Homeschool Ministry church tours shed light on church architecture

On March 19, The Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary, families of the Diocese’s newly formed Homeschool Ministry gathered in celebration of the patron saint of the Universal Church.  The plan for the day included prayers to St. Joseph and a field trip to just four of the churches in our Diocese, to learn something about the special features of church architecture.

Homeschoolers were invited to begin the day with prayers at St. Joseph Church, North Plainfield, and to appreciate the nuances of the Romanesque architecture that founding parishioners chose for their new church in 1910.  Later they went to visit St. John the Evangelist Church, Dunellen, for a very different experience of a church built in the style of the Gothic Revival, complete with pointed arches and a rose window.

St. Luke Parish, North Plainfield, provided a sense of modern architectural tastes and the mid-century fascination with what is known as the Prairie School.  The field trip concluded with a look at the style of Georgian Revival, studying the architecture of St. James Church, Basking Ridge. Msgr. Sylvester J. Cronin, pastor, was on hand to welcome the group and give a presentation on both Church art and architecture.  Homeschoolers especially enjoyed his engaging explanations and prayers to conclude an action-packed morning.

Looking ahead to future events, Moms of Homeschooling families are invited to a retreat crafted just for them. The retreat will feature a talk by Jenny Bales, veteran Catholic Homeschooling Mom and founder of “Heart of a Mother,” a Catholic homeschool consulting company and will include Mass, breakfast, and time for prayer and fellowship. It will be held, Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the St. John Neumann Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway.  The theme for the retreat is “He Restores My Soul / Psalm 23.”  For questions and to register contact Jill Kerekes, director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children at [email protected].

Father Starcher serves as diocesan coordinator for Homeschool Ministry.