Pastor appreciative of warm welcome at church
BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent

COLTS NECK - When the Rev. Thomas J. Triggs packed his belongings to come to St. Mary's Parish as its new pastor, he brought all his crosses with him. Now, a variety of more than 20 crosses hang on the wall of his new office.

"It just sort of happened," said Triggs. "I brought a few of the crosses home with me from my travels, and then family and friends starting giving me crosses. Before I knew it, I had a collection."

The crosses are of all shapes and sizes and materials. Many are from Central America and are made of materials such as wood, ceramic and metal, he said.

"Every year a few more are added," said Triggs. "I have more space now in my new assignment to display the crosses and my collection of Nativity sets."

Triggs said he has been collecting Nativity sets for about 30 years. He does not have an exact number of sets that he owns, but is especially proud of the ones made by American Indians.

"I found out that each tribe has its own particular style of decorating and making a Nativity scene," he said. "I have a number of them, including ones from the tribes of the Pueblo, Navajo and Sioux. This is an ongoing collection, too.

In March Triggs, 60, who was the pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, for 14 years, succeeded the Rev. Edward Griswold at St. Mary's. Griswold is now the pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.

St. Mary's Church and its newly expanded buildings are situated on more than 20 landscaped acres on the corner of Phalanx Road and Route 34. Though the number of registered families in both parishes, 2,200, is the same, Triggs noted some differences.

"There's no elementary school here and there are less farms and more developments around St. Mary's than I remembered," he said. "I visited St. Mary's when I was involved with youth ministry."

Triggs, a native of Perth Amboy, was diocesan director of the Office of Youth Ministry and the Office of Young Adult Ministry. After receiving a business degree from the University of Notre Dame, he became involved in youth ministry at Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, his home parish.

"I was a certified public accountant for about six months before I entered the seminary," said Triggs, who is a graduate of St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. "The business degree comes in handy as a pastor."

As for new plans for St. Mary's, Triggs said he wants to engage everyone, especially the younger members of the parish, to look toward the future as the parish undergoes a stem-to-stern overview.

To do this, Triggs intends to enlist the aid of the Institute of School and Parish Development, New Orleans, to develop strategic plans, long-range plans and a stewardship program for St. Mary's.

"St. Mary's needs continued support for strong ministries and assistance for those that need strengthening," he said. "Technology must keep up with times. That includes new software and equipment, even perhaps a televised Sunday Mass for those at institutions, for the home-bound or to view at-will on computers or cable."

He said the members of St. Mary's Parish need to embrace stewardship and be responsible for the future of St. Mary's.

"No major changes will be made without a reason and a thorough explanation," said Triggs. "There is a lot of talent at St. Mary's, and with everyone's help we will be a strong, innovative and caring community now and in the future."

Triggs said he appreciates the warm and hearty welcome he has received as St. Mary's new pastor.

"It's been so hearty with the dinner invitations and food donations that I have to work out to lose the weight I've gained," he said.

When time permits, Triggs said he enjoys travel and playing golf, with an admitted score in the high 80s.