In top photo, Father Nillo greets the Filippini sisters who staff St. Jerome School, which is part of Our Lady of Hope Parish, during the June 21 Mass of Installation as pastor. John Batkowski photos
Family members, parishioners and friends from near and far gathered June 21 to witness the installation of Father Mark Nillo as pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch.
Photo gallery: Father Mark Nillo’s Mass of Installation as pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish
Held in St. Jerome Church, one of the parish’s two worship sites, the installation took place during a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Several priests of the Diocese as well as priests from the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Dallas, Tex., concelebrated. Father Nillo’s parents, Marlene and Jimmy, arrived from the Philippines to attend the Mass.
“I never had the courage to say I’m ready to lead a parish until early last year,” Father Nillo said of his first pastorate.
“It took me more than ten years to say with all honesty that I am ready for the role.” he said. Now that he’s been installed as pastor, he added, that “It’s an exciting opportunity.”
“Although it comes with additional responsibilities and tasks, I always see it as a blessing to be able to minister as a pastor,” Father Nillo added. “The first one is always special and memorable. And I feel so blessed and so lucky that I was sent to serve Our Lady of Hope Parish.”
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com for more on Father Nillo’s Mass of Installation.
