For nearly 100 years, the pastoral needs of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Asbury Park, have been entrusted to the care of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, which has shepherded the community of predominantly Italian immigrants through a century of growth, development and socioeconomic challenges.

Very Rev. Father J. Edward Owens, O.SS.T, minister provincial of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, Baltimore, announced Feb. 12, 2011, that following the centenary celebration of the Trinitarian presence in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in 2012, the order will return pastoral leadership of the parish to the Diocese of Trenton or another religious congregation for ministry. The transition is expected to take place on or about June 30, 2012. Parishioners were informed at Masses the weekend of Feb. 12 and 13 by their pastor, Trinitarian Father Charles J. Flood.

In a statement to the order’s U.S. province members, Father Owens writes, “In 2012 the Trinitarians will have enjoyed the privilege of a century of ministry at the parish, rooted in service to Italian immigrants and spanning 10 decades of shepherding the wonderful growth and timely changes in the parish.

“We thank the Diocese of Trenton for its support during our stewardship and look forward to collaborating in all aspects of transitioning and welcoming the new leadership.”

It is expected that the Trinitarians will maintain their presence in the Diocese of Trenton with their ongoing pastoral leadership in Incarnation-St. James Parish in Ewing.

In a letter to Father Owens, Bishop David M. O‘Connell, C.M., expressed gratitude to the order, stating, “I wish to take this opportunity to express on behalf of Bishop (John M.) Smith and myself our appreciation for the presence and pastoral ministry that your community provides in the Diocese of Trenton. The charism of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity has enriched both the faithful people served by the Trinitarians and the entire diocese.”

Pointing to the “significant changes in demographics over the past years” that the Asbury Park area has experienced, and the need for the diocese to “evaluate and plan how best to continue its presence, ministry and mission in the area,” Bishop O’Connell expressed his gratitude for the role that the Trinitarians have had in the planning process thus far.

Father Jeffrey E. Lee, chairman of the Diocesan Expansion and Restructuring Commission, shared that sense of appreciation in responding to the Trinitarians‘ announcement.

He said, “We remain grateful for the willing partnership of the Trinitarians with the Diocese of Trenton; especially for their leadership and caring for the people of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Asbury Park. The process of coming to this decision on the part of the order has been marked by transparency and honesty, and has kept the best interest of the flock in the Asbury Park area in the forefront.”

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of five Catholic communities that have been participating in an ongoing consultation process for the Asbury Park area. An Interparish Pastoral Commission with members representing OLMC, Holy Spirit, St. Peter Claver and Our Lady of Providence Parishes and the Haitian Apostolate was formed in September, 2010 to launch the formal study. The study is expected to result in recommendations that will be presented to Bishop O’Connell later this year for possible parish restructuring.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish has faithfully served the Catholic community of the greater Asbury Park area for more than 100 years.

Founded in 1905, the parish was first home to recent immigrants from Italy. In 1912, Bishop James A. McFaul entrusted the care of the parish to the Order of the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinitarians have maintained that responsibility to this day.

In the course of its long and fruitful history, this faith community has grown and evolved. A parish school was built in 1923 and a new church completed in 1951. Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is a community open to people of any national or ethnic background. Through its liturgies, its many social ministries, and its school, the parish reaches out to the diverse peoples of the area.