By Christina Leslie | Correspondent

A lifelong Trenton native and longtime priest of the Diocese of Trenton was feted June 15 at the annual Knights of Columbus Charity Ball Dinner held in Tavistock Country Club, Haddonfield. The John Tatham Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Burlington County, long celebrated for their support of diocesan seminarians, raised about $28,000 during the event which celebrated the ministry and contributions of Msgr. James G. Innocenzi, diocesan judicial vicar.

Photo Gallery: Msgr. Innocenzi honored by John Tatham Assembly

Daniel Rossi, Knights of Columbus Supreme Director and parishioner in St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square, presented the award to Msgr. Innocenzi as if the event was a good-natured roast. During a lighthearted walk down Memory Lane, Rossi noted how the young native of Trenton had been greatly influenced by the clergy and laypersons of the religious, tight-knit Italian neighborhood known as Chambersburg.

“Little Jimmy Innocenzi probably did not have much of a choice,” said Rossi about his decision to pursue the priesthood at the urging of St. Joachim Parish pastor, Msgr. Emilio Cardelia. Upon completing his formation in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, the future Trenton cleric was ordained April 24, 1976 in St. Joachim Church by Cardinal Egidio Vagnozzi, then the Holy See’s Prefecture of Economic Affairs.

“This was significant as the Cardinal was his father’s first cousin,” said Rossi. “It would seem that Monsignor’s vocation was never in doubt.”

Over the course of his 42-year ministry, in addition to service in a number of parishes, Msgr. Innocenzi was named chaplain of the Trenton Fire Department in 1983. “He would show up at many of the fires and stand outside saying a Rosary for the firefighters and the people they were serving,” Rossi shared.

For the Diocese of Trenton, Msgr. Innocenzi has served as judge and defender of the bond in the Tribunal, assistant chancellor and assistant judicial vicar. In 1997, then-Pope John Paul II named him Prelate of Honor of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. Msgr. Innocenzi retired as pastor of St. George Parish, Titusville, in 2015 and resides in Villa Vianney, the diocesan facility for retired priests in Lawrenceville. He continues to serve as diocesan judicial vicar.

Msgr. Innocenzi’s involvement with the Knights of Columbus began when he joined its St. Hedwig council in 2003. His involvement in the fraternal organization has included roles as Past Faithful Friar for the Second New Jersey District, Fourth Degree member of the Bishop Griffin Assembly #655, chaplain for the Central New Jersey Centennial Chapter and chaplain of the Trenton Diocese Federation. In recognition for his service and visible support of life, the New Jersey State Council of the Knights of Columbus selected Msgr. Innocenzi from over 330 chaplains statewide as their Chaplain of the year for the 2007-2008.

Rossi likened Msgr. Innocenzi to the Father Michael J. McGivney, a young parish priest from New Haven, Conn., who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882. He shared an excerpt of the priest’s 1890 eulogy, delivered at the first memorial Mass for deceased members of the Knights.

“‘He was a man of the people. He was zealous of the people’s welfare, and all the kindliness of his priestly soul asserted itself more strongly in his unceasing efforts for the betterment of their condition,’” Rossi said. “Who better embodies the spirit of Father McGivney than Monsignor Innocenzi? Thank you, Monsignor, for your service, your commitment, your caring and your love.”

In a later conversation in the Diocesan Chancery, Msgr. Innocenzi smiled as he recalled the tribute, and explained, “I agreed to this honor because of the great work the John Tatham Assembly does for the seminarians.”

Knights of Columbus events such as a baby shower luncheon by the Mercer County councils to benefit local shelters, and the annual barbeque for veterans held on the grounds of Lyons Veterans Administration Hospital, Lyons, are among his most treasured moments with the Knights, but Msgr. Innocenzi declared that it all comes down to the fraternity and support both groups share for each others’ missions.

“The priesthood vocations are very near and dear to the Knights of Columbus,” he said. “They realize, very acutely, that our faith is based on the Eucharist, and without priests, there is no Eucharist.”