A 90th birthday celebration for Father Miele

July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
A 90th birthday celebration for Father Miele
A 90th birthday celebration for Father Miele


By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

The parish community of St. Anselm, Tinton Falls, gathered together to celebrate Mass and the 90th birthday of their beloved founding pastor, Father Joseph Miele, Aug. 15. Father Miele presided over the Vigil Mass and Father Eugene Vavrick, pastor, concelebrated.

To see photo gallery on this story, click here.

“Members of the parish mentioned his upcoming birthday was his 90th so we invited him back to say Mass and have a party,” Father Vavrick shared, “and he readily agreed!”

St. Anselm Parish was established in 1972 by Bishop George W. Ahr, and Father Miele was appointed to serve as founding pastor of the fledging community of faith.

The parish continued to prosper and Father Miele was instrumental in assisting in that growth by ensuring the norms of the Second Vatican Council were implemented correctly.

As he stated previously, “By implementing these changes, we attracted people and they became active, offering their time, talent and treasure,” he said. “People knew it was their parish, and that they had to work together for it to survive.”

“I came here with a shovel and bucket; I didn’t even know who St. Anselm was,” Father Miele joked. “I knew he was a scholar and theologian and I was so proud to be here with all of you.”

He remained pm as pastor until 1984, then went on to serve as a priest in the Diocese in various parishes in Monmouth and Ocean counties.  He has since retired.

While Fr. Miele no longer celebrates Mass with the congregation regularly, he acknowledged at the end of Mass, “My heart is here.”

“I am so happy to be here,” he reflected. “Thank you for being here with me and for celebrating my birthday with me,” he said, then quipped, “90 years old- that’s still young!”

Following the Mass, “Father Joe,” as he is fondly referred to, greeted long-time friends and familiar faces, stopping to speak with members of his former congregation.

Parishoner Stan Kolodjeski, who served as cross bearer for the Mass, said of his longtime friend, “He is a wonderful priest and a very good friend.”

Terry Lanza was one of the founding families of St. Anselm. Her son, Christopher, was the first baby baptized in the parish.

“He was very kind and accepting.  He was very dedicated to the Church and our parish,” she said of Father Miele. “I am very grateful my children grew up in this parish.”

Jo-Ann D’Apolito, Little Silver, remembered Father Miele when he served as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, as always “being so involved in the parish.”

 “We came to wish him a happy birthday,” she shared as he continued to greet guests, even giving fist pumps to the youngest of parishoners. “He’s an inspiration, a bundle of energy!”

Following the Mass, Father Miele, his guests and parishioners shared a meal in the parish center that was decorated with balloons and well-wishes for their dear founding priest.

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By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

The parish community of St. Anselm, Tinton Falls, gathered together to celebrate Mass and the 90th birthday of their beloved founding pastor, Father Joseph Miele, Aug. 15. Father Miele presided over the Vigil Mass and Father Eugene Vavrick, pastor, concelebrated.

To see photo gallery on this story, click here.

“Members of the parish mentioned his upcoming birthday was his 90th so we invited him back to say Mass and have a party,” Father Vavrick shared, “and he readily agreed!”

St. Anselm Parish was established in 1972 by Bishop George W. Ahr, and Father Miele was appointed to serve as founding pastor of the fledging community of faith.

The parish continued to prosper and Father Miele was instrumental in assisting in that growth by ensuring the norms of the Second Vatican Council were implemented correctly.

As he stated previously, “By implementing these changes, we attracted people and they became active, offering their time, talent and treasure,” he said. “People knew it was their parish, and that they had to work together for it to survive.”

“I came here with a shovel and bucket; I didn’t even know who St. Anselm was,” Father Miele joked. “I knew he was a scholar and theologian and I was so proud to be here with all of you.”

He remained pm as pastor until 1984, then went on to serve as a priest in the Diocese in various parishes in Monmouth and Ocean counties.  He has since retired.

While Fr. Miele no longer celebrates Mass with the congregation regularly, he acknowledged at the end of Mass, “My heart is here.”

“I am so happy to be here,” he reflected. “Thank you for being here with me and for celebrating my birthday with me,” he said, then quipped, “90 years old- that’s still young!”

Following the Mass, “Father Joe,” as he is fondly referred to, greeted long-time friends and familiar faces, stopping to speak with members of his former congregation.

Parishoner Stan Kolodjeski, who served as cross bearer for the Mass, said of his longtime friend, “He is a wonderful priest and a very good friend.”

Terry Lanza was one of the founding families of St. Anselm. Her son, Christopher, was the first baby baptized in the parish.

“He was very kind and accepting.  He was very dedicated to the Church and our parish,” she said of Father Miele. “I am very grateful my children grew up in this parish.”

Jo-Ann D’Apolito, Little Silver, remembered Father Miele when he served as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, as always “being so involved in the parish.”

 “We came to wish him a happy birthday,” she shared as he continued to greet guests, even giving fist pumps to the youngest of parishoners. “He’s an inspiration, a bundle of energy!”

Following the Mass, Father Miele, his guests and parishioners shared a meal in the parish center that was decorated with balloons and well-wishes for their dear founding priest.

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