CNBNews

by William E. Cleary Sr.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 6, 2019)-- Tuesday, May 7, St. Mary's Parish, Monmouth and Atlantic Streets, will have an official Lighting Ceremony and re-dedicate the Illumination of their Church Steeple. The original steeple was destroyed by fire on March 10, 1960. It was replaced by a metal steeple that was paid for by John Stewart, a local realtor. That steeple was replaced in the mid 90's by the present one. The cost for that steeple, which was illuminated at night until a few years ago, was around $500,000 which was paid for by parishoners who donated to the costs of construction.

The parish would like thank Mike Patane, president of Chamming's Electric from Vineland, NJ for his overwhelming generosity to the people of St. Mary's Parish and Gloucester City. As a result of his kindness the parishioners are not paying a dime for this work.

The festivities Tuesday night will take place with music and refreshments from 7 pm to 8 pm and a short program and the Official Lighting will happen around 8 pm. Monsignor William Hodge, pastor is urging parishioners, residents and friends of St. Mary to attend this historic event in the life of St. Mary's Parish and Gloucester City.

In 1983, the Gloucester City News published a tribute to Monsignor Edward Lucitt who retired that year after 22 years as pastor. On the front page of that newspaper was a picture of the original steeple along with a poem titled "Magnificent Ol' Saint Mary's written by Dal Gray who died in 1978.

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published gloucestercitynews.net | May 6, 2019