FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners,

In January, Monsignor James Turro celebrated his 100th birthday. Monsignor Turro is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark whom I first met at a yearly summer gathering with some brother priests. As an unofficial member of our group, the good monsignor did not talk much. When he did say something, it was always worth hearing. In recent years, he has not been able to join our group on account of the challenge of the travel. Some of you who subscribe to Magnificat, the monthly publication with the readings and prayers of the Mass and other reflections, may recognize his name. He used to be a contributor to Magnificat.

Among other things, Msgr. Turro is known for his brief, but profound homilies. As we preachers know, it is more difficult to give a brief homily than a long one. Msgr. Turro has the gift of being able to say something meaningful in five or six sentences that will stay with you throughout the day. Msgr. Turro is also a polyglot. He speaks Italian, German and French, has a good grasp of Latin and Greek and is able to read Hebrew. Two of Monsignor’s aunts were religious sisters. It was from them that he felt moved to consider a vocation to the priesthood. After studying in the United States and Rome early in his priesthood, Msgr. Turro taught New Testament at a number of seminaries for over 60 years. As if he didn’t have enough on his plate, Monsignor has found time to write four books over the years. At the top of the list of highlights during 74 years of priesthood, Msgr. Turro points to the time when Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta invited him to give a retreat to her and to her fellow Missionaries of Charity.

You have heard me speak before about the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us to be holy. I am grateful for the brother priests here in the Diocese whom I see regularly for a monthly Holy Hour and supper. I give thanks for the brother priests with whom I get together with every summer. They are good role models for me; we check up on each other to make sure we are doing what we are supposed to be doing as priests. I am thankful that one of these priests has been Msgr. Turro. He has taught me much about charity and humility. To be sure, I could write a dozen of these articles about the number of laity, married and single, who encourage me in my vocation. Together, all of us who journey together in this life with our eyes fixed on the life to come, make up the “community of persons” that God calls us to foster, a community which in turn is fashioned after the “community of Divine Persons” of the Holy Trinity. As we walk with Jesus during this Lent, may we encourage and edify each other along the way by our holiness, piety and faithfulness. And, to Monsignor James Turro: ad multos annos! May you have a blessed week!

In Christ Jesus,

Father Berg