Msgr. Strano fondly remembered at funeral Mass
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By David Kilby | Correspondent
Msgr. Edward D. Strano was known for his many great qualities and talents, but perhaps the best testimony to his well-lived life was the great hope and joy he had when he died April 2.
To read more about Msgr. Strano's priestly ministry, click here.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Strano April 7 in St. Clement Church, Matawan, where the widely-loved priest served as pastor from 1986-1996.
One of the many things that Msgr. Strano is noted for was his establishment of Project PAUL, a social service outreach program in Keansburg that serves the needs of the people in the community.
Father John Scully, current pastor of St. Clement Parish, said his parish community and fellow priests will continue Msgr. Strano’s legacy by taking his qualities and incorporating them into their own lives, as Msgr. Vaughan suggested.
At the end of Mass, Bishop O’Connell shared his recent memory of visiting Msgr. Strano in Villa Vianney, the diocesan residence for retired priests in Lawrenceville, two weeks ago.
“I was incredibly struck by the joy he had,” Bishop O’Connell said. “He said to me, ‘I can’t wait to get to heaven. I can’t wait to meet Jesus.’”
After the Mass, Msgr. Strano’s niece, Patricia Burke, said that her uncle had too many great qualities to mention. “He was always there for us,” she said. “He baptized our children, grandchildren, he married my husband and I.”
She shared how last September he orchestrated his own birthday party at his niece, Genevieve Bennett’s, house because he had a feeling it would be his last birthday.
“He was definitely the patriarch of our family,” Bennett said. “He was always ready for a party.”
She also mentioned how Msgr. Strano kept many priests close to him and served as their mentor. “They were a monumental part of his life... a part of every holiday.”
“He really was a family man,” said another niece, Rose Harris, who traveled from Florida to attend the funeral. “He was at all our Christmases and holidays. That was a big part of his priesthood.”
“My son was a student at St. John Vianney (High School),” said Gerri Chaput Stewart, parishioner in St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown. “Whenever he had a religion paper, he would ask monsignor if he had time to help him with it. He always made time. My son never got less than an A on those papers.”
“He was a very inspirational pastor here at St. Clement’s,” said Deidre McNamara, a parishioner in St. Clement Parish. “I know that many people came back to the Church because of him.”
Present to concelebrate the funeral Mass with Bishop O’Connell were Msgr. Joseph Ferrito, Father John Bambrick, Father Adam Kearns, Father Scully, and Father Dan Swift. About another 30 priests sat together in the congregation.
Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Asbury Park, April 8. Memorial donations may be made to Project PAUL, 211 Carr Ave., Keansburg, NJ 07734.
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By David Kilby | Correspondent
Msgr. Edward D. Strano was known for his many great qualities and talents, but perhaps the best testimony to his well-lived life was the great hope and joy he had when he died April 2.
To read more about Msgr. Strano's priestly ministry, click here.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant of a Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Strano April 7 in St. Clement Church, Matawan, where the widely-loved priest served as pastor from 1986-1996.
One of the many things that Msgr. Strano is noted for was his establishment of Project PAUL, a social service outreach program in Keansburg that serves the needs of the people in the community.
Father John Scully, current pastor of St. Clement Parish, said his parish community and fellow priests will continue Msgr. Strano’s legacy by taking his qualities and incorporating them into their own lives, as Msgr. Vaughan suggested.
At the end of Mass, Bishop O’Connell shared his recent memory of visiting Msgr. Strano in Villa Vianney, the diocesan residence for retired priests in Lawrenceville, two weeks ago.
“I was incredibly struck by the joy he had,” Bishop O’Connell said. “He said to me, ‘I can’t wait to get to heaven. I can’t wait to meet Jesus.’”
After the Mass, Msgr. Strano’s niece, Patricia Burke, said that her uncle had too many great qualities to mention. “He was always there for us,” she said. “He baptized our children, grandchildren, he married my husband and I.”
She shared how last September he orchestrated his own birthday party at his niece, Genevieve Bennett’s, house because he had a feeling it would be his last birthday.
“He was definitely the patriarch of our family,” Bennett said. “He was always ready for a party.”
She also mentioned how Msgr. Strano kept many priests close to him and served as their mentor. “They were a monumental part of his life... a part of every holiday.”
“He really was a family man,” said another niece, Rose Harris, who traveled from Florida to attend the funeral. “He was at all our Christmases and holidays. That was a big part of his priesthood.”
“My son was a student at St. John Vianney (High School),” said Gerri Chaput Stewart, parishioner in St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown. “Whenever he had a religion paper, he would ask monsignor if he had time to help him with it. He always made time. My son never got less than an A on those papers.”
“He was a very inspirational pastor here at St. Clement’s,” said Deidre McNamara, a parishioner in St. Clement Parish. “I know that many people came back to the Church because of him.”
Present to concelebrate the funeral Mass with Bishop O’Connell were Msgr. Joseph Ferrito, Father John Bambrick, Father Adam Kearns, Father Scully, and Father Dan Swift. About another 30 priests sat together in the congregation.
Burial was in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Asbury Park, April 8. Memorial donations may be made to Project PAUL, 211 Carr Ave., Keansburg, NJ 07734.
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