Msgr. Shenrock bids farewell to his flock
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
In his 21 years as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, Msgr. Joseph C. Shenrock has always been a man of the people.
So when Msgr. Shenrock celebrated a Mass marking his retirement Sept. 7, it was no surprise that the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton packed the church to show their love and appreciation for their longtime pastor.
Msgr. Shenrock was joined by friends, family and faithful parishioners at the liturgy to celebrate his years of priestly ministry. Archbishop Donald J. Reece of the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica, a close friend of Msgr. Shenrock since the two men met in the Caribbean 15 years ago, offered the homily.
“This Mass is a time of thanksgiving to God for his working through his servant; our brother, our pastor Msgr. Shenrock,” Archbishop Reece said. Archbishop Reece, who has visited the Diocese of Trenton annually to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation for the last 14 years, said that he has always been amazed by Msgr. Shenrock’s continued activity and work ethic, even at the age of 81.
“In all his 55 years of active priestly ministry in eight parishes of the Diocese of Trenton, Msgr. Shenrock has been strong,” Archbishop Reece said. “As shepherd of the flock of StElizabeth Ann Seton Parish, he does not miss a trick... As God’s watchman, he runs a tight ship for the spiritual well-being of his parishioners.”
Archbishop Reece noted that Msgr. Shenrock has been responsible for encouraging parishioners to cultivate many thriving ministries within the parish.
Although Msgr. Shenrock entered the priesthood at a time when the laity were generally not given prominent roles, he embraced the spirit of the Second Vatican Council by letting the people become leaders in ministry, the archbishop said.
“Msgr. Shenrock is truly a Vatican-inspired priest who is strong in the promotion of collaborative ministries,” he said.
Msgr. Shenrock has also followed the example of Christ through his care for the people of the parish, Archbishop Reece said.
“As God’s fellow worker, a priest must imitate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and be sensitive to and care for those who are despondent or weak,” the archbishop explained. “The Good Shepherd has concern for the flock.
How often have you heard your retiring pastor express deep concern for those who are in need?”
Although he was unable to personally attend the Mass, Bishop John M. Smith sent a letter that he requested be read in his absence. Father Pasquale Papalia, who will succeed Msgr. Shenrock as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, read the bishop’s letter to the congregation at the conclusion of the liturgy.
“Please note that my thoughts, affection and gratitude are with you on this occasion,” Bishop Smith wrote in the letter, addressed to Msgr. Shenrock.
“Words fall short in attempting to express my admiration for the 55 years of dedicated, effective and selfless pastoral service that you have so generously given to the Church in central New Jersey and beyond.
“Your accomplishments are too numerous to enumerate in this letter but are recognized by all who know you and have labored with you to build the kingdom of God in our midst,” he added.
Edna Rubino, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for 16 years, echoed the sentiments of many members of the parish upon hearing of Msgr. Shenrock’s retirement.
“We are going to miss him an awful lot,” she said.
Rubino added that while it may be challenging to adjust to having a new pastor, she is happy that Msgr. Shenrock will finally have the opportunity to relax. “He deserves to retire. He’s worked very hard here,” she said.
Parishioner Pat Reilly said that Msgr. Shenrock has always been a friendly, outgoing person who took the time to chat with parishioners.
“He’s just a spectacular guy and I wish him very, very well,” she said.
Since Msgr. Shenrock will remain at the parish after he officially retires as pastor, Reilly said that she still expects him to have a strong presence at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
“I think that he is so entrenched here, his roots are here, and I am sure that he will be here for a long time, celebrating Mass on Sunday and being outside greeting the people,” she said.
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In his 21 years as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, Msgr. Joseph C. Shenrock has always been a man of the people.
So when Msgr. Shenrock celebrated a Mass marking his retirement Sept. 7, it was no surprise that the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton packed the church to show their love and appreciation for their longtime pastor.
Msgr. Shenrock was joined by friends, family and faithful parishioners at the liturgy to celebrate his years of priestly ministry. Archbishop Donald J. Reece of the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica, a close friend of Msgr. Shenrock since the two men met in the Caribbean 15 years ago, offered the homily.
“This Mass is a time of thanksgiving to God for his working through his servant; our brother, our pastor Msgr. Shenrock,” Archbishop Reece said. Archbishop Reece, who has visited the Diocese of Trenton annually to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation for the last 14 years, said that he has always been amazed by Msgr. Shenrock’s continued activity and work ethic, even at the age of 81.
“In all his 55 years of active priestly ministry in eight parishes of the Diocese of Trenton, Msgr. Shenrock has been strong,” Archbishop Reece said. “As shepherd of the flock of StElizabeth Ann Seton Parish, he does not miss a trick... As God’s watchman, he runs a tight ship for the spiritual well-being of his parishioners.”
Archbishop Reece noted that Msgr. Shenrock has been responsible for encouraging parishioners to cultivate many thriving ministries within the parish.
Although Msgr. Shenrock entered the priesthood at a time when the laity were generally not given prominent roles, he embraced the spirit of the Second Vatican Council by letting the people become leaders in ministry, the archbishop said.
“Msgr. Shenrock is truly a Vatican-inspired priest who is strong in the promotion of collaborative ministries,” he said.
Msgr. Shenrock has also followed the example of Christ through his care for the people of the parish, Archbishop Reece said.
“As God’s fellow worker, a priest must imitate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and be sensitive to and care for those who are despondent or weak,” the archbishop explained. “The Good Shepherd has concern for the flock.
How often have you heard your retiring pastor express deep concern for those who are in need?”
Although he was unable to personally attend the Mass, Bishop John M. Smith sent a letter that he requested be read in his absence. Father Pasquale Papalia, who will succeed Msgr. Shenrock as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, read the bishop’s letter to the congregation at the conclusion of the liturgy.
“Please note that my thoughts, affection and gratitude are with you on this occasion,” Bishop Smith wrote in the letter, addressed to Msgr. Shenrock.
“Words fall short in attempting to express my admiration for the 55 years of dedicated, effective and selfless pastoral service that you have so generously given to the Church in central New Jersey and beyond.
“Your accomplishments are too numerous to enumerate in this letter but are recognized by all who know you and have labored with you to build the kingdom of God in our midst,” he added.
Edna Rubino, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for 16 years, echoed the sentiments of many members of the parish upon hearing of Msgr. Shenrock’s retirement.
“We are going to miss him an awful lot,” she said.
Rubino added that while it may be challenging to adjust to having a new pastor, she is happy that Msgr. Shenrock will finally have the opportunity to relax. “He deserves to retire. He’s worked very hard here,” she said.
Parishioner Pat Reilly said that Msgr. Shenrock has always been a friendly, outgoing person who took the time to chat with parishioners.
“He’s just a spectacular guy and I wish him very, very well,” she said.
Since Msgr. Shenrock will remain at the parish after he officially retires as pastor, Reilly said that she still expects him to have a strong presence at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
“I think that he is so entrenched here, his roots are here, and I am sure that he will be here for a long time, celebrating Mass on Sunday and being outside greeting the people,” she said.
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