Father Adam T. Kearns dies at age 91
November 14, 2019 at 10:00 p.m.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Father Adam T. Kearns, a retired priest of the Diocese, who died Nov. 13. He was 91.
A viewing will be held Nov. 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. in Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 in St. Ann Church, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville.
Father Kearns was born in 1928 in Matawan and was the son of William J. and Elizabeth Welstead Kearns. He attended St. Joseph School, Keyport, and graduated from St. Mary High School, South Amboy. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Seton Hall University, South Orange, and completed his philosophical studies in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington. He studied theology in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, where he also received a license in sacred theology. He was ordained to the priesthood June 12, 1954, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Following his ordination, Father Kearns continued graduate studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington, and in 1956, returned to the Diocese to serve parish assignments. He was parochial vicar in St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick; Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly; Holy Spirit Parish (now part of Mother of Mercy Parish), Asbury Park; Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords; St. Catharine Parish (now St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish), Spring Lake; St. Paul Parish, Princeton, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (now Co-Cathedral), Freehold, and St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton. (St. Peter the Apostle and Our Lady of Peace Parishes are now in the Metuchen Diocese.)
Father Kearns served as pastor of St. Helena Parish, Edison, (now in the Metuchen Diocese). In addition to his parish assignments, he assisted in the work of the CYO in Burlington County and in the Pre-Cana ministry of the Diocese.
Father Kearns retired from active ministry Jan. 1, 1999. In retirement, he assisted in ministering the Sacraments in parishes throughout the Diocese.
In addition to his parents, Father Kearns was predeceased by his sister Eileen Abel; a nephew and a niece. He is survived by his sister Mary Beth (Joseph) Niedzwiecki; several nieces, nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Father Kearns will be buried Nov. 18 in St. Joseph Cemetery, Keyport.
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Funeral services have been scheduled for Father Adam T. Kearns, a retired priest of the Diocese, who died Nov. 13. He was 91.
A viewing will be held Nov. 16 from 9 to 10 a.m. in Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 in St. Ann Church, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville.
Father Kearns was born in 1928 in Matawan and was the son of William J. and Elizabeth Welstead Kearns. He attended St. Joseph School, Keyport, and graduated from St. Mary High School, South Amboy. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Seton Hall University, South Orange, and completed his philosophical studies in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington. He studied theology in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, where he also received a license in sacred theology. He was ordained to the priesthood June 12, 1954, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Following his ordination, Father Kearns continued graduate studies at The Catholic University of America, Washington, and in 1956, returned to the Diocese to serve parish assignments. He was parochial vicar in St. Peter the Apostle Parish, New Brunswick; Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly; Holy Spirit Parish (now part of Mother of Mercy Parish), Asbury Park; Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords; St. Catharine Parish (now St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish), Spring Lake; St. Paul Parish, Princeton, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (now Co-Cathedral), Freehold, and St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton. (St. Peter the Apostle and Our Lady of Peace Parishes are now in the Metuchen Diocese.)
Father Kearns served as pastor of St. Helena Parish, Edison, (now in the Metuchen Diocese). In addition to his parish assignments, he assisted in the work of the CYO in Burlington County and in the Pre-Cana ministry of the Diocese.
Father Kearns retired from active ministry Jan. 1, 1999. In retirement, he assisted in ministering the Sacraments in parishes throughout the Diocese.
In addition to his parents, Father Kearns was predeceased by his sister Eileen Abel; a nephew and a niece. He is survived by his sister Mary Beth (Joseph) Niedzwiecki; several nieces, nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Father Kearns will be buried Nov. 18 in St. Joseph Cemetery, Keyport.