Family, friends and brother priests remembered Father Adam T. Kearns as a priest who embraced joy throughout his 63-year vocation as they gathered to bid him farewell.

“He exuded joy,” said Deacon Thomas Rivella of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, Father Kearns’ friend for many years. “He knew how to rejoice. He was always cheerful right to the very end,” said Deacon Rivella, who, along with his wife, Angela, visited Father Kearns regularly.

His sentiments were echoed by those who attended the Nov. 16 Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville, with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. presiding. Father George Deutsch, a longtime friend, offered the homily.

Father Kearns, who died Nov. 13 at age 91, was praised by Father Deutsch for the steadfast devotion and the good grace he consistently shared throughout his long service to parishes around the Diocese.

In his homily, Father Deutsch recalled how he first met Father Kearns when they were students in St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and went on to have a lifelong friendship that included “five wonderful years” of shared ministry in Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fords, where they were both parochial vicars.

Father Kearns was “always very attentive to what you said … He was a good priest, a wonderful character. He brought a lot of love and kindness to the world,” Father Deutsch said.

Faithful Servant, Friend, Family Member

Like many at the funeral, Father Kearns’ nephew Bill Ostenfeld spoke of how his uncle “liked to chronicle everyone” in the family. “He made videotapes and kept journals to celebrate the stories of our childhoods.”

Devoted to all generations of the family, Ostenfeld said his uncle made it a point to attend everyone’s Sacraments and other occasions such as college baccalaureates. Ostenfeld said his uncle didn’t make a fuss about coming, he would often, “just show up,” delighting the younger members of the family.

His commitment to parish life generated devotion from the parishioners he served, Ostenfeld said. In later years, when his priestly anniversaries were celebrated, it wasn’t unusual for former parishioners to attend.

“He loved being a priest,” said Father Kearns’ sister, Mary Elizabeth Niedzwiecki. “He had a gift for words, and he was a very good brother. He was devoted to the family over the years. My sister had eight children, and I had five, and he was always there for us. It meant a lot,” she said.

Path to Priesthood

A retired priest of the Diocese, 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, he 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.

Retiring from active ministry in 1999, Father Kearns assisted in ministering the Sacraments throughout the parishes of the Trenton Diocese for many years.

In addition to his parents, Father Kearns was predeceased by his sister, Eileen Abel; a nephew and a niece. Along with Niedzwiecki and the Ostenfeld family, he is survived by several nieces, nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Father Kearns was buried Nov. 18 in St. Joseph Cemetery, Keyport.