Spiritual Roots Continue to Guide County Clerk

ED. NOTE: Faith and religion are important facets in the Cape May County community. The author plans to do stories on various aspects of religion and what impact it has on those who practice it. She encourages those with ideas on subjects to email her at the address at the end of the article.
COURT HOUSE – There is no doubt that by any measurement County Clerk Rita Fulginiti is the most popular elected official in Cape May County. The Herald interviewed her about how her faith impacts her daily life and career. Her attitude of gratitude and service came through the entire interview.
“I feel absolutely blessed to have this job and I am grateful to God for the opportunity given to me,” she said.
Fulginiti’s Cape May roots extend back to the beginnings of European settlements. Ludlams are in her family tree. She describes her mother Mae Ludlam as a deeply spiritual and religious woman who has written numerous books on spirituality in both the Eastern and Western traditions.
“My mother is the reason that I was never afraid of hard work or to do whatever it took to accomplish a goal,” she said.
Fulginiti recalls learning to type and organize her mother’s manuscripts at the age of 9 years old. They were skills that would stand her in good stead for the rest of her life.
Some of the books her mother authored were about astrology. Fulginiti, “came to Christ” at an early age and carefully followed New Testament teachings. She said, “I always followed Bible principles and the teachings of Jesus and I learned to be tolerant because not everybody agreed with her beliefs and they were not always nice about it.”
At age 13 she made an independent decision to become a member of Central Bible Church. She also decided to travel quite a distance out of the county to attend Pilgrim Christian Academy in Atlantic County.
A desire to walk in the footsteps of Jesus gave her the first contact with the Office of the County Clerk on North Main Street in Court House. “I wanted to walk where Jesus walked and decided to take a trip to Israel. I came here (Clerk’s Office) for a passport and that changed my life.”
She credits Jesus with changing both her spirit and her career path. “I have always loved history and records and record keeping.” The Clerk’s Office was a perfect fit.
She credits her predecessor Angela Pulvino with setting her on a path of service to the citizens and residents who come into the office. When asked what the most important thing about the job was Pulvino told her, “Be kind.” 
It was that simple. Fulginiti has practiced that throughout her career beginning as a clerk typist to the elected County Clerk. She is proof that leadership flows from the top. Her staff wins universal praise for being professional, patient and kind to all who come in seeking their services. “I tell them that as an office we want to promote a culture of hospitality.”
She has been married to her husband for two decades. A year after their marriage he suffered a stroke.
“I believe I am blessed in life to work and have this job where I can be useful and serve the community doing something I love and be able to care for him,” she said.
His condition requires that she get up two or three times every night. Her Mom and Dad are also part of the household. “Mom and I walk to church every Sunday,” she said. She attends St. Damian’s Catholic Church in Ocean City.
One of her jobs as County Clerk is to officiate at weddings. It is a part of the job she relishes. To date she has performed over 1,100 ceremonies. “I don’t bring religion into the office. I am tolerant of people‘s life choices and their cultures.” It’s working. Couples of all ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious and non-religious alike come to her for their nuptials. She has even performed a death bed marriage.
The bride who was diagnosed with a terminal illness and bed-ridden was surrounded by her seven sisters. Fulginiti describes the comfort and joy it brought the bride.
There are times she has felt led by the Holy Spirit to offer verses of Sacred Scripture especially in her position as Adjuster. The County Adjuster is charged with handling the final affairs of anyone who dies a pauper and has no one and nothing at the end of their lives.
”Sometimes I am the only one at the gravesite. I remember that this was a human being and I say a prayer over them. This work makes up the fabric of my life,” she said.
Fulginiti believes that one of the reasons she is called for these important ceremonies is that many people are without religious affiliation but they still want a spiritual connection. Life can be hard. How do people get through hard times? She offers some advice to young people. “Every person needs something to hold on to. Faith in God is that thing,” she added.
One of her favorite Scripture passages, Psalm 119, sums up her life: “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.”
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.