Tom and Alba.

ST. LUCY and the FUTURE

For several months St. Lucy was suffering the uncertainty of transition. There was (and still there is) fear, discouragement, anxiety, distrust - and now: the Comboni’s appear. We don’t know who they are; how will they treat us and our rich tradition? Do they want to transform our parish into a “mission?”

In these eighth months that I was with you, I have tried my best to understand you and love you. I believe that God loves Saint Lucy and he is taking care of her. The Combonis are coming to walk with you, side by side and do their best to serve the community. 

I believe that in this moment of transition we can glimpse the action of grace in the life of the parish. First, of all, Msgr. Granato has been a grace for the people of this parish. His presence has become a sign of God’s blessings for us. He will always have a room in the rectory and in our heart.

Second, I am humbled by the trust put in me by the Archbishop to assume the pastoral responsibility of a parish St. Lucy. It is a challenge I accept, believing that the people of the parish will work with me as they have worked with those priests who have come before me.

Third, I write these notes on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I ask the Sacred Heart to bless you and me.

Your friend and father

                          Luigi