I witnessed a living prayer of thanksgiving when I joined the parishioners of Incarnation Parish, Mantua, for the preparation of 60 boxes of food for struggling families. The parish Saint Vincent de Paul Society attends to the details of this labor of love by visiting the recipients, arranging for the filling of the boxes and distributing them. For me and for the parishioners who volunteered at that event, the evening was a faith-filled experience. I am

If Black Friday is the traditional holiday shopping kickoff for bricks (i.e., brick-and-mortar stores), then Cyber Monday is considered the kickoff for clicks. This term was coined for the phenomenon involving the Monday after Thanksgiving – the one day out of the year when people rush to work… so they can use their high-speed office computers to take advantage of fantastic online sales.

Mrs. Rita Jensen (nee McGovern), of Gloucester City, died suddenly on November 23, 2014 at the age of 72. Beloved daughter of the late John and Ann McGovern (nee Stolinski). Loving mother of Debbie (Tim) Blake, Wayne (MaryEllen) Jensen and Michele Lugiano. Devoted grandmother of Nicole McGlinn, Megan Jensen, John Jensen, Garrett Lugiano and Mia Lugiano. Cherished great-grandmother of Alyvia Gipson. Dear Sister of Mary Ann McGovern, Rose Marie McGovern and Tom (Marie) McGovern. Loyal friend to many.

Rita was a 1960 Graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School and was part of the Belles of Saint Mary’s Drum and Bugle Corps. Rita started her career at Bell Telephone and then spent many years helping others as a Food Service Director at various schools and assisted living facilities in our area. 

Recently, she earned her teaching certificate and began substitute teaching for the Gloucester City School District. Rita was a lifelong and devoted parishioner of Saint Mary’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City. She loved to dance and swim and looked forward to Irish Weekend in Wildwood each September. She also enjoyed her daily shopping for her children and grandchildren, Rita truly dedicated her life to them. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Friday Evening from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am at Saint Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Cremation and Inurnment private. 

Family prefers in lieu of flowers donations to Rita Jensen Memorial Fund: c/o McCann-Healey Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1071, Bellmawr, NJ 08099 – 1071. 

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Rita M. Jensen.

Loving wife of 49 years to the late John J. O’Connell. Cherished mother of Dorothy M. (Jack) Gorman of Newtown, PA, Col. John J. O’Connell, Jr. ( Maureen ) of Panama City, Florida and Daniel (Mary ) O’Connell of Arden, North Carolina. Beloved grandmother of Dr. John J. (Kim) O’Connell, III , Michele O’Connell and Megan O’Connell. Devoted great-grandmother of Kathryn Elise O’Connell and Michael Eugene O’Connell. 

Dorothy was born in Philadelphia, PA and attended Hallahan Catholic Girls High School and was a resident of the Fox Chase Section of Philadelphia. She worked in Inventory Control for the Oscar Huber Furniture Company in (Lawndale) Philadelphia, PA and retired in 1980. Dorothy was a devoted parishioner of St. Cecelia’s R.C. Church in Fox Chase. 

She was a resident of Avalon for the last 34 years and was a very active and devoted parishioner of Maris Stella R.C. Church (Saint Brendan the Navigator Parish) in Avalon. Dorothy had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and was one of the original seven members who started the Rosary Group at Maris Stella R.C. Church. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Monday, December 1, 2014 from 11 am to 12 Noon at Saint Brendan The Navigator Parish: Maris Stella R.C. Church: 5012 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12 Noon in the church. Interment with her late husband and Rite of Committal in Cape May County Veterans Cemetery, Cape May Court House, NJ. 

Family Requests Mass Cards or Memorial Donations in Dorothy’s name to Saint Brendan The Navigator Parish: 5012 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202 – 1333.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Dorothy M. O’Connell . 

Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN – HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 
PH: 856-456-1142

New Jersey commemorates World AIDS Day on December 1^st with events across the state that celebrate advances in treatment and prevention that allow people to live longer, healthier lives; pay tribute to those living with HIV/AIDS; and remember those who have died. 

Currently, more than 37,900 people are currently living with HIV or AIDS in New Jersey. Since the beginning of the epidemic in 1981, more than 75,000 New Jerseyans have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and approximately half of these individuals have died. 

This year\’s theme for World AIDS Day is, \”Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.\” Hospitals, county colleges and AIDS service organizations are hosting health fairs, AIDS Quilt displays, HIV testing clinics and other events around the state. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Arturo Brito will speak at the Greater Mt. Zion AME Church in Trenton for an event hosted by the Mercer County HIV/AIDS Collaborative and staff from the Division of HIV, STD and TB Services will attend a health fair in Mays Landing sponsored by the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ–The only score in today\’s game, played at Gloucester High School, came on the opening kickoff. Gloucester High’s Anthony Rodriguez ran the distance to the goal for a TD, and Bob Girgenti kicked the extra- point. On the last play of the game, Catholic scored but the officials ruled the ball carried fumbled.

(watch for updates)

~Bruce Darrow