Exploring Faith: Mom Takes Center Stage at St. Mark's

With a voice that angels could only dream about, 16-year-old Andria Kwasnicki filled the enormous church with her rich mezzo-soprano voice, singing a special song for Mother’s Day at Sunday, leaving not a dry eye in the house.

(A rendition of the song, called “A Mother’s Love” and written by Amy Sky and Steven MacKinnon, can be heard on YouTube, performed Mark Masri and Jim Brickman).

In addition to the traditional religious songs led by the strong and melodic voice of Cantor Tom Mackie and accompanied by music director Chris Lance on piano, St. Mark’s celebrated Mother’s Day with special rituals such as the crowning of the May Shrine and a blessing offered by the children of the parish to their mothers.

The Rev. Joe Goode, pastor of St. Mark’s, gathered the dozens of children together on the altar and asked them to reach out their hands to send blessings to their mothers.

The crowning of the May Shrine was appropriately held on Mother’s Day, according to Goode.  

In the Roman Catholic tradition, every year during the month of May, a shrine is built to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary, considered by Catholics to be the mother of Jesus Christ.

According to scripture, an angel of God appeared to her and told her that she was chosen by God to give birth to the son of God.

“Mary is considered the first and primary Disciple of Jesus. She was the first to respond to the God’s word. She was the first to accept God’s words,” said Goode, who has served as the pastor of St. Mark’s for four years.

During the reading of the Holy Gospel, Goode read the account of two disciples who did not recognize Jesus Christ after he had risen from the dead, which prompted a discussion about those who struggle with the recognition of Jesus as one who was resurrected.

What if one believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially with regard to his clarion call to love one’s neighbor as oneself, but struggles with the belief that Jesus physically rose from the dead? 

When faced with this question, Goode said, he urges men and women who are struggling to pray and be patient.

“I encourage a person in this situation to pray and try as much as possible to establish a personal relationship with God,” Goode said.  

“There are a lot of things that we don’t understand. There are many resurrection accounts and the early Christians relayed those accounts. It is a matter of faith,” Goode said.

 Goode hasn’t encountered many people who are struggling with the question about Jesus’ resurrection.

“Some have learned throughout their childhood and they have simply accepted the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said. “It is more common to see those who have not been exposed to Catholicism at an early age, struggle with this particular belief.”

Goode said that while there are many devastating events happening around the world including the earthquake in Japan, and the recent deadly tornadoes in the United States, he has not encountered many parishioners struggling with their faith because of these tragedies.

He said those who do not have any faith have a more difficult time with events involving loss and destruction. 

“If anything, it is at times like these that our faith helps us endure," he said. "A person of faith is more likely to view life’s tragedies as challenges. And you can find God in these moments. We are all on a personal journey and if we look, we can find Jesus with us along the way.”  

For more information about St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 59 Spring Lane in Long Valley, visit its website. Upcoming events include Vacation Bible School, which will begin on July 11; and a wine-tasting event, “South of the Equator,” on May 20,  from 7 to 10 p.m. featuring a hot and cold buffet and a sampling of the wines of Argentina, Chile, Australia and South Africa. For more information, call the parish office at 908-850-0652.