About St. Maria Goretti /Holy Child Parish/ · Runnemede, New Jersey
Holy Child Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Runnemede, New Jersey, formed on September 22, 2010 through the consolidation of two historic Runnemede parishes — St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus and St. Maria Goretti — by decree of Bishop Joseph Galante of the Diocese of Camden. The parish, which serves roughly 2,590 families in Camden County, operates from two worship sites: St. Teresa Church at 13 East Evesham Road (the main parish office location) and St. Maria Goretti Church at 321 Orchard Avenue. The parish tagline, 'Two beautiful churches, one GREAT parish,' reflects its unified identity across the two campuses. It is home to St. Teresa Regional School, a Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic school staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.).
- Established
- 2010
- Patron
- Holy Child (Jesus); parish also retains patrons of its two constituent churches: St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus and St. Maria Goretti
- Rector
- Rev. Robert L. Sinatra, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Camden
Why belong here
Holy Child Parish welcomes Catholics at every stage of life into one community served across two historic Runnemede worship sites, with a full schedule of daily and weekend Masses, two weekly confession slots, perpetual-style Eucharistic Adoration hours, and devotional novenas. Families benefit from an on-site Catholic school (St. Teresa Regional School, Pre-K through Grade 8, accredited by the Middle States Association), a Religious Education/CCD program, an RCIA process for adults, and sacramental preparation for Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Active men's, women's, and senior groups — including the Knights of Columbus, Altar & Rosary Society, Men's Club, Senior's Club, and Seven Sisters Apostolate — give parishioners of every age a way to grow in faith, fellowship, and service to the wider Camden County community.
Mass times at St. Maria Goretti /Holy Child Parish/
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (St. Teresa Church)
- Sundays 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM (St. Maria Goretti Church, before 9 AM Mass)
- Fridays 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (during Solemn Adoration at St. Teresa Church)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration Chapel — Monday and Wednesday 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration Chapel — Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon)
- Solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — Friday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Teresa Church (with Confessions)
History of Holy Child Parish
Holy Child Parish was canonically established on September 22, 2010 by Bishop Joseph Galante of the Diocese of Camden, uniting the historic St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus parish (cornerstone set September 1927) and St. Maria Goretti parish (first Mass August 1965) into one new parish serving approximately 2,590 Camden County families. Father Raymond Gormley was named priest convener and first pastor for an initial six-year term. The parish retains both church buildings, with St. Teresa Church as the primary worship site and parish office, and St. Maria Goretti Church continuing as a Sunday Mass site. The unification was part of a diocesan-wide reconfiguration that consolidated seven parishes into three new ones that year, following more than a year of parish- and deanery-level study beginning in April 2008.
- St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus — cornerstone set September 1927
- St. Maria Goretti Parish — first Mass celebrated August 1965
- Merged into Holy Child Parish on September 22, 2010 by Bishop Joseph Galante
- First pastor: Rev. Raymond Gormley (six-year initial term)
- Current pastor: Rev. Robert L. Sinatra, JCL
Our Two Worship Sites
The parish operates from two churches in Runnemede. St. Teresa Church, located at 13 East Evesham Road, is the principal worship site and houses the parish office; it hosts the Saturday 4:30 PM Vigil Mass, the 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses, daily 8:30 AM weekday Masses, Saturday morning Masses, and the Friday evening Solemn Adoration. St. Maria Goretti Church, at 321 Orchard Avenue, hosts the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass and the Monday-evening St. Maria Goretti Novena, plus Sunday morning confessions. The parish's identity — 'Two beautiful churches, one GREAT parish' — reflects this dual-campus reality.
- St. Teresa Church — 13 East Evesham Road, Runnemede, NJ 08078
- St. Maria Goretti Church — 321 Orchard Avenue, Runnemede, NJ 08078
- Parish Office located at St. Teresa campus
Clergy & Parish Staff
Holy Child Parish is currently served by a pastor, parochial vicar, and a permanent deacon, supported by a lay and religious staff that includes I.H.M. sisters. The current pastor is Rev. Robert L. Sinatra, JCL; the parochial vicar is Rev. Arockia Britto Prabhu; and the permanent deacon is Deacon David J. Harkins. Parish operations are coordinated by Joanna Schmidt (Director of Parish Life), with Danielle Amerman as Administrative Assistant, Theresa Heibel as Financial Coordinator, and Eileen Martin as Census Coordinator. Nancy Mejia directs the Music Ministry. Bereavement and senior ministries are led by Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Sr. Lisa Pasquale, I.H.M. (Bereavement Coordinator) and Sr. Marguerite MacDonald, I.H.M. (Senior Ministry Coordinator). Sr. Santa Teresa, I.H.M. serves as Principal of St. Teresa Regional School.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert L. Sinatra, JCL
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Arockia Britto Prabhu
- Permanent Deacon: David J. Harkins
- Director of Parish Life: Joanna Schmidt
- Music Ministry Director: Nancy Mejia
- Bereavement Coordinator: Sr. Lisa Pasquale, I.H.M.
- Senior Ministry Coordinator: Sr. Marguerite MacDonald, I.H.M.
- Principal, St. Teresa Regional School: Sr. Santa Teresa, I.H.M.
- Administrative Assistant: Danielle Amerman
- Financial Coordinator: Theresa Heibel
- Census Coordinator: Eileen Martin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Child Parish runs a robust Faith Formation program serving parish children, teens, and adults. The Religious Education (CCD) program is held Sunday mornings at St. Teresa Regional School, running from fall through the end of April, with goals including supporting parents as primary educators of their children, building parish community, and preparing young people for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. A growing Family Catechesis component incorporates Family Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Family Faith Night Out, Family Service Projects, and a Family Rosary Group. Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church — or baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Eucharist or Confirmation — are served through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
- Religious Education (CCD) — Sunday mornings at St. Teresa Regional School
- Family Catechesis — Family Adoration, Stations of the Cross, Family Faith Night Out, Family Service Projects, Family Rosary Group
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults, Christians seeking full communion, and Catholics needing First Eucharist or Confirmation
- Faith Formation Office: (856) 939-0592 / [email protected]
Sacramental Preparation
The parish offers preparation programs for the three sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist — which, in the words of the Catechism (CCC 1212), 'lay the foundations of every Christian life.' The parish also prepares couples for the sacrament of Matrimony and supports families through the other sacramental milestones of parish life. Parents and adult sponsors are invited to contact the parish office for information about sacramental preparation for children and adults.
- Baptism preparation
- First Eucharist / First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Matrimony / Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick available for emergencies (call parish office)
St. Teresa Regional School
St. Teresa Regional School is the parish's Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic school, currently holding the 2026 accreditation of the Middle States Association. The school follows the educational policies of the Office of Catholic Education of the Diocese of Camden and operates in long-standing partnership with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.). Its mission is to be a 'loving, joyful, and active community of faith-filled persons oriented toward Christian service,' fostering spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and physical growth in every student. The school is led by Principal Sr. Santa Teresa, I.H.M., and is located at 13 East Evesham Road, Runnemede, NJ 08078, (856) 939-0333.
- Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic school
- Accredited by the Middle States Association (2026)
- Sister Santa Teresa, I.H.M. — Principal
- Phone: (856) 939-0333
- Website: stteresaschool.org
Ministries for Men, Women & Seniors
Holy Child Parish hosts a wide range of parish organizations for men, women, and seniors, organized through the parish's Director of Parish Life, Joanna Schmidt. The Knights of Columbus Holy Child Council 3532 — founded in 1952 by 74 Catholic laymen and named for the parish's patron, the Holy Child Jesus — meets regularly and supports the parish community. The Men's Club meets the second Tuesday of each month and hosts Donut Sundays, Breakfast with Santa, the annual Parish Picnic, casino trips, a Good Friday Ecumenical service with Chew United Methodist Church, and an annual Communion Breakfast. The Altar & Rosary Society promotes devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the Rosary and cares for the sanctuary and altar. Senior ministries include the Senior's Club (second Tuesday of each month at St. Maria Goretti Hall), a Senior Book Club, the Golden Slippers senior bingo group (twice monthly at St. Teresa Hall, October through May), and a senior outreach program that prepares sandwiches for delivery to the Cathedral Kitchen in Camden.
- Knights of Columbus Holy Child Council 3532 (founded 1952)
- Men's Club — meetings 2nd Tuesday, St. Teresa Regional School Hall
- Altar & Rosary Society — Rosary devotion, sanctuary care
- Senior's Club — 2nd Tuesday, St. Maria Goretti Hall
- Senior Book Club
- Golden Slippers Senior Bingo — twice monthly, Oct–May
- Senior Outreach — sandwiches prepared and delivered to the Cathedral in Camden
Prayer & Service Groups
In addition to its men's, women's, and senior organizations, the parish sponsors prayer and outreach initiatives. The Seven Sisters Apostolate organizes groups of seven women who each offer one weekly Holy Hour for a specific priest; Holy Child has launched one group praying for Father Rob (Sinatra) and another for Father Britto. A Bereavement Ministry, coordinated by Sr. Lisa Pasquale, I.H.M., accompanies families through loss. Music Ministry, led by Nancy Mejia, supports liturgies at both worship sites.
- Seven Sisters Apostolate — praying for Fr. Rob and Fr. Britto
- Bereavement Ministry — coordinated by Sr. Lisa Pasquale, I.H.M.
- Music Ministry — directed by Nancy Mejia
- Parish Life / Community Outreach Office
Visiting & Contacting Holy Child Parish
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Child Parish by phone at (856) 939-1681 or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Faith Formation Office can be reached at (856) 939-0592 or [email protected]. St. Teresa Church and the Parish Office are reached from I-295 by exiting onto Route 168 South and proceeding approximately 1.5 miles to the corner of Route 168 and Evesham Road. St. Maria Goretti Church is reached by turning from Route 168 South onto 3rd Avenue and then onto Orchard Avenue.
- Parish phone: (856) 939-1681
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation Office: (856) 939-0592 / [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–2:30 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM; Sat 9 AM–1 PM
- Facebook: facebook.com/holychildrunnemede
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Raymond Gormley2010–
Named priest convener and first pastor of the consolidated Holy Child Parish for an initial six-year term at its founding in September 2010.