1992: MSGR. JOE FERRANTE: A DEAR FRIEND

Over the years I have met many Priests from various parishes. Monsignor Joe was one of my favorites, as was "the Iron Mike, Monsignor McCorristin, Monsignor Leonard Toomey, Fathers Danny Cahill, Liam Minogue, and of course, my current Pastor Father Dennis Apoldite. All inspiring men, all of whom made it very easy to be a devout Christian.

1937: OBIT JAMES KEENAN, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF ST. ANTHONY PARISH

The Keenan family lived on Pacific Avenue, just around the corner from my Atlantic Avenue home. As can be seen in the graphic which has been reformatted and jazzed up with the blue and gold St. Anthony colors, Mr. Keenan had a very active part in the organization of St. Anthony parish.

2012: I REMEMBER ST. ANTHONY'S

I have been working on the growing "ST. ANTHONY" folder in the Hamilton Library database. I will be compiling the files for a future presentation. My St. Anthony memories go back to the late 1950's when I converted to the faith.The move from the Anglican St. James P.E. Church to the Roman Catholic faith was really a lateral move; both religious persuasions have much in common. The memory of my years at that great old church on South Olden Avenue could easily fill a lengthy book. From my years as a lector, president of the holy name society, the PTA, and general all around volunteer bring back some bittersweet memories.

1990's: MONSIGNOR JOSEPH FERRANTE

"Are you going to sing "Be Exalted" tonight, Tom?" He was one of the many wonderful men of God I met during my 60 years in the faith. Back in the 80's and 90's when my son Tom and I and 5 beautiful lady singers from the singing group "Wings of Song" sang at the Saturday Folk Mass at St. Anthony church, "Monsignor Joe," along with Sister Delora, were among our many staunch supporters. The above photo was taken prior to one of our Saturday night Masses at St. Anthony. Monsignor Joe left us much too early in life. He was truly an inspiration, as were most of the wonderful men of the cloth with whom I have had the privilege to be acquainted during my years at that beautiful church on South Olden Avenue, and now at Father Dennis' Sacred Heart Church.

1934: ST. ANTHONY TRENTON STUDENT AWARDS

My neighbor, the late Bob McLaughin was among the recipients of St. Anthony awards, as were a number of my Britton in-laws. Indeed, there are MANY old line St. Anthony parishioners listed in this article; names that go back to the establishment of the parish.

1940: Father McCorristin Assigned to Holy Angels Parish

He went on to be a giant in the history of the Roman Catholics of the Mercer County area.

1934: ST. ANTHONY HOLY NAME SOCIETY

I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE ST. ANTHONY HOLY NAME SOCIETY WHEN I WAS A PARISHIONER THERE. HOWEVER, THE SUPPORT FOR THE SOCIETY BACK THEN WAS MEAGER TO SAY THE LEAST. EACH YEAR, WE TRAVELED OVER TO ST. RAPHAEL'S IN YARDVILLE FOR THE ANNUAL MONSIGNOR CREAN BREAKFAST. THE EVENT OUTLINED IN THE ACCOMPANYING EVOLVED INTO THE ANNUAL ST. RAPHAEL EVENT.

2008: FAREWELL, "FATHER FITZ"

I, AND MANY OTHER VISITORS TO THIS SITE WHO WERE PARISHIONERS AT ST. ANTHONY PARISH IN HAMILTON WILL REMEMBER FATHER PATRICK FITZPATRICK. HE CAME FROM IRELAND IN THE EARLY 60'S WITH A NUMBER OF PRIESTS FROM IRELAND, INCLUDING FATHERS MICHAEL WALSH, DANNY CAHILL, BRENDON WILLIAMS AND THE LATE FATHER LIAM MINOGUE', FOR WHOM ONE OF MY GRANDSONS IS NAMED. THEIR ENTRY INTO THE TRENTON DIOCESE WAS A REFRESHING CHANGE, AS THEY BROUGHT THEIR RICH MUSICAL AND IRISH HERITAGE TO A CONSERVATIVE AND STAID ST. ANTHONY PARISH,AND INDEED, TO THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON.

IT WAS RAINING ON THE DAY OF HIS FUNERAL. ACCORDING TO THE DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER, "THE MONITOR," AFTER HIS BURIAL, A DOUBLE RAINBOW APPEARED MIRACULOUSLY IN THE SKIES OVER KEYPORT, NEW JERSEY.
REST IN PEACE, "FATHER FITZ;" YOU WILL BE MISSED.

1942: THANKS TO LORRAINE FEEHAN MAY

THIS GRAPHIC WAS STORED IN MY VERTICAL FILES AND COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN UNTIL LORRAINE EMAILED ME REGARDING THE GRAPHIC. SHE REMINDED ME THAT SHE IDENTIFIED THE CLASS. SHE DID, AND I FAILED TO POST THIS FILE. INSTEAD, I POSTED ANOTHER CLASS OF '42 GRAPHIC WITHOUT THE IDENTIFICATION. THANKS, FOR THE HEADS UP, LORRANE.

1984: ONE FOR MY MANY KILDEA FRIENDS

HELE'S LOVELY MARY KILDEA FROM A 1984 EDITION OF THE MERCER MESSENGER FROM THE JACK LACY COLLECTION. MARY AND MATT KILDEA AND THEIR WONDERFUL FAMILY PLAYED A SUBSTANTIAL PART IN THE GLOVER FAMILY'S YEARS AS PARISHIONERS AT ST. ANTHONY PARISH IN HAMILTON. MY FIRST FLOOR STILL VIBRATES FROM THE MUSIC OF "VALHALLA." JOE KILDEA, MY SON TOM, JOE BOGNER, AND EDDIE PANTELONE WERE EXTREMELY TALENTED MUSICIANS.
THANKS TO JOE KILDEA FOR THE HEADS UP. I FORGOT TO MENTION ONE OF THE GLOVER'S FAVORITE MEMBERS OF THE TALENTED "VALHALLA" MUSICAL GROUP. DANNY COLEMAN WAS ALSO AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT GREAT LITTLE BAND. HOW COULD I FORGET DANNY? HIS GENE KRUPA TYPE DRUMMING TALENTS WERE AT THE ROOT OF THAT HOUSE-VIBRATING SOUND THAT ECHOED THROUGH OUR LITTLE CAPE COD ON ATLANTIC AVENUE. JUDY AND I USED TO WATCH THE YANKEE GAMES WITHOUT SOUND. DANNY, YOU KNOW THAT MY OMISSION OF YOU WAS MERELY THE RESULT OF A "SENIOR MOMENT." I'M GETTING A LOT OF THEM LATELY. THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP JOE. YOU KNOW I WOULD NEVER KNOWINGLY LEAVE DANNY OUT OF THE MIX.

JOE KILDEA WROTE:
Hey Mr. Glover!
Thank you so much for posting that beautiful picture of my Mom and that very nice piece about our family. I'm very honored to be a part of your extended family. We've been through a lot. I love your family very much and I believe you are all quite aware of that. I miss Tom. As far as that article, you gave the actual article to Tom to give to me and I had it hanging at my desk when I was still working at Delphi with Tom. I still have it. Thank you. I hope I'm not being too forward here but I must make you aware of this. Thanks for mentioning Valhalla.....I cant believe we made it to your site! We're also featured at Trentonmakes.com. Scroll down to #17 and you'll get to hear some old memories. (I highly reccomend it, you'll be pleasently surprised). http://trentonmakes.podomatic.com/ But, I need to point out that you missed Danny Coleman. I know it sounds petty, but I believe he would be hurt by being missed. He's very fond of you and has always been. He knows about your website and I would love to tell him to come see your post on us. Danny and I just had some major correspondence a few weeks ago, about some artistic ventures we might like to explore, yet in our lives. Me personally, I have a dream to write a musical, movie or stage, doesn't matter. I think I can do it, I just need the right story....and thats where other artists come in..... Danny wants to write a book. I forget the subject matter at this moment....it was good.....and he plans on getting with you to discuss the nature what you do as a writer. Danny thinks very highly of you. If it's not too much trouble at this point, I'm sure Danny would be as thrilled as I was to read your post....AND to be included! Thanks again for keeping me and my family a part of the family. You friend, Joe Kildea

1945: OH, THOSE ST. ANTHONY CARNIVALS!

LONG BEFORE I WAS SO HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE ANNUAL ST. ANTHONY CARNIVAL, THE PARISHIONERS WENT "FIRST CLASS," HIRING NAME BANDS TO PERFORM AT THEIR ANNUAL CARNIVAL. I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH ART POULSON, BUT THE ARTICLE STATES THAT HE WAS "BREAKING ALL POPULARITY RECORDS."

1970'S ST. ANTHONY'S: I REMEMBER IT WELL

I COULDN'T BEGIN TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES I LECTORED FROM THAT SPOT IN ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH DURING THE EARLY 1960'S THROUGH EARLY 1990'S. IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO HAVE BEEN THERE DURING THE TIME WHEN A VERY CONSERVATIVE PARISH RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THE CHANGES INTRODUCED WHEN VATICAN II CAME INTO BEING.

1949: ST. ANTHONY'S TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH

HERE'S THE PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW ST. ANTHONY CHURCH ON SO. OLDEN AVENUE. I WAS A PARISHIONER THERE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, MY WIFE JUDY FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS.

A VERY FAMILIAR SNAP SHOT

I WOULDN'T EVEN GUESS HOW MANY TIMES I CLIMBED THESE STEPS. TO A "NOSTALGIAC" SUCH AS I, THIS ENTRANCEWAY RECALLS THE HAPPY YEARS OF MY YOUTH WHEN I ENTERED THOSE PORTALS WITH MY MOTHER AND FATHER IN LAW, MY DEAR WIFE, AND MY 3 CHILDREN.

2007: MSGR. JOSEPH FERRANTE; ONE OF THE BEST

HOW WE ALL MISSED MSGR. JOE WHEN HE LEFT US IN SUCH AN UNTIMELY FASHION. HE HAD THAT SPECIAL WAY ABOUT HIM WHICH WOULD MOTIVATE THOSE AROUND HIM TO HELP TO BETTER THE PARISH. DURING HIS TIME AS PASTOR OF ST. ANTHONY'S, THE BEAUTIFUL RESTORATION TOOK PLACE.

2007: ST. ANTHONY TRENTON - MEMORIES

IT'S A SAD FACT THAT I AM ONE OF THE FEW FROM MY AGE GROUP WHO IS INVOLVED WITH COMPUTING. THAT UNFORTUNATE SITUATION RESULTS IN MANY ST. ANTHONY PARISHIONERS WHO WORKED WITH ME DURING THE TIME WHEN MSGR. MICHAEL P. MCCORRISTIN WAS OUR PASTOR NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THIS POSTING . "THE IRON MIKE" WAS QUITE FRUGAL, AND AS A RESULT, WE PTA FOLKS FROM THE 1960'S AND 1970'S BECAME QUITE ADEPT AT WASHING AND WAXING THE ANTIQUATED ASPHALT FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT, PAINTING EQUALLY ANTIQUATED GRAMMAR SCHOOL WALLS, MOWING THE RECTORY LAWN WHICH ALSO SERVED AS A STORAGE AREA FOR MONSIGNOR'S MANY CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR PROJECTS, ETC. ETC. THE PHOTO ACCOMPANYING THIS POST SHOWS THE EXQUISITELY RE-APPOINTED ST. ANTHONY CHURCH BASEMENT. HOW WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO MAINTAIN THAT BEAUTIFUL VINYL TILE.....AND HOW ABOUT THOSE TABLES FOLKS? HOW MANY VISITORS TO THIS SITE REMEMBER THE RICKETY TABLES WE HAD....MANY OF WHICH WERE KNOWN TO COLLAPSE RIGHT ONTO A BINGO PLAYER'S LAP? AHH....THE MEMORIES. I'M SURE MONSIGNOR IS LOOKING DOWN ON ALL OF THIS AND ADMIRING THE BEAUTY WHICH HAS EVOLVED IN HIS CHURCH.....THE CHURCH WHICH WAS RESTORED DURING THE TENURE OF MSGR. JOE FERRANTE. DOES ANY VISITOR TO THIS SITE REMEMBER MY "MEN OF ACTION?" LET'S SEE HOW MANY I CAN REMEMBER..... LARRY ALLEN, BUD FOLEY, FRANK ANAMA, JIM MALONEY, CARMEN CONSIGLIO AND...HEY, THERE WERE OTHERES BUT MY MEMORY BANK SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN NEUTRAL RIGHT ABOUT NOW. THOSE GALLANT PARISHIONERS WHO PAINTED, SCRUBBED AND WAXED FLOORS, BAGGED THE GARBAGE AT OUR BASEMENT NEW YEARS' EVE AND ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES? I SURE DO!

GOODBYE MY DEAR FRIEND, FATHER LIAM MINOGUE

It is with a tear in my eye that I heard of the passing of Father Liam Minogue. Father Liam was one of the most charasmatic men of cloth I encountered over my 50 years in the faith. Father came over in the 1960's with many of my favorite Roman Catholic Priests from Ireland. They were, one and all, a tribute to the faith. I will carry the treasured memory of those St. Patrick's Day parties we had when Judy and I were President and Vice President of St. Anthony's PTA. Father Liam, Father Mike Walsh, Father Brendan Williams and Father Patrick Fitzpatrick were the light of the life of Monsignor Michael P. McCorristin. Goodbye Father, the influence you had in the life of the Glover family and hundreds of others in the Hamilton/Trenton area will live on. May the Lord welcome you into his kingdom.

1923: St. Anthony Trenton Grammar School

Anyone here you know? I see Dick Pollard, our insurance man for over
40 years. Dick is now in his 90's and a regular parishioner at my church,
Sacred Heart on Broad and Centre Streets in Trenton. "Goeller,"
"Donlon," and "Goeke" are familiar names from the church and
school.

1934: St.Anthony Grammar School

This will be a temporary post. I hope to open it and segment it so you will be able to recognize the graduates in the photo.

1988: 50th Anniversary of St. Anthony Grammar School

St. Anthony Grammar School's class of 1938 featured the music of the late Benny Snyder whose big band orchestra was a local favorite for many years. The Hamilton Library's Local History Collection has a number of "Blue and Gold" newspapers from Cathedral High School. The movie star pretty Rita Culliton