In top photo, Bishop O’Connell smiles as he introduces Father Wilson as the new pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold. Vic Mistretta photos
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
Jan Rybnicky of St. Rose of Lima Parish believes parishioners will be well cared for with their new pastor, Father Joel Wilson.
“Praise God!” she added. “He’s open to listening and he asks questions. He’s a wonderful leader. I’m glad he’s going to be with us for the next six years.”
Rybnicky was among parishioners gathered Oct. 11 for the Mass at which Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., formally installed Father Wilson as pastor of the Freehold parish.
Since arriving Sept. 1, Father Wilson has come to appreciate what he described as a “lovely, diverse and beautiful community with a ton of history.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Father Wilson installation
Diversity is essential
In the homily he preached in both English and Spanish, Father Wilson reflected on the richness of the parish’s cultural diversity and his desire to foster unity among its members.
“We are a nation of immigrants, and we are a parish of immigrants,” he said. “And this makes us diverse and varied. As pastor I would like to draw out those differences while also uniting our parish.”
He said recognizing that diversity is essential to building a parish united in faith and mission.
“It can be easy … or maybe kind of lazy to think of our parish according to the two big language groups: ‘the Spanish’ and ‘the English,’” he said. “Most of us are not Spanish and not English. Among each group there is a great variety – and that makes our parish extra special, diverse and multicultural.”
Reflecting on the day’s Readings, including St. Paul’s words about persevering through times of abundance and need, Father Wilson referred to the apostle’s declaration: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”
“That is something wonderful to reflect on, for anyone beginning something new or going through a challenge,” he said.
“Leading this parish will require a great deal of his strength and a great deal of your help,” Father Wilson said.
Christians ‘on fire’
He also called attention to the broader mission of the Catholic community in Freehold: to live as missionary disciples who bring the Gospel into the life of the town and “to be a sign to all.”
While St. Rose of Lima’s buildings and parish cemetery require ongoing attention and care, Father Wilson said the “building that we will be most focused on in this generation is the building up of people … Christians who are on fire to serve our Lord, live the Gospel, spread the Good News and invite others to join them. That is the heart of parish life and the heart of our mission here at St. Rose of Lima.”
Father Wilson was born in 1977 in Ridgewood. He attended the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, where he earned bachelor degrees in psychology and Spanish. He then went to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and later studied systematic theology at The Catholic University of America, Washington.
Bishop John M. Smith ordained him a priest May 30, 2009, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
His previous assignments included serving as parochial vicar at St. Rose Parish, Belmar, and at the Cathedral, as well as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade. He has reviewed books for moral and doctrinal accuracy and was an adviser and faculty member of the College Division of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Tomekii Holder, a parishioner for 21 years, thinks Father Wilson has already made a positive impression on the community.
“He brings a warm, welcoming spirit to the altar, and his homilies are exceptionally engaging, thoughtful and encouraging,” she said. “In the short time he has been with us, it is clear that his genuine care for the community and thoughtful preaching will inspire greater involvement among parishioners.”
“I am truly grateful to welcome him to St. Rose of Lima and feel confident that he will be a wonderful fit for our parish family.”
About St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold
Established in 1871, St. Rose of Lima has had only seven pastors before Father Joel Wilson.
The parish community serves about 4,900 families. More than 430 students participate in the religious education program; 215 students are enrolled in grades pre-K through eight in the parish grammar school. The parish has more than 60 ministries within the Hispanic and Anglo groups; eight choirs between the English- and Spanish-speaking communities; and active St. Vincent de Paul and Haiti ministries.