Newly installed Holy Cross pastor finds welcoming and supportive community
December 15, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
Father Michael Lankford-Stokes has devoted his priestly life to sharing the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with as many faithful as possible. He ministered to the faithful in three Catholic communities in the Diocese, followed by nearly two decades of serving the members of the United States Armed Forces as a chaplain. As of July 1, he warmly embraced the chance to return to parish work as the newly appointed pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, and four months later, he and his faith community marked that milestone when he was installed as pastor during a Nov. 17 Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
“The installation of a pastor is a time of great joy and celebration for a parish,” said Bishop O’Connell.
“I thank the Bishop for entrusting to me such a magnificent parish,” said Father Lankford-Stokes, who is the 10th pastor of Holy Cross Parish that was established in 1883. He succeeds Father Michael Manning, who was pastor from 2004 until he retired this past July.
“Being a pastor allows me to guide sacramentally and spiritually a community entrusted to me which I already find rewarding and also challenging … And by God’s grace, I will be able to fulfill these duties effectively and with joy,” Father Lankford said.
As priests, “we aid our flock with knowledge, advice, good council and hopefully wisdom on all matters of Church life and worship,” Father Lankford said, adding that most importantly, a priest serves as an instrument “to get you to heaven and as an aid on your pilgrim journey while here on earth.”
Christopher McCarrick, back row, left, Holy Cross Academy principal, Bishop O’Connell and Father Lankford-Stokes pose for a photo with students who participated in the Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo
About Father Lankford-Stokes
A priest of the Trenton Diocese for more than 32 years, the now 66-year-old Michael Lankford-Stokes was raised Episcopalian and in a military family that lived abroad in Athens, Greece, Spain, Morocco, Panama and England before settling in Michigan where he attended public school and worshiped with his parents in the Episcopal tradition.
As a youth, Father Lankford-Stokes became drawn to the Catholic faith and the idea of religious life. During his years at Michigan State University he began attending Mass and eventually realized his desire to become Catholic, which he did in 1979. He entered Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary, Worthington, Ohio, in 1986 and was ordained a priest May 16, 1992, by Bishop John C. Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
After 15 years serving in parishes in the Diocese, Father Lankford-Stokes discerned a change in his vocation, moving to chaplaincy work with the United States Armed Forces. He became a fulltime Catholic chaplain for the Department of Veterans Affairs in East Orange, in which much of his focus was on ministering to veterans, many of whom were navigating complicated circumstances impacted by war.
Since his July 1 arrival to Holy Cross Parish, Father Lankford has found the parish community to be very welcoming.
In every aspect, “Holy Cross Parish and Holy Cross Academy; have gone out of their way for me,” he said noting the parish currently has 2,547 registered families with 219 students in the school, 256 students in religious education and 15 ministries.
“I could not be more pleased with the kindness and help I have been offered,” he said.
Strong Supporters
Among those at the Mass were several brother priests, including Msgr. Joseph Rosie, pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and episcopal vicar of Monmouth County.
As young priests, Msgr. Rosie said that he and Father Lankford-Stokes had served together as parochial vicars for three years in St. James Parish, Red Bank.
“Now after his years serving as a chaplain, it’s good to see him home and part of Monmouth County and Holy Cross Parish,” Msgr. Rosie said.
As principal of Holy Cross Academy, Christopher McCarrick said that in the past several months, Father Lankford-Stokes “has jumped right into all things Holy Cross since taking leadership of the parish.
“We are looking forward to having Father Michael lead the parish and specifically the school for the foreseeable future,” McCarrick said.
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Father Michael Lankford-Stokes has devoted his priestly life to sharing the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with as many faithful as possible. He ministered to the faithful in three Catholic communities in the Diocese, followed by nearly two decades of serving the members of the United States Armed Forces as a chaplain. As of July 1, he warmly embraced the chance to return to parish work as the newly appointed pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, and four months later, he and his faith community marked that milestone when he was installed as pastor during a Nov. 17 Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
“The installation of a pastor is a time of great joy and celebration for a parish,” said Bishop O’Connell.
“I thank the Bishop for entrusting to me such a magnificent parish,” said Father Lankford-Stokes, who is the 10th pastor of Holy Cross Parish that was established in 1883. He succeeds Father Michael Manning, who was pastor from 2004 until he retired this past July.
“Being a pastor allows me to guide sacramentally and spiritually a community entrusted to me which I already find rewarding and also challenging … And by God’s grace, I will be able to fulfill these duties effectively and with joy,” Father Lankford said.
As priests, “we aid our flock with knowledge, advice, good council and hopefully wisdom on all matters of Church life and worship,” Father Lankford said, adding that most importantly, a priest serves as an instrument “to get you to heaven and as an aid on your pilgrim journey while here on earth.”
Christopher McCarrick, back row, left, Holy Cross Academy principal, Bishop O’Connell and Father Lankford-Stokes pose for a photo with students who participated in the Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo
About Father Lankford-Stokes
A priest of the Trenton Diocese for more than 32 years, the now 66-year-old Michael Lankford-Stokes was raised Episcopalian and in a military family that lived abroad in Athens, Greece, Spain, Morocco, Panama and England before settling in Michigan where he attended public school and worshiped with his parents in the Episcopal tradition.
As a youth, Father Lankford-Stokes became drawn to the Catholic faith and the idea of religious life. During his years at Michigan State University he began attending Mass and eventually realized his desire to become Catholic, which he did in 1979. He entered Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary, Worthington, Ohio, in 1986 and was ordained a priest May 16, 1992, by Bishop John C. Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
After 15 years serving in parishes in the Diocese, Father Lankford-Stokes discerned a change in his vocation, moving to chaplaincy work with the United States Armed Forces. He became a fulltime Catholic chaplain for the Department of Veterans Affairs in East Orange, in which much of his focus was on ministering to veterans, many of whom were navigating complicated circumstances impacted by war.
Since his July 1 arrival to Holy Cross Parish, Father Lankford has found the parish community to be very welcoming.
In every aspect, “Holy Cross Parish and Holy Cross Academy; have gone out of their way for me,” he said noting the parish currently has 2,547 registered families with 219 students in the school, 256 students in religious education and 15 ministries.
“I could not be more pleased with the kindness and help I have been offered,” he said.
Strong Supporters
Among those at the Mass were several brother priests, including Msgr. Joseph Rosie, pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank, and episcopal vicar of Monmouth County.
As young priests, Msgr. Rosie said that he and Father Lankford-Stokes had served together as parochial vicars for three years in St. James Parish, Red Bank.
“Now after his years serving as a chaplain, it’s good to see him home and part of Monmouth County and Holy Cross Parish,” Msgr. Rosie said.
As principal of Holy Cross Academy, Christopher McCarrick said that in the past several months, Father Lankford-Stokes “has jumped right into all things Holy Cross since taking leadership of the parish.
“We are looking forward to having Father Michael lead the parish and specifically the school for the foreseeable future,” McCarrick said.