Mary Mother of God Parish a mosaic of 75 years of service

Three-quarters of a century after a small mission church began to serve the Catholics of Hillsborough, one might be hard-pressed to find a single symbol to represent the untold number and variety of gifts given and received from the thousands who have called Mary Mother of God Parish their spiritual home – until three parishioners had an idea to create a heritage-quilted banner as a mosaic remembrance of 75 years serving the spiritual and communal needs of the parish.

Consisting of some 200 squares designed by individual parishioners and families, the quilt was on display in the narthex of the church Dec. 9 when the parish gathered for Mass to close the 75th anniversary year.

Bishop James F. Checchio, who served as principal celebrant for the Mass, was joined at the altar by Mary Mother of God pastor, Msgr. Joseph M. Curry; Father Alex Carles, parochial vicar, and priest-in-residence, Father Sean Broderick, who served as homilist.

Father Broderick is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit or Spiritans, an Irish missionary congregation. Ordained in 1965 he was appointed to the Order’s mission in Nigeria until internal struggles in that county forced him to return to his native Ireland.

Having spent a sabbatical year at Mary Mother of God in 1997, he returned in 2004 and was appointed administrator of the parish in 2007 until his retirement in 2018.

In his homily, Father Broderick spoke of the beginnings of a Roman Catholic presence in the Hillsborough area, initially consisting mostly of Irish laborers and indentured servants who worked on the many farms in the area. Later as emigrants from other European countries began to arrive to work on the railroads, canals and mills and factories in Raritan and Somerville the Catholic population increased. He described how very difficult it was then for the Catholics to travel to churches in Raritan or East Millstone.

Mary Mother of God Parish began in 1931 as a mission church of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, to serve the Catholic population in the Flagtown area of Hillsborough. It was designated a parish during Holy Week, 1948.

Throughout his homily, Father Broderick emphasized the remarkable growth of the parish both spiritually and physically from that small mission church to the vibrant and multicultural faith community of today, referencing the beginning of the day’s First Reading from Isaiah, “Comfort, give comfort to my people,” he reflected, “How many people from the many communities served over 75 years have found the Lord’s comfort in this parish?”

A silent yet informative answer to his question – the vibrant mosaic quilt – hung in the narthex.

Edith Brizzi, a relatively new member of the parish said, “My husband Mark and I arrived at Mary Mother of God about the same time as Msgr. Curry so we feel we have learned about the parish along with him.  Father Broderick’s moving homily tonight helped us to learn more and to appreciate how fortunate we are to be parishioners.”

In comments at the end of Mass, Msgr. Curry explained, “The goal of this celebration was not to focus on one event but rather to have all the activities of the parish for 2023 directed towards our 75th anniversary.” These included an Appalachian Mission Work Camp in WV in June; a parish pilgrimage in September to Lourdes and Fatima and a Parish Festival in October. Msgr. Curry mentioned the renovation of St. Francis Hall and the contributions of the Hispanic community to that project along with all who helped.

In closing, Msgr. Curry addressed the Bishop, saying, “Thank you for sending me here to be part of this wonderful family.”

A reception followed in the newly completed St. Francis Hall which Bishop Checchio also blessed.