Pilgrims Joe and Marge McElroy participate in the procession of parishes at the 2022 Mass.
Aside from receiving the Blessed Sacrament, one of the aspects of the Catholic faith that brings me the most joy is exploring the many treasures the Church has preserved over the centuries. No matter where our travels take us, we will find Catholic treasures across the globe. One majestic treasure is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. As the Diocese of Camden did in 2022, they have again organized a pilgrimage to this Basilica, which allows each parish to gather in this National Sanctuary of Prayer and Pilgrimage dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This visit marks my third pilgrimage to the Basilica, and I am honored to plan this pilgrimage on behalf of CTK and to be your bus captain.
Entering the Basilica, the pilgrim journeys through Catholic traditions through which God reveals his glory to humanity. Its immense size, Romanesque and Byzantine architecture and art, and eighty chapels and oratories leave pilgrims grateful for their Catholic identity. From the blessing of the land in 1920 to the completion of the Trinity Dome in 2017, the Basilica is a holy Catholic treasure worthy of reverence and worship to God. Pope Benedict XVI said, “To go on a pilgrimage is not simply to visit a place to admire its treasures of nature, art, or history. To go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendor and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe.”
CTK filled a bus in 2022, and when asked about her experience, Marge McElroy recalled a feeling of community and joy among the congregation. She expressed immense gratitude to be among the parish pilgrims.
Dolores Mozzillo is the Director of Religious Education, and staff liaison to the OCIA program.
Fill the Bus! Scan the QR code and register today for the 2024 Pilgrimage. The bus leaves CTK at 6:30AM. Contact Dolores Mozzillo for more information.
Service That Inspires Generations
Elizabeth and Evan Ackmann, pictured with their children and Elizabeth’s parents Janet and George Hutchinson.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is significant in my life. Witnessing my parents’ devotion to the Society and, most recently, building the new website gave me a close look at the profound community impact of this organization since its inception in 1938.
What resonates with me the most about this organization is that we provide a lifeline for those in need; we strive to offer a path to reclaim their life rather than simply offering charity. Driven by compassion, conscious of the dignity of each person, and centered on the love of neighbor, SVDP focuses its resources on The Cherry Hill Food Pantry, Joe’s Place, and the Displacement Ministry.
CTK parishioner and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Janet Giordano leads the Cherry Hill Food Pantry. This pantry feeds over 800 families each month, and with food insecurity becoming more prevalent, this facility is vital to combating hunger in our backyard.
Parishioner Kate Murray, MD, spearheads Joe’s Place. The team gathers monthly in Camden to cook meals and serve those seeking a hot, nourishing meal. Kate is grateful for the bond that has formed among the volunteers who have served with her over the past few years. This mini-community includes high school and adult volunteers, each emptying themselves into this service. She has discovered that this is one of the few areas where she finds true collaboration between different generations.
Our displacement ministry provides practical support to families facing heartbreaking circumstances. Parishioner Ed Schwarz explains, “Being a member of the Displacement Team for the past year has been a fulfilling undertaking. With an hour or two a month, I can provide hope to people in troubled situations by listening to their problems, assisting them in finding a place to sleep, a food source, or paying their past due housing bills.”
Our efforts embody our mission, “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.” As Christ has taught us, serving others is the expression of one’s faith, and I am grateful to the forty parishioners who generously give their time, talent, and treasure to this worthy cause.
Elizabeth Ackmann is a lector at CTK. She and her family are regular attendees of 9AM Mass and hospitality events.
Parishioner and member of Knights of Columbus Ed Schwarz, pictured at the parish office making a displacement call.
Scan the QR code and get to know stvincentassist.org; all services urgently need caring individuals like you! Visit cherryhillfoodpantry.org to assist with the food pantry ministry on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Contact Dolores Mozzillo to register for VIRTUS Training on October 23 in Morgan Hall.
