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Celebrating 250 years of faith

| 19 Mar 2015 | 02:03
    Photos by Ginny Raue New Jersey State Senator Joseph Pennacchio, left, presents Fr. Steven Shadwell, the pastor of St. Joseph Church in West Milford, with a joint legislative resolution marking the 250th anniversary of the little white country church on Germantown Road, the oldest Catholic community in New Jersey.
    Photos by Ginny Raue New Jersey State Senator Joseph Pennacchio, left, presents Fr. Steven Shadwell, the pastor of St. Joseph Church in West Milford, with a joint legislative resolution marking the 250th anniversary of the little white country church on Germantown Road, the oldest Catholic community in New Jersey.
    About 170 parishioners and guests attended the gala at Casa Bianca. They're definitely not doing the Virginia Reel or dancing to a fiddler playing "Turkey in the Straw", but they surely are having fun.
    About 170 parishioners and guests attended the gala at Casa Bianca. They're definitely not doing the Virginia Reel or dancing to a fiddler playing "Turkey in the Straw", but they surely are having fun.
    Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, Sr. Mary Davies, left, and Sr. Anita Constance, who once lived and worked at St. Joseph Church, convent and school, came back for the celebration of the 250th Jubilee year. The Sisters of Charity left St. Joseph Church 30 years ago and were replaced by Sr. Geraldine Corio and Sr. Janet Brisky, Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary order.
    Sisters of Charity of Convent Station, Sr. Mary Davies, left, and Sr. Anita Constance, who once lived and worked at St. Joseph Church, convent and school, came back for the celebration of the 250th Jubilee year. The Sisters of Charity left St. Joseph Church 30 years ago and were replaced by Sr. Geraldine Corio and Sr. Janet Brisky, Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary order.
    It takes a village. Members of the 250th Jubilee committee received a hearty round of applause for their work during the planning and execution of the many celebratory events throughout the year. They were presented with plaques crafted from the doors of the 1905 church, the current structure and home to many Catholics in the area.
    It takes a village. Members of the 250th Jubilee committee received a hearty round of applause for their work during the planning and execution of the many celebratory events throughout the year. They were presented with plaques crafted from the doors of the 1905 church, the current structure and home to many Catholics in the area.
    How sweet it is - what's a party without a cake?
    How sweet it is - what's a party without a cake?
    Girls just want to have fun, and that includes Sr. Janet Brisky, center, who seems to be questioning if she's got the steps down right.
    Girls just want to have fun, and that includes Sr. Janet Brisky, center, who seems to be questioning if she's got the steps down right.

WEST MILFORD — The yearlong 250th anniversary celebration of the oldest Catholic parish in the state of New Jersey came to an end with a dinner dance gala that capped off a year of spiritual and historic reflection.

Parishioners and guests came together to celebrate the humble beginnings of St. Joseph Parish. They dined and danced at the jubilee gala, held at Casa Bianca in Oak Ridge. Fr. Steven Shadwell, pastor of the church, received a resolution from state Senator Joseph Pennacchio honoring the parish, which has been in West Milford from 1765 to the present.

This was the final event in the yearlong celebration that included a solemn Mass and luncheon to kick off the festivities, several history presentations, a treasure hunt and road rally, picnic, cemetery tour and a special Christmas concert.

For more about the parish's history, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.