Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There are a variety of ways one might look at our parish of St. Charles Borromeo. For many of us, we tend to experience the parish as the local expression of the Catholic Church, a homebase for our faith. From the perspective of the Bishop and the Diocese, St. Charles is one parish out of 97 total parishes, each with its own unique characteristics, but all part of a larger whole. From the state of New Jersey, our parish and every Catholic parish is considered to be a corporate entity, with certain rights and responsibilities entrusted to it. And it’s because of that last perspective, that I have some news to share.
The corporate structure of our parish takes the form of a Board. There’s a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and two Trustees. Every parish in the Diocese of Trenton has this structure and the role as filled with the Bishop as President, the Vicar General as Vice-President, and the Pastor as Secretary-Treasurer. And the two Trustees are to be selected from members of the parish community, serving one-year terms, until a certain time elapses.
When I first arrived at St. Charles, I was blessed to have Marie Serfling and Frank Dolan as Parish Trustees. Their wisdom and knowledge about the happenings of the parish were invaluable to me, especially in that first year here, where I was learning the ropes and figuring things out. I was told by the Vicar General in that first year that I would need to select new Trustees thereafter, given the term limits of things. After much prayer and consideration, I asked Brian Begley and Dan Gaffney to come and fill this vital role in the life of the parish. They have both been exemplary Trustees, offering me guidance and acting as both a sounding board and as a way to learn what’s happening throughout the community. It’s been now seven years of service for them, and they’ve been a great blessing to me as pastor and for the parish that they both clearly care for deeply. But it’s once again time to select new Parish Trustees.
It is with much pleasure and gratitude to announce that Anne Caruso and Harry Welsh will be taking on the role of Parish Trustee moving forward. I did not come to the decision lightly, and as with any major opportunity in and for the parish, I spent considerable time in thought and prayer about it. But for anyone that knows Anne or Harry, I hope it’s obvious why I’ve asked them. Both are deeply committed to the parish, have great wisdom and insight, and can serve in the advisory role that falls to Trustees, bringing their experience and knowledge of the community with them. I hope that you will join me in congratulating Anne and Harry in accepting this new role and thanking Dan and Brian for their years of service!
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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