Funeral services for Msgr. William J. Carton
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated July 18 at 11 a.m. in St. Mark Church, 250 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt for Msgr. William J. Carton who died July 13 in Villa Vianney, the diocesan facility for retired priests in Lawrenceville. He was 79.
Msgr. Carton served as pastor of St. Mark Church from Nov. 8, 1996, until he retired from active ministry Aug. 1, 2008.
A native of Jersey City, Msgr. Carton was born in 1933, the youngest in a family of three boys. He attended St. Ann School, Keansburg, and Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, He then enrolled in St. Peter College, Jersey City, to study history.
Msgr. Carton transferred to St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, in 1953, to begin studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest Sept. 19, 1959, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr. As a parochial vicar, he served in St. Paul Parish, Princeton; St. Bernadette Parish, Parlin; St. Joachim Parish, Trenton, and Holy Cross Parish, Rumson. During this time he also held the position of Mercer County director for Catholic Relief Services and Catholic chaplain to the Trenton Fire Department.
After serving for six months as temporary administrator of Holy Cross, Msgr. Carton was named administrator of St. Mary Parish, Deal. He was installed as pastor there Nov. 22, 1974. After leading the people of St. Mary Parish for 12 years, he was appointed pastor of St. Mark Parish. He also was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II on April 11, 1997.
During his 12 year tenure in St. Mark Parish, Msgr. Carton will mostly be remembered for his work in building ministries, including the development of a Hispanic Apostolate within the parish in 2000.
Msgr. Carton also allocated space in the parish to members of the Holy Innocents Society to work with special needs children, instituted Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month and began an annual parish picnic. He also led the parish through its 50th anniversary celebration in 2003 and a major renovation of the church, rectory and parish grounds from 2005-2007.
On July 27, 2008, Msgr. Carton celebrated his final Sunday Mass in St. Mark Church before his Aug. 1 retirement.
In retirement, Msgr. Carton lived with fellow priests in Villa Vianney and assisted with Masses and other liturgical celebrations in area parishes including St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton.
Msgr. Carton was predeceased by his parents, James T. and Adelaide Carton. He is survived by his brothers, Leo J. (Mary Ann) and James A. (Florence), and several nieces and nephews.
Rite of Reception of the Body will be held July 17 at 3 p.m. with visiting hours being held until 8 p.m. On July 18, calling hours will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 11.
Burial will be in St. Catharine Cemetery, Sea Girt.
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A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated July 18 at 11 a.m. in St. Mark Church, 250 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt for Msgr. William J. Carton who died July 13 in Villa Vianney, the diocesan facility for retired priests in Lawrenceville. He was 79.
Msgr. Carton served as pastor of St. Mark Church from Nov. 8, 1996, until he retired from active ministry Aug. 1, 2008.
A native of Jersey City, Msgr. Carton was born in 1933, the youngest in a family of three boys. He attended St. Ann School, Keansburg, and Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, He then enrolled in St. Peter College, Jersey City, to study history.
Msgr. Carton transferred to St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, in 1953, to begin studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest Sept. 19, 1959, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, by Bishop George W. Ahr. As a parochial vicar, he served in St. Paul Parish, Princeton; St. Bernadette Parish, Parlin; St. Joachim Parish, Trenton, and Holy Cross Parish, Rumson. During this time he also held the position of Mercer County director for Catholic Relief Services and Catholic chaplain to the Trenton Fire Department.
After serving for six months as temporary administrator of Holy Cross, Msgr. Carton was named administrator of St. Mary Parish, Deal. He was installed as pastor there Nov. 22, 1974. After leading the people of St. Mary Parish for 12 years, he was appointed pastor of St. Mark Parish. He also was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II on April 11, 1997.
During his 12 year tenure in St. Mark Parish, Msgr. Carton will mostly be remembered for his work in building ministries, including the development of a Hispanic Apostolate within the parish in 2000.
Msgr. Carton also allocated space in the parish to members of the Holy Innocents Society to work with special needs children, instituted Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month and began an annual parish picnic. He also led the parish through its 50th anniversary celebration in 2003 and a major renovation of the church, rectory and parish grounds from 2005-2007.
On July 27, 2008, Msgr. Carton celebrated his final Sunday Mass in St. Mark Church before his Aug. 1 retirement.
In retirement, Msgr. Carton lived with fellow priests in Villa Vianney and assisted with Masses and other liturgical celebrations in area parishes including St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton.
Msgr. Carton was predeceased by his parents, James T. and Adelaide Carton. He is survived by his brothers, Leo J. (Mary Ann) and James A. (Florence), and several nieces and nephews.
Rite of Reception of the Body will be held July 17 at 3 p.m. with visiting hours being held until 8 p.m. On July 18, calling hours will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial following at 11.
Burial will be in St. Catharine Cemetery, Sea Girt.
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