By David Karas | Correspondent

On the 50th anniversary of their ordination, five priests who have served in parishes around the diocese assembled with their younger brethren to reflect on what it has been like to serve as a priest in the first half century following the Second Vatican Council.

On the warm, breezy morning of May 23, more than 40 diocesan priests and pastors, as well as a handful of clergy with previous ties to the diocese, filed into Sacred Heart Parish, Bay Head, to share in fellowship and prayer with one another. The event drew the participation of the diocese’s native son, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, who recently retired from the Diocese of Buffalo, and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who addressed the gathering about the profound impact that Vatican II had on the Church and his own life as a priest.

The Second Vatican Council, opened in 1962 by Pope John XXIII and brought to its conclusion in 1965 by Pope Paul VI, was the 21st Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church.  This pastoral council focused on a renewed understanding of the Church in itself and in relation to the world, and considered themes of Scripture, liturgy, and ecumenism. Among its effects, the Council resulted in increased involvement by the laity, whose members have since served in nearly every ministry at the parish level.

Each of the five jubilarians – surviving members of the seminarian class of 1962 whose ordinations coincided with the opening of the Council – shared their experiences with Vatican II and the lessons and experiences they encountered in their five decades as members of the presbyterate.

“You are a priest for the people, but you are also a priest to teach the people,” said Father Joseph Radomski, whose first assignment as a newly ordained priest was in St. Joseph Parish, Trenton. “I learned from every pastor I was with, and (I) learned from the people (of my congregations).”

Father Radomski, who retired after serving 26 years as pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, Avon, also shared the sentiments common among his peers in the priesthood at the time the Council unfolded – that is, to grow in faith as the changes took effect.

Father John Bowden shared experiences from his first assignment as parochial vicar in St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, where he was stationed with his uncle, who was pastor at the time. He said that as a young boy, he often visited the church and rectory with his family, experiences he attributes today to his call to a life of vocation.

“I am sure that is where a lot of my call to the priesthood came from,” he said, adding that the opportunity to absorb the priesthood through his uncle was invaluable, as was the ultimate chance to serve in the very same parish.

Father Bowden, who retired in December, 2006 after serving for 13 years as pastor of Epiphany Parish, Brick, said that one of the best aspects of his priesthood has been the interaction with members of the faith community.

“People have been so, so good,” he said, “and such a blessing.”

For a moment transitioning back to his days as a professor, Bishop O’Connell provided the clergy gathered with an analysis of the Second Vatican Council’s impact on the greater Church, as well as the priesthood and the guiding principles for those who choose a vocation.

He focused in particular on the definition of the priest as “a man chosen and called,” as well as the transformation “of a man-priest into a person of Christ himself.” Bishop O’Connell also affirmed that the priesthood “demands intimate union with Christ,” and personal availability is an integral component of that call.

“There are a lot of opinions about the Second Vatican Council,” he said, though he added that with the vast transformations sweeping the globe, “the moment was right” to consider the re-presentation of the Church to the world.

Msgr. Richard Brietske, who held numerous assignments on parish and diocesan levels, including as diocesan chancellor, said that the changes were instantly noticeable to him in his personal ministry. “Hundreds of people were involved in every aspect of parish life,” he said. “With all the opening of windows and doors, with all this involvement, I certainly became more active.”

Father William Mickiewicz, who was first assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish, Trenton, and currently serves as pastor of St. John Neumann Parish, Califon – part of the Diocese of Metuchen – spoke of his early call to the priesthood.

“When I was in high school, I fell in love with God,” he said. “Even if nobody else in the world loved me, I knew God would love me.”

He said that his love for the Lord has only been strengthened by his interactions with the faith community in his 50 years as a priest.  “I have found God in the people I serve,” he said.

The youngest member of the class of 1962, Msgr. Casimir Ladzinski – who was also the host of the gathering as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and episcopal vicar for Ocean County – said that his early years as a priest taught him volumes about being involved in a congregation.

“I have to bring the best out of all the people I meet,” he said, adding that he learned about delegation and pastoral engagement from his first pastor in St. Hedwig Parish, Trenton.

He also recounted his time as diocesan priest personnel director, one of 13 assignments he held throughout his 50 years of priesthood.  “It was the most challenging, but the most rewarding, job I have ever had,” he reflected.

He said he also enjoyed his opportunity to study in Poland, and to serve as a vicar and have the chance to confer the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Bishop Kmiec, who traveled from Buffalo to take part in the celebration, was part of the ordination class of 1962, going on to serve as associate pastor in St. Rose Parish, Belmar. He was ordained a bishop by Bishop John C. Reiss, and served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Trenton from 1982 until being installed as Bishop of Nashville, Tenn. in 1992. He was named Bishop of Buffalo in August 2004, before moving on to his final assignment in upstate New York in October 2004.

He said that the journey of his half century in the priesthood has been everything but expected, but that each step along the way has strengthened his dedication to the faith and serving God’s people.

“This is not the cruise that I signed up for, but I had a couple of great ports of call,” he said. “It has been a great trip.”