I am grateful for this opportunity to introduce myself as the newest member of St. Mary’s Parish and also to bring my reflections to the bulletin this week.

My journey began not far from here in Ridgewood where I spent my early days in Mt. Carmel Parish. I attended St Joseph Regional HS and then attended Seton Hall and Darlington Seminary in Mahwah. I was ordained in 1975 and assigned to St. Bridget’s Parish as parochial vicar and four years later I became a Pastor. I also served on the Seminary faculty, as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Vailsburg, Newark, and Administrator of Holy Trinity in Hackensack for ten years. Most recently I was assigned to St. Mary’s Parish in Elizabeth until the Archdiocese suggested that I retire.

I am the oldest of six children and in the course of time you will likely see some of them around St. Mary’s. I also have nieces and nephews and even great nephews. Family is an important part of my life and the image of a parish family makes a lot of sense to me. One positive aspect of being retired is that I will have a little more flexibility in seeing my family. I have two brothers in Georgia and my three sisters live in New Jersey.

I appreciate the opportunity to become a part of the parish here. When I thought about retirement, it always appealed to me to serve out such years in the context of a community of faith. I do not see myself really retired. For example, in the last five days I have celebrated masses in three other parishes. I have only been here three weeks but I have experienced a warm welcome. I look forward to meeting more of you and slowly will be able to learn your name.

Fr. Pat