St. John Vianney Parish in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston Township, N.J., recently marked the fifth year of renewed growth and vitality, celebrated with a spirit of welcome that included parishioners from its sister parish, St. Thomas the Apostle in the Oak Ridge section of Jefferson Township.
The Aug. 2 Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at St. John Vianney took place two days before the parish’s patronal feast day. Concelebrating were Father Benjamin Williams, pastor of both parishes, and Father Martin Bradtke, who coordinated the event and also provides pastoral assistance to St. John’s. After the Mass, parishioners enjoyed a potluck dinner to continue the celebration.
“I want to thank all the ministers and volunteers who have been working hard and giving their time, talent, and treasure to bring St. John Vianney to where we wanted it to be,” Father Williams told BeaconNJ.org after the Mass. “I also want to thank Bishop Sweeney. Since day one, he has been in our corner and has heavily supported the parish.”
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Many parishioners of St. John Vianney and St. Thomas attend each other’s events and fundraisers. The parishes’ two Knights of Columbus councils, St. John Vianney 12649 and St. Thomas the Apostle 5510, also collaborate on various projects.
The renewed spirit at St. John’s led to the transformation of its former rectory into the Rev. Matthew J. Twiggs Center for religious education, youth ministry, and other outreaches. The facility was named in honor of the late Father Twiggs, who preceded Father Williams as pastor.
Father Bradtke reported that St. John’s has added Masses, begun a Bible study, and increased weekend attendance to about 130 people from 70 people in recent years. The parish also has a new sound system. It plans to restart a “coffee and bagels” social after Masses in September.
Father Nico Quintos, pastor of St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, served as master of ceremonies for the Mass. Deacons Kevin Combs and James Cammarano assisted.
Bishop Sweeney blessed new vestments, a chalice, and a ciborium for St. John’s, which Father Bradtke brought from his native Poland through parishioners’ donations.
The bishop also blessed Gregory and Kathleen Bubniak on their 25th wedding anniversary.
“This renewed spirit at St. John’s shows our people are willing to step up and get more involved in their parish,” Father Bradtke said.
