St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, used a special Mass and its annual multiethnic festival to open its 140th anniversary observance.
The annual festival, held this year Sept. 7, includes food, traditional music and dancing, and activities for all ages. The parish includes a mix of ethnic populations, including from Eastern Europe, the Philippines, Africa and various Spanish-speaking countries.
Photo Gallery: Multicultural Festival in Hightstown
“The festival is a time that brings everyone together as one family, and this year we thought there would be no better way to open our 140th year,” said Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor, noting that the parish has about 2,500 parishioners. He said the parish is planning a year of events, culminating with a Mass of Thanksgiving June 14 with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., presiding.
“There’s such a spirit among the community,” Father Sumanga said.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish was incorporated Feb. 19, 1885, by Bishop Michael J. O’Farrell, first bishop of Trenton, who appointed Father Bartholomew W. Carey as the first resident pastor. Before that, the spiritual needs of the Catholics of the Hightstown area were cared for on an irregular schedule by visiting priests.
Early in 1886, work began on the construction of a frame church, and the cornerstone was laid by Father Anthony Smith, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and diocesan vicar general. Financial difficulties forced the closing of the church in 1890 and, two years later, it was reopened under the care of the Conventual Franciscan Friars of Trenton, who served the faithful of the Hightstown-Cranbury area during the 1890s and into the new century.
In 1906, Bishop James A. McFaul assigned Father John B. McCloskey as resident pastor, and he was succeeded two years later by Father John B. Conway, who, in 1912, built a rectory. Succeeding pastors included Father Edward Whalen, 1918-1929; Father Aloysius D. McCue, 1929-1930; Father (later Msgr.) Francis J. Sullivan, 1930-1934; and Father William Quinn, 1934-1941.
During Father Louis F. Cogan’s 25-year pastorate from 1941 to 1966, new facilities were added to the church, and a catechetical center was established under the care of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, and later of the Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters of Huntington, Ind. The center served a large area of Monmouth County in addition to the Hightstown area and functioned until 1966. A year later, the building was razed to make way for the new St. Anthony Church.
Under Father William J. Haughney’s pastorate, plans were made to build a new larger church to accommodate the growing parish. Ground was broken Aug. 11, 1968, and work began on the new church and classroom and meeting room facilities for the parish hall. Bishop George W. Ahr officiated at the March 8, 1970, dedication of the church and catechetical center. Succeeding pastors who served St. Anthony of Padua included Father John H. McDonald; Father Francis E. Santitoro; Father Patrick Castles, Father Patrick McDonnell, and currently, Father Sumanga.
Father Oscar Sumanga, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, lights the parish’s 140th anniversary candle during the 4 p.m. Mass Sept. 7. The parish kicked off its 140th with the Multicultural Festival. During the upcoming year, the parish plans to host many anniversary events and activities. Mary Stadnyk photo