Bringing about healing is focal point of Father Manning’s priesthood

After 27 years of service, Father Michael Manning is settling into retirement with a grateful heart for the experiences he’s had and the people he’s encountered serving as a priest of the Diocese of Trenton.

“I am most impressed by the many yet varied ways Jesus has been present in my priesthood,” said Father Manning, who retired July 1 as pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson.

PHOTO GALLERY: Father Manning retirement

“I am also grateful for both the joyful and sorrowful ways ministry is conforming my priesthood to Christ,” he said, then noted that, over the years, he has tried to model his priesthood after some very good advice he received years ago: “Do everything for Jesus.”

That is what Mother Teresa of Calcutta told him June 18, 1995, the day she attended Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Father Manning, at the time, was among the diocesan seminarians seated in the front pew, and he had an opportunity to chat briefly with her.

CHRIST’S CONSTANT PRESENCE

Christ has guided Father Manning throughout his life, but most especially in the ways he helped others.

He recalls his desire to help was something instilled in him when he was young, but, at the time, he was trying to decide between medical school and the seminary. Ultimately, he responded to both calls. He first became a physician, graduating from The State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in 1975, then for 17 years worked as a gastroenterologist on Staten Island until 1992. He realized that, while his life was good and he enjoyed his work, he had become restless, and the thoughts he had about priesthood decades ago were resurfacing.

Father Manning took a leap of faith and put aside his career and home and began his preparation for priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore.

Standing at the ambo, Father Manning looks out at the congregation during one of the last Masses he celebrated as pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson.
John Batkowski photo

DEEPEST YEARNINGS

Ever since his May 17, 2017, ordination by Bishop John C. Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Father Manning said all he ever sought to do was “be a good priest and serve wherever I was sent.” His assignments included serving as parochial vicar in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant. In 2002, he was appointed temporary administrator of St. William the Abbot Parish, Howell, and was named pastor the following year. In 2004, he was named pastor of Holy Cross Parish.

On a diocesan level, he was part-time coordinator of Respect Life Ministries, 2000-2006. With his medical expertise and vocation experience going hand-in-hand, Father Manning authored a book, “Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide: Killing or Caring?” At the time of its publication by Paulist Press, reviews for his book noted his ability to frame the ongoing debate over euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. He also served as a member of the Ethics Committee for the former St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton; as an instructor at Georgian Court University, Lakewood; and lectured on ethics at Staten Island University Hospital and Gwynedd Mercy College School of Nursing, Gwynedd Valley, Pa.

Father Manning has experienced many joys as a priest; he said the highlights were administering the Sacraments and preaching. He finds it a “real blessing” to pray at funeral Masses, especially when he knew the deceased or their family.

“Being with the family in their grief can be a powerful source of consolation for them, and [it also] helps strengthen my own faith in the power of Christ’s Cross and Resurrection,” he said. Baptisms are “filled with life and hope,” he said, adding that weddings are always joyful, and it is a privilege to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick. He enjoyed Confirmations and said that the Easter Vigil and Holy Week liturgies “helped me grow as the spiritual leader of the parish.”

A big challenge for him has been serving parish families who were hurting and wounded. One situation was the result of an allegation of abuse, and another was because of financial improprieties.

“Dealing with anger, disappointment, loss of faith, hurt and division was challenging. The road ahead was not always clear,” he said, but the experiences “helped my own faith and deepened my reliance on Jesus.” He added that the tragedy of 9/11 and the fears during COVID-19 were things “we all struggled through.”

In retirement, Father Manning plans to spend more time in prayer, take a restful vacation, and he looks forward to helping in local parishes “as the Holy Spirit guides me.” If invited, he’ll pursue his longtime favorite hobby of judging local dog shows.

“My two vizslas will be good companions,” he said. “There are several hiking trails near my new home which we will explore.”

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