By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

Throughout his nearly 60 years of priestly ministry, Trinitarian Father Philip Aloysius Cordisco was known for his deep faith, devotion to prayer, dedication to the religious community he served and love of family.

Those qualities, cherished by his fellow Trinitarians, family members, friends and parishioners of all ages, were celebrated during a Mass of Christian Burial Nov. 20 in St. James Church, Trenton.

Father Cordisco died Nov. 17 in St. Joseph Skilled Nursing Center, Lawrenceville, following an illness of several months. In all but the last days of his illness, he was cared for by his Trinitarian brothers and a team of parish volunteers in the rectory of Incarnation-James Parish, Ewing, where he resided.

More than 200 faithful gathered with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., principal celebrant of the Mass, Father Albert Anuszewski, newly named religious superior of the Baltimore Trinitarians, and 14 Trinitarian and diocesan priests and deacons for his liturgy.

In his homily, Father Anuszewski shared insights on Father Cordisco, whom he had known for decades. Father Cordisco, he said, “sought to meet the challenges of Christian life” with a deep love that encompassed his Trinitarian brothers, those he served in many ways throughout his priestly ministry and his family.

He noted that Father Cordisco was born just “across the river,” in Bristol, Pa., in 1932 to the late Philip and Anna (Diodati) Cordisco, who raised him and his siblings in a devout Catholic home, where from a very young age, he dreamed of becoming a priest.

It was a desire that never wavered, Father Anuszewski said.

Father Cordisco, he said, “basked in all the stages” of his priesthood, from savoring parish life, to administrative duties. He loved cooking Italian dishes to share with parishioners, family and friends and enjoyed “working behind the scenes” in ways that extended God’s graces to as many people as possible.

“He extended his arms to one and all, and he played his part well,” said Father Anuszewski, who shared he had no doubt that when Father Cordisco died, the words “well done, good and faithful servant would certainly apply to him.”

His love for his family also played a major role in his life, Father Anuszewski said.

“He had a deep love and dedication to his family. He was proud of his family and he never forgot his [Italian] roots,” Father Anuszewski said. “He created a family tree so that his family would never forget their origin and heritage.”

Multiple Assignments

Father Cordisco entered the Postulancy of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity in 1947 and after graduating from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., in 1951, he entered the novitiate in 1951 in Sacred Heart Monastery in Pikesville, Md. He professed solemn vows on Nov. 20, 1955, and was ordained a priest June 4, 1960 in Baltimore.

As a priest, Father Cordisco served as parochial vicar and as pastor in Trinitarian parishes in Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

For three years, he was pastor of his home parish from 1978 to 1981. In the Trenton Diocese, he served in the Diocese’s two Trinitarian parishes – St. James, which is now part of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing. He was parochial vicar from 1961 to 1965; pastor from 1975 to 1978, and then returned as parochial vicar from 1987 to 2007. In Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, which has since become part of Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park., he was pastor from 1971 to 1975.

Over time, he also served as the finance officer of DeMatha Catholic High School and as master of novices and a provincial councilor for the Trinitarians.

In 2007, Father Cordisco became a weekend assistant in Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, and chaplain of St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton. In 2011, he was installed as chaplain to the Hamilton Township and Trenton Councils of the Knights of Columbus.

‘A True Priest’

In his remarks at the conclusion of the Mass, Trinitarian Father Thomas Morris, pastor of Incarnation-St. James Parish, shared how much devotion Father Cordisco received from parishioners who knew him well. Father Morris thanked all who reached out to bring him comfort.

Deacon James Alessi, who assisted at the Mass, spoke of how four generations of his family had received their Sacraments in Incarnation-St. James. The Alessi family, he said, held Father Cordisco in high esteem. “He was a wonderful man. A true priest. Everything in his life was devoted to the Mass and the Eucharist.”

Terra Newman, who cooks for the sisters and the priests at the parish, described him as a “wonderful character. He loved to celebrate Mass. He was a kind and gentle man.”

His great niece, Angela Farinella, recalled that “he always put other people first. He was always someone you could talk to.”

Father Cordisco was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his sister, Marie Antonelli, nieces and nephews, and priests and brothers of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives and many friends. Following the Mass of Christian Burial, Father Cordisco was to be transferred to Holy Trinity Monastery, Baltimore, for burial in Holy Trinity Monastery Cemetery.