Successful Parsippany Pro-Life 5K shines under autumn sun #Catholic – Under autumn sunshine, runners, walkers, families and Catholic community leaders gathered on Oct. 25, at Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany, N.J., for the successful St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners’ first professionally timed Thomas A. Haltigan Memorial Pro-Life 5K. The event celebrated life, faith, and family, highlighted by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s participation. “Giving thanks to God for the gift of this beautiful day, for the gift of life and family, we pray for all those in need, especially any mom or dad in need, and every family in need,” Bishop Sweeney told those assembled. “We pray for a greater respect for the dignity and value of every human life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death,” he said. Before the race, Bishop Sweeney blessed the trophies and medals, the latter embossed with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and presented as a gift from St. Cecilia’s Faith Formation, with each medal placed around a participant as they crossed the finish line. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. The Bishop then led the large gathering in singing “God Bless America.” Addressing the gathering were John Byrne, leader of St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners, which hosted and led the event; Carol McGotty, chairperson of the St. John Paul II Respect Life Ministry, event beneficiary whose members helped organize the 5K; and Father Mateusz “Matt” Darlak, pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Rockaway. Also participating were Father Joseph “Joey” Mactal, parochial vicar at St. Cecilia’s, and Sister of Christian Charity Chiara Marie Stimpfle, a teacher at Divine Mercy Academy, also in Rockaway, who joined the runners. The gathering also drew clergy, staff and supporters from the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., including Father Pawel Tomczyk, diocesan vicar for evangelization, who ran the race; Alyssa Renovales, diocesan Respect Life coordinator; and Eniola Honsberger, diocesan director of the Office of Family Life. Special guests included Timothy (Tim) O’Brien, son of the late Mike O’Brien, beloved coach of St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners. Tim O’Brien helps lead the annual Coach Mike O’Brien Memorial St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run at Morris Catholic High School, scheduled for Sat., March 13, 2027. Adding a meaningful family connection to the 5K was Elizabeth Haltigan McCormack, daughter of the late Thomas A. Haltigan, after whom the event is named. “My dad understood that making a difference doesn’t always happen in giant leaps,” McCormack told the crowd. “Sometimes it happens one small step at a time, with faith, determination, and a whole lot of heart. I know he would be so proud to see all of you here today,” she said. The First Place/Overall Male Winner was Freddy Garcia of St. Paul Inside the Walls, and the Overall Female Winner was Tuly Vu of St. Cecilia’s. Watch the runners cross the finish line. BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

Under autumn sunshine, runners, walkers, families and Catholic community leaders gathered on Oct. 25, at Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany, N.J., for the successful St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners’ first professionally timed Thomas A. Haltigan Memorial Pro-Life 5K. The event celebrated life, faith, and family, highlighted by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s participation.

“Giving thanks to God for the gift of this beautiful day, for the gift of life and family, we pray for all those in need, especially any mom or dad in need, and every family in need,” Bishop Sweeney told those assembled. “We pray for a greater respect for the dignity and value of every human life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death,” he said.

Before the race, Bishop Sweeney blessed the trophies and medals, the latter embossed with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and presented as a gift from St. Cecilia’s Faith Formation, with each medal placed around a participant as they crossed the finish line.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Bishop then led the large gathering in singing “God Bless America.”

Addressing the gathering were John Byrne, leader of St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners, which hosted and led the event; Carol McGotty, chairperson of the St. John Paul II Respect Life Ministry, event beneficiary whose members helped organize the 5K; and Father Mateusz “Matt” Darlak, pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Rockaway.

Also participating were Father Joseph “Joey” Mactal, parochial vicar at St. Cecilia’s, and Sister of Christian Charity Chiara Marie Stimpfle, a teacher at Divine Mercy Academy, also in Rockaway, who joined the runners.
The gathering also drew clergy, staff and supporters from the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., including Father Pawel Tomczyk, diocesan vicar for evangelization, who ran the race; Alyssa Renovales, diocesan Respect Life coordinator; and Eniola Honsberger, diocesan director of the Office of Family Life.

Special guests included Timothy (Tim) O’Brien, son of the late Mike O’Brien, beloved coach of St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners. Tim O’Brien helps lead the annual Coach Mike O’Brien Memorial St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run at Morris Catholic High School, scheduled for Sat., March 13, 2027.
Adding a meaningful family connection to the 5K was Elizabeth Haltigan McCormack, daughter of the late Thomas A. Haltigan, after whom the event is named.

“My dad understood that making a difference doesn’t always happen in giant leaps,” McCormack told the crowd. “Sometimes it happens one small step at a time, with faith, determination, and a whole lot of heart. I know he would be so proud to see all of you here today,” she said.

The First Place/Overall Male Winner was Freddy Garcia of St. Paul Inside the Walls, and the Overall Female Winner was Tuly Vu of St. Cecilia’s.

Watch the runners cross the finish line.

Successful Parsippany Pro-Life 5K shines under autumn sun #Catholic –

Under autumn sunshine, runners, walkers, families and Catholic community leaders gathered on Oct. 25, at Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany, N.J., for the successful St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners’ first professionally timed Thomas A. Haltigan Memorial Pro-Life 5K. The event celebrated life, faith, and family, highlighted by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s participation.

“Giving thanks to God for the gift of this beautiful day, for the gift of life and family, we pray for all those in need, especially any mom or dad in need, and every family in need,” Bishop Sweeney told those assembled. “We pray for a greater respect for the dignity and value of every human life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death,” he said.

Before the race, Bishop Sweeney blessed the trophies and medals, the latter embossed with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and presented as a gift from St. Cecilia’s Faith Formation, with each medal placed around a participant as they crossed the finish line.

Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

The Bishop then led the large gathering in singing “God Bless America.”

Addressing the gathering were John Byrne, leader of St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners, which hosted and led the event; Carol McGotty, chairperson of the St. John Paul II Respect Life Ministry, event beneficiary whose members helped organize the 5K; and Father Mateusz “Matt” Darlak, pastor of St. Cecilia’s Parish in Rockaway.

Also participating were Father Joseph “Joey” Mactal, parochial vicar at St. Cecilia’s, and Sister of Christian Charity Chiara Marie Stimpfle, a teacher at Divine Mercy Academy, also in Rockaway, who joined the runners.
The gathering also drew clergy, staff and supporters from the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., including Father Pawel Tomczyk, diocesan vicar for evangelization, who ran the race; Alyssa Renovales, diocesan Respect Life coordinator; and Eniola Honsberger, diocesan director of the Office of Family Life.

Special guests included Timothy (Tim) O’Brien, son of the late Mike O’Brien, beloved coach of St. Cecilia’s LIFE Runners. Tim O’Brien helps lead the annual Coach Mike O’Brien Memorial St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run at Morris Catholic High School, scheduled for Sat., March 13, 2027.
Adding a meaningful family connection to the 5K was Elizabeth Haltigan McCormack, daughter of the late Thomas A. Haltigan, after whom the event is named.

“My dad understood that making a difference doesn’t always happen in giant leaps,” McCormack told the crowd. “Sometimes it happens one small step at a time, with faith, determination, and a whole lot of heart. I know he would be so proud to see all of you here today,” she said.

The First Place/Overall Male Winner was Freddy Garcia of St. Paul Inside the Walls, and the Overall Female Winner was Tuly Vu of St. Cecilia’s.

Watch the runners cross the finish line.