The Volunteer Center of South Jersey's 5th Annual "Spirit of Community" celebration is an event that will bring the entire community together to honor volunteers, as well as, non-profit and corporate leaders, whose dedicated service makes a difference in South Jersey. The celebration will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at The Mansion on Main in Voorhees. The highlight...

The Volunteer Center of South Jersey's 5th Annual "Spirit of Community" celebration is an event that will bring the entire community together to honor volunteers, as well as, non-profit and corporate leaders, whose dedicated service makes a difference in South Jersey. The celebration will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at The Mansion on Main in Voorhees.

The highlight of the celebration will be the honoring of local volunteers and community leaders with service awards. This year, 10 types of awards will be presented to more than 100 awardees, including:

The Bob Shryock Community Service Award will be presented to FURever as Friends - Pets Helping People for demonstrating excellence in volunteer management and an unwavering commitment to volunteerism.

The Corporate Excellence Award, which honors a socially responsible company for its exemplary commitment to service in the community by engaging employees and devoting resources to support local non-profits and help those in need, will be presented to Auletto Caterers. 

The HEROES Award (Honoring Excellence, Rewarding Outstanding Employee Service) celebrates star employees who have dedicated time, talent and resources to making a difference in the local community and served as an inspiration to their entire organization. This year Paulsboro Refining Company has chosen Kim Mossbrucker.

The Volunteer Manager of the Year Award honors the service of an outstanding Volunteer Manager who excels in the four key areas of volunteer management: recruitment, recognition, retention and utilization.  This year, this award will be presented to Michele Moken of the Garden State Rotary of Cherry Hill.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is an award offered by the Volunteer Center on behalf of member nonprofit agencies, allowing each agency to honor volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution and whose volunteer service goes above and beyond the call of duty.  Our awardees this year will be:

• John Bednar (FURever As Friends-Pets Helping People)
• Jessica Blood (Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice)
• Margaret Griner-Siniavsky (Parents Anonymous of New Jersey Inc.)
• Dana McClellan (Gloucester County Library System-Logan Branch)
• Michele Moken (Garden State Rotary of Cherry Hill)
• Julia Ramirez (Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice)
• Bill Robinson (Gloucester County Special Services Education Foundation Inc.)
• Gerri Stefencavage (Senior Citizens United Community Service).

The Distinguished Youth Service Award will be given to Madison Ginotti, who has exemplified leadership qualities while dedicating an immense amount of time in service to the South Jersey community.  

The South Jersey Humanitarian of The Year Award, designed to honor a South Jersey leader who has consistently gone above and beyond to make the community a better place through their commitment to volunteerism and selfless acts of community service, will be presented to Brian W. Jones.

The Family Strengthening Network - Advocate of the Year is being presented to Riccina Cabezes for her consistent support and commitment to the success of local families.      

The Family Day of Service 2015 Project of Honor is being presented to the Jonathan Cummings for the energy, passion and commitment to the Johnson Reeves Playground project, which was a huge success.

The President's Volunteer Service Award is a national honor based on the number of hours contributed, which honors Americans who, by their steadfast commitment and example, inspire others to make volunteerism a focal part of their lives. The award is given to individuals, families and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service over a course of a 12-month period.  A full list of awardees is below.

GOLD

(Adult 500+ hours of service)

 (Young Adult 250+ hours of service)

• Azeem Khan (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Madison Ginotti

(Youth 100+ hours of service)

• Brianna Baylor
• Kayla Baylor
• Alexa Grabelle (Bags of Books)
• Aaron Spring (FURever As Friends-Pets Helping People)

SILVER

(Adult 250 to 499+ hours of service)

• Richard Anastasi(Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• William Cassidy (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Scott N. Doyle (Gloucester County Library System - Mullica Hill)
• Ed Driscoll (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Ken DuTill (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Brian W. Jones
• Dana McClellan (Gloucester County Library System, Logan)
• Bill Robinson (Gloucester County Special Services Education Foundation, Inc.)
• Jeff Smith (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Joe Vitulli (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Gavin Webster (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Dr. Richard S. Woodward(Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)
• Richard Zeiner (Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity)

(Young Adult 175 to 249 hours of service)

• Gabby Ciminera  (Gloucester County Library System, Logan)
• Sandra Lee Hilla 

BRONZE

(Adult 100 to 249 hours of service)

• Maria Francesconi-Velez(Volunteer Center of South Jersey)
• The Peddler Shop(Gloucester County Special Services Education Foundation, Inc.)
• Robin McElroy (Gloucester County Library System, Logan)

(Young Adult 100 to 174 hours of service)

• Jessica Blood (Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice)
• Shelby L. Carlton(Gloucester County Library System, Swedesboro)
• Gabriel Cicione  (Gloucester County Library System, Swedesboro)
• Nikolas Francesconi-Velez(Volunteer Center of South Jersey)
• Julia Rimerez (Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice)

The celebration is generously sponsored by the corporate community, including Adams, Rehmann & Heggan Associates, Inc., EJ Consultants, LLC., Eurecat U.S.,  Fulton Bank of New Jersey , Hardenbergh Insurance Group, Keystone Engineering, Inc., Nalco Champion, Parker McCay, Paulboro Refining Company, SGS Petroleum Service Corporation.

The Volunteer Center of South Jersey is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 that promotes volunteerism in the region and connects both individuals and businesses with opportunities to serve. The center also achieves its mission by creating best practice tools and by offering educational, consulting, and other support services to help our non-profit partners grow and serve the community. The Volunteer Center is located on the campus of Rowan College at Gloucester County.

 

The county activated its Joint Operations Center, where 25 agencies will coordinate emergency services during the pope's visit.

LINDENWOLD -- Officials are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to flood into Camden County this weekend as they make their way to Philadelphia for Pope Francis' visit.

The weekend of events is expected to be one of the biggest happenings not only in the history of Camden County, but also the entire Philaldelphia region.

In order to coordinate all of the public safety agencies involve in keeping pilgrims and residents safe, the county activated the regional Joint Operations Center (JOC) to oversee security for the event.

With the world's eyes on the Philadelphia region, Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash said in a written release they will work tirelessly to make sure the event goes off without any issues.

"I want to thank the men and women who will be away from the their families for the next 72 hours to ensure Camden County is safe," he said. "Our professionals from the local level to the FBI have been diligently working and implementing the plan being put in motion today."

First responders have been working on that plan for almost a year. In all, 25 law enforcement agencies will be represented at the JOC.

The major concern for South Jersey is the traffic. When the Ben Franklin Bridge closes at 10 p.m. Friday, the Admiral Wilson Boulecard will be closed from the Airport Circle to the bridge and I-676 North will be closed from Morgan Boulevard to the bridge.

The additional volume of vehicles is expected to create congestion of other roads, including I-295, as well as routes 38, 42, 45, 47, 55, 70, 73, 76, 90, 130, 168 and 322.

While urging residents to be mindful of those traffic conditions, Freeholder Michelle Gentek-Mayer also wanted people to remember what the weekend was all about.

"This is a celebration," she said. "We want to do everything possible to act as a catalyst for anyone who wants to participate."

Pope Francis will arrive in Philadelphia in less than 24 hours and Philadelphia was feeling the effects of blocked roadways and security checkpoints.

PHILADELPHIA -- When the National Guard is stationed on street corners and "rush hour" is anything but, you know something's up.

Pope Francis will arrive in Philadelphia in less than 24 hours and the city was feeling the effects of closed roadways, security checkpoints and tens of thousands of visiting Catholics as part of The World Meeting of Families.

"We feel that for the minor inconvenience, this is a major boost for the city -- and we're not even Catholic," joked Daniel Smith, a resident of the city's Fairmount section just north of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Smith, who was walking east along a deserted Spring Garden Street with Mike Granger, who lives at 22nd and Brandywine streets, said the U.S. Secret Service paid them a recent visit to remind affected residents about parking restrictions.

They moved two cars from their on-street parking spots about two blocks north. Other than that, it's pretty much a holiday weekend in Philadelphia.

"We're gonna see how close we can get on Sunday," Smith said of attempting to attend the papal Mass, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. just in front of the art museum.

Ahead of the arrival of at least 1 million papal pilgrims, an uptick in security efforts could be seen from around Lombard Street, north to City Hall and up to Spring Garden Street. Traffic restrictions took a typically bumper-to-bumper downtown traffic situation on a Friday afternoon and turned it into a two-lane pedestrian path.

Security checkpoints along both north and south strips of Broad Street prevented anyone from getting too close to City Hall. Two parades featuring Pope Francis are planned for Saturday and Sunday and both will loop around the Logan Square fountain along the Ben Franklin Parkway and City Hall.

Besides the lone protester out front of the Pennsylvania Convention Center -- where The World Meeting of Families has been holding court since Tuesday -- things were calm if not slightly congested.

Gabriel Stephens, a resident of Brazil, was in good spirits and that's probably because of the tunes the DJ/producer was cranking out.

Priests of Beat, an experimental mix of Catholic electronic music, compiles the voices of priests and nuns with the dance floor styling of electronic dance music.

"The sleaze, drugs -- I don't agree with it," said Stephens, who said he "infuses" dance music with a positive message. His group also plans to buy food for the homeless while in Philadelphia. Back home in Brazil, they visit places such as prisons to spread the message.

"We try to bring them hope and inspiration," he said.

As his beats boomed from speakers along an Arch Street that was devoid of vehicular traffic, Stephens reinforced the mission of his musical ministry: "There's nothing else like this. It's what our soul craves."

A Camden man faces 5 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to second-degree possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

WOODBURY -- A Camden man faces 5 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to second-degree possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Rico P. Purnell, 22, admitted that he had a handgun when a Deptford Township police officer stopped a car in which he was a passenger on Aug. 30, 2013.

Rico P. Purnell (Salem County Correctional Facility)
 

In a negotiated plea, Assistant Prosecutor Joseph More will recommend a 5-year term in state prison. Purnell would have to serve three years of that sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Superior Court Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson accepted the guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for Dec. 11.

Purnell was prohibited from possessing a weapon as a result of two narcotics convictions in Camden County in 2013 and 2014.

He was found in possession of a loaded .44 Smith & Wesson Magnum handgun during the Deptford stop.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

The Ben Franklin Parkway was busy with people preparing for the arrival of Pope Francis.

PHILADELPHIA -- Lou Ferrero, a volunteer at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul who calls himself a "lifer" at the church, was busy Friday night prepping the outside of the cathedral for Pope Francis's visit today. 

He was not the only one anticipating the Pontiff's arrival. Pilgrims were taking in the atmosphere all along the Ben Franklin Parkway as they strolled from City Hall to Logan Circle, stopping to snap a few pictures and occasionally asking police officers questions. 

Members of Saint Joseph's and Michael Parish in Union City sang as they danced in a circle around musicians playing a guitar and drum at the intersection of 20th street and the Ben Franklin Parkway while 10-year-old Nicholas Ercole was playing soccer a few blocks away on Green Street. 

MORE: Watch: Nun plays football awaiting Pope Francis's arrival

The usually busy thoroughfare was eerily quiet without cars, allowing pedestrians to walk the street, something Nicholas's mother Courtney Ercole said she has never seen as she watched her son play in the street.

As a ball traveled down to the next intersection, she said she normally would be worried for her son's safety, but not on this day.

The pope leaves New York City early this morning and flies to Philadelphia's Atlantic Aviation at 9:30 a.m. for a whirlwind 36-hour weekend of festivities. 

The parkway, or "Francis Fairgrounds," opens at 6 a.m. Saturday for the day's events, which include the pope's arrival at the cathedral for mass at 10:30 a.m. 

The Festival of Families on the parkway begins at noon. After speaking at Independence Hall at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, the pope is scheduled to return to the parkway for a parade through the fairgrounds so festival-goers -- even those without tickets to the section west of Logan Circle -- can catch a a glimpse of the pope. 

His weekend will wrap up with Mass on the parkway on Sunday at 4 p.m. where upwards of 1 million people are expected to attend.

Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @photogthawk. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Passes to take public transportation into Philadelphia for Pope Francis' visit are still available today.

CHERRY HILL -- If you're still debating whether to head into Philadelphia for Pope Francis' visit this weekend, you might want to decide quickly. 

Tickets for public transportation into the city, including PATCO, are still available at the transit stops as of Saturday morning, Delaware River Port Authority officials said. Only four stations in New Jersey  -- two in Camden, one in Woodcrest and one in Lindenwold -- are running this weekend and they're each heading non-stop westbound into the city. 

Just before 8 a.m. about 200 people were waiting to board a PATCO train toward the city from the Woodcrest station in Cherry Hill. 

Dozens of security and staff greeted pilgrims as they entered the station. Workers said they had a burst of a crowd earlier in the morning, but the 7:30 arrivals of about 200 hundred or so breezed through security and we're in a train and headed to Philadelphia by 7:42.

Staff members said the expect volume to pick up.

 Get real-time updates below from the various transportation authorities serving the region today. 

The airport was filled with jubilation as Papal stepped off the plane and began his weekend in the City of Brotherly Love. Watch video

PHILADELPHIA --  Hours before Pope Francis even departed New York, students of Bishop Shanahan High School Marching Band warmed up by playing patriotic songs on the tarmac in Philadelphia. But when the Pontiff stepped off the plane, it was the theme song to "Rocky" that greeted the pope to the City of Brotherly Love.

As the doors of the plane rolled open around 9:45 a.m., and the pope stepped outside, the movie theme song blasted throughout the airport.

Bishop Shanahan High School marching band members Madeline Trevelino, 14, Jessica Hagenow, 14, and Jennie McIntyre, 17, smile and enjoy breakfast at the Philadelphia International Airport while waiting for Pope Francis to arrive Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 (Brittany M. Wehner | For NJ.com)
 

The excitement and jubilation were palpable as the pope stepped off the plane and began his 36-hour weekend in Philadelphia.

Among the crowd of about three dozen people on the tarmac to welcome the Pontiff were Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and the family of a retired Philadelphia Police office Richard Bowes who was injured in the line of duty. 

The trumpets blared as the drum beats echoed and students of the West Chester high school played triumphantly for the arrival of the pope.

"It's really exciting. This morning when I woke up, I couldn't believe it was today. I couldn't sleep -- it's just surreal," said Gillian Porter, 14.

The arrival of the pope meant different things for everyone in attendance, but for flute players Madeline Trevelino, 14, Jessica Hagenow, 14, and Jennie McIntyre, 17, the excitement had been building over the past few months while practicing for their moment in the spotlight.

"It's hard to believe that we are finally here now," Jennie said hours before the pope's arrival, with a big smile on her face.

As the pope made his way down the tarmac, the leader of the Catholic church greeted Chaput first by shaking his hand.

Then, he made his way over to the Bowes family -- including retired police officer, Richard, who was injured in the line of duty seven years ago, his wife Bernadette and three children.

Pope Francis hugged Bowes' three children as they gave him a ceremonial Mountain Laurel plant, the Pennsylvania state plant. After shaking hands with other city and state leaders, including Wolf and Nutter, he turned to wave to the crowd before stepping into his modest black Fiat. 

The arrival was a phenomenal experience for many, but especially the marching band director Charles Keating.

Keating was with his son, Michael, who sat in a wheelchair in front of the band as the pope made his way to his Fiat. From inside the car, the pope waved to the crowd, but just before he was whisked away, he stepped out of the car, and as the crowd cheered, he walked toward the Keating family to place his hands on the young boys legs. 

Less than 20 minutes later, the pope's motorcade pulled up to the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, where crowds of pilgrims had gathered since before dawn to catch a glimpse of the holy leader. 

Waving Pope Francis placards and Vatican City flags, the crowd also chanted along to a celebratory song sang by members of Camino Neocatecumenal, a Catholic Church in San Francisco that brought 70 pilgrims to Philadelphia for the weekend.

Sochitl Avalos, a 16-year-old member of the church, played guitar and sang in both English and Spanish as the gathered crowd flocked to her group.

"We like to follow the Lord and we value family," she said when asked why she decided to make the pilgrimage to Philly.

Playing for this large crowd was definitely a little different for her, as she's used to playing and singing just at Mass and small church gatherings, but she was enjoying the celebration and community of the event, even if she wasn't inside.

A little away from the masses, the Cassidy family, who traveled from Ohio for this weekend's events, were sitting on a tarp on a patch of grass, playing cards and patiently waiting the Pope's arrival.

It was a nine-hour drive for Dan, Connie, Shannon, 21, and Kate, 23, but it was worth it to witness the historic event.

"We love his (Pope Francis') message of love and feel it's a pivotal time in history for the world," Connie Cassidy said.

-- Staff Writer Rebecca Forand contributed to this report. 

Trains will now run every 10 minutes and will stop at the four local stops in Camden County that are servicing Philadelphia today.

LINDENWOLD -- There was plenty of parking and hardly any wait at the four PATCO stops in Camden County Saturday morning.

The turnout by mid-morning was lower than expected, prompting the Delaware River Port Authority to change its current schedule.

Patco Lindenwold has lots of parking and security @511NJ_Papal @site_pvm pic.twitter.com/u4F9f4oa3h

-- Joseph P. Smith III (@jpsmith_dj) September 26, 2015

As of 11 a.m., trains will be departing from each station -- Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Broadway and Walter Rand Transportation in Camden -- every 10 minutes.

Originally, PATCO planned to have trains head westbound straight into the city, not stopping at other New Jersey stations, but that's changed for Saturday. Those trains will now stop at those four local stops before heading to the only stop that's open in Philadelphia - 9th/10th and Locust. 

"This adjustment is in response to relatively low demand and we are prepared to quickly ramp back up should the demand increase," a PATCO press release said.

Jessica Beym may be reached at jbeym@njadvancemedia. Follow her on Twitter @jessbeym. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

One person was killed early Saturday morning in a crash at the intersection of White Horse Pike and Kings Highway.

AUDUBON -- One person was killed early Saturday morning in a crash at the intersection of White Horse Pike and Kings Highway, police said.

The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m., according to Audubon Police Sgt. Michael West, and involved two vehicles.

West said he could provide no additional details on the accident, since it remains under investigation.

Scanner reports indicated that one person was ejected and one was transported by ambulance to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

Cheers erupted outside of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul as Pope Francis stepped out of his Fiat. Watch video

PHILADELPHIA -- Cheers erupted outside of the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul as Pope Francis stepped out of his Fiat and walked up the steps of the historic church Saturday morning. 

Chanting "We love the Pope," hundreds of families, church groups and individuals were out in front of the church as the pope arrived. Many had waited for hours to see the pontiff before his first scheduled event in the city. 

People jumped on top of each other's shoulders, phones and iPads raised, hoping to get a quick photo of the holy leader as he briefly waved hello. 

Before the Pope's arrival the mood was celebratory, as the crowd gathered in the early morning hours. Some had traveled hundreds or thousands of miles, others came from nearby areas in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but all stood together in front of the Cathedral Basilica.

As the sun rose, you could hear the sounds of tambourines and guitars and see Pope Francis placards and Vatican City flags flying above.

Members of Camino Neocatecumenal, a Catholic Church in San Francisco which brought 70 pilgrims to Philadelphia for the weekend, performed a "circle of life" song and dance routine.

Sochitl Avalos, a 16-year-old member of the church, played guitar and sang in both English and Spanish as the gathered flocked to her group.

"We like to follow the Lord and we value family," she said when asked why she decided to make the pilgrimage to Philly.

MORE: 'Rocky' theme, dignitaries greet Pope Francis in Philadelphia

Most visitors outside of the Cathedral Basilica agreed that the pontiff's visit was simply a part of history that they were excited to be a part of, even if they couldn't get inside the church.

"It's the chance of a lifetime," said Kristin Hildreth, a Conshohocken resident.

"Italy was a little far, but Philly was only a two-hour flight," added Dani Caccio, who came from Tennessee.

Inside, about 1,600 people packed into the cathedral to hear the pope deliver his homily in Spanish and celebrate Mass. 

"I would like to think, though, that the history of the Church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down," he said in his homily. "It is a story about generation after generation of committed Catholics going out to the peripheries, and building communities of worship, education, charity and service to the larger society."

As Pope Francis celebrated Mass inside, the group outside thinned slightly, but many stayed around listening to the Homily and watching the celebration as it was broadcast on large screens in the area. They began to gather in front again as he finished the service.

A collective sigh of disappointment was heard in the crowd, however, when the pontiff left through a side door without being seen.

His afternoon will be spent resting at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, followed by two more public appearances, including a speech at Independence Hall around 4:30 p.m., and a parade on the parkway before speaking at the conclusion of the Festival of Families. 

Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@southjerseymedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Cenji Allen, 15, was reported missing Friday from his home on the 500 block of Elm Street.

CAMDEN -- Police are looking for a missing North Camden teen.

Cenji Allen (Camden County Police) 

Cenji Allen, 15, was reported missing Friday from his home on the 500 block of Elm Street, according to Camden County Police Department.

He is described as black, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 110 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

He was last seen on the 100 block of Boyd Street wearing tan khaki pants, a white polo shirt and a mint green American Eagle hoodie.

Cenji has been reported missing once before and is known to frequent North Camden and East Camden, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the CCPD tip line at 856-757-7042.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

Three people were displaced following a Saturday afternoon house fire in Somerdale, the American Red Cross confirmed.

SOMERDALE -- Three people were displaced following a Saturday afternoon house fire in Somerdale, the American Red Cross confirmed.

The fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. on Barbara Place. 

Two men and a woman were displaced and are now staying with family, according to Laura Steinmetz, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross New Jersey Region.

The victims met with Red Cross disaster response volunteers and were provided emergency assistance with food and clothing.

Officials have not reported a cause for the fire.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

A South Jersey woman anxiously awaiting some important news experienced her own personal miracle during the first day of Pope Francis' visit to Philly.

PHILADELPHIA -- The police called it divine intervention.

A South Jersey woman anxiously awaiting some important news experienced her own personal miracle Saturday during Pope Francis' visit to Philly.

At 11 a.m., the New Jersey State Police received a phone call from the Department of Health. A Berlin woman in need of a kidney transplant had gotten word that a new organ was waiting for her at Jefferson Hospital.

An ambulance carrying a woman in need of a kidney transplant pulls up to Jefferson Hospital in Center City Philadelphia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. The city was full of visitors at the time for Pope Francis' visit. (photo provided by New Jersey State Police)
 

The patient, whose name was not released, required an escort from Camden County to the Center City hospital, at the same time as crowds were descending on Philadelphia to see the pope.

Officials were able to orchestrate the move smoothly.

"New Jersey State Police Sergeant Chris Modarelli met the JeffSTAT ambulance at noon at the patient's home. From there, he provided an escort over the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia where he was met by the Pennsylvania State Police," wrote the NJSP on social media.

In a photo taken by first responders on 11th Street, a throng of people can be seen standing behind a barrier on a street corner -- presumably to catch a glimpse of the pontiff while he's in town.

"We are glad to report that as a result of some great teamwork with PASP, we were able to get the patient safely to the hospital," the NJSP statement said.

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

  

 

After a full day of preaching and teaching, Pope Francis made his long-awaited appearance in Center City on Saturday night.

PHILADELPHIA -- You didn't have to be close. You just had to be there and when that shimmering second came, the hours of waiting were worth it.

After a full day of faithfully following the preaching and teaching, the pilgrims who flocked to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis were given the opportunity to celebrate themselves at the Festival of Families.

"I wouldn't do this for the biggest celebrity in town," said Jessica Diaz, 19, a Queens resident visiting with her mother who is originally from Columbia, in South America.

Diaz was among the hundreds of thousands of visitors in Center City late Saturday afternoon and into the evening who enjoyed the fellowship of families, live entertainment and music, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Andrea Bocelli and  Aretha Franklin.

The festivities along the Ben Franklin Parkway were the final event of Saturday's celebration, rounding out the papal Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul and an appearance at Independence Hall.

"I saw him yesterday in Central Park so I'm good," said Diaz, who was in no rush to run to the fences that lined Center City streets to control pedestrian traffic clambering for a sight of the Holy Father. "It's not that I'm not excited; I saw him yesterday so somebody else can have a spot up front."

Mary Stengel, an Arkansas resident who came to the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection with her two children, said Philadelphia had treated her well thus far.

"I've never done anything like this before," she said.

The television screens that showed Francis' speech at Independence Hall portrayed a man who looked larger than life. Those gathered around City Hall, LOVE Park and the municipal services building stood silent, reading the translations of Pope Francis' teachings.

At 5:45 p.m., the cheers started. They echoed off downtown skyscrapers and carried through the alleyways of Center City. The cries of joy only got louder as Pope Francis was carried around City Hall more than an hour later -- the first time the majority of those in attendance had seen the head of their church that day, or ever.

The experience left some in tears.

Terri Boyle, 53, of Philadelphia, called the chance to see Pope Francis "just unbelievable. It's just incredible."

"I never thought I would be 20 yards from the holiest man that we have to look to," she said. "It brings me a lot of hope and I hope that Catholics that may be having doubts and questions that it brings people back. I hope that it renews people's faith or strengthens people's faith."

Boyle, a Catholic, said the pope "brings such a message to everyone of all faiths, all religions, all races, of mercy and just life."

Boyle said she was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 39. When she was diagnosed she said she turned to God and said "whatever your will is but just give me the strength to handle that."

She said she has been in remission for 14 years.

"I always feel like God let's you know that have to look beyond what's in front of you. You just look to other things," she said. "If you pay attention God is always giving you a message."

"When you're hurt and when you're down and when you're tested, that's really the time when it's hard to hold on but it's the most important time to hold on," she said.

The thousands of pilgrims who lined Center City streets took to balancing on top of trash cans, climbing trees and standing on benches and cement posts. Whatever it took to get a photo and video of Pope Francis riding down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and around City Hall and back, these papal pilgrims did.

Luis Rodriguez, 37, of Camden, propped up his 15-year-old Luis on a lamppost by using his left shoulder to lift him above the crowds who were standing five or six deep at the gates lining the parade route.

"Don't let me fall," the son told his father.

"Don't lean too much," his father replied.

The elder Rodriguez, who walked with his family to Philadelphia over the Ben Franklin Bridge, said his faith drew him to the city today.

"I'm a believer," he said. " I got to show my kids growing up right now the faith and he's a figure of the Catholic Church that we believe in and he represents all of us."

Long before Francis made his Saturday evening trip around City Hall, minds were already drifting toward Sunday afternoon's Mass.

"This is once in a lifetime," said Jeanette Rodrigues, a northern California resident who laid claim to a sidewalk square outside a Center City 7-Eleven with friend Jan Pedrini, also of California.

"My expectations are to not get any closer than seeing him on a Jumbotron," said Pedrini. "I still want to see how they expect to give communion to 2 million people," she joked about Sunday's 4 p.m. Mass.

NJ Advance Media reporter Erin O'Neil contributed to this report

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

The busy day began at Philadelphia's main Catholic cathedral, where the pope celebrated Mass and spoke about a greater role in the church for women and youth. He ended it before tens of thousands at Saturday evening's Festival of Families, all hoping to catch at least a glimpse of the pontiff.

PHILADELPHIA--He will see his biggest crowd on Sunday, when organizers say as many as one million people will gather for an outdoor papal Mass at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

But Pope Francis began his two-day sojourn to the City of Brotherly Love with an audience of one.

After touching down early Saturday morning at Philadelphia International Airport aboard "Shepherd One," the pope was set to drive off in his black Fiat when he unexpectedly ordered the driver to stop and circle back on the tarmac. There, behind a security fence within a large crowd of well-wishers, the pontiff had spotted a severely disabled 10-year-old boy slumped in a wheelchair. The pope emerged from the car, walked over to Michael Keating and kissed him on the forehead.

His mother wept.

"For us, it was beautiful," said Kristin Keating, a fourth-grade teacher from Elverson whose son has cerebral palsy. "For us, it meant something."

On the final leg of the pope's six-day visit to the United States, the busy day began at Philadelphia's main Catholic cathedral, where he celebrated Mass in front of more than 1,600 people and spoke about a greater role in the church for women and youth. He ended it before tens of thousands at Saturday evening's Festival of Families, arriving along a route lined with spectators five-to-10 deep, all hoping to catch at least a glimpse of the pontiff.

In between, there was a trip to the birthplace of American freedom, where the pope spoke of religious freedom at Independence Hall.

"In a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to suppress religious freedom, or try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality, it is imperative that the followers of the various religions join their voices in calling for peace, tolerance and respect for the dignity and rights of others," said the 78-year-old pontiff, speaking in his native Spanish, as translated by the Vatican.

For the crowds who came to see and hear him, it was also a day dictated by tight security concerns, road closures, and police lines that made travel difficult. As papal pilgrims tried to find their way to different events on Saturday, they encountered cement roadblocks, metal gates and large fences.

Border patrol officers and Transportation Security Administration agents manned the checkpoints into the secure zone surrounding Ben Franklin Parkway and City Hall. Crowds waited more than an hour to get through the checkpoint and were told to leave small wooden poles from flags being sold throughout the city behind. For some, it took more than an hour to get through one of the secure checkpoints and all electronics were required to be turned on and inspected.

Finding their way to Philadelphia

Some came from far away. The Cassidy family--Connie, Dan, Shannon, 21, and Kate, 23, along with Shannon's boyfriend Ben Kiste--traveled from just outside of Toledo, Ohio for the weekend's events. Despite the nine-hour drive, Connie Cassidy said it was worth it to witness history.

"We love his message of love and feel it's a pivotal time in history for the world," Cassidy said. "Our languages are different, but we're all the same. It really gives you the feeling of a universal church."

Bruce, Dani and Andrew Caccio flew from Tennessee for the event. "It's not like he is here everyday," Bruce Caccio remarked.

Standing hundreds deep at one stalled TSA checkpoint, Soribel Rodriguez, 24, of the Bronx, came to Philadelphia with 102 other congregation members of the Holy Spirit Church, leaving New York at 3 a.m. aboard two buses on Saturday. They prayed together over and over while waiting in line, singing hymns and joined in chant.

Rodriguez had no tickets to prime access for the evening's Festival of Familes, and planned to leave before Sunday's outdoor Mass, but for her it was enough to be close to the pope for one day. "I want to see Papi," she said.

Others had a shorter journey.

Jo Zangaro and Cindy Pfister from Moorestown, N.J., made the trek to the city by way of the PATCO High Speed Line in the late morning, but said the journey was nowhere near as bad as what they were expecting. Zangaro said being with the crowd felt amazing.

"I love the enthusiasm," he said. "He's brought this feeling of inspiring people to do justice. I think that's been missing for a while."

Shirley Kane, who came with her husband, Bill, from South Jersey, said she had been a junior in college in 1979 when Philadelphia got a visit from John Paul II, the last pope to visit the city. At that time, she decided to stay at school and watch on TV--a decision she's regretted ever since.

"I was riveted watching on TV," she said. "I said 'I can't let this happen again.'"

A homily of inclusion

On Saturday morning, at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, where crowds of pilgrims had gathered before dawn, the pope--who has rejected the idea of ordaining women--talked of a need for a much more active role for lay Catholics, especially women.

"One of the great challenges facing the Church in this generation is to foster in all the faithful a sense of personal responsibility for the Church's mission, and to enable them to fulfill that responsibility as missionary disciples, as a leaven of the Gospel in our world," he said.

Outside, waving Pope Francis placards and Vatican City flags, hundreds of families, church groups and individuals were out in front of the church as the pope arrived, where many had waited for hours. Chanting "we love the pope!" people jumped on top of each other's shoulders, phones and iPads raised, hoping to get a quick photo of the pontiff as he briefly waved hello.

"It's the chance of a lifetime," said Kristin Hildreth, a Conshohocken resident.

Also outside were members of Camino Neocatecumenal, a Catholic church in San Francisco that brought 70 pilgrims to Philadelphia for the weekend. Sochitl Avalos, a 16-year-old member of the church, played guitar and sang in both English and Spanish as the gathered crowd flocked to her group.

"We like to follow the Lord and we value family," she said.

Religious freedom

Even more were gathered at Independence Mall, where Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf were among the speakers before Pope Francis took the stage.

The pope's arrival there was heralded by the thunderous roar of a jubilant crowd, as the papal motorcade made its way down Market Street, stopping several times while members of security brought babies up for him to bless. The iconic white popemobile crawled along before it turned right on 5th Street and made its way to Independence Hall--where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

The pope spoke from the lectern used by President Abraham Lincoln when he delivered the Gettysburg Address.

"It was here that the freedoms which define this country were first proclaimed," said the first pope from Latin America in Spanish. Going off script several times to speak directly to recent immigrants to this country, the pope told them "never be ashamed of your traditions... By contributing your gifts you will not only find your place here, you will help to renew society from within."

Some in the crowd shouted, "Francisco! Francisco! Francisco!"

An evening encore

The final encore of the day led the pope to the Festival of Families, hosted by the worldwide Catholic gathering that brought him to the United States. At the evening event, several different families from around world gave testament to their faith, relating personal stories of triumph and hardship.

Among the evening's entertainers was Aretha Franklin, who sang "Amazing Grace."

People took to balancing on top of trash cans, climbing trees and standing on benches and cement posts, doing whatever it took to get a photo and video of Pope Francis.

Terri Boyle, 53, of Philadelphia, called the chance to see Pope Francis "just unbelievable. It's just incredible."

"I never thought I would be 20 yards from the holiest man that we have to look to," she said. "It brings me a lot of hope and I hope that Catholics that may be having doubts and questions that it brings people back."

Jackie Yanez of Santa Ynez, Calif, who was also in Philadelphia attending the Festival of Families, said she was struck by how many different parts of the country and world were represented in the crowds looking to see the pope.

"He gets treated like a rock star, but he doesn't act like one," she said.

Staff writers Erin O'Neill, Rebecca Forand, Brittany M. Wehner and Ted Sherman contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to the report.
 

The cause of an afternoon house fire that displaced three remains under investigation, police said Saturday night.

GLOUCESTER TWP. -- The cause of an afternoon house fire that displaced three remains under investigation, police said Saturday night.

Police and firefighters from several area departments responded to Barbara Place in the Timber Birch section of the township shortly before 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Responders found heavy smoke and fire coming from the home. The residents had already evacuated the house and were not injured, authorities said.

The roadway was closed for three hours as fire crews extinguished the blaze and investigators went to work.

A firefighter was transported to a local hospital with smoke inhalation and was later released.

Gloucester Township Police and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.

The American Red Cross provided assistance for two men and a woman displaced by the fire. They are staying with family members.

Responding to the scene in addition to the township police department and Red Cross were Chews Landing Fire Department, Glendora Fire Department, Hi-Nella Fire Department, Magnolia Fire Department, Lawnside Fire Department, Runnemede Fire Department, Somerdale Fire Department, Rehab 13, Camden County Fire Coordinator, Camden County Communications and Gloucester Township EMS.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

A Winslow Township 8-year old was suspended for wearing a kelly green shirt instead of a dark green one. What's next? The thread-count police?

When outgoing U.S. House Speaker John Boehner greeted Pope Francis the other day, the speaker began talking about his choice to wear a green necktie for the pontiff's visit.

"The tie is the color of hope," the pope told Boehner.

File photo 

If it's good enough for Pope Francis, a similar green ought to be good enough for the Winslow Township Board of Education.

Not so, apparently.

An 8-year-old elementary student from Winslow Elementary School No. 4 was suspended last week for wearing a kelly green polo shirt that violated the district's uniform requirement. The shirt was not deep green enough, the vice principal reportedly told the mother of student Kylie.

TV station Fox29, which originated the story, didn't disclose the family's last name, but quoted the mother as saying, "My child messed up. I messed it up for my child ...  but to suspend a child over the shade of a shirt, I found it a little ridiculous."

Kylie was barred from class the day after she wore the offending shirt, the mother said, after she arrived a few minutes late at the school with Kylie and her twin sister. Both were allegedly dressed that day in regulation shirts.

We don't think that Kylie messed up. We don't think her mother did, either. 

First, photographs of the girls holding acceptable and non-acceptable shirts side by side don't show much variation. Woe to any harried mom or dad who mistakenly puts even color-safe bleach in a load of dark laundry.

Second, the code permits white shirts, navy blue shirts or dark green ones. It's typical of public-school dress requirements that attempt to make everyone look alike - but don't require an actual uniform. If white or blue can fit, it's strangely picky to make kelly green verboten. 

The larger point here is about zero-tolerance polices in schools. Their value when it comes to expelling students who bring in weapons or drugs is still an issue of some debate. But zero-tolerance on polo-shirt shades? That's just silly.

It's possible that Kylie was suspended for some reason other than failing to coordinate precisely with a Pantone color chart. The mother allowed that her conversations with administrators over the issue were, well, lively. Why punish the student, though?

The school district's terse response to the controversy suggests that officials are squeezing the dye vat a little too tightly.

"We can confirm that there was a violation of the district's uniform policy, but we can't go into detail about the specific violation," a spokesperson said.

The district's dress policy states, "The Winslow Township Board of Education believes that school attire can influence a pupil's behavior and potentially impact the academic environment."

Well, yes. But so can restrictions that crush even the tiniest smidgeon of creativity, independence and non-conformity among those pupils.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

With minimal lines at security checkpoints, Catholics who came to see Pope Francis' Mass on Sunday afternoon started arriving before the sun came up. Watch video

PHILADELPHIA -- Hundreds became thousands and, if predictions are right, could swell to millions as Center City streets began filling up before Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate Mass Sunday. 

Pilgrims lined the streets before the 4 p.m. Mass, the pope's final public appearance in the U.S. after a week-long schedule that took him to Washington D.C., New York City and Philadelphia.

"I hope to leave with inspirational feelings for myself, my family and community," said Dan Paschke, a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania resident who was about as close to the main stage along the Ben Franklin Parkway as one could get without an assigned seat.

Paschke, like so many others who trekked across the city this weekend, arrived in the pre-dawn hours long before the sun rose to reveal an overcast fall day.

Many more pilgrims made patches of grass along the Parkway their beds for the night, waking on cardboard mattresses to a breakfast of free Wawa water bottles. They broke out acoustic guitars and led groups in song; they follow Francis' footsteps into Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for the 8 a.m. Mass and watched enormous television screens as Francis met with bishops at St. Martin's Chapel.

Pawel Kozaka and Maggie Tracz were just waking up at 7 a.m. after a night of fellowship with other Catholics during the World Meeting of Families, which stretched past 10:30 p.m.

Although the two were in high spirits and ready for what Sunday would bring, a two-hour long security check-in line caused them to miss Pope Francis' trip around the Parkway Saturday evening.

"We never had tickets," Tracz said of flying out from Chicago. "It was for the Mass."

At the edge of the non-ticketed access area, Jenkintown, PA resident Tom McLaughlin was organizing his personal possessions ahead of an hours-long wait for the holy experience to commence.

McLaughlin, who took a SEPTA route into the city, said most of the approximately 150 other people on board got off at his stop and headed to the Francis Festival grounds.

"I hope to be part of the Mass and in the presence of the Holy Father and enjoy people celebrating his presence," he said.

Closer to the main stage, the slow trickle of pilgrims who passed the security checkpoint waited until their feet touched the Parkway to release cries of joy. They posed for group photos while holding their tickets and meandered around the area in search of a spot to call home on Sunday.

Just across the street from the main stage, Bernard Krasnisky and Geralyn Gilotti settled in for the afternoon.

The two arrived by train around 8:30 a.m. and said they hope to "take away the Papal blessing.

"Hopefully it lasts," Gilotti joked.

"We're part of a historic event here," said Krasnisky, who saw Pope John Paul II when he made his U.S. visit in 1979.

Krasnisky, wearing an Philadelphia Eagles hat and windbreaker, was asked about the football team's 1 p.m. game against the New York Jets. After offering commentary on the release of third-string quarterback Tim Tebow and Coach Chip Kelly's technique, he returned his thoughts to the papal Mass. 

"One event at a time," he said.

While thousands of pilgrims are using the closed bridge to get into Philadelphia to see the Pope, locals are relishing the unique chance to run and bike on the roadway.

CAMDEN -- As streams of Pope-bound pilgrims began the long walk into Philadelphia over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on Sunday morning, almost as many were headed in the opposite direction. 

Scores of runners, cyclists and stroller-pushing parents took advantage of the rare opportunity to cross the bridge, closed to traffic until Monday at noon, and relish in the unique experience. 

"It's the coolest thing," said Josh Mann, a Philly resident who hit the 4 mile mark when he, Gerri Trooskin and their 3-month old son Issac arrived at the base of the bridge in Camden. 

"It's so quiet," said Trooskin. "How often can you walk over the bridge and it's this quiet?"

MORE: Where is everybody? Pope Francis' visit leaves streets, subways and bridges empty (PHOTOS)

Both said many Philly locals fled the city ahead of the Papal visit fearing huge crowds, limited cell service and logistical woes, but might have stayed if officials advertised the rare recreational opportunities the road closures offered. 

"So many people left the city, but what an amazing experience to be able to walk in the city and across with bridge for a weekend, with no cars," said Trooskin. "It's beautiful."

Philly residents Emilie Theophile and Wes Lathrop ran full-speed downhill at the base of the bridge, and after throwing her hands up in victory at the end of their 4-mile run from the city over the bridge into Camden, said the closed roads don't just make for a good run, the lack of cars and the usual hustle and bustle lets residents connect with Philly in a different way. 

"It's very calming. You feel like you own the city better," said Theophile. 

"There's something sort of surreal and strange about it," added Lathrop. 

Delaware River Port Authority CEO John Hansen said there's no official count on how many pedestrians -- whether they're pilgrims, runners or bikers -- are crossing the bridge, but he's glad they're enjoying the opportunity. 

The only other time the bridge's main roadway is closed to traffic but open to walkers is the annual Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge 10k on the first Sunday in November, but even then pedestrians can't go the full way down into Philly like they can this weekend. 

"People are thrilled to be on the bridge with no traffic," said Hansen. "This really has been a joyous event for Philadelphia and Camden."

A Sicklerville man was indicted by a Gloucester County grand jury last week on charges related to a July robbery in Logan Township.

WOODBURY -- A Sicklerville man was indicted by a Gloucester County grand jury last week on charges related to a July robbery in Logan Township.

On July 16, authorities say David R. Shakespeare, 25, was driving on Shady Brooke Lane in Logan with a man described by police as a casual acquaintance. Both resided at the Mayfair Motel in Sicklerville, police said.

As they drove, Shakespeare allegedly put a knife to the victim's threat and demanded money, Logan police reported at the time. Shakespeare took the man's wallet, which contained more than $200, and a pack of cigarettes before fleeing into a nearby wooded area.

Police canvased the area and apprehended him a short time later.

Shakespeare was indicted on charges of first-degree robbery, fourth-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Other Gloucester County grand jury indictments announced last week include:

• Robert Gerst, 39, of Pitman, on a charge of third-degree violating conditions of a special sentence between February and May 2015 in Pitman.
• Lloyd W. Hartsell Jr., 55, of Monroeville, on charges of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and fourth-degree abuse of a child on June 6, 2015, in Franklin Township.
• Darance M. Jackson, 48, of Williamstown, on a charge of fourth-degree assault by auto on April 19, 2015, in Franklin Township.
• Harry Monroe, 56, of Glassboro on a charge of fourth-degree violating conditions of a special sentence on April 18, 2014, in Glassboro.
• Mark E. Nagle, 38, of West Deptford, on charges of third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and fourth-degree unlawful possession of an imitation firearm on June 30, 2015, in West Deptford.
• Daniel M. Thomson, 29, of West Deptford, on charges of second-degree robbery, fourth-degree resisting arrest and fourth-degree inflicting harm on a law enforcement animal on June 29, 2015, in Deptford Township.
• Gerald C. Walker III, 34, of Deptford, on charges of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (two counts), third-degree manufacturing/distribution/dispensing less than half an ounce of heroin/cocaine, third-degree manufacturing/distribution/dispensing CDS, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon on May 31, 2015, in Deptford.
• Thomas Williams, 47, of Woodbury, on a charge of third-degree violating conditions of a special sentence between January and April 2015 in Woodbury.
• Phillip N. Williamson, 40, of Paulsboro, on a charge of third-degree violating conditions of a special sentence on dates between Feb. 3 and July 14, 2015 in Paulsboro.
• Tierra T. Graham, 29, of Blackwood, on a charge of third-degree liability for the conduct of another on July 15, 2015, in Washington Township.
• Basil R. Zachary, 31, of Blackwood, on charges of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (three counts) and third-degree manufacturing/distribution/dispensing less than half an ounce of heroin/cocaine (three counts) on July 15 and 23, 2015, in Washington Township.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.