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October 26 , 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
With sadness and yet with profound hope, I write to inform you that Loretta Cavanagh began her final journey Home this past Sunday, October 24, 2021.
 
Loretta was a longtime and very active parishioner here at St Antoninus Church - a pillar of our Sunday healing ministry and neighborhood evangelization.
 
While I was living in the rectory at St Antoninus, discerning my vocation before I entered the seminary, Loretta was often my partner in our weekly two-by-two neighborhood evangelization. I saw even then that the Lord truly had her heart and because of that she was free to do what ever Jesus might ask of her. As a result, she was, as the Scripture says, “Always ready to share with others the reason for her hope” (1 Peter 3:15).
 
She was truly alive in the Holy Spirit and always sought to cultivate that life in the Spirit at every opportunity both in her own life and in the lives of all those she met. She had a wonderful combination of humility and boldness.

Loretta was “a lifer” here at St A’s. When health issues forced her to move far from the parish, by God’s providence, she moved into the loving home of her daughter Claudia & son-in-law John. Even from a distance, she always sought to stay connected to her St A’s family, and came in person every chance she had. 
 
We will miss her dearly, but as we commend her into the arms of our merciful Savior, we take consolation in the promise that for those who believe in the Lord Jesus and serve Him with their lives, “…life is changed not ended.” 
 
As we approach the holy days of All Saints & All Souls Days (Nov 1 & 2), may we be inspired by her life of faith, consoled by the hope of eternal life together, and strengthened by her prayers and the communion we continue to have with Loretta and with those who had put their trust in the Lord.
 
Finally, may we not forget to pray for Loretta and all of our deceased loved ones until that day when we are all together in heaven in the greatest festival of praise and worship, and in that Holy Communion that never ends.
 
Loretta’s Funeral Mass will be at St Antoninus on Saturday at 9:30am.

How beautiful it is that she will return one last time, without any of physical limitations that have held her back in the recent years.
 
Loretta is predeceased by her husband John (also a member of St A’s) and siblings Frank Judge, Rita Kenny, Mary Bolger, and Thomas Judge. She is survived by her children, John Cavanagh (Debbie), Claudia Garrity (John) and James Cavanagh (Jeanine), sister Margaret Morris and her grandchildren Amanda Sierra, Bridgid, Amanda Grace, Laura, James & John.
 
May her soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen!
 
In Jesus through Mary (& St Joseph),
 
Fr Joseph

 
LORETTA CAVENAGH'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
 
Wake / Visitation
Friday, October 29th
4-8pm
Preston Funeral Home
153 South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ
 
Funeral Mass
Saturday, Oct 30th at 9:30 AM
St Antoninus Church
337 South Orange Ave, Newark NJ
 
Interment
Following Mass
Gate of Heaven Cemetery, E. Hanover, NJ.


The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on YouTube.
Please see link below.
OBITUARY
from Loretta's family
 
Loretta Cavanagh (nee Judge) 86 of Califon formerly of Vailsburg passed away at her daughter’s residence surrounded by her beloved family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Antoninus Roman Catholic Church, 337 South Orange Ave, South Orange on Saturday, Oct 30th at 9:30 AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, E. Hanover. Visitation will be held at Preston Funeral Home 153 South Orange Ave, South Orange on Friday, 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Antoninus Church 337 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103 would be appreciated. For more information or to send condolences please visit prestonfuneralhome.net
 
Loretta was born in Newark and had lived in Vailsburg for 73 years before moving to Califon 9 years ago. She worked as a probation department manager for the Essex County Court House in Newark from 1972 to 1997.
Loretta was highly active at St. Antoninus Church as part of the Healing Team, and she was incredibly involved with the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. From the outside looking in, Loretta may have appeared to live and ordinary life, however, for those of us who were blessed to have been on the inside looking out, the expanse of what may be perceived as ordinary was genuinely extraordinary beyond measure. Loretta has touched and transformed the lives of the many… too many to measure in the ways of faith, hope and love.

She was grounded and in the faith of a God who never failed her, even in times of great adversity and suffering she was grateful, and full of grace. She lived the dash between the years she was born until the day she died with tremendous fervor and faith in action. She not only lived the dash with diligence and delight, but she also took our hand and had us on the joyful dash of laughter and charm with her. She blessed us repeatedly, figuratively, AND literally in this life, and she will continue to bless us in the communion of saints beside her loving Jack going forward in eternity.
 
Loretta was predeceased by her husband John R. Cavanagh, and siblings Frank Judge, Rita Kenny, Mary Bolger, and Thomas Judge. She is survived by her children  John Cavanagh (Debbie), Claudia Garrity (John) and James Cavanagh (Jeanine), sister Margaret Morris and her grandchildren which she found sheer delight in and will carry on her legacy of love God and of neighbor Amanda Sierra, Bridgid, Amanda Grace, Laura, James, and John.
 
Loretta Cavanagh loved life! She loved and treasured all things good and beautiful! She loved sunrises, sunsets, shooting stars; the night sky; a rising full moon; oceans, rivers, flowers, trees. She saw the work of God, the Creator, in the beauty and wonder of the world.
 
She loved people of every kind. Her enormous heart embraced all people of every age color and race; regardless of limitations or differences. She loved completely and embodied a kindness and gentleness which flowed freely to everyone.
 
Loretta had wisdom and grace which drew many struggling, suffering people into her presence seeking counsel, comfort and advice. She truly held God’s people in her very heart.
 
She loved being a part of large, vibrant groups of people praying and praising God. She attended charismatic conferences everywhere and used all the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to her. People would line up at her church after mass as Loretta and the healing team prayed and God’s presence would descend bringing comfort, healing and peace. 
 
Loretta adored her family, her children and grandchildren, nieces’ nephews. Spending time with her beloved grandchildren was perhaps her favorite time of all. She loved parties and gatherings, holidays, and dinners as well as lunch outings with friends which could last the entire day.
 
Loretta’s purity of heart; wit and wisdom combined with a sense of humor and continuous laughter made her a delight to be with.
 
Loretta lived a complete life of faith hope and love. She is without a doubt soaring in the glorious kingdom of God. We know she will not just “rest in peace” because she will be fervently praising and dancing and singing forever with Jesus Christ her Lord!

To participate at the 9:30am Funeral Mass, go to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintAntoninusChurch

Or click directly on the link below.
(This will be recorded automatically so you can also watch this on YouTube after the live-streaming)