Fran Beckwermert Tesoriero, a parishioner of St. James of the Marches Parish in Totowa for 52 years, looked around at the other Breakfast Club members at a recent gathering at Hillery Street Restaurant & Cafe and said, “We are so blessed.”
On the last Thursday of the month after 8:15 a.m. Mass, about 15 St. James parishioners and friends meet at the nearby eatery for more camaraderie — and breakfast.
St. James of the Marches Breakfast Club is open to all, not just parishioners.
The late Janet Cozzolino introduced parishioner Jim Beagin and his wife, Bette, to the Breakfast Club.
“We started coming, and it was an enjoyable time for us to have breakfast and talk — no pressure or anything,” Beagin said.
Father J. Patrick Ryan, a retired diocesan priest, started the “breakfast after Mass” concept at a former parish he served and then brought it to St. James when he became pastor.
“We had a lot of people coming to church and they would all go home after Mass,” Father Ryan said. “I said, ‘Instead of just going home, why not meet, and we will call it the Breakfast Club’ and they came. They do not have the facilities at St. James — a kitchen or basement — so it is nice to come here.”
It continues the fellowship at Mass.
Jo Ann Mott said, “I think it’s nice to get to know people and talk about everyday things. That is all spiritual.”
Father Marc Mancini, St. James’ pastor for the past five years, said the Breakfast Club’s spiritual benefits are clear.
“We have Mass at 8:15 a.m. and then gather together to enhance our spiritual development and growth by sharing, laughing, and dining together,” Father Mancini said. “We eat at the altar of God, and then we have a meal together at a table at Hillery Street Restaurant & Cafe. It’s appropriate.”
Jay Celentano, a regular Breakfast Club attendee, said, “I think the spiritual benefit is that we are all at an age where we have lost family, and it is almost like a different type of brotherhood. You gather people who care about each other. The important thing is we get together, say a prayer, and eat together — and extend that gratitude to one another.”
