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Community Corner

Exploring Faith: Our Lady of the Mountain Church

Long Valley Patch contributor MaryLynn Schiavi sets off on a journey to explore the area's houses of worship.

Over the next ten weeks, Long Valley Patch's MaryLynn Schiavi will analyze and discuss what goes on in different religions' houses of worship in our Practical Spirit: Exploring Faith column. Schiavi will attend services of different religions in the Washington Township area. Check back each Tuesday for the latest installment.

Outfitted in a blue-plaid uniform, a navy blue beret, and a book bag filled with text books that weighed as much as I did, I began my journey into studying the religions of the world when I entered the first grade at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Stirling, New Jersey in September of 1961.

While I did not realize it at the time, questions about life, death, our true purpose, and what lies beyond this world of matter and contradiction, would lay the foundation for my life’s work.

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While I have spent much of my journey investigating the ideas and principles of eastern spiritual traditions, I have always retained a love of the rituals of the Catholic faith, a faith that my mother was deeply devoted to.

I visited on Sunday, April 3 to attend the 12:15 p.m. mass. The church, which sits at the crest of Schooley’s Mountain Rd. in Long Valley, is an inviting country-lodge style building flanked by tall Norway Spruce trees.

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Rev. Mark Olenowski is the Pastor of the church which offers two masses on Saturday and four on Sunday.

As I entered the massive sanctuary, I noticed that much of the interior was bedecked in purple, which is the color of Lent.

Lent is the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, when Christians prepare for the holiday which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 24.

The preparation takes the form of prayer, repentance, works of charity and self-denial. Traditionally, many people would sacrifice eating certain foods during Lent.

Behind the altar were cactus plants and in front of the altar was a wooden cross resting on a large stone surrounded by cactus and sage plants. A crown of thorns hung from the tip of the cross.

What I always loved about the Catholic faith was the sensory environment that was created as part of the mass which included: the incense, the candles, May Shrines, flowers, and the changing colors of the altar cloths and robes worn by the priests.

About 150 people were in attendance. One of the things I noticed was how casually people dress these days when they attend mass.  

I recalled the days when stiff hats with veils and shiny patent leather shoes and handbags were typical fashion for church goers, even for those of modest means.

The Mass was led by Msgr. Stan Schinski, assisted by Deacon Tom Gibbons. The congregation sang with jubilance led by the clear and crisp voice of Robin O’Reilly, Music & Choir Director.

What intrigued me most about Msgr. Schinski was his almost relentless smile throughout the mass. It’s a smile that I’ve observed many times in the presence of truly spiritual people and from a distance as well.

I’ve seen the Dalai Lama in photos and on television display this same kind of smile. I can only conclude that it is a smile that comes from a sense of calm and happiness that comes from a deep knowing and trust in God and the universe.

Father Schinski’s sermon began with the words, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.”

He spoke about those who refused to accept that Jesus was the son of God despite the fact that he performed miracles. But because the miracles were performed on the Sabbath, some of the people at the time believed that Jesus was acting in defiance of God.

Father Schinski concluded that those who judged Jesus based on when he performed his works of healing and not on the merit of the results, had missed the point.

As the crowd filtered out the church into the brisk April wind, there was a feeling of warmth among the churchgoers who were greeted by Father Schinski at the door of the church. He shook their hands and continued to smile his perpetual smile–and wished them peace.

Our Lady of the Mountain offers a wide variety of events for parishioners and Long Valley residents alike.

In the weeks to come, the congregation will participate in the Ecumenical Cross Walk for Peace which will begin at the at 11:45 a.m. on Good Friday, April 22.

On Sunday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Parish Center, children ages 2 to 8-years-old are invited to have “Lunch with the Bunny” and will enjoy hot dogs, pizza, games and crafts.

On Tuesday, April 5, at 7:15 p.m., The Rosary Altar Society invites all ladies of the parish for a recitation of the Rosary followed by a mass and Novena to the Blessed Mother. The featured speaker is Margherita Marchione, “The Fighting Nun.”

A weekly grandparenting class will be held beginning Wed., April 27 until June 1.

For more information about Our Lady of the Mountain Church, visit the Web site at: www.ourladyofthemountain.org.

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