Saint Jude Gives a Special Eulogy to a Cherished Hopatcong Mother

Roseann V. (nee: Klocek) Katchmaric of Hopatcong passed away Friday August 9, 2019 at the age of 83 years. She was known to many in Hopatcong as the mother of former Councilwoman Marie Galate. Marie was the youngest of her 4 children. For many years her daughter served as the Borough liaison to the popular Hopatcong senior 60+membership group - the Hopatcong Seniors Inc. Roseann likewise (a long-time resident of Hopatcong) was a loyal member of this group too. Both Marie and Roseann were a mother-daughter traveling pair on many of these wonderful senior day trip events.

It was Saint Jude parish center that came to the rescue and graciously opened its doors to Hopatcong Seniors Inc when it needed a bigger meeting room for their first Thursday of the month meetings. So, it was very fitting to have the funeral services done near Roseann’s happy place where two pews were filled with her Senior Inc friends that had come to participate in the memorial mass. The attending faithful of friends and family celebrated her journey into heaven.

St Jude Church has a new young pastor who was born and raised in Poland – Fr. Peter Wierzbicki. He was ordained May 24, 2014 by Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, STD,SSL,DD. Fr. Peter recognized the Polish surname of the Katchmaric family and expounded on the cultural Polish American expression of their Catholic faith. Father Peter comforted the mourners with happy dialogue that Roseann was with loved ones in heaven enjoying Gołąbki (cabbage roll) and Pierogi. Fr Peter stated Roseann was now closer than ever to her family. We are now free to have profound feelings for those that have passed on because, the small clashes that come with the physical life have disappeared. It is a traditional Polish proverb that professes that all the undesirable flaws of our loved ones disappear, and we are only allowed to have happy lovely memories of them.

What comforting messages Fr Peter will bring to his new congregation at Saint Jude Church. These Polish proverbs combined with catechism can show us how to live happy despite environments that bring us profound grief. They are complimentary proverbs originating from a homeland where almost 18 percent of the population perished during World War II. Poland remains a devoted Catholic country that flourishes today because it welcomes in happiness through a traditional love of family, faith and forgiveness. The congregation in Hopatcong is blessed to have a little Polish guidance too from their pastor.

On Sunday, September 15th Bishop Serratelli will perform the formal installation of Fr. Wierzbicki as Pastor to St Jude Church during the Sunday September 15th 11:00 am mass. It is a joyous occasion at St Jude’s where there will be a reception at the Parish Center. (ticket deadline Sept 9)

Roseann Katchmaric was at her happiest when surrounded by her family. She lived her life taking care of her husband and her four children who later went on to become her best friends. She enjoyed her cat Angel. She also found happiness in pet ownership and planned a donation request that memorial gifts in her name be given to her favorite cat refuge the Hopatcong Pound Project, PO Box 468, Hopatcong, NJ 07843