‘A Quieter Life’: Father Hesko looks forward to prayer, charity after 40-year ministry
July 25, 2024 at 12:20 p.m.
As Father Daniel Hesko considered his 40 years of priesthood and looked forward to retirement, he also considered his challenges, including “a few big health issues.”
“These have taught me that I need to rely on help, and also a movement toward letting go,” said Father Hesko, who has spent the past 30 years as administrator, then pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown.
PHOTO GALLERY: Father Hesko retires from Middletown parish
Battling mobility constraints, his retirement plans include relocating to Virginia to be near family.
“I have contacted the local clergy and hope to be of some use,” he noted. “I hope to spend a deeper time in living a quieter life of prayer, penance and charity.”
Father Hesko, who has served in the Trenton Diocese since 1989, also recalled his initial vocational goal: “To grow closer in my relationship with Christ.”
To young priests and those considering a vocation to the priesthood, Father Hesko said: “Keep your eyes on Christ. Learn to laugh and strive to be available with the people you are privileged to serve.”
Born in 1954 in Philadelphia, young Daniel began to consider the priesthood in his teenage years.
Father Hesko receives well-wishes from parishioners following Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo“I was greatly influenced by the Redemptorist Fathers at the St. John Neumann Shrine in Philadelphia,” he said.
As a young man he attended Philadelphia College of the Bible and St. Alphonsus College, Suffield, Conn., graduating with a bachelor of science degree. He then entered the Baltimore Province of the Redemptorists, spending a philosophical year at St. Alphonsus and his novitiate in Oconomowoc, Wis.
He enrolled in Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, N.Y., where he earned master’s degrees in religious education and divinity. He was ordained May 26, 1984, in the Esopus chapel, the first priest to be ordained by New York’s new archbishop, John O’Connor, who became a cardinal the following year.
Father Hesko began his priestly ministry in Maryland, appointed first to St. Wenceslaus Parish, Baltimore, 1984-85, before moving to St. Gerard Parish in Lima, Ohio, 1985-88, followed by an assignment at St. Paul Parish, Norwalk, Ohio.
“We all learn from one another as we mature in life,” he said of the wisdom imparted from the parishioners to whom he ministered. “Entering into good friendships with so many people has been life-giving.”
He began his ministry in the Diocese of Trenton at St. Joseph Parish, now part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport, serving there 1989-91. He served at St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, 1991-92, and St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Trenton May 18, 1993.
In his time at St. Catherine Laboure, Father Hesko served parishioners of the Jersey Shore faith community and those who visited for the summer. In 1999 he was appointed spiritual director of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima chapter in Monmouth County.
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As Father Daniel Hesko considered his 40 years of priesthood and looked forward to retirement, he also considered his challenges, including “a few big health issues.”
“These have taught me that I need to rely on help, and also a movement toward letting go,” said Father Hesko, who has spent the past 30 years as administrator, then pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown.
PHOTO GALLERY: Father Hesko retires from Middletown parish
Battling mobility constraints, his retirement plans include relocating to Virginia to be near family.
“I have contacted the local clergy and hope to be of some use,” he noted. “I hope to spend a deeper time in living a quieter life of prayer, penance and charity.”
Father Hesko, who has served in the Trenton Diocese since 1989, also recalled his initial vocational goal: “To grow closer in my relationship with Christ.”
To young priests and those considering a vocation to the priesthood, Father Hesko said: “Keep your eyes on Christ. Learn to laugh and strive to be available with the people you are privileged to serve.”
Born in 1954 in Philadelphia, young Daniel began to consider the priesthood in his teenage years.
Father Hesko receives well-wishes from parishioners following Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo“I was greatly influenced by the Redemptorist Fathers at the St. John Neumann Shrine in Philadelphia,” he said.
As a young man he attended Philadelphia College of the Bible and St. Alphonsus College, Suffield, Conn., graduating with a bachelor of science degree. He then entered the Baltimore Province of the Redemptorists, spending a philosophical year at St. Alphonsus and his novitiate in Oconomowoc, Wis.
He enrolled in Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, N.Y., where he earned master’s degrees in religious education and divinity. He was ordained May 26, 1984, in the Esopus chapel, the first priest to be ordained by New York’s new archbishop, John O’Connor, who became a cardinal the following year.
Father Hesko began his priestly ministry in Maryland, appointed first to St. Wenceslaus Parish, Baltimore, 1984-85, before moving to St. Gerard Parish in Lima, Ohio, 1985-88, followed by an assignment at St. Paul Parish, Norwalk, Ohio.
“We all learn from one another as we mature in life,” he said of the wisdom imparted from the parishioners to whom he ministered. “Entering into good friendships with so many people has been life-giving.”
He began his ministry in the Diocese of Trenton at St. Joseph Parish, now part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport, serving there 1989-91. He served at St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, 1991-92, and St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Trenton May 18, 1993.
In his time at St. Catherine Laboure, Father Hesko served parishioners of the Jersey Shore faith community and those who visited for the summer. In 1999 he was appointed spiritual director of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima chapter in Monmouth County.
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.