Catholic Star Herald

01/17/2025

This morning, business leaders from around South Jersey gathered at The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light for the first Catholic Business Network of South Jersey (CBNSJ) meeting of 2025. And CBNSJ members were delighted to welcome so many new participants to start the new year and see so many members come back.

Prior to the meeting, Father John Picinic, pastor, celebrated Mass in church, thanking members for attending and gathering with the parish community.

This month’s meeting was sponsored by John Napolitano of OAK Financial Partners, who made a presentation and assisted with breakfast.

To start this , CBNSJ welcomed guest speaker, Lee Mirenda DelleMonache, PhD, director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Camden to speak about and "why it matters in our faith."

She discussed the meaning and importance of the stating, "During this Holy Year, and every Holy Year we're called to be tangible signs of for others. So take advantage of the opportunities your parish, the Diocese is offering, that our Church is offering, that is going to shine a light... that spotlights brighter on the virtue of hope... be that sign of tangible hope for others." Dr. Mirenda DelleMonache invited the group to pick a Jubilee event to attend and to bring someone to accompany them to the event, and "pray, pray, pray every day... give yourself the gift of daily prayer."

First time CBNSJ attendee Paige Beierschmitt enjoyed the meeting, networking, and learning about the Jubilee, stating "being and new to business development, I wanted to meet others who share common interests with me and grow my network."

The Catholic Business Network of South Jersey meets the third Friday of every month at different parishes across our Diocese. All are welcome! Go to https://cbnsj.org.

See our next edition for more!

01/17/2025

On Day 2 of , we pray for all who are suffering from participation in abortion. Today's prayers: https://ow.ly/cGGv50UCEoX.

01/17/2025

A huge to Jack Mustaro of Gloucester Catholic, who broke the high school's all-time boys basketball scoring record this week, overtaking 1969 graduate Dom Carrera. Carrera’s mark of 1,507 career points held for 56 years!

Entering the Jan. 15 game at Salem High School, Mustaro needed just two points to tie the record and surpassed it early on a 3-pointer. He finished the game with a team-high 17 points.

Last year, the three-sport athlete became the 17th male in school history to reach 1,000 points, but was the first to do it as a junior.

Way to go!
South Jersey Catholic Schools

01/16/2025

Today begins the ‘9 Days for Life’ novena.

Today's prayer intention: May the tragic practice of abortion end.

Find out to get each day's prayer intentions at
https://catholicstarherald.org/how-to-pray-the-9-days-for-life-novena-starting-jan-16
Diocese of Camden Life & Justice Ministries Diocese of Camden

01/15/2025

As the country honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 20, Father Vincent Guest, Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish - Camden NJ and Coordinator of the Diocese of Camden Black Catholic Ministry Commission, shares how our recent popes have spoken about the importance of Dr. King's legacy of nonviolence and racial harmony.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C. (Public Domain photo) As the

01/15/2025

In recognition of on January 20, in support of those in need, Red Cross Blood Drives will be held on various days (Jan. 15-20) throughout the Diocese of Camden.

According to American Red Cross Blood Donors, severe winter weather and wildfires have forced thousands of blood donations to go uncollected. There is an emergency shortage of platelets, as well as types O negative and B negative blood. Donors are needed!

The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light
Saint Bridget University Parish
St. Joachim Parish/Annunciation

In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 20, Red Cross Blood Drives will

01/14/2025

Research has found that those engaging in meaningful activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood and have a sense of purpose.

During these months, Christine Willard, manager of parish-based senior programs for VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, shares tips on understanding the risks of and how it can be prevented, for healthy aging in mind, body, and spirit.

Diocese of Camden

By Christine Willard The winter season brings colder weather and less sunlight. This can lead to many people, especially older

01/14/2025

Addressing a vital need for social connections, VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services has launched a new initiative, “Calls of Joy,” which brings compassionate listening to a demographic that too often experiences isolation: .

In weekly phone calls, recipients will “feel heard and seen, and know that they matter,” says Christine Willard, VITALity’s manager of parish-based senior programs.

“Calls of Joy” is part of VITALity’s Life to the Fullest free membership program, which connects seniors to health and well-being resources.

Nicole Keefer, VITALity’s executive director, says these phone calls – made by volunteers – can help give struggling seniors “purpose, hope and a reason to get out of bed.”

Scan the code or call 856-583-6123 if you or someone you know would benefit from this program!

More info in the latest edition of the Catholic Star Herald and here: https://catholicstarherald.org/calls-of-joy-program-aims-to-help-seniors-feel-seen-and-heard.

01/13/2025

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The nanny for your neighbor, the young woman who does your nails, the young man clearing your table at a restaurant, the people who pick the fruit you enjoy - each of these could be a victim of human trafficking – modern day slaves living within our midst. Human trafficking is a crime against the basic dignity and rights of a person. Sadly, human trafficking is flourishing throughout the world.

According to Walk Free, an international human rights group focused on the eradication of Human Trafficking, in all its forms. In 2021, an estimated 50 million people were living in modern day slavery on any given day.

For our part, the New Jersey Catholic Conference continues to work with state government agencies, a coalition of religious communities, and community-based organizations to eradicate Human Trafficking in New Jersey. Currently, we represent the Catholic Church on the New Jersey Attorney General’s Anti-Trafficking Faith Based Committee. The goal of the faith-based committee is to assist with the development of programs and resources section to help faith communities learn how more on what they can do to stop human trafficking.

During January, we encourage all Catholics and people of good will to learn more about Human Trafficking and how they can work to end this form of modern-day slavery.

Resources:
WalkFree - WalkFree.org
New Jersey Attorney General’s Anti-Trafficking Unit - https://bit.ly/3C406mg
United State Conference of Catholic Bishops - https://bit.ly/3WeWeWF

01/13/2025

The latest Talking Catholic is up now with Father Joseph Wallace, Pastor of Christ The Redeemer Catholic Parish- Atco, NJ! Give a listen!

The Catholic Church is celebrating some milestones in 2025 – starting with the Jubilee Year, which has begun in the Diocese of Camden and across the world!

This week, Father Joseph Wallace visits with Talking Catholic cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro to discuss the history of Jubilee Years, their purpose and how they have evolved over time.

Father Wallace, diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ The Redeemer Catholic Parish- Atco, NJ, also takes listeners on a fascinating journey back to the Council of Nicaea. This year is the 1,700th anniversary. Learn about the council and how it relates to us today.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/podcast/fr-wallace-jubilee-nicene-creed/

01/13/2025

Congratulations Jahzara Green!

01/13/2025

O Blessed Mother, through your powerful intercession, give hope, comfort, and protection to those in need.

📸 Holy Child Parish

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

01/12/2025

Meet the stellar Athletes of December, from South Jersey Catholic Schools!

Camden Catholic High School
Wildwood Catholic Academy
Gloucester Catholic
Our Lady of Mercy Academy
Paul VI High School

The Catholic Star Herald highlights the Diocese’s student athletes who stood out during the month of December. Nick Aversa Paul

01/12/2025

“The risen Christ lives. Do we recognize Him when we pass through the valleys of darkness? May our participation in this help us to live as pilgrims of hope.....

The theme of this is hope; its challenge for us is to be despite what is happening in the world and in our own lives. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews counsels that we are to 'hold fast to hope.' (Heb. 6:18)…”

Read more of Bishop Dennis Sullivan’s Catholic Star Herald column as our Diocese begins this Jubilee Year at
catholicstarherald.org/this-jubilee-year-hold-fast-to-hope, and in the latest edition!

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
CamdenPriest

01/12/2025

At a pivotal time in my life, I read an article by a man who left a lucrative career to

01/11/2025

From baseball to field hockey, football to wrestling, the Catholic Star Herald takes a look back at the best team achievements in high school sports during the 2024 calendar year.

https://catholicstarherald.org/high-school-sports-year-in-review/

South Jersey Catholic Schools

Editor’s Note: The Catholic Star Herald takes a look back at the best team achievements in high school sports during

01/11/2025

When measuring Sabrina Little’s contribution to the Holy Spirit High School girls basketball program, the intangibles really add up. Although a steady, established scorer, the Spartans senior guard is more proud of her play on the other side of the court.

https://catholicstarherald.org/holy-spirits-top-scorer-also-courts-defense/

South Jersey Catholic Schools

Holy Spirit High School senior Sabrina Little waits for a pass in a game against Woodstown at the Boardwalk Classic