Blessed Pope John XXIII
1881–1963, pope (1958–63), an Italian (b. Sotto il Monte, near Bergamo) named Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli; successor of Pius XII. He was of peasant stock. Educated at Bergamo and the Seminario Romano (called the Apollinare), Rome, he was ordained in 1904. While secretary to the bishop of Bergamo (1904–14) he wrote scholarly works, among them a life of St. Charles Borromeo (completed in 5 vol., 1936–52). Called up for service in World War I, he was first in the medical corps and was later a chaplain. After the war he held posts in Rome and reorganized the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
In 1925 he was made archbishop and sent as Vatican diplomatic representative to Bulgaria. Later he was representative in Turkey and Greece, and in 1944 he was named papal nuncio to France. There he acted as mediator between the conservative churchmen and the more socially “radical” clergy; he gained popularity. In 1953 he was made cardinal and the patriarch of Venice. He was elected pope Oct. 28, 1958.
As pope, he put reforms into practice: He laid stress on his own pastoral duties as well as those of other bishops and the lesser clergy; he was active in promoting social reforms for workers, the poor, orphans, and the outcast; he advanced cooperation with other religions (among his innumerable visitors were many Protestant leaders, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, the archbishop of Canterbury, and a Shinto high priest). more on Blessed Pope John XXIII
parish history
We are one parish of two separate churches, a unique arrangement in a diocese with only five other missions. We are St. Lucy of Blue Anchor and Sacred Heart of Cedar Brook. Each cherishes its identity. The mission community is older than the base parish. Our two parts have long commingled, with parishioners comfortable worshipping at each other's church, even inter-marrying. Parishioners appreciate being able to choose from the services --such as religious education-- of both churches.
We are here to continue ministering to the needs of our membership and to the non-Catholic community at large. We see our Christian discipleship as something not to be hidden but to be publicized, not to be hoarded but to be shared, not to be trivialized in private piety but enacted in Jesus' catholic love of all, especially the marginalized. We accord our women their equality and any minority its dignity. We consciously seek clergy-lay collaboration and respect.
read: History on Winslow Township
sacred heart
-from the 75th Anniversary Celebration
By the side of one of South Jersey's busiest highways, the little white church sits proudly before its peaceful cemetery. It has been there since the traffic on the narrow Blue Anchor - Tansboro Road in front of it was almost all horse drawn, and the loudest sound was usually that of wagon wheels crunching on the gravel surface. It has been there since the old Atlantic City Railroad behind it was one of the fastest railroads in the world and more than fifty trains on a busy day passed through the nearby Cedar Brook station.
more on Sacred Heart Church
saint lucy
-from the 50th Anniversary Celebration
Fifty years has not changed the outward appearance of St. Lucy's Church but most certainly great changes have taken place. St. Lucy's is now a parish with Sacred Heart, Cedar Brook as a mission, consisting of about 300 families. Father Bernard Darby is Pastor. Father Robert Craven, Chaplain at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, is in residence at St. Lucy's. Also, Father Peter Osinski, Diocesan Assistant Director of Vocations, assists weekends at St. Lucy's and Sacred Heart.
more on Saint Lucy History
