“It is a joyful burden to lead a community.” So said Father Richard Osborn when reflecting on his installation as the new pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown.
PHOTO GALLERY: Father Osborn installed as pastor
“I hope and pray that my time bears good fruit for the Lord with spiritual growth for my people, growth in new members and vocations from here to serve our local Church,” Father Osborn said.
Father Osborn was officially installed as pastor of the Middletown parish on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, during a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. In his homily, Father Osborn reflected on the Solemnity of Pentecost, saying it is “one of the most significant days in the Church’s calendar.”
Recounting the first Pentecost when Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles who were gathered in the Upper Room, along with the Blessed Mother, Father Osborn said “from that moment on they were changed, they were equipped with all the graces, blessings and all they needed to be witnesses for Christ.”
“Before that moment,” he said, the apostles, were weak, frail men, “yet they were men in whom God saw great potential … Little by little, with great love [and] patience, these flawed, frail people became great saints, heroes of our faith,” he said, and it was on Pentecost when the apostles were transformed.
On Pentecost, Father Osborn said, “the apostles were completed. They were equipped to bring the Gospel into a world hungering for Jesus Christ. The gifts that we received at the First Pentecost are gifts that are meant to be lived for all time until the second coming of our Lord.”
Father Osborn is a native of the Diocese of Trenton. He grew up in West Long Branch and graduated from the town’s Shore Regional High School. He attended Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, and Stockton University, Galloway Township, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in political science. He prepared for the priesthood in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and was ordained a priest by Bishop O’Connell June 4, 2016.
He served as parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, and St. James Parish, Red Bank, before he was named administrator of St. Catherine Laboure Parish last year following the retirement of Father Daniel Hesko. Bishop O’Connell appointed him the parish’s pastor as of early May. He also serves as the respect life chaplain for Monmouth County.
Of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, which was established in 1948, Father Osborn said draws about 600 people each weekend, has 200 students in the religious education program and eight ministries. What he finds most heartening is that it “is a very close community with people with deep ties to the parish.”
“I am continually amazed by the enthusiastic volunteers and that there are so many,” he said. Future goals he has in mind are to “continue to grow the parish through prayer and evangelization of the neighborhood” and also to step up efforts to reach out to the millennial population.
Colleen Zabriskie smiled as she talked about the honor it was to have Bishop O’Connell visit the parish and preside over Father Osborn’s installation.
“What a beautiful Mass,” Zabriskie said. “The Bishop is a great shepherd for our Diocese and we are truly blessed to have him with us.”
Since Father Osborn arrived to St. Catherine Laboure, Zabriskie noted the dedication he has “to preserving and enhancing our parish traditions which has truly been a blessing,” she said. One example she shared was last year, about six weeks after arrived as administrator, Father Osborn led the annual Novena for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Not only did he continue this beloved tradition, he also added a special procession to Ideal Beach, culminating in a Blessing of the Water ceremony,” she said. “This thoughtful addition deepened our connection to the feast and to each other.”
“We are truly blessed to have Father Rick as our new pastor,” Zabriskie said. “His warmth, energy and genuine care for our parish family have been a source of joy.”
Anne Cruse, a parishioner for 54 years, echoed similar sentiments saying, “Father Rick’s youthful spirit when interacting with our parishioners is a breath of freshness.”
“He is approachable, engaging and always smiling. He encourages us to participate in our Monday Adoration and Sunday afternoon prayer services. These have seen an increase in parishioner participation,” Cruse said. “Overall, we are happy to have him as our shepherd.”