Since the consolidation of parishes in 2014, you may know that the rectory at the St. Francis DeSales
church location in Barrington has been unoccupied. Because it is in good condition, it was very sad that it
was not being used. Recently representatives from the Diocese of Camden came to me with a proposal to
allow a group of religious sisters who wanted to come and minister in our area. The rectory in Barrington
seemed like a perfect spot. Well, I am happy to announce that we are now blessed with some new occupants
to the rectory…or should I say now, “convent.” Four sisters from the Missionary Servants of the Most
Blessed Trinity are now residing there.
The Order was founded in 1909 in Brooklyn, New York, by Father Thomas Augustine Judge, a Vincentian
priest ordained in Philadelphia. The sisters come to us from their main house in Philadelphia. The Missionary
Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity serve the Church in many dioceses in the continental United
States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Their specific mission is the preservation of the faith in those areas and
among those people who are spiritually neglected and abandoned, especially the poor. They work to develop
a missionary spirit in the laity, with the goal that every Catholic be an apostle.
The four sisters who have come here are:
Sister Mary Matthew Labunski will continue to work with Catholic Charities in Salem County; sister
had already been working there and was commuting from Philadelphia.
Sister Christine Ma will be working with the Vitality health care services of the Diocese of Camden.
Sister Josefina Mendez, who, while continuing to minister in south Philly, will be exploring
possibilities for Hispanic ministry here in the diocese.
Sister Joan Lorraine Kreutz will be serving at Rosebud Academy, our Pre School located in Barrington.
We are very happy and blessed to have these wonderful sisters in our Parish of Saint Rose of Lima. As
their schedule permits, they do come to both daily Mass and Sunday Mass at Saint Rose. Please, as you always
do, give them a warm Saint Rose of Lima welcome! Please make sure you keep them in your prayers
that they may have a successful apostolate in our diocese and help many people come closer to the Lord
through their service.
God bless you,
Father Joseph Byerley
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