Tue, 09/16/2008 - 7:10pm

I am a member of this church although I have moved away. My family has been involved in this church for as long as I can remember. I was a member when Jerry Ruff was the Pastor and I will always remember "Pastor's Pals" where he called the children to sit up on the steps with him and read them a story. I suppose my Aunt Mickey is one of the oldest living members that I know although I remember Harriet Reardon and her mother very well. I am happy to see that she is still involved in the church. If anyone knows about the church, it's her. I have since grown up and married and had my own kids and it turns out the Jerry Ruff has a church right near me and he married us. That was really special for me since he is also the one that christened me in that church all those years ago.
I wish the church the very best for another 125 yrs. It holds alot of special memories for me including bible school, sunday school and church. I remember the hayrides we used to take. I could go on and on but I'll stop here. Just wanted to post some of my memories!!

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 2:29pm

Unfortunately, there are too few priests in every diocese. And too few "Catholics" regularly attend services in every diocese. We all know that the population of Cape May County has grown since all of these parishes were founded. Proportionally, there should be a need for MORE parishes, and not less, but that is not the reality of the situation. However, I do think that the Bishop would be better off trying to put backsides in those pews every Sunday, instead of figuring how to save money by closing down parishes.

I was glad to see that the issue of senior citizens is finally be addressed. Most regular worshippers are older individuals, many of whom should not be driving at all, let alone to more distant churches. To make the opportunity to attend Mass and the Sacraments more difficult for old folks would be inexcusable.

Although I have not lived in Cape May County for may years, I still visit regularly on a year round basis. I have attended Mass at several of the parishes slated for closure, and I share the pain of those who are losing their churches. I also regret that I was not better in my attendance at the parishes I lived in, years ago. Perhaps if all of the Catholics in New Jersey realized what they are losing, by not having local parishes as a spiriitual and social connections to their communities, they would be back in church, and this wouldn't have to happen.

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 10:24pm

Being a former Woodbiner, as well to have made my First Communion and Confirmation at St. Casimir's in Woodbine, I am deeply saddened to learn the parish may no longer exist in due time; a true shame indeed for their parishioners to have to travel further for worship; especially with the recession. I leave this heartfelt poem in dedication:

~Th’ Hymn of Saint Casimir~

~Saint Casimir~
Feast Day: March 4
Patron of: Poland, homeland of our Pope! Also Lithuania
Symbol: Lily (for purity)

~Mary Magdalene~
Seat of wisdom, Gate of heaven, Morning star upon th’ sea

~*~
Her morning star ‘pon th’ Holy sea,
His gate of Heaven aloft pious melody.
Seat of wisdom, O’ call ‘pon her lovingly;
singing in her songs of peace, ‘pon Her lea.
~*~
Gracious woman of miracles, wholesome
Mother of Creation’s King, a tender child.
So sweet, Her newborne; genteel and mild;
our graces flow thro’ Mary, ev’r lovesome.
~*~
Call her Mother, call her Virgin, Happy Mother;
a bless’ed oracle of our prayer, all Hail to Mary!
Daily sing, daily sing, sing my soul, sing to Mary!
Her Virgin blest, ‘tis Her sweet love aloft th’ nether.
~* ~
Mediatrix of all grace: bestowed Her sacral dress;
languid in th’ tear of Her pastoral, spiritual truth.
Saint Casimir, special patron saint of all th’ youth;
his heart’s devotion lain amidst his soul, so blessed.
~*~
'Pon th' hymn of St. Casimir~

Copyright ©2008 Barbara V. Fidler

Author’s comments: A divine dedication to th’ church I attended as a child in Woodbine, New Jersey of Saint Casimir’s, and to the late Father Darby, where I ascertained my First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Saint Casimir was born Prince Casimir on October 5, 1458. He was the third child of thirteen children in the family of King Casimir 111 of Poland. His mother was named Elizabeth, she was a princess of Austria. Even when Casimir was a young boy, he preferred prayer and good works to the luxury and comfort of the court life. He practiced many mortifications in secret. A mortification is something you do to make yourself a little bit uncomfortable all the time. It helps to remind you to be aware of God, to pray all the time, and offer the discomfort to God for the suffering of souls. Casimir was educated by John Dugloss, a holy man called the Canon of Cracow. He was also very good friends with John, and asked his advice on many things. He was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin, and sang a hymn to Mary so often, and of his love for the song, it became known as the 'Hymn of Saint Casimir.' Some people say that he composed the hymn himself. "Omni die dic Mariae" which we know as "Daily, Daily Sing to Mary.”. Speculation would have it though, as we have so learned, that he did not write this said hymn. When Saint Casimir was almost fifteen years old, his father ordered him to lead an army into Hungary. The people there were dissatisfied with their king and had asked King Casimir 111 for Saint Casimir to become their king. Casimir didn't want to go, but in obedience to his king and father, he went to Hungary. By the time he got there, the people of Hungary had settled their disagreements with their king, Matthias. King Casimir wanted Saint Casimir to take over Hungary anyway, but the saint refused to replace a lawful monarch. He returned to Poland and went to the castle of Dobzki, where he stayed for the rest of his life, praying, fasting, and helping the poor. Casimir died in 1482, of tuberculosis when he was 24 years old, having spent his life serving a King higher than his father. On June 11, 1948 Pope Pius X11 named Saint Casimir the special patron of all youth, because of his firmly kept purity. A copy of the hymn by Bernard of Cluny was found beneath the right temple of St. Casimir's incorrupt body when his grave was opened. Thank you.

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 8:46pm

Don't trust his guy! Read this article from Hearld few weeks back.

http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/31936-council-bishop-halt-clo...

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 8:53am

I lost faith in the catholic system along time ago.And i was raised a catholic.

Fri, 07/25/2008 - 11:37am

Last week we read about the Housing Services Corp of Camen Diocese debachale at Haven House Low income housing in N Cape May. Brand new building that the catholic church build with 12 million in HUD money. TOTAL DISASTER, leaks, shoddy work you name it. Now we find out that the guy at the top is dirty. Doesn't the catholic church learn anything.

Wed, 07/23/2008 - 7:25pm

I think the Council of Parishes demands should go one step farther - they should demand Bishop Galante's resignation! As a shepherd, he's lost his flock and doesn't seem to care. He's a poor leader and an embarrasment to Catholics everywhere. Pope Benedict, Archbishop Myers, Cardinal Rigali. . .are you out there? Do you even care? Please step in and save the Diocese of Camden from Galante's reign of destruction!!