By Lois M. Rogers | Correspondent

Family, fellow clergy and friends joined throngs of parishioners July 11 in a moving salute to Msgr. Thomas A. Luebking, spiritual leader of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, who entered eternal life July 6.

Msgr. Luebking, 74, died in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, after complications from a surgical procedure in March.

Pastor of the Spring Lake parish for 25-years, he steered it securely through growth spurts, renovations and capital projects, solidifying it as a hub of Catholic education in the area and as an anchor of social concerns and outreach.

St. Margaret Church, the larger of two worship sites attended by parishioners, was filled to capacity for his funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrated by priests from the Diocese and beyond.

Among the concelebrants were Buffalo’s Bishop Emeritus Edward U. Kmiec; Msgr. Edward Arnister, episcopal vicar of Monmouth County; Msgr. Leonard F. Troiano, epsicopal vicar of Ocean County; Father Harold Cullen, who succeeded Msgr. Luebking as pastor July 1; and some 80 of his brother priests.

A liturgy rich in soaring music and wonderfully spoken words commended Msgr. Luebking’s 43 years of devoted priestly service, his dedication to his flock, to Catholic education and to those who shared his priestly vocation.

A homily replete with respect, affection and more than a touch of humor was offered by Father Stanley Lukaszewski, pastor of St. Barnabas Parish, a longtime friend of Msgr. Luebking’s.

He shared many insights into Msgr. Luebking’s priestly life and the ways in which his vocation enhanced the lives of so many. “He considered Catholic edcuation a very important gift and he wanted it to be a part of everyone’s life,” said Father Lukaszewski.

He noted that Msgr. Luebking worked toward that goal in many capacities including as diocesan superintendent of schools, a position he held for more than a decade.

Father Lukaszewski also spoke of Msgr. Luebking’s pastoral gifts, saying that his “very big heart” was always open. “He was always ready to walk with people, in their sorrows and their joys. He was very understanding, always honest” and tr0uly interested in and active in helping those in need.

As a mentor to seminarians, young priests just starting out as well as mature priests, Msgr. Luebking was always there to help, Father Lukaszewski said. “He stands out in the crowd – he was unique, a wonderful person. Very strong, strict and opinionated but also humble, a real teacher, writer, holy man,” who took praying, sharing the Scriptures in homilies and catechesis very seriously.

“He loved to share his faith; he loved his priesthood.”

Company of Saints

In closing remarks for the occasion, the Bishop noted the full to overflowing church and the number of clergy attending who had shared in bringing Msgr. Luebking to “rest in the company of saints” where he would bask in the “liturgy of heaven” as a fitting tribute to a life of faith and devotion.

His successor, Father Harold Cullen, who will be installed as pastor by Bishop O’Connell July 20, spoke of the Mass as a “wonderful celebration of a great life” and shared his gratitude for the legacy of Msgr. Luebking.

Like Bishop O’Connell, Father Cullen spoke movingly of recent visits to the hospital bedside of Msgr. Luebking. “In this great place and wonderful parish,” Father Cullen said, “I feel his presence with me. He was dedicated to the parish,” he said, adding that he hoped to “lead the parish in his footsteps.”

“He was a pastor who was a pastor,” said Mercy Sister Margo Kavanaugh who worked with Msgr. Luebking throughout his years in the parish.

Sister Margo, who retired this year as principal of St. Catharine School, spoke of his quiet generosity in assisting those in times of trouble and his kind ways with young people.

She talked of the way he was able to soothe the fears of children, pointing out a little girl – Olivia Confrey – who was nervous about making her first penance. “She told me later that she came away so happy with her experience.”

Olivia and her mother, Priscilla, who attended the Mass and the reception, agreed. “She said later that he was the nicest, sweetest person and that she had a wonderful experience,” said Priscilla Confrey as her daughter nodded her head. “Anytime she went to Confession after that, she chose to have him.”

Bishop Kmiec, who knew Msgr. Luebking for 30 years and lived in residence in the Spring Lake parish when he was Auxiliary Bishop of Trenton, was one of many who spoke of the hospitality he offered to his fellow priests. “He was very generous and very hospitable,” he said, recalling, as had Father Lukaszewski in his homily, the Saturday night open houses he hosted for fellow clergy who in many cases, would have otherwise dined alone.

“He will be missed – the turnout today,80 priests – was a wonderful testament from his peers,” said Bishop Kmiec.

Among the clergy were many he mentored included Father K. Michael Lambeth, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor, who was a parochial vicar in St. Catharine-St. Margaret from 1994-1998. Father Lambeth remembered Msgr. Luebking as a “good friend and a wonderful mentor” who was always there “whenever I needed to talk. He was a simple, humble man, very quiet and reserved, a man of great dignity and grace who loved his parish and his vocation.”

At the reception, Father Garry Koch, parochial vicar in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, who knew Msgr. Luebking when he was a transitional deacon in St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish in 2012, and diocesan seminarian Christopher Dayton, shared fond recollections.

Both said they were amazed at Msgr. Luebking’s detailed knowledge of the parish and the parishioners. “He knew everything, including everyone’s name,” said Father Koch, who found him very compassionate and a source of great insight about being a parish priest, including the practicalities involved.

Dayton, who grew up in the parish and knew Msgr. Luebking virtually all of his life, said he thought of Msgr. Luebking as a grandfather and appreciated that he was nurturing but never overbearing. “He never tried to push me into being a priest, he let me come up with that decision.”

Devoted Service

Born in Elkhart, Ind., Msgr. Luebking answered the call to the priesthood after earning a bachelor of arts degree from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. In 1961 and a master’s degree in library science there two years later.

He studied for the priesthood in St. Francis Seminary, Loretto, Pa., and was ordained by Bishop George W. Ahr May 29, 1971 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

Following his ordination, Msgr. Luebking was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Bound Brook, and served as Catholic chaplain of Somerset County Community College. The following year, he was appointed to serve as the director of Cathedral High School, Trenton, and soon after began many years of service in the diocesan education office.

Named diocesan superintendent of schools in 1973,  he was also the moderator of the diocesan PTA and the diocesan Council of Catholic Women and served on the board of directors for the Educational Improvement Center for Central and Northwest New Jersey.

In 1977, he was named a Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope Paul VI with the title of monsignor and a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness in 1983.

After many years of diocesan service, Msgr. Luebking returned to parish life, first as temporary administrator of St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell, in 1985 and then as pastor.

He would assume his role as pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish in 1989.

A member of various library and educational associations, Msgr. Luebking served on the board of trustees for the Sister Georgine Learning Center for Exceptional Children in Trenton from 1983 until it closed in 2013.

A member of the Knights of Columbus since 1958 and a fourth degree member since 1963, he served as Grand Knight, financial secretary and district deputy. Since ordination, he had lent his skills and insights to various councils and assemblies including the Trenton Diocesan Council of Priests and had served as dean of the Monmouth Coastal Deanery.

Msgr. Luebking is survived by his sister, Candy and her husband Greg Veturys, Glendolden, Pa., four nephews and nieces and seven grand nieces and nephews. Until the completion of St. Anne’s Mausoleum, he was entombed in St. Catharine Cemetery.