VENTNOR – Harry Cherico has been actively involved with St. James Parish for some 30 years, volunteering his time and talents as a steward of the church and often using his expertise as an electrician to perform minor repairs and adjustments.
But his proudest accomplishment has been his involvement in the Charismatic Prayer Group, something he started 30 years ago.
Father Joseph Ganiel, pastor of St. James, said, “Just knowing him you truly realize that he is a man of prayer. He is the embodiment of stewardship. Everyone knows him as a prayerful man.”
“He is truly devoted to the Mass, to the Eucharist, and to the life of the church,” the priest said. “He believes strongly in all the principles of stewardship.”
Father Ganiel noted Cherico still meets every Wednesday with the Charismatic Prayer Group even though he has recently moved from Ventnor to Egg Harbor. He makes sure he gets to each meeting to continue in the group that he helped start.
“He also helps out in youth ministry,” the pastor said. “There are five adults involved and he’ll run some of the sessions. The youth group meets the second and fourth Sundays.”
Father Ganiel said Cherico often stands by to help wherever he can, particularly as an electrician.
“I’m retired as an electrician,” Cherico said, “so I can devote more time to the church. I’m on the Liturgy Committee and on the Parish Council. I’m also part of the Service of the Church, which is actually a diocesan group. We organize retreats, among other events.”
When it was time for Catholic Renewal, many years ago, “I was asked to coordinate the program. There were 17 groups meeting for Renew. I coordinated everything for a year.”
He said he was disappointed when Renew was discontinued after three years because of all of the goodness the small groups had shared.
Cherico pointed out that, wherever he can and whenever he is asked, he will help with parish development projects, which sometimes entails using his electrical experience.
“Over the years I did small things,” he said. “I worked out of the union, IBEW, mostly in the casinos. It was a good living. And when the church needed some minor work, I did it.”
Cherico has been involved as
a lector, a Eucharistic minister, and as a member of the Liturgy Committee, one of the first committees he had ever joined at the church.
As a Eucharistic minister, Cherico visits shut-ins who can’t get to Mass to receive Communion. He loves doing this, he said, and is pleased to donate his time as a steward to help those receive the Lord.
Father Ganiel believes that Cherico will continue serving St. James and continue with his stewardship at the parish despite the fact he now lives in another community.
“His love of the church keeps him involved,” the pastor said with confidence, “and he is appreciated by everyone.”
For more information on stewardship contact Russell Davis, Office of Stewardship, at 856-583-6102.