Msgr. Dubell retiring as pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
For Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford – a man who eschews public recognition – the past year has been one of great celebration: marking his 75th birthday, half a century in the vocation of priesthood, and soon to begin the next phase of his life – retirement.
The idea of devoting so many years to any activity, especially a career, seems hard for many of us to grasp. But Msgr. Dubell has considered his vocation a joy, an opportunity to serve, particularly as a pastor.
“It’s a very wonderful life,” Msgr. Dubell said. “We deal with the big things of life as priests – birth, love and death.”
Having just recently celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination with the parish community during a Mass in the parish church where he has been pastor since 2003, and a reception that followed in the parish school, a large retirement party was not something Msgr. Dubell wanted.
Instead the parish has planned a farewell Mass for Msgr. Dubell on June 21 at 12:30 p.m., followed by a coffee reception in the parish’s Emmaus Center – just the thing for the pastor who prefers the pulpit to the spotlight. With June 30 set as his official retirement date, he is preparing himself to say goodbye to the people he loves, and who greatly love him.
“But it’s time,” he said. “You have to change, adapt, have a plan for something else in your life.”
Early Beginning
Msgr. Dubell credits his solid Catholic upbringing and family support for pointing him toward his vocation. Born Nov. 25, 1939, Msgr. Dubell began his priestly journey at the tender age of 13, just after finishing eighth grade. He and approximately 100 other entering freshmen attended what was then known as minor seminary in St. Charles College, just outside Baltimore.
Following high school and two years of college studies on the same campus, he went on to St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, run by the Sulpician Fathers, studying philosophy and theology from 1961-1965.
After being ordained in 1965 by Bishop George W. Ahr, then Father Dubell was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Beverly, as associate pastor. His 25-year age did not go unnoticed.
“When I first came to St. Joe’s, a man made the comment, ‘It looks like the altar boys are saying Mass now,’” he recalled.
His youth might have helped him relate to students of the parish’s religious education program. As well as serving on the board of directors for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in 1966 and assistant chancellor of the Diocese from 1968-1972, Msgr. Dubell fostered his love of working with Catholic youth in Holy Cross High School, Delran, when he joined the faculty in 1972 in guidance and counseling and also taught religion. He served as Holy Cross High School vice principal in 1979 and principal from 1980-1987.
“I really believe in Catholic school education,” he said. “It keeps people close to the parish, helping them form the Catholic mindset and (exposes them to Church) traditions.”
In addition to his work in education, Msgr. Dubell has been involved in various boards and groups throughout the Diocese, including serving as director of diocesan cemeteries, several stints as episcopal vicar and chaplain of the Serra Club International, both in Burlington County.
The Pastor and the People
During his time as pastor of St. Paul Parish, Burlington, from 1987-2003, and pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish for the past 12 years, Msgr. Dubell could really focus on what he calls the “highlight of priesthood.”
“The greatest thing of all (about being a priest and pastor) is offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and administering the Sacraments,” he asserted.
He also finds that the example and encouragement of his parishioners have strengthened him as a pastor. The faith of the people really sustains the priest,” he said. “The priest is only as strong as the people are.”
He gave the example of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, filled with people giving of their time, talent and treasure, “reaching out and living the Gospel message.” He also pointed out the parishioners who would come to daily Mass and pray for vocations, or who give readily for an emergency collection.
“… We keep each other motivated, seeing the faith of each other. When the people are generous and ministry-minded, that energizes the priest and he wants to do more.”
His 1994 investiture as a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II, along with 15 other priests of the Diocese, gave him the new title of monsignor, a red cassock and recognition for his years of service. But Msgr. Dubell interprets it in a somewhat different light.
“It’s something you try to live up to, this honor the Church has given you,” he went on. “To me it’s a call to serve even more, to be better than you have been.”
From the Flock
St. Joseph Sister Regina McCalla, liturgy and music coordinator in St. Mary of the Lakes Parish for the past 20 years, knows Msgr. Dubell as a priest who took the time to get to know people.
“He’s pretty amazing at remembering people’s names,” she said. “He’s also very kind to the sick and those in the hospital. It’s never a problem for him to go out and anoint someone at three o’clock in the morning. And during funeral Masses, he does a wonderful job, making sure he can say something about the person (who has died). He’s very consoling.”
The two worked together across the years planning liturgies and music for the parish Masses.
“He really cares about good liturgy, making sure things went the way they were supposed to,” Sister Regina said.
She also noted his presence in the St. Mary of the Lakes School, saying that “he always considers the passing on of the faith to the children to be the most important ministry we have at the parish.”
Deacon Joseph Tedeschi, a deacon for 13 years and St. Mary of the Lakes parishioner for 25 years, was always impressed with Msgr. Dubell’s teaching.
“His homilies were always so engaging…,” Deacon Tedeschi said. “Once in a while he will write them out, but most often they were given from his head and his heart, and he did it so well.”
He praised the pastor’s ability to educate with both his knowledge and his humility, and tailor his teaching to the situation.
“He has a good feel for young people, for their needs,” Deacon Tedeschi said. “I did a number of funeral Masses with him, and he had a remarkable way of integrating elements of the person’s life into the homily … saying the hard things in such a nice way.”
Deacon Tedeschi describes Msgr. Dubell as a “priest’s priest, the epitome of priesthood, so well grounded in Catholic faith,” and will miss his pastor’s “smooth, steady hand in a big parish.”
“He’s a true pastor of our parish, and he’s impressed me as one of the finest human beings.”
Long-time St. Mary of the Lakes parishioner Deacon Ken Motylinski says Msgr. Dubell is “a very pastoral person. It’s just great to see how he responds to people who need help … He has a great kind of leadership – but he’s not afraid to show his personal side too.”
“He connects very well with the youth and makes them feel important,” Deacon Motylinski said.
Msgr. Dubell sponsored Deacon Motylinski through his diaconate formation, and was “very warm and accommodating to me, and walked me through the whole way. … I’ll miss him immensely as a pastor, a leader and a friend.”
A Quieter Life
Though he admits that there are aspects of his role as pastor that he will miss, Msgr. Dubell plans to have an active retirement life, including more time for golf, which he calls “my joy,” spending time in his small solitary house in Burlington County, assisting with Masses in other area parishes and maybe even using his skills as an educator. “I could see myself teaching religious ed, maybe classes for Confirmation,” he said.
Msgr. Dubell will be featured for his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination in the July 16 issue of The Monitor’s annual supplement “Lives of Faith: A Celebration of Religious Anniversaries.”
[[In-content Ad]]
Related Stories
Sunday, December 21, 2025
E-Editions
Events
By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
For Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford – a man who eschews public recognition – the past year has been one of great celebration: marking his 75th birthday, half a century in the vocation of priesthood, and soon to begin the next phase of his life – retirement.
The idea of devoting so many years to any activity, especially a career, seems hard for many of us to grasp. But Msgr. Dubell has considered his vocation a joy, an opportunity to serve, particularly as a pastor.
“It’s a very wonderful life,” Msgr. Dubell said. “We deal with the big things of life as priests – birth, love and death.”
Having just recently celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination with the parish community during a Mass in the parish church where he has been pastor since 2003, and a reception that followed in the parish school, a large retirement party was not something Msgr. Dubell wanted.
Instead the parish has planned a farewell Mass for Msgr. Dubell on June 21 at 12:30 p.m., followed by a coffee reception in the parish’s Emmaus Center – just the thing for the pastor who prefers the pulpit to the spotlight. With June 30 set as his official retirement date, he is preparing himself to say goodbye to the people he loves, and who greatly love him.
“But it’s time,” he said. “You have to change, adapt, have a plan for something else in your life.”
Early Beginning
Msgr. Dubell credits his solid Catholic upbringing and family support for pointing him toward his vocation. Born Nov. 25, 1939, Msgr. Dubell began his priestly journey at the tender age of 13, just after finishing eighth grade. He and approximately 100 other entering freshmen attended what was then known as minor seminary in St. Charles College, just outside Baltimore.
Following high school and two years of college studies on the same campus, he went on to St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, run by the Sulpician Fathers, studying philosophy and theology from 1961-1965.
After being ordained in 1965 by Bishop George W. Ahr, then Father Dubell was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Beverly, as associate pastor. His 25-year age did not go unnoticed.
“When I first came to St. Joe’s, a man made the comment, ‘It looks like the altar boys are saying Mass now,’” he recalled.
His youth might have helped him relate to students of the parish’s religious education program. As well as serving on the board of directors for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in 1966 and assistant chancellor of the Diocese from 1968-1972, Msgr. Dubell fostered his love of working with Catholic youth in Holy Cross High School, Delran, when he joined the faculty in 1972 in guidance and counseling and also taught religion. He served as Holy Cross High School vice principal in 1979 and principal from 1980-1987.
“I really believe in Catholic school education,” he said. “It keeps people close to the parish, helping them form the Catholic mindset and (exposes them to Church) traditions.”
In addition to his work in education, Msgr. Dubell has been involved in various boards and groups throughout the Diocese, including serving as director of diocesan cemeteries, several stints as episcopal vicar and chaplain of the Serra Club International, both in Burlington County.
The Pastor and the People
During his time as pastor of St. Paul Parish, Burlington, from 1987-2003, and pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish for the past 12 years, Msgr. Dubell could really focus on what he calls the “highlight of priesthood.”
“The greatest thing of all (about being a priest and pastor) is offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and administering the Sacraments,” he asserted.
He also finds that the example and encouragement of his parishioners have strengthened him as a pastor. The faith of the people really sustains the priest,” he said. “The priest is only as strong as the people are.”
He gave the example of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, filled with people giving of their time, talent and treasure, “reaching out and living the Gospel message.” He also pointed out the parishioners who would come to daily Mass and pray for vocations, or who give readily for an emergency collection.
“… We keep each other motivated, seeing the faith of each other. When the people are generous and ministry-minded, that energizes the priest and he wants to do more.”
His 1994 investiture as a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II, along with 15 other priests of the Diocese, gave him the new title of monsignor, a red cassock and recognition for his years of service. But Msgr. Dubell interprets it in a somewhat different light.
“It’s something you try to live up to, this honor the Church has given you,” he went on. “To me it’s a call to serve even more, to be better than you have been.”
From the Flock
St. Joseph Sister Regina McCalla, liturgy and music coordinator in St. Mary of the Lakes Parish for the past 20 years, knows Msgr. Dubell as a priest who took the time to get to know people.
“He’s pretty amazing at remembering people’s names,” she said. “He’s also very kind to the sick and those in the hospital. It’s never a problem for him to go out and anoint someone at three o’clock in the morning. And during funeral Masses, he does a wonderful job, making sure he can say something about the person (who has died). He’s very consoling.”
The two worked together across the years planning liturgies and music for the parish Masses.
“He really cares about good liturgy, making sure things went the way they were supposed to,” Sister Regina said.
She also noted his presence in the St. Mary of the Lakes School, saying that “he always considers the passing on of the faith to the children to be the most important ministry we have at the parish.”
Deacon Joseph Tedeschi, a deacon for 13 years and St. Mary of the Lakes parishioner for 25 years, was always impressed with Msgr. Dubell’s teaching.
“His homilies were always so engaging…,” Deacon Tedeschi said. “Once in a while he will write them out, but most often they were given from his head and his heart, and he did it so well.”
He praised the pastor’s ability to educate with both his knowledge and his humility, and tailor his teaching to the situation.
“He has a good feel for young people, for their needs,” Deacon Tedeschi said. “I did a number of funeral Masses with him, and he had a remarkable way of integrating elements of the person’s life into the homily … saying the hard things in such a nice way.”
Deacon Tedeschi describes Msgr. Dubell as a “priest’s priest, the epitome of priesthood, so well grounded in Catholic faith,” and will miss his pastor’s “smooth, steady hand in a big parish.”
“He’s a true pastor of our parish, and he’s impressed me as one of the finest human beings.”
Long-time St. Mary of the Lakes parishioner Deacon Ken Motylinski says Msgr. Dubell is “a very pastoral person. It’s just great to see how he responds to people who need help … He has a great kind of leadership – but he’s not afraid to show his personal side too.”
“He connects very well with the youth and makes them feel important,” Deacon Motylinski said.
Msgr. Dubell sponsored Deacon Motylinski through his diaconate formation, and was “very warm and accommodating to me, and walked me through the whole way. … I’ll miss him immensely as a pastor, a leader and a friend.”
A Quieter Life
Though he admits that there are aspects of his role as pastor that he will miss, Msgr. Dubell plans to have an active retirement life, including more time for golf, which he calls “my joy,” spending time in his small solitary house in Burlington County, assisting with Masses in other area parishes and maybe even using his skills as an educator. “I could see myself teaching religious ed, maybe classes for Confirmation,” he said.
Msgr. Dubell will be featured for his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination in the July 16 issue of The Monitor’s annual supplement “Lives of Faith: A Celebration of Religious Anniversaries.”
[[In-content Ad]]