Father William J. Lago, pastor of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, finds that “the providence of God is always amazing.”
As Father Lago marks his silver jubilee of priesthood, he recalls being 3 years old when his family moved from the Bronx, where he was born, to Ocean Township. His family joined Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Asbury Park, where he attended elementary school. Throughout his life, he said, the parish was the center of his and his family’s life.
“I still carry those memories with me,” he said.
Father Lago went on to attend a public high school and, having an interest in science, he volunteered at a hospital. Father Lago attended Rutgers University and ventured “out of the Catholic bubble” into the secular world. However, he was involved in campus ministry, an experience he called his “home away from home.” His volunteer work continued in St. Peter Hospital, New Brunswick, as well as soup kitchens and nursing homes.
Answering the call
Father William Lago, stands in the sanctuary of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, with Deacon Gary Pstrak, left, and Deacon George Kelder. Courtesy photos
At the end of his time at Rutgers, he “felt God inviting me, asking ‘Will you do this for me?’” Young William questioned his worthiness to be a priest and put this idea aside. Purdue University, where he went to graduate school, has a strong Catholic campus ministry. It was there that he started to attend retreats and Bible study. He heard the question again and came to the realization that “I am not worthy. God knows that, and that’s where God comes in.” It was with that realization that freed him to pursue the priesthood, he said, then added, that he takes great inspiration in the Scripture verse Psalm 18: 29, “With God, I can scale any wall.”
Initially he entered the Norbertines; he was more familiar with order priests than diocesan priests because his home parish was served by Trinitarians. As he learned more about diocesan priesthood, he felt “God calling me to parish life” and entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary outside of Philadelphia for the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop John M. Smith ordained him May 15, 1999, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Sharing the faith
The role of priest as teacher has been ever-present in his ministry. In his first assignment, as parochial vicar of St. Raphael Parish (now part of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton, he was involved in the parish grammar school. He had just completed his seminary training, including complex courses in theology, and found he needed to translate that into something that could be understood by first graders. At his next assignment at St. Rose Parish in Belmar, he had opportunities to work with grade school and high school students. He said he had great faith conversations with high school students.
Father Lago reflects on God’s providence when he tells of having the opportunity to substitute for the chaplain at Monmouth University and interact with college students. He then had the opportunity to be the chaplain at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, where he spent four-and-a-half years. He described it as a very rewarding, role, with daily programs and Mass every day and numerous chances for sharing conversations about the faith with the students.
He also has a deep commitment to “working together for the good of the community and the good of the Body of Christ.”
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, when he was at parochial vicar in St. Jerome Parish, West Long Branch, and St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Deal, and campus minister at Monmouth University, he saw the strong effort of all groups coming together to help those in need. While pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands, Father Lago was a part of “a great ecumenical group that supported each other and worked together.”
As pastor of St. Denis, Father Lago offered space to a Boy Scout whose Eagle project was a community garden, but the Scout’s Presbyterian Church had no space. The garden is flourishing, with vegetables being given to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Manasquan and the Baptist Church Food Pantry.
In addition to his responsibilities as pastor at St. Denis, Father Lago is Vicar Forane for Coastal Monmouth County, an administrative position to assist the Bishop in the supervision of that region. Additionally, Father Lago has served as temporary administrator in St. Elizabeth Parish (now part of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish), Avon, and temporary administrator in St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell.