By Mary Stadnyk| Associate Editor

The way Father Peter James R. Alindogan sees it, the primary role of people who serve with the Pontifical Mission Societies is to “channel God’s graces and blessings to others, especially to those who are in need.”

“We are to be missionaries to one another,” said Father Alindogan. “We have to make people aware of what it means to be a missionary.”

Named diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on Sept. 25, Father Alindogan succeeds Msgr. Richard L. Tofani who had served as mission director from 1986 until his unexpected death on Aug. 29.

Reflecting on the Pontifical Mission Society, Father Alindogan noted that it is an umbrella organization under which there are four different societies: the Propagation of the Faith; the Holy Childhood Association; the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious, and has as its primary purpose  the promoting of the universal mission spirit, which is a spirit of prayer and sacrifice, among all baptized Catholics.

Father Alindogan, who is pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, and dean of the Northern Burlington County Deanery, said he considers his service to the Missions Office as a way of honoring the memory of his dear friend, Msgr. Tofani. He also sees the appointment as his way of being able to “give back” for the many blessings he has received in his own life.

“In a way I consider myself to be a missionary priest” having come to the United States from the Philippines, said Father Alindogan, who readily admitted that he never anticipated that his priestly ministry would lead him to leave his homeland to serve as a priest for the Diocese of Trenton.

A native of the Diocese of Sorsogon, Philippines, Father Alindogan pursued seminary studies in Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. He learned about the Diocese of Trenton through his good friend and fellow seminarian, Father G. Scott Shaffer, who is now pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River.

Prior to arriving to the United States, Father Alindogan attended Holy Rosary Seminary, Naga City, Philippines, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1985. With the permission of his diocesan bishop, he was sent to Mount St. Mary Seminary where from 1986 to 1990, he pursued a master of arts degree in moral theology and a master of divinity degree.

Father Alindogan returned to the Philippines for his priestly ordination that took place July 7, 1990, in his home parish, Immaculate Conception Church, then spent the next 11 years serving a number of assignments including as: an associate pastor of two Sorsogon parishes; a philosophy professor in Our Lady of Penafrancia College Seminary; diocesan vice chancellor, and chaplain of a medical center and an orphanage in Manila.

When Father Alindogan was given the opportunity to further his education, he went on to attend the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Manila, where he received a licentiate in 2000.

Because there would be minimal opportunities for him to use his canon law experience in his home Diocesan Tribunal Office, Father Alindogan was granted permission by his diocesan bishop and Bishop John M. Smith, to return to serve in the Diocese of Trenton. “I’m here to repay a debt of gratitude to the Diocese of Trenton,” said Father Alindogan

Since 2001, Father Alindogan has served in the Diocesan Tribunal as Defender of the Bond and Promoter of Justice, as well as parish assignments in St. Raphael, Hamilton, and St. Barnabas, Bayville, and since 2007, as administrator and then pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Under Bishop O’Connell, he was named dean for the Northern Burlington Deanery and appointed as the liaison for Filipino outreach and ministry in the diocesan Multicultural Office.

Father Alindogan was incardinated a priest of the Diocese of Trenton in 2007.