With all the excitement, happiness, and cooperative actions and people who have put together an incredible sale of Mater Dei High School property to become Middletown’s Mater Dei Park, it was especially wonderful too see that these cooperative efforts, together with dedicated and thoughtful employees all made for a beautiful, thoughtful, and commemorative ceremony under a hot sun Wednesday morning. They all showed how much can be accomplished with patience, negotiations and partnership.
It was really evident far before the brief ceremony even got underway, when employees of St. Mary’s Church and school showed their pastor’s belief that “when we partner in all things, we do good in all things”. While they were busy in another part of the St. Mary’s complex cleaning up even the slightest bits of trash or debris….people do still throw cigarette butts on the ground….. they stopped what they were doing not only to give directions to where the Mater Dei Park ceremony was taking place, but to lead the way in their work cart so motorists wouldn’t get lost.
Once at the site, it was apparent that some township employees from the Public Works department had gotten up early to ensure everything was perfect and as comfortable as could be at the ceremony site. Middletown DPW’s Building Maintenance Division had already set up chairs, even provided bottled water for all in anticipation of the heat, and had the podium and table all set up for the ceremony.
But that isn’t all; it sure looks like all of Middletown’s departments works together to get any job done. That’s because the MIS Department, Communications Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and the Mayor’s Office were all in on making this a very special day not only for Middletown, but for Monmouth County in general and especially for all the alumni of Mater Dei who will forever have memories of wonderful high school days.
Monsignor Bulman must be chatting with the angels about how great this whole parish has been and become even more since the long-ago day when he was here and started it all.
Then there’s Holmdel Township’s Recreation Department who showed even more cooperation and helping their neighbor and friends. It was they who created the “Mater Dei Park” sign painted on the grass just to be sure everyone knew precisely where they were and what was going on. And to add a touch of class and unique décor to the grass!
Off a short distance away at another part of Mater Dei Park, there were a bunch of youngsters at a baseball clinic, and all the amusement rides was an early morning reminder the famed St. Mary’s Fair is underway. Wonderful open space all around and Monmouth County and Middletown just assured everyone it will stay that way!
Mayor Tony Perry and just about all of the township Committee were happy to be there and only Committeeman Ryan Clarke wasn’t able to break away to be part of the festivities, but was certainly there in spirit and support of this great continuation of open space for generations to come with a name that will also remind everyone where it came from in the first place.
With his usual busy schedule, …and lately it has also included some great graduations at Monmouth County’s VoTech Schools, County Commissioner Tom Arnone was obviously happy to be a part of the morning and the acquisition of Mater Dei Park as well as assuring the small crowd it will always remain open space. So nice to see all the cooperative projects the County is completing with the township, thanks to great minds thinking alike and great forces putting great ideas into action.
County Clerk Christine Hanlon took time away from all the wondrous things she’s doing to remind the world that Monmouth County indeed was a vital part of this new nation 250 years ago. The Monmouth 250 celebrations will be all over the County thanks to so many towns and all will be promoted by Monmouth 250 as well. Understand there are a few surprises and announcements about even more happening that might be coming out soon.
Father Jeff Kegley has been a wise and thoughtful spiritual leader for this very large parish, and working with the township and the county shows he’s also got great business acumen and a sincere love for not only always doing the right thing, but always encouraging and supporting everyone else to do the right thing as well.
Mater Dei High School may be gone, which is sad for those who got their education there and can look back on great teachers, great friends and great starts in life.
But preserving the land, naming the new township park Mater Dei Park, and the promise it will be 25 acres of open space forever while at the same time providing an endowment that will still give parents the option of a catholic school for their youngsters at St. Mary’s grammar school all make the transition bittersweet with great hope for the future.
