St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church sits along Kresson-Gibbsboro Road in Gibbsboro, a small borough in Camden County, New Jersey, where it serves both Gibbsboro and the greater portion of Voorhees Township. Since its establishment as a separate parish in 1963, St. Andrew's has grown into one of the larger faith communities in the Diocese of Camden, known for its strong liturgical life, a thriving music ministry with multiple choirs, an on-site preschool, and a network of parish ministries that reaches from cradle to senior years.
From Mission Church to 1963 Parish
Catholic roots in Gibbsboro stretch back to 1895, when Bishop McFaul of the Diocese of Trenton appointed Fr. John O'Leary to organize a parish, and Mass was first celebrated in parishioners' homes and the old Gibbsboro school. On October 25, 1896, Bishop McFaul laid the cornerstone of a new church on Berlin Road at the foot of Gibbsboro Road, dedicating it on July 4, 1897. The community served first as a mission of St. Lawrence Church in Laurel Springs and later of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Berlin when that parish was established in 1903.
On February 9, 1963, Archbishop Damiano of the Diocese of Camden restructured the area and directed that Gibbsboro and most of Voorhees Township were to become a separate parish under the patronage of St. Andrew the Apostle, with Fr. John P. Corrigan as the first pastor. On June 28, 1963, a 15-acre tract along Kresson-Gibbsboro Road was purchased. The present Parish Center, originally serving as a church-hall, was dedicated in May 1965, with a rectory and office complex following in 1977. After twenty years of worshipping in the parish hall, the present church building was dedicated on June 4, 1989, the result of a process begun in early 1984. Monsignor Louis A. Marucci became the seventh pastor in June 2010.
The parish's founding building statement expressed a vision still in force today: "our new church should speak to us about the goodness and beauty of creation and our call as disciples of Jesus to join together in community to fashion God's ongoing creation." Over the years, two parishioners have been supported through ordination to the Permanent Diaconate, and a third is in formation.
Mass, Confession, and Adoration Schedule
St. Andrew the Apostle offers Mass daily and throughout the weekend. The current Mass schedule is:
- Weekday Masses: Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM, celebrated in the Chapel
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM in the Church
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:00 PM in the Church
- Reconciliation: Saturday at 3:15 PM and by appointment
The Rosary and a period of Adoration follow the 8:00 AM weekday Masses. In addition, the parish offers Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with a special All Day Adoration on the First Wednesday of each month from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The Rosary is prayed Monday through Friday at 12:00 PM and the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 PM.
Both the Church and the Chapel are livestreamed, making the parish's liturgies available to those who cannot attend in person. Monsignor Marucci's weekly homilies are also posted on the parish YouTube channel.
Clergy and Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Rev. Msgr. Louis A. Marucci, D.Min., the seventh pastor, appointed June 14, 2010. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Gibbstown, New Jersey, Monsignor Marucci attended Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York, and was ordained on May 23, 1987. He was named a Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II on March 18, 2000, with the title Reverend Monsignor. He holds four master's degrees and a doctorate in ministry, with specializations in medical moral theology, organizational leadership, strategic planning, philanthropy and development. He is also an adaptive skier and harpist.
Rev. Anthony Infanti serves as Parochial Vicar. The Permanent Deacons are Deacon Aaron Smith and Deacon Anthony Malatesta. Kathy Emrich serves as Director of Lifelong Faith Formation and is also the Director of Little Angels Academy Preschool. Abigail Walsh serves as Pastoral Associate for Music & Worship. Chris Parry serves as Coordinator of Compassionate Outreach, and Tese Hemschoot directs the Renaissance Center for seniors. Candace Meghri leads the Grace in the Ordinary Moms Group.
The Seven Sacraments
St. Andrew the Apostle celebrates the seven sacraments instituted by Christ: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. The parish provides preparation for each, with formation for baptism, marriage preparation (Pre-Cana) classes offered quarterly on Saturdays from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and instruction for parents seeking baptism for their children. Sacramental certificate requests for Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation can be submitted through the parish office.
For Catholics who wish to return to the practice of their faith, or for those who have never been baptized, the parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), and for children past the age of seven, the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC). Inquiry sessions are held at various times throughout the year, with informal instruction running from September to Easter. Father Infanti oversees this ministry.
Liturgy and Music: Our Gift of Worship
The parish strives to fulfill the vision of the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, with active participation by many lay faithful in liturgical roles. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, adult acolytes and altar servers, lectors, greeters and ushers, musicians, and a sound ministry all serve with dedication.
The music ministry is led by Pastoral Associate for Music & Worship Abigail Walsh. The Adult Parish Choir, made up of high-school-age through adult singers, rehearses Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and sings regularly at the 10:00 AM Mass from September through June. A Festival Choir sings for all major feasts and special liturgies, requiring only one rehearsal before each event. The Children's Choir, open to students in grades 1 through 8, practices bi-weekly and sings at Mass once a month and for special occasions. A Hand Bell Choir rehearses regularly and enhances worship during the liturgical year, and cantors lead sung prayer at all Masses, rehearsing on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instrumentalists in piano, strings, flute, brass, harp, and organ are also welcome to share their gifts at weekly worship and special celebrations.
The parish also observes Holy Hour, a Catholic devotional tradition of prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. At St. Andrew the Apostle, Holy Hour is held Monday through Friday immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass, and all day Wednesday until 8:00 PM, closing with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Little Angels Academy Preschool
Little Angels Academy is the parish preschool, located on the St. Andrew the Apostle campus. Directed by Kathy Emrich, the program nurtures the whole child with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that engages cognitive, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical development. Specific goals include helping children become confident learners who can solve problems and ask questions; expanding their love of God and others through prayerful faith formation; fostering comfort in school and trust in their new environment; supporting pride, self-confidence, and independence; and developing both large and small motor skills.
The preschool offers a low teacher-to-student ratio in a warm, faith-filled environment. In addition to the academic year, June Bug Summer Camp is offered during the summer months. The preschool welcomes parent involvement and provides a virtual tour for prospective families.
Religious Education and Lifelong Faith Formation
Lifelong Faith Formation at St. Andrew the Apostle serves children, teens, and adults. The Religious Education Program (CCD) supports parish families in the formation of their children, with classes for students from Pre-K through Junior High and a varied high school program called Galaxy. Adult opportunities include speakers, a parish mission, retreats, and international travel groups. Children's Liturgy of the Word brings the Gospel to young children during weekend Masses, led by teen and adult volunteers. Catechist, Classroom Aide, and Vacation Bible School roles support these programs.
Parents are encouraged to register children in the parish religious education program by using the PDS Registration Form. For adults and older students considering the Catholic faith or completing the Sacraments of Initiation, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) is offered, coordinated by Father Infanti. A Deanery Collaborative OCIA brings together neighboring parishes in this work.
Youth Ministry: High School, Middle School, and Teen Mass
Youth Ministry at St. Andrew the Apostle offers both high school and middle school youth groups, meeting at least every other Sunday from 7:15 to 8:45 PM for social, spiritual, and service activities. Teen Mass and Fellowship is celebrated every other Sunday at 6:00 PM, designed especially for youth, with opportunities for cantors, lectors, altar servers, and instrumentalists to participate. After Mass, teens gather for food, fellowship, and reflections on the Gospel. Mission opportunities are offered locally, nationally, and internationally, with service activities including volunteering for the Christian Cupboard, New Visions Day Shelter, Nursing Home Companion, Clothing Distribution Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and the parish Altar Server program for grades 6 through 12.
A Youth Ministry Advisory Committee, composed of adult leaders and junior high and high school teens, guides visioning, planning, and implementation of youth formation in the parish.
The Renaissance Center: Senior Ministry
The Renaissance Center is the parish's senior day program, open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM for self-sufficient individuals age 65 and older. Each gathering begins with a continental breakfast and continues with a nutritious lunch, both provided at no cost. Programming includes games, movies, group discussions, faith reflection, faith sharing, scripture exploration, prayer, intergenerational activities, and informative presentations on healthy living. The center's stated goals are to enhance quality of life, foster social interaction and recreation, support spiritual growth, offer programs of interest, promote successful aging, and provide nutritious meals with table fellowship. Director Tese Hemschoot welcomes inquiries and new participants.
Men's Ministry and Brotherhood
Men's Ministry at St. Andrew the Apostle is committed to assisting men to live with courage, grow in holiness, and foster brotherhood among the men of the parish. The Men's Prayer Group meets on a regular basis, using the "Lord, Teach Me To Pray" series focused on praying Christian Virtues. The parish also supports St. Joseph Council 6551 of the Knights of Columbus, the world's largest lay Catholic family service organization, dedicated to Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. The Knights are active in supporting clergy, church, youth, and many ministries of the parish. Discernment pathways toward the priesthood and the Permanent Diaconate are also promoted through the parish, with links to the Diocese of Camden vocation and diaconate offices.
Compassionate Outreach: Service to Those in Need
Compassionate Outreach is the parish's social mission arm, organized under Coordinator Chris Parry. Its mission statement reads: "Called by our baptism, we the followers of Christ at St. Andrew's Parish, invite all to share their time, talent, and treasure, as we seek justice and charity for those in need." The ministry operates several distinct outreach arms:
- Christian Cupboard is the on-site food pantry. Volunteers collect, sort, stock, and distribute non-perishable groceries donated by parishioners. Holiday Food Basket drives serve individuals and households at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- Nursing Home Ministry matches volunteers with residents of local nursing homes for weekly or bi-weekly visits of friendship and support.
- Local Outreach Ministry helps parishioners and nearby community residents in emergencies and temporary crises, assisting the unemployed, transitionally homeless, single mothers, seniors, struggling veterans, and people with serious illness and disabilities. Help can include securing and delivering food, providing meals, clothing, furniture, and household items, as well as referrals to county and outside programs. The ministry also serves families through an Annual Backpack and School Uniform Drive and a Christmas Giving Tree Project.
- Joseph's House of Camden Ministry prepares and delivers large casseroles each month to Joseph's House of Camden homeless shelter, collected the last Thursday of each month. Toiletries, socks and footwear, blankets, and winter coats are collected and donated at various times of the year.
Legion of Mary and Respect Life
The Legion of Mary gathers periodically for community prayer and service, with babysitting available during meetings. The Respect Life Committee coordinates parish representation at the Diocese of Camden Respect Life meetings, the March for Life in January, the annual New Jersey Right to Life Dinner, and the annual fundraiser for Our Lady of Good Counsel, a home for pregnant and homeless women. The committee also arranges for speakers from the Pro-Life office of the Diocese to address Confirmation candidates.
Marriage Preparation and Family Life
Engaged couples preparing for marriage at St. Andrew the Apostle attend Pre-Cana classes, offered quarterly on Saturdays from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM in the Upper Room of the Parish Hall, concluding with the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass in the Church. The cost is $150 per couple. A Marriage Prep Committee of married couples facilitates discussion of communication, budgeting, responsible parenting, and family-of-origin issues, with training and materials provided.
For young mothers, the Grace in the Ordinary Moms Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from September through June, with childcare available for a small annual fee. The morning includes breakfast, coffee, a speaker or video, faith formation, table discussion, and fellowship.
Stewardship: Time, Talent, and Treasure
The Stewardship Way of Life is described as "the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God's gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor." The parish offers more than 100 ministries through which parishioners can serve. Time and Talent sign-up brochures and a Stewardship of Treasure brochure guide parishioners into service. Stewardship of treasure is supported through ParishSOFT Giving (formerly Faith Direct), enabling electronic contributions through direct debit or credit and debit card, with personalized offertory cards available.
Planned Giving opportunities include charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, gifts of real estate, gifts of existing life insurance, and stock gifts. The South Jersey Catholic Ministry Appeal (the Bishop's House of Charity) is the Diocese of Camden's annual appeal for the poor and vulnerable, supported by a parish committee that reaches out to the congregation.
Music, Arts, and the Worship Environment
The Art and Environment Committee allows volunteers to invoke inspiration and creativity in arranging the altar, sanctuary, and sacred spaces to reflect the spirit of the scripture readings and liturgical seasons. Sacristans prepare the worship space before each Mass, including preparation for the proclamation of Scriptures, the offertory, and the communion rite. Ushers assist with seating, the offertory collection, and the Communion procession. Lectors proclaim the first two readings of the liturgy.
Catholic Education Beyond Preschool
St. Andrew the Apostle families are supported in sending their children to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, a regional Catholic school in the area. Parishioners with gifts and talents in education, fundraising, development, and marketing may serve on the OLMC Regional School Board, which meets monthly.
Becoming a Member
Newcomers are welcomed into the parish through a parish registration process, after which the Welcoming Committee follows up. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin and offers an email newsletter for those wishing to remain informed. The annual Festival and Mass is a parish highlight, joined by special events such as the Doo Wop Party. The Photo Gallery captures parish life across these celebrations and the church's Liturgical Year.
Joining the Parish
Whether a lifelong Catholic, a returning Catholic, or someone exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, St. Andrew the Apostle offers a place to call home. The parish campus sits at 27 Kresson-Gibbsboro Road (mailing address: 120 United States Ave E), Gibbsboro, NJ 08026, with the parish office reachable at 856-784-3878 or parish@churchofstandrews.org. Monsignor Marucci's invitation stands at the heart of the parish: come and visit, experience the liturgies, enjoy the fellowship, and become an active participant in the life of this dynamic parish.