Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney rejoiced in celebrating 37 priests who have served the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as they marked milestone priesthood anniversaries this year — from five to 65 years — on June 9 during the annual diocesan Priests Jubilee Mass in Corpus Christi Church in Chatham Township, N.J. The bishop also thanked the Jubilarians, who have given a total of 1,371 years of service as priests.
On that Tuesday morning, Bishop Sweeney served as the main celebrant of the Mass honoring diocesan and religious-order priests, both retired and still active in ministry. Concelebrants included the Jubilarians in attendance, as well as other priests from around the diocese.
Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli delivered the homily. He is a Jubilarian celebrating 26 years since his ordination as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., in 2000. Later, Bishop Serratelli served as the seventh Bishop of Paterson from June 1, 2004, until his retirement on April 15, 2020.
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During the Mass, Bishop Sweeney also led the Jubilarians in renewing their priestly promises and presented those in attendance with a certificate marking their anniversary.
Afterward, Bishop Sweeney posted on social media, “We had a wonderful celebration of priesthood at our annual Jubilarians’ Mass.” The bishop recognized Msgr. James O’Rorke and Father Paul Iovino, the longest-serving Jubilarians who are celebrating 65 years, and Bishop Serratelli, celebrating 26 years as a bishop, who “gave a beautiful homily.”
“It was a blessing to be together that more than 100 of our priests came together in prayer and fraternity, especially as we look forward to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday and to the ordination of two new priests on Saturday. Ad Multos Annos!” Bishop Sweeney posted.
65 Years
Father Paul Iovino, retired
Msgr. James O’Rorke, retired
60 Years
Franciscan Father John Alderson
Msgr. John J. Carroll, retired
Benedictine Abbot Emeritus Richard Cronin
Franciscan Father Gerald Mudd
Msgr. Rocco Remigio, retired
Father Bernardo Velasquez, retired
55 Years
Msgr. John J. Cusack, retired
Msgr. Peter J. Doody, retired
Franciscan Father Christopher Keenen
Father P. Christopher Muldoon, retired
Father Raymond Pavick, retired
Franciscan Father Andrew Reitz
50 Years
Father Joseph G. Buffardi, retired
Father Zbigniew Kluba, retired
Benedictine Father Joel Macul
Franciscan Father Francis McHugh
Father J. Patrick Ryan, retired
40 Years
Father Peter Filipkowski, retired
Franciscan Father Emmet Murphy
Father Jorge Rodriguez, pastor
26 Years
Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, Paterson Diocese
25 Years
Father Misael Jaramillo, pastor
Father Thomas Mangieri, retired
10 Years
Father Domink Bakowski, military
Father Jeider S. Barraza, pastor
Father Marcin Bradtke, pastoral assistant
Father Przemyslaw Gawlik, pastor
Father Krzysztof Liwarski, parochial vicar
Father Michal J. Szwarc, pastor
Father Slawomir Tomaszewski, chaplain
Father Duberney Villamizar, pastor
Father Artur Zaba, pastor
5 Years
Father James Eichman, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
Father Francis H. Lennie, chaplain
Father Joseph A. Mactal, parochial vicar
